Local News

On April 21, 2025, at approximately 1:07pm, the Laporte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call indicating a person had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, at a residence in the 300 block of Edwards Street. Uniform Patrol Shift I Officers, Cpl. Brian Wright, Ryan Koontz, Kane Fletcher, Cody Washluske and Louis Gallegos responded to the scene as did Laporte County EMS and the Michigan City Fire Department. The initial investigation determined three local juvenile males, ages 15,17 and 17, were at the Edwards Street residence. They were in possession of two handguns that one of the juveniles

INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2025) – Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is alerting investors about increasing threats from financial scams and fraudulent schemes targeting investors in 2025. These threats, identified in a recent survey conducted by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), are primarily spread through digital assets, cryptocurrency, social media apps, and AI-powered scams. The NASAA report highlights that scammers are using social media platforms like Facebook, X, Telegram, and WhatsApp to target investors. Additionally, video-sharing platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, and Instagram Reels are also heavily utilized to reach potential victims, with scammers relying on slick,

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun is directing flags to be flown at half-staff statewide as a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in the State of Indiana from now until sunset, the day of interment. Governor Braun is asking businesses and residents located in Indiana to lower their flags as well.

The Center for Creative Solutions bestowed this year’s CREO! to Jack Olesker during Northwest Indiana’s World Creativity & Innovation Week. Michigan City writer, producer and director, Olesker received the prestigious award for four decades of writing, producing and directing over 1,200 episodes of television programs, 18 films, several PBS documentaries, 7 published novels, and more. “Jack is a consummate story teller. His tales have entertained us, educated us, taken us to places we’ve never been, and taught us some of life’s most valuable lessons. Through his own creative journey, he has encouraged each of us to be brave, follow our

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Sister M. Aline Shultz, OSF, intentionally spoke of Pope Francis in the present tense on Monday, just hours after the news broke of his death. The chairwoman of the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees said someone offered her condolences Monday on the Pope’s passing. She thanked them and reminded them, “his presence is still here.” “The physical presence is a loss but knowing that on Easter Monday he was welcomed into glory by God in Heaven is such a blessing,” Shultz said. Shultz has traveled to Rome, Vatican City and Assisi many times for mission trips and

National Work Zone Awareness Week Runs from April 21 - 25   As National Work Zone Awareness Week kicks off, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is reminding drivers to follow good safety practices every time they encounter road work crews.   This year’s theme for National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs from today, Monday, April 21, through Friday, April 25, is "Respect the zone so we all get home.” “When driving through a work zone, it’s important for drivers to remember that the workers out there are real people with families waiting for them at home,” said

Jasper County- Monday afternoon at approximately 1:00 p.m., troopers responded to a vehicle fire on I-65 southbound lanes at the 231 mile-marker.  This location is one mile north of the exit to Demotte/Roselawn (exit 230). Preliminary investigation shows that a 2021 Volvo, operated by Swift Transportation, was southbound on I-65 when the driver pulled over due to a mechanical problem with the vehicle. When the vehicle stopped, the driver noticed the brakes on one side of the tractor were glowing red and started on fire. The driver attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher from her cab; however,

Robert John Behler Jr. (84), former Mayor of Michigan City, Indiana, passed away peacefully at his residence in Encinitas, California, on December 4, 2024, surrounded by his family. Bnal care and kindness brought comfort and dignity to Bob in his final years. Visitation and memorial display will be from 4:00 - 7:00 pm Thursday, April 24, 2025 at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Friday, April 25, 2025 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 411 W. 10th St.,Michigan City, IN with time for gathering

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites community members to support PNW students by making a gift during its annual PNW Day of Giving 24-hour fundraiser on Wednesday, April 30. PNW Day of Giving is the university’s largest and most successful campaign that benefits student scholarships, academic and athletic programs, and resources that benefit PNW students. Supporters are encouraged to save the date and visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 30 to make a gift of their choice to PNW.  Supporters’ generous contributions help expand the many resource offerings that help PNW students pursue their degrees. “Day of Giving is a

In honor of National Drinking Water Week, LaPorte County Health Department is offering free In-Home Well Water Screening test kits. During the week of May 5th – May 9, test kits will be available. To participate, you will need to pick up the testing kit from the LaPorte office or Michigan City office during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. A photo of a full statement with additional information can be found attached to this story. For more information, give us a call: (219) 325-5563 (219) 809-0515

Michigan City – Michigan City Area Schools will launch a new program in September that is designed to boost community engagement and give the public a deeper understanding of its operations. The MCAS Ambassador Program, which will be limited to 20 participants, is a seven-session series of interactive workshops that will give community members a behind-the-scenes look at district services, finances, operations, curriculum, instruction, and more. Ambassadors will meet once a month on a Thursday morning to hear from administrators, staff, and students and take part in hands-on activities at locations across the school district. “This initiative aligns with the

I-65 SB at exit 230 All lanes will be closed for an indeterminate amount of time due to the semi fire. Once it is safe, traffic will be escorted around the scene, but that won't be for a while. Driver's in the backup, please be patient and DO NOT drive NB in SB lanes! This cleanup is expected to last into the night due to the surface of the roadway being significantly damaged. Good news- driver of the semi was not injured. Thank you Indiana State Police Lowell Post. #wims

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, died Monday. He was 88. Bells tolled in church towers across Rome after the announcement, which was read out by Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, from the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta, where Francis lived. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of

The DNR is seeking the public's help to understand more about Kirtland snakes. The DNR asks the public to help them find out where Kirtland’s snakes live by submitting your photos to HerpSurveys@dnr.IN.gov. DNR biologists are studying the status and occurrence of state endangered Kirtland’s Snakes across Indiana and need your help. Kirtland’s Snakes are a small, harmless, and docile species, but they can be difficult to find because they live underground. They prefer open grassy areas with moist soil but also live in vacant lots and along ditches in cities and neighborhoods. They may be found beneath pieces of

Amy Hamann a 7-12th grades STEM teacher at Barker Middle School, Michigan City, has been selected as an Indiana Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Amy Hamann, a teacher in Michigan City Area Schools, is now one of four Indiana high/middle schoool STEM teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. State Finalists represent the most

– Registration is now open for The Salvation Army’s annual free summer camp opportunities. Children ages 6 to 17 who reside in Michigan City are eligible to attend camp through The Salvation Army, including six different camps that will take place at Hidden Falls Camp in Bedford, IN. The experience will be a four- to six-day overnight visit, depending on the camp. Kids Camp will be held June 13 to June 15 for children ages 6-8 (registration deadline is May 30); High Adventure Camp for children ages 13 to 17 will take place June 17 to June 21 (registration deadline

LaPorte County Parks is inviting the public to stop by Luhr County Park any time between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday, May 16 to help the naturalist staff do spring cleaning on the native flower beds. "This is a great opportunity to learn about native plants while giving back to the parks," LaPorte County Parks exclaimed on their Facebook page. Gloves and tools will be provided, but you may bring your own.

NORTHWEST INDIANA – Newborn babies in the Family Birth Centers and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) at Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Dyer and their families had a bit of Easter spirit come their way recently with the help of their hospital caregivers. Franciscan staff members worked with families to create the photos of the tiny newborns – including two sets of twins – wearing “Freshley Hatched #NICU” onesies, bunny ears and tutus and posed with baby chicks, carrots, Easter baskets, Easter eggs and more. Franciscan Health understands the importance of marking milestones in the lives of the

In Lake County, 61st Avenue will have alternating lane closures on/after Monday, April 21 through early September for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project over I-65. During phase one through early July, the outside right lanes will be closed, and traffic will be shifted to the left. Phase one will also result in the closure of the ramps from westbound 61st Avenue to southbound I-65 and eastbound 61st Avenue to northbound I-65. Motorists should utilize the ramps at Ridge Road or U.S. 30 as detours.

Valparaiso, Indiana – First responders dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, often facing immense physical and mental challenges in the line of duty. In recognition of the need for comprehensive mental health support, the MAAC Foundation and Responder Strong are proud to announce the First Responder Mental Wellness Conference, taking place on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST at MAAC Foundation 4203 Montdale Park Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383. Doors will open at 8:00 AM CST. Visit bit.ly/maacmentalhealth2025 and register today. “First responders face incredible challenges every day, often carrying the weight of those experiences