News

IDOE will continue its focus on ensuring all Indiana students graduate with critical thinking skills and are prepared for an innovation-driven economy by creating more opportunities for students to access quality, world class STEM education. Outlined in the STEM Strategic Plan, IDOE will carry out its plan by placing an emphasis along three objectives: Improve STEM Instruction, Implement Evidence-based STEM Curriculum in Classrooms, and Foster Early STEM Career Exposure. Doing so will also help IDOE work with Indiana’s educators and prepare them to provide every K-12 student with an evidence-based effective STEM education. IDOE’s goal is to accomplish its STEM

PFLAG continues their second year of PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Michigan City and LaPorte County Chapter with a NEW DAY and DIFFERENT SPACE. Meetings will usually be held the fourth Thursday of the month except for November and December. Their place is the Artspace Uptown Artist Lofts in the Uptown Arts District in Michigan City. We’ll meet this month on Thursday, November 29th, at 6:30 pm. They welcome everybody who are allies including everyone in the LGBTQA+ community. Meetings--for those 18 years of age and over—are usually held the fourth Thursday of the month except

The Valparaiso Police Department is seeking high school students that represent good citizenship and have an interest in a law enforcement career. The Department is again sponsoring the Junior Police Academy in 2019. The academy consists of two classes per week, starting February 18, 2019 through May 1, 2019 and are scheduled for 2-3 hours, per topic presented. The course is designed for high school students to meet officers and learn about the daily activities of police work. The topics presented include: traffic enforcement, crash investigation, crimes against young people, drug investigation, physical tactics, K9, SWAT, and various education topics

The Indiana Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is instructing clients to immediately stop using divided plates that illustrate the recommended distribution of the four food groups following reports that two plates caught fire while in the microwave. No injuries have been reported. The plates have been distributed through Indiana WIC clinics since June. The program was notified of the two incidents on Nov. 8 and immediately instructed WIC clinics in Indiana to halt distribution of the plates. WIC clients are being notified of the potential hazard. “The safety of Indiana WIC clients is our top priority,” said Eldon Whetstone,

Turkey Run State Park was named the best state park in Indiana by the Indiana Office of Tourism Development’s 2018 Best of Indiana people’s choice campaign. Turkey Run topped the list, with Brown County State Park coming in second and McCormick’s Creek State Park placing third. Rounding out Hoosiers’ top 10 state parks, in order, were Indiana Dunes State Park, Spring Mill State Park, Pokagon State Park, Clifty Falls State Park, Shakamak State Park, Patoka Lake and Chain O’Lakes State Park. Learn more at stateparks.IN.gov.

A La Porte man is in custody in connection with the armed robbery of a La Porte convenience store on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, La Porte Police responded to a call regarding an armed robbery at La Porte Mini Mart, 205 Lincolnway, at approximately 9:00 a.m. During the course of investigation, it was learned that a lone man entered the store, approached the clerk and demanded money while displaying a weapon. The man fled the store on foot, taking an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported. Officers attempted to locate the suspect in the area, but were unsuccessful.

Friday, the Indiana State Police executed a search warrant at the Lakes of the Four Seasons Security Department in Crown Point. The investigation was forwarded to the state police from the Indiana Attorney General’s office and involves violations related to controlled substances, impersonation of public servants, criminal confinement, and other potential criminal offenses related to traffic stops. This is an on-going investigation involving multiple allegations.  There will be no further information provided on the investigation at this time.

To accommodate passengers attending the Notre Dame vs. Florida State football game at 7:30p ET on Nov. 10, the South Shore Line and Transpo will offer FREE shuttle bus service between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium. Two trains will carry eastbound passengers to the South Bend Airport prior to kick-off: Train #503 will arrive at 12:10p ET and Train #505 at 5:06p ET. Arriving South Shore Line passengers may then board a Transpo bus near the South Shore train platform at the Airport for the trip to the stadium. Passengers will be dropped off near the

A Senior Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Franciscan ACO attracted in excess of 120 community members to Chesterton’s Sand Creek Country Club on Nov. 7. Seniors in attendance at the free event were able to get flu shots, along with multiple health screenings, including blood pressure, fall risk and balance assessment, bone density, body mass index, hepatitis C and blood glucose. Refreshments were also provided. The screenings were followed by two presentations. Mindy King, director of Franciscan Senior Promise and Franciscan Insurance Services, spoke about the changes in Medicare insurance. Terry Peckat, personal trainer at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers,

Friday, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), a NiSource Inc., (NYSE: NI) company, announced the selection of Jennifer V. Montague as its vice president of communications and external affairs. She will report to NIPSCO President Violet Sistovaris and be based at the company’s headquarters in Merrillville, Ind., beginning Monday, Nov. 12th. In this role, Montague will have responsibility for the company’s customer focused branding, marketing, economic development, municipal relations, media relations, advertising, charitable giving and employee communications and engagement efforts for the combined electric and natural gas utility in northern Indiana. Montague joins NIPSCO from Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) where

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the tragedy at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California. Flags should be flown at half-staff from now until sunset on Saturday, November 10th. Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff.

A Senior Health and Wellness Fair sponsored by Franciscan ACO attracted in excess of 120 community members to Chesterton’s Sand Creek Country Club on Nov. 7. Seniors in attendance at the free event were able to get flu shots, along with multiple health screenings, including blood pressure, fall risk and balance assessment, bone density, body mass index, hepatitis C and blood glucose. Refreshments were also provided. The screenings were followed by two presentations. Mindy King, director of Franciscan Senior Promise and Franciscan Insurance Services, spoke about the changes in Medicare insurance. Terry Peckat, personal trainer at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers,

A La Porte man is in custody in connection with the armed robbery of a La Porte convenience store on Wednesday morning. On Wednesday, La Porte Police responded to a call regarding an armed robbery at La Porte Mini Mart, 205 Lincolnway, at approximately 9:00 a.m. During the course of investigation, it was learned that a lone man entered the store, approached the clerk and demanded money while displaying a weapon. The man fled the store on foot, taking an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported. Officers attempted to locate the suspect in the area, but were unsuccessful.

All veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free through the weekend of November 9-11, 2018, and on Veterans Day (November 11), observed November 12. As train personnel walk through the train, please let them know that you are a veteran or active military personnel, and they will provide you a ride at no charge. No identification will be required. On Veterans Day, Monday, November 12, trains will follow the regular weekday train schedule. Up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride free with each veteran on off- peak weekday and all weekend

Valparaiso Police are currently investigating two incidents of motor vehicle theft and two theft from vehicle reports which occurred overnight on November 5, 2018. Each incident of theft was discovered after 5:00 a.m. and involved vehicles that were unsecured. The thefts occurred in the 2250 block of St. Joseph Ln. and the 450 block of Ridgeland Ave. Police strongly encourage vehicle owners to lock their vehicles when left unattended. Additionally, removing valuable items or placing them where they are not visible will assist with minimizing your losses. Police are requesting assistance regarding the thefts. Anybody with information is asked to

HealthLinc centers throughout Northern Indiana are offering no and low-cost flu shots to their patients throughout flu season while supplies last. Flu shots will be available at no cost to any HealthLinc patient who any type of appointment already scheduled. For those HealthLinc patients that do not have an appointment already scheduled, the cost for a flu shot is $20. HealthLinc has clinics located in East Chicago, Valparaiso, Knox, Michigan City, South Bend (IUSB Campus), and Mishawaka. “The health of our community and patients is of the utmost importance to us,” states HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel. “We want to give

On Wednesday, Governor Eric J. Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness announced 283 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined $100 million in state-matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative. Now in its third year, Community Crossings has awarded nearly $400 million in state matching funds to local governments for construction projects. In 2018, 444 communities applied for funds making this year’s call for projects highly competitive. State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer.

On Friday November 9th there will be an all you can eat fish fry from 5-8PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes: hand breaded pollock, chicken strips, french fries, creamy coleslaw, salad, rolls and free homemade desserts. Special veterans and senior pricing: Adults-$9.00, Seniors (60yrs+) & Vets-$7.00, Kids 12 & under-$5.00, Preschoolers-Free. Carry-outs available. For more information call: 219-395-0130.

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced that it is accepting letters of intent to apply from organizations interested in serving as IAC Regional Arts Partners. The deadline to submit a letter of intent is December 3, 2018. Organizations desiring to receive funding to serve as a Regional Arts Partner in Fiscal Year 2020 – 2023 must submit their letter of intent through the IAC's online system by 4:30 p.m. (EST) December 3, 2018. Guidelines about the Regional Arts Partner application process can be found at https://www.in.gov/arts/files/2020-2023-RAP-Guidelines.pdf. Organizations must submit their formal proposals to become Regional Arts Partners through the IAC’s online

On Wednesday, 19 year old Torreay Fennessee appeared before a St. Joseph County Superior Court judge and was sentenced to 30 years in the January 11, 2018 shooting death of D’Angelo Jennings in South Bend. Of those 30 years, 5 years are suspended and 25 years are to be executed in the Indiana Department of Correction. He was also sentenced to 2 years probation after his release from custody. Torreay Fennessee previously pled guilty by agreement on October 11, 2018, to Voluntary Manslaughter, a Level 2 Felony, and a Firearm Sentencing Enhancement. He was sentenced today to 20 years for