News

Because winter can be a busy time for coyotes, Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologists say people can expect to see more of them in the coming months, but not to be alarmed. Coyotes are common to Indiana, including areas where people gather. It is normal for them to show up not only in rural environments, but also in urban areas. As a result, coyotes are an important part of Indiana’s environment, helping to control rodent populations and cleaning up dead animals. If you see a coyote and want it to go away, try to make it uncomfortable. Yell, wave

On Monday, Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced she has agreed to a settlement with LPL Financial which includes a civil penalty of $450,000. The settlement stems from an investigation by the Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s office regarding various deficiencies related to LPL’s supervision of its Indiana operations. In addition to the $450,000 civil penalty, LPL agreed to a conduct a 3rd party compliance review of its policies and procedures in Indiana to ensure that they comply with Indiana law. LPL will provide a report to the Securities Commissioner in 180 days for review. For information

Early Monday morning, the Michigan City Fire Department received a 911 call for a report of a structure fire in the 700 block of west 10th street. While en-route, several calls were received for the confirmed structure fire. The first arriving fire department apparatus Engine 1 along with the command vehicle Car 10 arrived on scene within minutes of the original call and reported heavy smoke and flames that were visible from the second floor and first floor back apartments. The structure was a 4 Unit apartment building. All residents were out of the structure and responding engine companies started

The South Shore Line is alerting passengers that NIPSCO will be performing a natural gas line upgrade near Beverly Shores and Ogden Dunes stations continuing today. The procedure may produce visible flames and noise near the SSL tracks, along with a natural gas odor. Passengers should not be alarmed; NIPSCO expects to conclude the process by 5 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 4.

Michigan City Fire Department has rescheduled the Snowflake Parade for Saturday December 8th.  MCPD stated that if you are going to participate on Saturday December 8th, please respond back with your group name. There is no need to send another application. Also, Chesterton’s European Market – Mistletoe Market will return this year on December 8th.

INDOT announced that The I-65 Northwest Indiana Expansion Project is now complete. The $62 million project was broken into three segments. The first added a third travel lane between U.S. 30 and State Road 2. On Friday, crews removed the barrels from both the northbound and southbound added lanes, officially opening them to traffic. Also as part of this portion of the project, a total of nine bridges and overpasses through the corridor were rehabbed and/or upgraded. The second segment added a new inside shoulder and a third lane in the median between SR 2 and U.S. 231. All existing

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Nursing Secretary/Billing Representative (21-28 hours per week) at a rate of $15.00 per hour. Qualified candidates must possess a high school diploma, minimum two years general office experience and type 50+ WPM accurately. Prior experience working in a medical office strongly preferred. Must enjoy working with the general public in a professional, helpful and courteous manner. Position requires working at both the Portage and Valparaiso locations as assigned. Applications can be obtained from this website or can be picked up at the Porter County Health Department, 155

Friday, crews picked up the last of the barrels as part of The I-65 Northwest Indiana Expansion Project, signifying the end of the $62 million, two-year project. As part of the project, a third lane was added between SR 2 and U.S. 30 and many bridges and overpasses were either rehabbed, upgraded or replaced, including the bridges over the Kankakee River. The project was a part of Governor Eric Holcomb’s Major Moves 2020 initiative and was constructed on an accelerated timeline. Because of that, work was completed nearly 18 months earlier than first expected.

Attorney General Curtis Hill this month joined a bipartisan group of 23 state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold states’ ability to sue pharmaceutical manufacturers when they mislead consumers about the potential side effects of their products. In an amicus brief filed Nov. 21 in the U.S. Supreme Court, Attorney General Hill and his counterparts argue that Merck, a pharmaceutical company, can be held liable under state law for misleading and misrepresenting the side effects of their drug Fosamax. The 14-state coalition filed an amicus brief arguing that if the Supreme Court sides with Merck, it

The public is invited to get a glimpse of the future of healthcare and tour the new Franciscan Health Michigan City at an open house celebration from noon to 4 PM on Dec. 8. The new Franciscan Health Michigan City includes 123 private, inpatient rooms and robust outpatient services with advanced diagnostic imaging equipment. Along with getting a preview of the facility and the new technology inside, visitors can gain insight into their own health through screenings, including body mass index, bone density, hepatitis C, blood glucose, pulse oximetry and blood pressure. Families are welcome, with activities planned for kids,

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officer positions. Starting pay for a Probationary Officer (first year) is $42,494.01. After completing the first year of probationary status then an officer becomes a First Class Patrolman and the pay increases to $45,836.46. Benefits include longevity pay, specialty pay, healthcare program including dental and vision, take home car program, retirement plan, paid vacations, personal days and much more. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from michigancitypolice.com . For additional inquiries please contact Sgt. Chris Yagelski at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1020

Due to the expected Weather for Saturday December 1st, Michigan City Fire Department has postponed the Snowflake Parade and will reschedule for Saturday December 8th. Reports from the National Weather Service indicate 100% chance of rain and high gusts of winds. MCPD stated that if you are going to participate on Saturday December 8th, please respond back with your group name.  There is no need to send another application. Also, Chesterton’s European Market – Mistletoe Market will return this year on December 8th.

Yesterday, Governor Eric Holcomb was elected the 2019 policy chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), an organization that works to elect Republican governors across the country. Governor Holcomb was elected policy chairman by his fellow Republican governors while attending the RGA Annual Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Holcomb first joined the RGA Executive Committee last year, and with his selection as policy chairman, he will take an expanded role in the organization. As policy chairman, Governor Holcomb will be responsible for elevating policies that Republican governors are bringing to Americans in states across the country -- including in Indiana.

For select Saturdays in December, the South Shore Line will provide an eastbound extra “shoppers’ special” train to help accommodate holiday travelers. On Dec. 1st, the extra will depart Millennium Station at 4:25p (Van Buren St. at 4:28p), run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Avenue. The train will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend.

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officer positions. Starting pay for a Probationary Officer (first year) is $42,494.01. After completing the first year of probationary status then an officer becomes a First Class Patrolman and the pay increases to $45,836.46. Benefits include longevity pay, specialty pay, healthcare program including dental and vision, take home car program, retirement plan, paid vacations, personal days and much more. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from michigancitypolice.com . For additional inquiries please contact Sgt. Chris Yagelski at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1020

The City of Michigan City is announcing that on Thursday, December 6, City Hall will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., as the Michigan City Police Department presents an active shooter seminar to all City Hall employees. Doors to City Hall will be re-opened to normal business operations at 11:30 a.m.

The Porter County Health Department is accepting applications for the position of Part-Time Nursing Secretary/Billing Representative (21-28 hours per week) at a rate of $15.00 per hour.  Qualified candidates must possess a high school diploma, minimum two years general office experience and type 50+ WPM accurately. Prior experience working in a medical office strongly preferred.  Must enjoy working with the general public in a professional, helpful and courteous manner. Position requires working at both the Portage and Valparaiso locations as assigned. Applications can be obtained from this website or can be picked up at the Porter County Health Department, 155

Update: During their search, firefighters recovered six bodies, two adults and four children. The adults were Joseph Huddleston 42, and Brandi Vail, 25. The children found were three girls Kadee Huddleston 10, Swayzee Hite, 3, and Rhylie Hite,1, and a boy three month old Marshall Hite. The youngest kids are the children of the Brandi Vail. Kadee Huddleston is the daughter of Joseph Huddleston. Brandi Vail is the step daughter of Joseph Huddleston. The two adults that escaped the fire were Shelia Huddleston, 43, and Brandon Huddleston, 19. Shelia is Joseph Huddleston’s wife and Brandon is his son. This is

The Indiana State Police have participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) since the inception of this multi-state enforcement project in 1977, of which Indiana and Michigan were the founding members. Now, more than three dozen local and state law enforcement agencies nationwide participate in this life saving enforcement project. For the Thanksgiving Holiday Project C.A.R.E. was operational from November 21st through the 25th. Among others, there was a total of 5,673 stops, 1,683 speeding violations, 91 seatbelt violations, 51 DUIs/OMVIs, 1 fatal crash, 1 fatality, and 79 felony arrests.

On Tuesday night, the Porter County Council made the final approval of funds from the Sheriff’s Office budget, to move forward with the purchase of a body scanner, Soter RS Full Body Security Scanning System, for the Porter County Jail. The scanner is being purchased for $155,340.00. Over the years, items have been located inside both male and female body cavities, were those individuals attempted to smuggle items into the facility. The scanner will be used to scan for items considered contraband that are hidden on and in the individuals brought into the jail.