Local News

Residents are invited to enjoy breakfast with their local firefighters while supporting a good cause, according to La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder. For its fourth year in a row, the City of La Porte Fire Department will host their annual pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19 at Fire Station 1. Tickets include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and eggs, as well as an entry into their $100 cash giveaway. Snyder said the department will also be selling $1 raffle tickets for a wide variety of prizes donated by local businesses, including memberships, gift baskets and the chance to

Beginning today, April 7, Milestone Contractors are resurfacing US Hwy 12 between County Line Road and the bridge over Burns Waterway in Porter County. The expected completion date is July 11. There are rolling lane closures with flaggers onsite.  

Valparaiso City Services have begun the spring curbside leaf pick up, which is taking place now through April 18. The City has four leaf collection zones and crews will rotate zones continuously. Progress updates will be provided at https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/.../Yard-Waste-and-Leaf... or you may sign up for alerts by visiting https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/list.aspx. The City asks residents to bag leaves in biodegradable bags after April 18th. Bags will be picked up by brush trucks. Grass clippings can be bagged in biodegradable bags and taken to the compost site, or for curbside service. The City asks residents to place bagged grass clippings in the trash

The Duneland School Corporation (DSC) has announced its finalists for Classified Employee of the Year, and the Chesterton Police Department’s very own SRO Shauna Jesse is among them, CPD recently announced on their Facebook page. Nominees were submitted in February by students, parents, colleagues, and community members, with finalists selected in March. Now, a panel of students, parents, community members, and district administrators will interview the finalists and choose the ultimate winner. The 2025 Classified Employee of the Year will be announced at the Duneland School Board meeting on Monday, May 5. The winner will receive a banner for their

Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department announces that effective April 1, it will no longer be providing services through its fax line. This change is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to modernize communication systems and streamline operations. The phone number previously used for fax communications, 219-921-0820, will no longer be operational for receiving or sending faxes. The funds previously allocated for fax-related services will now be redirected to enhance other critical services within the department, allowing for better resource management and improving overall modernization. “We are excited to embrace digital communication and better serve our community,” said Shannan Duncan, Corporation

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will continue to have overnight lane closures on I-94 between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35 through mid-April. Overnight lane closures that began March 31 will continue through approximately April 16 to set up phase one of construction work on I-94. Motorists should expect to encounter lane closures during the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Once phase one is set up, there will be two lanes of traffic shifted to the left with the work zone on the right in each direction. Construction work this

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Washington Park Zoo has opened its gates for its 2025 season this past Saturday. This marks the beginning of our 97th season, which will be filled with exciting opportunities for education and exploration for visitors of all ages. The zoo operates daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays, with extended summer weekend hours running from Memorial Day until Labor Day weekend. As part of this year’s offerings, the zoo features a full slate of engaging education programs and special events designed to inspire a passion for wildlife and conservation. Specific dates and details about

In Lake County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor has lane closures on U.S. 12/Columbus Drive between Alexander Avenue and Euclid Avenue. U.S. 12 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for bridge repair and rehabilitation through late June. Lane closures may be needed on Carey St under the U.S. 12 bridge during this work, which will result in flaggers directing traffic.

Egg-citing Easter Fun at The Barker Mansion Garden Saturday, April 12, 2025 Date and Time Saturday, April 12 10:00 am – 11:00 pm Location 631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN About this Event Families can hop into Easter fun at The Barker Mansion Garden! Follow the Barker Bunny Trail and hunt for colorful eggs hidden among the spring blooms. The hunt promises excitement for kids of all ages. Whether you’re exploring the Bunny Trail, learning the Bunny Hop, or joining the Easter Parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this Easter celebration. 🔔 Make sure to dress appropriately for outdoor

Dr. Carolyn Watson takes audiences back to Broadway with an evening of Golden-Age musical theater from America’s best-loved composer/lyricist duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra presents its fourth and final subscription concert of the 2024-25 season on Saturday, April 12 at 7 pm Central at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. La Porte, March 24, 2025 - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Dr. Carolyn Watson will present its fourth subscription concert of the season on Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 pm Central time at the La

As of Saturday 4/5/25-From the Indiana State Police Lowell. UPDATED INFORMATION* Indiana State Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Michigan City Michigan City- The LaPorte County Coroner has authorized the following information to be released. The deceased has been identified as Jorge Meza, 21, from South Bend, Indiana. Indiana State Police detectives were able to make notification to family last night and additional family members were notified this morning. An autopsy has been scheduled for Sunday, April 6th. No further information can be released at this time. below for release and statements from Friday 4/4/25-see below for previous release and

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 23 between County Road 100 North and County Road 25 North on or after Monday, April 7. State Road 23 will be closed through the end of May for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Eagle Creek. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, U.S. 35 and State Road 8.

The Town of Ogden Dunes announced that beginning May 1 you will soon be required to have your 2025 permits and dog tags. All permits are now available and Town Hall window hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Residents are eligible for one (1) vehicle parking sticker at no cost when home association dues are paid. 2025 Dues are $125.00. No cash will be accepted for Home Association Dues. Any checks should be made out to Ogden Dunes Home Association or ODHA. Additional vehicle stickers are available for purchase at $50 each (payable to Town of

The Town of Long Beach has pre-construction activities for their upcoming paving projects, scheduled to begin on April 8. These projects are part of ongoing efforts to improve the infrastructure and safety of the community. During this period, Rieth-Riley will be performing asphalt milling and HMA resurfacing, as well as installing drainage structures and making various stormwater infrastructure improvements. Local traffic is permitted, but access for non-local traffic is restricted. The town hopes to have paving dates available by mid-May. Juneway Drive from Goldengate Drive to Oriole Trail, April 8-11 Avondale Drive from Chastleton Drive to Lake Shore Drive, April

The City of La Porte announced Nest La Porte’s warming shelter has been extended for use through April. “Each night, the shelter operated by Nest La Porte provided dinner, breakfast, and a warm, safe place to sleep for individuals experiencing homelessness in La Porte during the coldest months of winter,” the City of La Porte said on their Facebook page. “This temporary warming shelter was planned through the end of March, but given the cold spring that we’ve been having, we are proud to share that we’ve extended our partnership into APRIL!” The shelter will remain open through much of

Spring Clean-up in Michigan City begins on Monday, April 7. The Refuse Department has issued a set of guidelines, a map and dates for each zone. The City is asking resident to have your items set out the Sunday prior to your scheduled pick-up week.      

A woman died in a crash Thursday involving a semi in La Porte County, the La Porte County Police siad in a statement. Just after 4:30 a.m., deputies responded to the intersection of US Highway 20 and County Road 300 East in Kankakee Township for a two-vehicle personal injury crash where a passenger vehicle was engulfed in flames. Upon the arrival of a deputy, he and a bystander attempted to remove the entrapped driver from the passenger vehicle but were unsuccessful, and the driver, 44-year-old Cary C. Canary from La Porte was declared deceased at the scene. The initial investigation

Press Release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte—The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) is proud to announce open enrollment opportunities for the 2025-2026 school year. Families inside and outside district boundaries are invited to apply for enrollment in LPCSC's exceptional educational programs. "We're excited to welcome new students and families to our educational community," said Dr. Sandra Wood, Superintendent. "Our district provides a wide range of educational programs from early childhood to high school graduation, aimed at preparing students for success in a constantly evolving world." LPCSC distinguishes itself through numerous educational advantages: ● New Early Childhood Center:

Valpo Parks recently announced on their social media that starting Monday, April 7, construction begins on the new Foundation Meadows Park playground, with work expected to continue through April and May, weather permitting. Valpo Parks says that during construction, the Prairie Trails, StoryWalk, and restrooms will remain open for visitors to enjoy. To stay up to date on all projects included in the rePLAY initiative, visit their website: bit.ly/ValpoParksrePLAY .

Last week, Chesterton Police officers took part in advanced training using the VirTra V-300 simulator. The department said on its Facebook page that the dynamic simulator allows instructors to adjust scenarios in real-time based on an officer’s response, creating a realistic and adaptive training experience. Officers navigated a variety of situations, from using verbal de-escalation skills to talk with a suicidal subject to responding to active shooter incidents, honing their decision-making skills under pressure. The Chesterton Police Department says this type of training is invaluable in preparing their officers for real-world challenges while emphasizing de-escalation and proper response tactics. The