News

Tuesday evening at approximately just before 9:30 PM, Deputy Ryan Doperalski was dispatched to the 5000 east block of Miami Trail, reference a suspicious person call for service. During the investigation of Deputy Doperalski, he located a suspicious vehicle possibly associated with the complaint. Deputy Doperalski attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. However, the vehicle fled, and a vehicle pursuit ensued along CR 500 East, CR 1000 North and CR 650 East. Once the vehicle pursuit crossed the Michigan/Indiana state line on CR 650 East, it was terminated.Just before 9:40 PM, Sergeant Jonathan Burger was traveling east

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

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that a bridge deck replacement project is set to begin March 4 on U.S. 35 in the City of LaPorte. The bridge, which is adjacent to the courthouse in downtown LaPorte and just north of State Road 2 (Lincoln Way), will maintain one lane of traffic in each direction for the duration of the project. During the first phase, traffic will use the southbound side of the bridge while crews work on the northbound side. The eight-span bridge is approximately 1,100 feet long. The $9.3 million project is set to finish by the

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) invites artists to apply for its annual art festival. Currently in its 38th year, the Lubeznik Arts Festival (LAF) will take place on August 17th and 18th. This event features fine art and fine craft exhibitors alongside contemporary art galleries, food and interactive family activities. LAF takes place on LCA’s grounds to connect festival-goers to its dynamic programming and exhibitions. All proceeds from this event are invested back in the community. LCA’s galleries are open to the public at no charge, and its programs serve more than 2,000 children each year. LCA will be

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and Enbridge are partnering to offer summer enrichment camps for middle and high school students interested in learning more about engineering disciplines.The Purdue Northwest Enbridge Summer Engineering Camps will take place in June on the PNW Hammond Campus and will introduce students to fundamental concepts of civil, mechanical, electrical and computer engineering through hands-on, laboratory and classroom experiences. PNW offers engineering degree programs in all four disciplines.Student participants will not only engage in activities that explore various areas of engineering, but learn team building, computer-aided engineering, and decision making. All materials will be provided and attendees

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) reintroduced the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act to address the driver shortage in the trucking and logistics industry, and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers. Five U.S. Senators joined as cosponsors of the bill.Though many states allow individuals to obtain a commercial driver’s license at the age 18, federal law currently prohibits those operators from moving goods from state to state until they are 21. The DRIVE-Safe Act establishes an apprenticeship program that would allow for the legal operation of a commercial motor

College graduates have just over a month to apply for the 2019-2020 Governor’s Fellowship. Applications will be accepted through March 31.The Governor’s Fellowship is a highly selective program that provides a unique look at Indiana state government by placing fellows in various state agencies throughout the year.The program is a paid, full-time fellowship and is open to college graduates who receive their bachelor’s degrees in either the fall 2018 or spring 2019.The application and submission guidelines can be found online at www.in.gov/gov/fellowship.htm. To be eligible for consideration, the application and all supporting materials must be postmarked or submitted via email by

Wanatah resident 54 year old Patrick Devereaux, pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in LaPorte County Circuit Court on Jan. 23rd. Through the use of agency records, an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee began an investigation and determined that Devereaux was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Devereaux was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to repay DWD $11,941 for the benefits he fraudulently collected.DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people are not collecting

The Valparaiso Police Department has been investigating several thefts that have occurred while citizens are shopping at area department stores, box stores, and grocery stores. It has been reported that wallets and purses have been removed from shopping carts while inside these various stores, and in many cases, the victim’s credit and debit cards have been utilized elsewhere in a short amount of time. Investigators have identified a suspect in multiple thefts occurring over the last few years, with charges currently pending. However, these types of thefts are often crimes of opportunity and can be prevented by taking proper precautions.

The Michigan City Police Department, along with Chief Mark Swistek, in conjunction with the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, would like to announce the 2019 “Silence the Violence Gun Drive!” The police department will be hosting the event this Friday March 1st and Saturday March 2nd from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They are asking all citizens to turn in any handguns in which they will give you, in return, a $100.00 VISA Gift Card Compliments, of Horizon Bank.They will additionally give $50.00 for every shotgun and rifle turned in during this event.Just bring your unloaded gun to the lobby of the Michigan

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public to sign up for the Foot Pursuit 5k in Valparaiso. You can sign up at www.THtiming.com. All proceeds from the race support the Timothy Hecht Memorial Scholarship. Help build this scholarship fund to help students furthering their education with a career in Law Enforcement. The 5k will take place on March 2nd and more information can be found on the Porter County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

Michigan City High School band students Anna-Lisse Lenard (flute) and Isaiah Barczak (tuba) received Gold ratings on music of the highest difficulty level at the Indiana State School Music Association's District Solo and Ensemble Contest, which was held in January at Kankakee Valley Middle School. The instrumentalists then advanced to the State finals Solo and Ensemble Competition in Indianapolis on February 23, where Lenard again received a gold rating and Barczak earned silver.

A chance of snow and freezing rain before 10am, then a chance of freezing rain between 10am and noon. Cloudy, with a high near 33.

Four Barker Middle School students took part in the 66th Annual Northwestern Indiana Science and Engineering Fair presented by Valparaiso University and ArcelorMittal USA. The competition was held at Valparaiso Univeristy on Saturday, February 23. Seventh-grader Madison Gresham won several awards in the Junior Physical Science Division for her project, "Making Music with Bottles." They included: 1st Place, Junior Physical Science Division ($250 and a gold medal)Broadcom Masters Award, Outstanding Project ($50 and an invitation to Broadcom's National Science Competition)Ford STEM Award Outstanding STEM Project, ($100)Gresham will advance to the Hoosier State Science & Engineering Fair in Indianapolis on March 30. Eighth-grader Kayla

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) announced that four students from Barker Middle School in Michigan City and five students from Area Career Center University in Hammond are among the finalists of the National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) northwest region contest held Saturday at Saint Mary’s College. Approximately 130 students took part in the contest, with all finalists advancing to the NHDI state contest, Saturday, April 13, at the University of Indianapolis. NHDI is a yearlong program dedicated to enhancing history education in Indiana's schools. Students in grades four through 12 explore a historical subject and then use their research

On Sunday at around 10:00 p.m., Valparaiso Police responded to a physical disturbance in-progress in the 1100 block of Park Ave. A male subject, who was bleeding from his face, was located in the common hallway of the apartment. It was soon learned that the male had been involved in a physical altercation with 49 year old Lawrence Zitt Jr., of Valparaiso. The male and a witness indicated Zitt Jr. attacked the subject, during which time the male’s face was cut with a small knife. Zitt Jr. exhibited various signs of intoxication, admitting he had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages when

A Franciscan Physician Network doctor’s success in using ultrasound from inside the vein to help remedy slow-healing leg wounds drew attention at an international conference last month.Dr. Michael Flisak made the presentation on Jan. 29 at the International Symposium of Endovascular Therapy in Hollywood, Fla. Dr. Flisak shared his original data on the process of wound closure or lower extremity venous ulcer therapy. A venous skin ulcer is a sore on the leg that is very slow to heal, often due to poor circulation.Dr. Flisak said recent studies have shown that all patients with venous ulcers in their legs should

The next PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Michigan City and LaPorte County Chapter meeting is Thursday, February 28th, at 6:30 pm at the Artspace Uptown Artist Lofts in the Uptown Arts District in Michigan City. According to PFLAG, anything and everything talked about at the meetings remains in the meetings. Meetings are for those 18 years of age and over—are usually held the fourth Thursday of the month except for November (due to Thanksgiving) and December (due to Christmas) from 6:30 to 8 pm and will always include advocacy, education, and support. PFLAG meets at the

A driver of a church bus drove up and onto an earth embankment on the Indiana Toll Road causing passengers on the bus to be injured when tossed/thrown from their seats. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kenneth Payonk revealed at approximately 10:37 P.M., Monday, February 25th, a 1998 Motor Coach Industries bus, owned by Jesus Saves Missionary Baptist Church in Gary, and driven by Wilton B. Carr, 82 of Gary, was east bound in the right lane on I-80/90 (Indiana Toll Road) at the 9.6 mile marker (this is just before the Cline Avenue exit) when he drove straight off the

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) on Friday announced that the President has signed the National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act into law. This bill will update and modernize the charter for the Future Farmers of America (FFA) to better reflect agriculture education in the 21st Century.The National FFA Organization's Federal Charter Amendments Act updates the FFA’s charter to allow for regional diversity among student officer vice presidents. Additionally, the legislation provides governing flexibility for national officers in order to reduce operational delays caused by vacant seats.The amendments to the charter will better align FFA's purpose with the innovative and