News

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security received nearly $1.3 million in federal grant awards recently to enhance training and resources for Indiana first responders and kickstart a statewide campaign to install 10,000 smoke detectors in Hoosier homes.The funding will impact three specific areas across Indiana: 1) equipment and training for firefighters and emergency responders 2) fire prevention and safety in homes and 3) additional equipment and training related to hazardous chemicals. The total for the three awards is $1.29 million.The grants, which were awarded following a lengthy application process, supplement the nearly $800,000 in federal funding IDHS returned to Indiana

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined his Senate colleagues yesterday in voting to advance the Farm Bill Conference Report, which is a bipartisan agreement between the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill. This Farm Bill compromise improves risk management tools for farmers, strengthens food security while eliminating wasteful practices, and ensures Hoosiers can continue innovative conservation efforts that increase yield and prioritize soil health. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 87-13. It must now pass the House before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Franciscan Physician Network is meeting the increasing need for primary care physicians with the addition of three board certified family medicine doctors in Michigan City. Jennifer England, MD, Kumari Singh, MD, and Liping Zhong, MD, Ph.D, have joined the Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center, 1225 E. Coolspring Ave. Dr. England has been at Coolspring since the summer, while Dr. Singh and Dr. Zhong joined more recently. For more information or to make an appointment, visit FranciscanDocs.org or call (219) 879-6531.

“The Duneland School Corporation always places the safety and well-being of our students as its highest priority. We value the quality communication from our students and families allowing us to address concerns swiftly. A referral was made to administration that concerned a Chesterton Middle School teacher and a student. An investigation was conducted by the schools and was referred to local law enforcement. Duneland School Corporation took measures to immediately remove the teacher, who has since resigned, from the school and all school-related activities. This situation is unrelated to previously released information regarding the seven student suspensions that took place

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security received nearly $1.3 million in federal grant awards recently to enhance training and resources for Indiana first responders and kickstart a statewide campaign to install 10,000 smoke detectors in Hoosier homes.The funding will impact three specific areas across Indiana: 1) equipment and training for firefighters and emergency responders 2) fire prevention and safety in homes and 3) additional equipment and training related to hazardous chemicals. The total for the three awards is $1.29 million.The grants, which were awarded following a lengthy application process, supplement the nearly $800,000 in federal funding IDHS returned to Indiana

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a single vehicle fatality crash that occurred in Galena Township along County Road 1000 North. On Tuesday, deputies from the Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to County Road 1000 North, east of Beverly Lane, in reference to a vehicle crash in which the vehicle involved was fully engulfed in flames. Deputies arrived at the scene with Kankakee Fire Department and La Porte County Emergency Medical Services and found that a single vehicle was involved in the crash and was on fire. The fire was extinguished, and it was determined that the driver had

As a proactive approach to interacting with the community and the new State of the Art Franciscan Hospital, the Michigan City Police SWAT Team (Special Weapons and Tactics), will take their monthly training to the hospital grounds on Tuesday evening December 11th beginning at 4:00pm to an undetermined conclusion time. Corporal Jeff Piotrowski, Officers Dave Cooney and Steve Forker, commanders for the elite SWAT team, approached the new hospital facility to receive permission to conduct their Active Shooter “walk through” and “training” inside the grounds and building of the new hospital. As the police will be present with numerous vehicles,

State Department of Health officials from both Indiana and Illinois were in attendance on last Thursday, for a blessing and open house for a first-of-its-kind clinic in the state that aims to fill an urgent need to test and treat patients for hepatitis C and HIV. The Multi-Specialty Hepatitis C and HIV Clinic is located on the first floor of Franciscan Health Hammond at 5454 Hohman Ave., and will serve both the Northwest Indiana and South Suburban Chicago communities. In the beginning, providers at the clinic will offer services from 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. There will also be

Chesterton Police asking for public assistance to locate two teenagers that have ran away from home. Sixteen year old Aiden Moran and 15 year old Madaline Paugh last had contact with their parents during the evening hours on 12/05/2018. If you have any information please contact the Chesterton Police Department at 219-926-1136. Possible destinations are California, New Orleans, and Florida. (More information and photos are posted to the Chesterton Police Facebook.)

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that his bipartisan legislation to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars spent by federal agencies has passed the Senate. The Good Accounting Obligation in Government (GAO-IG) Act requires federal agencies to provide annual reports to Congress on the status of implementing recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). “This bill keeps our government in check and protects Hoosier taxpayers. Increasing accountability in our federal agencies will better serve all Americans,” said Senator Young. “I’m proud that this legislation has passed out of the Senate and I look forward

State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) was recently selected to serve as vice chair of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee. Pressel was also reappointed to the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, and newly appointed to the House Roads and Transportation Committee and the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Standing committee assignments are made biennially after each election. On Jan. 3, House lawmakers will convene in the House Chamber for the first day of the 2019 legislative session. Standing committee hearings, which typically occur at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, can be viewed live online at iga.in.gov. This site

Governor Holcomb accepted Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Jim Brown’s resignation. Brown has led the IDVA during two administrations following a distinguished military career where he was awarded three Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service in Vietnam and Afghanistan. Brown has held several leadership positions in the U.S. Army and the Indiana National Guard. In his civilian capacity, he has 25 years of small business ownership and managed a transportation company. He has served as director since February 2013 and his resignation is effective Dec. 28th.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will receive two Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants totaling $40 million, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced late yesterday. INDOT will be awarded two $20 million grants to help fund two projects to expand and rehabilitate Interstate 65. The funds awarded to Indiana will support projects to add lanes to I-65 between S.R. 32 and S.R. 47 in Boone County and between S.R. 58 and S.R. 46 in Bartholomew County. Existing pavement will rehabilitated and various bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced along both segments. More information about BUILD grants is

Usher in 2019 with other outdoor lovers at one of the many First Day Hikes offered Jan. 1 at Indiana’s state parks. First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start 2019 and a chance to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and connect with friends. First Day events at Indiana State Park properties include: Indiana Dunes State Park, 10 to 11 a.m.: Meet at the nature center for a special 3-Dune Challenge covering 1.5-miles. At the end, park volunteers will welcome hikers with snacks and a fire provided by the Friends of the Indiana Dunes group. Information on First Day

On Sunday morning, members of the Michigan City Police Dept. Patrol Shift 1 were dispatched to the 100 block of Sherman Avenue in reference to gunshots being fired. An immediate investigation began and it was determined three individuals had unfortunately been shot. The three injured persons received medical care for their respective injuries. The MCPD Investigative Division and the LaPorte County Drug Task Force were summoned to the scene to continue the investigation and, as of the time of this press release, the investigation is still very active with people being spoken with and evidence being collected. Det./Cpl. Greg Radiger

With the raising of a canoe paddle from Purdue University Northwest (PNW) alumnus and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Stephen R. Turner, a sea of graduates donning mortarboards at each of PNW’s three fall commencement exercises shouted, “Paddle your canoe!” The refrain was a memorable cue offered by Turner during his keynote address to help the undergraduate, master’s and, for the first time at PNW, doctoral degree candidates navigate various obstacles as they embark on a new journey. Ceremonies held on PNW’s Westville Campus Friday afternoon, Dec. 7 and two on the Hammond Campus on Saturday, Dec. 8 conferred

The Burns Harbor Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Robert O. Mottinger, a 70 year old white male, 6 feet 0 inches tall, 180 pounds, gray hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing blue denim jacket with gray sleeves, gray sweatpants, and has several tattoos including:  an eagle on one shoulder, a cross on his chest, and barbed wire on both arms.  He is driving a red 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 four door pickup truck with Indiana plate VOF590.  The truck has a American flag/eagle designed bug deflector on the front. Robert is missing from Burns Harbor, Indiana which

On Saturday, an Oswego, Michigan woman was brought back to life after she got herself pinned between her vehicle and a toll booth. Preliminary investigation revealed at approximately 9:19 p.m., Trooper Ala'a Hamed responded to a personal injury crash that occurred on the Indiana Toll Road west bound at the 1 mile marker (this is the West Point Toll Plaza-one mile east of the Illinois/Indiana border).  Upon arriving he saw that a silver Buick SUV was against the toll booth with a female entrapped between the driver’s side and the booth. The female was unconscious and unresponsive with no pulse