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Community Partners will host two free provider fairs featuring local social service and community providers in May. Community Partners, a family service program of Geminus, finds agencies, professionals, support groups and assistance programs that keep families healthy, happy and together. These programs include job counseling, parenting classes, and advice on how to make use of community services. “With all of the new and continuing challenges parents and children are facing, we hope to connect Northwest Indiana families to free community social services and affordable local providers,”said Nicholas Neal, director of program development at Geminus Corporation. Attendees will engage with professionals

If residents have not yet begun their spring cleaning, now is the time, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. Monday, May 10 through Friday, May 14, city residents will be able to discard of their large and heavy trash through the city's Spring Clean Up. Dermody said this service plays a significant role in improving the community. "Our goal from day one has been to clean up La Porte," Dermody said. "This service gives residents a chance to get rid of heavy trash and unwanted household items and keeps them from cluttering city dumpsters and streets. We hope many

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has launched a virtual tour to give potential Purdue Northwest students and their families a new opportunity to see all that the university has to offer. “This past year has limited the opportunity for prospective students and their families to visit Purdue Northwest, but campus visits are an important part of the college search process,” said Yohlunda Mosley, PNW vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs. “We encourage students who are interested in learning more about PNW to take advantage of this resource and begin exploring how the university fits into the next phase of

The La Porte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF) announces the arrest of an individual on gun and drug charges. Omar T. GLOVER Jr., 21, of Michigan City, was arrested by Michigan City Police on Tuesday (April 27th) after a foot chase. On this particular evening, Detectives from the LaPorte County Drug Task Force and Officers from the MCPD Patrol Division were working a Violent Crimes Reduction (VCR) Initiative. The Violence Crimes Reduction Initiative was instituted in 2021 by Chief Dion Campbell in response to the high number of shooting events in and around the Michigan City area. While working this

It’s that time of year again to find the best bargains in Amish Country. The Shipshewana Auction & Flea Market will kick of the 2021 season on Tuesday, May 4th.   Shipshewana Flea Market boasts nearly 700 spaces of vendors selling their wares on 40 acres.   “There’s so much to do here,” said Market Director Michael Christner. “You can come to the flea market and spend the day shopping; you can bid at the Antique Auction and you can explore the town.”   Last season, the market had a delayed start to be sure safety measures were in place

Passengers are advised the following trains will be bused between Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center stations May 3-8 (Monday through Saturday): Weekday Westbound: Tr 116 (arrives 12:39p @ Millennium); Tr 18 (2:14p @ Millennium); Tr 118 (4:21p @ Millennium); Tr 20 (6:13p @ Millennium). Weekday Eastbound: Tr 7 (departs 8:45a from Millennium); Tr 107 (10:15a from Millennium); Tr 9 (12:35p from Millennium); Tr 109 (2:25p from Millennium); Tr 11 (3:57p from Millennium). Saturday Westbound: Tr 606 (arrives 11:10a @ Millennium); Tr 506 (2:39p @ Millennium); Tr 608 (5:23p @ Millennium); Tr 508 (7:11p @ Millennium). Saturday Eastbound: Tr 503

 Indiana recently awarded more than $1 million in state matching grants to LaPorte County communities for road and bridge improvements, according to State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie). Through the Community Crossings Matching Grant program, 218 Hoosier cities, towns and counties received a combined total of over $100 million. This program was expanded in 2017 through a law Pressel supported. The Indiana Department of Transportation oversees and distributes these grants twice each year. "The condition of our infrastructure affects our economy as a whole," said Pressel, chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee. "As the Crossroads of America we have

More than 30 Indiana schools have been designated as 2021-2022 Family Friendly Schools by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). These schools — which span across the state, and include public and nonpublic schools — are demonstrating excellence in engaging families in their children’s education.   “We know that educating a child is a team effort that involves all of us, with families at the core,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “These schools have jumped in to evaluate their practices and engage a variety of stakeholders, ensuring students receive the well-rounded support they need at school, at

The Michigan City Area Schools Transportation Department will be holding an Open House for anyone interested in learning more about driving a school bus or working as a bus monitor. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the facility, see one of our buses up close, and speak with Transportation staff about this career path and our free training program. The open house will take place in conjunction with the MCAS Transportation Department's annual Mother's Day Flower and Plant sale on Friday, May 7 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Transportation Department is located at 1100 S. Woodland Avenue, Michigan City.

La Porte residents now have new tools at their disposal to pay city utility bills more easily and quickly, according to Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Parthun. Parthun said the city recently partnered with Invoice Cloud, an online payment platform, to make online bill payment a more user-friendly experience for utility customers. In addition to online payments, residents can now pay their bill using Apple Pay or Google Pay, or by phone or text using a credit/debit card. These options are available in both English and Spanish. Customers can also sign up for email and text alerts to notify them when their bill

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) received more than $800,000 in contributions from more than 850 generous supporters during the 2021 Purdue Northwest Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 28. Gifts to PNW, as designated by the donors, will be used to support student scholarships, academic programs, athletics, student organizations and other strategic initiatives. The College of Nursing raised the most money of any unit within PNW. PNW once again was among the top 15 of a total 70 various participating groups across the entire Purdue system in both dollars raised and number of gifts, resulting in additional “bonus money” awarded to

Kaitlyn and Andy Govert have turned their personal tragedy into support for others that have suffered the loss of an infant. In honor of their daughter Peyton Jean, who died at 25 weeks gestation, the Crown Point couple donated books, pre-made scrapbook pages and heartbeat recorder stuffed animals to Franciscan Health Crown Point. The family also donated to the fetal maternal medicine office at Franciscan Health Crown Point. “This was made possible by our friends and family who wanted to help us honor Peyton.  We decided the best way to do that was to help other families who were grieving

As a reminder, the Michigan City 11th Street Station and parking lots will be CLOSED with no train service for an extended period of time effective at 3 a.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021.  The 11th Street Station closure will be in effect to help facilitate pre-construction third-party utility work and the Double Track NWI construction project (https://www.doubletrack-nwi.com/).  As part of Double Track, the 11th Street Station will be re-constructed to include a multi-story station/parking/retail building, new high-level platforms and track improvements. The closure is expected to last approximately two-and-a-half years, until the end of Double Track construction. As an alternative

Tuesday, May 4th from 10 a.m. – Noon, CT at Marquette Mall (outside of JCPenney), 201 W. US 20, Michigan City. Assorted food items are offered free of charge. All items are pre-boxed and pre-bagged. First come, first served, while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. One box per household. Distributions are drive-thru. Please remain in your vehicle and open your trunk to receive items. An area is available for self-loading if your trunk does not open.

On April 26, 2021, at 11:43 AM, deputies were summoned to the 3900 north block of US 35, rural Center Township, reference a personal injury crash. At 11:50 AM, Deputy Wade Wallace arrived at the scene and confirmed that one of the drivers had been killed in the crash. The initial crash investigation completed by Deputy Ken Etchison and other deputies determined the following had occurred. A red 2015 Volkswagen passenger vehicle, driven by Corbin GAYHEART (51 YOA) of Knox, Indiana, was traveling northbound on US 35. For an unknown reason, GAYHEART drove left of center and into the southbound

The Franciscan Health Foundation’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Fund has received a major boost with a $15,000 donation from Superior Ambulance Service. The gift is being directed to purchase more than 500 COVID-19 kits to help coronavirus patients continue their recovery at home. Franciscan Health’s medical leaders emphasized the difference this will make for patients battling COVID-19 and other ailments. “We have been able to purchase pulse oximeters and thermometers, which are part of a kit provided to COVID patients who are being sent home after evaluation and treatment in the emergency room, urgent care or receiving treatment in the

Lab results have confirmed the presence of parasites in wild white-tailed deer found on a private property in Newton County in late February and early March. About 40 deer were found on the property, dead, soon after heavy snow melted. According to Moriah Boggess, deer biologist for the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, the deer may have died days or weeks before being discovered. Lab results from diagnostic testing conducted at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Purdue University identified the parasites as lung worm, which Boggess says commonly occur throughout the range of the white-tailed deer

On April 27, 2021, at 8:53 PM, Deputy Alex Clemons was summoned to the area of US 421 and CR 870 South, rural Clinton Township, regarding a male subject walking northbound on US 421. At 8:58 PM while responding to the area, deputies learned the subject had been struck by a vehicle. The initial crash investigation completed by deputies determined the following had occurred. A gray 2016 Volkswagen passenger vehicle, driven by Max W. REIMBOLD (21 YOA) of Knox, Indiana, was traveling southbound on US 421. REIMBOLD had just passed CR 870 South and struck a pedestrian who was standing

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2020-2021 cycle of small grants for Michigan City educators. These grants aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students – particularly during the pandemic.   Since the mid-1990s, three grant programs, established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning, have awarded grants to over 1,000 teachers for projects of their own design. “Our area schools are full of exceptional teachers who go above and beyond for their students. We are honored to facilitate

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced today that longtime Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) director of economic development, Don Babcock, will be joining the staff of Chancellor Thomas L. Keon part-time, as director of economic development and community relations, to expand the university’s efforts around community and economic development in Northwest Indiana, especially La Porte and Porter counties.   “We are thrilled to bring Don’s extensive expertise and skill in economic development to PNW,” Keon said. “He has made incredible impacts on the Region throughout his career at NIPSCO and has been a wonderful collaborator and friend of the university