News

South Shore Line service updates will be in effect to accommodate passengers wishing to attend the Chicago Auto Show taking place Feb. 9-18, 2019, at McCormick Place. An eastbound passenger extra will run on Saturday, Feb. 9, and 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

For the safety of vehicles and pedestrians the Northbound lane at the Franklins Street Bridge will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time. This is due to unforeseen repairs that need to be completed. La Porte County Highway Department has installed the necessary barricades and signage.

Did you know you may be able to file both your state and federal taxes electronically for free? The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) offers Indiana free file (INfreefile) that allows taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 to use question-and-answer style software from trusted vendors to file their taxes online. If you have any questions about your return, you may contact DOR at 317-232-2240, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST or via email at individualassistance@dor.in.gov For more information visit: https://www.in.gov/dor/4578.htm

One year ago this month, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) acquired the 300-acre Taltree Arboretum & Gardens in Valparaiso, Indiana through a donation of the $12 million preserve by founders Damien and Rita Gabis and the Taltree board of directors. The arboretum was soon renamed Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest in tribute to the Gabis family's generosity, and plans to build on the Gabis' founding vision for the arboretum quickly started. "Since accepting the generous gift of Gabis Arboretum, we've realized that the opportunities for expanding Purdue Northwest's vision and impact in Northwest Indiana through this magnificent resource are limitless," said

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

Financial aid professionals will be volunteering at 39 sites in Indiana to help college-bound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The event is set for 2 p.m. (local time), February 24, 2019. The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide. The FAFSA MUST be filed by April 15 to be eligible for Indiana financial aid. College Goal

Join Barker Mansion in Michigan City Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, from their monthly lecture series on the social history of the Gilded Age, with craft beer served. The lecturer this month is Dr. Kevin Ostoyich, the chair of the history department at Valparaiso University. Dr. Ostoyich will be speaking on the history of the Shanghai Jews; Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi Germany to Shanghai in the late 1930s. The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information please call the Barker Mansion at 219-873-1520 or visit www.barkermansion.com.

A Chesterton woman suffered head trauma when her car was involved in a hit and run causing her vehicle to roll over four times Tuesday morning. Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Dwayne Halliburton revealed at approximately 6:22 a.m., on I-80/94 west bound at Ripley Street, a Ford Explorer, driven by 39 year old Melissa Long, of Chesterton was in the left lane when a white Kia who was in the middle lane attempted to change lanes to the left. The Kia sideswiped the Ford causing the Explorer to lose control. The Ford went off the roadway into the concrete median

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

Rain is expected all day throughout the day with temperatures reaching 39 degrees. Watch for ice in the overnight hours.

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

It is often said that the best things in life are free, so why should tax season be an exception? Customers with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 may be eligible to file both state and federal taxes at no cost with the Indiana Department of Revenue’s (DOR) free-file program (INfreefile). INfreefile is in its 16th year of offering free online tax filing services to Hoosiers, using the same electronic question-and-answer style vendor software most customers pay to use. Filing electronically results in faster refunds with customers typically getting their refunds in about two to three

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced the deadline is near to apply for grants from its Individual Advancement Program. Artists with eligible projects in the disciplines of dance, literature, music, theatre, folk arts related to these traditional disciplines, and artists with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Artists with disabilities may apply either through the discipline directly or through the access category. Artists may request up to $2,000 in support for projects that will help advance their career and have public benefit. Application for the Individual Advancement Program grants may only be made through the IAC’s online grant system. The

Just before 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Trooper William Stancy responded to a single vehicle crash on I-80/94 west bound to Cline Ave. south bound ramp that resulted in a fatality. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Ford Taurus was exiting off of west bound I-80/94 to south bound Cline Ave when for unknown reasons ran off the roadway just before the curve on the ramp, striking the concrete barrier wall between the ramp and mainline west bound I-80/94. The Ford traveled against the barrier wall where it struck roadway lodging informational sign with the right side of the Ford. The Ford continued

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TOMIDNIGHT CST TUESDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations ofaround one tenth of an inch expected. * WHERE...Lake IN and Porter Counties. * WHEN...From 6 PM Tuesday to midnight CST Tuesday night. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Thehazardous conditions could impact the evening commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... This Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of freezing rainwill cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery roads. Slow downand use caution while driving. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from canbe obtained by going to www.gettingaroundillinois.com in Illinoisor by calling

The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board has set meeting dates for 2019. Northwest Indiana Workforce Board meetings are open to general public and take place from 2-4 p.m. (CST) at the Center of Workforce Innovations office, 2804 Boilermaker Court, Valparaiso. Members represent the counties of Jasper, Lake, La Porte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke. Comprised of business, education, labor, economic development, and community leaders, they facilitate connections to key resources in the workforce and education arena, while convening and working to determine current and future skill needs along with their economic development, education, and employer partners. In addition, they are responsible

Made for More is a national event which aims to answer these questions on a personal level. The event is coming to Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Michigan City on Wednesday, March 20 from 7-9:30 pm. Join nationally-recognized Catholics Christopher West and Mike Mangione as they creatively weave together dynamic presentations with live music, movie clips, YouTube videos, and sacred art for an evening of beauty and reflection on the meaning of life, love, and human destiny. You will come away with a faith-filled vision of hope that will instill in you the sheer wonder and joy of

Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Rain or freezing rain in the overnight hours. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible.

Mayor Ron Meer of the City of Michigan City will host the 2019 Enchanted City Mayor’s Ball. The proceeds will benefit Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Friendship Botanic Gardens. The Mayor’s Ball will be held at Blue Chip Casino Stardust Event Center, Saturday, February 9th, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Enchanting entertainment will be provided. The dress for the evening is Black Tie Optional. Tickets for the Mayor’s Ball are available now. Tickets can be purchased at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, Indiana. Tickets are $100

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) announced a record-breaking year for small business growth Friday with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Indiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) helping launch 318 small businesses and secure $86.3 million in government contracts for Indiana businesses, respectively, in 2018. Together, the Indiana SBDC and Indiana PTAC assisted small businesses in the creation of 1,554 new jobs. Along with leading Indiana's economic development efforts, the IEDC, which recently celebrated a second-consecutive, record-breaking year for new job commitments, works to support entrepreneurs and small businesses through the Indiana SBDC and Indiana PTAC networks.