News

South Shore Line will be offering 10% discounts on monthly passes during the month of March.During the polar vortex, South Shore Line services were suspended for several days due to the extreme temperatures. Crews ran tests throughout the day and night during this time to determine whether rail lines were safe. Unfortunately, the record-breaking temperatures caused problems ranging from downed electrical lines on South Shore Line’s tracks to damage on Metra Electric District tracks that the SSL runs on in Illinois, resulting in cancelled service on both train lines. Metra and South Shore Line crews worked around the clock to

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson awarded $74 million to hundreds of public housing authorities across the country to continue helping public housing residents participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program and/or reside in public housing to increase their earned income and reduce their dependency on public assistance and rental subsidies. Over $1.2 million was awarded to public housing authorities across the State of Indiana. Read more about the local impact of the grants announced yesterday .These grants renew HUD’s support of 689 public housing authorities through the Department’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. HUD’s FSS

DOR offers free tax filing for both state and federal taxesPaying to file taxes is the last expense college students plan for, and why should they when thousands of students qualify to file their taxes for free with Indiana’s free filing program for qualified taxpayers? Indiana free file (INfreefile) allows anyone with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 to file federal and state tax returns online at no cost, using the same question-and-answer style software many others pay to use.“Filing taxes can be a challenge to college students,” commented DOR Commissioner Adam Krupp. “Some students may

Take the South Shore Line to the Region celebration "219 Day" this Saturday, Feb. 16, in Hammond. Free shuttle bus service will be provided for the event between the SSL Hammond Station and the Hammond Civic Center. The shuttle will run from 5 pm to 10:45 pm on Saturday, with signage directing passengers to the shuttle. The Gary Metro Center elevator to the South Shore Line platform will be out of service until further notice. Although the elevator was recently rehabbed, it is experiencing technical issues and the South Shore is working with the contractor on a resolution. The nearest

The La Porte County Drug Task Force announced the arrest of 4 individuals from separate investigations recently. The first investigation focused on the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine within the city of La Porte by a mother and son. The investigation revealed that 46 year old Michelle Burgess of La Porte and 20 year old Kolin Burgess of Kouts, Indiana were selling narcotics within the La Porte city limits. Lead investigator Sgt. Andy Hynek presented evidence to The La Porte County Prosecutors Office where probable cause was established in La Porte County Circuit Court to charge Michelle Burgess with Dealing

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced the agency will split March benefit payments to eligible Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) clients. Recipients will see half of their March benefit amount added to their Hoosier Works cards on Feb. 22nd and the other half on their regularly scheduled March date, according to an alphabetical schedule. They do not need to take any action. Indiana issued February benefits early on Jan. 16th, due to the partial federal government shutdown that occurred earlier this year. The one-time benefit deposit schedule being used for March benefits will help reduce the gap in

As a reminder, the South Shore Line is offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place for the duration of the Auto Show through Feb. 18, in addition to regular weekend service. Further, the South Shore Line continues to offer free rides on all westbound weekend and off-peak weekday trains through Feb. 18. The free westbound rides apply to all SSL stations, and passengers can simply board applicable westbound trains with no ticket purchase necessary. Passengers will be responsible for paying all applicable fares on eastbound trips. Reminder that kids 13 years and younger ride free on off-peak weekday and

On Wednesday February 20th There will be Cash Bingo at American Legion Post #21, 107 N. Flynn Road (Hwy 421) in Westville. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m.. The $20 entry includes cards for all the regular games; special games sold separately. There is an 80% payout on all regular games. Food, snacks, and drinks are available, no outside food or drinks please. This is a smoke-free. Players must be 18 yrs or older to play. Contact 785-2923 with questions. Come have some fun and games with friends at BINGO!

Have you read a great, inspiring, prayerful Christian book you would like to pass along to a friend? Bring it to Queen of All Saints Catholic Church on February 16 and 17. A Christian Book Exchange will take place following all Mass times: Saturday (4:30 pm) and Sunday (7:30 am and 10:30 am). The premise of the book exchange is simple: leave a book and take a book. Any unclaimed books will be donated within the local community.

Troopers just happened to be in the right place at the right time this morning when they performed life saving measures on a Crown Point woman. Troopers Davonne Barlow, Rogelio Escutia, and Dennis Griffin were providing traffic direction, at the semi crash from earlier this Wednesday morning, on southbound I-65 at the 244 mile marker when a vehicle pulled over on the right shoulder. The male driver ran up to the troopers and advised them that his female passenger, a thirty year old 30 woman from Crown Point, was passed out and needed help. The troopers found the woman slumped

State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) and State Sen. Karen Tallian (D-Portage) will conduct a town hall at noon (CST) Saturday, February 16, at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th Street. The meeting is designed to give area residents an update on issues before the Indiana General Assembly and give people a chance to talk about local matters of concern to them.

The City of Michigan City, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, WorkOne, and the Blue Chip Casino are continuing their partnership to host the 4th Annual Michigan City Community Job Fair on Thursday, April 18, at Blue Chip Casino. Over the last four years, these organizations have come together to provide the community with a job fair that has employers, educators, training providers, skilled trades organizations, and community groups all under one roof. This annual event continues to provide jobseekers the opportunity to connect with a variety of employers that have available

Mayor Ron Meer is proud to announce the City of Michigan City’s recent inclusion in the State of Indiana’s Lead-based paint remediation program which is sponsored by Medicaid and administered through the Indiana State Department of Health. Home owners, Landlords, and Renters who live in a home, or own a home, built before 1978 can receive a free home inspection to determine if the residents are being exposed to lead-based paint hazards. Homes providing child care are also eligible for this service. If lead-based paint exists, this program will also pay for removal of the lead hazard. To be eligible

A 30 percent chance of rain after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Temperatures dropping to 20 degrees in the evening and freezing rain expected overnight.

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers wishing to attend the Chicago Auto Show taking place through Feb. 18, 2019, at McCormick Place. An eastbound passenger extra will run on Saturday, Feb. 16. The train will depart McCormick Place at 4:52 p.m., run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Avenue, Michigan City. This train will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend. For additional information on weekday trains for the Chicago Auto Show visit mysouthshoreline.com

Information from the US National Weather Service Northern Indiana : "The recent ice and snow has weakened many branches over the past 24 hours. Regardless of whether the ice and snow is melted or not, there will be an increased risk for additional branches to fall onto roads, homes and power lines. In addition, the wet ground may allow for uprooting of weaker trees. When driving tonight into Wednesday, watch for debris in the roads. If you encounter a power line, do not approach it, call 911. In the event you lose power at home make sure you have plenty

Yesterday, Governor Holcomb announced the volunteer citizen members of the Next Level Teacher Compensation Commission as a part of his effort to make teacher pay competitive with surrounding states. The commission has been tasked with determining what constitutes competitive teacher compensation in Indiana and with providing recommendations for how to achieve it. The commission will deliver the recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly prior to the 2021 legislative session. In addition to creating the commission, Gov. Holcomb has proposed increasing K-12 funding by two percent in the first year of the state’s budget and then an additional 2

Students at more than 800 Indiana schools will participate in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge in February as the association marks its 40th year offering educational programming in schools. The Kids Heart Challenge focuses on whole body wellness, offering activities like jump rope, basketball skills, dance and an obstacle course, while also supporting social and emotional learning. The program also encourages students to develop heart-healthy habits and to give back to their community. The Kids Heart Challenge provides enhanced give-backs and incentive opportunities to participating schools as well as curriculum for teachers supporting whole-child centered learning. Funds raised

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced that Indiana has joined the United States, the District of Columbia and other states in settling two qui tam (whistleblower) lawsuits against Walgreens Boots Alliance (Walgreens).The agreements resolve allegations that Walgreens knowingly engaged in fraudulent over-dispensing of insulin pens to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and billed Medicaid for certain prescription drugs at rates higher than its usual and customary rates. Walgreens, headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., and incorporated in Delaware, operates the largest retail pharmacy chain in the United States with 8,309 locations across all 50 states. Attorney General Hill, through his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control