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Wednesday, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced that he is helping lead a bipartisan group of 40 state attorneys general developing fresh strategies to stop or reduce annoying, harmful and illegal robocalls. The coalition is reviewing innovative technologies that major telecom companies hope to employ in this fight. Indiana is one of 15 states on the working group's executive committee. Since it was formed, the multistate group has had in-depth meetings with several major telecom companies. These productive meetings have led to greater information sharing about the technological capabilities currently in existence or in development to fight these calls. Attorney General

Secretary of State Connie Lawson announced Wednesday that 51 percent or 2,308,258 of Indiana’s 4.5 million registered voters cast a vote in the November 6 General Election. Early voting popularity continues to soar. In 2014, only 16 percent of voters cast a ballot early. This year, that number was doubled to 32 percent. Henry County had the highest turnout in the state at 64 percent. They were followed by Spencer County at 62 percent. (Turnout statistics for previous elections can be found online at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2983.htm)

Tuesday evening, police investigated a threat made by a Portage High School student on social media, directed towards the school. The Officers responded to the students house in unincorporated Porter County and the juvenile student stated it was just a joke. The juvenile was taken into custody and transported to JDC on an Intimidation charge.

A crash on US 31 between an Eastern Pulaski Community School bus and a straight truck has claimed the life of a teenage boy. Just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday Indiana State Troopers and Marshall County Deputies responded to calls of a crash on northbound US 31, just north of Argos. The bus had just stopped, at the railroad crossing just south of Michigan Road. As the bus began to accelerate it was struck from behind in the left rear by a Freightliner straight truck.The truck, which was towing a trailer, was being driven by 26 year old Tylor Perry,

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that the State Road 331 (Capital Avenue) bridge over the St. Joseph River will close for about a week starting Monday, Dec. 10. That bridge is in the midst of a two-year reconstruction project and is closing so crews can set new beams on the southbound portion of the bridge. Currently, one lane of traffic is flowing in each direction over the northbound side. However, to place these beams, crews will need to position large cranes in those lanes.

A 14-member Study Commission will review the Indiana Bar Examination. The Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ordered the creation of the Commission to consider an in-depth analysis of the bar exam to determine whether changes in the format or content are needed. Former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard will chair the Commission. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Nancy A. Vaidik will serve as vice chair. In addition to judges and lawyers, all Indiana Law School Deans are on the Commission. The group will make a report to the Court by December 2019. The order creating the Commission is available online as

Gary, Lake County- 3 vehicle Crash Sends Indiana Man to Hospital, Closes Interstate 80 Preliminary investigation by Trooper Connor Davidson revealed that shortly after midnight on December 5, 2018 a 2005 Ford F150, being driven by Merrillville resident 39 year old Milton Harvey struck a red Ford Focus, being driven by Winamac resident, 22 year old Wyatt Spence. The impact from the crash pushed the Ford Focus into the back of a tractor trailer that was stopped in traffic. The tractor trailer was driven by 41 year old Scott Glassey of Reinholds, Pennslyvania. He was uninjured in the crash. The

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) congratulated Plymouth High School senior Kobe Johnson, the winner of the 2018 Congressional App Challenge for Indiana’s 2nd District. Kobe’s winning smartphone app, “Homework Helper,” will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol among other winners from across the country. Congresswoman Walorski paid a surprise visit to students in a computer science class at the Weidner School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School to announce the winner and present the first place certificate to Kobe. This week marks Computer Science Education Week. High school students from across Indiana’s 2nd District submitted entries in the

ELM Pet Foods, Inc is issuing a voluntary recall of Elm Chicken and Chickpea Recipe dog food because the products could contain elevated levels of Vitamin D. The recalled products consist of multiple UPC codes manufactured between February 25, 2018 and October 31, 2018. Best Buy Dates Listed Below: 3lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE - UPC (0-70155-22507-8) TD2 26 FEB 2019 TE1 30 APR 2019 TD1 5 SEP 2019 TD2 5 SEP 2019 28lb ELM CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA RECIPE - UPC (0-70155-22513-9) TB3 6 APR 2019 TA1 2 JULY 2019 TI1 2 JULY 2019 40lb ELM K9 NATURALS CHICKEN RECIPE

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