The DNR has announced award winners for 2023 fish of the year. Each year, anglers from around the state submit their biggest hook-and-line catches from Indiana waters hoping they will top the list for their species. Winning entries for Fish of the Year are determined by the total length of the fish. Participants are required to submit information about their fish, including where they caught it and the bait they used. They must also include a photo documenting the measured length of the fish. Below is a list of local fish of the year catches: Species    Length (inches)   

The City of Valparaiso is reminding residents that brush and yard waste collection service is by request for the months of January, February and March. Customers wanting brush or yard waste picked up January through March may request this free service via email at CityServices@Valpo.us or phone at (219) 462-6174. Customers may also utilize the online request Valpo Voice at tinyurl.com/ValpoVoice to request services.

Get free camping while serving as an Indiana State Parks campground host. In this role, you will welcome campers and help keep the campground comfortable picking up litter, cleaning fire rings and completing other duties, depending on the property.  See the complete list of hosting duties at on.IN.gov/DNRCampgroundHost. The following properties are still looking for hosts. If interested, contact Jody Heaston at jheaston@dnr.IN.gov or email the property that you are interested in: Clifty Falls State Park, CDuff1@dnr.IN.gov Harmonie State Park, JWerry@dnr.IN.gov Monroe Lake, jvance@dnr.IN.gov Pokagon State Park, NBrown2@dnr.IN.gov Potato Creek State Park, ADegroot@dnr.IN.gov Raccoon SRA (Cecil M. Harden Lake), RPlotkin@dnr.IN.gov

Press release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with a lineup of events recognizing culture, achievements, community and history of Black Americans and the African diaspora. “Black History Month serves as a vital platform for education, celebration and acknowledgment of the profound contributions of African Americans to every facet of society,” said Darien Thompson, PNW director of Student Success and Urban Engagement. “By sharing and celebrating these accomplishments with the community, we not only honor the rich heritage of the Black community but also promote understanding, empathy

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales and his election administration staff are closely monitoring reports of attempted candidate petition signature fraud coming from county election offices where workers are responsible for verifying signatures and addresses. As February 9th deadline for candidate filing for Indiana’s 2024 Primary Election nears, last week a handful of county election offices reported concerns involving apparent fraudulent signatures and invalid addresses on nomination petitions filed for voter certification. The Secretary of State’s Office has been in communication with election administrators in the counties reporting these issues. Proper protocol, which involves preserving materials and notifying law enforcement

In anticipation of its Annual Dinner, the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) has been soliciting nominations for its Annual Awards ceremony. Winners for Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Community Impact of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, and Ambassador of the Year will be announced during the Annual Member Dinner on March 15th. These five award categories will recognize individual people and businesses who have made a difference in our business community throughout 2023. Nominations have been qualified and the Chamber Awards Committee is happy to announce the finalists in each category: Large

The Michigan City Police Department recently swore in six new police officers. This brings the total to 82 of the 84 allotted officers. The officers were sworn in by Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch administering the Oath of Office and Chief Corley, Forker, and Cooney administering the Oath of Office. The new officers are Brandon Drake, Jared Kiselka, Jacqueline Hinson, Makiyah Smallwood, Brandon Williams and Bryan Woodman. These new officers will spend the next several weeks going through training with the MCPD Division of Professional Standards.

  Lt. Gov. Crouch, IHCDA launch crowdfunding campaign for HydroFido K9 Splash Park $50,000 goal to receive a matching grant through IHCDA’s CreatINg Places initiative LA PORTE, Ind. (Feb. 1, 2023) – LaPorte County will soon have more space for dogs and dog lovers if this crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal of raising $50,000 by March 17, 2023. If successful, the project led by Bethany Lutheran Church and The Jane Bernard Animal Adoption Center will receive a matching grant as part of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s (IHCDA) CreatINg Places program. "I'm thrilled to watch this project come to life on

A driver was arrested for OWI after crashing while his passenger who was also intoxicated was arrested after fleeing police in another vehicle, according to Westville police. On Sunday at approximately 3:20 p.m., a part time deputy observed a property damage crash at the north junction of U.S. 421 and U.S. 6. During the crash investigation, Deputy Miller developed probable cause to believe the driver that caused the crash, a Valparaiso man, to be under the influence of alcohol. The driver was taken into custody and charged with operating while intoxicated and operating without ever obtaining a license. As the

Michigan City Police are seeking the public’s help identifying the occupants of a Ford Escape involved in pellet gun shootings that resulted in an injury and property damage. The Michigan City Police Department received numerous complaints of property damage and a pedestrian being shot by an unidentified person discharging a pellet gun on Sunday between approximately 04:40 p.m. and 06:30 p.m.. The incidents occurred in the central and west side areas of Michigan City. Michigan City police continue to receive additional complaints of property damage caused by a person discharging a pellet gun. Video surveillance was collected and shows an

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW CHIEF OF POLICE, CHIEF RICHARD BUELL! Dermody taps Buell as new Chief of Police Mayor Tom Dermody today announced and swore in Richard Buell as the new Chief of Police for the City of La Porte Police Department. A La Porte County native, Buell’s policing career began at LPPD. He advanced quickly through the ranks, holding the titles of Patrolman, Corporal, Field Training Officer and Firearms Instructor during his six-year tenure. Following his stint on the city department, Buell served 20 years for the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office as a Sergeant, Captain, Chief of Detectives

There will be a Valpo Car Seat Safety Clinic on Saturday Feb. 17 from 3pm to 5pm at the MAAC Center located at 4203 Montdale Park Drive in Valparaiso. Appointments are required.

Shipshewana On The Road returns to Valparaiso, Indiana on March 16th & 17th! Gift, Food and Craft Show is a weekend of fun where you'll find anything and everything under the sun! Looking for something fun to do? How about a day of shopping for the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun? For the past two decades, Shipshewana On The Road Gift, Food and Craft Show has brought the most interesting, most innovative, most creative and just plain awesome products to our customers. You’ll find thousands of unique items that you may not find anywhere else! Come and

The Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) worked cooperatively to acquire 267 acres of prime wildlife habitat that borders the Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area.                         (Credit: Indiana Ducks Unlimited) The announcement was made on Friday which was World Wetlands Day. In February 2023, the property went up for auction and was a high-priority acquisition target for DWF. Due to the timeline of the state appropriation and acquisition process, DNR would have lost out on the ability to bid at auction. However, DU offered their help by purchasing the property at auction and

Indianapolis, IN — Indiana state Rep. Pat Boy (District 9) was recently recognized for supporting Term Limits for Congress by signing the U.S. Term Limits Pledge, which states that "as a member of the state legislature, I will cosponsor, vote for, and defend the resolution applying for an Article V convention for the sole purpose of enacting term limits on Congress." Aaron Dukette of U.S. Term Limits presented Representative Boy the "Champion of Term Limits" plaque, which reads, "In recognition of a steadfast commitment to restore citizen government through term limits." The U.S. Term Limits Article V convention application is

LA PORTE - When a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, their chances of survival begin at 10%. If CPR is administered quickly, that person’s chances of survival increase to 30%. When CPR is coupled with the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), the chances of survival rise to 50%. Those statistics underline why early bystander intervention is critical to saving lives. Immediate intervention by a bystander is just one of many recommendations set forth by the Citizen CPR Foundation to improve outcomes to sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. Through a specific set of training, preparation, and response protocols, Citizen CPR

Choral music students from several Michigan City Area Schools took part in the District Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contests on Saturday, January 27, at Valparaiso High School, with many receiving gold and silver ratings. Twenty-one students from the MCHS Choral Department participated – and seven of them will move on to the ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble Competition at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis later this month (February 17). Those students are Madison Gresham, Paige Merrill, Madelyn Parry, Younha Seppyes, Brooklyn Wade, Naomi Williams, and Alyssa Workman. At the contest on January 27, MCHS

The City of Michigan City in partnership with Flaherty & Collins (developer for the 11th Street Train Station along the South Shore Line’s Double-Track NWI Project) is hosting a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Vendor Open House on Feb. 15. Construction-related DBEs with the capacity to work on this project are invited to attend the open house to share their companies’ core competencies and services, and to connect with prime contractors and project partners from the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). Check out it 10 a.m. until noon on February 15th at 1108 Franklin St. (the

UPDATE-LaPorte County- The Indiana State Police Lowell Post has additional information to release regarding the fatal crash that our agency was requested to investigate in LaPorte County. The Indiana State Police was requested to investigate a fatal crash that involved a LaPorte County police car. The investigation showed that a suspect had been handcuffed and secured in the front passenger seat of a 2021 Ford Explorer police car assigned to Deputy David Grimberg. It was determined that the suspect was able to manipulate the handcuffs, unbuckled the seatbelt, took possession of the police car, and drove away from the scene in

The BP Whiting refinery experienced an operational issue Thursday due to a power outage which caused workers to be evacuated and roads to be shut down. There was a flaring of excess gasses to relieve pressure on the system according to Lake County Officials.   The Lake County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency posted the following statement on their Facebook page: "The BP Whiting refinery has experienced an operational issue due to a power outage at the plant and is flaring excess gasses to relieve pressure on the system. Atmospheric readings are being taken around the plant and are