Mishawaka

MISHAWAKA - A local animal rescue group is searching for some foster homes, thanks to a new law cracking down on puppy mills in Ohio. Until the Ohio legislature passed the bill last week, puppy mill owners in the state were only required to give their dogs food, shelter and water. The dogs were allowed to be in a cage all of the time. 121 dogs at one Ohio puppy mill have been delivered to animal rescue groups across Indiana, including 13 that have ended up at Heartland Small Animal Rescue in Mishawaka.

MISHAWAKA - Mirko Jurkovic, a member of Notre Dame's 1988 national championship team and consensus All-American lineman, died Wednesday at the St. Joseph Medical Center in Mishawaka from complications from colon cancer. He was 42. Jurkovic was a four-time letter winner who played defensive tackle for the '88 squad and moved to guard, where he started on teams that won the '89 Orange Bowl and '91 Sugar Bowl. He was named Notre Dame lineman of the year by the Moose Krause chapter of the National Football Foundation in 1991 and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round of the 1992 draft.

SOUTH BEND - A new home for a local animal shelter could mean more lost and abandoned animals find their new home. Pet Refuge has been working to raise money for the last 27 years to buy a new building. That building is bought, and they say it will be much better for the animals that live there and the volunteers who maintain it. A big sign is out front announcing the transition. It's right off the bypass in South Bend, so much easier to get to. Their current facility is in Mishawaka in the middle of a residential area.

MISHAWAKA - Restrictions are put in place today on a busy road in Mishawaka. This could slow down your commute to and from work or school this week. The center lanes of Lincolnway West from Ironwood to Byerly Court are closed for sewer maintenance, according to a news release from the city. The work will go from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.  One lane of traffic will be open in each direction during that time. The work is scheduled to wrap up on Friday.

MISHAWAKA - Today is going to be a big day for watch parties all across Michiana. Local businesses are gearing up to meet those game night party needs. Sales have gone through the roof at Bruno's Pizza these past few months. "We've definitely had our busiest fall this year and this is true at all of our locations. It has a lot to do with the success of the Notre Dame season," said manager Mike Welsch. Workers expect those sales to continue to skyrocket today during the BCS Championship Game.

If the Irish win tonight, you won't have to wait long to get a championship T-shift, sweatshirt, or hat. Dick's Sporting Goods in Mishawaka plans to open right after the game, but ONLY if the Irish win. They will stay open until 2 a.m. Then the store will re-open at 6 tomorrow morning... But again, that's only if Notre Dame wins. If the Irish lose, the store will open in the morning at its normal time.   We have a crew in Miami covering the championship game.

MISHAWAKA - A car hit a pedestrian at a busy Mishawaka intersection Thursday morning, but the injuries turned out not to be life threatening. Around 7:10 a.m., police were called to Lincolnway East and Byrkit. Investigators say a Honda Civic heading west on Lincolnway was turning left onto Byrkit when the car hit a pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with knee and head injuries but should be okay. Police were not releasing the names of the people involved pending notification of family.

BAUGO TOWNSHIP - A small plane crashed at the Mishawaka Pilots Club in western Elkhart County late Wednesday morning. It happened around 11:30. Two people were onboard. The plane was landing when the pilot lost control, and the plane flipped. The pilot said he's been flying since 1967, and it's never happened to him before Wednesday. "I wasn't scared," said Steven Lesher. "Just one of those things that happens. We got into the snow, and it started coming up, and I thought, 'oh no,' and we ended up on our back.

Mishawaka is the latest community to start uploading crime reports to an interactive online map, which helps explain those flashing lights you might've seen in your neighborhood. The website, www.CrimeReports.com , displays a colored icon on blocks where police investigated thefts, assaults, homicides, traffic emergencies, fires, and other calls. The map, which is updated three times a day, also shows the names, addresses, and photos of registered sex offenders.

MISHAWAKA - Mishawaka police found an active meth lab in the parking lot of a Kroger store Wednesday afternoon. Officers were called to the Kroger at 12 th St. and Merrifield Ave. shortly after noon. The call was about a suspicious car in the parking lot of the grocery store. Police found 2 people in the car, questioned them, and that led to the discovery of an active meth lab inside their maroon-colored Camaro. Both people were taken into custody and taken to the police station for interviews.