Local News

As the Double Track Northwest Indiana Project nears completion this spring, it is important to note the major safety improvements now present in Michigan City. Prior to the project, the train traversed 10th and 11th Street without gates, bells or flashers. As part of the Double Track project, 20 rail-roadway at-grade crossings were permanently closed. All remaining crossings are now equipped with state-of-the-art gates, bells and flashers designed to protect vehicular, pedestrian and train traffic and additional supplemental safety measures designed to discourage motorists from driving around lowered railroad crossing gates. With this major investment and improvement in grade crossing

Press release, La Porte County Symphony Orchestra: La Porte, September 18, 2024 - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the winners of the 19th Annual Hoosier Star Vocal Competition and Concert, which took place on September 14 at 7:00 pm at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. Singing "A New Life" from the musical Jekyll and Hyde, Alyssa Atkinson of South Bend took first prize in the Adult Division. Max Principe of La Porte was runner-up, singing the SteelDrivers hit "If It Hadn't Been for Love." In the Youth Division, Sophia Grubbs of Elkhart took home first

The following is a statement from the Michigan City Police Department regarding parking enforcement: The Michigan City Police Department has received complaints pertaining to vehicles throughout our community parking in the front yards, side yards, rear yards, and other areas that are prohibited by city ordinance. Prior to an ordinance enforcement initiative starting, we would like to remind all residents of Michigan City of the ordinance prohibiting driving/parking in lawns and in the greenway. If you are the owner of a motor vehicle that is in violation of the below ordinance, please take remedial action immediately to avoid receiving a

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – A body was recovered from Lake Michigan Wednesday at Silver Beach according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. On Wednesday at 4:19 p.m., St. Joseph Department of Public Safety along with Medic 1 and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a body in Lake Michigan off of Silver Beach in the City of St. Joseph, Berrien County. The body was retrieved from the water and rescue efforts were unsuccessful. The body is that of a 69 year old male who resided in St. Joseph Twp. The identification of the body is not being

The following is a statement on school safety from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office: ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? The LCSO has a longstanding partnership with the La Porte Community School Corporation, New Prairie United School Corporation, South Central Community School Corporation, MSD of New Durham Township School Corporation, and the Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation. These partnerships have grown over the years where deputies now serve as full-time school resource officers (SROs) and several others as part-time SROs. The need for these partnerships and SROs has never been as important as they are now with school corporations across the state and locally

The City of Michigan City has announced that on Thursday, Sept. 19, milling (removing the surface) will commence on Garfield Street from Winski Street to Ohio Street, continuing Friday, Sept. 20 from Ohio St to Wabash Street. Paving is expected to commence on Monday, Sept. 23 on Garfield Street from Winski Street to Wabash Street. All construction is weather permitting. Updates will be provided as they become available.  

Burn bans have been issued in 53 counties in Indiana. Locally, La Porte, Jasper, Marshall and Kosciusko counties are under burn bans. Restrictions on outdoor burning activities or "burn bans" can be ordered by any local fire chief for his or her jurisdiction, or they may be imposed by the legislative body of a city, town or county. While the Indiana State Fire Marshal does not declare local burn bans, the Fire Marshal supports local efforts to reduce the fire risk escalated by dry weather. County leaders consider several factors when making the decision to issue a burn ban. Soil

The Ogden Dunes Street and Water Department says Reith Riley is in town conducting road paving operations. Driveways may be blocked for short periods of time during construction as machinery and trucks pass. "Please be patient with the crews as we work to resurface our roads," the department said in a statement. The paving schedule is listed below: "Residents located on streets scheduled for paving work might consider parking their vehicles where road construction will not be taking place should they have to depart for work, appointments, etc. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our roadways."

The Michigan City Police Department graduated 12 more officers from the Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) just presented by the LaPorte County Crisis Intervention Team. The Michigan City Police Department now has approximately 35 officers trained in CIT, which gives officers the tools and resources to better communicate and provide resources to those that are dealing with mental health illness and trauma. The training was facilitated in partnership with the Drug Free Partnership of LaPorte County.

News release, Indiana State Police: Porter County- On Monday, September 16th, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division stopped a semi at the I-94 eastbound scales for a motor carrier violation.  The scales are located approximately two miles east of S.R. 49 in Porter County.  During the traffic stop, a State Police K9 did a free air sniff of the semi and alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed 123.9 kilos of a white powder.  The substance was field tested and was positive for cocaine.  The driver, Naseeb Chisty, 49, from

Over the past week, the Valparaiso community has been alarmed to hear of threats within our schools, causing panic, stress, and worry. Several similar situations have been noted in other communities within Northwest Indiana and across the country during this time. “The Valparaiso Police Department works in close partnership with Valparaiso Community Schools and takes any threat seriously. We are dedicated to the safety of our children at all times, allowing for a safe and secure learning environment,” said Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre. The following information is a brief synopsis of information that can currently be shared, resulting from

A suspect is in custody after one person died in an apartment fire in Portage early Tuesday. On Tuesday Sept. 17, at approximately 12:10 am police and fire units were dispatched to the 3300 block of Swanson Court Apartments in reference to an active structure fire. Upon arrival, police units found visible smoke and flames erupting from a ground floor unit. Officers assisted in evacuating the apartment building where the fire was occurring as well as the adjoining building. Firefighters began to battle the blaze and affected the rescue of a resident who was trapped on their second-floor balcony. After

Press release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) welcomed 1,700 new undergraduate students for the fall 2024 semester and the largest number of graduate students since before the pandemic, contributing to stable core enrollment with continued growth in graduate programs and students transferring to the university. Total enrollment grew to 9,051, up 4.3% from 2023-24. This figure includes students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and online programs, plus high school students pursuing dual credit courses through PNW. Core student enrollment, which measures the number of students attending classes on the PNW campuses, remained steady at

Press release, Scott D. Pelath: MICHIGAN CITY — Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission (“the Commission”) has earned statewide honors for recent flood protection work along the Kankakee River. At its annual conference last week, the Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (INAFSM) presented the Commission with its annual “Outstanding Floodplain Project Award” for its work to manageably contain floodwaters in the Kankakee watershed. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Water and Christopher B. Burke Engineering shared recognition as consultants for the project. “The Commission highly values innovation alongside tried and true methods

Valpo Parks has announced that their maintenance team has added safety lights under all of their park shelters. The department says this will provide additional lighting for park-goers, especially during evening hours. More information on Valpo Parks can be found at www.valpoparks.org.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will be conducting concrete pavement restoration on U.S. 30 at the interchange with I-65 beginning on or after Sunday, Sept. 22.Work will be conducted in three phases, each beginning on Sunday evening at approximately 8 p.m. and ending Friday morning at approximately 5 a.m. Lane and ramp closures will be in place during this timeframe and will reopen over the weekend before the next phase begins. Closures will change for each phase. During phase one beginning on or after Sunday, Sept. 22 through Friday, Sept. 27, the right two lanes

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) earned first and second place trophies at the Indianapolis Ben Davis High School Raider Meet. The Wolves won the Raider Fitness Challenge event and was the runner-up in the Raider Gauntlet event. Raider competitions are composed of different team physical fitness events that are based on physical tasks that could be required in combat. Logistics support for the cadets was provided by MCJROTC Booster Club President Ms. Donna Schliephake and the Michigan City Area Schools Transportation Department. Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, commended the

On Tuesday, 9/17 – preparations for paving will begin on Southwind Dr from Village Rd to the North Dead End, with paving being done on Wednesday, 9/18.  Concrete removals have also commenced on W Garfield St from Winski St to Wabash St.  All construction is weather permitting.  Updates will be provided as they become available.  

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Erin Meisner is focusing on the social side of economic development as the Community Development Manager at the EDCMC. The role is a new addition to the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City team that strengthens the ties between the city of Michigan City and the EDCMC for a collaborative approach to socio-economic opportunities. The position is a partnership between the EDCMC and the city. “As we look to drill down our impact on our community and neighborhoods, we needed a servant leader in the role to best guide the processes,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse.

WALLACE AND KHAIRY NAMED BARBARA S. FRIEDMAN POET LAUREATES Two La Porte County residents, Valerie Wallace and Shokria Khairy, were recently named the Barbara J. Friedman Poet Laureates for the 2024-2025 year. The announcement was made during the recent Poetry Showcase, a part of World Creativity & Innovation Week. Wallace was honored as the county’s poet laureate in the adult category while Shokria Khairy received the youth award. Currently, Khairy is a 10th-grade student at La Lumiere High School in La Porte. An award-winning writer, Wallace authored several books. House of McQueen (Four Way Books, 2018) was selected by Vievee