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A bill authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) would prohibit the use of any electronic device while driving. Under Pressel’s bill, Indiana drivers would not be able to perform any action on an electronic communications device, like a cell phone or smartphone, while operating a motor vehicle. If caught, the offense would be a Class C infraction. The offense can be enhanced to a misdemeanor or felony if the driver has past convictions of the offense or if it results in serious bodily injury of another person. Current law states that a person may not use a telecommunications

Twenty-four year old Tanner Grove, was sentenced for his crimes for a February 2, 2017, crash that resulted in the death of Justin Dean. He was convicted of Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Death. The Court imposed a 12 year sentence with 10 years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction and 2 years suspended. Grove was also ordered to serve 2 years probation upon his release. On February 2, 2017, Tanner Grove used a vehicle to flee from a Nappanee Police officer who had attempted to initiate a traffic stop. During the pursuit, Tanner Grove crashed in St. Joseph County,

Valparaiso University announced that Susan VanZanten, Ph.D., will join the Valpo faculty as dean of Christ College — The Honors College, effective July 1, 2018. VanZanten joins the college as its first female dean during its 50th year as an honors college, marking another milestone in the college’s rich history. In her role as dean, VanZanten will be responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination and guidance of Christ College.

University Park Mall,in Mishawaka, will host a model casting call Saturday, January 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. The call is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 30 years old. Selected models will represent the shopping center in future campaigns, events, and in-mall fashion shows. To be considered, applicants should bring one headshot and two additional, non-professional, candid photographs. All models will be asked to provide their measurements and preferred sizing at the casting. The casting call will be held in the Mall Office. Those interested are encouraged to check in on the Facebook Event Page, https://www.facebook.com/events/564728380533062/.

The extreme fluctuation of temperatures dipping above and below freezing the past few weeks has created prime conditions for potholes on Indiana interstates, U.S. routes and state highways. Where possible, crews will limit their daytime work hours and try to avoid working in travel lanes during peak times.  However, motorists might encounter maintenance crews making priority repairs any time, day or night. To report a pothole on a numbered state route, interstate or U.S. highway, contact your regional INDOT district or follow the “Report a Concern” link at potholes.indot.in.gov or on the INDOT mobile app. For potholes on city streets

In an update to a January 15th Porter County crash, in front of 209 W State Road 130, the Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team was informed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office that the front seat passenger in the Dodge Dakota, 28 year old Jessie R Dexter, of Valparaiso succumbed to her injuries and died on Monday at Loyola University Medical Center. It was determined that Dexter was also pregnant at the time of the crash, resulting in the baby also dying. The other occupants of the Dodge Dakota were identified as: the driver 28 Lucas Smith from Valparaiso,

Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.4 percent for December and remains lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent. With the exception of one month when it was equal (October 2014), Indiana's unemployment rate now has been below the U.S. rate for more than four years. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) voted to send the president legislation that ends the government shutdown, suspends the job-killing medical device tax for two years, and reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years. The House passed an amended version of H.R. 195 on Monday, the Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, by a vote of 266 to 150. The bill, which passed the Senate earlier Monday, would extend government funding through February 8, 2018, as well as suspend the medical device tax for two years and renew CHIP funding for six years. The bill now heads to President

Lawmakers in Indiana are being asked to bump the tax on cigarettes by two dollars a pack this legislative session. House Bill 1380 is authored by Gary Representative Charlie Brown, who says the idea is to make smokers feel, in their wallets, the urgency of quitting a very unhealthy habit. Bryan Hammon with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network says Indiana's tobacco tax is very low compared with most other states, and yet the smoking rate is well above average. Hannon says not only is it a deadly habit, it's costing taxpayers and businesses a lot of money. Hannon

Looking for a career that makes a difference? The La Porte County Family YMCA is now hiring for its Aquatics Department. Available positions include lifeguards, swim instructors and Aquatics Coordinator. If you are hard working and have a positive attitude, The Y would love to hear from you. No previous experience is required for our lifeguard and swim instructor positions, and the Y will provide training and/or certifications as needed. They are able to work around a variety of schedules but are particularly in need of staff members who are available to provide daytime coverage on weekdays. Y employees receive

Lubeznik Center for the Arts' (LCA) spring class & workshop offerings for children, teens and adults are currently open for registration. Weekly classes are available for those looking to develop new skills and workshops for those looking for a little "me time" and focus their creativity for a day or two. Offerings run from March 12 through April 14.  Classes fill quickly so all are encouraged to register early. To see a full listing of classes and to register for classes and camps please visit lubeznikcenter.org. Find out more about our expert faculty under the "Instructor Bios" link under the

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will open the 2018 individual income tax filing season on January 29th. The last day of tax season is scheduled for April 17th. Hoosiers can visit freefile.dor.in.gov to see if they qualify for INfreefile. For more information, customers may visit the website at dor.in.gov or call DOR Customer Service at 317-232-2240, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST.

This week, Indiana State Police officers will join their colleagues with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Illinois State Police and Michigan State Police, along with the organization Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) to educate motorists about the signs of human trafficking and to enforce laws that crack down on traffickers. To report human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733. For more information about TAT, visit truckersagainsttrafficking.org.

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) now has the ability to audit small business owners suspected of claiming fraudulent business expenses, thanks to a collaborative partnership with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Businesses with an individual owner, known as sole proprietorships, may be required to fill out a 1040 Schedule C tax form as part of their federal income taxes. The Schedule C form lists all income, expenses, costs of goods sold and vehicle information, as a step to determine their federal gross income. The federal gross income is then reported to DOR when filing state individual income tax forms.

Indiana Conservation Officers arrested two Porter County men as a result of a concentrated patrol effort Friday evening, focusing on addressing snowmobile violations in southern LaPorte County. The area of US 421 and 375 South was saturated with officers from several agencies, including Indiana Conservation Officers, Westville Police Department and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office after a group of snowmobiles fled from Conservation Officers around 10:30 p.m. Friday and traveled to this area. 38 year old Matthew Clark of Valparaiso was arrested after he failed to stop for a Westville Police Officer attempting to conduct a traffic stop on 400

The Porter Police Department is investigating a stolen vehicle from the Travel Center of America (north) truck stop. The vehicle was taken on January 19th at approximately 12:15 AM. The surveillance video shows a male subject walk through the parking lot and get into a Blue 2016 Jeep Compass and drive away. A video is posted on the Town of Porter Police Department Facebook page. Please contact the Porter Police department 219-926-7611 with any information.

The League of Women Voters of La Porte County is pleased to present Diane Gonzales, Secretary of the La Porte County Board of Commissioners for the February 13 Lunch With The League. Her program will include updates on current projects and issues in La Porte County, and she will answer questions afterwards. Join the LWV for this informative 12:00 noon program at Patrick's Grille, 4125 Franklin Street in Michigan City. The general public is invited and reservations are not required. For non-members, a donation is requested. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 11:30 and may purchase a lunch of their

They may be gone but their service and sacrifice has not been forgotten. Yesterday, the Michigan City Fire Department paid tribute to Captain Lee Brady who died responding to call of a mayday on January 22, 1959 at the Liberty Theatre Fire. Captain Lee Brady was thirty six years old and had over twelve years of service on the Michigan City Fire Department. Captain Brady was assigned as an Assistant Fire Inspector and worked days on the Michigan City Fire Department.  His shift for the day had ended at 4:00 PM and he was on his way home when the

The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) awarded its winter Get Active, Get Fit! prize on January 16, 2018 to Maddox Maxfield, a five-year-old from La Porte. His prize was his very first brand new bike and Spiderman helmet - his favorite superhero. Even through winter is here, it is important for children to continue being active. Sledding, building snowmen, and playing outside in the snow are all great ways to be active for 30 minutes or more each day. Maddox has stayed active this winter through the pre-school program at the YMCA. Among other community partners like the city

This past Thursday at around 8pm, the South Bend Police Department received a report of gunshots fired in the 1100 block of Clover St. Officers were dispatched to the area and located a single vehicle crashed on Hildreth St. near Twyckenham St. (this is approximately one block east of Clover). In an update, Friday an autopsy was completed for 17 year old Tysiona Crawford, the victim from Thursday’s homicide investigation. The forensic pathologist determined the cause of her death to be gunshot wound and the manner of her death to be a homicide. This remains an active and on-going investigation,