Local News

At approximately 1:05 this morning, police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched two a two-vehicle crash in the 11400 block of Wicker Avenue in unincorporated Lake County just south of St. John. The crash involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a semi. When officers arrived, it was determined the driver of the pickup was deceased. He was identified as 31-year-old Ryan Perez, a police officer with the Munster Police Department for approximately 3 to 4 months after transferring from a police department in Illinois. Officer Perez was off duty; driving his personal vehicle at the time

The City of Portage announced temporary lane closures on Crisman Road between Rt. 20 and Houston Avenue beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Friday, Feb 28 from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Manhole replacements will be taking place. Refer to the maps for details.

News release, Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs: The Coast Guard urges the public to exercise caution around icy waters as temperatures fluctuate across the Great Lakes region. Temperature fluctuations have impacts on the structural integrity of the ice and could pose safety concerns for those planning to recreate on or near ice and cold water. Warmer air temperatures will cause frozen waters to melt at an alarming rate and may cause misperceptions about Great Lakes water temperatures, which will remain dangerously cold, posing safety concerns for anyone venturing onto the lakes. Ice is unpredictable and the thickness can vary,

La Porte, IN – The La Porte City Park Foundation is excited to announce the inaugural Earth Day 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, April 26. This exciting new event will benefit the La Porte City Park Foundation and help support park improvements and environmental initiatives in the community. The race will feature a beautiful 5K course, looping around Clear Lake with an out-and-back section on the Chessie Trail, offering participants stunning views of La Porte's natural landscape. The start and finish will be located at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater, providing a perfect setting for the event.

Hoosiers are reminded that when they see, hear or learn about someone illegally stealing wildlife, known as poaching, there’s an easy way to alert authorities – the Turn in a Poacher (TIP) program. DNR manages wildlife for everyone, and every person can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. Doing so will help conserve wildlife for future generations. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you can remain anonymous if you choose. In 2024, TIP received nearly 1,025 tips and paid thousands of

A motorist lost his life this morning, Monday, Feb. 24, in a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 20 and North Brummitt Road, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police is reporting. “Identification of the deceased driver will be made at a later time pending notification of next of kin,” the PCSP said. According to the PCSP, at 8:58 a.m. the motorist was westbound on U.S. 20 in a pickup truck when he passed a slower moving vehicle. For an unknown reason, while passing in the left lane, he crossed the center line and struck head on a semi-tractor trailing eastbound

Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Dyer both ranked in the top 10% of qualified inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the Netsmart Technologies, Inc. UDSMR® database. The database tracked patients discharged between October 2023 and September 2024 from 886 inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The goal of the ranking is to recognize high-performing facilities for their delivery of effective, efficient, timely, quality, patient-centered care. “I’m proud of the work of the inpatient rehabilitation staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Dyer for achieving this distinction,” said Nancy Cutler RN, MS, director of rehabilitation services and program development for Franciscan Health’s

MICHIGAN CITY – Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch invites the public to attend her 2025 State of the City address on March 4 at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St, where she’ll discuss what’s happened since she took office just over a year ago – and what’s coming up next for Michigan City. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The address will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 10 a.m. Coffee will be available, and there is no cost to attend. “As the city grows, this administration continues to evolve with it,” the mayor said. “We’ve worked hard

In Portage, Samuelson Road between Central Avenue and Robbins Road will be closed to all traffic on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00pm (weather permitting) for a sanitary tie-in. The City of Portage is asking the public to use alternate routes.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Tryon Meadow would mix townhomes, single-family homes and rentals in one workforce housing community on 39 acres with frontage on Tryon Road. The proposed development, a joint venture between Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group, has been approved by the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission. “The economic development agreement paves the way for site work to begin this summer with 218 total units that are near Shady Creek Winery and allow for easy access to downtown Michigan City and the Interstate,” said Managing Member John Kavchak. The proposed project blends rentals and for-sale units. Development plans include eight buildings on

Press release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Environmental Action Grant, an annual endowment awarded to local organizations to help fund environmental projects and programming across NIPSCO’s service area. Now in its 10th year, the Environmental Action Grant has historically provided $577,000 in funding to a total of 143 projects with an emphasis on environmental education and restoration across northern Indiana. Last year, 21 initiatives from local organizations were selected by the grant review committee to each receive between $500-$5,000 in funding. “As engaged corporate citizens, we

News release, Indiana DNR: It’s time to begin planning your 2025 fishing trips, with fishing licenses available to purchase for this year’s adventures on the water. Licenses valid April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, can be purchased through the new DNR Fish & Wildlife Activity Hub at GoOutdoorsIN.com, via the mail, or thorough in-person retailers listed at on.IN.gov/HuntFishLicenseRetailers. Licenses can also be purchased at the 70th Annual Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Feb. 19-23 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. With your 2025 fishing license, you can aim for a new state record, as was recently confirmed for

A special all-community event, “Celebrating Naomi Anderson," honoring 19th century hometown born and raised suffragist Naomi Anderson will be held on Saturday, March 1st, at the Michigan City Public Library. The program will debut a children's book written by Cheryl Chapman and illustrated by students at Pine Elementary School. The premiere of a documentary by local filmmaker Rana Segal about artist Bernard Williams' sculpture, telling Anderson's story through his eyes, will also be presented. The program is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Last year, the Michigan City Council passed a resolution naming March

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra announces the 20th Annual Hoosier Star Vocal Competition - Hoosier Star of Stars! The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that the 20th Annual Hoosier Star vocal competition will take place on September 13, 2025 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium and will feature the adult winners from the nine prior Hoosier Star competitions who will compete for the prestigious title "Hoosier Star of Stars", as well as a cash prize. The finalists will sing their winning song accompanied by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Music

NEST COMMUNITY SHELTER LAUNCHES TICKET SALES FOR FIRST  FUNDRAISING GALA IN THE ORGANIZATION’S HISTORY   Nest’s Emerald Gala will Feature a Plated Dinner, Dancing, and Fundraising Auctions to Raise Funds for Nest Community Shelter’s Operations.   MICHIGAN CITY, IN., Nest Community Shelter’s first ever charity gala tickets are on sale. The inaugural event, scheduled for May 3, 2025, at The Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, promises an evening of entertainment and philanthropy in support of the shelter's mission to combat homelessness across La Porte County.   "This gala represents a milestone for our organization," said Harrison Holtkamp, Executive Director

Franciscan Health will be hosting a virtual diabetes prevention program online starting Tuesday, April 8 at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern. Franciscan Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have been proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. More than one in three adults have prediabetes, but most do not know it. Without lifestyle changes, prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, like those implemented through the Franciscan Health Diabetes Prevention Program. Groups meet weekly for a total of 16 sessions,

5 people found DEAD after a wellness check in Lake Station-see below for details from the Lake Station Police Department   On 2/21/25 at approximately 2:44pm, Officers of the Lake Station Police Department were dispatched to the 6700 Block of 9th Avenue in reference to a welfare check. Upon arrival, a search warrant was obtained for the residence in question, at which point 5 deceased individuals were located. The preliminary investigation has lead investigators to believe this is an isolated incident with no threat to the public. The Lake Station Police Department is asking for the public's patience while more

A 39-year-old man suspected in the fatal stabbing of a 33-year-old woman and the kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy in Chicago is in custody at an area hospital after leading police from several agencies on a pursuit Friday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Department. An Amber Alert had been issued for 8-year-old Tristan Gaters overnight, saying he was last seen in a silver 2022 Ford Escape SUV driven by 39-year-old Marcus Bausley. At around 9:30 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were alerted by the department's license plate reader system about the vehicle included in the Amber

Sixteen Indiana conservation officers are returning home after deploying to Kentucky last weekend to assist with widespread flooding. The group, consisting of two Type I swift water rescue teams, was requested by Kentucky through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to aid in search and rescue missions. The officers left Indiana on Sunday, Feb. 16 and initially staged in Richmond, Kentucky, before being reassigned to Frankfort, Kentucky, and then Leslie County in southeast Kentucky. The two teams were tasked with search and rescue missions, welfare checks and delivery of food, water, fuel and generators to the flooded areas that were

The City of Valparaiso is reminding the public that the March 1 deadline for Neighborhood Improvement Grant applications  is quickly approaching. To find grant materials and resources, including a 27-minute webinar that covers all the details on how to submit a successful application in 2025, visit the link provided on the Valpo Now Facebook page. You can also see it by clicking here.