PORTER COUNTY

Section of County Line Road closed until Friday

The Porter County Highway Department and Norfolk & Southern Railroad will close the Porter-LaPorte County Line Road today through Friday from County Road 900 North to County Road 1100 North for crossing repairs.

PORTAGE TOWNSHIP

Assessor's office will be closed for classes

The Portage Township assessor's office will be closed Oct. 9 and 10 for continuing education classes.

For information, call (219) 759-8221.

MICHIGAN CITY

Bionics expert to speak about new technology

Michael Chorost, an authority in the field of bionics and medical technology, will present the talk "Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human" as part of the Sinai Forum presented by Purdue University North Central.

Chorost was born with severe hearing loss in both ears due to rubella. He received hearing aids and learned to talk at age 3. In 2001, he lost his remaining hearing and later received a cochlear implant.

He will speak about advances in bionic technology at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Elston Middle School, 317 Detroit St.

Subscription tickets are on sale at PNC-Porter County Graduate Center, 600 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso, and other locations, or by calling (219) 785-5697. Students with ID are admitted free.

Visit www.sinaiforum.org for information.

INDIANA

State agency advises drivers on deer activity

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be wary of deer in the coming weeks.

Nearly half of all accidents involving white-tailed deer occur between October and December because of an increase in deer activity, the DNR reports.

Drivers should remember:

- Fall is the most common season to strike a deer.

- Deer are most active between sunset and sunrise.

- Deer often travel in groups. If you see one, another is likely nearby.

- Drive especially carefully in areas where you have seen deer before.

- Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Scan for illuminated deer eyes or dark silhouettes along the side of the road.

- If you see a deer, slow your speed drastically, even if it is far away.

- Exercise extreme caution along wood lot edges, hills or blind turns.

- Never swerve to avoid a deer. Most serious crashes occur when drivers try to miss a deer but hit something else.

If you hit a deer, do not approach it unless you are sure it is dead, the DNR said. Deer hooves are sharp, powerful and dangerous.

PORTER COUNTY

Election Day reminders from Porter County clerk

The Porter County clerk's office reminds residents that Election Day is Nov. 4.

Porter County is still seeking poll workers. Anyone interested in working at the polls on Election Day should call (219) 465-3484 for information.

The last day to register to vote is Monday. For information on voting, contact Hoosier Voter Hot line, (866) 461-8683, or visit www.indianavoters.com.

Absentee voting begins Monday. Voters can avoid long lines by voting absentee or voting by mail, the clerk's office said.

Those who are 17 can vote if they turn 18 on or before Nov. 4.

Register or submit your absentee vote at the following sites:

- Valparaiso office, 155 Indiana Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

- Portage office, 3560 Willowcreek Road, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.