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Avian influenza has been confirmed in two wild raptor species in Indiana, according to the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW). Diagnostic testing on the raptors was done at Purdue’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, where the birds tested positive with the (HP) H5N1 strain that is circulating in North America. The individual raptors that tested positive were one bald eagle each from Starke and Miami counties, and a red-tailed hawk from Johnson County. Since the beginning of the year, avian influenza has been detected in raptors in multiple states. In light of spring turkey hunting season, which started Wednesday,

Lane closures are scheduled for Burr Street in Lake County starting on or after May 2. Burr Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 25th Ave to 29th Avenue for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project through late August. During phase one, the inside lanes will be closed in both directions. Traffic on I-80/94 will not be impacted, but the ramps at the I-80/94 and Burr St interchange will have lane tapers and restrictions to help with traffic flow into the work zone.  

Two juveniles from Illinois were arrested after leading the Lake County and Highland police officers on a pursuit Wednesday, police say. Sometime around 9 a.m. a license plate scan alerted the Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Department to a stolen 2013 Hyundai sedan traveling near Cline Avenue. When Lake County officers located the Hyundai and attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. Officers pursued the vehicle through Highland, where the two occupants bailed out of the stolen vehicle and fled on foot near the 3700 block of Highway Avenue. Officers pursued the two suspects on foot, and both were apprehended by

The City of Portage has lowered the speed limit on Willowcreek Road/Crisman Road between the entrance to the Indiana Toll Road and Old Porter Road to 30 mph due to construction. Work has been ongoing for just over two weeks and progress is being made on concrete work including sidewalks and curbs. Once the concrete work is completed, they will begin milling and repaving the roadway. The city says that there have been some reports of excess speed through the construction area. The City of Portage stated, “Please slow down. Please be mindful of the construction workers. Be safe to

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Corps (MCJROTC) continues to support the community and MCHS as the school year progresses to final exams.  The cadets supported the Michigan City Easter Egg Hunt at the Friendship Gardens, the MCHS track meets, and the dedication of the MCHS track to former Rogers High School teacher and Olympic gold medalist Barbara Jones Slater. Besides providing support, the MCJROTC is preparing for numerous summer activities.  After a two year hiatus due to the pandemic, the cadets will return to their Leadership Camp at the St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 22nd nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative this Saturday.  The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  This program is for liquid and pill medications.  Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken.  Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal.  This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Indiana

A bridge deck overlay project will reduce I-94 to two lanes in each direction over Willow Creek and the CSX Railroad, which is between the State Road 51/U.S. 6 and State Road 249 exits, on or after Sunday, May 1.  The Indiana Department of Transportation says there will be alternating lane and shoulder closures so motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. Work will be ongoing for approximately three weeks.

The Michigan City Police Department on Tuesday congratulated Sergeant Darren Kaplan on his retirement from the Michigan City Police Department.  Kaplan was hired in November of 1991, and served the citizens of Michigan City for 31 years. During his 31 years of service, Kaplan was awarded two Life-Saving Awards, one Exceptional Service Award, and four Letters of Commendation.   Over the course of his career, Kaplan served the Department as a Patrolman on the afternoon shift, DARE/GREAT Instructor, Detective, School Liaison Officer, Traffic Division and as a Shift Supervisor on midnights and day Shift.   The Michigan City Police Department also thanked

The following is a press release from the City of Michigan City regarding Mayor Duane Parry filing charges to remove four Michigan City Housing Authority Commissioners: Mayor Duane Parry, the Appointing Authority of the Michigan City Housing Authority, served four MCHA Commissioners today with charges for their removal as Commissioners on the MCHA Board. The Michigan City Housing Authority works to provide housing stability for the families they serve while assisting the community with implementing long-term goals for affordable housing. The MCHA Board of Commissioners is the governing body of the agency and is responsible for the oversight of its

The following is an update from the South Shore Line on Double Track NWI Project construction: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work has begun 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 Highway will remain open. Construction activities may be taking place on the shoulder of Dunes Hwy. NIPSCO will have periodic lane closures

Franciscan Health announced on Tuesday that it has received funds to support healthcare-related programs for non-profit, health and human service organizations in at-risk communities. The funds will be allocated through Franciscan’s Social Impact Partnership Program (SIPP). "SIPP funding applications will be accepted from May 4 through May 31. Partner agencies will be announced mid-July. Organizations may apply for up to $9,750 in monetary support. Organizations may complete an application located at www.franciscanhealth.org/communityhealth." “Qualified non-profit agencies must benefit vulnerable populations in communities served by Franciscan Health with a preference toward areas with high Area Deprivation Index scores identified on BroadStreet, a

The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest has opened applications for the 2022-23 Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program. The program will include in-person sessions of instruction and activities, a 360-leadership assessment and custom one-on-one coaching. LNI provides evidenced-based learning experiences to strengthen leadership skills and give strategies to be a better leader in the community, workplace and at home. The program begins in September 2022 and runs through May 2023. Participants will meet for eight monthly, half-day in-person session on Purdue Northwest’s Westville campus (1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, IN). PNW says, “Leadership Northwest Indiana is well-regarded as a great place

NIPSCO announced Tuesday that it has partnered with the Urban League of Northwest Indiana for a fourth consecutive year to host the 2022 NIPSCO Energy Ambassador (NEA) Program. In support of the college and career readiness program, NIPSCO presented $60,000 to Urban League of NWI president Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud. The program, slated to begin in June, will consist of virtual workshops and activities geared towards educating and encouraging professions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). In addition, the rising Junior and Senior-level high schoolers will learn from NIPSCO leaders who volunteer their time to educate students about gas and

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced Tuesday that it was once again awarded with a grant from The Dale E. Landsman Art Foundation which supports LCA’s Teen Arts Council (TAC). This time LCA generously received a three-year grant to help plan for the future of TAC. In 2017, LCA founded TAC hoping it would become an inclusive and experiential program for young creative leaders across the region and offer exceptional opportunities for a diverse group of high school students interested in deepening their understanding of the art world as well as themselves.  The program is free thanks to

Nearly 22,000 trout are being stocked by the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife in 16 different streams across Indiana for inland trout season, which starts at 6 a.m. local time on Saturday, April 30. The stocked trout come from Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station in LaGrange County and average roughly 11 inches in length. To find a stocked stream near you, see the second page of the trout stocking plan at bit.ly/36XmSgi. Trout will bite on a variety of artificial baits such as spinners and flies, but natural baits such as worms and bee moths tend to be the

The City of Valparaiso announced Monday that Harry Peterson has been sworn in on the Valparaiso City Council, as an at-large member. Peterson was chosen by a unanimous Republican caucus to replace George Douglas who resigned on April 1 to accept the position of Development Director for the City of Valparaiso. Douglas was elected to the City Council in 2020 and had served as City Council President. Councilman Casey Schmidt has been named the new City Council President, elected at the council’s April 11 meeting. Peterson serves as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. He was appointed

The Duneland School Corporation on Monday announced the winners of the 2022 “Teachers of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” Recognition Program.  Elementary Teacher of the Year goes to Becky Holmen of Westchester Intermediate School. Secondary Teacher of the Year goes to Justin Martinson of Chesterton High School and Employee of the Year goes to Danny Dolph, a DSC Bus Driver.  Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community were able to nominate a DSC teacher and/or classified employee for this recognition program earlier this year. A selection committee made up of DSC administrators, teachers, students, parents,

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently released information about a multi-agency overnight enforcement targeting vehicle thefts, drugs, and violent crimes, which occurred last Thursday.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Department announced its Special Operations Unit along with more than a half dozen other police agencies conducted the overnight enforcement.  The enforcement yielded multiple arrests for various offenses. Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested residents from Illinois and Wisconsin for offenses including felon in possession of a firearm, and drug charges.  Lake County officers also arrested an Indiana resident on a warrant.  Officers cited an Illinois resident for reckless driving and a

The Center for Creative Solutions, Inc. announced its sixth annual poetry showcase winners for World Creativity and Innovation Week 2022. Northwest Indiana Poetry Showcase had no official theme. Nevertheless, applying their imaginations, nearly 150 young poets and four adults submitted entries. “Our creative partner, Ester, founder and owner of The Nest in Michigan City, came up with an ‘Inspiration List’ that was designed to help jog a memory or spark an idea for an original poem,” said Bill Halliar, Co-Chair of this year’s World Creativity and Innovation Week celebration. The results were poems on animals, outer space, boxes, toys, clouds,

Franciscan Health says it recognizes the pain that families go through in perinatal loss and provides services to those seeking care and comfort. Twice a year, Franciscan Health Michigan City holds a memorial service to remember these children. The public is invited to take part in “Remembering Our Babies” at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1015 Greenwood Ave. in Michigan City. “Continuing Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition means respect for life through all stages. This memorial service is held in accordance with Franciscan Health Michigan City’s faith and commitment, including the unborn child, their