News

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) has announced that it has issued Notice to Proceed to Walsh/Herzog Joint Venture for construction of the Double Track Northwest Indiana (DT-NWI) Project. The Notice to Proceed marks the beginning of work to construct a second track, which will eliminate train interference on the existing South Shore Line single track. The DT-NWI Project will ultimately result in reduced travel time, more frequent train service, and expanded connectivity between northwest Indiana and Chicago. The $649 million dollar project has been divided into six contracts to construct the second track and station improvements at five

Franciscan Health Crown Point has been reverified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients. Hospital President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD, said, “Franciscan Health Crown Point has been committed to bringing the highest level of care to Northwest Indiana, and our latest trauma certification as a Level III center reaffirms that commitment.” Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today launched a statewide COVID-19 relief school spending dashboard. The dashboard reflects COVID-19 federal relief grant fund reimbursements as part of schools’ locally-developed spending plans, which are focused on improving student learning. “Empowered by historic levels of state and federal education funding, schools have an unparalleled opportunity to improve students’ educational outcomes with these dollars,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “To most impactfully invest these funds, we must focus on accelerating student learning, supporting educators, promoting sustainable innovation, and updating technology and other infrastructure. We continue to support Indiana’s local schools

The Indiana Family & Social Services Administration today released the results of two studies that show children who attend On My Way Pre-K are better prepared for school and that the benefits continue well into elementary school.   “The studies show that Indiana’s investment in high-quality early education for the children of lower-income families is helping our youngest learners achieve at their greatest potential for years to come,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “Giving children a good start on their education pathway delivers a more well-prepared student and ultimately a ready to go workforce, both key elements to our state’s

Indiana Dunes National Park along with the Ogden Dunes police department are telling the public to stay on the beach and keep off the shelf ice.  The National Park said via their Facebook page that “as winter temperatures continually drop, shelf ice increasingly accumulates along the shoreline, and despite its unusual beauty, visitors need to be aware of its dangers. Especially because, for some, it's hard to tell where the beach ends and the shelf ice begins.” The City of New Buffalo also recently told residents on social media to stay off of shelf ice.

La Porte County Sheriff Sheriff John T. Boyd announced that the Indiana Sheriffs' Association (ISA) will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies.  There will be approximately 40 - $750 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state. The ISA Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing, and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field. To qualify for one of these scholarships, the applicant must

The City of La Porte Police Department has announced that due to the retirement of Captain Thomas Thate on Jan. 13, the department has made promotions. Sgt. Robert Metcalf has been promoted to Captain. Cpl. Justin Dyer has been promoted to Sergeant. Spl. Brandon Wilkerson has been promoted to Corporal.  Captain Metcalf is a 14 year veteran of the department and will continue as a dayshift supervisor. Sergeant Dyer is a 7 year veteran and will continue as an afternoon supervisor. Corporal Wilkerson is an 8 year veteran and will assume supervisory duties on the afternoon shift.  

Harry Peterson has been named to the Valparaiso Plan Commission, announced Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. Peterson serves as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. He was appointed to the board of directors for Indiana Dunes Tourism by the Porter County commissioners and currently serves as vice president of the board. He also serves as president of the Porter County American Inns of Court. He is a graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law and earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. He is also a graduate of the Valparaiso City Government Academy. Peterson has lived in

Indiana State Police gave an update to a Friday morning multi-vehicle crash that occurred on I-94 westbound at 27 mile marker, which is in the Chesterton area. All of the drivers refused medical treatment at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, however preliminary investigation shows that one of the trucks involved side-swiped the passenger car which was damaged. Police say this set off a chain reaction of events. I-94 was reduced to a single lane for several hours. The Indiana State Police - Lowell Post gave multiple video updates, which can be seen on their Facebook

A number of Franciscan Health-affiliated physicians have been recognized as “Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly, a leading research and information resource for patients that partners with regional and national publications. Every year, Castle Connolly surveys tens of thousands of practicing physicians across the U.S. After a doctor is nominated, a physician-led research team begins their work to screen each doctor. Castle Connolly evaluates several criteria when selecting Top Doctors, including professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation and disciplinary history. Where available, outcomes data is included. Surveyed doctors are asked to consider not only the training

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. (“Horizon” or the “Company”) today announced various changes to its senior leadership structure and made several executive leadership promotions and appointments for consumer and commercial banking, to be effective April 1, 2022. Noe S. Najera will be promoted to Executive Vice President, responsible for consumer, mortgage, and mortgage-warehouse lending, as well as CRA and fair lending programs, leading these teams upon President James D. Neff’s retirement from the Company and its wholly owned Horizon Bank subsidiary on March 31. In addition, Executive Vice President Lynn Kerber will be promoted to Chief Commercial Banking Officer upon Dennis Kuhn’s

The City of Portage has announced new trash routes along with new trash pick-up days. New subdivisions are being developed throughout the community according to the City of Portage Government. The growth is causing a realignment of city trash pick-up routes. The increase of residential stops within the current assigned routes is requiring the department to make changes. Route boundaries are being moved to balance the load among four established days Monday through Thursday. The following new boundaries will be adjusted and take effect starting Monday, March 28, 2022. The City of Portage says that If your address is close

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City is reminding the public that they are hiring. The zoo says if you want that wild and fun job, apply now for seasonal positions for their Groundskeeper, Seasonal Keeper, Zoo Educator and Guest Services team, which include gift shop, food service and train. Seasonal employment schedules vary but most run March 20 - Nov. 3.  You must be 18 years or older. For more details email: jhuss@emichigancity.com or to fill out an application visit the City Personnel website https://www.emichigancity.com/Jobs.aspx.  

To accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Auto Show, the South Shore Line will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place, in addition to serving McCormick Place Station on weekends. Saturday Extras: An eastbound passenger extra will run on Saturday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 19. The train will depart McCormick Place at 4:52 p.m., run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Avenue, Michigan City. The extra will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend. The following weekday trains will make flag stops at McCormick Place Feb. 14-18 and Feb. 21 (please note on

The Porter County Substance Abuse Council recently presented several Portage Police Officers with the Law Enforcement Phoenix Award. This award was established seven years ago by former Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris in response to the unfolding opioid epidemic. For a first responder to receive this award they must have administered Naloxone (Narcan) to an overdose victim who then survives the event. The quick actions of 27 officers resulted in 35 lives saved from opioid overdose this past year.  Portage Police say if you are struggling with addiction, please know that this agency participates in PAARI, the Police Assisted Addiction

Horizon Bank’s Executive Vice President and Senior Commercial Credit Officer, Lynn M. Kerber, announced the recent addition of Mark R. Schoettmer as New Vice President, Government Loan Program Manager. Schoettmer will be providing oversight of all government guaranteed commercial programs, including U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S.D.A, and state and local economic development loan programs.  Schoettmer has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry including as a Vice President, SBA Specialist and Vice President, SBA Program Manager.  He also had previous roles as Market President and Region President and as a Consumer Lending Manager. Schoettmer earned his Bachelor of

The City of New Buffalo is asking the public to stay off the shelf ice in a recent Facebook post. The city says that while the shelf ice may look cool, it is extremely dangerous and unstable.  They also stated, “There is no way to tell when the land ends and the water begins, so please stay off the shelf ice.”

Several Portage Police officers were recently presented awards from the Porter County Substance Abuse Council's Drunk Driving Task Force for their work in combating impaired driving.   Officer Andrew Smith was recognized for leading the agency with 21 DUI arrests last year.  Corporal Laura Lightfoot and Officer Anthony Ortiz tied for second place with 13 arrests each. The Portage Police Department thanked the Substance Abuse Council for their work towards reducing and preventing substance abuse of all types throughout Porter County.    

The Indiana State Department of Health Wednesday updated the weekly COVID county advisory levels.  All counties in the state remain at a red level which is the highest score of 3.  Locally, positivity is up in Jasper and Starke counties.  Positivity is down in LaPorte, Porter, and Lake, St. Joseph and Newton counties. See specific positivity levels and additional information on the Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map website.