Local News

Press release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte—Hailmann and Kingsbury Elementary Schools continue to strengthen the La Porte commitment to cardiac emergency preparedness with Heart Safe School Certification drills through Project ADAM. Today’s events are a collaborative effort between La Porte Community School Corporation staff, community health advocates, and first responders. Under the guidance of LPHS teacher Tabitha Hughes, HOSA-Future Health Professionals students have provided hands-only CPR training to students at both elementary schools. This vital initiative has been supported by Tonya Aerts, Julie West, and the Play for Jake Foundation, who have been instrumental in the Heart Safe

News release, Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point has been recognized as being in the top 100 in the nation for medical excellence in major cardiac surgery and coronary bypass surgery by CareChex® Awards by BluCareChex Quantros. The 2025 quality awards from CareChex are based on their comprehensive quality scoring system that compares inpatient quality performance across general, acute and non-federal U.S. hospitals. “I commend the Franciscan Health Crown Point cardiac surgery teams and cardiology service line for their work in earning this recognition,” Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Dr. Daniel McCormick said. “Residents

The Salvation Army of Michigan City’s pantry is in need of hygiene products. The most needed items are shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, diapers, wipes, paper products, and laundry detergent. Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Salvation Army asks to please consider donating to help them continue to meet the basic needs of those they serve.

A driver and passenger were arrested after an alcohol related crash Thursday night, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. At 11:40 p.m., deputies responded to the 6500 north block of CR 400 West reference a motor vehicle crash.  A deputy arrived at the scene and found a pickup truck off the east side of the roadway in a ditch.  There was also debris scattered about in the area due to the pickup truck crashing into several mailboxes before becoming stuck in the ditch. Police say the driver of the pickup truck was identified as 25-year-old Austin T. Higgins.

Michigan City Area Schools is seeking nominations for the 2025 Michigan City Area Schools Wall of Fame. This annual award, first presented in 1976, honors former school employees who have made outstanding contributions to the children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Employees from every area are eligible: administrators, custodians, food service personnel, instructional assistants, maintenance personnel, paraprofessionals, teachers, transportation staff, and secretarial staff. To qualify for nomination, the candidate must have been employed by the Michigan City Area Schools for a minimum of 15 years. Special circumstances may be considered for those not meeting the 15-year requirement due to

The Porter County Health Department has issued a public notice for a petroleum release, spill or overfill. Local health departments are required by statute to inform the public of the discovery of released regulated substances at an underground storage tank site or in the surrounding area or a spill or overfill. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was notified on February 11, of such an incident from the owner or operator of the Family Express #03 facility located at 1612 East Lincolnway in or near Valparaiso, Indiana in Porter-Valparaiso County. For further information on the Leaking Underground Storage Tank

The Rotary Club of Michigan City is seeking nominations for the 2025 Paul J. Alinsky Excellence Award. This award is presented in honor of Paul Alinsky, a past President of the Rotary Club, past Chairman of the Board for the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, and founder of Sentinel Alarm Company. Paul passed away in 1997 and the award was created to keep his memory alive. It is presented annually to a person from the Michigan City community who exhibits dedication to community service, as well as excellence, passion, and innovation in their vocation or career. These are the areas

As spring awakens and the birds begin to chirp, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra-LCSO ushers in the season with a program of delightful works the evoke the sounds of spring. Mendelssohn’s Overture to the Hebrides opens the concert, depicting a roiling Scottish seascape. LCSO Education Manager and percussionist Jared Coller solos on Danish composer Kjell Roikjer’s Concerto for xylophone and strings as the LCSO presents the world premiere of this work that was recently discovered and published. Closing the concert is Schumann’s first symphony, a yearning for spring to which every Midwesterner can relate! For tickets and information visit

Chesterton police arrested two Illinois suspects on Monday after a high-speed pursuit, with one of the suspects being found in a trash can, according to police. According to the CPD, at 10:25 a.m. an officer was advised that the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Police was pursuing a Nissan with Arizona plates westbound on U.S. 30. He learned that the suspect vehicle was believed to have been involved in a fraud case currently under investigation by the CPD. The officer took a position on Ind. 49, just south of Gateway Blvd., in order to intercept the suspect vehicle should its driver try

The Valparaiso Police Department is seeking interested participants for the 2025 Citizens’ Police Academy.  The department’s citizen academy provides an opportunity for community members to experience what it is like to be a Valparaiso Police Officer and is returning in 2025. The academy is designed for attendees to meet police officers and learn about their assignments, specialties, and daily operations.  There are several topics featured throughout the program, including presentations on all agency divisions, training, public information, drone team, bike patrol, crash investigations, School Resource Officers, evidence collection, K9 unit, traffic enforcement, and many more. The academy will meet on

Rogers Lakewood Park is reopened to the public Thursday. The Parks Department recently completed habitat restoration work on nearly 30 acres of parkland, removing invasive species to improve the health of the ecosystem. Valpo Parks says that while the park may look a bit different, they’re excited about the future of this revitalized space. They are asking the public to stay on designated trails and use caution as some woody debris may remain.

The Chesterton Fire Department announced that the town hall is now open, around the clock, as a warming shelter, according to the Town of Chesterton. It will remain open through Saturday morning, Feb. 15. Dangerously cold weather is also in the forecast next week, at which time the CFD is set to re-open the town hall. People whose furnaces fail or are underperforming may accordingly seek the relative comfort of the town hall, 726 Broadway, at the northeast corner of Broadway and North Eighth Street. Enter the building, then look for the double doors directly ahead. “Conditions at the Chesterton

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Associate Professor of Nursing Julia Rogers was awarded the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ (AANP) 2025 Award for Outstanding Contributions for the state of Indiana. The AANP State Award for Outstanding Contributions recognizes nurse practitioners (NPs) who demonstrate exceptional impact in advancing the NP profession at the state level. Nominees must excel in at least four key areas, including professional leadership, educational advancement, research contributions and community impact. Selection criteria emphasize the nominee's proven track record in fostering health care innovation through evidence-based practice, mentorship, strategic partnerships and advocacy efforts. Selected

Indiana Conservation Officer Bryce Klimek, who serves Pulaski County, has been selected as 2024 District 10 Officer of the Year. Klimek has served as a conservation officer for 22 years. He served in Porter County before transferring to Pulaski County. In addition to his normal duties as a field officer, Klimek serves as a field training officer, sonar operator, background investigator, and passenger for hire inspector, all for the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement. District 10 includes LaPorte, Porter, Lake, Newton, Jasper, Starke, and Pulaski counties. The district award puts Klimek in the running for the Pitzer Award,

"Power of The Purse" ia back at Uptown Social in Michigan City on Thursday March 13, 2025 from 6pm-9pm. Each year Women United of La Porte County hosts Power of the Purse, an exciting designer purse raffle event that brings local women leaders (and men too!) together to have fun, network and support the financial stability impact work of Women United and the United Way of La Porte County. A fabulous Italian buffet dinner will be included with each ticket provided by The Waterford Inn! An OPEN BAR, specialty drinks, and other raffle opportunities will be available. Dress is business casual. Sponsorship will help us create

On Wednesday February 12th at approximately 2:43pm officers responded to the area of the Willowcreek Bypass south of Crisman Road in reference to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a Portage Fire Department ambulance. Initial reports indicate that a white 2013 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling southbound over the Willowcreek Bypass at an unsafe speed for the road conditions. The combination of excessive speed and snow-covered roads caused the driver of the SUV to lose control and cross the center line into the northbound lanes. The SUV side-swiped a northbound delivery truck before striking a Portage Fire Department ambulance

La Porte County Issues Travel Advisory LP Co Alert: La Porte County has issued a Travel Advisory. Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas. Individuals should use caution traveling. Allow extra time. Be safe. #wims

The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post has initiated a criminal investigation into a video that has been shared on social media in regards to a dog that was being transported on a flatbed trailer. One of their detectives and an off-duty K9 unit located the endangered canine that was being transported as well as having identified a suspect. Police said on Tuesday they held the dog in a safe, undisclosed location and said the dog would receive treatment. Further information will released on Thursday, police said. Police would like to note that the pictured dog

La Porte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg is announcing some preliminary data from the 2024 Annual Report. The report will contain crime related and statistical information in the following areas: calls for service, offenses, arrests, crashes, citations, and warrants. “The crime related data within this year’s report reveals some significant decreases in several categories.” “With that though, traffic safety remains a concern due to increases in a couple categories,” stated Sheriff Heeg. The number of calls for service in 2024 decreased by 9%. A total of 25,718 calls for service were answered by deputies of the Sheriff’s Office last year

La Porte—La Porte High School's Music Department demonstrated exceptional talent at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Vocal and Piano Solo and Ensemble Contest, held Saturday at Valparaiso High School. In a remarkable showing, 88 La Porte students earned 125 Gold Division medals, and 12 performances advanced to the State Finals in Indianapolis. "I’m really proud of our students’ commitment to musical excellence that made this contest so successful," said Thomas Coe, LaPorte High School's Choir Director. "They prepared the solos and most of the ensembles with minimal help and completely outside of class time. The Gold ratings confirm