Local News

PORTAGE - Schools were on lock down and police responded for several hours Thursday morning when the department received reports from several people regarding two men walking down the road with firearms.  Portage Police Chief Troy Williams says several calls came into the Portage Police Department at about 7:40 a.m. reporting sightings of two men walking near Fegely Middle School.

Today:  on this Reporters' Roundtable, we hear from "Times" education reporter Carmen McCollum and "Post-Tribune" reporter Carole Carlson.  Both talk about the stories they contributed online and in print for their respective newspapers.   We also hear from MAAC Foundation's Celina Weatherwax about the next graduating class of volunteer firefighters from the Valparaiso-based Fire Training Academy.

Today:  Michael Noland, the president of NICTD, talks about the progress of the two South Shore Line projects now moving through the funding and planning stages -- "Double Track NWI" and the "West Lake Corridor," which expands the commuter railroad service south from the existing east-west line through Hammond and Munster and into Dyer.

We also have the latest in a decision from a federal court judge on a request to allow East Chicago residents affected by the lead contamination in the area to participate in the court case. 

NORTHWEST INDIANA - Average retail gasoline prices in Northwest Indiana have fallen just over 11 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.44/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 314 gas outlets in Northwest Indiana. This compares with the national average that has fallen almost four cents per gallon in the last week to $2.57/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.com says prices have plummeted nicely and prices declined another three cents per gallon on Monday.

Today: we revisit our conversation last month with Porter County Commissioner Jeff Good about the county's major capital improvement projects and the successful bond issue that is supporting them. 

We also bring you another conversation from the Welcome Project at Valparaiso University.  The Welcome Project collects first-person stories and pairs them with intentional conversations to help forge stronger ties within and across our communities. This conversation is particularly poignant, because it involves a "DREAMER."

VALPARAISO - A Ben Franklin Middle School teacher has been accused of having "inappropriate communications" with a student. "The Times" reports Associate Superintendent Julie Lauck confirmed the allegation was brought to the administration's attention on January 31st. The incident allegedly happened three years ago.  The conversations took place on instant messaging.  The teacher has been placed on a leave of absence.

Irene Boone Phillips and Mike Meska, both with Franciscan Health -- a lead community agency for the Lake County Smoking Prevention and Cessation Program -- came into the Lakeshore Public Radio studio on Monday to talk about the efforts this week, and the week of February 19th, across Indiana to tell stories and conversations that they hope will emphasize the importance of stopping smoking -- or not beginning to smoke at all. 

Both Irene and Mike say they want to make sure no one suffers any longer from the impact of the tobacco industry.

Today: Irene Boone Phillips and Mike Meska, both with Franciscan Health -- a lead community agency for the Lake County Smoking Prevention and Cessation Program -- join us in the studio to talk about the efforts this week, and the week of February 19th, across Indiana to tell stories and conversations that they hope will emphasize the importance of stopping smoking -- or not beginning to smoke at all.  Both Irene and Mike say they want to make sure no one suffers any longer from the impact of the tobacco industry.

CHESTERTON - The South Shore Line has released a statement regarding the snow that's expected during the winter storm tonight into tomorrow (Thursday into Friday).  The significant snowfall that's expected over the next couple of days is within the South Shore Line service area. At this point, the South Shore anticipates all trains being on time, but they will keep passengers updated on any changes or service disruptions via their website, mobile app and email alerts and of course you can get that information at Lakeshore Public Radio, 89.1 fm.

Today:  on this Reporters Roundtable Thursday, we turn to Meredith Colias-Pete with the "Post-Tribune" for her stories, mainly about education and the General Assembly session, and to Jon Gard, who is a reporter for the LaPorte "Herald Argus" and the Michigan City "News Dispatch."

NORTHWEST INDIANA - On the heels from a ration of about one to three inches of snow that hit the Region Monday evening, another round of snow is headed for Northwest Indiana.  Todd Kluber, Meteorologist with Chicago National Weather Service Office in Romeoville says we'll start to see the new snow system on Thursday.

Today:  Dr. Vanessa Allen McCloud, the president and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana joins us to talk about the 6th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards Luncheon, to be held on March 22nd in Merrillville.   She explains the categories for this year's awards -- how applicants can put in nominations for them -- and how the awards fit in with the Urban League's goals of promoting, encouraging and enhancing services for all minority groups in northwest Indiana.  The deadline for applications for this year's awards is February 16th.

The Nurse-Family partnership, a successful program to help new mothers.  It's a program of Goodwill Industries Central and Southern Indiana and -- in our region -- Goodwill Industries of Michiana.  We talk with Paulette Maxie, director of operations of Nurse-Family Partnership and new northwest Indiana mother Julia Cook-Jones.  Julia not only has a new baby to take care of, but she's also working on her degree from Purdue University Northwest. Here's the conversation, aired on Tuesday on "Regionally Speaking."

NORTHWEST INDIANA - Average retail gasoline prices in Northwest Indiana have risen just under nine cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.58/g Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 314 gas outlets in Northwest Indiana. This compares with the national average that has increased almost two cents per gallon in the last week to $2.60/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, on Tuesday said prices are a bit higher than they were a week ago.  

Today: a conversation with Andy Downs, the executive director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics in Fort Wayne, about the half-way point in the 2018 General Assembly session.   Bills that originated in the Indiana House had to pass by Monday to make it to the Senate, and Senate-originated bills had to jump through the same hurdles on Tuesday.  He talks about the House bills now headed up for Senate review.

NORTHWEST INDIANA - Northwest Indiana is getting hit with more snow.  Ricky Castro, Meteorologist with the Chicago National Weather Service in Romeoville says the system is going to be a continuation of what the Region received over the weekend.  Castro says the snow on Monday was expected to arrive in Northwest Indiana at around three in the afternoon, or slightly before.

Today:  Tami Silverman, the president and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute, joins us to talk about the 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book, broken down by counties.  She goes over the data for northwest Indiana.  You can see the entire Data Book at the IYI's website. 

Nick Johnson from the website HomeSnacks.net also joins us, to talk about their latest Safest Cities in Indiana List -- and four Lake County communities are in the Top 10.  The entire list is here. 

There’s no shortage of Catholic institutions in the state – including Notre Dame, Marian University and Fort Wayne’s University of Saint Francis – who might either partner with or compete against a re-opened St. Joe's.

On this edition of "Lakeshore Update," we'll hear from Sharon Jackson as she reports on a rise in gas prices over the past two weeks across Northwest Indiana. Jill Sheridan talks about a $12 million dollar budget for substance abuse programs in Central Indiana. Then, "Regionally Speaking" host Chris Nolte talks about Ivy Tech Community College's new five-year strategic plan. All of that, and more, on this edition of "Lakeshore Update."

Today:  On this Reporters Roundtable Thursday, we bring on "Times of Northwest Indiana" reporters Dan Carden and Joseph Pete and "Post-Tribune" reporters Carrie Napoleon and Greg Tejeda to talk about the stories they covered and wrote for online and in print.

NORTHWEST INDIANA - February 1st through March 16th you may see large piles of peanut butter across Lake and Porter Counties.  The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is having a peanut butter drive to help spread the love in the spirit of Valentine's Day and the organization invites everyone to help.  Individuals and groups across Lake and Porter counties will be holding peanut butter drives, collecting thousands of jars to be distributed to local individuals and families facing hunger this season.

Today:  we revisit our conversation with former Gary Mayor Scott King.  King was Mayor from 1996 to 2006.  He talks about his experiences as Mayor and how the city of Gary's recovering from tough financial times, including some major improvements made at Gary-Chicago International Airport..

Carl Lisek offers this week's edition of "Green Fleet Radio."  He talks with Richard DeBoer, Executive Vice President of Ozinga about the business and its efforts to "go green.".

NORTHWEST INDIANA - Average retail gasoline prices in Northwest Indiana have risen just over two cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.50/g Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 314 gas outlets in the Region. This compares with the national average that has increased 3 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.57/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy said as of Tuesday gasoline prices prices were looking good for the consumer, but consumers shouldn't get too excited.

Today:  Elizabeth Lynn, the executive director of the Institute for Leadership and Service at Valparaiso University, tells us about the spring 2018 "Pathways to Purpose" speaker series on campus, now underway through May 2nd.  This series welcomes exemplary practitioners of leadership and service, including VU alumni.  The speakers come onto campus on Wednesdays, and more information about the  program series is available here.

Indiana University Northwest is offering a discussion on LGBTQI rights at Indiana University and Indiana on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Gary campus' Savannah Center.  The University invited the veterans' program director at Indiana University South Bend, Rhiannon Carlson, to lead the discussion.