News

State health officials announced Saturday that the first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana in 2022 has been identified, the Indiana State Department of Health announced. The department said no further information about the patient will be released due to privacy concerns. Initial testing was completed at the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Laboratories Monday. Confirmatory testing is pending at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on the initial positive test and preliminary case investigation, state health officials consider this a probable monkeypox infection. The patient remains isolated, and health officials are working to identify anyone the

Concrete pavement restoration operations will move from northbound to southbound State Road 55 between State Road 2 and U.S. 231 on or after Wednesday, June 22, INDOT said in an update. Currently, northbound State Road 55 is closed between 137th Avenue and U.S. 231. Local traffic seeking to access businesses or homes on State Road 55 in the closed section have to come from the north and utilize southbound State Road 55 to get to their destination. Weather permitting, the lane closure will switch to the southbound side of the roadway between 137th Avenue and U.S. 231 Wednesday. INDOT says

A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. central time to 7 p.m. this evening for the counties of LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph and Berrien in the WIMS area. Heat index values in the 95 to 100 degree range expected this afternoon and early evening. Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. The National Weather Services advises to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you

The City of Valparaiso announced that as of 1:00 p.m. on Monday, the water main leak, which was scheduled to be repaired, was located and repaired by Valparaiso City Utilities field service crews. The city says the repair was completed without the need to interrupt water service to our customers. The City of Valparaiso says if you need further assistance to call the city at 219-462-6174.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of 65 year-old Curtis R. Heaphy, who was being held in the La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Early Sunday morning during a routine check, Heaphy was found unresponsive inside his assigned cell by a LCSO Jail Division member. The jail staff immediately began to render aid and resuscitation efforts. Members of the La Porte County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported Heaphy to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus. At 3:25 a.m. Heaphy was pronounced deceased by the medical staff at Northwest Health. Thursday afternoon, Heaphy was arrested

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Friday announced the launch of the Recovery Capital Index, designed to measure the sum of resources necessary for an individual to initiate and sustain recovery from addiction and to help track the overall recovery capital of the state and communities. “People in recovery have been telling us for decades that there is more to recovery than just maintaining sobriety,” said Jay Chaudhary, DMHA director. “A well-rounded, fulfilling life is the key to a thriving recovery. The Recovery Capital Index will help the state measure the quality of

Governor Eric Holcomb will join federal, state and local partners to celebrate the start of construction for the South Shore Double Track Project on Monday at 10 a.m. at 11th Street and Franklin Street in Michigan City. The expansion is one of the largest public transit investments in Indiana’s history which will result in unmatched economic growth for the region and the state. Also attending are Sen. Todd Young, Rep. Frank Mrvan, Pete Visclosky, former congressman and chairman of Gary/Chicago International Airport Kelley Brookins, FTA Region 5 Regional Administrator.

Valparaiso City Utilities field service crews will be investigating a potential water main leak on State Road 2. Based on the results of this investigation, water service may be interrupted on Monday, June 20, at 8:00 a.m. for a period of time for customers in the Aberdeen, Autumn Oaks, The Prairies and Eagle View subdivisions. The city says the schedule gives customers a window of opportunity to prepare for a possible water outage. The city says however, if the leak worsens and/or pressure is lost, water service will be interrupted sooner than the scheduled outage. At this time, the City

Beginning Monday, June 20 through Friday, June 24, drivers along Willowcreek Road, between Lute Road and U.S. 6, can expect lane restrictions. Indiana American Water has informed the city that work will begin to repair the "dip" on Willowcreek Road by their contractor. The roadway was damaged by a water main break several months ago. The city is telling drivers to drive safely through the area and look out for the construction workers repairing the roadway.

PORTER COUNTY -- The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve informed the public on Friday that on Thursday night someone dumped a truckload of tires off the bridge and into the preserve and Coffee Creek. The preserve said the authorities and town were contacted. The preserve says if anyone has any information that might help the investigation, please call the Chesterton Police Department. The preserve went on to say they will work to have the tires cleaned up as soon as possible.

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd officially announced the hiring of three new merit patrol deputies, effective May 23. The deputies hired are 32 year-old Justin D. Gorny, 28 year-old Julian A. Sanchez, and 27 year-old Matthew M. Disbrow. Gorny is a 2008 graduate of New Prairie High School. Following graduation, Gorny attended Indiana State University earning a bachelor’s degree in 2013 while majoring in Criminal Justice and Criminology. In 2015, he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and was a member of Basic Recruit Class 202. Gorny is married, has two children, and currently resides in South

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department says it has become aware of recent calls to Lake County residents from people pretending to be Lake County police officers. The phony officers attempt to bilk citizens out of thousands of dollars. The department says it has received more than 14 calls from people who have been contacted by scammers demanding large sums of money as payment for “violations” including a missed court appearance. The fraudsters then ask the would-be victim to pay using  mobile payment apps including Venmo, Zelle and CashApp and also suggested payment could be made through electronic or virtual currency,

The Valparaiso Police Department is alerting the public about a recent phone scam reported in the area. The department says it has been notified in recent weeks of various scams that are occurring over the phone in the area. The department says these financial scams often encourage large sums to be donated, pay for a loved ones criminal or health issues, or require payment for what seems to be actual services. Valpo police say that on a national level, political and law enforcement support groups are now being used as fraudulent reasons to solicit such funds from unexpected victims. Valparaiso

The State Road 2 closure south of U.S. 30 in Porter County will be moved from the intersection of Horse Prairie Avenue /Smoke Road to the bridge over Sager Run on or after Friday, June 17. This is still minor work to be completed in the northeast corner of the Horse Prairie Avenue / Smoke Road and State Road 2 intersection, which will be done under flagging operations.  State Road 2 will be closed over Sager Run (between U.S. 30 and Horse Prairie Avenue / Smoke Road). That work will take approximately six to eight weeks, and then State Road

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department recently received a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte to fund operations at the Activity Center for Older Adults (ACOA). The facility, located in downtown La Porte, provides services and programs for the city’s senior population. “La Porte Activity Center is much more than a social space or a place to play cards,” said Maria Fruth, President and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. “It connects older adults to vital community services that can help them stay healthy and independent. The Center offers activities to keep seniors

Franciscan Health Michigan City staff members recently recognized three of their colleagues for their team approach to patient care and rapport with staff and patients. Hospitalist and internal medicine physician Elias Salloum, M.D., is the 2022 St. Luke Award recipient, and nurses Abby Knoll, R.N., and Jill Ross, R.N., are the 2022 St. Camillus Award recipients. The winner of the St. Luke Award, named for the patron saint of physicians and surgeons, is chosen each year by the patient care staff. Franciscan says, "The award recognizes physicians who have an outstanding rapport with nurses, patients and their families; show respect

Franciscan Health’s Mobile Markets in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana will be offered this month at both Hammond and Crown Point hospitals. The Mobile Markets are provided by the Franciscan Health Foundation as a key component of its Franciscan Food Insecurity Program. Upcoming Mobile Markets locations and dates are: -Franciscan Health Crown Point, 1201 S. Main St., 3PM, Tuesday, June 21, in the hospital parking lot near the helicopter pad. -Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., 3PM, Wednesday, June 22, in the parking lot across the street next to Centier Bank.

Attorney General Todd Rokita encourages Hoosiers to avoid scams by being mindful as they prepare for out-of-town summer vacations. To ensure your time away is as safe as possible, use caution to avoid crafty scammers. Attorney General Rokita shared the following list of tips to avoid common vacation scams: -Avoid high-pressure sales pitches before you book a trip. -Be extra cautious when booking through an unfamiliar company. Check the Better Business Bureau ratings and research the name online to see if there are any allegations of scams. -Read the fine print in the contract before you sign it. It will tell you

Michigan City Transit Service will not be operating on Monday June 20th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. They will resume regular service on Tuesday June 21st.