News

The Valparaiso Police responded to the 2500 block of Tea Rose Dr. at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday morning regarding a complaint of a suspicious vehicle. A brown mini-van was observed in the area, driving with an open sliding door, as it passed students on their way to morning bus stops. The van door was shut as it passed a particular student and left the area, making no contact with anyone. The incident was observed by a parent who reported it to police. Police checked the area extensively and did not locate the van or receive any additional complaints regarding it.

The LaPorte Police Department recently received information on a threat towards Handley School. The LaPorte Police Department takes all threats towards the public serious so we have been actively investigating the claim. They have been able to determine that the original threat is from over a month ago and does not appear that anyone is actively trying to carry out this threat nor has the means to do so. The LaPorte City Police along with school resources officers from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department and the LaPorte Community School Cooperation have been in contact and are taking steps to make

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) reminds taxpayers the 2019 individual tax filing deadline is less than one week away—April 15, 2019. Paper tax returns require a postmarked date of April 15, 2019 to be considered on time. Electronic filing can be submitted online any time before April 16, including through the Indiana freefile program (INfreefile). INfreefile offers qualified individuals with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less in 2018 several options for filing both their state and federal taxes for free. All vendor options and qualifications for INfreefile can be found online at www.freefile.dor.in.gov. Still not going to

A Munster woman escaped serious injury last night when she flipped her vehicle onto its roof. Preliminary investigation by Trooper John Landowski revealed at approximately 8:35 p.m., Sunday, April 7th, a 2010 Cadillac Escalade was west bound on I-80/94 when for unknown reasons the driver, Betty Markovich, 87 of Munster, Indiana, went off the roadway and struck an attenuator that was in the gore area (this is the area that separates the main line and a ramp) to the Kennedy Avenue ramp. The Cadillac hit the attenuator with its right front, causing the front right wheel to separate from the

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced that registration is now open for 14 exciting summer classes and camps for children and adults. All programs take place at LCA, located at 101 W. 2nd St. in Michigan City, IN. LCA members receive a 10 percent discount on all classes and camps, and scholarships are available for children under age 18. The summer class session begins on Monday, June 11th. For more details or to register, call 219-874-4900 or visit www.lubeznikcenter.org

On Sunday afternoon, troops from the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) corralled a dog that was running in and out of traffic on the interstate. Sergeant Dan Avitia, and Troopers O’Bryan Winfield and Amjad Umrani were trying to locate a dog that had been reported running in and out of traffic from the inside shoulder on I-80/90 (Indiana Toll Road). They located the dog at the 12.7 mile marker (this is approximately 3 miles east of the Cline Avenue exit). The dog was scared and skittish and the troops were finally able to capture the dog by putting a jacket around

The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 174 on fertility fraud and deception, sponsored by Rep. Pressel.  The bill establishes a cause of action for civil fertility fraud and provides that a prevailing plaintiff may be awarded: (1) compensatory and punitive damages; or (2) liquidated damages of $10,000 and specifies the statute of limitations for civil fertility fraud. The bill also increases the penalty for deception involving the identity of a person or the identity or quantity of property to a Level 6 felony if the offense involves a misrepresentation relating to: (1) a medical procedure, device, or drug; or (2)

Franciscan Health representatives join Northwest Indiana leaders, Indiana first lady in conversation on reducing infant mortality Franciscan Health representatives joined Indiana first lady Janet Holcomb, health advocates and Northwest Indiana leaders at a luncheon on April 4 to address the state’s high rate of infant mortality. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has set a goal of reducing Indiana’s infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 births to 6 deaths per 1,000 births by 2024. In 2018, Indiana ranked 41st in the nation in infant mortality, according to the United Health Foundation.

State health officials have confirmed a case of measles in northern Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is working with local health departments and healthcare providers in LaGrange and Steuben counties to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient while infectious and to prevent further transmission of the disease. ISDH is also consulting with public health officials in Michigan and Texas because the investigation has found risk of exposure in those states as well.Individuals who visited these locations on the dates and times provided may have been exposed:Chuy’s Restaurant – 1512 Harvey Road, College Station,

Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) released the following statement regarding recent reports that Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will close the Confucius Institute on its campus. Confucius Institutes are operated by China’s Education Ministry and are a part of the “United Front”—the Communist Party’s foreign influence operation. With 90 branches on college campuses across America, Confucius Institutes exert influence through Chinese language classes and cultural programming. Additionally, it was reported that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will be severing its ties with Chinese telecommunications companies, Huawei and ZTE.  These companies have a long history of cybersecurity risks and

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that a resurfacing project is scheduled to start Monday, April 8, on U.S. 12 in Porter County. The project will see all lanes resurfaced from approximately one mile west of State Road 249 to approximately one mile east of State Road 149. During the first phase, crews will do patching in the outside lane for around two weeks before moving to the inside lane for patching and paving. Then, at the end, they’ll move back to the outside lanes for paving. The project is expected to wrap up by the end of June.

On Thursday, just after 3 PM, Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the 2000 south block of US 35, in rural Pleasant Township, reference a single vehicle crash. The crash investigation revealed a Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle was traveling north on US 35.  While doing so, the vehicle left the northbound lanes for an unknown reason, traveled off the east side of the roadway and struck a large tree. The driver was freed from the vehicle after a short period of time. Immediately after being removed from the vehicle, emergency personnel provided medical attention to the driver.  After a period of

The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 174 on fertility fraud and deception, sponsored by Rep. Pressel.  The bill establishes a cause of action for civil fertility fraud and provides that a prevailing plaintiff may be awarded: (1) compensatory and punitive damages; or (2) liquidated damages of $10,000 and specifies the statute of limitations for civil fertility fraud. The bill also increases the penalty for deception involving the identity of a person or the identity or quantity of property to a Level 6 felony if the offense involves a misrepresentation relating to: (1) a medical procedure, device, or drug; or (2)

Franciscan Health representatives join Northwest Indiana leaders, Indiana first lady in conversation on reducing infant mortality Franciscan Health representatives joined Indiana first lady Janet Holcomb, health advocates and Northwest Indiana leaders at a luncheon on April 4 to address the state’s high rate of infant mortality. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has set a goal of reducing Indiana’s infant mortality rate of 7.3 deaths per 1,000 births to 6 deaths per 1,000 births by 2024. In 2018, Indiana ranked 41st in the nation in infant mortality, according to the United Health Foundation.

State health officials have confirmed a case of measles in northern Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is working with local health departments and healthcare providers in LaGrange and Steuben counties to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient while infectious and to prevent further transmission of the disease. ISDH is also consulting with public health officials in Michigan and Texas because the investigation has found risk of exposure in those states as well. Individuals who visited these locations on the dates and times provided may have been exposed: Chuy’s Restaurant – 1512 Harvey Road,

Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) released the following statement regarding recent reports that Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) will close the Confucius Institute on its campus. Confucius Institutes are operated by China’s Education Ministry and are a part of the “United Front”—the Communist Party’s foreign influence operation. With 90 branches on college campuses across America, Confucius Institutes exert influence through Chinese language classes and cultural programming. Additionally, it was reported that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will be severing its ties with Chinese telecommunications companies, Huawei and ZTE. These companies have a long history of cybersecurity risks and

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that a resurfacing project is scheduled to start Monday, April 8, on U.S. 12 in Porter County. The project will see all lanes resurfaced from approximately one mile west of State Road 249 to approximately one mile east of State Road 149. During the first phase, crews will do patching in the outside lane for around two weeks before moving to the inside lane for patching and paving. Then, at the end, they’ll move back to the outside lanes for paving. The project is expected to wrap up by the end of June.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) announced they have introduced several bills to help boost retirement security for individuals and families during a time when many Americans are unprepared for retirement. According to the Department of Labor, more than 40 million people do not have access to any workplace retirement plan. Additionally, nearly half of households nearing retirement do not have a retirement savings plan. Senator Young introduced S. 1020, which would expand access to workplace retirement plans by giving small employers more flexibility when setting up 401Ks for their employees.

On Thursday, just after 3 PM, Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the 2000 south block of US 35, in rural Pleasant Township, reference a single vehicle crash. The crash investigation revealed a Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle was traveling north on US 35. While doing so, the vehicle left the northbound lanes for an unknown reason, traveled off the east side of the roadway and struck a large tree. The driver was freed from the vehicle after a short period of time. Immediately after being removed from the vehicle, emergency personnel provided medical attention to the driver. After a period of