News

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that he is cosponsoring the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence (TRACED) Act (S. 151) to crack down on illegal robocall scams. The legislation, which was introduced by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), gives regulators more time to find scammers, increases civil forfeiture penalties for those who are caught, promotes call authentication and blocking adoption, and brings relevant federal agencies and state attorneys general together to address impediments to criminal prosecution of robocallers who intentionally flout laws.

United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Indiana Michael Dora announced more than $5.2 million in investments to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure for 6,875 rural Indiana residents.Nationwide, USDA is working with local partners to provide financing for 49 water and environmental infrastructure projects. The funding is being provided through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. It can be used for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.      Eligible communities and water districts can apply online on the interactive RD

Mayor Ron Meer is happy to announce that the City of Michigan City was just awarded a $1,000,000.00 matching grant (the maximum amount possible) to be used towards our roads from the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program from the State of Indiana.  Mayor Ron Meer said on Tuesday, "This was a special team effort by the City of Michigan City and our consultants which allowed us to maximize our revenue and make this tremendous investment into our City's future.  This is especially important as the extreme temperatures this past winter have taken a major toll on our local road system.

Indiana’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is now accepting applications from families in 20 counties who may be eligible for grants for their children to receive high-quality, prekindergarten education through the On My Way Pre-K program for the  2019/2020 school year. The pilot program was expanded in 2017 from five to 20 counties to provide the benefits of early childhood education to more Hoosier children from low-income families.In addition to the five counties where On My Way Pre-K has been available since 2015 (Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh) the program will be available for the 2019/2020

On Monday, U.S. Senator Todd Young issued the following statement regarding Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation: “I have always said that Robert Mueller’s investigation should run its course. With the investigation now complete, it’s time to accept his findings and move on. “There has clearly been Russian interference in our democratic process, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence will continue its work to better understand these threats.”

The Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation Awards Banquet will be held March 27th, with registration beginning at 5:30pm and the program beginning at 6pm. Approximately $633,000.00 will be awarded to 48 Not For Profit Programs within the Michigan City Area Schools District. It will be held at the Blue Chip Stardust Event Center.

Approximately 10.5 percent of adults in Indiana are living with diabetes, a 37 percent increase since 2005. Diabetes Alert Day is March 26, and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is encouraging all Hoosiers to take steps to reduce their risk of diabetes, a group of diseases that develop when the body does not produce enough insulin, is unable to use insulin effectively or both. Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk. Nearly one in four

The Better Business Bureau has received several reports about a fraudulent employment scheme posted online by In Shopping LLC. Consumers are reporting that the company hires them to ship packages from home but does not pay them for shipping the packages. If you are concerned about the employment practices of this business, BBB advises that consumers should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov . BBB has also received consumer complaints about online shopping fraud by Kool Kids Toys, LLC. Consumers have complained that products they have ordered and paid online for were not delivered. As of this

The public is invited to celebrate Women’s History Month at the Barker Mansion on Friday, March 29. Returning for the third year, Wild Women and Wine will highlight the unconventional women who have shaped Northwest Indiana history through the decades. A $28 ticket includes two glasses of wine, sweets, a tour and the program. Those wishing to purchase a ticket without alcohol included can buy a $20 ticket. The evening will close at 9 pm, after guests have had the opportunity to view all three floors of the mansion. Advance registration is required through Eventbrite or by calling the mansion

Go! Packs are designed to help you enjoy the outdoors at Indiana State Parks properties and save money. The Go! Pack includes a 2019 resident Annual Entrance Permit, a drawstring backpack perfect for hiking the trails and holding snacks and water, and the option of a $40 gift card from either the state park inns or campgrounds. Go! Packs are also available for those 65 and older. The buyer saves up to $18 over the regular price of the items purchased separately. Go! Packs are only offered online at InnsGifts.com. Offer ends May 12.

INDOT announced that the U.S. 12 (Indianapolis Boulevard) bridge over the Lake George Canal in Lake County will close Monday, April 1, through the end of June. Crews will be replacing the bridge deck on this drawbridge, along with resurfacing the road south to Columbus Drive. During construction, the bridge will be completely closed while the road leading up to the bridge from Columbus will be open to local traffic only. Northbound traffic on Indianapolis Boulevard will be detoured west on Chicago Avenue and north on U.S. 41 (Calumet Avenue) back to Indianapolis Boulevard. Southbound traffic on Indianapolis Boulevard will

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board will host the state of the workforce breakfast on April 10. The program will be from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Avalon Manor, 3550 E. US 30 in Merrillville. The bi-annual program will feature business, education and community leaders. The latest Northwest Indiana State of the Workforce Report also will be released. The session will offer additional sessions focusing on workforce issues facing health care, manufacturing and the technology sectors. Registration is required. Fee is $25 per person. For more information or to register for the event, visit the Center of Workforce Innovations

Attorney General Curtis Hill joined a group of 24 other attorneys general in expressing concern over a sweeping legal opinion that may negatively impact state-run and multi-state lotteries, including Mega Millions and Powerball. The letter, sent late Thursday to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, argues the federal government’s new legal opinion could reach beyond the realms of sports gambling and into areas traditionally controlled by the states, potentially jeopardizing in-state lotteries. State-run and multi-state lotteries are a major source of revenue that represents billions of dollars in state funding used for vital state services.

Barker hosted the 5th Annual 8th grade Career week, March 18-22nd. Classes infused different career activities throughout the week. Amy Hamann, Barker Curriculum and STEM Coach, organized the week of events for Barker 8th grade students. Career Week Opening Speakers (past Barker students), Kenny Smith (Artist and Business Owner) and Lane Van Sickle (Nurse and Volunteer Firefighter) spoke to students highlighting setting & writing down goals, being positive, importance of education, and not being afraid to fail. On Career Guest Speaker Day, 8th grade students attended 3, 30-minute scheduled sessions on careers of their choice. Guest Speakers brought “tools of

Parents, friends, teachers, and other supporters filled the Michigan City High School auditorium on Tuesday, March 19, as 58 juniors and seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society. NHS President Evangelea Dabagia led the induction ceremony, which also involved 59 MCHS seniors who were inducted as members last year. The event featured remarks from MCHS Principal Candy Van Buskirk, Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, and NHS sponsor Judy Kovalcik. NHS Vice Presidents Emma Sells and Hannah Noveroske introduced four student speakers, who addressed the pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, character, and leadership. Dominic Yanke, speaking on

Michiana Humane Society is proud to announce a new program that allows members of the community to socialize with shelter dogs on field trips for a day. Beginning Friday, April 5th , every day the shelter is open, “Fetch Some Fun” outings can last an hour or until the shelter closes, and can include hikes, a trip to the beach, even a lunch or a snack at a dog friendly restaurant. This is a great way for community members to enjoy the company of a dog and for the dog to be away from the stresses of being in a

An inspirational message from a Purdue University Northwest Sinai Forum speaker last fall is now the theme for PNW’s signature event celebrating Women’s History Month. Reshma Saujani encouraged aspiring professional women to be “brave, not perfect,” which is also the title of her bestselling book. At noon on March 27, five alumnae from a variety of backgrounds return to PNW’s Westville Campus to share how their bravery helped break through the glass ceiling. The event, called “Breaking the Glass Ceiling,” is free and open to the public. Lakeshore Public Media is recording the discussion for later television broadcast. Panelists include

Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.5 percent for February and remains lower than the national rate of 3.8 percent. With the exception of one month when it was equal (October 2014), Indiana's unemployment rate now has been below the U.S. rate for more than five years. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 7,997 over the previous month. This was a result of an increase

A group of Michigan City High School students attending the A. K. Smith Career Center received a special award from the LaPorte County Family YMCA in early March, honoring them as 2018 YMCA Youth Volunteers of the Year. The students, who are enrolled in the Career Skills program at A. K. Smith, received the award for their work at the Y’s Elston branch in Michigan City. Four days each week, the students spend two hours daily (one hour in the morning, and another hour in the afternoon) cleaning the YMCA. The work includes sweeping and mopping the hallways, gyms, and

Just before midnight on Saturday, March 23, 2019, 77 year old George Kearney was discovered unresponsive by jail medical staff, in the medical unit of the St. Joseph County Jail. Emergency medical technicians were called to the jail at approximately 11:56 p.m., and Mr. Kearney was pronounced dead at approximately 12:05 a.m. early Sunday morning. The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit (CMHU) was activated to investigate the death, as per protocol for all in-custody deaths. According to jail medical staff, Mr. Kearney was suffering from a terminal illness and his condition had been deteriorating over the past weeks. Mr.