News

Governor Eric Holcomb Thursday announced a plan to return $1 billion of state reserves to Hoosier taxpayers, following higher than expected revenue performance this fiscal year. The Governor’s office says each taxpayer would collect about $225 in addition to $125 Hoosiers are currently receiving from the state’s automatic taxpayer refund (ATR). Each eligible Hoosier would receive about $350; a married couple filing jointly would receive about $700. The state’s reported revenues for May, released Thursday, were $209 million over forecast. For 11 months of the fiscal year, revenues are $1.075 billion over forecast. The governor’s office says if approved, an

A Purdue Northwest process to turn food waste into sustainable hydrogen has been licensed to an energy company. The Purdue Research Foundation recently completed the agreement with an international energy company for the commercialization of a new process discovered at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) for the biological production of hydrogen from food waste. A second licensing agreement with a company in Indiana is under negotiation. Purdue says the new process uses food waste to biologically produce hydrogen that can be used as a sustainable energy source for producing electricity, as well as for chemical and industrial processes or as a

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department maintenance staff Tuesday and Wednesday morning spread over 245 tons of sand along Stone Lake Beach. The park department thanked the La Porte Park Foundation for funding this project on its Facebook page.  At Stone Lake Beach Lifeguards on duty and concession stand open from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through August 14.  

On Saturday, June 4, community partners who share a passion for justice joined with the Pennsylvania Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) group to hold a workshop to help youth and law enforcement better understand how the other half lives. Erika Stallworth, Director of the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center, Mary Lake, Chief of Staff for the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office, and Kris Pate, Director of United Way of LaPorte County, joined with the PA DMC group to present useful information to teenaged participants and members of the local law enforcement community, and to have participants engage in role-reversal exercises to better

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced it has designated a new Center for High Energy Physics (CHEP). The center will include the university’s particle and high energy physics research and community outreach programs. PNW says that high energy physics is a subfield of physics that seeks to better understand the fundamental particles and forces of nature. The center will leverage its existing programs and promote PNW’s unique status as a member in several circles of world-class physics research. The center will operate under the leadership of Dr. Neeti Parashar, professor of Physics and the center’s founder and director. Joining her will

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) Wednesday approved new K-12 Indiana Academic Standards in science and computer science, as well as academic standards for a new middle school civics course.  The Indiana Department of Education stated “Indiana’s new science standards reflect similar content areas as Indiana’s previous 2016 standards, with an increased focus on supporting active student engagement in science learning.”  The department says this includes updates to Indiana’s science standards that:  -Reflect science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world;  -Build logically from kindergarten through grade 12;  -Focus on deeper understanding as well as application

Visit Indiana and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) Wednesday launched the ‘IN Indiana’ marketing campaign, a unique effort to tell the Hoosier State’s authentic story. Visit Indiana has developed an extensive customizable toolkit of resources available free of charge to every business, small town, big city, and destination in the state. “In keeping with our great state’s spirit of innovation, this campaign gives tools and a voice to everyone, making Indiana stronger together,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “From Indiana’s shoreline to the hills in southern Indiana, there is something for everyone here IN Indiana.”  The IN Indiana marketing

Michigan City Area Schools Tuesday congratulated Kevin McGuire, who was recently named Chief Financial Officer for Michigan City Area Schools. MCAS says that Kevin has served as MCAS Director of Technology for the past 20 years and that they welcome him into this new role. MCAS also congratulated Ms. Neal, new Principal of Marsh Elementary for next school year. Additionally they congratulated and gave best wishes to Mrs. Tappan, who is retiring as Marsh Principal after 26 years of service.

Construction work was recently completed near U.S. 12 and NICTD's tracks at LaPorte/Porter County Line Road. U.S. 12 had a short-term road closure as this work occurred. Additional road closures will occur moving westward throughout the project.  

The La Porte Police Department announced that Tuesday’s traffic blitz was a success.  With nine officers the blitz yielded 46 traffic stops, 31 written warnings, 20 citations, one drug arrest, and one traffic arrest.  Police said the blitz was necessary in order to make the roads of La Porte safer and reduce traffic accidents.  The department said comments received Monday helped to identify locations where citizens have concerns of traffic in their neighborhoods. They also said this will help direct their next blitz and daily patrolling.  

Noe S. Najera, Horizon Bank’s Executive Vice President, Senior Retail and Mortgage Lending Officer, Tuesday announced the promotion of Kenneth A. Whisenton as Senior Community Development Officer. Whisenton will lead, manage, and administer Horizon Bank's CRA, Fair Lending, and Diversity & Inclusion outreach programs. This position will support the oversight of the Bank's CRA Lending, Community Development, and CRA Investment activities throughout Horizon Bank’s footprint.  Horizon says Whisenton came to the company with a firm belief that access to capital, financial education, and wealth-building financial services should be assessable to all. As a Community Reinvestment Officer, he worked closely with

The LaPorte County Health Department announced that COVID-19 at-Home test kits are available for free at both the La Porte and Michigan City offices during normal office hours. The La Porte Office is located at 809 State Street 4th floor of the County Complex building. The Michigan City Office is located at 300 Washington Street, Suite 106 on the first floor of the courthouse. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Test kits will be available while supplies last. Please contact their office with any questions.

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work is underway in both the west and east parking lots. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old

The Michigan City Police Department continues extra Violent Crime Reduction patrols to combat a recent uptick in gun violence. While out conducting patrols officers seized four handguns, drugs, and made four arrests over the weekend. On Friday, an officer observed a traffic infraction on Barker Avenue near Cloud Street on a Ford SUV. After catching up with the vehicle in the 1300 block of E. Michigan Boulevard a traffic stop was conducted, and six individuals were identified inside the vehicle. After further investigation a search was conducted by officers and four handguns were located in the vehicle. One of the

Valparaiso Police are investigating the theft of money from the Valparaiso Casey’s General Store, located at 2004 Morthland Dr. The theft occurred on May 20, at around 7:00 p.m. Police say the male subjects are people of interest in the theft, as they were known to have the currency in their possession before leaving the area in a dark colored SUV. Police say if you have information regarding the subjects or vehicle in the posted photos, contact Detective Josh Biggs at 219-462-2135. Information can also be texted to TIP411 (847-411) and enter “Valpo” in the message field prior to sending

Overnight lane closures are scheduled for this evening, June 7, for pavement repairs ahead of ongoing construction on I-65 between U.S. 30 and I-80/94. Overnight lane closures on or after Thursday, June 9 will be used to set up the new maintenance of traffic. Starting on or after the morning of June 10, three travel lanes will be open to traffic but will be shifted to make room for the work zone. INDOT says motorists should follow lane markings carefully through these traffic shifts. The ramp from southbound I-65 to Ridge Road and ramp from Ridge Road to I-65 northbound

The La Porte Police Department announced Monday that due to a noticeable uptick in accidents and citizen complaints the department is going to start doing weekly focused traffic blitzes. Police say the blitzes will be with the aid of Patrol, Chief and Assistant Chief and Detective Bureau personnel. The department also says the dates will be on random weekdays and weekends.

Franciscan Health Dyer has announced a partnership with Signet Health to provide management and advisory services for its growing behavioral health service line, which recently expanded its adolescent programs. Earlier this year, Signet partnered with Franciscan Health Michigan City at its behavioral health unit, bringing “a wealth of expertise and an experienced team focused on behavioral health and rehab,” according to Scott Mundell, administrative director of business development at Franciscan Alliance. “While Signet is serving in an advisory and management capacity, patient care will still be provided by Franciscan Health,” he added. Signet Health is based in North Richland Hills,

This summer, all Indiana students age 18 and younger have access to free, nutritious meals and snacks at more than 1,000 locations statewide through the 2022 Summer Food Service Program, according the Indiana Department of Education. To find a Summer Food Service site, families can visit IDOENutrition.com to search for sites near them. The tool allows families to search by the meal served and days of the week where meals are offered. Families can also call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE or text “summer meals” or “verano” to the National Hunger Hotline at 914-342-7744 for additional assistance.

VNA Hospice of NWI, in partnership with the Porter County Community Foundation, are hosting an event for veterans in our community called Porter County Stand Down. Inspired by the “stand downs” of the Vietnam era which offered service members a break from combat to attend to personal needs, the event will provide veterans with the opportunity to obtain resources, benefits, and other helpful information from 50+ vendors in one, convenient location.  “The Stand Down is an effort to honor and give back to the veterans in our community who have given all of us so much,” said Bob Franko, President