News

Press release, Indiana Department of Transportation: K-12, higher education, business and industry leaders share support for updated proposal The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today presented a second draft of a proposal to redesign high school diploma requirements to the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE). The second draft incorporates significant updates, after months of stakeholder feedback, with a focus on rigor and flexibility for students to personalize their high school experience. This is part of the state’s ongoing, collaborative effort to rethink the high school experience, making it more learner-centric and future-focused. “We know that every Indiana student has

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will begin offering a new Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence degree program, with the first students expected to begin courses in spring 2025. PNW’s master’s degree in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) will prepare accepted graduate students with AI knowledge, hands-on experiences and advanced practical skills, including the design, development and implementation of AI applications to real-world challenges and responsive uses of AI technology. “As the premier metropolitan university in our region, we need to address the needs of the industry by developing innovative programs,” said Mohammad Zahraee, interim dean

DYER, Indiana – Interventional Cardiologist Asad J. Torabi, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer and at a second office Crown Point. Dr. Torabi is board-certified in interventional cardiology. He attended medical school and completed his residency and fellowship at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Dr. Torabi’s clinical interests include coronary artery disease, aortic valve stenosis, mitral regurgitation, structural heart disease and sports cardiology. In addition to English, Dr. Torabi speaks Persian/Farsi. Dr. Torabi is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Dyer, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 400 and

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Tuesday released results from the 2023-2024 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) assessment, which show third graders had the largest single-year increase since the assessment was launched in 2013. "Ensuring Hoosier students are able to read is key to not only the future of Indiana, but to the individual success of every child," said Governor Eric Holcomb. "The historic literacy investments we have made over the past several years are beginning to show return on investment, which is a testament to the hard work of teachers, families and students in every corner of our

The foundation of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) curriculum is Leadership Traits and Principles.  During the summer of 2024, the cadets demonstrated the trait of unselfishness by giving of their time and talents in numerous community service projects.  Among those events were the Michigan City Police Department Youth Leadership Camp, the Michigan City Juneteenth Celebration, recycling at the Members Advantage Credit Union, the LaPorte County Triathlon, the Washington Park Zoo Clean-Up, the MCHS Freshman Orientation, parking support for the Michiana Humane Society fundraiser, and the Citywide Back to School Rally. The

Officers from the Chesterton Police Department Sunday evening successfully apprehended a suspect involved in a string of thefts and felony frauds after a pursuit that began after the suspect vehicle fled from a traffic stop. While patrolling near Dickinson Road and Porter Avenue, officers received a Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) alert identifying a vehicle connected to multiple thefts and associated felony frauds. The suspect's vehicle, bearing an expired license plate, was observed traveling north on Dickinson Road. The suspect then turned west onto Porter Avenue and north on State Road 49. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on

NIPSCO crews responded to a "third-party damage” Tuesday afternoon to their gas line at 6750 Daniel Burnham Dr. in Portage. The gas leak caused all of I-94 between SR 249 (MM 19) and Hwy 20 (MM22) to be closed for several hours into Tuesday evening. NIPSCO said Tuesday evening that gas flow to the damaged section of pipe was terminated successfully, and traffic was able to move once again. As of Tuesday evening NIPSCO crews had begun making repairs to the damaged section of pipe.

La Porte, IN – Mayor Dermody in partnership with IST Distribution, announced plans for a $24 million capital investment to build and equip an 81,000 sq. ft. plastic pellet distribution facility along 39 North at 2321 Progress Drive. IST Distribution will utilize the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad spur to bring in bulk plastic pellets for distribution to customers across the United States. The company plans to employ 12 new full-time employees making an average wage of $34.00/hour. According to Mayor Dermody, “The City of La Porte is focused on building a high quality, reliable utility network. The

Unity Foundation of La Porte County invites Michigan City area educators to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful. Unity Foundation manages three grant programs established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning. Together the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators at Michigan City public and private schools for projects of their own design since the mid-1990s. These grants of $400 to $500 each aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students. Teachers are invited to complete an application at

Drive sober or get pulled over. That’s the warning the LaPorte Police Department is issuing to drivers as they gear up for the annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting August 16 through September 2, officers with the La Porte Police Department will join with officers across the state to increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “Driving drunk or drug-impaired is a problem for

Education, Family Birth Center tours and giveaways featured DYER, Indiana – Franciscan Health Dyer is hosting a free baby expo for expectant families and new parents. The Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Expo is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Franciscan Health Dyer, 24 Joliet St. in the first floor conference rooms. Attendees should enter through the main entrance. Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep and breastfeeding will be offered along with information from health vendors, clinical staff, healthcare providers and community resources. Tours of the

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – A blended team of architecture, urban design, transportation, planning and housing development professionals is in place to pave the path for the reuse of the Indiana State Prison site. A collection of industry leaders has been approved to develop a master plan and design as part of the ISP Redevelopment Strategy. Farr Associates, Terra Engineering, McKenna, Zimmerman-Volk Associates and Sam Schwartz are bringing a combined level of expertise to analyze, develop, plan, design and present recommendations for the property. “The extensive scope of the State Prison redevelopment project needs a strong foundation of expertise to best pinpoint

VALPARAISO, Ind. – Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) has announced a 73-acre addition to Meadowbrook Nature Preserve and Conservation Center, located north of Valparaiso. The property contains SHLT’s organizational headquarters and serves as a regional conservation destination with over 300 protected acres, more than four miles of trails for passive recreation, and exceptional facilities that support educational programming. “Meadowbrook is part of the greater Moraine Forest Conservation Area, an area that has long been a conservation priority for us,” said Executive Director Kristopher Krouse. “The 73-acre addition has been a part of a family farm for over 100 years and

Chesterton, IN – August 6, 2024 – The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our upcoming State of the Schools event on Thursday, September 5, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM at the Hilton Garden Inn. Attendees will enjoy a light breakfast and refreshments while Dr. Chip Pettit, Superintendent of the Duneland School Corporation, provides an insightful update on various aspects of our local schools. Key topics will include the new strategic plan, student performance metrics, staffing updates, facilities, and financial status. This event offers a valuable opportunity for community members to stay informed about the progress and future

The following is a letter from South Shore Line President Mike Noland: August 9, 2024, Dear South Shore Line Riders, On July 29th, at the meeting of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District Board, we provided an update on the rollout of the new service that started in May. The Board heard from several riders and from members of our front-line staff that the schedule needs to be revised and that our service delivery needs to be improved. As I have stated since we started this correspondence and the end of May, we whole heartedly agree with this assessment and

ITR Concession Co. LLC (ITRCC), the concessionaire and operator of the Indiana Toll Road, is announcing that construction work from mile marker 10 (Exit 10 Gary/Chicago International Airport) to mile marker 20 (just west of the Indiana Toll Road Lake Station Exit 21 Toll Plaza) will commence September 9, 2024, weather permitting. The work will consist of eastbound (EB) and westbound (WB) mainline milling and paving operations, which will include intermittent and short-term lane and shoulder closures. This comprehensive project will also include the resurfacing of the Gary West Exit 14A interchange, which will necessitate its temporary closure. ITRCC will

THC in the workplace among the topics to be addressed Franciscan WorkingWell is hosting a free, day-long symposium at Avalon Manor on Sept. 12 aimed at helping employers find healthcare solutions. “Today’s Healthcare Solutions for Employers” will showcase expert speakers from WorkingWell addressing a variety of diverse topics, including THC (the primary intoxicant in marijuana) in the workplace. Broker and employer panels will discuss trends and strategies in employer-sponsored clinics, detail the benefits of corporate wellness programs and share local success stories. The symposium will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Lincoln

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction has moved to phase one of bridge work on I-65 between State Road 2 and State Road 10. Southbound traffic remains shifted to the right in the current configuration, and northbound traffic is split with one lane as a counterflow lane on the southbound side and one lane remaining on the northbound side. The location of the lane on the northbound side will shift during different phases of construction through the fall. Work on the northbound side will be ongoing through early November. Traffic will go back to

VALPARAISO – On August 25th from 2-5pm, Don Quijote Restaurante will be hosting a dinner to benefit VNA Hospice NWI’s Meals on Wheels of Porter County program. Don Quijote owners Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina are generously donating all of the food, wine, staffing, and venue so that 100% of all funds raised will go directly to feed seniors in need. Tickets for the event are $125, which provides nearly 1 month of hot lunches, and include a four-course meal of Manchego cheese and Spanish Olives, Campiñones, Albondigas, and Patatas Bravas, Blackened Red Fish with Sautéed Shrimp and Salad, homemade

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close U.S. 231 between Bell Street and Fathke Road on or after Monday, August 12. U.S. 231 will be closed through mid-September for a small structure replacement project. This closure was originally announced earlier this year to follow a pipe lining project to the east on U.S. 231 but was delayed due to utility relocations. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, U.S. 30 and State Road 55.