Local News

MICHIGAN CITY – The Salvation Army of Michigan City is experiencing a significant increase in demand for service, which has left a shortfall in the budget, so the non-profit organization is turning to the public for help. Affected programs include the food pantry and basic assistance programs as local families continue to face economic challenges. Over the past several years, the number of households served by The Salvation Army of Michigan City has grown dramatically, from approximately 3,300 households in 2018/2019 (Oct. to June) to nearly 4,800 households in 2024/2025 (Oct. to June). The total number of individuals served has

The South Shore Line (SSL) is pleased to announce an exclusive week-long promotion celebrating grandparents and their grandchildren. From August 10th through August 16th, 2025, grandparents can ride the South Shore Line for free when accompanied by their grandchild(ren). This special promotion provides an ideal opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren while enjoying a comfortable and convenient trip on the South Shore Line. The promotion applies to all SSL trains operating between South Bend and Chicago, allowing families to explore countless destinations along the route, from museums and parks to shopping districts and restaurants. “We value

The Indiana Department of Health says the state is working on a statewide Food Vision, a roadmap to build a "stronger, more nourishing food system for all Hoosiers". Based on community feedback so far, they've identified strategies for each goal and they want to know which ones matter most to you. Take a few minutes to rank them in this short survey by midnight ET on Sunday, Aug. 17: https://newventureadvisors.qualtrics.com/.../SV...

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have traffic restrictions on State Road 55/Main St between 97th Place and Lewis St beginning on or after Monday, August 4. State Road 55 will maintain two lanes in each direction, but the center turn lane will be closed and southbound traffic will be shifted to the left to make room for the work zone. Overnight lane closures will be utilized at the start of the project to deliver materials and equipment and at the end of the project to remove them. Construction will be ongoing through mid-October

There is free parking and continuous shuttle service available from Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa (Semi Lot along Hwy 12) to make getting to the XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix action easy and convenient. See the flyer for more information. Each August, the award-winning XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix roars into action, showcasing the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore boats. Watch these high-speed vessels race along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, with stunning views from Washington Park Beach and shoreline. Get up close with boat owners, racers, and teams stationed throughout Washington Park. This free, adrenaline-filled week

Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have mobile food distribution events at the locations below: Monday August 4, 2025 - Starke County 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT *While supplies last. Where: Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield St., Knox, IN 46534 *This distribution is sponsored by Indiana OCRA and will serve 150 households.   Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – Elkhart County 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET *While supplies last. Where: Maple City Chapel, 2015 Lincolnway E., Goshen, IN 46526 *This distribution is sponsored by Indiana OCRA and will serve 150 households.   Tuesday, August 5, 2025 –

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — As Michigan City continues to experience unprecedented development and job growth, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch’s administration is taking a deliberate step to ensure residents are first in line to benefit. In partnership with Indiana Plan, the city is proud to launch a new Apprenticeship Readiness Program for Fall 2025. This hands-on, in-person training will be free for Michigan City residents, who are invited to attend an open house to learn more on Aug. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd. The program reflects Nelson Deuitch’s commitment to growing the City from within—by

In St. Joseph County, an INDOT contractor will close the ramp from U.S. 20 westbound to State Road 331/Bremen Highway beginning on or after Monday, August 4. The ramp will be closed through early October for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will be to continue westbound and utilize the ramps at U.S. 31/Michigan St to turn around.

The following information is from the La Porte County Health Department: Swim advisory high bacteria notice: Swim advisories are issued when water samples show bacteria levels exceeding the state water quality standard (235 mpn/100mL). These advisories are typically temporary and are lifted once the bacteria levels return to a safe level. Here are some recent swim advisories due to high bacteria levels: Stone Lake Beach and Upper Fish Lake Beach: Advised to avoid swallowing water and to shower immediately after returning from the lake due to high bacteria levels. Beach Alert website: https://portal.idem.in.gov/beachalert/

Each August, the award-winning XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix roars into action, showcasing the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore boats. Watch these high-speed vessels race along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, with stunning views from Washington Park Beach and shoreline. Get up close with boat owners, racers, and teams stationed throughout Washington Park. This free, adrenaline-filled week features a boat parade, lively block party, golf outing, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, festival food and drinks, and the thrill of powerboat racing at its finest!  For more information visit www.greatlakesgrandprix.com. This weekend- WASHINGTON PARK, MICHIGAN CITY, IN. Thank you to

U.S. 35/Indiana Ave will close between Marion St and Crescent Dr/18th St beginning on or after Monday, August 4 through the end of November. The official detour will follow State Road 2, State Road 39 and U.S. 6. This closure is for reconstruction of the intersection of Kingsbury Ave, Woodlawn Dr and U.S. 35 and road reconstruction of U.S. 35 through this area. Road reconstruction will include pavement replacement, storm sewer, water main, and sanitary sewer work. This is part of the U.S. 35/Indiana Ave pavement replacement and utilities project from Boyd Blvd to State Road 2/Lincolnway. Construction will continue

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN— Unity Foundation of La Porte County is awarding nearly $325,000 in scholarships to 173 local students for the 2025-2026 academic year. The recipients will attend 51 colleges and universities across the country, and one in the United Kingdom. Since 1992, Unity has awarded approximately $5 million from more than 60 scholarship funds to help La Porte County students advance their futures. These scholarship funds were established by community-minded donors who believed in the transformative power of education. “Receiving a Unity scholarship is more than just financial help. It’s a vote of confidence,” said CC Payne, Director

Portage, Ind. -- Leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District, the City of Portage, and U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01) gathered July 29 to celebrate the completion of the Portage Interceptor Rehabilitation Project – Phase II. The $3.47 million project, completed under Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act, rehabilitated more than 1,900 feet of existing sewer infrastructure to reduce excess flow and the risk of sanitary sewer overflows near wetlands and residential areas. The City of Portage provided $916,166 in non-federal funding, including a 25% cost-share match and additional contribution, while the federal investment

The Michigan City Police Department are investigating a shooting that left one person in serious condition. On Thursday at 11:37 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 5th/Michigan Boulevard reference gunshots being fired. Moments later, the dispatch center received information that one person had been shot at 5th/Michigan and was being transported to Franciscan Hospital in a personal vehicle. The initial investigation determined that a Michigan City resident, was on break from his employment at a local business. During this time, he and another employee had an argument which culminated in the Michigan City resident being shot. The man

On July 31, 2025, Keith Allen Wilson, 58, was arrested on multiple child exploitation related charges after members of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant in the 800 block of Ohio Street in LaPorte.  An investigation was initiated when detectives received a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to the on-line activities of a specific Google account traced to Mr. Wilson and his residence. Mr. Wilson was taken into custody without incident early this morning. He was booked into the LaPorte County Jail where he

Press Release, Michigan City Police Department: On July 12th, 2025, at 1:26 am, the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a person who was shot at BP gas station, located at 1302 East Michigan Boulevard. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift III arrived and located 20-year-old, Jordan Rose, suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders provided life saving measures to Mr. Rose before he was transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City, by LaPorte County EMS, for further medical care. Despite all the efforts by the medical staff, Mr. Rose succumbed to his injuries at

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has launched a collaboration with two Northwest Indiana high schools aimed at bringing impactful clean energy lessons into classrooms. The Clean Energy and Smart Grids program, supported by a grant from the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), will educate students and teachers at East Chicago Central High School and Hammond Central High School through on-campus learning sessions and site visits to energy facilities. The field observations and discussions will promote opportunities for young, eager learners to think critically about the impact of clean energy in

The Lake County Sheriff's Department says an officer-involved shooting where a man was fatally wounded occurred Wednesday morning. At about 7 a.m. Wednesday, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Gary, Indiana. The shooting occurred at approximately 6:40 a.m. in the 600 block of Adams Street. A preliminary investigation indicates the Gary SWAT team was conducting an operation. An adult male was fatally wounded. The Lake County Detective Bureau and Lake County CSI are handling the officer-involved shooting.    

The City of Valparaiso announced that so far this year, solar panels installed on five City facilities have produced 1 million kilowatt hours, representing nearly $145,000 in operational savings. “Utilities are some of the City’s largest expenses, so this substantial savings is a real win for our residents,” said Mayor Jon Costas. The City of Valparaiso says it has added 772 solar panels, "which are expected to save taxpayers more than $5.2 million in electrical costs over the life of the panels – not including additional earnings based on surplus energy produced." The panels are located on the city’s three

In Marshall County, State Road 331 is closed between 18B Road and 19th Road through around Aug. 6 while railroad crossing work is conducted in this location. The official detour follows State Road 10, State Road 19 and State Road 25.