News

In the wake of widespread damage caused by Hurricane Florence, Secretary of State Connie Lawson cautioned investors to watch out for opportunistic investment or charitable scams. Secretary Lawson recently reminded investors to watch for red flags of hurricane-related scams, including unsolicited email, social media messages, crowdfunding pitches or telephone calls promoting investment pools or bonds to help storm victims, water-removal or purification technologies, electricity-generating devices and distressed real estate remediation programs. Scam artists may linger long after the storm has passed to prey on victims who anticipate receiving large lump-sum insurance settlements for damaged property and other losses. Secretary Lawson

Franciscan Health and Beacon Health System have announced plans to build a small acute care hospital equipped with a 24-hour Emergency Department in LaPorte, IN, adding to the I Street campus where Beacon Medical Group is currently located, according to Franciscan and Beacon Health officials. The project includes approximately 28,000 square feet of new construction and a 19,000 square foot renovation of the current space. When completed, the entire facility will include 92,500 square feet of space. The new facility will be named Franciscan Beacon Hospital. It will include a full-service,10-bed emergency department, eight inpatient beds, laboratory services and telehealth

Students in elementary schools in Indiana and around the country have a new way to move their bodies toward heart health, earn benefits for their schools and give back to their community this school year. This week, The American Heart Association announced details of its new Kids Heart Challenge™, which includes jump rope, basketball, dance and warrior (obstacle course) components. The Kids Heart Challenge™ marks the Association’s 40th year working in schools and meets the changing needs of today’s youth and educators by preparing kids for success through physical and emotional well-being. The Kids Heart Challenge™ encourages heart-healthy behavior as

To accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Bears home games, the South Shore Line is planning select train stops at the 18th Street station in Chicago. These stops are in addition to regular service to Museum Campus/11th Street.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) announced this week that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously to advance the nomination of Mr. Kip Tom of Leesburg, Indiana. Mr. Tom is nominated to be Ambassador and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. His nomination now heads to the full Senate. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that oversees multilateral development and the United Nations, as well as its agencies, Senator Young wrote the President on August 9, 2017, and recommended that Mr. Tom be nominated for the position. Senator Young

Employer training grants are beginning to have the kind of major impact that was envisioned when the program was rolled out last year as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s NextLevel Jobs initiative. The grants are used by employers to train and reskill employees for high-demand jobs. But grants awarded to Indianapolis-based Community Health Network, Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo and Lutheran Child and Family Services will be used to train workers in a critical skill that extends far beyond the workplace—helping to save lives through suicide prevention. The three each received a $50,000 grant ($150,000 total) to train or

Mr. Barker was known for enjoying cigars, and the mansion will channel this piece of mansion history as they sample stogies in the mansion gardens during this casual evening event. Cost is $15 for this 18+ event which takes place on September 29th, 8-10 pm. Ticket price includes interpretation of Mansion smoking related artifacts, self- guided tour of the first floors, complimentary cigar, and an opportunity to relax at the Gold Leaf smoke lounge. Registration is required via Eventbrite. The Barker Mansion is located at 631 Washington Street in Michigan City. Visit www.barkermansion.com for details.

The Indiana State Board of Education (Board) approved procedures allowing schools to appeal their upcoming A-F grades. The Board also approved two teacher prep programs that provide more opportunities for aspiring teachers. The Board unanimously approved the procedures for Indiana schools to appeal their upcoming A-F grade. A school may utilize the procedures once it receives its grade from the Indiana Department of Education. The Board unanimously approved continued state accreditation status for the School of Education at the University of Indianapolis. The Board also approved, by a vote of 9-0, two (2) year state accreditation status for the Indiana

When you receive a call or email from a scammer, there is one thing they’re are digging for: information. Information can range from a full name, email address, bank information, a credit card number and other personal descriptions. Unfortunately, gaining your social security information can be as simple as a phone call and Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recently seen a rise in social security scams in northern Indiana. "There’s somebody calling pretending to be an officer from the Social Security Administration,” said one northern Indiana resident. “The number they are giving is (859) 960-4874 and they’re talking with a

The Gary Metro east end of the platform will also be closed to passengers while the work is completed. Passengers may still access the SSL platform through the main Metro entrance, via the elevator and stairwell. The closure is expected to last until early October.

The League of Women Voters of LaPorte County (LWVLC), and the Better Government Study Group (BGSG), are sponsoring a Candidate Forum set for Wednesday, September 26, at 6:00 PM at Michigan City Hall Council Chambers, 100 E Michigan Blvd. Invited to participate are State Representative District 9, County Commissioner, County Council, and Michigan City School Board. Candidate forums are moderated Q&A sessions, with written questions submitted by the audience and organizers. Unopposed candidates will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves, but will not participate in the Q&A. For Additional Information Contact: LaPorte County League of Women Voters: Jo Ann

  Thanks to refrigeration under the Ice Plaza, this winter you'll be able to skate at Deep River Waterpark starting Friday November 23, 2018 through Sunday February 24, 2019. 14,500 square foot Ice Plaza, Food & Beverage locations, Indoor Warming Area & Bathrooms, Birthday Party Room, U.S. 30 Surf Shop, and Skate Rental if needed.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), received a decision from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to modify its natural gas rates effective Oct. 1, 2018. The decision follows an extensive regulatory review and public input process and is based on a collaborative agreement reached earlier in the year with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), industrial customers and the NIPSCO Gas Supplier Group. Newly approved rates will be phased in over two years, and an average NIPSCO residential natural gas customer will see an overall increase of approximately $8 per month instead of $10 in the

Thirty-eight year old Shed Woods, of Michigan City, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U. S. Attorney Kirsch. Woods was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in November 2017, Woods possessed a firearm while having been convicted of four prior felonies. Wood also has two misdemeanor convictions and eleven other contacts with the law. This case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank

The City of Hammond celebrates its 5th annual Veteran Appreciation Day parade on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. in Hammond’s 5th and 6th districts. The parade route travels from Olcott Avenue, down 173rd Street and ends at the Hessville Park Veterans Memorial. This year, the parade’s Grand Marshal and keynote speaker will be Lake County Assessor, Jerome A. Prince. Mr. Prince’s entire adult life has been one of service. As a young adult, he served in the United States Marine Corps. In 2000 he began his local service as a Gary City Councilman and served in that capacity until

Valparaiso Police were notified by Valparaiso High School officials of a threat that was posted on one of the school’s social media sites. Police immediately began to investigate. The student was identified, and he confirmed posting the threat, which was to “shoot up the school”. The student was detained and removed from the school by police. Charges of Intimidation are pending on the student. The student will also face disciplinary actions by school officials. Police continue to investigate, and at this time, do not believe the threat to be a creditable one. Police increased their presence in and around the

Employer training grants are beginning to have the kind of major impact that was envisioned when the program was rolled out last year as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s NextLevel Jobs initiative. The grants are used by employers to train and reskill employees for high-demand jobs. But grants awarded to Indianapolis-based Community Health Network, Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo and Lutheran Child and Family Services will be used to train workers in a critical skill that extends far beyond the workplace—helping to save lives through suicide prevention. The three each received a $50,000 grant ($150,000 total) to train or

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa today announced plans for a significant expansion of its meetings and events center. Scheduled to open by the fall of 2019, the expansion will add nearly 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space, giving Blue Chip more than 45,000 square feet of rentable space. “This expansion is another example of our commitment to the Michigan City community and the state of Indiana, further strengthening our reputation as this region’s premier tourism, entertainment and meeting destination,” said Ted Bogich, Executive Vice President of Operations for Boyd Gaming, operator of Blue Chip.  “Based on the

According to a press release, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) — all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee —along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have introduced a Senate resolution calling for the immediate release of two Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who are imprisoned in Burma. The reporters were arrested last December for reporting on the ethnic cleansing against Myanmar’s Rohingya minority, and they were recently sentenced to seven years in prison. Specifically, the resolution calls for the convictions

Forty-three year old Teray Bush, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after pleading guilty to Interstate Travel in Aid of Racketeering. Bush was sentenced to 60 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in October 2017, Bush transported almost 2 pounds of methamphetamine from Michigan to Indiana as part of a plan to distribute it. Bush has four prior felony convictions and two misdemeanor convictions. He has violated his parole or probation twice and has twelve other contacts with the law.