News

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”

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today his office will appeal a Lake County judge’s decision prohibiting the state from recovering funds overpaid to two former administrators in the Munster school district. In 2016, the State Board of Accounts (SBOA) found that former Superintendent William Pfister and former Assistant Superintendent Richard Sopko, both now retired, received annuity payments during their tenure to which they were not entitled. The SBOA designated more than $841,000 as misappropriated -- $463,922.75 of which went to Pfister and $377,475.28 of which went to Sopko. A Lake County judge ordered that the state could not collect any

This morning, just after 4 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an unknown address on Long Lane for a reported structure fire. Members of the Scipio Township Volunteer Fire Department arrived and located the structure fire. The residence, located at the 3200 block of South Long Lane, in rural Scipio Township, was a complete loss. In addition to the residence being a complete loss, two motor vehicles that were in an attached garage, were also destroyed during the fire. Fire Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and began to investigate. The Fire Investigators successfully made contact with

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is warning Hoosiers about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, often called fake weed, K2, spice, OMG, Scooby Snacks, AK-47 or other names, after reports this month that individuals in Illinois and Indiana suffered severe bleeding after using the substances. Healthcare providers, schools and health departments encountering unusual cases of bleeding in individuals should inquire about potential exposures to synthetic marijuana. Anyone who has a serious reaction to synthetic cannabinoids should call 911 or go to the emergency department immediately. Individuals who experience bleeding symptoms should not take themselves to the emergency department but

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that $161.2 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 66 cities, towns, and counties in rural portions of Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements as well as sidewalk and trail projects. Combined with local funds, approximately $212 million is being invested in infrastructure in communities receiving funds. Types of projects receiving funds include 27 bridge rehabilitation/replacement projects; 31 resurfacing/reconstruction projects; 17 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) projects that include work such as sidewalks, ADA ramps, and trails; and 6 traffic safety projects. A list of all communities receiving funds

Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the 39th Annual Indiana Sheriff’s Association North Youth Leadership Camp that will be held in June of this coming summer. The session will be June 26th through June 29th at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village, located in Warren County, Indiana. The Indiana Sheriff’s Association Youth Leadership Camp is a program provided by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more about a possible career in law enforcement. The camp provides a very meaningful experience and an

An abortion law that goes into effect in Indiana this summer isn't sitting well with some, and the idea of a legal challenge is being tossed around. Governor Eric Holcomb, who bills himself as pro-life, signed SEA 340 last weekend. It requires doctors to disclose the age, education, marital status and race of the woman who receives an abortion. It also keeps track of the number of abortions each patient has had. Patti Stauffer from Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky says it puts unnecessary restrictions into place and is government intrusion into the sacred relationship between doctors and their

The Michigan City Police began receiving information through citizens of Michigan City of the latest scam attempt. Although this one has been around awhile it still comes up in different variations all of which appear to be an emergency. This scam is where someone’s email account has been “hacked” and the hacker then has access to your “contact list”. With this information the hacker then sends emails out to your friends and personalizes each one using your name. The scam email goes something like this... "Mike, I hope you don’t think I’m crazy but I am in trouble and I