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Indiana residents who need help feeding their families during the COVID-19 pandemic will have greater access to assistance from food banks and pantries through a Disaster Household Distribution program approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).　 The disaster distribution program uses commodity foods from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is administered by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and is effective from today through May 14, 2020. The goal is to increase access to food assistance to those in need. Priority will be given to Hoosiers who are suffering significant economic losses. During the COVID-19

Yesterday Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box, authorized long-term care facilities to transfer, discharge, transport or relocate residents in order to reduce the risks of COVID-19 to this vulnerable population. All moves would be done in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Dr. Box’s order, which includes transfers within a facility, between facilities and those occurring across city or county boundaries, will remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency declared by Governor Eric J. Holcomb. It supersedes any orders issued at the local level as allowed under Indiana law. The goal of the

The Indiana Department of Correction had the first death of an offender at the Westville Correctional Facility, located in Westville, Indiana, late evening on Monday. The offender, a male over the age of 70, who did not have indications of illness, reported experiencing chest pains and trouble breathing on Monday. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and later died at the hospital. While at the hospital, the offender tested positive for COVID-19.

INDOT still has availability for Kankakee I-65 Mile Marker 231, northbound and southbound for any food truck vendors who may be interested. They can learn more and sign up by visiting INDOTS website and clicking on “Maps” then clicking on “Welcome Centers & Rest Areas” under the “Other Maps” section. After that you will see a link called “Rest Area Food Truck Program”.

Two inmates in custody at the Porter County Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus and are currently in stable condition. The inmates have been quarantined in medical isolation within the facility. No staff members have tested positive for the virus. It is unknown how the inmates contracted the virus and that is currently under investigation. Both inmates were living in the same population area. Inmates that were previously housed in the same living quarters as the subject were placed on quarantine status and are being monitored 24/7 by medical staff, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office said

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 331 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 8,236 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 350 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days. To date, 44,539 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 42,489 on Sunday. Marion County had the most

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the following updated visitor restrictions, also included in the attached statement, have been implemented at all our Franciscan Health hospitals. Let me know if you have any questions. Franciscan Alliance Visitor Restrictions All visitation will be suspended throughout Franciscan Health hospitals and facilities unless listed in the following exceptions for healthy visitors. A laboring woman will be allowed one screened and masked visitor, a spouse or partner, during labor, delivery and her postpartum period. In addition, a screened and masked labor coach will be allowed. A mother, screened and masked, will

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun the distribution of relief funds for Indiana hospitals and medical providers from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Indiana will receive $668,604,614 in payments going to 4,495 medical providers and health systems that are enrolled in Medicare. According to HHS, facilities and providers are allotted funding based on their share of 2019 Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) reimbursements. These are payments, not loans, to healthcare providers, and will not need to be repaid.

La Porte Hospital has finalized plans to break ground on a Medical Office Building to be constructed adjacent to the new hospital being built on State Street in Downtown La Porte. The approximately 55,000 square feet, four-story building will be constructed on State Street adjacent to the new hospital. It is expected to be completed during third quarter of 2021. Once complete, the building will include approximately 15 office suites housing a combination of physician offices and hospital-based services. The building will connect to the new hospital on both the first and second floors providing convenience to patients and staff.

In Porter County State Road 2 will have a closure between U.S. 30 and U.S. 231 for two intersection improvements starting Monday, April 20 at 6am. This is between Valparaiso and Hebron. Crews will be completing an intersection improvement project at C.R. 500 W and constructing a new roundabout at C.R. 100 S. This closure will impact 12.6 miles of road, with access for local traffic only. The road will be closed to through traffic until the end of August. Drivers should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, I-65 and U.S. 231. Local traffic should

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee Patrick McHenry (R-NC) will be hosting a conference call with senior leaders from lending institutions in northeast Indiana to discuss implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Conference call with lenders hosted by Congressman Jim Banks and Congressman Patrick McHenry, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on lending, followed by Q & A on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 10:30 am- 11:30 am (ET). If you are interested in joining the call, please email mitchell.hailstone@mail.house.gov This continues Rep. Banks’ efforts to help facilitate

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced a road closure on U.S. 6 near the U.S. 35 intersection beginning Monday, April 13. U.S. 6 will be closed for a bridge deck and approach repair for the bridge over Kankakee River. The work is expected to be complete by April 30.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the South Shore Line continues to operate a temporary modified weekday train schedule until further notice. Weekend train schedules will not be changed at this time. Although SSL ridership has been impacted by COVID-19-required closures, trains provide an essential public service. This service is relied upon by healthcare professionals for travel to their essential assignments, and by citizens with previously scheduled medical appointments. The SSL intends to operate unless public health officials or the government request they cease operations. Additional changes in service will be posted to https://www.mysouthshoreline.com

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced that 508 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 7,928 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 343 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days. To date, 42,489 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 39,215 on Saturday. Marion County had the most new

As the number of novel coronavirus cases continues to rise, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is partnering with local health officials in four communities to hold free drive-thru testing clinics for healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers who have symptoms of COVID-19. Clinics will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13-17 at the following locations: CK Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut St., EvansvilleIvy Tech, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., Fort WayneSt. Timothy Community Church, 1600 W. 25th Ave., GaryIvy Tech, 8204 Hwy 311, Sellersburg Participants should bring a driver’s license or other State of Indiana-issued identification card

 LaPorte County Police would like the public to be aware that across the nation, individuals have been posing as law enforcement, presenting phony badges and lights, in an attempt to take advantage of quarantine rules to defraud and/or harass citizens. If you believe you are being stopped by an impersonating cop call 911. Make sure you pull over in a well-lighted area and ask for identification of the supposed officer. 

Yesterday, Governor Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, issued guidance for places of worship in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Gov. Holcomb’s executive order 20-18 states all public and private gatherings, including religious and spiritual, should follow CDC guidance, which restricts gatherings to ten or less people. To continue safely serving their communities, faith institutions are directed as follows: -Church buildings and other physical locations for worship should be closed. -Livestream or other virtual services are best. -The minimum number of necessary personnel should be used at all times for any services. -Staff and volunteers who

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 568 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 6,907 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 300 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days. To date, 35,040 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 32,133 on Friday. Marion County had the most

On Thursday April 9th, 2020 at approximately 2:40 P.M.; reports were received of a multi-vehicle accident that had occurred in the area of Tremont Street and Oak Street involving a marked MCPD police vehicle. Responding Officers arrived and found a fully marked 2017 Ford Explorer and a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban off the roadway in the 300 Block of Tremont Street.Detective Scott Combs, the driver of the police vehicle, was transported to an area hospital via ambulance with nonlife-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet Suburban, Michael Johnson, 35, of Michigan City was uninjured. Based on the preliminary investigation, Detective Combs

I hope you and your teams are remaining healthy and safe. Please continue to reach out to me directly by cell phone (219-508-1506) if you are aware of a utility emergency that impacts your community.  All other concerns can be addressed by calling NIPSCO Customer Care at 1800-464-7726. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NIPSCO has adjusted work plans to ensure the health and safety of its natural gas customers and employees. These adjusted work plans only apply to NIPSCO's natural gas communities. Our goal is to eliminate all non-essential work that would call for close customer interaction and create