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Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released the 2021 state graduation rates, with data showing 86.69% of students in the Class of 2021 graduating. This is compared to the 2020 rate of 87.69% and the 2019 rate of 87.29%.  The IDOE says these graduation rates correspond with research that shows that the academic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are substantial. According to research from IDOE and the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment, Inc., the academic impact ranges from moderate to significant across schools, academic subjects and demographic groups. In response, IDOE launched several accelerated learning programs,

A $20 million project to reimagine the site of the former Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital is coming to fruition as community-focused services providing care for new mothers and the elderly begin. The campus at 301 W. Homer St. has undergone partial demolition and renovation for the arrival of an inpatient behavioral health unit, the new Franciscan Senior Health and Wellness Program for the All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and the Prenatal Assistance Program. On Dec. 6, the Prenatal Assistance Program opened its doors to expectant mothers, helping them receive access to vital prenatal care. The program is part

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has released information on a fatal crash that occurred along U.S. 20 Tuesday morning. At 11:57 AM, deputies were called to US 20 and Wilhelm Road in reference to a head-on crash.  Deputies arrived at the scene at 12:02 PM and determined one of the involved drivers was deceased. The investigation determined a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, being driven by 22-year-old Chance M. Van Dyne of Omaha, Nebraska, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 20. The vehicle began to slide on the snow-covered roadway, left the eastbound lanes of U.S. 20 and drove left of

The LaPorte County Health Department says their COVID testing location in Michigan City has temporarily stopped taking in walk-ins due to increased demand for testing.  To schedule an appointment go to scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov . Locations and times can be seen in the photos posted to the LaPorte County Health Department Facebook page. 

The Indiana DNR is warning the public of a campsite booking scam. The DNR says campers that used a third party on social media to reserve a campsite site for the upcoming year at Spring Mill or McCormick’s Creek state parks, Trine State Recreation Area, or Morgan-Monroe or Greene-Sullivan state forests may be a victim of a potential campsite reservation scam. Indiana DNR Law Enforcement is investigating a potential scam where a third party fraudulently advertised and rented campsites to Hoosiers, who upon arrival, found their paid site unavailable. The DNR says if you believe you have been or are

Northwest Health is offering seminars in January for “those who have tried to lose weight but with little success.” The seminars will discuss weight loss surgery as well as non-surgical approaches to weight loss. There is no cost to attend. Michigan City's seminar will be Jan. 6 at 5:00 p.m. or Jan. 20, 5:00 p.m. in the main lobby at Northwest Health – Michigan City, 3777 Frontage Road. La Porte's seminar  will be Jan. 25 at 5:00 p.m. in the first floor conference room at 901 Lincolnway. Valparaiso's seminar will be Jan. 10 at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Room

One person was found dead Christmas Eve in Michigan City after police heard Friday, police say. At approximately 3:39 p.m., officers began to hear gunfire. While on their way to the area where they believed the gunfire to be coming from. The LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center advised the officers that they were receiving reports of a gunshot victim in the area of West 11th Street and Wabash Street. Michigan City Police Officers, Indiana State Police Officers, Michigan City Firefighters and EMS all responded to the scene where they located a subject lying on the sidewalk on the west side

ITR Concession Company (ITRCC) is launching a network of smart parking signage for freight and truck drivers who depend on the Indiana Toll Road. The company says through a mix of sensors and cameras, the dynamic signage will provide commercial drivers an approximate count of the available parking spaces along the roadway, creating a safer and more efficient travel experience. The boards detail the number of available parking spaces in the three nearest facilities, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments of trip plans. The signage was deployed by eX² Technology serving as the prime contractor, who previously helped develop a high-speed fiber

The Indiana State Department of Health Strike Team will be offering COVID PCR & Antigen testing, along with vaccinations (Pfizer, Modern, J&J including first, second & booster shots) Tuesday and Wednesday from noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center: Pre-scheduling is not necessary. To find other free testing sites and to see vaccination information visit PorterCo.org .

In an update, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory, for Porter and Lake Counties from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Slippery travel conditions due to steady snow expected. The National Weather Service says to slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for Indiana are available by calling 1-800-261-7623.

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City is looking to hire a seasonal zookeeper. The position is 40 hours a week and is a 6-month position. “Gain tons of hands-on animal experience working in an entry-level position here at the WPZoo.” The Seasonal Zookeeper will help care for the barnyard animals, parrots, birds of prey, small mammals, invertebrates, waterfowl, and more. Training will also include diet prep and general facility/ exhibit upkeep. An applicant must possess a high school diploma or GED; must be 18 years or older; must be able to work outdoors in all weather and stand for

La Porte County is the 2nd largest county in Indiana by square miles. All too often, deputies find themselves great distances away from emergency calls for service, where seconds can be the difference between life and death. On Christmas Eve though, that was not the case for one deputy. At 2:51 p.m., Deputy Tyler Oberholtzer responded to the area of U.S. 35 and CR 250 South, in reference to a 31-year-old passenger inside a motor vehicle who had lost consciousness. At 2:53 p.m., Deputy Oberholtzer arrived and was directed to the front passenger seat of the vehicle. The female was

The Indiana State Department of Health has updated the weekly COVID county advisory levels. LaPorte, Porter, Starke, Jasper and Newton counties remain at the highest score of 3, red level. Lake County has moved up from a score of 2.5, orange level to a score of 3, red level. St. Joseph County has moved down from a score of 3, red level to a score of 2.5 orange level. In the past week positivity has risen in Lake and Newton counties and has lowered in LaPorte, Porter, Starke, Jasper and St. Joseph counties.

The Franciscan Health Hammond Emergency Department Serenity Room has been rededicated in memory of a patient who was both born at the hospital and died there last year. Tina Flynn provided the gift to refurnish the room as a memorial to her late husband, Gerald Kray, who passed away in August 2020 after a battle with cancer. Tina was grateful for the compassionate care Gerald received in the Emergency Department. Tina had also been a patient in the Hammond Emergency Department and as a former nurse, said she was impressed by the care provided by the physicians and nurses at

Update: Hammond Police say Valerie Jones has been safely located in Chicago and has been safely reunited with her family. Original: The Hammond Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Valerie Jones, described as a 59 year old black female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Jones was last seen wearing a pink shirt, black coat and black leggings, and driving a gray 2013 Nissan Rogue with Indiana registration RHC564. She was last seen on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11:00 am. Police say she is believed to be in danger and may

The American Red Cross says blood supply is at historically low levels and it continues to decline. The Red Cross says if more donors don’t come out to give, hospitals may be forced to delay care to patients relying on blood transfusion. In thanks, the Red Cross says all who come to give through Jan. 2 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. Those who come to give in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles and will also be automatically entered to win