News

In outlining Indiana’s 2019 Year-End Report, which highlights the state’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, Auditor of State Tera Klutz, CPA, announced Indiana ended FY19 with a budget surplus of $410 million allowing the state to close the books without utilizing reserves.The Year-End Report, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget, shows Indiana maintaining reserves of approximately $2.3 billion or 13.9% of current year expenditures, representing an increase from FY2018. 

Governor Holcomb recently proposed using nearly 300 million dollar to pay down debt and make major project investments according to a press release. Holcomb wants several one-time capital projects and to finish the free-flow of U.S. Hwy. 31 from South Bend to Indianapolis. According to the statement, the state would maintain fiscally responsible reserves of nearly $2 billion or 12.2 percent of expenditures after putting aside money for the following capital projects:         $50 million for the swine barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds        $73 million for the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine teaching

In the Portage area beginning at 6:00 am on Monday, July 15th a crew will be closing down the north and south bound drive lanes (lanes closest to the curb) on Willowcreek Road from Central Avenue all the way to U.S. Hwy 6.They will be removing the curbing and approaches at all the intersections to install handicap ramps.There will be traffic congestion due to the work/upgrades and lane restrictions. 

La Porte Hospital is hosting another Taste of Wellness Event, this time at its Lifeworks Campus at 3777 Frontage Road in Michigan City.  This free event, open to the community will be held on Thursday, August 1 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The interactive health and wellness event will include healthy food tastings, ask-a-doctor booths, free health screenings, interactive demonstrations, and other health education opportunities.  Participants will also have an opportunity to meet some or the newest members of La Porte Physician Network.  Registration is encouraged but not required.  Register by calling 888-840-8204 or visit laportehealthfair.comThis community health education event is

According to a press release sent out Thursday, Mayor Ron Meer and the Project Steering Committee have heard concerns and points of view about the Michigan City Plaza that "need to be taken into consideration before moving forward" and because of this, Mayor Meer has asked for the resolution for the bonding of the Michigan City Plaza be withdrawn at this time. The statement says they will continue their outreach and community wide discussions regarding the Michigan City Plaza for all to be heard.  They also stated they will engage additional community partners to ensure financial sustainability of the project and

Gov. Eric Holcomb has proclaimed July 2019 as Lakes Appreciation Month. Lakes and reservoirs are among Indiana’s most valuable natural resources and need to be protected for future generations. They provide drinking water, irrigation, energy, recreation, scenic beauty and wildlife habitat. You can assist Indiana and its partners by participating in the Secchi Dip-In, which helps to track water transparency trends and changing water quality. If you would like to participate in the celebration of Indiana’s lakes, check out the North American Lakes Management Society website: www.nalms.org

On July 11th, at around just after 12:30 pm, Chief Todd Taylor, of the Chikaming Township Police Department was dispatched to an address on Victor Ave., concerning a recovery on the beach of Lake Michigan. Chief Taylor arrived on scene and met with Deputy Andrea Crosby, of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, New Buffalo Township patrol, on the beach. On the beach was the body of an unidentified black male subject. While conducting the investigation, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Officer Tyler Brock arrived on scene and identified the body as the missing 17-year-old subject, Rahem L. Mason, who

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) Board of Directors recently announced the election of its 2019-2020 Board officers. Leigh Morris, former La Porte Mayor and CEO of La Porte Hospital, will serve as the Symphony’s Chairman of the Board. Jamie Oss, will serve as Vice Chairman.  Cecelia Largura will serve as Treasurer; Jill Klingbeil , Trust Office Manager at Horizon Bank will serve as Secretary and V. Michael Drayton will continue to serve the LCSO as Past Chairman and a member of the Executive Committee. Seven new at large directors were also elected. Other LCSO at large Board members

Indiana’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program continues to shine as a national leader among its peers, earning a prestigious award for the fifth consecutive year.JAG Indiana, which is administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), received the “5 of 5” Award July 10 at a national JAG conference in Orlando, Florida. The award recognizes the Indiana program for exceeding five goals set at the national level relating to graduation rates, post-secondary education, job placement and other significant milestones.

Shortly after midnight Thursday morning, Travis Hornett, an Indiana Department of Corrections offender, who walked away from custody in the afternoon of July 10th was captured.  Hornett had in his possession, when he was captured, a backpack that he acquired by unknown means while he was fleeing. It is believed he came into possession of the backpack from one of the local beaches in the area.  Indiana State Police Detective Mike Bailey is asking anyone who may be missing a backpack and the contents inside please contact him at 219-690-0039. Hornett, was ultimately tracked to a vacant home he had

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association will be holding their monthly board meeting on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 6 pm.  It will be held at 601 Franklin Street, Suite 100, Michigan City, Indiana. The public is invited to attend.

In outlining Indiana’s 2019 Year-End Report, which highlights the state’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, Auditor of State Tera Klutz, CPA, announced Indiana ended FY19 with a budget surplus of $410 million allowing the state to close the books without utilizing reserves.The Year-End Report, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget, shows Indiana maintaining reserves of approximately $2.3 billion or 13.9% of current year expenditures, representing an increase from FY2018. 

In the Portage area beginning at 6:00 am on Monday, July 15th a crew will be closing down the north and south bound drive lanes (lanes closest to the curb) on Willowcreek Road from Central Avenue all the way to U.S. Hwy 6.They will be removing the curbing and approaches at all the intersections to install handicap ramps.There will be traffic congestion due to the work/upgrades and lane restrictions. 

Governor Holcomb recently proposed using nearly 300 million dollar to pay down debt and make major project investments according to a press release. Holcomb wants several one-time capital projects and to finish the free-flow of U.S. Hwy. 31 from South Bend to Indianapolis. According to the statement, the state would maintain fiscally responsible reserves of nearly $2 billion or 12.2 percent of expenditures after putting aside money for the following capital projects: $50 million for the swine barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds $73 million for the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital $60 million for the Ball State

Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana (EDCMC) finalized a long-term strategic economic development initiative - An Agenda for Economic Prosperity- highlighting action items towards creating a local sustainable business environment and economic prosperity and equity for all residents following the principles of economic inclusion. In December 2018, EDCMC announced the organization was embarking upon a process to develop a comprehensive strategic initiative. Since then, EDCMC outlined a plan of action towards a more robust and competitive marketplace in Michigan City. EDCMC commissioned Roderick Miller, President and CEO of Ascendant Global Consulting to coordinate and complete the 2019-2023 Michigan City Strategic

Following a meeting held with department heads and elected officials this morning, LaPorte County Commission President Dr. Vidya Kora announced that “decryption” of the county’s data began late yesterday and steps are being taken to reduce the chances of any future “ransomware attack” as occurred on Saturday, July 6th. Said Dr. Kora, “this particular virus – RYUK – that was used by the bad actors in this attack was particularly insidious in that it jumped over all our firewalls and was able to penetrate backup servers.  Even after conferring with the FBI’s cyber security unit to determine if their decryption

La Porte Hospital is hosting another Taste of Wellness Event, this time at its Lifeworks Campus at 3777 Frontage Road in Michigan City.  This free event, open to the community will be held on Thursday, August 1 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The interactive health and wellness event will include healthy food tastings, ask-a-doctor booths, free health screenings, interactive demonstrations, and other health education opportunities.  Participants will also have an opportunity to meet some or the newest members of La Porte Physician Network.  Registration is encouraged but not required.  Register by calling 888-840-8204 or visit laportehealthfair.comThis community health education event is

According to a press release sent out Thursday, Mayor Ron Meer and the Project Steering Committee have heard concerns and points of view about the Michigan City Plaza that "need to be taken into consideration before moving forward" and because of this, Mayor Meer has asked for the resolution for the bonding of the Michigan City Plaza be withdrawn at this time. The statement says they will continue their outreach and community wide discussions regarding the Michigan City Plaza for all to be heard.  They also stated they will engage additional community partners to ensure financial sustainability of the project and

La Porte Hospital offers a free, monthly breakfast program for all.  Space is limited so registration required.  The programs are part of La Porte Hospital’s HealthPorte program which was created to provide health and wellness education for community members aged fifty or better.  Breakfast at 8 a.m. and Presentation at 9 a.m.Location:  La Porte Hospital Auditorium, Lower LevelThursday, July 25Don’t Let Your Heart Skip a Beat: Atrial FibrillationAndleeb Bangash, M.D. , La Porte Physician Network’s newest Cardiologist Thursday, August 22Colon Health: the Ins and Outs Megan Vermilyer, N.P, Gastroenterology Thursday, September 26Incontinence – Prevention and TreatmentJohn Lynam, M.D., Urologist Thursday, October 24Chest PainMark

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) voted to confirm Damon Ray Leichty from South Bend to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Mr. Leichty was confirmed by the full Senate vote of 85-10.