News

April is Financial Literacy Month, and Secretary of State Connie Lawson is kicking things off by celebrating the one year anniversary of Indiana’s unique financial literacy curriculum. In early 2017, Secretary Lawson launched the Indiana Moneywise Financial Education Program pilot in six Indiana Counties. The program was announced at Riley High School in South Bend, and introduced an online interactive curriculum that simplifies complex financial principles and allows high school students to engage through videos, simulations, and social networking. In late 2017, the program was expanded to allow all Indiana schools to participate at no cost to the schools. Since

Lubeznik Center for the Arts presents its first annual Curatorial Roundtable on Thursday, April 12, 2018 from 6:30 to 8 PM. A panel of established and emerging curators will exchange their ideas about the role of the curator in this public, moderated discussion. This roundtable is intended to spark meaningful conversation about the arts and to highlight the cultural richness in our region. For more information please visit www.lubeznikcenter.org or call 219.874.4900.

Porter County is now hiring for the full time position of Extension Program Coordinator. The successful applicant performs a variety of relatively standard duties according to standard operating procedures. Assignments and objectives are set jointly by the County Extension Director, Extension Educator(s), and incumbent with work priorities primarily determined by the Extension Educator(s) and service needs of the public. On rare occasions, decisions are made in the absence of specific policies and procedures, and/or guidance from an Extension Educator, exercising judgement to maintain accuracy of information, and to locate and correct any errors. Work is reviewed upon completion of specific

Residents and businesses in southwest lower Michigan and northern Indiana affected by flooding in February may find some financial relief through low interest loans offered by the US Small Business Administration. A Disaster Loan Outreach Center is scheduled to open 11 am Tuesday, April 3 in Berrien Springs, at Berrien RESA, to help applicants determine if they qualify. The center will be closing operations on Tuesday April 10.

Applications are now open for On My Way Pre-K, which is Indiana's early childhood education pilot program that provides grants to 4 year olds from low-income families. State Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) recently spoke about the benefits of attending a high-quality pre-K program and the requirements for eligibility. Behning also discussed how On My Way Pre-K will help Hoosiers. Space is limited in the 20 pilot counties which include Lake and St. Joseph and families should apply early. For more information and to apply visit: www.onmywayprek.org

It’s that time of year again, when riding your bike to work is made possible with the South Shore Line’s Bikes on Trains program. Bike cars are now available on select weekday rush hour and select weekend/holiday trains until Oct. 31. Bike-rack equipped train cars are clearly marked with a bike symbol prominently located on the windows of the car to indicate they are bike rack-equipped in addition to regular seating. Bike-rack equipped trains include weekday Trains 6, 106, 11 and 111. For more information and to find bike-rack equipped weekend trains, please visit our Bikes on Trains web page,

Craig Phillips, Director of Michigan City’s Planning and Redevelopment/Inspection Department will be the speaker for the Tuesday, April 10th Lunch With The League. His presentation will include information, updates and future projects, as well as questions and answers afterwards. The 12:00 noon program will be held at Patrick's Grille, 4125 Franklin Street, 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 11:30am and may purchase a lunch of their choice from the menu, in time for the 12 noon presentation. Lunch/Dinner With The League presents

The United Way of Porter County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is still accepting appointments for the 2018 tax season. The program is a free tax preparation service staffed by IRS-certified volunteer preparers that assist taxpayers in filing both federal and state returns. Now through Monday, April 16, daytime appointments are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and on Saturday, April 7. The program is open to individuals whose adjusted gross income is $54,000 or less. Participants must schedule an appointment to utilize the service. Beyond meeting the income threshold criteria, additional documents and information is required. For program requirements and

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson and the Indiana Department of Revenue have joined together to create a 2 hour seminar which provides information that is beneficial and valuable to the success of Indiana Auto Dealers. The intent of this training seminar is to alleviate confusion and provide Indiana dealerships with the necessary information, resources, and skills to reach their maximum potential, as well as open lines of communication between state offices and auto dealers. Area presentations include: Lake County- April 16th 11:00a-1:00p or 1:30p-3:30p CST (two separate presentations) located at the Dyer Auto Auction, 641 Joliet Street, Dyer, IN.

On Friday, at approximately midnight 52 year old Robert Gafeny of Georgia was driving Cadillac XTS with three occupants in the middle right lane of I-80 eastbound near the 8.8 mile marker. 40 year old Thurman E. Dockery Jr. of Gary, Indiana was driving a Chevrolet Cruze in the right lane. Mr. Gafeny then changed lanes into the right lane, and was rear ended by Mr. Dockery’s vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed. Mr. Dockery’s vehicle then traveled north across all lanes of travel and crashed into the inside barrier wall. Mr. Gafeny was able to

The emerald ash borer continues to ravage woodlands in every Indiana county. But the dreaded pest faces ramped-up resistance in the form of treatments funded by a growing group of citizens and organizations. With the help of a $20,000 grant from the Dr. Laura Hare Charitable Trust and additional donations, the Indiana Parks Alliance has topped its initial fundraising goal by raising $28,770 to combat the invasive insect that attacks and destroys ash trees. The funds will be used in IPA’s Save Our Ash Trees campaign to initially treat 100 mature, seed producing ash trees at several state parks and

Porter County is now hiring for the full time position of Extension Program Coordinator. The successful applicant performs a variety of relatively standard duties according to standard operating procedures. Assignments and objectives are set jointly by the County Extension Director, Extension Educator(s), and incumbent with work priorities primarily determined by the Extension Educator(s) and service needs of the public. On rare occasions, decisions are made in the absence of specific policies and procedures, and/or guidance from an Extension Educator, exercising judgement to maintain accuracy of information, and to locate and correct any errors. Work is reviewed upon completion of specific

Students at Barker Middle School in Michigan City have raised $1,344 to support the American Heart Association through a "Hoops for Heart" fundraiser. Barker's twist on "Hoops for Heart" is a free pass for fun on the last class period of the last day before Spring Break. This year, the event took place on Thursday, March 29. Students reported to the gym and played either dodge ball or "Omnikin ball" which is played with a giant ball on a volleyball court. This year, 144 Barker students took part. The effort was spearheaded and promoted by the Barker Student Council and

Beginning Monday April 2nd, NIPSCO and contracted crews will be using a helicopter to replace 12 miles of optical ground wire on lattice towers from Dune Acres to Michigan City, which will increase internal communications and connectivity to improve overall service reliability for customers. This project is just one of many existing and future investments planned as part of the company’s long-term effort to modernize the gas and electric infrastructure across its entire service area. Area residents and the public may notice the helicopter working from Monday to Saturday during normal business hours. Completion of the project is expected by

A tour at Michigan City’s Barker Mansion on April 7 at 6:15 pm titled From Opposite Shores: Young Titan and Midwest Millionaire will explore the correlation between one of Britain’s most notable Prime Ministers and one of the American Midwest’s wealthiest industrialists. Winston Churchill and John Barker may have lived shores apart, but comparisons will be gained by looking at their failures and successes within their personal and public lives. Guests will experience the Barker Mansion’s efficacious innovative additions in the form of electricity, plumbing and heating during the time frame of 1901-1915. The tour will lead participants through the back rooms

INDOT announced the reopening of two stretches of state highway that were closed for weeks due to floodwaters, while another stretch remains closed. State Road 39 is back open, between State Road 10 and U.S. 30, also State Road 8 is back open, between U.S. 35 to State Road 39. These stretches were closed back in February due to high water from historic rainfall and remained closed, despite that high waters appeared to have receded, to allow for testing to ensure there was no damage on or under the roadway. Some minor repairs will be needed on these highways in

In honor of National Stop the Bleed Day on March 31, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) Division of Training and Preparedness is reminding Hoosiers of basic training and services available to help save a life during emergency situations. Stop the Bleed is a national campaign launched by the White House in October 2015. As part of the agency’s training and preparedness goals, IDHS is working to make Bleeding Control Basic courses more available throughout Indiana. For additional information about IDHS and the Stop the Bleed initiative, visit dhs.in.gov

The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF) will celebrate the grand opening of its memorial building on Thursday April 5th 2-3pm in the Indianapolis area. The building is the only one of its kind in the nation, honoring inductees of the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame from all branches of the Armed Forces. The organization honors Hoosiers who demonstrate outstanding military and civilian service.The event Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame 5360 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216. Call (317) 630-1363 if you would like to attend.

Portage Police have an update regarding a February Hit & Run Fatal crash on Hamstrom Road in which Joseph Bonner was struck and killed. 40 year old Simmie D. Fluker of Gary is in custody on the charges of leaving the Scene Resulting in Death, and Felony and Driving while suspended resulting death.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning and alerting citizens of a scam. Earlier this month, a homeowner who resides in northern La Porte County, was approached by 3 alleged contractors at her residence. The subjects advised the homeowner that Indiana law required a yearly chimney inspection. The homeowner agreed to allow the subjects to “inspect” her chimney. Upon the completion of the “inspection”, the homeowner provided one of the subjects with a substantial amount of money. The three suspects are Caucasian males; one being approximately 6’0” in height, having dark hair, in his mid-30’s, another being approximately 6’0”