News

This year, Indiana and the rest of the country have been hit hard by the flu. People with flu-like symptoms are filling doctor's offices and emergency rooms. Dozens of Hoosiers have died, including last week's death of a 37-year-old mother of two from Plainfield who was diagnosed with the flu just a couple of days before. Sara Hallyburton, a respiratory epidemiologist with the state Department of Health, says unfortunately the flu season is far from over. One hundred seven people have died in Indiana from the flu so far this season according to the State Department of Health. Last year

On Monday morning, Indiana State Police Troopers Anthony Potesta and Brayan Elias-Espinoza stopped to check on a disabled motorist on I-94 eastbound just west of US 421 Exit #34). The driver was identified as 36 year old Armando Vargas-Angel of Aurora, IL. Vargas-Angel stated that he had run out of gas and that he was traveling from work in Western Springs, IL to his home to Aurora, IL. The troopers determined that he was 100 miles off course. Vargas-Angel showed signs of impairment, and a search of his vehicle revealed several baggies of a white powdery substance, suspected to be

FedEx Corp. says it plans to pump $1.5 billion into its Indianapolis hub in the coming years. The global shipping provider, which has detailed multiple large investments in Indianapolis in recent years, credits the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for paving the way for the latest announcement. A company spokeswoman tells Inside INdiana Business, FedEx is not releasing any additional details at this time.

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly announced on Friday, Taylor Nielsen of Lebanon, Indiana, as his guest to President Trump’s first State of the Union speech, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 30. Nielsen is a member of the Lebanon Police Department. In 2016, Nielsen arrived at a horrifying crime scene, where a young mother and her four-year old son had been murdered. The experience left Nielsen struggling with mental health challenges. Nielsen’s openness about mental health challenges as a police officer helped advance Donnelly’s Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act, which was signed into law earlier this month. Nielsen

Friday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that he has invited two Hoosiers to be his guests for the President’s State of the Union address this Tuesday, January 30, in Washington, D.C. Chelsee Hatfield from Windfall, Indiana and Gene Miles from Greentown, Indiana will attend the State of the Union as guests of Senator Young on behalf of First Farmers Bank & Trust to demonstrate the benefits of tax reform in Indiana.

Indiana University Northwest invites the campus and community to “Advocating for LGBTQI Rights at IU and the State of Indiana,” a discussion led by Rhiannon Carlson, veteran program coordinator and counselor at IU South Bend, scheduled for 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30 in the Savannah Center, rooms 205/206. For more information, contact Monica Solinas-Saunders at 219-980-6661 or msolinas@iun.edu.

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is issuing a call for volunteers for the Northwest Region Contest on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Saint Mary's College. Enthusiasm is required, but no experience is necessary to volunteer as a judge for the 2018 National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) contests. NHDI is a yearlong program in which students in grades 4 through 12 research a historical topic of their choosing and create projects in the form of documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites. Judges work in teams to interview students about their project, give feedback, and ultimately, rank winners. Regional winners advance to

Organizations from across the state of Indiana submitted their top ideas for the 20th annual Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. Three organizations have been selected and are being recognized by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Governor Eric J. Holcomb later this month. One of the 2017 award winners is: the Hansen Park Restoration Project – Michigan City High School - Michigan City High School launched the Hansen Park Restoration Project during the 2016-17 school year. The project focused on restoring and monitoring riparian areas of the park along Trail Creek, a tributary of Lake Michigan. The project

Friday, the St. Joseph County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against a 6th individual in connection with the August 2, 2017, shooting deaths of Anton James and Damon Bethel on Frederickson St, South Bend. 27 year old Jermon Gavin, is charged with 2 counts of murder, attempted robbery, 2 counts of attempted murder, and unlawful possession of a a Level 4 felony firearm by a serious violent felon. an arrest warrant ordered issued. Please be advised that the charges filed against the defendants are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) launches new web pages designed to help individuals easily navigate through types of tax credits and deductions this tax season. The pages have easy-to-understand tables outlining who may qualify and what forms are needed. They also contain detailed information for each credit and deduction, allowing taxpayers to learn more if they think they may qualify. Tax credits are applied to the taxable income for the tax year and reduce the amount of tax paid. Indiana has 23 credits applicable to state taxes. These are outlined at https://www.in.gov/dor/4745.htm. For detailed information, customers only have to click

The Michigan City Police Department is pleased to announce that in conjunction with Purdue University Northwest a Free APP for Android Phones/Tablets has been engineered free of charge by a PNW Senior Class (Purdue University Northwest Computer Information Technology senior design project). This APP will provide another avenue for the public to Submit a Crime Tip which can involve knowledge of a student bringing a weapon/drugs to school, information of a crime that has already been committed, information of suspected criminal activity currently happening and so on. Please keep in mind though, for Serious Criminal Activity/Emergency Situations In-Progress such as

On Thursday,  around 12:31 p.m., two Indiana State Troopers discovered over 120 pounds of marijuana while on a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road. The stop occurred eastbound near the 22 mile marker. This is near the Portage Barrier. Troopers observed a grey Dodge Avenger commit several traffic violations while travelling eastbound in front of them. The Dodge was stopped the for the traffic violations near the 22 mile marker. While the troopers spoke to the driver, Howard Montgomery, age 46 of Rochester, NY, and the passenger, Danielle Ruise, age 32 of Roshester, NY, they became suspicious of criminal activity.

On January 25th, at approximately 7:36pm, an unfortunate single vehicle accident occurred at the entrance to the Canterbury Apartment Complex located in the 8400 block of Pahs road. The accident caused a widespread power outage throughout the southern portion of Michigan City. Upon initial arrival, officers discovered a heavily damaged vehicle located resting on the shoulder of the roadway just west of the apartment complex driveway.  Officers soon learned that the sole occupant had been ejected from the vehicle during the violent collision. Despite immediate rescue efforts, the driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. The initial investigation revealed that

Indiana lawmakers will consider several bills that are important to the environment this legislative session. They cover solar, state forests, safe drinking water and factory-farm pollution. Tim Maloney with the Hoosier Environmental Council says there is another effort this year to cut back on logging in some of the state's pristine forests. He says regulators ignored pleas of state residents when they approved a logging plan for the Yellowwood Forest last year. That prompted three Republican senators to author a bill that would set aside 30 percent of state forest land. Maloney says another issue the Hoosier Environmental Council will

Porter County is accepting applications for a Part-Time Custodian. This is a 2nd shift position. Applicants must be able to clean multiple facilities in a small geographical region. This part time position requires working 29 hours a week and pays $10.50 an hour. To apply, please fill out an application in person at the Porter County Administration Building located at 155 Indiana Ave. Suite 307 Valparaiso, or email your resume to mstechly@porterco.org with the subject line being “PT Custodian”.

Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds, announced today that the Indiana Sheriff’s Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. There will be approximately 40- $500.00 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state. To qualify for one of these scholarships, the applicant must be an Indiana resident, be a current member of the association or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member of the association, attend an Indiana college or university, major in a law enforcement field and enroll as a full-time

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is issuing a call for volunteers for the Northwest Region Contest on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Saint Mary's College. Enthusiasm is required, but no experience is necessary to volunteer as a judge for the 2018 National History Day in Indiana (NHDI) contests. NHDI is a yearlong program in which students in grades 4 through 12 research a historical topic of their choosing and create projects in the form of documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances and websites. Judges work in teams to interview students about their project, give feedback, and ultimately, rank winners. Regional winners advance to

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the launch of a teacher recruitment and retention campaign. Two new websites, EducateIN.org and Indiana.Teachers-Teachers.com, will provide those looking for a career in the classroom the opportunity to connect with available openings in education. The online platforms allow the Department to promote positive educational resources and interactions.

Applications for an upcoming vacancy on the Court of Appeals of Indiana are due by April 2, 2018. On Wednesday, Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush announced the availability of the application and details of the process. She encourages judges and lawyers in Court of Appeals District Three to consider applying. The position on the state’s second highest court is available with the upcoming retirement of Judge Michael P. Barnes, who is stepping down from the bench in Summer 2018. Applications to fill Judge Barnes’ seat will be considered by the seven-member Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission. Those interested in applying may

The La Porte County Sheriff's Department has been investigating a rash of residential, and non residential burglaries in the LaCrosse area, (southern La Porte County). A juvenile suspect has been identified, and arrested. Detective James Lear, the lead investigator in this investigation is asking for any residents who may have been a victim to burglaries/thefts in the La Corsse area over the last month; contact him at 219-326-7700 Ext 2410, or via email at jlear@lcso.in.gov