Local News

The motorist detained for questioning in the fatal road rage shooting on I-80/94 early Wednesday morning, March 6, has been released from custody, the Indiana State Police is reporting. The Town of Chesterton Facebook page released the following quotes: “The individual who was in custody for questioning has been released,” the ISP said in a statement released on Friday, March 8. “No other information regarding this incident is able to be released. Again, this investigation remains open and detectives continue to investigate in coordination with the Lake County Prosector’s Office.” The victim of the shooting has been identified as 55-year-old

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: To continue providing safe, reliable and uninterrupted water, sewer, stormwater and fire utilities at a competitive cost while supporting responsible growth and maintaining environmental compliance, Valparaiso City Services (VCS) has been reviewing its rate structure to keep pace with the future. “Investment in our utilities' infrastructure provides clean drinking water, a cleaner environment and important safety features – all necessary in maintaining Valparaiso's quality of life,” said Steve Poulos, VCS Executive Director. A significant number of water and wastewater treatment process units within the City of Valparaiso are 35 to 60 years old and approximately

Press Release, NIPSCO: NiSource (NYSE: NI) today announced that Mike Hooper, president of their Indiana-based subsidiary NIPSCO, is departing on March 15, following a successful 13-year career with the organization. Hooper is leaving to accept an opportunity to lead another Midwest utility company. “We thank Mike for his leadership in advancing a number of our long-term business priorities on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve across Northern Indiana,” said Melody Birmingham, NiSource executive vice president and group president utilities. “Our electric generation transition, infrastructure modernization, and other key transformation efforts are well underway, and we are well

An INDOT contractor will have lane and ramp closures on I-65 near U.S. 30 beginning next week to finish concrete restoration work that began in 2023 between U.S. 231 and U.S. 30. On or after Monday, March 18, I-65 will be reduced to two lanes shifted to the left in each direction between 61st Avenue and 109th Avenue. The work zone will be in the right lane and shoulder in both directions. The ramps from westbound U.S. 30 to southbound I-65, eastbound U.S. 30 to southbound I-65, and northbound I-65 to U.S. 30 will also be closed. These restrictions will

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced a new program designed to assist personnel with criminal investigations and search related incidents.  Project STAR-CAM is a database comprised of residential and business owners who register their video surveillance system with the agency. “By partnering with the Sheriff’s Office and registering a video surveillance system, agency personnel will have up-to-date information as to where systems are located throughout La Porte County, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. “In the event agency personnel need assistance in a specific area, they would access the database, meet with the homeowner or

An INDOT contractor will close State Road 2 between Calumet Avenue and Stateline Road on or after Monday, March 18. State Road 2 will be closed through late June for a bridge replacement project over West Creek ditch. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, State Road 10, State Road 114 and State Road 17.

The victim of a shooting in Valparaiso has died and an arrested person has been identified, according to police. A report of multiple gunshots occurring in the 350 block of Locust Street occurred on Friday at about 3:50 p.m.  The shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Jessica Kouba of Valparaiso.  The second subject who was located on scene at the time of the incident has been identified as 25-year-old Anthony Lee of Merrillville.  Lee was taken into custody and transported to the Valparaiso Police Department as part of the investigation.  He has since been incarcerated on unrelated charges (possession

The Michigan City Police Department says its officers were shot at by a barricaded juvenile on Saturday night. Just after 8:30 p.m. officers received a notification from the city’s Flock Safety Raven gunshot detection system that multiple gunshots were fired in the 1600 block of Tennessee Street. Multiple officers began responding to this area when they were notified a short time later by the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center that a 911 call was received regarding multiple gunshots that were fired in the 1600 block of Tennessee Street. Officers located a residence within this block that was struck multiple

The City of La Porte Fire Department is currently accepting firefighter applications, according to Chief Andy Snyder. As the testing procedure occurs just once every two years, Snyder said the time is now for anyone who has been considering a career in firefighting. “Because our application process and testing procedure do not take place every year, it is all the more important for those interested to apply now,” Snyder said. “If you’ve been considering a career change or are graduated and looking to start your career, now is your time give the LPFD a try. We look forward to meeting

News Release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company: Today, NIPSCO released its 2023 Corporate Citizenship Report, highlighting a successful year of employee giving and volunteerism across northern Indiana. The report, available at NIPSCO.com/GivesBack, highlights how NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation donated over $2.4 million to more than 250 non-profit organizations. In addition, NIPSCO employees volunteered more than 2,700 service hours to local organizations. The NiSource Charitable Foundation was established by NIPSCO’s parent company NiSource. The foundation’s goal is to create strong and sustainable communities where customers and employees live and work. The foundation provides funding and encourages employee volunteerism to

The Tenebrae Choir at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church will again be presenting an annual Contemporary Tenebrae Service entitled “Hope in the Shadows”, composed by Joel Raney and Lloyd Larson, on Palm Sunday, March 24 at 3PM in the Church. Queen of All Saints is located on the corner of Barker Avenue and Woodland Avenue in Michigan City. The presentation is free of charge. A Tenebrae service is defined as “a church service observed during the final part of Holy Week commemorating the sufferings and death of Christ.” Per composer Joel Raney, “Hope in the Shadows” recalls Christ’s journey

News Release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company: Just in time for Severe Weather Awareness Week in Indiana, which runs Sunday, March 10 - Saturday, March 16, this year, NIPSCO is reminding customers of the steps they can take to prepare for potential severe weather. “With the spring season right around the corner, the time to get ready for storms is now,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a great time for our customers to learn about how they can keep themselves and their families safe while enjoying the many benefits that electric and natural gas energy

News Release, Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.®: La Porte County poets, you have a few days left to submit your work to be considered for La Porte County’s Poet Laureate designation. The Center for Creative Solutions renewed the honor in 2024 after a few-year absence. The deadline is Friday, March 15. The mission of the program is several-fold: • To proclaim the wonders of La Porte County to the world through the art of poetry and verse; • To encourage the enjoyment and joy of reading as well as writing poetry among the citizens of La Porte County; • To

The Indiana State Police (ISP) says it has received several concerns from citizens reporting an apparent phone scam.  ISP says it receives numerous reports of phone scams each year, but this particular scam, they say, involves using the ISP General Headquarters phone number. Police say the scammer is using a Caller ID showing “Indiana State Police” with “317-232-8248”.  The scammer then identifies him/herself as an Indiana State Police Trooper and tells them their identity has been compromised or stolen.  The scammer then asks for personal information to “verify” that the person they are speaking to is actually one in the

The LaPorte County Crisis Intervention Team recently conducted a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) class to local law enforcement. The class graduated 29 officers from all police agencies in LaPorte County, including the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center. The six newly hired MCPD officers were in the graduating class and gives MCPD a total of 27 CIT trained officers. Also, the Michigan City Police Department’s Police Social Worker completed the class. The Crisis Intervention Training gives officers the tools and resources to better communicate with and provide resources to those that are dealing with mental health illness and trauma. The training

One person was taken into custody after another person was shot on Friday according to Valparaiso police. Police responded to the 350 block of South Locust Street at approximately 3:50 p.m. Friday in reference to the report of a subject being shot.  Upon arrival, officers were directed to a specific location where a resident was located, having sustained a gunshot wound.  A second subject was located on scene who indicated he was directly involved in the incident.  The subject was taken into custody and transported to the Valparaiso Police Department for further investigation.  The injured party was transported from scene

Press Release, Salvation Army of Michigan City: The Salvation Army of Michigan City is hosting a drive-through food drive to help refill pantry shelves. The “Love Beyond Hunger” food drive will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 9am to noon. Those who are able to contribute are asked to drop off donations of non-perishable food items at The Salvation Army, 1201 Franklin Street, by driving up to the back door behind the building. The alley can be accessed by entering from Washington Street and exiting onto Franklin Street. Major Becky Simmons, who oversees The Salvation Army of Michigan City

News Release National Park Service: The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Jason Taylor as the new superintendent of Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana. Taylor is an experienced resource and land management leader who currently serves as the Director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (ALWRI) for the United States Forest Service (USFS) located in Missoula, Montana. He will assume his new role at Indiana Dunes later this spring. “I am excited to welcome Jason back to the NPS as the new superintendent of Indiana Dunes,” said NPS Midwest Regional Director Bert Frost. “His ability to manageesources

Police in Portage are asking for the public’s help after a report of a vehicle being struck by gunfire Wednesday. At about 5:14 p.m. officers from the Portage Police Department responded to the intersection of U.S. Highway 6 and County Line Road regarding a shooting that had just taken place. Officers met with the complainants, who were a 19-year-old man and his passenger, a 31-year-old man. The men reported they had been traveling eastbound along U.S. Highway 6 in Hobart prior to the shooting. At the intersection of County Line Road the two began to turn northbound when they reported

At this week’s Portage City Council meeting the Mayor Austin Bonta swore in four new Portage police officers. Officer Bryce Kissinger is a Portage High School graduate and life-long Portage resident.  Officer Kissinger left a career in the transportation field to pursue a career in law enforcement. Officer Logan Rhodes is a Munster High School graduate and holds a degree in Criminal Justice through Ball State University. Officer Trevor Leonhardt is a Merrillville High School graduate who left a career as an ASE certified automotive technician to join the ranks of the Portage Police Department. Officer Markus Bachman holds a