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Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency to increase coordination across all levels of government in the state’s response to coronavirus. This is also a step in making Indiana eligible for federal dollars to respond to the outbreak. A copy of the executive order is attached. “With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.” This morning, Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana

Valparaiso Police are continuing to investigate the death of Travis Thompson, which occurred on January 29th, in the 700 block of Elm St. The investigation remains open and active, as investigators continue to work with the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. The thorough investigation has produced a great deal of information and evidence. Forensic evidence testing is taking place with results pending. Valparaiso Police are aware of the public interest regarding this case and will provide additional updates as they become available. VPD is confident that this death is an isolated incident and does not represent an ongoing threat to the

The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission announced that it will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, March 8th, to continue until 4:00 a.m. Daylight Savings Time changes clocks to 3:00 a.m. at 2:00 a.m. and without an additional hour, alcoholic beverages sales would need to cease at that time. To allow the same number of service hours on Saturday night, the ATC is, again, allowing the sales of alcoholic beverages to occur until 4:00 a.m.

Phishing, spoofing and other cyberattacks are on the rise, accounting for 92% of all breaches and the majority of identity theft and financial fraud cases in 2019. Due to this threat, the Indiana Bankers Association has transitioned the IBA website and email addresses to indiana.bank. This step provides you with increased protection that can help prevent future breaches, identity theft and financial fraud. In using .BANK, the IBA joins with 10 member banks that have already transitioned to this valuable security measure. Please bookmark the new IBA website address – indiana.bank – for future use. Past links using indianabankers.org will

Seniors Celebrated for Essays on Sojourner Truth, Huey Percy Newton  Marquette seniors Janaya Blakely and Myah Jackson were recognized by Michigan City mayor Duane Parry last week after the duo were chosen as winners in the 2020 Michigan City Human Rights Commission Black History Month Contest.The contest asked students to express their thoughts on the theme, "African Americans Whose Vision and Works Have Impacted the Future."Blakely addressed the racial and gender-related discrimination faced by Sojourner Truth. "Sojourner Truth impacted the future by decreasing the gaps of intersectional feminism, where white women weren't the only people benefiting from women's rights movements.

LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST /3 AMCST/ TO 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ FRIDAY...* LAKE SHORE FLOODING...Strong northwest winds, possibly gustingas high as 50 mph, will have the potential to produce 10 to 16foot waves, occasionally to 20 feet, and lakeshore floodingalong the northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan shore of LakeMichigan.* TIMING...Late tonight through Friday evening.* IMPACTS...Severe beach erosion and lakeshore flooding will bepossible. Parking lots and roads along the immediate lakeshoremay experience flooding. Vulnerable structures along thelakeshore may also be heavily damaged.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A Lakeshore Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring orimminent along

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City The weather may be warming up this weekend, but the waters of Lake Michigan will still be cold! On Saturday, March 7th, Mayor Duane Parry will brave the cold waters and take the plunge! This event will take place on Saturday, March 7th at 9:00 am at the Trail Creek Kayak Launch at Hansen Park. The Mayor invites you to join him in this event. It is not a fundraising event this year, but a FUN raising event! After the Mayor warms up, he will lead off the St. Patrick’s Day

With employee and company matching donations totaling $136,369, Horizon Bank has been able to help scores of communities the bank serves in Indiana and Michigan through the United Way. Over 850,000 individuals in the states of Indiana and Michigan will benefit from the dollars donated by Horizon Bank through its Advisors and corporate donations. “It's simply my honor and privilege today to present this contribution on behalf of Horizon Bank in support of our ongoing commitment to the United Way,” said Bill Gertner, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. “At the center of every great community, you'll find thriving

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City Mayor Parry would like to keep everyone informed as to the new bridge construction occurring on U.S. 12 throughout the spring and summer with a projected fall completion. Construction road sign against a blue sky INDOT has contracted Superior Construction to replace the bridge deck, with work having started earlier this week. In addition, as part of the project, the “bump” when heading west over the bridge will be corrected, giving everyone a smooth ride. Now the good news! With the replacement of the deck, the bridge will REMAIN OPEN during

Due to increased demand, South Shore Line’s (SSL) Bikes on Trains program schedule has now expanded to eighteen total weekday trains. This program was previously offered on two morning and two evening rush-hour weekday trains in addition to select weekend trains.Bike icons can be found on the SSL timetable next to specific train times that run equipped with bike-racks. Bike-rack equipped train cars are also clearly marked with a bike symbol prominently located on the windows of the car. Bikes are not permitted during special Chicago events such as Lollapalooza and the Chicago Air & Water Show. For more information on

On February 21st, Detective’s from the La Porte Police Dept. obtained an arrest warrant for one Gerald Yaw for the charges of  three counts of Child Molesting; where def. is at least 21 yrs. of age and  two counts of Child Molesting; Fondling or touching with a child under 14 yrs. of age. The investigation of this case began on October 4th with lead investigator Detective Erin Jenkins. After an in-depth investigation Detective Erin Jenkins presented her findings to the LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney Julian Havens and subsequently LaPorte County Circuit Court found probable cause for the arrest of Gerald Yaw. On

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch and La Porte County Sheriff’s Office  are searching for dozens of 2020 Student Advisors For Educating Tomorrow’s Youth (S.A.F.E.T.Y) Leaders for their Youth Ranch now under development for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses and victims of crime. Middle school and high school students who have attended local public safety camps across the state will be asked to give guidance on proposed facilities, programs and policies of the new Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch being developed in rural Clay County between Greencastle and Terre Haute, said La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd. Sheriff Boyd said the

The South Shore Line said in a statement that NICTD will hold a workshop with the Michigan City City Council at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall.The meeting will be in the EOC room on the lower level. The purpose of the workshop is for NICTD to convey next steps for the double track project. 

The public is invited to attend the You’re Not Alone Summit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Center, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville. Participants will learn how they can help their community and family cope with drug abuse. The free summit, hosted by the PNW College of Nursing, will focus on educating the community about substance abuse, addiction stigmas and available support resources. Featured activities include prevention and recovery workshops, a session on how to administer Narcan, addiction recovery resources, and a daylong Drug

Housing Opportunities Awarded $2M to Build Single Family Homes In MC Neighborhoods The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has chosen Housing Opportunities as one of three (3) partners for its new HOME Investment Partnerships Program Innovation Round and Project Development Training. The $2 million grant, is led by Housing Opportunities and with partners 1st Source Bank and the Unity Foundation of La Porte County. The project will be implemented over several years and allow Housing Opportunities to build up to 30 single family homes in the Eastport and Westside neighborhoods in Michigan City, including eight in its first

Center Township Volunteer Fire Department and Horizon Bank announced a joint public / private partnership to improve emergency services, firefighter training and fire prevention education to the residents and guests of rural Center Township. Working with Amber Cable, administrator of the Horizon Cares Charitable Grant program, Center Township Fire corporation Vice-President Eric Haverstock successfully developed and presented a threefold application to address critical response, training and public education needs that were beyond the budgetary capabilities of the volunteer fire department. Horizon’s generous contribution through this unique grant program enabled the fire department to expand communication capabilities at the new fire

Michigan City Fire department responded to the 500 block of Dewey street on Wednesday, February 26th for a report of a structure fire with entrapment. Upon arrival crews found heavy fire conditions in the rear of the structure. Crews promptly entered the home to search for life and extinguish the fire. Crews did find one deceased male in the structure. Fire is still under investigation. Michigan City fire was assisted by MCPD, LPCO EMS, NIPSCO, LPCO corners office and Absolutely dry (board up company).

On February 26, 2020, during the afternoon, Deputy Wade Wallace was working the Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) program along the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) near mile marker 59.  At approximately 3:55 PM, he was monitoring westbound traffic and observed a vehicle following another vehicle too closely. Deputy Wallace began traveling west behind the violating vehicle and noted that the same vehicle was also exceeding the posted speed limit.  The vehicle then committed a third violation when changing lanes.The vehicle entered the Wilbur Shaw Travel Plaza located at the 56 mile marker. Deputy Wallace initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle

The SSL will be offering the following weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Friday, Feb. 28, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend: Westbound: Trains 14, 216, 116, 218, 18, 118, 220, 20Eastbound: Trains 9, 109, 209, 113, 17, 119, 19, 121, 123 Note: Eastbound Trains 109, 113, 119, 121, 123 terminate at Carroll Ave.; Train 209 terminates at Gary Metro Center; Trains 9, 17 & 19 terminate in South Bend. To view all special McCormick Place stop times on Feb. 28, please click here for eastbound train times, or here for westbound train times.  All weekend trains

Parents going through the stress of caring for their infants in the neonatal intensive care unit will be provided a collection of necessities to ease their experience, thanks to a donation of 50 “Comfort Bags” by the Flamini Foundation. The bags, which were delivered to Franciscan Health Crown Point on Feb. 21, include puzzle books, lotions, throw blankets, bottled water, snacks, stuffed animals, tissues, notebooks and pens, slippers, eye masks and other items that mothers and fathers might need while caring for their babies in the NICU. Some of the bags will be provided to parents at the Franciscan Health