News

Indiana is making great progress in placing foster children in family settings and kinship care, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation research says over the past decade, the number of Indiana foster children placed with a foster or relative family rose 11 percentage points to 93-percent, compared with a five-percentage-point increase in the nation as a whole. Erin Murphy with the Indiana Department of Child Services says the state is prioritizing what?s best for each child in need of care. Nationally, although most children are still placed in foster families they aren't related to, placements with

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the retirement of 12-year-old K-9 Hokie, effective April 1, 2019.  Since May of 2008, Hokie has provided a loyal and dedicated service for the Sheriff’s Office and citizens of La Porte County. Hokie and his handler, Deputy Andrew Hahn, had a successful career that included 55 public demonstrations and approximately 1,000 grams of suspected narcotics seized during traffic enforcement on La Porte County roadways.  In addition, Hokie had several criminal apprehensions.During his last shift this past weekend, Hokie assisted with the seizure of suspected methamphetamine ultimately leading to a criminal arrest. Hokie will

Legislation authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) providing offenders the option of performing community service in lieu of paying court fees heads to the governor’s desk and could soon become law.Under current law, a convicted person who does not pay their court fees by a specified date defaults and can be sent to jail. Under Pressel’s legislation, a court could reduce some or all of the costs owed by a person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor if they perform community service.According to Pressel, courts could determine the number of hours volunteered, multiply the hours by the state

Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced yesterday that some Indiana businesses have received a deceptive letter that may appear to come from the office’s Business Services Division. The letter is attempting to solicit Indiana business owners. It is not from the Secretary of State’s office.

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 view

A fatal accident occurred on Thursday afternoon in LaPorte County Northbound US 35 had been closed in the 2000 south block for investigation. The Sheriff’s Office said they will release more details on the crash Friday.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the retirement of 12-year-old K-9 Hokie, effective April 1.  Since May of 2008, Hokie has provided a loyal and dedicated service for the Sheriff’s Office and citizens of La Porte County. Hokie and his handler, Deputy Andrew Hahn, had a successful career that included 55 public demonstrations and approximately 1,000 grams of suspected narcotics seized during traffic enforcement on La Porte County roadways.  In addition, Hokie had several criminal apprehensions.During his last shift this past weekend, Hokie assisted with the seizure of suspected methamphetamine ultimately leading to a criminal arrest. Hokie will relax

Spring brings not only April showers to Indiana but also greater chances of high winds, lightning strikes and other forms of severe weather. With this in mind, Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosiers to beware of scammers who descend on storm-affected communities in order to take advantage of homeowners needing repairs. Reputable contractors also visit storm-ravaged neighborhoods offering their services, Attorney General Hill noted, but consumers must do their homework to make sure to hire trustworthy companies. Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General about any suspected scams. You can file a complaint by

Due to ongoing restoration issues with the Barker Mansion, the Mansion will be closed for the remainder of this week and all events scheduled this week at the Manion, including the History on Tap scheduled for April 4, 2019 and the Trivia Night scheduled for April 5, 2019, have been canceled. The City is currently assessing the restoration issues and will make a further determination early next week regarding the re-opening of the Mansion.

Hoosier high school students are gathering in Indianapolis today for the final round of the 2019 Innovate WithIN™ pitch competition, a statewide initiative hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University. The final 11 teams will pitch their ideas and innovations to a panel of judges for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, internship opportunities and mentoring services. This year, Innovate WithIN™ drew 158 online pitch submissions from 422 Hoosier students representing 88 high schools across the state. Additionally, more than 235 middle

The La Porte Police Department announced that additional Operation Pull Over activities will take place April 1st through April 15th, furthering the effort to make the streets of the La Porte community safe. The focus of these patrols will be seat belt and child restraint violations. However, any dangerous and aggressive driving violations will also be addressed. La Porte PD would like to remind the community to make sure safety belts are used according to the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Recently, the Department has seen multiple drivers and passengers with shoulder belts run behind their backs, rather than across the chests

Hoosier high school students are gathering in Indianapolis today for the final round of the 2019 Innovate WithIN™ pitch competition, a statewide initiative hosted by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), Indiana Department of Education and Ball State University. The final 11 teams will pitch their ideas and innovations to a panel of judges for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize, $10,000 toward one year of in-state tuition, internship opportunities and mentoring services. This year, Innovate WithIN™ drew 158 online pitch submissions from 422 Hoosier students representing 88 high schools across the state. Additionally, more than 235 middle

In celebration of Autism Awareness month, the Michigan City Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) is proud to present the Autism Forum on Thursday, April 18 at 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. where a variety of autism experts will reveal the perplexities of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Autism Society of Indiana will explain what autism is and resources available in the state of Indiana. Kristen Robson, Director of The Autism Program at Ancilla College (APAC) will give an overview of the APAC program, while Michigan City Area Schools staff will introduce the mission of a newly-formed Autism Team. Dr. Bridget Harrison, Founder

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) “dogbone” project at the US 20 & SR 2 interchange is full speed ahead. INDOT and contractor employees are outside of vehicles working in the area. A large fleet of heavy equipment is also being operated in the area. Motorists traveling through the work zone should reduce their speed, never follow other motor vehicles too closely and limit distractions within their vehicle. Motorists traveling around the major construction project on nearby roadways shall adhere to the traffic control signage. Patrol Deputies have increased their presence and enforcement efforts in the area. This shall serve

Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) and Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN) released the following statements after the introduction of the bipartisan E-FRONTIER Act, of which they are original cosponsors. Rep. Banks is the lead Republican cosponsor of the legislation. This bill would prevent the U.S. government from managing the construction of a nationwide 5G network and would instead rely on the expertise of the private sector to lead the U.S. mobile broadband expansion. Reps. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Filemon Vela (D-TX) are the Democrat cosponsors. U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Senate companion bill last week

This event is free and will be at St. Patrick's County Park on April 20th at 9 a.m. Women age 18 and older will learn fish biology and basic fishing skills during this three hour workshop. After assembling fishing poles, attendees will try hand at fishing. No fishing license is required for Indiana residents because April 20 is a free fishing day. The park is also waiving the entrance fee for participants. Equipment is provided, but pre-registration is necessary. Registration starts March 26 and ends April 15, or when 15 spots have been filled. To register, go to www.in.gov/dnr and find the

With spring break right around the corner, the South Shore Line (SSL) is expanding its Kids Ride Free program through April 6. SSL has selected this promotional time frame to cover an average portion of scheduled spring breaks across the four- county area. The Kids Ride Free Program allows up to 3 children 13 years of age and under to ride free with a paying adult on off-peak and weekend trains. However, in an effort to help families enjoy spring break, the program will be available on all trains during the promotion. To make your spring break planning easy, visit

Fifty-one probationary troopers from the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class were recently issued their state police cars at the Indiana State Police Youth and Education and Historical Center in Indianapolis. Five of the officers are assigned to the Indiana State Police Lowell Post and start solo patrol in the district which covers Lake, Porter, La Porte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties. The probationary officers recently completed a three month field training period with veteran troopers. They will serve a one year probationary period before attaining permanent status as a trooper. In addition to the field training, the

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is pleased to announce Lawrence O. Hamer, Ph.D. as the next dean of the College of Business effective July 1, 2019. Hamer comes to PNW following an extensive career at DePaul University in Chicago, where he joined the faculty in 1996. He received tenure in 2003 and was appointed Professor of Marketing in 2012. Hamer began his administrative career as associate dean of the College of Commerce. He went on to serve as co-director of the Integrated Marketing Education (IME) Program and, most recently, as DePaul’s associate provost for Research and Integrity.

INDOT announced that a concrete pavement restoration project is starting this week on the U.S. 20 Bypass in South Bend. The project will be have several phases, which will include work happening at three different interchanges: First, the interchange at the west junction with State Road 331 (Bremen Highway); Second, the interchange at the east junction of State Road 331 (Elm Road); Third, the interchange with U.S. 31. After that, mainline restoration work will begin between U.S. 31 and the Elkhart County line. Wednesday, the interchange at the west junction with SR 331 (Bremen Highway) will see two ramps close: