News

The Family and Social Services Administration of Indiana has provided an update about pandemic-related emergency SNAP benefits.  In March 2020, the U.S. government allowed the state of Indiana to issue “emergency allotments” to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed SNAP families to receive the maximum benefit allowed based on the number of people in the household. For many Hoosiers, this meant they received more SNAP benefits than they would have under non-emergency conditions, according to the FSSA. Due to the end of the state public health emergency on March 3, 2022, and a recent

The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards recruited to an environmental partnership Monday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Ninth District.  Rear Adm. Michael Johnston, Commander of the United States Coast Guard Ninth District joined Canadian Coast Guard Central Region Assistant Commissioner Marc-André Meunier for an updated signing of the Great Lakes Geographic Annex (CANUSLAK) agreement between the two coast guards in Montreal, Quebec on Monday.  The Coast Guard says that keeping these waters clean and safe from threats of pollution is a top priority for both coast guards. The agreement is an operational annex plan to the bilateral Joint Marine

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and the Society of Innovators at PNW will host the Innovate WithIN Region 6 Finals during a live event in Alumni Hall at the PNW Hammond campus on Monday, April 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Innovate WithIN is the most elite pitch competition in the country for aspiring high school innovators and entrepreneurs. Student contestants have an opportunity to win $25,000 in funding, tuition and other prizes. Eleven teams were selected from over 400 regional applicants to compete live in the Northwest Indiana Region 6 competition for a chance to win $1,000 and participation

Michigan City Area Schools, the Michigan City Police Department, and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office are jointly informing motorists that “if you disregard an extended school bus stop arm, you will be held accountable.” Beginning March 14, MCAS school bus drivers will note the date, time, and location each time a motorist passes a school bus that has its flashing lights on and stop arm extended. The violations will be reported to law enforcement, which will then issue citations or warnings, based on video evidence provided by cameras installed on the side of the buses. “According to La Porte County

The Washington Park Zoo announced they have welcomed twin Common Marmoset babies. The babies weigh around 30 grams. The zoo says they don't yet know the genders, but the twins are “growing strong under the care of their parents and two older siblings who all share in their care.” The Washington Park Zoo will open for the spring on April 1.

The City of Valparaiso has announced 20 Neighborhood Improvement Grants for 2022. The City of Valparaiso says that since the grant program was introduced in 2018, it has resulted in a positive impact of more than $1 million citywide. Neighborhoods are invited to submit projects that enhance their shared spaces and build community, such as tree plantings, gathering spaces like pavilions and shelters, enhancements to playgrounds and more. To learn who received grants this year and how to apply go to the City of Valparaiso’s website.

A Michigan City resident has been arrested for a robbery that occurred on March 3. Dispatch Center received a 911 call on March 3, at 9:54 a.m. of a robbery in progress at the Smoke and Vape Shop located at 3309 Franklin Street. Responding officers were informed by a Communication Specialist that an employee was struck on the head and possibly injured. Officers learned that an undetermined amount of money was taken by the suspect in the robbery. Officers and detectives from the Investigative Division collected numerous items of evidence during this investigation which aided with identifying the suspect as

South Shore Line passengers are advised that the Transportation Security Administration mask order is extended until April 18, 2022. The order mandates the use of masks or face coverings for all SSL passengers and employees, regardless of vaccination status. In addition to the TSA security directive, SSL employees continue to follow the Federal Railroad Administration’s “Emergency Order Requiring Face Mask Use in Railroad Operations,” effective until further notice. The directives require the use of masks in all SSL stations and trains throughout Indiana and Illinois. The SSL says employees will continue to strictly enforce the mandate, and passengers who do

Thursday, Governor Holcomb signed legislation into law HEA 1222 that would continue a grant program that has expanded access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services across the state of Indiana. The program is known as the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (or CCBHC) program. CCBHCs are designed to provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals; with an emphasis on the provision of 24-hour crisis care, utilization of evidence-based practices, care coordination and integration with physical health care. In Indiana, there are currently 18 CCBHC grantees throughout the state that

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., 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the hospital parking lot near the helicopter pad. -Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, in the parking lot across the street next to Centier Bank. -Franciscan Health Crown Point,

Horizon Bank Announces James Kent as Vice President, Retirement Services Officer Michigan City, IN — Kathleen Snyder, Horizon Bank’s Vice President, Investment Sales and Compliance Manager, is pleased to announce the addition of James Kent as Vice President, Retirement Services Officer. He is located at 515 Franklin, Michigan City. Kent will be leading the bank’s efforts for retirement services to clients and prospects throughout Horizon’s footprint. He specifically provides professional institutional Investment Advisory services, qualified plan consulting, employee/participant education & financial wellness, employer fiduciary risk mitigation, plan design & compliance. Kent has 32 years of experience with retirement services, relationship management and investment advising. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from

Bridge work in the Michigan City area will begin on I-94 between Exit 34 and Exit 40 (U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35) on or after Monday, March 14.  The right lane and shoulder in both the eastbound and westbound directions will be closed between W 400 N and Bleck Road. Two 11-foot lanes with two-foot shoulders will remain open in both directions.  These lane closures are for phase one of a bridge replacement project just east of Johnson Road and will be in place through late June. 

An effort to combat infant mortality in LaPorte County that began last year will now expand thanks to a new Safety PIN (Protecting Indiana’s Newborns) grant from the Indiana Department of Health. Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Manager Danielle Crowder said the new grant will complement the existing Prenatal Assistance Program, which launched in 2021 at Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Homer Street campus. The program benefited from a separate Safety PIN grant to a Northern Indiana collaborative led by Franciscan Health partner Beacon Health. The grant of $500,000 over two years, which was awarded to the Franciscan Health Foundation, will

A person who was trapped in a grain bin was rescued Wednesday afternoon in southern Porter County, according to Indiana DNR Law Enforcement.  District 10’s Sergeant Wendorf, Corporal Shurr, and Officer Brock grabbed shovels and joined rescuers from the seven fire departments in the grain bin rescue. Police say that the person who was trapped was safely removed from the grain bin after a “very technical rescue.”  The Kouts Fire Department, Morgan Township Fire Department, LaCrosse Fire Department, Crown Point Fire Department, Hobart Fire Department, Lowell Fire Department, and Merrillville Fire Department all helped in the effort.  

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has earned national recognition for its efforts to support first-generation college students in attaining a degree. The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation, recently announced PNW will be included in its 2022-23 First-gen Forward cohort. The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.  In the application process, PNW had to demonstrate that the university has current practices and a campus

A man who was wanted in 3 states was arrested following a vehicle pursuit early Tuesday, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's office.  Police say that shortly after 2 a.m., a deputy encountered a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Speedway, located at 5905 North US 35.  A traffic stop near the fuel pump islands was attempted by the deputy, however, the vehicle exited the parking lot of the business and began to travel northbound on US 35.   The vehicle turned and began to travel east on US 20.  The deputy learned the vehicle, a 2002 Mercury, had

The Porter County Health Department announced on its Facebook earlier this week that it is no longer offering COVID testing. It is now offering “free test kits”. This is 2 boxes per person from both the Valparaiso and Portage clinics Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. More information can be found on the Porter County Health Department or on the above flyer.