Local News

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso has launched an aggressive schedule of infrastructure projects this season, working strategically to maximize the miles and lifespan for roadways and capital projects citywide. “With more than 175 miles of roadways, plus sidewalks and pathways, along with water and sewer improvements, we’re working smart to enhance and promote sustainability,” said Mayor Jon Costas. The City has appropriated $9.4 million in 2025 for its largest-ever road resurfacing program, including collector, arterial and neighborhood streets. “Prior to 2024, the City had been committing about $3.5 million annually to road maintenance, which was a

News Release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, is accepting applications for the Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant. Now in its seventh consecutive year, the grant supports local nonprofit organizations and first responders to provide public safety education and training across northern Indiana. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applications are being accepted now through July 18, and recipients will be announced during the week of Aug. 11. “At NIPSCO, safety is our priority and core value,” said Rick Calinski, Director

MUNSTER, Ind. -- Registration is now open for the Franciscan Health Produce Prescription Program in Munster, which aims to assist with chronic disease management. Upon successful completion of the free, six-week program, participants will receive monthly fresh produce vouchers for six months. Participants must have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure; have moderate to high food insecurity as determined by a screening process and complete a four-week Cooking Matters course. Participants need not be patients within the Franciscan Health system to participate. The program will meet weekly from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central

The Ogden Dunes Street and Water Department is informing residents that hydrant testing has begun and will continue until Wednesday, June 18. Some residents may experience water discoloration. "Please don't be alarmed," Michael Lanovich, Superintendent of the Street & Water Department said in a statement. "We assure you, your water is still safe. Simply run your water for a few minute and it should clear."

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department Monday welcomed three new officers into the department. Kristopher Ragle, Brock Schulte and Christopher Walsh were officially sworn in at a ceremony Monday morning. "These officers have answered the call to serve and protect our community with honor, integrity, and dedication," Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said on the department's Facebook page. "Please join us in congratulating them as they begin their journey in law enforcement. We’re proud to have them on our team!"  

Shortly after 12:00 p.m. Monday, Alfonzo D. Egeston Jr. fled from a traffic stop along westbound I-80/90 in the area of the 49 mile marker leaving behind his haul of methamphetamine. Highway Interdiction Deputies gave chase as Egeston ran north and onto the rear of properties that adjoin County Road 450 North. Additional deputies converged on the area and set up a perimeter. Agency K9s and drones are being utilized to attempt to locate Egeston. Police say if you observe Egeston or anything suspicious on your property, immediately call 911. Late Monday afternoon the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction will conduct overnight lane closures on northbound I-65 to set up phase two of bridge work on I-65 between Ridge Rd and I-94 this week, which will then be in place through late June. This traffic configuration change is currently scheduled to occur the evening of Wednesday, June 11 from approximately 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. I-65 northbound will be in a new construction layout the following morning, with three lanes in each direction at 35th Ave but one lane closed in each direction north of the eastbound I-94 to southbound

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the recipients of the Expanding What Works grant, an opportunity designed to increase access to high-quality summer programming for nearly 7,000 Hoosier students. The grant encourages regional collaboration between community organizations, local nonprofits, municipal partners and/or local school corporations to expand the successful Indy Summer Learning Labs (ISLL) initiative across the state, specifically targeting students with the greatest academic need. “As a state, we continue to double down on solutions that are showing a proven return on investment for Hoosier students,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Last summer, students who

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Pediatric patients in Franciscan Health Crown Point’s emergency room and pediatric inpatient unit will now have stuffed animals and blankets to help make their hospital experience a little more comfortable, thanks to a donation by The Eva Martin Project. Representatives from The Eva Martin Project donated 724 new stuffed animals, 292 pediatric blankets and 59 baby blankets to the hospital last week worth a total of $7,596. Each item had a tag with the organization’s logo and a QR code with a personal message on the back. The tags contain wildflower seeds and are intended to

The Portage Police Department is welcoming the two newest members of the Portage Police Department. Officers Jonathan Krause and Theodore Uzelac were sworn in by Mayor Austin Bonta at this week’s City Council meeting. Officer Krause is a Portage resident who comes to us with three years of management experience in the RV manufacturing industry. Officer Krause also holds an associate in science degree from the College of DuPage. Officer Uzelac is a life-long Portage resident and Portage High School graduate who is nearing completion of his bachelor’s degree in psychology through Purdue University Northwest. Each officer will be paired

In Chesterton, Babcock Road—C.R. 200W—will close between C.R. 1050N and Fairway Drive, from 7 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 9. The Porter County Highway Department will be performing maintenance on that stretch of roadway in advance its re-paving later this season.

The Chesterton Fire Department has announced its participation in the Home Fire Campaign—an initiative of the American Red Cross—with the goal of preventing fire-related deaths and injuries and making the community safer. As part of the Home Fire Campaign, 10-year lithium-battery smoke alarms will be installed free of charge in the homes of any Town of Chesterton residents who request them. In addition, residents will receive home fire safety information, including on how to create an escape plan. The CFD and American Red Cross will provide this service for the low, low price of a phone call! Begin the process

The Town of Chesterton announced it will will cohost a ribbon-cutting with the Duneland Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the opening of the new public parking lots in Downtown Chesterton at 9 a.m. Friday, June 13. The ceremony will begin at the new lot in the 100 block of Grant Ave. and folks will then walk to the second lot, in the 100 block of East Indiana Ave. “This opens up a lot of new parking for Downtown businesses and Downtown events alike,” Chamber President Maura Mundell noted. “We’re thrilled to see continued investment in making Downtown more accessible.” The

INDOT maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in the closure of State Road 25 between State Road 110 and State Road 19 for approximately three days beginning on or after Monday, June 9. Through traffic should utilize the official detour of State Road 110, U.S. 31, State Road 10 and State Road 19, or seek an alternate route. Local traffic should exercise caution and follow traffic directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is subject to change. Learn more about the chip seal process on the INDOT website

SMALL TOWN -A tribute to John Mellancamp is back at the La Porte Civic Auditorium on Saturday June 14th   🎸 Get ready to "hurt so good!" 🎸 SMALL TOWN - A tribute to John Mellencamp headlines an amazing night of music, with La Porte's own Rich Hardesty opening, on Saturday, June 14, at the Civic Auditorium!   Small Town, comprised entirely of Hoosier natives, brings the musical catalog of John Mellencamp to life on stage, recreating his high energy shows and the music spanning over four decades. Rich Hardesty beautifully blends the sounds of Reggae, Americana, Country, Folk and

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have a lane closure on State Road 23 beginning on or after Monday, June 9. The right lane of northbound State Road 23 will be closed between U.S. 20/31 and Renewable Rd through late June for a culvert lining project. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully.

Grab your picnic basket and drinks and join the LCSO for a FREE outdoor summer concert under the stars in Friendship Botanic Gardens at the Celebration Pavilion! Dr. Carolyn Watson leads the orchestra in a varied program of familiar favorites, as well as a preview of the upcoming LCSO concert season. Also featuring the 2024 Hoosier Star Youth Winner Sophia Grubbs and Adult Winner Alyssa Atkinson singing their winning songs. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of beautiful music in an equally beautiful setting!

Press Release, Indiana Department of Education: INDIANAPOLIS – This summer, Indiana students age 18 and younger will have access to free, nutritious meals and snacks at more than 1,000 locations statewide through the 2025 Summer Food Service Program. Households can find information about the meal types served and days of the week when meals are offered by using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Meals Site Finder. The Summer Meals Site Finder will continue to be updated throughout the summer. Families can also call the USDA’s National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273), or text “Summer Meals” or

Milestone Contractors were at work Friday on the expansion of the Chesterton Police Department’s rear parking lot. The expansion is being constructed on a 30-foot strip of land acquired earlier this year from the owner of the property immediately south of the new CPD station. The area being paved will have an east-west lane for parallel parking at its southernmost edge and opposite that a row of angled parking. "When the project is completed, sufficient parking will be available at the station house for all of the vehicles in the CPD’s fleet," the Chesterton Police Department said on its Facebook

LA PORTE, IN—The La Porte Community School Corporation proudly announced recently that its Food Service Department has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK). The department received the Innovative School Lunch Makeover Award for launching "The Creation Station"—a customizable, student-driven meal line at the high school. The team has significantly increased meal participation and student satisfaction by offering fresh, flavorful, and lower-sodium options like build-your-own sub sandwiches and burrito bowls while meeting all school