Local News

Lovers of Tex-Mex cuisine should start gearing up for the next event in the Friday Night Live series, according to Civic & Events Director Gregory Pietsch. The ever-popular Taco Fest will return to Downtown La Porte on Friday, June 20 from 6-10 p.m. Featuring local taco vendors, a beer garden and a live performance by the Latin-American musical group Latitude Music, this event is free and open to all ages. Given the popularity and growth this event has experienced over the last several years, Pietsch said he expects this year to be the best crowd yet. "The La Porte community

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. released the following statement regarding vehicle weight limit enforcement: As of June 2025, I have directed the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Unit to initiate enforcement operations targeting overweight vehicles which are damaging roadways and impacting driver safety along the state line in southwest Lake County. Beginning this month, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department will send more than 60 warning notices to companies and individuals operating vehicles in violation of weight limits. From this point forward, traffic citations will be issued to those continuing to ignore weight restrictions on county roadways. I urge anyone

Michigan City, IN – Administrators, staff, school board members, families, and friends cheered on adult graduates from across LaPorte County as they gathered at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center in Michigan City on Wednesday, May 29, to celebrate the achievement of an important milestone: a high school diploma. Of the eighty-seven adult education graduates who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) diplomas, thirty-two students opted to participate in this year’s commencement ceremony. Nine student speakers - Jaevianna Aldridge, Sunni Hendricks, Devante Jones, Angel McCarty, Diego Perez-Paz, Rema Reed, Keanna Reynolds, Katherine Roberts, and Misty Stotler each offered brief, heartfelt reflections

Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon wants the community to be aware of a scam that began circulating Wednesday throughout not only Porter County, but the entire State of Indiana. “We have attached a picture of the text message that was sent out to many citizens and want to confirm this is completely false and to not click on the link that appears to be legitimate beginning with in.gov. We’d also like to take this moment to again reiterate to be aware of the continuing scam of subjects impersonating Officers and demanding money to avoid an arrest.  We have attached some

News Release, South Shore Line: The South Shore Line, a commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), provides service between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in South Bend, Indiana, with a total of 18 stops. The South Shore Line is inviting the public to participate in an important survey that will help shape the future of commuter rail service. Community feedback will directly influence project prioritization, transit accessibility improvements, and strategic investments in the region’s transportation infrastructure. Currently in its initial phase, the Strategic Plan will establish a long-term

Press Release, Health Foundation of La Porte: LA PORTE - Each year, Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) provides grants for life-saving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) to ensure the La Porte County community has access to these devices. HFL works in conjunction with La Porte County EMS, La Porte County E911, City of La Porte Fire Department, the Play for Jake Foundation, and the La Porte County Health Department to ensure our community has a safe, manageable, and efficient program to help people who are suffering a serious heart event have the best chance at survival and to help educate

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced  a lane closure for southbound S.R. 912/Cline Ave that begins on or after Friday, June 6. The left lane of State Road 912 will be closed between Chicago Ave and Gary Rd for approximately one week for pipe and inlet repair. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully.

The Portage Police Department have announced a traffic alert for Thursday starting at 5 p.m. for PHS graduation. PHS graduation ceremony will be held today (Thursday June 5) at 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and at that time Airport Road will be closed to all northbound traffic at American Way and will remain closed for several hours. Police are asking the public to see the  map for entry locations and parking. The map can be found on this story and on the Portage Police Department Facebook page. They are expecting a significant amount of traffic in and around

News Release, Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Students at 63 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2025-26 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties. The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for all K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR. Grants of up to $500 are awarded to fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to the field trips. A recent gift of $10,000 from STAR Financial Bank,

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for today,  June 5. Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, expected fine particulate matter levels may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas: North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area. Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area. Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond,

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor is conducting lane closures on U.S. 20 between I-94 and C.R. 400 W. The right outside lane is  closed westbound for approximately two days through June 5, followed by the right outside lane on the eastbound side for approximately two days on or after Monday, June 9. No left turns will be permitted within the area of the closed lane. These closures are for utility work ahead of long-term construction in this location. This project consists of road reconstruction with added center turn lanes and shoulders on U.S. 20

Press Release, Valparaiso Police Department: On June 2, 2025, at approx. 7:30 p.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the 1900 block of Chicago Street in reference to the report of a subject being shot.  It was further learned the suspect in the incident may have left the area or had secured himself in a nearby apartment.  Upon arrival, police were directed to the male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was confirmed deceased on scene. Police continued an immediate search for the suspect and the Porter County Emergency Response Team responded to assist.  The investigation quickly confirmed the

La Porte Community School Corporation is proud to announce that three schools have received prestigious recognition from the Indiana Department of Education for their commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Crichfield Elementary School and Kingsford Heights Elementary School have earned full STEM Certification, joining an elite group of Indiana schools recognized as leaders in innovative STEM education. Additionally, Kesling Intermediate School has been designated as "Developing" in STEM Certification, highlighting the significant progress the school has made in creating an engaging STEM culture. The recognition of three La Porte schools in a single year demonstrates the district's

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – To patients and co-workers at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Tansel Turgut, MD, is a cardiologist. But in chess circles around the globe, Dr. Turgut is well known as an international chess player, having won multiple championships in a variety of types of chess worldwide. He is also an International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master. In 2023, he became the state chess champion of Indiana, following state championship wins in Louisiana in 1997 and Michigan in 1998. He can even play chess blindfolded, using only his mind to envision the board and his next move. Dr. Turgut said

Throughout time, poets told stories, offered social and political commentary, recorded religious beliefs, and revealed deep, human feelings. This April, northwest Indiana poets did the same as they celebrated World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month. Elementary through high school students and adults submitted their poems in this year’s annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” The Showcase is sponsored every year by the Center for Creative Solutions, a local non-profit organization dedicated to a community culture of creativity and innovation. The winners read their work to family, friends and community members at the La Porte County Visitors & Convention

On June 1, 2025, at approximately 12:34 am, the FLOCK RAVEN gunshot detection system alerted to a shot being fired near 403 Chicago Street. Uniform Patrol Shift 3 Officer Brock Moore responded to the location as did Officers Robert Dokmanovic and Patrick Lewis from the Crime Suppression Unit. Officer Moore was the first to arrive on scene and as he was walking through the area, he noticed a green laser emitting out of the upper window of 401 Chicago Apt. 2. The laser was consistent with being a laser gun sight and soon after seeing it, a gunshot was fired

State Road 39 will be closed between the Indiana Toll Road and Tiffany Woods Dr on or after Monday, June 9 through the end of June for work being conducted by the Indiana Toll Road. The official detour will follow U.S. 20 and U.S. 35. Questions, comments or concerns about this work on State Road 39 should be directed to the Indiana Toll Road.

AVOID THE AREA -TRAFFIC ALERT Here are more pictures of this HORRIFFIC ACCIDENT which has SR 2 CLOSED at FAIL ROAD-this will be closed for a long time. AVOID the area. Thank you for sharing the closure and pictures La Porte County Sheriff's Office and to everyone working on the scene. #wims FOLLOW THE LCSO FACEBOOK PAGE for details on closures, etc... 2700 east block of SR 2 Deputies are investigating a personal injury crash involving a CMV and a Refuse Truck. The eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 2 are closed in the area. EB SR 2 is closed

COUGARS ARE SECTIONAL CHAMPS!!!!!  Congratulations-Job Well Done-NPHS Baseball Sectional Champs 2025! New Prairie United School Corporation #wims

June is National Safety Month and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is sharing an important reminder for its customers: when planning and carrying out home improvement projects that involve electricity and natural gas equipment and lines, don’t do it yourself (don’t DIY)! “If you're planning to install a new natural gas stove, dryer, or furnace—or if you're considering adding new electrical outlets or wiring—please don’t attempt to do it yourself,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “Instead, we strongly encourage you to contact a qualified gas or electrical professional to ensure the work is done