On October 31, 2025, Shawn Ward changed his plea to Guilty, after entering into a plea agreement with the State of Indiana. Mr. Ward was originally charged in September 2024 with two Level 3 Felonies for Drug Dealing, after an intensive investigation by the Laporte County Drug Task Force. Mr. Ward pled Guilty to one Level 3 Felony for Dealing, agreeing to a sentence of 9 years in prison, with 2 years served on probation. In exchange, the State of Indiana dismissed the other Felony. Sentencing before Judge Julianne Havens will be held at a later date in December.  

The Michigan City chamber music festival (MCCMF) is proud to present 2 free, unique concerts for the holidays! The first is scheduled for Monday, December 15, noon, at Michigan City public library, 400 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN. This program will be light & short, appropriate for “children of all ages!” The next program is scheduled for Sunday, December 21, 3:00 pm, at the Bishop’s Mansion at Trinity Episcopal Church, 600 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN. This will also be a light program of traditional holiday music. A service of tea and light refreshments will be served at this performance!

New Durham Estates & Home Sales Hosts Open House Event with State, County, and Local Elected Officials to Celebrate Arrival of Crossmod Homes in Westville From Sitting on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to Now Calling Westville Home, These Innovative Homes Bring Workforce Housing to the Area. WESTVILLE, INDIANA- The community gathered at the two new Clayton Crossmod homes at New Durham Estates to learn about and celebrate these innovative workforce housing solutions for La Porte County. The open house event, which welcomed industry leaders and elected officials, was held in the two new homes located at New Durham

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The first group of emerging entrepreneurial cadets has graduated from the Michigan City Entrepreneurship Development Program Bootcamp, laying the foundation for a stronger entrepreneurial community in Michigan City. The bootcamp is the first phase of the program, which is rooted in the nationally recognized Urban Poverty and Business Initiative developed by the University of Notre Dame. It is centering on underserved residents ready to launch a small business. Entrepreneurial experts guided 16 community members on a range of topics including the foundation and structure of a business, access to capital, marketing, branding, pitching your business, having an entrepreneurial mindset,

The Gilded Page Book Club – “Ragtime” by E.L. Doctorow Wednesday, November 19 | 6:00 PM Step back into the extravagance and upheaval of America’s Gilded Age in the opulent setting of The Barker Mansion. November’s book selection is Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow—a sweeping novel where fact and fiction intertwine, blending real historical figures with a fictional family’s journey through early 20th-century America. Hosted by Craig Golbesky, the Barker Mansion’s Events Coordinator and creator of last year’s celebrated Agatha Christie & Whiskey series, this gathering will foster warm, engaging discussion. Rare pieces from the Barker family collection will be brought out to connect the

Phil Potempa is back at Theatre at the Center in Munster with THANKSGIVING from the Farm Phil Potempa is back at Theatre at the Center in Munster with THANKSGIVING from the Farm on Sunday November 16th at 3pm. For more information call 219-836-3255 or visit www.theatreatthecenter.com. #wims #nwi #localradio

POLKA PARTY at the American Legion Post 451 in Michigan City TODAY November 16th POLKA PARTY on Sunday November 16th with Eddie Korosa Jr. with the girl and boy from Illinois from 2p-6p. Family Friendly. For tickets and information Call 219-879-9827 or stop by 121 Skiwatt Legion Ave, in Michigan City. #wims #nwi #michigancity #localradio

Ice skating returns to Downtown La Porte Thanksgiving weekend. "Enjoy this fun, healthy activity with family and friends, with skating times scheduled on weekends and over holiday break from November 28 through January 25," City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department said on their Facebook page. Watch for specials including FREE SKATE FRIDAYS and BOGO (Buy One Get One) SKATE SUNDAYS. Group outings and skating lessons also available. Want to sponsor a skate or bring out a group? Call 219-326-9600 for more information. To reserve your skate time for November 28-30, visit www.laporteparkandrec.com. For FREE SKATE FRIDAY on November

The American Red Cross will be at Portage City Hall for our last blood drive of 2025. Registration is easy, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter CityofPortage. Give blood 12/8 -12/18 and get a $15 Amazon Gift Card by email.

The Portage Youth Commission is hosting a Food Drive to support the local food bank. The drive runs until December 12. All nonperishable donations can be dropped off in the Portage City Hall Lobby during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (excluding holidays).

The Porter County Health Department announced there will be a blood drive Nov. 26 at the Porter County Administration Center. See the flyer for more details.

Event Welcomes High School Students, Recent Graduates, and Young Adults to Explore Careers in the Trades VALPARAISO, IN — The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) are making final preparations for the 3rd Annual Porter County Construction & Skilled Trades Day on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso, Indiana. Started by CWI and CAF in 2017, Construction & Skilled Trades Day connects Northwest Indiana youth with hands-on experiences in the building trades. Hosted in partnership with Indiana Plan, Northwest Indiana Workforce Board, READY NWI, NextGen NWI, and We Build

Michigan City Festival of Lights Parade registration is open. Michigan City Special Events stated the following on their Facebook page: "The Michigan City Festival of Lights Parade is just around the corner! Registration is open and participation is FREE! Show off your Christmas spirit and be a part of the festivities! Simply fill out the registration and be a part of the fun! https://michigancityin.gov/.../michigan-city-special.../"

JOIN US FOR PANCAKE BREAKFAST  WITH MRS. CLAUS& BUDDY THE ELF! The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club will host a “PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH MRS. CLAUS” on Saturday, November 29th at George’s Gyros, 325 N. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Come and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage and meet Mrs. Claus and Buddy the Elf, and have photos taken with them! Mrs. Claus will let everyone know when Santa will be arriving during the Annual Hometown Holiday Parade later in the day. Both dine in and carry out meals are available. Guests are asked to bring canned goods or boxed

Kabelin Ace Hardware Joins Houchens Food Group – Keeping a Local Legacy Strong Through Employee Ownership A fifth-generation family business takes the next step to secure its future and gives employees the opportunity to share in the company’s success. November 14, 2025 (La Porte, IN) – Kabelin Ace Hardware, a local, family-owned hardware store that has served Northwest Indiana for more than 100 years, announced today that it has joined Houchens Food Group – one of the largest 100% employee-owned companies in the country. All 150+ employees will be retained in the transition, and Kabelin’s will continue to operate under

TURKEY GIVEAWAY at the Marquette Mall in Michigan City this Saturday November 15th right outside of Carson Pirie Scott- PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE NORTH ENTRANCE OF THE MALL ON ST. JOHN ROAD-ARRIVE EARLY. REMINDER. TURKEY GIVEAWAY EVENT. This Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 9 am to 10:30 am Central time, Food Bank of Northern Indiana will provide assorted food items offered free of charge. All items are pre-boxed and pre-bagged. First come, first served, while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. One box/turkey per household, 500 HOUSEHOLDS to be served. Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc. will

Indiana families can now access tutoring grants through Indiana Learns, a statewide initiative that helps qualifying students strengthen their skills in English/language arts (ELA) and math. Enrollment is open through Friday, December 19, and families can begin scheduling tutoring sessions immediately. “As a state, we continue to make progress in both reading and math. Indiana Learns is just one example of our commitment to keeping our foot on the gas pedal and improving outcomes for students,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Indiana Learns specifically focuses on our most struggling students and provides them the opportunity to receive

The City of La Porte announced that "Letters from Santa" registration forms are available until Dec. 1. The city said the following on their Facebook page: "We've been rehired as special helpers for the holiday season! Santa's helpers are tasked with one of the most magical jobs at the North Pole - getting Santa's letters to the children on the nice list all around the world. We are determined to be the very best helpers of them all. Complete the form and your little one will find a very special parcel addressed just for them in the mailbox this holiday

Wednesday morning, the Indiana State Police (ISP) issued the 20 members of the 87th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy their first patrol vehicles. During the event, ISP  unveiled the new look that their patrol vehicles will be displaying going forward.  The 20 Probationary Troopers, all of whom just successfully completed their field training, received the very first of these new look Durangos. “As these new Troopers begin their service, they carry forward a proud tradition of protecting Hoosiers with integrity and courage. The new patrol vehicles are a fitting way to mark this next chapter—honoring our history while equipping the

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Secretary Mitch Roob Wednesday announced the recommendations of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Working Group, convened earlier this year to address the rapid growth and sustainability challenges of Medicaid-funded ABA therapy. ABA therapy is a widely used, evidence-based treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For many Hoosier families, it has been life-changing—helping children develop essential skills, reduce barriers, and increase independence. But while the therapy’s value is clear, the way Indiana’s Medicaid program has managed it since coverage began in 2015 has created serious challenges. “When Medicaid coverage for