News

The Porter County COVID strike team has testing and vaccinations from noon to 8 p.m. through Saturday Feb. 12 at the Porter County Expo. Testing and vaccinations will also be from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday Feb. 17 through Saturday Feb. 19 at the Hebron Community Building at 611 N. Main St. on Wednesday Feb. 16, testing and vaccinations will open at 1 p.m. The COVID testing and vaccination team is a joint effort of the Porter County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health.

Because of recent changes to existing law, Hoosiers with disabilities are now able to save even more under the state’s INvestABLE Indiana program. Beginning January 1, 2022, the annual contribution limit for ABLE accounts increased from $15,000 to $16,000. This increase of over 6% will allow savers to deposit even more into their accounts and experience lower fees. The contribution limit is tied to the annual gift tax exclusion limit, which saw an increase this year. ABLE plans have been making headlines across the country, too. The National ABLE Alliance, of which Indiana is a proud member, recently crossed a

Michigan City Area Schools says Krueger Middle School is inviting area 6th graders and their families to attend its annual Krueger Middle School Round-Up.  Stop by Krueger (2001 Springland Ave.) on Tuesday, March 1 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about the school and learn more about what middle school has in store for you.  Those attending can meet the principal, counselor, and current students; tour the building; learn about classes, athletics, and clubs and get the scoop on the 21st Century Scholars Program.

Franciscan Health Michigan City announces a partnership with Signet Health to provide management and advisory services for its behavioral health program, demonstrating a continued commitment to meeting the community’s mental health needs. Scott Mundell, administrative director of business development at Franciscan Alliance, said that Signet Health has “a wealth of experience and an experienced team focused on behavioral health and rehab.” 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, Texas, and operates in 30 states. It has become an

Drive Clean Indiana’s members and stakeholders last week were awarded $1.8 million in Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund grants for 42 sustainable non-road vehicles and pieces of equipment, the statewide nonprofit announced today. The Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee approved the eight successful grant applications, which were written and assisted by Drive Clean Indiana for its members and stakeholders, during a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3. A total of nine awards were approved by the committee. “Drive Clean Indiana was pleased to assist our members and stakeholders with yet another round of successful grant applications for the

Porter-Starke Services’ newest program will aid clients of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana as well as VNA Meals on Wheels by providing them with check-ins and social contact. Facilitating this initiative are 18 Valparaiso University nursing students participating as part of their public health nursing course. With many Meals on Wheels clients facing increased isolation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trained students will help homebound seniors better assess their mental well-being and provide them with genuine contact through phone calls and home visits. The students have been trained by Porter-Starke employees as part of the Healthy

The Michigan City Police Department recently announced a vacancy for animal control officer. The salary is $18.14 per hour. The FLSA status is non-exempt, full-time. Completed applications are to be turned in by Feb. 25. More information can be found on the Michigan City Police Department Facebook page and emichigancity.com. 

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have upcoming mobile mobile food distributions in Starke and LaPorte counties.  On Tuesday, Feb. 16, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon central time at Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield Street, in Knox. This distribution will serve 200 households, while supplies last. On Monday, Feb. 21, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon at Last Resort Campground, 4707 W. 1300 S, in Hanna. This distribution will serve 150 households, while supplies last.  Assorted food items are offered free of charge. All items are pre-boxed and

Indiana Dunes National Park says they are still accepting applications for the 2022 Artist-in-Residence program. Visit the park's Artist-in-Residence page at their website, or find the link to download the application on the National Park’s Facebook page. Applications must be postmarked by March 14, 2022. The program at Indiana Dunes offers professional artists the opportunity to live in the park for two weeks to create art that helps generate appreciation and support for the national park. In exchange, the artist donates a piece of art created during their stay.  

The Valparaiso Police have expanded their Emergency Medical Responder Program, with the addition of six certified officers, which also includes two certified Emergency Medical Technicians within the sworn personnel.  The program originated in 2020 at the Valparaiso Police Department, with seven officers being certified. The importance of this program is shared by Chief Jeff Balon, who stated, “I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Valparaiso Police Department who have become a certified Emergency Medical Responder.  This is a division that has grown into the largest number EMR’s in the region, totaling 12 on a single department. 

Snowfall totals have come in from the National Weather Service of Chicago and Northern Indiana. The following are local snowfall reports: ...Porter County... Chesterton 4 ESE 14.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 1 NE South Haven 13.5 in 0814 PM 02/02 Public Valparaiso 2 NNW 13.5 in 1000 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 1 N 12.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Porter 11.1 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 2 NW 10.5 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 3 NNW Valparaiso 10.4 in 0440 PM 02/02 Trained Spotter 1 ESE Valparaiso 10.0 in 1140 AM 02/02 Trained Spotter Ogden Dunes 9.9 in

Indiana Dunes State Park says that thanks to the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. the State Park Nature Center provides snowshoe for rent between 10 - 3 p.m. daily. A driver’s license is required for rental. Reservations are not allowed. There is a $5 per day rental fee with cash, check, or card is accepted. Snowshoes are best for ages 5 and up. Call the Nature Center with any questions. 219-926-1390. Additionally, there are Naturalist programs being offered this weekend that are all taking place in the Nature Center's Auditorium: -Saturday, February 5th 2:00 p.m. - SENSATIONAL SPIDERS  “Don’t be

The Indiana State Police - Lowell Post released assistance and crash statistics from Wednesday taking place from 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m.  Troopers responded to 84 crashes (including 12 injury and 72 property), 90 Slide offs, 163 Assist motorists and one impaired driver arrest ("struck trooper car").  Police say dispatch received “thousands” of phone calls.