Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed two executive orders on Wednesday regarding COVID-19. The first order is a renewal of the public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. This renewal continues through Feb. 1, 2022. The second order is for further continuation of limited provisions to address the impact and spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The executive orders can be found here.
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
Portage Mayor Sue Lynch Tuesday provided an update on construction at City Hall. City Hall operations will move to Woodland Park starting Monday Jan. 3 for at least three weeks while asbestos is remediated in the building. A video with more details from the mayor can be found on the Portage Indiana Government Facebook Page.
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 .
Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Monday announced that $35.2 million in state and federal grant funds are being awarded to 123 community partners and schools across the state as part of Indiana’s Student Learning Recovery Grant Program. The grants are awarded in addition to more than $122 million awarded over the summer to partnerships across the state to accelerate student learning. These awards are funded through the second round of Indiana’s Student Learning Recovery Grant Program, with $27.5 million allocated to partners across the state. This state funding is supplemented by an additional $7.7 million
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
U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson announced Thursday that the Northern District of Indiana collected $6,637,580.30 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2021. Of this amount, $5,174,664.80 was collected in criminal actions and $1,462,915.50 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the Northern District of Indiana worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $1,189,415.52 in civil cases pursued jointly by these offices. "One example of these collection efforts includes the September 2021 consent decree requiring U. S. Steel Corporation to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and other
Duneland School Corporation gave a “notice of data security incident” on Thursday. The school Corporation said they are committed to protecting the privacy of the information they maintain. They are in the process of notifying current and former employees, as well as beneficiaries and dependents of those employees, of an incident that involved some of their information. Duneland School Corporation stated the following: “This notice describes the incident, measures we have taken, and some steps that our current and former employees, as well as beneficiaries and dependents, may consider taking in response.” We identified a security incident on October 27,
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
