State health officials are urging Indiana residents to get their flu vaccinations to protect themselves from influenza this season.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Life threatening rains have hammered South Carolina this past weekend claiming five lives.

INDIANA — Monday is the final day to register to vote in Indiana and Michigan for the general elections on Nov. 3.

MUNCIE — The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a group of all-singing, all-strumming Ukulele players performing at Emens Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. A pre-concert “ukulele jam” will take place in Emens’ Williams Lounge from 5-7 p.m. Bring your own ukulele and jam with fellow ukulele enthusiasts! Tickets are available now at …read more.

HAMMOND — A full-size replica of the train that carried President Abraham Lincoln’s body across the United States more than 150 years ago will be on display at the Indiana Welcome Center Oct. 8 through Oct. 11. Also on display will be the Leviathan No. 63 Locomotive and tender.

INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County now has a new way to deal with veterans who run into trouble with the law.

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly joined Marshall County Commissioners, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) leaders and dozens of U.S. veterans to celebrate and officially open the new Veteran’s Parkway/7th Road interchange in Plymouth, off the U.S. 31 freeway.

CHELSEA, Mich. — Has something ancient been unearthed near Chelsea, Mich.,? Paleontologists from the University of Michigan spent the day digging up the bones of an adult woolly mammoth.

SOUTH BEND — The completion of the South Shore Train boarding platform will be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 5, with a ceremony including remarks from representatives of the St. Joseph County Airport Authority and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

THREE RIVERS, Mich. — We’re getting a better idea of who the winner of a $310 million Powerball jackpot is. According to WDIV-TV, coworkers say the longtime manufacturing plant employee was working the overnight shift at Aquatic in Three Rivers when she realized she won. “I see everyone crowding around her, and I went up to ask what happened, …read more.

SOUTH BEND — The biggest TV station group in the nation has acquired a new broadcaster.

INDIANAPOLIS -The second-ever class of inductees into the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame has been announced. This year’s list includes two former Indiana governors.

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Multiple casualties are being reported in a mass-shooting that has taken place on the Umpqua Community College. A suspected gunman was detained after reportedly killing 10 people at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College.

PERU — More than three dozen Air Force jets are being moved to northern Indiana’s Grissom Air Reserve Base ahead of Hurricane Joaquin possibly hitting the East Coast.

INDIANAPOLIS — Registered nurse tops the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s 2015 list of the regional Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs. The department says rankings are based on growth and opportunity measures designed to identify the most high-wage, high-demand jobs in the state.

NILES, Mich. — Apples are in abundance in Michigan, especially at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival in Niles.

BLOOMINGTON — Police say a man and woman have been found dead at a Bloomington apartment complex in an apparent murder-suicide.

NASHVILLE — On Oct. 9-11 bikers, spectators, enthusiasts and everyone in between will be able to experience some of the best mountain biking in the Midwest. The Brown County Epic Mountain Bike Festival will be opening that weekend in the Brown County State Park, providing plenty of gorgeous scenery and mountain biking trails.

FORT WAYNE — Running now through Jan. 3, Science Central will be home to a special touring exhibition entitled, “Amazing Maize.” This temporary exhibition explores the science and history behind the ancient grain we call corn.

THREE RIVERS, Mich. — If you live in Three Rivers, know someone who lives in Three Rivers, or randomly filled up at a gas station and bought a lottery ticket in Three Rivers, drop what you are doing and check your numbers: Michigan Lottery officials say someone hit the $310.5 million Powerball jackpot on Wednesday night.

FLORENCE, S.C. — Salvors who picked over a Civil War gunboat probably thought the cannons were with the rest of the wreckage in a South Carolina river.

GOSHEN — In a Sept. 29 meeting, the Goshen School Board finally agreed on a retirement date for the Redskin mascot. On Jan. 1 the mascot and logo will be retired from the Goshen school community.

INDIANA — The U.S. Department of Education has announced this years’ National Blue Ribbon Schools, and ten Indiana schools have made the list. The honor is based on high performance or notable progress in closing achievement gaps.

INDIANAPOLIS — Experience the first-ever museum exhibit featuring the four heroic ninjas-in-training, Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Leap to the rescue and learn teamwork, collaboration and problem solving as you work your way through puzzles, mazes and obstacles. Explore their sewer-like lair, where good guys win and bad guys lose. Since 1984, these four iconic …read more.

FORT WAYNE — Those who love history and being spooked are in luck. There are several haunted walking and bus tours taking place this weekend in downtown Fort Wayne that are sure to intrigue and scare. Haunted Walking Tours This is no ordinary walking tour. Participants will tour downtown Fort Wayne and hear about its dark, bloody past …read more.

PLYMOUTH — For one day only the Marshall County Museum is going “loco.” This Saturday, Oct. 3, the Marshall County Museum will open its doors to every train enthusiast in the area and every inch of its exhibit space will be filled with locomotives. Exhibitors from throughout northeast Indiana will be operating the models, providing …read more.

GRANGER —The ITR Concession Co. announced the beginning of Phase 1 of its Travel Plaza Master Plan on Sept. 28, which will extensively renovate Indiana Toll Road amenities available to travelers. With a budget of more than $30 million, the massive restoration plan includes the demolition and rehabilitation of eight travel plazas. After this project is …read more.

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. — The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians’ Four Winds Casinos announced a winner won a $1,225,317 jackpot Monday, Sept. 14, at Four Winds, New Buffalo. The jackpot was hit on a $1 Wheel of Fortune Pink Diamond slot machine, manufactured by International Game Technology PLC. IGT launched Wheel of Fortune slots in …read more.

SANFORD, Fla. — It’s not unusual for Florida police officers to respond to wild animal calls. Alligators, bears, families of ducks — you name it, officers have heard it all. But Monday morning, a 911 caller reported something that even the Sanford Police Department called a little “out of the ordinary”: a mail-eating monkey sitting on …read more.

The 2015 Fishers Renaissance Faire opens on Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. and closes Oct. 4 at 6 p.m.  It is located in Hamilton County at the Klipsch Music Center. Tickets are available online and until Oct. 1. Faire-goers may be able to get advanced early bird tickets, which are $10 for adults, $5 for …read more.

ADELAIDE, Australia — A koala dubbed “Bear Grylls” was released back into the wild in South Australia after it miraculously survived being hit by a car traveling along a highway. Named after British adventurer and TV personality, Michael “Bear” Grylls, the koala ended up safely wedged in the car’s grille and remained stuck there for the …read more.

A new report from BankRate.com finds that 30 million Americans tapped their retirement savings for an emergency within the past year. BankRate Senior Analyst, Greg McBride, said the report also found that 21 million Americans aren’t saving for retirement at all and many who are saving aren’t putting away enough. “The next big hurdle for a lot …read more.

SOUTH BEND – The South Shore Line could be suspending service come Jan. 1.

SALEM, MASS. — Police in northeastern Massachusetts say a 7-year-old boy turned in a checkbook to police that contained $8,000.

NEWPORT — Competition rule changes will allow more antique motorcycles to compete in the 48th Annual Newport Antique Auto Hill Climb. The historic event, scheduled for Oct. 2, 3 and 4, will also hosting Dennis Gage and the film crew of cable television’s “My Classic Car” for a weekend of shooting material for upcoming episodes. …read more.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. –– A banner has gone up on the old Hoffman Hotel building, announcing loft units are soon to be available for interested artists. The developer says they’re not taking applications for artists looking to live in the renovated hotel.  The units-all loft spaces-should be available in December, as long as renovations continue …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS – Former State Representative Bill Crawford, known as a champion for civil rights and equality during a legislative career that spanned more than 40 years, passed away this morning after a recent illness.  Representative Crawford was the longest-serving African-American state lawmaker in Indiana history and his influence on several high-profile Indiana initiatives, including the …read more.

GARY — Methodist Hospitals will break ground soon on a renovation of its emergency department and intensive-care unity, part of a $31 million revamping of the Gary hospital. The hospital system hopes to start construction on the Northlake Campus ER next month for an October, 2016, completion date.  Methodist hopes to contract with as many …read more.

LAWRENCE — Lawrence police arrested 44-year-old Shuron Scott for neglect after she allegedly left two children she was babysitting alone in an SUV Sept. 24 while she shopped at a Pendleton Pike Kroger.

INDIANAPOLIS—Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the world to the newest iPhones earlier this month- and the new devices hit store shelves today. New features include a 12 megapixel camera, capable of shooting 4K video, and a new feature called 3D Touch, which is sensitive to finger pressure for starting various applications.   The new iPhone …read more.

ELLINWOOD, KAN — Around 9:46 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, police were called to the area of Northeast 10 Road and Northeast 120 Avenue near Ellinwood. They found an abandoned vehicle in the roadway, which was impounded by deputies.

MEDARYVILLE — If you enjoy birding there is a great event set to take place at the end of Oct. The employees at Jasper-Pulaski state Game Preserve invites the public to come see over a thousand Sandhill Cranes dancing, eating and preening at dusk on Saturday, Oct. 24

CHICAGO — One woman in the Chicago area is asking for people to share a random act of kindness that she recently witnessed in a McDonald’s restaurant.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Faheemah Fowler, 34, has been arrested for theft after police say she allegedly embezzled money from the South Bend Ivy Tech Community College book store. The South Bend Police Department says Fowler had been embezzling money for months from July until September.  According to the report, Fowler would ring up an …read more.

FORT WAYNE — Kids and families are invited to experience the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s Wild Zoo Halloween presented by Star Financial Bank event Oct. 16-18, 22-25 and 29-31 from 12-6 p.m. with last admission at 5 p.m.

HAMMOND — A full-size replica of the train that carried President Abraham Lincoln’s body across the United States more than 150 years ago will be on display at the Indiana Welcome Center Thursday, Oct. 8 through Sunday, Oct. 11.

GOSHEN— Goshen College has announced it has withdrawn from the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. The move comes after the college’s recent decision to allow the hiring of married gay and lesbian faculty and staff as part of their LGBT non-discrimination policy and hiring practices. The Council of Christian Colleges and several CCCU institutions …read more.

MICHIGAN CITY — A 24-year-old man, reported as Earl Helmuth, 24, Nappanee, drowned after being one of six people swept from a Michigan City break wall by a wave Saturday evening, Sept. 19.

INDIANA — The 12th Annual State of Obesity report reveals large regional and racial differences when it comes to obesity in America.

ALBION — As authors Mark and Emily Hunter promote their book about Noble County history, it was inevitable that they’d find their way back to an Albion location where they’ve already held two book signings — a building that also appears in their newest book.

CALIFORNIA — A large majority, around 72 percent of drivers bring their pets along for rides, but most don’t use restraints to keep their furry friends safe, according to a new survey.

SOUTH BEND — Construction has begun on the new $50 million Memorial Children’s Hospital in South Bend. The project, led by Beacon Health Systems, is supported through $10 million in donations and is expected to open in 2017. The 100,000 square-foot expansion plans for hematology, oncology, pediatric intensive care services and a roof garden and family lounge. …read more.

ELKHART — The Indiana Supreme Court has overturned murder convictions for three of four Elkhart teens. The teens, including Blake Layman, then 16, Levi Sparks, then 17, Jose Quiroz, then 16, along with Danzele Johnson, 21, broke into the home of a neighbor of Quiroz, while Anthony Sharp, then 18, stayed behind to act as a …read more.

WASHINGTON – A former chief deputy auditor for LaPorte County was convicted today by a federal jury in the Northern District of Indiana of embezzling over $150k from the LaPorte County government, tax fraud and defrauding her elderly father-in-law out of at least $400k.

INDIANAPOLIS — Among 20 finalists in the competition to become global financial management company’s “Firm of the Future” are two Indianapolis accounting firms.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — World famous amusement park, Cedar Point, announced this week that a new, record-breaking roller coaster will debut next season. Valravyn, a dive coaster, is named for the mythical Danish ravens that consumed bodies of the dead on a battlefield and gained supernatural powers. Its drop will be more than 200 feet. The coaster …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — There’s a major change in the process of applying for financial aid for college.

GOSHEN — “Let’s Pull Together For 4-H” is the theme for the 2016 Elkhart County 4-H Fair, July 22-30, chosen by incoming president Dr. Robert Zell. The theme was announced during the annual Elkhart County 4-H Fair appreciation banquet held on the fairgrounds. “I had several different ways to go. I thought about having the …read more.

MAINE — A Vietnam war veteran who died 50 years ago was finally given a proper burial.

INDIANAPOLIS — New nonstop flights from the Indianapolis airport have been announced this week by Indianapolis Airport Authority and American Airlines.

CARMEL — According to WTHR, FBI agents conducted raids at several locations across Hamilton and Marion Counties, including the residence of the CEO of American Senior Communities, a company that provides long-term care to seniors. WTHR reports the raids began early Tuesday, and at noon, federal agents were seen going in and out of the home …read more.

[weaver_youtube XF_WtKTwp1M rel=0]   MICHIGAN — Just over a year ago, OK2Say was created to encourage Michigan students to anonymously report potential crimes through a phone app. Tested in the 2014-15 school year, the app is now being advocated by Attorney General Bill Schuette. The app was specifically created so students could report bullying, and …read more.

NORTH LIBERTY — Get lost in the beauty of a tallgrass prairie at Potato Creek State Park’s Prairie Maze, open now at 25601 SR 4, North Liberty.

Last year, Drew Iwanicki was paid $18,000 in 70 days. NASA had put out an advertisement for a study on bedrest that made its way to Reddit. Iwanacki saw the ad and applied one day, think nothing of it. NASA, however, responded fairly swiftly, and soon, Iwanacki was lying on his back getting paid $10 an hour.

NEW YORK — The Minority Youth Matters Movement announces its intention to begin a national movement directed at NASCAR Motor Sports, its racing team owners and sponsors. The MYMM will launch a nationwide campaign in 14 cities and 17 locations throughout the United States on Sept. 20.

NEW YORK — Avon native Drew Lynch is vying for the top prize on America’s Got Talent this week on NBC.

INDIANAPOLIS — Residents of a neighborhood in Indianapolis awoke to fire officials and hazardous materials officials cleaning a white powder from their front lawn. The powder dusted a two-block radius in the 1700 block of South Moreland near Tibbs and Minnesota.

ILLINOIS — In the grassy cornfields of Southern Ill. bats are on the hunt for insects, and according to new research, farmers have more than a billion reasons to be grateful for it.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is among 21 states that will receive federal grants to add more service station pumps for gasoline blends with more than 10 percent ethanol, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The amount of the grant is not known, but the agency said that Indiana will be able to add an estimated …read more.

SHANKSVILLE, PA.— The Flight 93 National Memorial opened the doors to their new $26 million visitor center complex on Thursday, one day before the annual 9/11 observances in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington.

FORT WAYNE — The Indiana Gaming Commission has declared this month that the revenue garnered from casinos has declined a considerable amount since last year. Adjusted gross revenue was $173 million, compared to $184 million in the same month last year.

PLYMOUTH— The Ray L. Price Foundation, a local philanthropic organization, has donated the city of Plymouth a new park. The 12-acre Price Memorial Park had, for several years, previously operated as private park. The property includes many features, including a swimming pond, fishing pond, gazebo, playground, and picnic shelters. Mayor Mark Senter said “on behalf …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS— Gas stations on the south side of Indianapolis are reporting that gas has fallen below the $2 mark. According to GasBuddy.com, gas at several stations was reported to be at the $1.99 mark.

GRAND RAPIDS — ArtPrize, the radically open international art competition decided by public vote and expert jury, is pleased to announce the participating artists and venues paired at the close of the Connections period, when artists and venues independently organize the city-wide exhibition.

EUROPE — Cait MacPhee, a physicist at the University of Edinburgh, has been experimenting with a certain protein that makes ice cream melt slower. The protein BslA, which is in many foods as a helpful bacteria, has made ice cream that lasts longer in the summer heat.

INTERNATIONAL — A 12-year old girl in Britain is now considered one of the smartest people in the world. Lydia Sebastian has scored an astonishing 162 on Mensa’s Cattell III B paper, Which means she has a higher IQ than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

NOBLESVILLE — The annual White River Festival, a 17-day celebration of the White River, its tributaries and the surrounding watershed, will highlight the theme of “create” Sept. 11-27 at venues and locations throughout central Indiana.

WASHINGTON D.C – Universities and colleges in Indiana have received high marks according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the nation’s top schools. Rating schools on up to 16 factors of academic excellence, the publication’s best colleges list the nation’s top schools in four categories, based on the types of degrees offered. …read more.

CONCORD — Last week, a letter was received by Concord School in Goshen concerning the nativity scene in their upcoming Christmas show. The letter was sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

CHICAGO — Based on a study done involving in-home exams and questionnaires, new research has indicated that almost half of U.S. adults either have diabetes, or pre-diabetes.

KENTUCKY — The county clerk who was sentenced indefinitely to jail last week for not issuing same-sex marriage licenses has been released from jail today, Sept. 8. Kim Davis, who has become a hero among Christian conservatives, was released from jail just hours before a rally was supposed to take place outside the jail.

WEST LAFAYETTE — A Purdue University doctoral student who recently completed an eight-month stay in a domed habitat says the hardest part was the isolation and the lack of “surprises and new things.”

NEW JERSEY — Two women are facing charges today, Sept. 4, for instigating a “fight club” at the daycare they worked at in N.J. Erica Kenny, 22, and Chanese White, 28, were charged for encouraging fights between the children they were supposed to be taking care of. The toddler fights were posted on Snapchat as …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — In an effort to keep patients connected to their classrooms while receiving care, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health operates an ongoing Bear in the Chair program. Once a patient is admitted for two weeks, Riley staff sends a teddy bear to the child’s classroom. The bear sits in the child’s …read more.

By TOM FARRIS T.L. Farris and Associates MUNCIE — American college towns are becoming appealing places to live – for all ages, from retirees to young people. They are looking for the cultural events, quality of life, sports and recreational activities, community engagement opportunities, job opportunities and entrepreneurial spirit found in college towns.  The realtor.com data …read more.

ELKHART — Concord Community Schools in Elkhart might soon be facing a lawsuit for a nativity scene in their annual Christmas concert, depicting the birth of Jesus Christ.

FORT WAYNE— Sweetwater Sound Inc., based out of Fort Wayne, is planning to add  up to 285 new jobs over the next three years. Sweetwater, founded by Chuck Surack in 1979, is the third-largest music instrument audio retailer in the country. An $8.8 million project that includes expanded facilities in Allen County has construction set …read more.

ELKHART- Today, Thursday, Sept. 3, at 9:20 a.m. Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department officers responded to the Concord High Schoo,l which is located at 59117 Minuteman Way in Elkhart for physical altercations involving four students.

INDIANA — Due to the reopening of the oil refinery in northern Indiana, gas prices are expected to plummet heading into Labor Day weekend.

NEW YORK — After nearly nine months, the NFL scandal that would not go away is finally over. Tom Brady has been cleared of the charges set against him about “Deflategate,” and his four-game suspension has been overturned.

ELKHART — September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and what better way to support the initiative than by gathering as a community in the heart of Elkhart to raise funds and awareness for local youth?

MONTICELLO — There’s a new owner for Indiana Beach. Apex Parks Group, based out of California, has purchased Monticello’s Indiana Beach Amusement Resort and is excited about the opportunity. “Indiana Beach is a fabulous addition for us. We are pleased to work with the park team and local community to grow this jewel of a resort …read more.

DEKALB COUNTY — A 24-year-old man from Ashley was arrested today, Wednesday, Sept. 2, and lodged in the DeKalb County Jail, without bail, following an investigation into allegations of sex crimes involving a minor female during the summer of 2013.

MARSHALL COUNTY – Marshall County law enforcement is investigating an animal neglect and abuse case that some say is the biggest they have ever seen. Brian Watts, trainer and border for the company SBK Training Ranch, left his home in Inwood, leaving dozens of animals to fend for themselves. More than 30 animals were found Friday …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS— Safety, when it comes to car seats, is a priority for many parents. The seat not only needs to fit the child, but it also needs to fit the car. A new study, however, shows that this isn’t always the case. The Ohio State University College of Medicine tested near 3,600 different combinations of …read more.

INDIANA — There were eight members of the Indiana State Police SWAT, representing the three department teams recently competed in the Conn. SWAT Challenge 2015, a nationally recognized event in which they placed fifth out of 30 teams. According to Trooper Brian Dunkin, who is assigned to the Fort Wayne Post, he and his seven …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis resident has concocted an all-natural lip balm that is going nationwide in CVS pharmacies all over the U.S. Dan Gosling, creator of ChopSaver lip balm, never thought his invention would get to where it is today, but his all-natural recipe is now being sold alongside name-brand lip balms. “ChopSaver is an …read more.

FORT WAYNE — Heartland announces the hiring of four full-time vocal artists to lead the organization to a new level of artistic and musical excellence.

NEW CARLISLE – DNR says a black bear that can’t seem to make up its mind on a new home, may have wandered back to Indiana. The report came early in the week that the bear, who has gone back and forth between Indiana and Michigan all summer, might have damaged a bird feeder and …read more.

FLORIDA –The disorganized tropical storm Erika has left at least 12 dead in the Caribbean, with others still missing, and is now aiming for the coast of Florida. Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of the storm, which is expected to remain a tropical storm when its forecasted to hit …read more.