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Last week, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced the Investing in Main Street Act to increase investment in small businesses by permitting banks to invest up to 15 percent of their capital in Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC). The dramatic increase in capital for the SBIC program would be deployed to domestic small businesses at no cost to the taxpayer. SBICs have invested more than $451 million dollars in 135 Hoosier small businesses over the last ten years. 

The Barker Mansion in Michigan City will be having their first Behind-the-Scenes-Tour since the Barker Mansion's extensive renovations during the spring. View the basement, closets, and former servants’ quarters of the basement, first and second floors. Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for youth and seniors. Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite.com or by calling the Mansion at (219) 873-1520.

The Mayor’s Office has released a statement on the inspection that occurred on June 23rd at Local Option. The statement reads,“In the early morning of June 23rd,, the Indiana State Excise Police requested the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department to accompany them to Local Options [sic] Bar for an inspection. Since that inspection, the Mayor’s Office has been receiving numerous questions and concerns regarding that inspection based on a video that was posted by a patron on social media.  The Mayor’s Office is investigating this matter. In addition, the Indiana State Excise Police, who were the lead agency

The Valparaiso Police responded to the 1200 block of Chicago St. early Tuesday evening, due to a report of “shots fired” in the area. Witnesses reported that at approximately 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, they observed a black male, described of average height and build, fire multiple shots from a weapon in the area.  Several bullet casings were located to confirm the report. The male was further described as having “purple long spiked dreadlocks” and was wearing a camouflage shirt. Police learned a second male was observed in the area at the time of the shooting, who was described as a Hispanic

The 4th Annual Red, Wine and Brew event is a 21+ festival with a fireworks finale. Proceeds from the patriotic event support the Sheriff's Office, La Porte County EMS and the La Porte Police and Fire Departments. The event this year will be held at Stone Lake Beach on July 3rd. Early VIP admission begins at 3:00 PM.Bethany Lutheran Church hosts this event with a focus on giving back to the community and shining a positive light on the "local heroes." Bethany Lutheran Church does not keep any of the proceeds. Rather after all expenses are paid, the proceeds are

Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Office of Concurrent Enrollment awarded its first scholarships to area high school students who participated in the concurrent enrollment program. The scholarship recognizes four highly motivated and engaged students wishing to attend PNW. Among the recipients were Nathan Karnezis of Munster, Cameron Wickersham of Westville, Antionette Yasko of La Porte, and Elise Richards of Boone Grove.Students who completed a minimum of 3 dual credit courses in high school and enrolled as full-time PNW students starting this fall semester were eligible. They also needed to have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA.Winners wrote a 500-word essay explaining the

High School Entry: MCHS Cheerleaders Won First Place And Safe Harbor Robotics Placed Second. Auto/Motorcycle Club Category: Guardian Rides Received First Place And Four A’s Took Second.  Dance/Gymnastic/Baton Group: 1st Place Electonette Highsteppers, 2nd: DFLP LCCEquestrian: 1st Place Laporte County Sheriff's PosseFloat, Commercial: 1st Place Haunted Hills Hospital, 2nd: Fast Eddie's Family HaircareFloat, Non-profit: 1st Place Dav 23 Guardian RidersYouth Band/Drill Teams: 1st Place Mc Soul Steppers 2nd Place Willie Arthur Smith's Marching CobrasMost Over-all Patriotic: 1st Place Grandma & Grandpa Buit A Float 2nd Remembering Our Veterans

On Sunday, June 30th, just after 5:15 a.m., Midnight Shift Patrol Deputies were summoned to the 4400 west block of State Road 8, in rural Prairie Township, for a vehicle crash. The first deputy to arrive located a green Ford F-150 pickup truck in the lawn of a residence near a large tree. The male driver, who was the lone lone occupant, was trapped inside the pickup truck.  Following extrication, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was identified as 58 year old Lewis J. Hunt of North Judson. The crash investigation determined Hunt had been traveling

The Indiana Poet Laureate represents Indiana and the art of poetry through the development and implementation of programming to the education community and general public. The Poet Laureate makes formal presentations at various educational facilities and events, pursues individual initiatives to advance the knowledge and appreciation of poetry, and offers advice to the IAC regarding ways to further the art of poetry in Indiana.Nominations for Indiana Poet Laureate should be limited to one, single-page cover letter and a resume or CV detailing the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments. No additional materials should be included with the initial nomination. Successful nominees must

Yesterday, Attorney General Curtis Hill asked Hoosiers to watch for car dealers posing as private sellers on Craigslist — and to alert the Office of the Attorney General if and when they come across such listings.Craigslist.com allows a seller to post either as a dealer or as a private party under “by owner.” Consumers are then able to search either category according to their preferences. Dealers are prohibited by Craigslist from advertising under “by owner.” Dealers who post misleading ads by posing as private sellers often run afoul of Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act.The Office of the Attorney General is

On Friday, at about 1:00 PM, an employee of a recycling and disposal company was working in the 2900 north block of County Road 950 West (Patriot Park Area), in rural Coolspring Township. The employee was outside of the company truck and had just completed a service for a residence After placing a recycling container in the lawn, the employee turned back to the west and was suddenly struck by a northbound pickup truck. The pickup truck failed to stop and left the scene. Deputy Alex Clemons responded to the area but was not able to locate the pickup truck.

United Way Regional Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers to help local nonprofits during its annual Day of Caring event on Friday, August 9. As the largest single-day volunteer event across Northwest Indiana, Day of Caring brings together nonprofits, families, local businesses, municipalities, churches, civic groups and individuals to change lives one project at a time by helping local nonprofits with facility improvements and client-support projects. United Way is looking for more than 600 volunteers to help with 30 service projects. Volunteers can choose from activities such as painting, landscaping, building, cleaning, hosting picnics and taking kids fishing. Volunteers who are

In accordance with HEA 1001, marketplace facilitators must register and collect Indiana sales, county innkeeper's and food and beverage taxes (if applicable) effective July 1, 2019. For more information you may visit DOR's Marketplace Facilitator web page.

The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule on Thursday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day.On Wednesday, July 3th, an eastbound extra train to accommodate early departures will leave Millennium Station at 2 p.m. (Van Buren St. at 2:03 p.m.), run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Ave., Michigan City. The extra will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend. South Shore ticket offices will also observe holiday hours on July 4, with the Millennium Station ticket office open from 9:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other ticket offices will be closed.

The Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity (DNPA) has released its Active Living Guidebook. Created in collaboration with Health by Design, the guidebook will help community leaders and advocates create more active communities throughout the state.From 2014 to 2018, DNPA worked with Purdue Extension and Health by Design to conduct 46 active living workshops in communities across Indiana. More than 1,800 participants, including city planners and engineers, public health professionals, school administrators and community leaders, attended the workshops and learned how to improve their communities’ infrastructure so residents have more opportunity to be active.According to

Indiana American Water announced late last week that the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has approved a stipulation and settlement agreement with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and several other interested parties regarding the company’s rate request filed in September 2018. Details of the agreement are contained in an order issued on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 by the IURC. During the period covered by the rate request, Indiana American Water invested more than $542 million in its water systems across the state to ensure reliable service to customers. The order includes a 7.9 percent overall increase in operating water

The online method is the only way to apply. Applicants must possess a hunting license valid for the hunt for which they are applying. Applications must be completed by the application deadline.Hunters will be selected through a random computerized drawing. A link to view drawing results will be posted at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt within two weeks after application deadlines. An email will be sent to applicants when results are posted. Only one application per hunt is allowed. No changes can be made once the application is submitted. More information is available at on.IN.gov/reservedhunt.

The Indiana Department of Insurance provides the following information for Hoosiers who are currently enrolled in, or are considering, a short-term health insurance plan. Under current Indiana law, a short-term plan can be no longer than six months. It also may not be renewed. However, this law will change on July 1, 2019.During the 2019 Legislative Session, the Indiana General Assembly passed HEA 1631, which makes several changes to the current law. Starting July 1, 2019, a short-term plan may be renewed for up to 36 months, may be issued for a term of 364 days or less and has

The Valparaiso Police Department is again participating in National Night Out, being held August 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  National Night out is a national event, bringing communities and police together under positive conditions, creating an exchange of ideas, and developing a partnership with citizens. The Valparaiso Police is inviting community members and neighborhood groups to organize events and activities as part of the national celebration.  Valparaiso Police Officers and civilian staff will be visiting the planned activities in a variety neighborhoods throughout the city, to show their support of the citizens.  Members of the department will include K9,

The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for two Regional Dispatcher’s position at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center which is located at 1550 East 181st Avenue, Lowell. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 12th, 2019. Specific job information can be found online by clicking: https://www.in.gov/isp/3627.htm