Local News

As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the South Shore Line announces it will host a multi-team emergency preparedness drill on Wednesday, Oct. 1st, between Tulip Rd. and Smilax Rd. in New Carlisle, IN. The federally mandated drill is a key component in the SSL’s continuing efforts to familiarize first responders with railroad crisis response procedures. It is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Oct. 1st and is expected to last until approximately 7 p.m. The event will cause scheduled train services to slow down while moving through the drill area. Train passengers and passersby may notice multiple

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is pleased to announce that INvets has been awarded a $25,000 grant as part of the Grants for Veterans’ Services (GVS) program. This grant is one of 32 endowed to nonprofit organizations across the state, reflecting a significant commitment to bolstering programs that support and enhance the well-being of Indiana’s veteran community. The funds, managed through the IDVA’s GVS program, are dedicated to addressing critical needs and providing essential services aimed at improving the lives of veterans, their family members, and their caregivers throughout Indiana. Sarah Harrison, CEO of INvets, expressed enthusiasm for

State Road 14 has reopened between County Road 230 East and County Road 375 East (between State Road 49 and U.S. 421) after a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Ryan Ditch. The project was scheduled for two weeks and took one.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to celebrate the state’s public lands and waters Sept. 27 and 28 with events happening across the state. National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 27, is the nation’s largest single day of volunteerism on public lands. See dnr.IN.gov/places-to-go/events or on.IN.gov/dnrvolunteer for listings of programs. Participants can also collect trash at a nearby DNR property for a rewarding way to help protect wildlife and promote healthy natural resources. Saturday, Sept. 27, is also National Hunting and Fishing Day and the last Free Fishing Day of the year. Indiana residents can celebrate with

Pioneer Days at Creek Ridge County Park located at 7943 W. 400 North, Michigan City, will be from 10am to 4pm on September 27 and 28.  Entrance fees for the event are $2 per person. The park will be closing to regular use at 3 pm Friday, September 26 and remain closed until Monday, September 29 at 7am. If you have any questions, you can call our administrative offices at 219-325-8315.

Wednesday, Sept. 24, is the deadline to apply for the Duneland School Corporation’s free-or-reduced-price meal program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. DSC will process benefit applications for those students who apply and are approved. Students not qualifying for free or reduced-price meals will be charged the paid meal price for breakfast and/or lunch. Families who were receiving benefits last school year and have not yet reapplied for the 2025-26 school year are encouraged to complete the application, as the carryover benefits for these families will expire on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

In Jasper County an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close U.S. 231 between County Road 1400 South and County Road 1500 South on or after Monday, September 22. U.S. 231 will be closed through late October for a culvert replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow I-65 and U.S. 24.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Franciscan Health is hosting a free car seat safety event on Saturday, Sept. 27 for Indiana residents.   The event -- cohosted by the Trauma Services Department and the Prenatal Assistance Program -- is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central time at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Legacy Campus, located at 301 W. Homer St.   A nationally certified child passenger safety technician will teach participants how to properly install a car seat. The child who uses the car seat must be present at the appointment for the technician to provide

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – The Michigan City Transit Department will resume its regular fixed-route bus service beginning 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 22. Fare and route information is available on our website at https://michigancityin.gov/city-departments/transit/. Please direct any additional questions to the Transit Department at (219) 873-1502.

On Friday, at the conclusion of the school day, a large fight broke out amongst students at Michigan City High School, the MCPD said Friday afternoon. Officers from the Michigan City Police Department and surrounding police agencies responded to the scene to assist. Police said at 3 p.m. on Friday that the high school was secure and there was no threat to public safety.

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 10 between County Road 900 West and State Road 110 on or after Monday, September 22. State Road 10 will be closed for approximately five weeks for a small structure replacement at Stover Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow I-65, State Road 2, U.S. 231 and State Road 10.

The Chesterton Street Department is discontinuing  the collection of brush from the alleys in Chesterton, according to a Facebook post from the Town of Chesterton. Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg spoke about the topic at the Town Council’s meeting on Monday. “We’re spending a lot of time in the alleys,” he said. “We have a grapple truck and with the power lines and the other utility lines, we’re having to physically move the piles in order to reach them and get to them. So we’re going to ask each resident to put their brush out in front now to make it

The Porter County Sheriff's Office said Friday evening that earlier in the day, their School Resource Officers working at Wheeler High School began investigating an alleged threat that was reported. Police said the threat was thoroughly investigated and found to be not credible. A report was been taken and police said they will continue to monitor the situation if there are further developments. Earlier in the day, Wheeler Athletics posted the following statement to their Facebook page on Friday at 3 p.m.: Please see the attached email from our superintendent: Attention UTSC Families and Staff, As shared earlier today, we

The selection process for the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year has been narrowed down to the Top 3 finalists— Martin Briggs of La Porte Community School Corporation, L.A. High of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, and Megan Johnson of Plainfield Community School Corporation. “Out of more 65,000 teachers across the state, we have identified three very impressive finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Each and every day, they are creating real impact for students, whether that’s through their use of evidence-based instructional strategies, their commitment to lifelong learning, their mentorship of fellow

Press Release, Unity Foundation of La Porte County:  LA PORTE COUNTY, IN— After a comprehensive national search, Unity Foundation of La Porte County is proud to announce the appointment of philanthropic leader Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE, as the Foundation’s next President & CEO, effective November 3, 2025. Jeri Pat will succeed Maggi Spartz who served Unity Foundation as President for more than 33 years and who announced her intended retirement earlier this year. Jeri Pat Gabbert comes to Unity Foundation after more than 22 years working at the intersection of philanthropy, education and community engagement. She currently serves as the

The 26th annual Sunflower Fair takes place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday along Michigan Avenue in Downtown La Porte. The following streets will be closed from 6 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday: Michigan Avenue, from Lincolnway to Osborn Street Jefferson Avenue, from Indiana Avenue to Monroe Street Maple Avenue, from Indiana Avenue to Monroe Street Harrison Street, from Indiana Avenue to Monroe Street Noble Street, from Michigan Avenue to Monroe Street No street parking is allowed during this time. Vehicles must be off the street by 6 p.m. Friday and may not return until after 6 p.m. Saturday.

In Portage, the intersection at Central Avenue and Willowdale Road is closed for construction. It will remain closed until the reconstruction work is complete, which the City of Portage hopes will be in November. Access to Calvary Cemetery will be from Willowdale Road and access to Dari Dip will be from Central Avenue. Contact the Department of Planning & Community Development for more information: 219-764-5746.

On September 17, 2025, Alvin Speakes was convicted in Superior Court 1 for crimes against children.  A jury found Mr. Speakes guilty on 4 counts: Child Molesting-A Felony, Child Molesting-C Felony, Sexual Misconduct with a Minor-B Felony, and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor-Level 4 Felony.  Mr. Speakers was charged in March 2021 for multiple acts that occurred between 2007 and 2014. Mr. Speakes is scheduled for sentencing in October 2025. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said:  “Crimes against children are hideous.  The harm against victims can never totally be healed.  However, I am pleased at the result: a Guilty Verdict.” Prosecutor

The Michiana Humane Society’s annual Fur Ball returns Friday, October 3 at White Oak Farm Venue in Michigan City. This year’s theme brings a playful Country/Western/Disco mashup, where cowboy boots and glitter disco balls share the same dance floor. Event proceeds will give a second chance to the nearly 1,000 pets the Michiana Humane Society will care for this year. Guests will enjoy woodfired pizzas, hearty fare, and a full bar, along with silent and live auctions, raffle prizes, and plenty of music and dancing. Arrested Sounds will spin disco classics, and the Sunset Coast Country Dancers will lead line

JOIN RIC FEDERIGHI AND TEAM WIMS LIVE from the Sunflower Fair! La Porte will usher in the fall season with its 26th Annual Sunflower Fair this weekend, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. Celebrating community and creativity, the fair will take place along Michigan Avenue in Downtown La Porte from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. With over 140 craft and specialty vendors, Dermody said the Sunflower Fair boasts one of the largest festivals in the area. “With 25 years under its belt, the Sunflower Fair has become an important tradition in the heart of our downtown,” Dermody said. “We