The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana has received a ten-thousand dollar donation to help fund the purchase and redevelopment of teacher professional development programs, as well as supplies for the upcoming space adventure summer camp series. Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center, Rebecca Manis, says the donation, from Praxair, Inc., will help the center continue to provide relevant, current, and educational opportunities to both students and teachers. The Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana has provided an educational hands-on experience for over 185-thousand children in the region since its inception in February of 1999.
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Read more: Challenger Learning Center Gets $10,000 Donation

The entire LaPorte eastbound exit ramp on the Indiana Toll Road will be closed to motorists starting at 9pm Central Standard Time tomorrow for concrete testing. Officials at the Indiana Toll Road say the concrete testing will encompass the LaPorte exit bridge deck and substructure, and will reopen at 5am Central Standard Time. Eastbound traffic who normally utilize the exit at LaPorte are being asked to detour at the Michigan City exit. Signage of Wednesday's closure is in place to direct traffic, and officials say the closure will not impact the LaPorte westbound exit ramp or the entrance ramp.
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Read more: LaPorte EB Exit Ramp to be Closed Wednesday Night

The University of Notre Dame will join the Atlantic Coast Conference for athletic competition in all sports except football and hockey beginning with the upcoming 2013-14 seasons.
Notre Dame has been a member of the Big East Conference in most sports since 1995. The University announced September 13 it would leave the Big East to join the ACC. While the vast majority of Notre Dame athletic teams will begin ACC play in 2013-14, the Irish football program remains independent. Beginning in 2014 Notre Dame will play five football games per season against ACC programs.
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Read more: Notre Dame to Join ACC

Testimony is scheduled to continue today in a lawsuit filed against outgoing Lake Juvenile Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura's decision to close the Gary branch of her child support division a little over a month ago, and consolidate it with juvenile facilities in Crown Point, to save tax dollars. Gary and East Chicago city officials and private litigants are asking for the move to be reversed, citing hardship on residents and transportation difficulties. Bonaventura is leaving the bench to become director of the Indiana Department of Child Services.
Read more in today's Times: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/witnesses-testify-juvenile-court-move-from-gary-a-blow-to/article_df4c79eb-75dd-59e7-842e-508a86bb1041.html
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Read more: Lawsuit Tries to Stop Court Move

There's an open house in Schererville this Thursday evening on a proposed Enbridge Energy pipeline project. The company says Line 78 involves building about 77-miles of new crude oil pipeline that will parallel, or twin, Enbridge’s existing Line 62 crude oil pipeline right-of-way from Enbridge’s Flanagan Terminal near Pontiac, Illinois., traveling northeast to Enbridge’s Griffith/Hartsdale Terminal near Griffith, here in the Region.
The Schererville open house is Thursday, March 14, 2013, 5p-7:30p at Andorra Banquets and Catering, San Loria Room, 1112 US 41, Schererville, IN
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Read more: Pipeline Project Open House in Schererville

Michigan City officials, in partnership with NIPSCO and the Indiana Plan for Equal Employment, will host two public information sessions to connect northwest Indiana residents with careers in the construction and building trades industry – and the first one is tonight (Mar 12 5-8:30p). The other one is Wednesday morning (Mar 13 9a-12:30p). Both of them are at Michigan City City Hall. Attendees will learn about construction jobs needed for NIPSCO’s upcoming air quality improvement project at the Michigan City Generating Station. Construction for the multi-year 250-million dollar project began earlier this year and is expected to continue through 2016.
A similar partnership was forged between NIPSCO and the City of Gary in 2012, when the utility was preparing for the first phase of environmental upgrades at the Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield.
Additional info from NIPSCO:
WHAT:        Michigan City officials, in partnership with NIPSCO and the Indiana Plan for Equal Employment, will host two public information sessions aimed at helping northwest Indiana residents get connected with careers in the construction and building trades industry.
Attendees will learn more about construction jobs needed for NIPSCO’s upcoming environmental improvement project at the Michigan City Generating Station intended to improve local air quality. The $250 million investment involves constructing and installing an emissions-control system known as a scrubber. Construction for the multi-year project began earlier this year and is expected to continue through 2016.
A similar partnership was forged between NIPSCO and the City of Gary in 2012, when the utility was preparing for the first phase of environmental upgrades at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Ind.
“Civic-corporate partnerships such as this not only benefit the local economy, they help strengthen our community and workforce, said Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer.
“The upcoming construction project at the Michigan City Generating Station is not only a plus for the environment, it’s an investment in northwest Indiana’s long-term economic success,” said Mike Hooper, vice president of major projects for NIPSCO. “Once the Michigan City project is complete, NIPSCO will have among the cleanest coal fleets in the state and will have created hundreds of local jobs along the way.”
Applicant requirements:
·        Must be 18 years old
·        High School diploma/GED
·        Valid Driver’s License
·        Reliable transportation
·        Mandatory drug screen
About Indiana Plan for Equal Employment: The Indiana Plan’s mission is to help minorities and women gain entry into the building trades by offering comprehensive training and assistance in finding employment opportunities. Visit www.IndianaPlan.org for more information.
WHEN:        Session 1: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CT
Session 2: Wednesday March 13, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
 
WHERE:        Michigan City – City Hall
100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN 46360
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Read more: Info Sessions on Construction Jobs

Officials in Valparaiso have opened bids from three companies seeking to build the city's largest - and most high-profile - roundabout. In our Region Newsmakers interview, Mayor Jon Costas talked to us about the Five-Points Roundabout at Calumet Avenue, Vale Park and Roosevelt Roads.  Utility work is getting underway now, construction could begin as soon as next month, and it's scheduled to be complete by the fall. The work will take place in phases, so the entire intersection won't be shut down. To hear more from Mayor Costas, visit Region Newsmakers On Demand here and at Regionnewsteam-dot-com.
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Read more: Five-Points Roundabout Bids Opened

In Kouts, the community's Democratic precinct committeemen are meeting next week to choose a new town council member. At-large councilman Orville Jefferson resigned his seat in February after he was named building inspector for Kouts. The caucus to choose someone to fill the rest of his term is scheduled for March 20^th at Kouts Town Hall. (6pm)
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Read more: Kouts Caucus Next Week

Michigan City Police are urging residents to stay off the ice shelf at Washington Park, as it is not safe. Police officials report even though it looks solid, it isn't, as air pockets and unfrozen areas have made the ice unstable and therefore, unsafe to walk on. Authorities say the water underneath is icy cold, and a person walking on the ice shelf could fall through a thin spot, possibly causing injury, or even death.
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Read more: Police Say Stay Off the Ice Shelf

Originally, three left lanes eastbound Borman (I-80/94) were closed near Kennedy Avenue due to a crash with traffic reportedly backing up all the way back on the Illinois-side to Torrence Avenue.

Three left lanes closed eastbound on the Borman (I-80/94)

Eastbound I-80/94 is experiencing solid congestion due to crash near Kennedy Avenue.
(photos from INDOT)
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Read more: 2 Left Lanes Still Closed EB Borman Near Kennedy Ave.