News

BBB receiving reports of text scam posing as Department of Workforce Development The BBB serving Northern Indiana has issued a warning to consumers about a new text message scam posing as the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. In previous years, scammers have preyed on individuals who had applied for unemployment benefits. In the new text scam, reported to BBB in March, consumers receive a text from DWD claiming to have a $3,800 payment available for returning to work, as part of a program called “Back2Work.” The message claims that the money will be direct deposited once the user clicks the link

Lane closures will be in place for approximately three weeks starting on or after Monday, for bridge construction and painting work at locations Porter and Lake Counties.  U.S. 20 will be reduced to one lane in each direction with alternating lane closures under I-94 between County Line Road and Dombey Road.  In Lake County, Colorado Street will be reduced to a single lane of traffic on the bridge over I-94, with a temporary traffic signal installed to direct traffic.

After being halted due to visitor restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Franciscan Health’s pet therapy program has has returned at Franciscan Health Munster. Maggie, with her handlers Becky and Mike Buchana, and Ruger, handled by Jackie LaMantia were first to arrive and provide comfort to patients on March 30. Visits will continue during future Wednesdays at the hospital. All dogs participating in Franciscan Health’s pet therapy program are certified by Therapy Dogs International or Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

The La Porte County Health Department is sharing the information that the FDA has approved a second COVID-19 booster for the following groups: -A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 50 years of age and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. -A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine may be administered to individuals 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster

A Hammond man was arrested Thursday after a police pursuit on I-80.  State troopers were working a multi-jurisdictional criminal patrol in Lake County when officers from several agencies received information of a wanted vehicle in the vicinity of Burr Street and 29th Avenue in Gary.  The vehicle had reportedly been used in an armed robbery on Wednesday, March 30, and had fled from officers in Illinois earlier on Thursday.  The vehicle was located by a Griffith police officer and as that officer attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled.  The pursuit continued onto I-80 westbound where a trooper, who’s also

Governor Eric Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff statewide to honor the life and sacrifice of USMC Captain Matthew Tomkiewicz of Fort Wayne. Captain Matthew Tomkiewicz died in the line of duty while taking part in NATO military exercises in Norway.   Flags should be flown at half-staff sunrise until sunset on Sunday, April 3. Gov. Holcomb is asking businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), along with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) and Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC), together have received a $750,000 grant as a first-round winner of the Democratizing our Data Challenge. The data challenge is a program from the Coleridge Initiative and is an opportunity to build on the progress made by state and federal governments to better connect education and workforce data systems and support more equitable outcomes. The DWD says the initiative will better serve the employers, students and parents, jobseekers, and people who want to change careers and develop a

Valparaiso Police are investigating the theft of a wallet from the Valparaiso Walmart, located at 2400 Morthland Dr. The theft occurred on March 29. The male subject was observed picking up the wallet that had fallen to the ground and exiting the store with it, making no attempt to return it or provide it to store employees, according to police. Police say the male was observed exiting a red truck when he arrived in the area.  Police say if you have information regarding the subject or vehicle in the posted photos, contact Detective Eric Pickford at 219-462-2135. Information can also

A man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a Domestic Highway Enforcement on the Indiana Toll Road, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. Just after 4:15 p.m., a deputy was working the Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) program along the Toll Road in the area of the 54-mile marker, which is in the Rolling Prairie area. The deputy began to travel near a passenger vehicle being operated in the driving lane. The deputy paced the speed of the passenger vehicle and noted it was traveling in excess of the speed limit. A traffic stop was conducted near the 55-mile marker.

In response to a state lawmaker’s inquiry, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita today released an official advisory opinion indicating that generally, schools are not liable for damages related to COVID-19. “With so much discussion across our state and our country about the appropriate response to COVID, this opinion provides another consideration for school decision-makers in determining the best policies for our greatest asset, our children,” said Attorney General Rokita. “Like the Parents’ Bill of Rights, this opinion was issued to provide a roadmap for school administrators, parents, and taxpayers on their legal rights regarding our children’s education.” Attorney General Rokita produced

Edgewood Elementary School announced that they have been selected as a recipient of the Mobile Van program through the Enchanted Backpack Organization. The school will receive nearly $50,000 worth of brand new classroom supplies, recess items, books, winter coats, games, art supplies and more. More information on the program can be found on the Edgewood Elementary School Facebook page. 

Michigan City Area Schools is again seeking nominations for its 2022 employee "Wall of Fame". This annual award, first presented in 1976, honors former school employees who have made outstanding contributions to the children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Employees from every area are eligible: administrators, custodians, food service personnel, instructional assistants, maintenance personnel, paraprofessionals, teachers, transportation staff, and secretarial staff. To qualify for nomination, the candidate must have been employed by the Michigan City Area Schools for a minimum of 15 years. Special circumstances may be considered for those not meeting the 15-year requirement due to hardship or

A Portage man on Wednesday was cited for catching and keeping undersized steelhead trout, in addition to littering, after tossing a plastic bag containing the small fish into the grass when he spotted an officer approaching him on a trail, according to the DNR. The DNR says that Lake Michigan tributaries in several northwest Indiana locations are periodically stocked by the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife with steelhead trout, which ultimately will grow to be very large and strong fish. The size limit for these fish is 14 inches and any small fish must be immediately returned to the

Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan is reminding Hoosiers of two upcoming dates regarding voting: Indiana’s voter registration deadline is April 4th. Registering to vote and checking your status for the 2022 primary can be done online at https://IndianaVoters.com or by visiting your local county election administrator’s office. On April 4th, online registration needs to be completed before midnight and registering in person at your local county election administrator’s office needs to be completed before the end of the business day. Absentee in-person Voting begins on April 5th. Voting absentee in-person is open from April 5, 2022 to May 2, 2022. All

A 17-year-old Illinois resident was placed under arrest Tuesday after police used a helicopter to find the suspect, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  Just before 9 a.m. the Lake County Aviation Unit began tracking a suspect in an Indiana State Police Pursuit on I-80/94.  Indiana State police had been following a silver passenger car from approximately the 24 mile marker of I-80/94 in Porter County, but lost the suspect vehicle at the truck stops at Burr Street in Gary.  Aviation Unit members were able to keep the suspect in view and provide information about his movements to officers

The annual “Magic Baton” competition is returning to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) for the first time since 2019. La Porte Mayor, Tom Dermody , and Michigan City Mayor, Duane Parry , will square off in vying for the privilege of conducting the LCSO at their final concert of the season. The concert date is Saturday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. , and will be performed at the Civic Auditorium in La Porte. This concert is entitled “FILM FEST!” and will feature many movie themes with a tribute to America’s premiere composer, John Williams. Music Director, Dr. Carolyn Watson , will lead the musicians of the LCSO in excerpts from several