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This past Friday U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) applauded new policies announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to address the opioid crisis by encouraging the use of non-opioid alternatives. “The opioid epidemic is a serious crisis that impacts every community, which is why I’ve been working to find commonsense solutions like improving access to non-opioid alternatives,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “Last week, the president signed bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid epidemic, including my bill named in honor of Dr. Todd Graham. Today’s announcement is an important first step to build on Dr. Graham’s legacy by breaking

Shortly before 12:30 pm on Friday, police agencies in Clark County were alerted by residents near Borden, of a possible plane crash in a wooded area nearby. Emergency Responders arrived at the rural wooded area to find a debris field from the reported crash. After it was determined there were no survivors at the crash site it was secured by police officers. The National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB), and Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA), arrived to assume the lead role in the crash investigation. The Clark County Airport located in Sellersburg, confirmed a flight left their airport at 11:24 am, enroute

Beach access at Portage Lakefront is closed due to the trail to the beach being washed out by storm waves. However, all other areas at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk remain open.

According to the Michigan City Police, Michigan City Animal Control Service Kennels located on MC Central Maintenance property, the gate to access the Drop-Off Cages on the exterior of the kennels will be locked between 3pm-7am Monday - Friday, and closed on weekends, if you or someone you know found a dog or cat and intended to drop-off and it's during these hours, please bring the animal to the Michigan City Police Department, either the police or Animal Control staff will make arrangements for care & transport.

Indiana American Water is joining Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson today to break ground on an $8.5 million large-diameter transmission main project in Gary, Ind. Company officials are providing information on more than $127 million of water system infrastructure investment in northwest Indiana.

The Unity Foundation of La Porte County has awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry a grant totaling $1,500 to fund processing fees on donated large game and livestock. This grant was made possible through the generosity of the Fred & Helen Brust Community Fund. These funds will be used to assist Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry in paying processing fees for donations of large game and livestock within La Porte County. Founded in 2011, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry encourages the donation of large game and livestock to the “Meat” the Need program, raises financial support to pay processing fees on these donations,

The Exchange Club of LaPorte County Indiana, Sauers Buick, Big Ford, and LaPorte Chrysler have partnered to support the housing of homeless veterans in Indiana. Through Veterans Matter and the Exchange Club of LaPorte County Indiana, each dealership will donate $11.00 per car sold for the month of November. Veterans Matter is a nationwide Non-Profit organization that works with the Veterans Administration (VA) to house homeless Veterans and their families. Here in Indiana, over 200 Veterans and their families have been housed due to the leadership of the Indiana Chair Person, John Mellencamp. The same day Mellencamp became chairperson of

To show their gratitude, all veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free through the weekend of November 9-11, 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

Tuesday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and others in urging President Trump to suspend negotiations regarding a U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement. The Senators cited the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as Saudi actions in Yemen and Lebanon, as evidence for their concerns related to “the transparency, accountability, and judgment of current decisionmakers in Saudi Arabia.” Earlier this month, Senator Young similarly joined Senate colleagues in triggering an investigation and a Global Magnitsky sanctions determination regarding the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.

Valparaiso University says it will shut down its nearly 140-year-old law school. The decision comes after multiple attempts to find a viable alternative, including a collaboration with Tennessee State University that didn't materialize. Valpo suspended first-year admissions to the program last year and says it plans to teach-out the remaining law students. Approximately 100 second and third-year students are currently enrolled. The university cites "significantly declining" enrollment in law school and shrinking demand for professionals in the field. Valpo says it is working closely with accreditors throughout its teach-out process.

The Michiana Humane Society has lifted the weeks long quarantine of cat adoption and will begin to have the public adopt adult cats for $25 beginning Thursday, November 1st. The shelter had placed a quarantine on cat adoption upon finding that many cats were stricken with the virus Panleukopenia. Sadly, panleukopenia kills vulnerable kittens within 24 hours. The shelter staff quickly recognized this outbreak and acted swiftly to contain the spreading of the virus to other cats and to make sure the adoption process would not be halted for long. The adoption room was closed for two weeks, which is

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement after the U.S. Treasury Department announced that government borrowing this year will be $1.34 trillion, more than double the amount from 2017. The Department expects to issue $425 billion in debt from October through December covering a widening budget gap caused "primarily" by the 2017 McConnell-Ryan tax law. This marks the highest level of borrowing since 2010, when the country was still emerging from the Great Recession. Donnelly said, “Last year, Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan pushed through an irresponsible and partisan tax law that exploded our deficit to benefit the wealthy

LaPorte County Circuit Court Judge Tom Alevizos, accompanied by Juvenile Magistrate Jonathan Forker, swore in the newest group of Court Appointed Youth Advocate (CAYA) volunteers recently. The advocates will support struggling youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system by promoting educational, employment, positive peer relationships, life skills and other short-term goals.  So far this year, CAYA advocates have assisted 50 youth involved in the program this year. Seven more volunteers received comprehensive training of the system as well as engage in the process by observing court. Ongoing workshops and resource collaboration will provide additional tools to assist volunteers

The Michigan City Animal Control Service Division is seeking assistance with DOG/CAT FOSTERING. Currently the Kennels are full and the Shelters MCACS works with are also at capacity. If you are a LaPorte County Resident, LOVE animals, have no previous convictions of animal abuse/cruelty, and would be willing to temporarily "Foster" a dog and/or a cat until space is available, please call Julie Holbrook with the Michigan City Animal Control Services at 219-874-3221 Ext. 1031 for more information. A Foster Waiver Form will need to be completed & signed if approval status is provided by M.C.A.C.S.

The Heart Center at Franciscan Health Michigan City has been awarded as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Heart Center has maintained this distinction since 2016. The Blue Distinction Center designation recognizes better quality care and treatment expertise. Patients at Blue Distinction Centers have improved outcomes, including lower complication rates following certain cardiac procedures. The Franciscan Health Heart Center offers one-stop, comprehensive, patient-centered services provided by a team of board-certified cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, electrophysiologists and an advanced practice nurse.  The center provides the entire spectrum of cardiovascular services, from cardiac catheterizations and

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement on the three children struck and killed at a school bus stop in Fulton County. A fourth child was airlifted to a hospital: “Words cannot express the depth of sorrow Janet and I feel, which only pales in comparison to what family, friends, teachers, classmates and community are feeling right now. Today, and for many more to come, we mourn their loss. I ask Hoosiers around the state to join us by sending your deepest prayers for the strength needed to endure such a time.”

Schools, homeschool cohorts, libraries, and other education facilities in the Lake Michigan Coastal region now have access to unique hands-on on teaching resources to enrich student experiences, thanks to a new rent-a-trunk program at Humane Indiana Wildlife. Five new education trunks address topics including Mammals, Birds, Endangered/threatened Species, and Wildlife Rehabilitation. A Lake Michigan Coastal themed-trunk completes the array of subjects addressed in the available kits. Each trunk contains a wide range of teaching tools—from skulls, furs, tracks, in the “Mammals” trunk; to x-rays, patient records, and daily care logs in the “Wildlife Rehabilitation” trunk. Curriculum, activity guides, media, and

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is encouraging Hoosiers to celebrate a healthy Halloween by limiting the amount of sweets they consume and increasing their physical activity this season. According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, 18.5 percent of Hoosier children between the ages of 10 and 17 were considered obese and 15.4 percent were identified as being overweight. Additionally, reports from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey show that 6.5 percent of Indiana children did not consume fruits or 100 percent fruit juices and 7.3 percent did not eat vegetables. “It’s always fun to celebrate the

Thirty Indiana judicial officers will celebrate National Adoption Day by allowing families and press the opportunity to photograph and videotape adoption proceedings. The Indiana Supreme Court is authorizing cameras in court for uncontested adoptions. National Adoption Day is celebrated to increase awareness of the value of adoption. Many agencies including the Department of Child Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Children’s Bureau, and local adoption agencies will be involved in events across the state. Participating counties will welcome approximately 270 children to join their forever families. The adoptions will occur on the following dates and approximate start times. For more

According to a statement from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday at 1:30am, Porter County Sheriff’s Detectives investigated an aggravated battery, where a subject was reported to have been stabbed in the 500 E block of Carriage Lane in rural Jackson Township. The individual that was injured, was identified as 21 year old Gordon Ray Sharkey III of Lowell. Sharkey was transported to a medical facility for injuries he sustained. The other party involved has been identified as a 21 year old male from Westville (Jackson Twp). All information will be forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office for review. This