News

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) this fall continued to enroll more first-time freshman students and full-time students. The number of students attending college for the first time went up particularly at PNW’s Westville Campus, which saw a 17 percent increase in new student enrollment. Overall freshman enrollment across both the Westville and Hammond campuses is up about 4 percent compared with fall 2018, and has increased steadily over the past three years

Indiana’s unemployment rate continues to drop to 3.3 percent for August and remains lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent. The last time Indiana's unemployment rate was at 3.3 percent was February 2018. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force.Indiana’s labor force had a net decrease of 2,135 over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 4,260 unemployed residents and an increase of 2,125 employed residents. Indiana's total

On Thursday, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) recognized ten organizations for making their communities a safer and healthier place to live by granting them Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at a community celebration. In an eff ort to further their mission of health and wellness, HFL provided 34 new AED devices that will increase the odds of survival for someone in the LaPorte area who experiences sudden cardiac arrest. The following organizations were recognized at the AED Celebration at Cummings Lodge: The Bride Church, Michigan City, First Baptist Church Kingsbury, La Porte Little Theater, Michigan City Area Schools, New

Parent and community engagement enhanced with new district mobile app The latest news and information from Michigan City Area Schools is now available on smartphones and mobile devices with a new mobile app launched recently. MCAS is partnering with Blackboard to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is now available in the online iTunes® and Google Play® app stores for free. The mobile app will offer a constantly updated feed of district news and events with photos and links to the district’s website. Other features include quick access to student grades and attendance, school menus, a tip

Parent and community engagement enhanced with new district mobile app The latest news and information from Michigan City Area Schools is now available on smartphones and mobile devices with a new mobile app launched recently. MCAS is partnering with Blackboard to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is now available in the online iTunes® and Google Play® app stores for free. The mobile app will offer a constantly updated feed of district news and events with photos and links to the district’s website. Other features include quick access to student grades and attendance, school menus, a tip

Stop by the 6th Annual UMW FALL Arts & Crafts Show sponsored by the La Porte First United Methodist Church Saturday September 28th from 9am-3pm. The event will be held at the La Porte County Fairgrounds at 2581 W. State Rd. 2, La Porte. For more information call 219-362-2443.

Diabetes Support Group The Diabetes Support Group provides a place to share ideas, experiences, and problems related to diabetes for those with diabetes, as well as their support team. The group meets from 11 a.m. – Noon, the fourth Monday of the month (Oct. 28), in the Heart & Vascular First Floor Conference Room, 901 Lincolnway, La Porte, or from 11 a.m. – Noon, the fourth Tuesday of the month (Oct. 22) in the First Floor Conference Room at Starke Hospital, 102 E. Culver Road, Knox. Contact 219-326-2478 for details. Parkinson’s Support Group Supporting those with Parkinson’s disease, their families,

Diabetes Support Group The Diabetes Support Group provides a place to share ideas, experiences, and problems related to diabetes for those with diabetes, as well as their support team. The group meets from 11 a.m. – Noon, the fourth Monday of the month (Oct. 28), in the Heart & Vascular First Floor Conference Room, 901 Lincolnway, La Porte, or from 11 a.m. – Noon, the fourth Tuesday of the month (Oct. 22) in the First Floor Conference Room at Starke Hospital, 102 E. Culver Road, Knox. Contact 219-326-2478 for details. Parkinson’s Support Group Supporting those with Parkinson’s disease, their families,

Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) presented its first Shining Star Award to Clarence Hulse, Executive Director, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. The Shining Star Award was created to highlight professionals in economic development that are creative and committed to professional economic development in Indiana and have a track record of significant accomplishment. Hulse has a track record in two Indianan communities, Michigan City and Jeffersonville in creating sustainable solutions for economic issues and has demonstrated his commitment to excellence in the field of community and economic development. Wendy Dant Chesser, Chair of IEDA stated “We are excited about this award,

Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) presented its first Shining Star Award to Clarence Hulse, Executive Director, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. The Shining Star Award was created to highlight professionals in economic development that are creative and committed to professional economic development in Indiana and have a track record of significant accomplishment. Hulse has a track record in two Indianan communities, Michigan City and Jeffersonville in creating sustainable solutions for economic issues and has demonstrated his commitment to excellence in the field of community and economic development. Wendy Dant Chesser, Chair of IEDA stated “We are excited about this award,

To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears home football games, the South Shore Line plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway. In addition to our regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th Street, the following trains will also serve 18th Street Station for all upcoming home games. Please note the addition of an extra eastbound train for the Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 games departing Millennium Station at 7:10p (no Van Buren St. stop; Museum Campus at 7:15p): For a complete look at the schedule check out the South Shore tab

Monday night, Trooper Paul Arnold responded to a single vehicle rollover on I-94 west bound approximately 1/2 mile west of the Michigan/Indiana state line. A Freightliner pulling a box trailer, out of London, Ontario, and loaded with 44,000 pounds of Nutella cocoa spread, was west bound on I-94 when the driver stated a car in front of him “slammed on his brakes”. This caused him to brake hard and steer left, he then lost control and left the roadway, came back across all west bound lanes and struck the concrete median barrier wall head on. This caused the tractor and

According to the Portage Police, during the last ten days, there have been three motor vehicle accidents involving Portage Township School buses, none of which were the fault of the bus drivers.The first occurred on September 6th on Crisman Road. The bus was in the southbound lane and stopped for a passing train. The motorist immediately behind the bus was also stopped, but had fallen asleep and let his foot slip off the brake causing his vehicle to strike the bus from behind. There were no injuries or damage.The second occurred on September 11th on Airport Road. The bus was

According to the Portage Police, during the last ten days, there have been three motor vehicle accidents involving Portage Township School buses, none of which were the fault of the bus drivers.The first occurred on September 6th on Crisman Road. The bus was in the southbound lane and stopped for a passing train. The motorist immediately behind the bus was also stopped, but had fallen asleep and let his foot slip off the brake causing his vehicle to strike the bus from behind. There were no injuries or damage.The second occurred on September 11th on Airport Road. The bus was

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office recently participated in and completed three traffic safety projects. The grant funded projects allowed for additional deputies to work overtime hours to increase traffic safety and public awareness. The three projects, Operation Pullover (OPO) Blitz #99, SAVE and DUI Task Force, produced significant results.OPO Blitz #99 patrols occurred between August 9th and September 2nd. A total of 100 hours was worked by nine deputies. Two-hundred vehicles were stopped that resulted in 57 citations and 205 warnings being issued. Citations were issued for exceeding the posted speed limit, driving while suspended, no seatbelt and open

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office recently participated in and completed three traffic safety projects. The grant funded projects allowed for additional deputies to work overtime hours to increase traffic safety and public awareness. The three projects, Operation Pullover (OPO) Blitz #99, SAVE and DUI Task Force, produced significant results.OPO Blitz #99 patrols occurred between August 9th and September 2nd. A total of 100 hours was worked by nine deputies. Two-hundred vehicles were stopped that resulted in 57 citations and 205 warnings being issued. Citations were issued for exceeding the posted speed limit, driving while suspended, no seatbelt and open

In support of Northwest Indiana’s First Responders On Friday, September 20th at the MAAC in Valparaiso, law enforcement officers, police and fire chiefs, along with State Senator Ed Charbonneau, State Representative Ed Soliday, State Representative Lisa Beck, and State Representative Michael Aylesworth will hold a press conference in support of a $1.0 million capital campaign to support the construction of training structures and additional classroom space on the MAAC campus. Since inception, the MAAC’s sole focus has been to meet the training demands of the men and women who chose to wear the uniform. “We are committed to this vision,

In support of Northwest Indiana’s First Responders On Friday, September 20th at the MAAC in Valparaiso, law enforcement officers, police and fire chiefs, along with State Senator Ed Charbonneau, State Representative Ed Soliday, State Representative Lisa Beck, and State Representative Michael Aylesworth will hold a press conference in support of a $1.0 million capital campaign to support the construction of training structures and additional classroom space on the MAAC campus. Since inception, the MAAC’s sole focus has been to meet the training demands of the men and women who chose to wear the uniform. “We are committed to this vision,

Last Friday, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) awarded eleven schools grant funding for the Partners in Prevention initiative. The initiative, totaling over $2.8 million, will be spread over three-years to implement evidence-based curriculum to help develop, identify, implement and sustain substance use prevention programs. The programs will impact more than 13,000 LaPorte County students and will help foster positive relationships and social competencies, address addictive behavior, bullying and violence, all while increasing school attendance, self-esteem and more.In response to the recommendation from the La Porte County Opioid Study, HFL identified the community’s need for providing adequate prevention, treatment,

Last Friday, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) awarded eleven schools grant funding for the Partners in Prevention initiative. The initiative, totaling over $2.8 million, will be spread over three-years to implement evidence-based curriculum to help develop, identify, implement and sustain substance use prevention programs. The programs will impact more than 13,000 LaPorte County students and will help foster positive relationships and social competencies, address addictive behavior, bullying and violence, all while increasing school attendance, self-esteem and more.In response to the recommendation from the La Porte County Opioid Study, HFL identified the community’s need for providing adequate prevention, treatment,