News

Congressman Visclosky announced yesterday that the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) under the National Park Service has awarded two grants in Northwest Indiana. First, a $200,000 grant award will support renovations at Imagination Glen Park in the City of Portage. Specifically, the grant award will support efforts to remodel the concession building and restrooms, and add an open-air shelter to the building. The grant award will also replace fencing at the existing ballfields, replace lighting fixtures, develop a multi-use trail connecting park facilities, and add benches and tables. Second, a $100,000 grant award will support renovations at Fireman Park

Four students in Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) College of Technology are hoping a third place finish at an international student competition launches them to the top of this year’s PNW Big Sell entrepreneurial contest. Daniel Cubillos (Hammond, IN), Neol Goveas (Mumbai, India), Jered Daniels (Crown Point, IN) and Daksh Patel (Greenwood, IN), all students of PNW’s Computer Graphics Technology bachelor’s program, entered their concept for a mobile phone stand into the HOUSTEX 3D Printing Student Competition in February.The PNW team was challenged to create an original design, along with an energy-efficient manufacturing process, for an eco-friendly mobile phone stand.While explaining

“The LaPorte Police Department recently received information in regards to an alleged threat towards Handley School that we have been actively investigating.  At this point detectives from the LaPorte Police Department have no evidence to confirm that the alleged threat that occurred over a month ago was even made due to conflicting information. Thanksto the cooperation from the alleged suspect’s family we have confirmed that the alleged suspect does not have possession of any guns like posted on social media and they are working with the LaPorte Police Department to resolve this situation. The LaPorte Community School Corporation and local

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) to create more opportunities for working families to get ahead. The Building on Reemployment Improvements to Deliver Good Employment (BRIDGE) for Workers Act (H.R. 1759) would give states more flexibility in administering existing unemployment benefits to help more Americans re-enter the workforce and find good-paying jobs. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that new investments in re-employment services scheduled over the next decade would reduce the budget deficit by $600 million between 2022 and 2027.

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mike Braun and Congressman Jim Banks introduced the Pell Flexibility Act of 2019 to reduce student debt and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap.The goal of the grant is to improve job placement, reduce the crushing burden of student loan debt, and address the crisis of the workforce skills gap, higher education must adapt to meet the needs of employers. Federal grants prioritizing skills-based programs is a critical step in that direction. Under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, institutions of higher education are eligible to participate in federal student

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the opening of the 2019 Season of Chesterton’s European Market Saturday, May 4. From 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Duneland community residents and tourists are welcomed to visit Third Street and Broadway in historic downtown Chesterton to experience Northwest Indiana’s premier outdoor artisan and farmers’ market.Each weekend this season, the Market will boast more than 90 merchants, live musical performances from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, fresh food served on-site throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to enjoy gatherings with friends and family in nearby Thomas Centennial Park. “The best

More than 86,000 Hoosiers now work in clean energy industries after adding 3,885 jobs in 2018, according to a new analysis of energy jobs data from Clean Energy Trust (CET) and the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs). Overall, Indiana now employs 69,613 more workers in clean energy than fossil fuels (17,287).Indiana’s clean energy workforce employs more than all the waiters and waitresses, computer programmers, lawyers and web developers in Indiana combined, according to the Department of Labor Employment Statistics.Led by 18 percent growth in advanced transportation, Indiana’s clean energy jobs now make up 2.6 percent of all jobs

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding Hoosiers that early and absentee voting for the May 7th Primary Election began yesterday. From now until May 6, any eligible voter can cast an absentee ballot in-person at their county clerk’s office or request an absentee ballot by mail. Voters who chose to vote absentee in-person have until noon on May 6, the day before the primary election, to cast their ballot. Voters who choose to vote by mail may request an absentee ballot online at www.indianavoters.com or from their county clerk’s office. Request for absentee ballots by mail must be delivered by

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) announced they have introduced several bills to help boost retirement security for individuals and families during a time when many Americans are unprepared for retirement. According to the Department of Labor, more than 40 million people do not have access to any workplace retirement plan. Additionally, nearly half of households nearing retirement do not have a retirement savings plan. Senator Young introduced S. 1020, which would expand access to workplace retirement plans by giving small employers more flexibility when setting up 401Ks for their employees.

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers attending the Star Wars Celebration April 11-15th, at McCormick Place. The SSL will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Thursday-Friday, April 11-12, and Monday, April 15, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend. All weekend trains except Train 601 utilize McCormick Place as a flag stop: While riding the train, please notify the conductor that you want to exit at McCormick Place. When waiting to catch an outbound train at McCormick Place, please stand on the platform in clear

In Michigan City, Elk Street will be closed to all traffic from Jackson Street going east to the alley until April 30th at 4:00 pm for installation of a new Storm Sewer, Curbs and Asphalt.

The Valparaiso Police responded to the 2500 block of Tea Rose Dr. at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday morning regarding a complaint of a suspicious vehicle. A brown mini-van was observed in the area, driving with an open sliding door, as it passed students on their way to morning bus stops. The van door was shut as it passed a particular student and left the area, making no contact with anyone. The incident was observed by a parent who reported it to police. Police checked the area extensively and did not locate the van or receive any additional complaints regarding it.

The LaPorte Police Department recently received information on a threat towards Handley School. The LaPorte Police Department takes all threats towards the public serious so we have been actively investigating the claim. They have been able to determine that the original threat is from over a month ago and does not appear that anyone is actively trying to carry out this threat nor has the means to do so. The LaPorte City Police along with school resources officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and the LaPorte Community School Cooperation have been in contact and are taking steps to make

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds taxpayers the 2019 individual tax filing deadline is less than one week away—April 15, 2019. Paper tax returns require a postmarked date of April 15, 2019 to be considered on time. Electronic filing can be submitted online any time before April 16, including through the Indiana freefile program (INfreefile). INfreefile offers qualified individuals with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 several options for filing both their state and federal taxes for free. All vendor options and qualifications for INfreefile can be found online at www.freefile.dor.in.gov. Still not going to

A Munster woman escaped serious injury last night when she flipped her vehicle onto its roof. Preliminary investigation by Trooper John Landowski revealed at approximately 8:35 p.m., Sunday, April 7th, a 2010 Cadillac Escalade was west bound on I-80/94 when for unknown reasons the driver, Betty Markovich, 87 of Munster, Indiana, went off the roadway and struck an attenuator that was in the gore area (this is the area that separates the main line and a ramp) to the Kennedy Avenue ramp. The Cadillac hit the attenuator with its right front, causing the front right wheel to separate from the

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced that registration is now open for 14 exciting summer classes and camps for children and adults. All programs take place at LCA, located at 101 W. 2nd St. in Michigan City, IN. LCA members receive a 10 percent discount on all classes and camps, and scholarships are available for children under age 18. The summer class session begins on Monday, June 11th. For more details or to register, call 219-874-4900 or visit www.lubeznikcenter.org

On Sunday afternoon, troops from the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) corralled a dog that was running in and out of traffic on the interstate. Sergeant Dan Avitia, and Troopers O’Bryan Winfield and Amjad Umrani were trying to locate a dog that had been reported running in and out of traffic from the inside shoulder on I-80/90 (Indiana Toll Road). They located the dog at the 12.7 mile marker (this is approximately 3 miles east of the Cline Avenue exit). The dog was scared and skittish and the troops were finally able to capture the dog by putting a jacket around

The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 174 on fertility fraud and deception, sponsored by Rep. Pressel.  The bill establishes a cause of action for civil fertility fraud and provides that a prevailing plaintiff may be awarded: (1) compensatory and punitive damages; or (2) liquidated damages of $10,000 and specifies the statute of limitations for civil fertility fraud. The bill also increases the penalty for deception involving the identity of a person or the identity or quantity of property to a Level 6 felony if the offense involves a misrepresentation relating to: (1) a medical procedure, device, or drug; or (2)

Franciscan Health representatives join Northwest Indiana leaders, Indiana first lady in conversation on reducing infant mortality Franciscan Health representatives joined Indiana first lady Janet Holcomb, health advocates and Northwest Indiana leaders at a luncheon on April 4 to address the state’s high rate of infant mortality. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has set a goal of reducing Indiana’s infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 births to 6 deaths per 1,000 births by 2024. In 2018, Indiana ranked 41st in the nation in infant mortality, according to the United Health Foundation.

State health officials have confirmed a case of measles in northern Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is working with local health departments and healthcare providers in LaGrange and Steuben counties to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient while infectious and to prevent further transmission of the disease. ISDH is also consulting with public health officials in Michigan and Texas because the investigation has found risk of exposure in those states as well.Individuals who visited these locations on the dates and times provided may have been exposed:Chuy’s Restaurant – 1512 Harvey Road, College Station,