Local News

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Franciscan Alliance has named Michael Englehart as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Englehart brings extensive senior executive experience, a strong background in Catholic and faith-based healthcare and a distinguished record of leading large health systems, physician organizations and specialty care networks. He succeeds Kevin Leahy, who earlier this year announced his decision to step down after 30 years in the role and nearly 50 years of dedicated service with Franciscan. Leahy will continue with Franciscan through Dec. 31, 2026, to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. Englehart will lead more than 17,000 healthcare

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and Innovators Northwest Indiana have agreed to end the collaboration agreement through which the Society of Innovators (SOI) has functioned under the PNW umbrella since 2018. The change will be effective Dec. 31, 2026. The SOI’s board of directors voted at a July meeting to terminate the memorandum of understanding between the Society and PNW. The board stated that it views this step as the next stage in the development of the Society. The eight-year association between PNW and SOI represented an innovative structure through which PNW served as the host

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a free Way to Grow baby shower for expectant families and new parents. The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way in the Maria Theresia Conference Room across from the cafeteria on the first floor. Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep, breastfeeding and community resources will be offered along with tours of the Family Birth Center, a breakfast buffet, yoga/relaxation sessions, information on centering in pregnancy and giveaways.

The La Porte County Family YMCA announced that its La Porte Branch will be closed Monday, September 28 through Sunday, October 4 for Shutdown Week. The YMCA says during this time, their team will be completing facility improvements, scheduled maintenance, deep cleaning, mandatory meetings, and professional development training to help create an even better experience for our members. The Michigan City Elston and Long Beach Branches will remain open and available for member use throughout the closure. (Image credit: La Porte County Family YMCA / Facebook)

Today A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.   Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 80%.   Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.   Wednesday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 70%.   Thursday A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77.   Thursday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Press release, City of Valparaiso:  The City of Valparaiso is inviting residents to participate in two neighborhood tree planting events this fall, bringing neighbors together to strengthen the city’s urban forest and enhance their communities for generations to come. The plantings, planned and organized by residents of the Jessee-Pifer and Jefferson Park neighborhoods, are funded through the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Grant program. Together, the projects will add approximately 50 new trees to neighborhood streets and public spaces. “These plantings are especially meaningful following the extraordinary storm we experienced on August 11, which destroyed so many trees throughout our community,” said

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – Overnight lane and ramp closures are scheduled late this week on I-80/94 between Kennedy Avenue and the I-65 interchange. Crews will remove overhead signage as part of ongoing fiber optic upgrades to support new digital gantries along the corridor. Drivers can expect the following closures nightly closures and restrictions: Friday, Sept. 18 (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Saturday) and Saturday, Sept. 19 (8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sunday) No access to eastbound I-80/94 from Kennedy Ave. No access to eastbound I-80/94 from Cline Ave. No access to eastbound I-80/94 from Burr St. No access to eastbound

Release by Michigan City Area Schools: Friday night lights took a back seat to patriotism as Michigan City High School (MCHS) honored America in a ceremony before the Wolves' first home football game. MCHS commemorated the attack on our nation on September 11, 2001, by recognizing the veterans in attendance during the playing of the Armed Forces Medley. “After that attack, most Americans were not thinking if there would be another attack, but when there would be another attack,” said Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “The vigilance of our military was

This past weekend, La Porte County Sheriff's Office released a statement regarding a potential plea agreement being offered in the criminal case from the May 22 shooting that left Jon critically injured in the line of duty: "The men and women of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office stand firmly behind Deputy Jon Samuelson and his wife, Quinn, following the recent information regarding a potential plea agreement being offered in the criminal case from the May 22 shooting that left Jon critically injured in the line of duty. "Since the very beginning, Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg has made it very

Press Release, Porter County Community Foundation: Fund Surpasses $1 Million in Grants with Latest Awards VALPARAISO, IND. — The Women’s Fund of Porter County, a giving circle of the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF), is awarding $65,000 in grants to three local organizations whose programs address critical needs facing women and children in our community. The Northwest Indiana (NWI) Food Council and Parents as Teachers of Porter County will each receive $25,000 and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will receive $15,000 for high-impact programs. NWI Food Council’s FarmHer to Mama program connects pregnant and postpartum women with monthly

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph.   Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.   Tuesday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84.   Tuesday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 80%.   Wednesday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

MICHIGAN CITY, IN – The Rotary Club of Michigan City is inviting the community to put their knowledge to the test while supporting local charitable organizations at its annual trivia event, “Trivia for Your Cause,” on Thursday, October 29, at the FOP Lodge, 416 W. U.S. Highway 20 in Michigan City. Hosted by popular local trivia master Mark Kline, the evening will feature friendly competition, food, drinks, and a unique opportunity for participants to make a direct impact in the community. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with trivia beginning at 6:30 p.m. Teams of up to eight players may register

In Lake County, there are lane and ramp closures on I-65 between U.S. 30 and U.S. 231. A contractor has closed the right lane of northbound I-65 near U.S. 30 and the ramp from westbound U.S. 30 to northbound I-65 through approximately Friday for road repairs. The ramp detour is to enter I-65 southbound and utilize the U.S. 231 interchange to turn around and access I-65 northbound. There are lane closures on I-65 between 109th Ave and U.S. 231 to remove the lane shifts at 113th Ave. Lane closures are occurring during the hours of 4 p.m to 6 a.m.

NORTHWEST INDIANA -- Franciscan Health Trauma Services is hosting free car seat safety events for Indiana residents during National Child Passenger Safety Month. The first event is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Legacy Campus at 301 Homer St. in Michigan City. The next is scheduled to take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 at Munster Fire Station #2, 550 Fisher St. in Munster A nationally certified child passenger safety technician will teach participants how to properly install a car seat.

News release, La Porte County Sheriff's Office:  After an extraordinary 49 years of dedicated service, Rebecca “Becky” Popplewell is retiring from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, ending a remarkable career that spans nearly five decades and an incredible chapter in the history of the agency. Becky began her career with the Sheriff’s Office on March 1, 1977. At the time, the agency—and the world around it—looked considerably different than it does today. Over the course of her career, Becky served as an Administrative Assistant to nine Sheriffs and their respective Administrations, providing continuity and institutional knowledge through years of transition, change, and growth.

The following is a service update from the South Shore Line: Chicago Metra Construction to Impact South Shore Line Service Beginning Sept. 14, 2026 South Shore Line passengers are advised that ongoing construction in downtown Chicago will begin a new phase of the expansion project that will affect weekday train operations beginning Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in the area of Millennium and Van Buren Street stations. This phase is expected to continue into the second quarter of 2027. Passengers, please be aware of the following temporary service impacts to weekday service: Limited train capacity: Track construction will significantly limit available

In Ogden Dunes, a paving project will begin on Monday Sept. 14, weather permitting. Work is expected to last approximately 1-2 weeks. What to Expect: Work will generally take place in the following order: milling, paving, shoulder work, and striping. During construction, residents should expect trucks and heavy equipment, temporary traffic restrictions, uneven pavement, and changing road conditions. IMPORTANT - NO PARKING No Parking signs will be placed throughout the project areas over the weekend prior to construction. Residents and visitors are asked to carefully follow all posted parking restrictions. Please keep vehicles off the roadway and easement areas along

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. North wind 5 to 10 mph.   Tonight A slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 20%.   Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 80.   Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.   Tuesday A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance

LA PORTE & STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coat operations on U.S. 35 between U.S. 30 and U.S. 6 starting on or after Monday, September 14. Scrub seal operations will take place for approximately two days during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should seek alternate routes, with the recommended detour being U.S. 30, State Road 39 and U.S. 6. This work is weather sensitive so the schedule is subject to change.

News release, Franciscan Health:  Events aim to uplift, empower Northwest Indiana women   NORTHWEST INDIANA – Registration for Franciscan Health’s Strong, Healthy, Empowered (SHE) Women’s Health Conferences is now open. “SHE is designed to create opportunities for women to thrive,” said Danielle Crowder, director of Community Health Improvement for Franciscan Health. “By connecting women with the resources, support and compassionate care they need, we are investing in healthier families, stronger communities and brighter futures.” The first event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Purdue University Northwest, 1401 U.S. 421N. in Westville with