News

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.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), announced as part of its future electric supply planning process, that analysis shows the most viable option for customers would include moving up the retirement of a majority of its remaining coal-fired generation in the next five years and all coal within the next 10 years.  Likely replacement options point toward lower-cost renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and battery storage technology. While not yet final, NIPSCO outlined the option for its electric generation strategy at a public meeting with customers, consumer representatives, environmental organizations

  Today, a Hammond, Indiana man was arrested on charges of Possession of Child Pornography as a result of an investigation conducted by Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Unit which consist of officers from the Indiana State Police, Hammond Police, and Homeland Security. After receiving tips in July of this year from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children an investigation led to a search warrant being executed today, September 19, 2018, for a residence on 165th Street in Hammond. The search warrant led investigators to discovering images of child pornography in the home. Roger Orich, 64 of Hammond,

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) kicked off the first National Roundabouts Week on Monday. When it comes to making travel through intersections safer, the modern roundabouts being built by state, local and tribal agencies are true lifesavers. In fact, roundabouts reduce the types of crashes where people are seriously hurt or killed by about 80% when compared to conventional stop-controlled and signalized intersections, according to the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual. This is a huge benefit, considering that thousands of people are killed in crashes related to intersections every year. It's reassuring to know there are now over 4,000 modern roundabouts

Yesterday, on U.S. 30 in southern LaPorte County, a vehicle struck an attenuator warning motorists about road work happening. This crash took place in the eastbound driving lane as a shoulder blading crew was moving through the area. Though the attenuator and civilian vehicle were badly damaged, no major injuries were reported. There have been a rash of these types of incidents lately. Earlier this summer, two such incidents took place just days apart in St. Joseph County.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) announced yesterday 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 also

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for Merit Patrol Deputy. Applicants who successfully complete and pass the various stages of the hiring process will be ranked on a list for any future vacancies that may arise within the Merit Division of the Sheriff’s Office.  The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division interview panel and a Merit Commission interview. Applications can be found online by accessing the Sheriff’s Office website: www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk of the

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

To honor environmental achievements and spur the renewed commitment of business, industry, citizens, and government, Governor Eric J. Holcomb has issued a proclamation designating September 16 to 22, 2018 as Pollution Prevention Week in Indiana. Indiana’s proclamation coincides with National Pollution Prevention Week, also observed the third week of September. The week will feature the 21st Annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade show. The conference is open to all public and private sectors who wish to exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote practices that help the environment. Presentations include discussions with industry leaders on sustainability, pollution prevention, and saving

Job-seeking alumni, students and community members are invited to attend Purdue University Northwest’s Fall Career Expo Friday, Sept. 28 at the university’s Fitness & Recreation Center, 2320 173rd St., Hammond. The Fall Career Expo is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to all alumni and students of Purdue University regardless of campus affiliation. The general public is welcome to attend this event from 1 to 2 p.m. Job seekers are encouraged to come dressed for an interview and have multiple copies of their resume ready. Business professional dress is recommended. The event is free and registration will be available

Several of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly’s provisions passed the Senate yesterday as part of bipartisan legislation that would help combat the opioid epidemic. The Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) passed with broad bipartisan support on a 99-1 vote. Donnelly’s provisions would improve access to opioid abuse treatment services and help speed up the approval of non-opioid or non-addictive treatments for pain. Other provisions in the legislation would reauthorize a state grant program that has already brought nearly $22 million to Indiana over the last two years, would help state and local governments improve prescription drug monitoring programs, and would help

Fourth generation Chicagoan and critically lauded vocalist Kimberly Gordon is sought after by the elite jazz listener. With a deep understanding of the American Songbook it has led her on a path that celebrates composers, lyricists, and jazz masters alike. The Kimberly Gordon Quartet will be performing at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan this Friday, September 21st, at 8pm ET.  To purchase tickets for the show, go to www.acorntheater.org

An Elkhart man crashed a stolen car late Thursday night on the Indiana Toll Road stating he felt like he was in a “dream”. On Thursday night, Trooper Matthew Drudge took a preliminary report of a vehicle crash on the west bound Indiana Toll Road at the 55.9 mile marker (this is the 3 North Service Plaza). The driver, later identified as 36 year old Matthew J. Aaron of Elkhart, driving a 2014 Kia Soul, stated he felt like he was in a “dream”. Evidence showed and witnesses stated that the Kia was at a high rate of speed when