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Regarding HEA 1015 Gov. Holcomb made the following statement:“Gaming is a highly regulated industry that once had little competition, but now does from surrounding states and new technology. By modernizing our laws, this legislation will spur positive economic growth for our state and for an industry that employs over 11,000 Hoosiers. Additionally, it will bring in new revenue and create hundreds of new jobs – both permanent and in construction. I will direct the Indiana Gaming Commission to monitor for potential effects of this bill so that we can make necessary changes in future legislative sessions.” Details on the bill

The State of Indiana has received a $159,349 payment from Sephora USA Inc. to settle a fraud lawsuit against the international retail chain, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today.The lawsuit alleged that Sephora, which specializes in cosmetics and other beauty products, violated the Indiana False Claims Act by making false statements in connection with its failure to collect gross retail taxes on shipping and handling charges for its internet sales to Indiana consumers. This investigation and settlement resulted from the coordinated efforts of the Litigation Division of the Office of the Attorney General. This case is captioned State of Indiana

The La Porte County Treasurer would like to remind home owners that property taxes are due Friday May 10. If you did not receive a bill, the county may not have your proper mailing address and your bill was returned by the USPS as undeliverable. Call the Treasurer office for the amount owed at 219-325-5575 or view the Beacon website on the La Porte County Government website. The treasurer office will be taking payments from 8 am to 4 pm at both the 555 Michigan Ave in La Porte and the 302 W 8th St office in Michigan City. A

This month the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office will join law enforcement agencies across the nation to increase enforcement of seat belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of highly visible patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night. Click It or Ticket continues through the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer travel season. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Indiana law requires the driver

This month’s Elston Grove Walking tour explores the architecture and history of the Elston Grove historic district. See the homes of Michigan City's Gilded Age elites, learn the history of Michigan City's first public library, and dive into the vivid history of Zorn Brew Works. The tour leaves the Barker Mansion at 10:30 am and covers approximately one mile. In the event of rain, a special mansion tour will be offered in place of the walking tour. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online on Eventbrite or by calling the Barker Mansion at 219-873-1520.

The South Shore Line announced that construction is set to begin that will add a second entrance/exit to the East Chicago Station platform. The project is expected to continue through December 2019, and will help accommodate the large influx of passengers at East Chicago Station. The improvements include converting the low-level platform to the east of the station into a covered walkway to access a new head house, stairwell and tunnel leading to the eastern parking lot. Additionally, other East Chicago Station projects include improvements to the existing head house, and the installation in 2020 of higher speed track switches

With a growing number of Americans aging into Medicare, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan bill to simplify complex Medicare enrollment rules. The Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) Act would eliminate needless gaps in health care coverage and help prevent lifetime, late-enrollment penalties. Today, almost 760,000 Americans are paying these penalties, increasing their Medicare Part B premiums by an average of almost 30 percent. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-36) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.-02) have introduced a bipartisan companion bill in the House. The BENES Act would direct the federal government to provide

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) along with Representatives Dan Kildee (Mich.-05), Bill Huizenga (Mich.-02), Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and David Joyce (Ohio-14) reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation yesterday to update the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps in the Great Lakes. The legislation would direct the Great Lakes Region ESI maps to be updated for the first time in over twenty years, joining maps for the East coast, West coast, and Gulf coast that have been updated more recently. These new maps will provide accurate assessments of coastal resources that are at risk of severe damage or a natural disaster,

Michigan City Area Schools will induct four former educators to its 2019 Wall of Fame: former elementary school teacher Kathy Brill; former high school teacher, coach, and athletic director Robert “Bear” Falls; former teacher and coach Chuck White; and former teacher and principal Walt Zmuda. They will be honored at the annual MCAS/MCEA Retirement and Wall of Fame Dinner on Monday, June 3, along with 17 retiring MCAS staff members. This annual award, first presented in 1976, honors former school employees who have made outstanding contributions to the children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Employees from every area are

Here are your 2019 Primary Election results: For Mayor of Laporte on the Republican side - Tom Dermody 80% to 20% for Tim Stabosz; For Clerk-Treasurer Laporte: Courtney Parthun beat Geoff Sellers 79% to 21%. For Mayor of Michigan City Democrat side, Ron Meer defeated Virginia Martin 52% to 47% while on the Republican side, Duane Parry beat Robert Lonie 75% to 25%. For Republican Council At Large Laporte: Tim Franke and Paul Vincent advance. For Republican Council Ward 1 Laporte: Julie West Schroeder narrowly beat two other candidates with just over 35% of the vote. Suzanne Miller 61% to

Attorney General Curtis Hill has joined a coalition of 42 attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take further action to stop the growing proliferation of illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing. In formal legal comments delivered to the FCC, the attorneys general urged the FCC to adopt its proposed rules on enforcement against caller ID spoofing of calls to the United States originating from overseas, while also addressing spoofing in text messaging and alternative voice services. These provisions are included in the FCC appropriations authorization bill also known as the RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018. The

On Sunday, just before 5 am Trooper Alaa Hamed stopped an Oldsmobile traveling west on I-80/94 near Indianapolis Boulevard.  The vehicle was traveling in the center lane at a speed well below the posted speed limit of 55 m.p.h. The vehicle was also weaving and making unsafe lane movements as it traveled.  Trooper Hamed made a traffic stop on the vehicle and subsequent investigation lead to a nervous acting driver. The driver, 23 year old Marcus R. Jester, from Missouri, gave varying statements as to where he was coming from, why he was nervous and how much alcoholic beverages he

The Franciscan Health EMS Academy will give students the opportunity to earn their emergency medical technician (EMT) certification at two locations this year, in Crown Point and Valparaiso.In Crown Point, classes will be from 6 to 10PM Monday and Thursday, July 8 through Dec. 12. The classes will be at Franciscan Health Crown Point, 1201 S. Main St. Application deadline is June 28.In Valparaiso, classes will be from 6 to 10PM Monday and Thursday, Sept. 9 through Jan. 16, 2020. Those classes will take place at the MAAC Foundation, 4203 Montdale Park Drive. Application deadline is Aug. 23.The Franciscan Health

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced Danny Lopez will leave his post as chairman of the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Commissioner of Higher Education Teresa Lubbers will serve as the interim chair and P.J. McGrew, the cabinet’s director of policy, will become the executive director.Lopez has accepted a position as senior vice president and chief of staff at Strada Education Network. Lopez led the cabinet’s effort to realign and better coordinate the efforts of the multiple state agencies that play a role in developing Indiana’s workforce. During his tenure, Lopez helped launch the state’s first career coaching and navigation program, supported doubling

With one day remaining before Primary Election Day, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson is reminding Hoosiers to vote in the May 7 Municipal Primary Election.Cities and towns around the state will hold primary elections on Tuesday, May 7, and Hoosiers can go to www.indianavoters.com to look up which candidates will be on their ballot. Voters will be required to enter their county of residence, name and date of birth to access their personal information. Voters can also find information on their polling location and election night results.“I encourage all Hoosier voters to visit IndianaVoters.com to educate themselves on who they’ll be

Legislation authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) providing offenders the option of paying court fees with community service was recently signed into law by the governor.Currently, a convicted person who does not pay their court fees by a specified date defaults and can be sent to jail. Pressel said making these offenders serve time does not reimburse the court, but instead leaves taxpayers to foot the bill.Under the new law, 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. Pressel said courts

Since the news briefing on April 22, 2019, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,200 emails, 400 calls and an additional 135 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state. The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000. -Be specific as possible to a description -Name and age if possible -A connection to Delphi and that person’s location or address at this time -Leaving information on how police can contact you for possible clarification of your tip is helpful but not required -Tips can remain

Anglers can expect additional rainbow trout in six northern Indiana streams in the upcoming weeks.Locally:-Little Kankakee River and Slocum Ditch in LaPorte CountyStocking Location(s): Hunt Park in Wanatah for Slocum Ditch; County Road 500 E, County Road 100 S, and State Road 4 for Little Kankakee River-Potato Creek in St. Joseph CountyStocking Location(s): Potato Creek State Park and North Liberty Town ParkLittle Kankakee River, Potato Creek and Slocum Ditch will only be stocked for Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26.The bag limit for trout in inland waters, other than Lake Michigan and its tributaries, is five fish per day with a

Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation yesterday, declaring this week as Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the state's more than 508,000 small businesses that employ 1.2 million hardworking Hoosiers. National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners in the U.S., has been celebrated since 1963. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and small businesses create approximately two out of every three new jobs each year. In Indiana, state leaders, small business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and small business advocates will join Hoosiers to celebrate the

Governor Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statements after signing two Next Level Agenda bills. SEA 141 ensures access to quality treatment by implementing standard requirements for office-based opioid treatment providers. HEA 1269 restructures membership on boards and commissions affiliated with the Professional Licensing Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. SEA 141 Office-Based Opioid Treatment Providers: “Timely access to quality treatment is essential for Hoosiers overcoming addiction. With our goal of most residents being no more than an hour away from an opioid treatment program, it’s important that we have office-based treatment in every community. I am thrilled to