Local News

The following is a statement from the City of New Buffalo, Michigan: Berrien County is switching its emergency alert system from the old siren warning system to a new phone style warning system. These alerts range from weather events to chemical spills/nuclear accidents. When there is an emergency, your phone will be where to look. “IPAWS [FEMA Integrated Public Alert and Warning System] will be our all-hazards warning system,” said Kevin Simpson, Emergency Preparedness Manager at D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant. “It could be for a tornado, or a nuclear event like we could have here at Cook.” The Berrien County

The La Porte Police Department Detective Bureau is seeking assistance from the public in reference to Monday’s stabbing incident that resulted in the death of one adult male, and the arrest of one male suspect. Police say If you reside in the area between the 100 block of Greenwood and 200 block of Lawndale, and may have video of a red SUV in your neighborhood between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Monday August 19, or any other information that may be related to this incident, please contact Detective Cpl. Ashley Adams at aadams@lpcitypd.com, or (219) 362-9446 x2007.  

The La Porte County Health Department (LPCHD) has received confirmation from the Indiana State Department of Health that a pool of mosquitoes submitted for testing has tested positive for West Nile Virus.  This is the first positive identification of West Nile Virus in La Porte County this year. The sample was collected on 7-24-24. The species most likely to transmit the virus are those that prefer to breed in containers therefore it is important to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that may potentially carry viruses.  Avoid leaving standing water in yards and around homes.  Clean birdbaths and wading pools weekly,

Press release, Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department: As Duneland schools and other area schools started their first week of school last week, motorists are being reminded to heed an extra bit of caution when driving, especially during early morning pickup and afternoon drop off. Public Safety Officials around the county want to ensure a safe and accident-free school year. According to Kristin Poland, deputy director of the National Transportation Safety Board Office of Highway Safety, “School buses are the safest form of transportation to get to and from school.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2022 alone, “42,795

News release, Purdue University Northwest:  HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest is bringing back the popular Innovators Café Series on Sept. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development, 3001 E. Columbus Drive, East Chicago, IN, 46312. Innovators Café is a luncheon series held on location to familiarize the region's business and community leaders with the significant and diverse innovation found in the workplace. The aim is to share best practices in a leader-to-leader format that encourages innovation and provides insights into how real problems are being solved. At

LAPORTE COUNTY, Indiana – Franciscan Health is hosting two free LaPorte County car seat safety events in September. The first event will take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. State Road 2 in La Porte. The second event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Central on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Legacy Campus, 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City. A certified technician will work with participants to teach them how to properly install a car seat. The

Taking the next step forward in its electric generation transition to a more diverse, balanced and reliable portfolio, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) – a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), Monday announced the completion of another solar project in its electric generation fleet. Cavalry Solar is now online and operating, producing more cost-effective, cleaner energy for homes and businesses. “The completion of Cavalry Solar, the third solar project in NIPSCO’s generating mix, is a crucial step in advancing our energy generation transition plan to provide sustainable, cost-effective and reliable energy now and into the future,” said Vince

A fatal stabbing suspect was arrested following a police pursuit, according to La Porte Police. On Monday morning officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Lawndale Avenue in reference to a stabbing. Officers discovered a male victim who was transported to the hospital. The victim was pronounced dead shortly after arriving to the hospital, according to the police. A short time later police located the suspect in La Porte County and led officers from multiple agencies on a pursuit that ended in St. Joseph County. The suspect was taken into custody and is in the La Porte County Jail

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The Michigan City Neighborhood Leadership Academy is re-launching after being put on hold during the pandemic. The program is a partnership between the City of Michigan City and the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. It is aimed at individuals who are interested in taking on a leadership role within their own neighborhoods and bringing neighbors together to spark change. Participants will learn more about the city, its departments, processes and resources to cultivate their neighborhood’s identity and future path. Applications are now being accepted for Michigan City residents ages 18 and over who reside within the

An arrest has been made in connection to a double homicide that occurred last week in Michigan City. On August 15, at around 5:36 a.m., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call indicating a person had been shot in the 2300 block of Normandy Drive. Uniform Patrol Shift III Officer Rachel Ewart and Cpl. Deshone Harris responded to the scene. Upon arrival, 22 year old Kiara Hootman and 35 year old Travis Pennington were found deceased inside a vehicle in the parking lot. Both had gunshot wounds. The Investigative Division was summoned to the scene. The entire

The Michigan City Refuse Department will be altering the waste pickup schedule for the week of September 1-6, 2024, to accommodate the Labor Day holiday. The schedule is as follows: There will be no waste pickup on Monday, September 2 (Labor Day). On Tuesday, September 3, waste normally collected on Monday will be picked up. From Wednesday, September 4 through Friday, September 6, residents should place their waste out on their regular collection day but be aware that pickup may be delayed by a couple of days. Waste should remain curbside until it is collected. Additionally, compost pickup will be

The Michigan City Football Hall of Fame, along with the Michigan City High School Football team is putting on the 1st Annual "Finish on the 50". 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, September 14, 2024. The race will start at Ames Field at 8:00 am, the race course will go through the streets of Michigan City. You will return to Ames Field to experience a football-themed obstacle course for each participant, with the completion of the race on the 50-yard line. The race fee is $25 per participant until September 1, after September 1 the fee for the race will increase to

U.S. 20 will close between Beam St and Lawson Ln for approximately 1 day starting on or after Monday, August 26. This closure will start in the early morning hours (3am or earlier) and last into the evening (approx 7 p.m.). INDOT crews will be working at the Beam St bridge with the goal of increasing the height clearance of the bridge. Drivers are encouraged to use State Road 49 and I-94 as the detour. Schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson expects the department’s new station house, at 791 Broadway, to be operational before Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. “We’re moving in,” as he told the Town Council at its meeting Monday night, Aug. 12, “Slowly but surely.” According to the Town of Chesterton, on Monday, Aug. 19, the CPD will begin moving its “stuff” into the new station house, which he hopes to be operational—with all computers and servers online—sometime during the week of Monday, Aug. 26. “Before Labor Day is the target,” Richardson said. Richardson especially wanted the Town Council to know that the

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 114 between Curtis Creek Bridge (west of County Road 1080 West) and Biggs Drive on or after Friday, August 23. State Road 114 will be closed through mid-October to resurface this section of roadway. Local access will be maintained, but through traffic should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 55, State Road 14 and I-65. This closure will be put in place after State Road 114 reopens between State Road 55 and Curtis Creek Bridge where resurfacing is currently taking place. The

Press release, Duneland Chamber of Commerce: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of our highly anticipated wine-tasting festival, Vino al Fresco! This year’s event will be held on Saturday, September 14, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the charming setting of Thomas Centennial Park in downtown Chesterton. Vino al Fresco offers an unforgettable evening filled with fine wines, local flavors, and live entertainment. Your ticket includes festival entry, unlimited wine tastings, live music, and a commemorative wine glass to take home. Our Wine Line-Up features a selection of the finest local wineries, including Aftermath

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor will have lane closures on State Road 912/Cline Avenue between Ridge Road and 169th Street / 15th Avenue on or after Monday, August 19. State Road 912 will have alternating lane closures for approximately three weeks during daytime work hours for permanent pavement markings after concrete restoration and bridge deck overlay work in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The Valparaiso Police Department has added two new officers with the swearing-in of Jack Hudgens and Austin Arias today. Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall, with numerous officers, civilian staff, and family present to witness the event. During the ceremony, Chief Andrew McIntyre welcomed Jack and Austin to the Valparaiso Police Department family, recognizing the training and experience each brings with them to Valparaiso. “We are excited to celebrate the start of a new journey for two new Valparaiso Police Officers,” said Chief McIntyre. “Jack and Austin have risen to the top of

Drive sober or get pulled over! That’s the warning the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is issuing to drivers as they gear up for the annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign.  Beginning today through September 2, deputies will be increasing patrols to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “Driving drunk or drug-impaired is a problem for everyone,” said James Bryan, ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director.  “Making the choice to operate a

Two bills authored by State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) that work to improve child and health care throughout Indiana were ceremonially signed into law by the governor Friday. Senate Enrolled Act 2 rolls out multiple new policies to help more people become child care workers and cut certain regulations that drive up the cost of operating a child care facility. SEA 2 also allows more children of child care workers to automatically qualify for assistance from On My Way Pre-K and the Child Care and Development Fund, creates a pilot program for three "micro facilities" that serve up to 30 children