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Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors approved plans Tuesday to award $500 million to support regional development plans across 17 regions representing all 92 counties. This competitive process considered applications for the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI). The total requests tripled the allocated $500 million READI budget, as submissions from the 17 regions amounted to more than $1.5 billion in demand and detailed nearly 800 projects and programs with a potential investment of $15.2 billion. The READI review committee, an external seven-member citizen committee, reviewed

The La Porte County Sheriff's office released video of a subject stealing a package on Sunday evening at a residence in Scipio Township. Police say the freebooter lifted the package from the porch only eight minutes after it had been delivered. Police say if you recognize the subject, to please email Deputy Josh Smith at jsmith@lcso.in.gov. Police also say that whenever possible, homeowners are encouraged to secure their packages as soon as possible after delivery.

The Lakefront Career Network (LCN) has announced a new partnership for 2022, The Michiana Humane Society. Each year LCN, the young professionals committee of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, chooses a non-profit to spotlight through a unique partnership. Lakefront Career Center says that in doing so, they create an increased awareness of the organization and what they do. The organization also says that by connecting to a mission that resonates, volunteers can connect with other people and make a huge difference in the community. To learn more about The Michiana Humane Society, visit www.MichianaPets.org. To learn more about Lakefront

Northwest Health Monday announced the recipients of the health system’s Nursing Excellence Awards. The award recipients are: • Deborah Shepherd, BSN, RN, CEN, a nurse at Northwest Health – La Porte, • Elizabeth Karas, BSN, RN, PCCN, a nurse at Northwest Health - Porter • Diana Fletcher, RN, a nurse at Northwest Health - Starke Northwest Health said the peer-nominated award, given in recognition of the critical role nurses play in treating patients, was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. They were chosen from among

Over the weekend Purdue Northwest University Northwest awarded 995 degrees during two commencement ceremonies in Westville. Mayor of La Porte Tom Dermody was the keynote speaker. On Saturday Dermody advised at both ceremonies that Purdue University Northwest (PNW) graduates should be willing to take risks and seek solutions as they begin their careers. Dermody, a La Porte native who served 10 years in the Indiana House of Representatives and was elected mayor in 2019, told graduates that building relationships and finding common ground with others is the best way to make a difference. “The world does not need another follower.

La Porte County Sheriff's deputies found a wanted person in a peculiar location Sunday night. Deputies were dispatched just before 8:30 p.m. to a residence located in the 2900 south block of US 35, in reference to a 911 hang-up. Eight minutes later, several units arrived and began to investigate. Information was learned that a wanted person, 39-year-old Rabecca R. Rudd was possibly located inside the residence. While inside and seeking the whereabouts of Rudd, deputies observed bedding material that had been transformed into a “sheet rope.”  The “sheet rope” was tied to a lightly weighted kitchen table and extended

This month, calls from scammers to area homes and businesses posing as NIPSCO employees have sharply risen, the company says. Recent, and common reports from NIPSCO residential and business customers state that they have received calls and texts from people claiming to be NIPSCO employees and demanding payment to avoid their service being disconnected. NIPSCO says it wants to emphasize that the company never demands immediate payment via prepaid card, or in cash at a person’s residence or place of business. Scammers have even presented information that only the customer may know in an attempt to gain their trust, according

The La Porte County Health Department is letting the public know that the CDC has issued booster eligibility guidance for ages 16-17. “Based on those recommendations, the Indiana Department of Health supports the administration of booster doses to individuals who attest to meeting CDC guidelines as outlined below. • 16 and older and completed their primary vaccination series of Pfizer at least 6 months ago. • 18 and older and completed their primary vaccination series of Moderna at least 6 months ago or completed their primary vaccination of Johnson & Johnson at least 2 months ago.” Teens 16-17 years old

The South Shore Line is announcing that it will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, for January monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of January 2022 will remain valid throughout February 2022. Passengers purchasing a paper January monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through February. Passengers purchasing a digital January monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a February ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Feb. 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these passengers

The Michigan City Police Department announced that during a ceremony on Wednesday evening, Emergency Management Volunteer Rick Jackson was presented with the 2021 EMA volunteer of the year award. In 2021 Rick volunteered over 130 hours of service to the Michigan City Police Departments Emergency Management Volunteer organization. During this same ceremony EMA volunteer Demariya Baker was posthumously awarded the co-volunteer of the year award. Earlier this year Demariya lost his life as the result of a tragic incident. Demariya’s close friend and mentor Assistant Chief Marty Corley accepted the award on Demariya’s behalf. EMA volunteers assist the Michigan City

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute was awarded over $135,000 to administer PSN grant funds in the Northern District of Indiana. The Justice Department says funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in

The Indiana Department of Health has labeled LaPorte County’s COVID-19 advisory level as red, the highest level in this weeks update. The county’s positivity rate is currently at 17.39%. The Indiana Department of Health reported 4,241 more Hoosiers have tested positive for COVID-19 from November 26 to December 6. LaPorte County numbers currently reflect 17,777 public cases, 298 Westville Correctional cases and 52 Indiana State Prison cases for a total of 18,127 positive cases including 80 cases reported on December 7. The Indiana Department of Health coronavirus dashboard reported 19 deaths from November 15 to December 6. A total of

The Michigan City Washington Park Zoo’s bidding is now open in their 2021 Facebook auction supporting their animal care program and habitat improvements. The 2021 auction features over 60 zoo-nique items. The auction is open until Dec. 13 at 9:00 a.m. The zoo gave out some tips and rules for the auction: “1.) The winning bid must be on this Facebook page if this post is shared. Only bids on that page will be used. 2.) Bids will end at 9:00 am (12-13-2021). 3.) All items will need to be picked up or have arrangements made no later than Dec.

The South Shore Line announced that they are thanking local educators for their hard work this school year, by inviting teachers to ride the SSL for free December 22 – 29 on all weekday, weekend, and holiday trains. To ride, educators will need to present a valid school ID. See more information at MySouthShoreLine.com .

The final Veteran Free Day of the year at La Porte County Historical Society Museum will be on Saturday, Dec. 11. The museum is celebrating National Guard Founding Day. Although the National Guard was founded on Dec. 13, as that falls on a Monday this year they’re honoring it early. Veterans from any branch are welcome to visit the Museum free of charge this Saturday as a thank you for their service.