News

LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney John Espar announced that a Porter County resident has been charged with OWI causing death and reckless homicide. As a result of a traffic accident that happened in southern LaPorte County. In February 16th, 46 year old Jeffery Bilyak, a dentist residing in Chesterton, was northbound near the 20000 south block of US 421 when he attempted to pass a semi. This occured during extremely reduced visibility conditions, which had previously that morning caused LaPorte County to be under a travel advisory due to dense fog causing visibility to be less than a quarter of a

Michigan City High School welcomed six students from Zama Sogo High School in Japan for ten days earlier this month, March 10-20. The two high schools have had a "sister school" relationship for several years, and students from Zama Sogo visit both Michigan City and Chesterton each year, staying with host families. At a farewell dinner on March 19, the MCHS student hosts (Kiara Stansil, Zack Parker, Lauren Werner, Liz LaFollette, Reese Attar, and Kendyl Adney) gave farewell speeches in Japanese and the Zama Sogo students gave speeches in English. After many photos, hugs, tears, line dancing, and laughter, the

A Dodge Challenger Hellcat was tamed on the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday evening for driving 160 miles per hour, over twice the speed limit. On March 20, 2018, around 7:00 p.m., Trooper Dustin Eggert was merging back into traffic after helping a broke down motorist near the 45 mile marker eastbound when an Orange Dodge Challenger Hellcat passed him at a high rate of speed. Eggert purportedly saw the Hellcat weaving in and out of traffic without using turn signals as it moved around slower vehicles. Eggert sped up to catch up to the Hellcat and soon found himself

On Tuesday, March 20th, 2018 at approximately 11:20 AM (CST), Deputies from the       La Porte County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a two-vehicle personal injury crash that had occurred on US Highway 20 at the intersection of Fail Road, in rural Kankakee Township.  Deputies arrived at the scene and determined two (2) subjects were injured as a result of the crash.       The crash investigation revealed that a 2007 Peterbilt semi-tractor, driven by Patrick HOFF (54 YOA) of Modale, Iowa was traveling westbound on US 20.  Deputies learned HOFF disregarded the traffic control device at the intersection of US

The Alliance for a Healthier Indiana is hosting a series of town hall meetings in 2018 to discuss public health issues plaguing the state. Between April and October, the State of Our Health Road Show will stop in 17 Hoosier cities. The tour will be in East Chicago on May 1st, Gary on May 2nd and South Bend on May 3rd. The State of Our Health Road Show meetings are free and open to the public. Space is limited, and registration is required. For more information on the State of Our Health Road Show and becoming a partner, visit HealthierIndiana.org

Indiana American Water announced that it is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promote Fix a Leak Week, which runs through March 25th. The national campaign, part of the EPA’s WaterSense program, raises awareness about small leaks and other water waste that might be occurring within homes. Across the U.S., EPA estimates that U.S. households waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water due to leaks and that the average household could cut 10 percent off their water bill by spending a couple of hours every few months checking for and repairing these leaks. More information can be

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the reopening of SR 331, between 9th Road and 10th Road, in Marshall County. This stretch of SR 331 was closed back in February due to damage caused by the historic rainfall and flooding that hit the entire Northwest District of INDOT. INDOT maintenance crews were able to expedite a project to fix the roadway.

A semi lost control, after hitting a tire, overturning his trailer, and catching his tractor on fire, blocking three lanes of west bound traffic on I-80/94 at Calumet Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Lee Wright revealed at approximately 12:41 p.m., a 2014 Volvo tractor pulling a rail container, operated by Evans Delivery Company out of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and driven by Amrik Bal, 56 of Indianapolis, was west bound on I-80/94 when he hit a tire that was laying in the left middle lane. The truck then hit the concrete barrier median wall causing the trailer to lose

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and John McCain (R-Ariz.) today announced that a bipartisan Senate resolution condemning the Burmese campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya and calling for the “safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return” of the refugees who have been displaced by this violence was voted out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a bipartisan vote with unanimous support. The senators introduced the resolution in January, as planned repatriation from Bangladesh to Burma was postponed amid fears that the repatriation as planned would be neither safe nor voluntary.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today introduced legislation to strengthen Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accountability for the billions of taxpayer dollars it spends each year to develop and maintain information technology (IT) systems. “The IRS exists to serve taxpayers, and they need modern technology and a strong IT infrastructure to do that effectively,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “However, after repeated mistakes, failures, and excuses, the American people have lost confidence that the IRS can get it right. This bill will help close the trust gap by restoring accountability, reforming the acquisition process, and improving long-term strategic planning so taxpayers once again have

An Indiana State Police trooper recovered two handguns that had been reported stolen only an hour before. Early Tuesday morning, Trooper James Brasseur stopped a car on I-80/94 west bound one mile west of Grant Street for doing 93 in a 55 mile per hour posted speed zone. The driver, later identified as 22 year old Tywoun D. Nixon of Gary was found to have never been licensed. A search of the car revealed two Glock 9 mm handguns found under the front passenger seat. One of the handguns was loaded and one was not. Two fully loaded magazines were

U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-IN) and Rob Portman (R-OH) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would permanently authorize a program to allow for dedicated funding for review of permit applications with the Army Corps of Engineers for some infrastructure projects. Under current law, public utilities, natural gas companies, and railroads can provide financing for permitting reviews to potentially speed up the process, however the authorization for that financing mechanism is scheduled to expire in 2024. The Donnelly-Portman bill would permanently extend this authorization.  

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb today signed two workforce-focused bills at Cummins Global Distribution Center in downtown Indianapolis. The bills—HEA 1002 and SEA 50—were among Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level priorities for the 2018 legislative session. “These two bills position us to transform the state’s current approach to workforce development,” Gov. Holcomb said. “In the months ahead, we’ll assess our current programs, align them better to the needs of real job creators, and make them more accessible and easier to use.” This new legislation will expand access to training funds for Hoosier adults and employers via the state’s Next Level Jobs initiative.

The Indiana Supreme Court, Office of Admissions and Continuing Education, has an immediate opening for a full-time Support Specialist/Processor. The salary for the position is $35,000 and higher based on qualifications and experience. The Indiana Supreme Court, Disciplinary Commission, also has an immediate opening for a full-time Administrative Assistant. The salary for the position is $32,000.00 and higher based on qualifications and experience. State of Indiana benefits apply. Deadline to apply for these positions is March 30, 2018. For more information visit: www.in.gov/judiciary/2621.htm

During the 2018 session, House Republicans successfully passed legislation boosting K-12 school funding, strengthening the workforce, attacking the opioid epidemic and increasing government efficiency. House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis) discussed advancing these top priorities and continuing to move Indiana forward. Bosma also talked about new policies including House Bill 1002 and Senate Bill 50. these bills are now heading to Governor Eric Holcomb for consideration as new laws.

A sobriety checkpoint will be held somewhere in Lake County during the evening hours of Thursday, March 22nd, 2018, in conjunction with this month’s Operation Pull Over Blitz 43 Campaign," Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." Motorists entering the checkpoint are asked to have their driver’s license and vehicle registrations readily available to minimize the amount of time they are delayed. Motorists can expect short delays of only two to three minutes during the checkpoint. Troopers will be out in force before and after the checkpoint looking to get impaired drivers off the roadways. Troopers encourage all motorists to call

Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today introduced legislation that would make permanent a pilot program that currently allows officers and enlisted service members to take a short “sabbatical” in order to improve work-life balance. The Career Intermission Program (CIP) currently allows officers and enlisted service members to temporarily transfer out of the active duty component and into the Individual Ready Reserve for up to three years while retaining full health care coverage and base privileges, as well as part of their salary. This transfer extends their active duty service requirement by twice their

The Women United annual “Power of the Purse” dinner and auction of new and gently used purses, held on Thursday, March 15 at 6 PM at the Pottawattomie Country Club in Michigan City, IN, raised nearly $10,000 in support of collective impact projects in LaPorte County. This year’s fundraising efforts topped last year by more than $1,300. 160 new and gently used purses were donated to Women United by local supporters and partners for the silent and live auctions. 81 people attended the event. Celebrity emcee, Ric Federighi of 95.1 FM and AM 1420  WIMS kept the crowd laughing and

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) spoke on the Senate floor on Tuesday about the path forward in Yemen and his legislation with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), S.J.Res.55, to pressure the Saudi government to end the civil war in Yemen and to take additional steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis there. Senator Young thanked Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Corker for his commitment to markup Yemen legislation in the committee next month. “As many know, over the last year, I have focused persistently on the humanitarian situation in Yemen,” said Senator Young. “Given the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and our national security interests there,

Three people were ejected from their car when they rolled their vehicle on the I-65 southbound to Ridge Road exit ramp. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy revealed at approximately 5:13 a.m. on Tuesday morning, a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was exiting from south bound I-65 to Ridge Road when it failed to negotiate the curve.  The Chevrolet went off the roadway, down the embankment and rolled numerous times. All three occupants were ejected from the Chevrolet.  They were identified as Breanna Johnson, 24 of Chicago, who was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Hobart with non-life threatening injuries.  Darrell A. Jones, 29 of