Local News

A suspected drug dealer fled from police, speeding through neighborhoods with a 1-year-old boy in his van Thursday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Police say 40-year-old Jarrell Ford was the subject of an investigation for the second time this year by the Lake County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force – Regional Enforcement Team. According to the LCSD, at around noon Thursday, police officers attempted to stop him for a traffic violation near his residence in the 7000 block of Polk Street in Merrillville, but he refused to stop. Police say Ford drove at a high rate of speed

News Release, Indiana DNR: The Great Lakes Park Training Institute (GLPTI) awarded its 2025 Richard Lawson Award to Carl Lindell, central region manager for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of State Parks. The award honors individuals who exemplify continued and significant contributions to the parks and recreation profession in the Great Lakes region. Lindell began his career in natural resources as a seasonal employee at Harmonie State Park while in college. After graduating, he became the park’s assistant manager. He has since served as Michigan DNR’s regional director, before returning to the Indiana DNR and his current

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- An 18-year-old from Illinois died in a one-vehicle crash in unincorporated Lowell, Indiana early Thursday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to 231st Avenue & Colfax Street to respond to the crash at approximately 3:00 a.m. It’s believed the 18-year-old was driving a pickup west on 231st Avenue when his truck veered off the roadway.  The truck hit a culvert, went airborne, landed and rolled over.  The driver was ejected. The identity of the driver is being withheld until his family is notified. The

La PORTE, IN – The past year held many successes for the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association, according to Board President Mike Riehle. Formed in 2002, the La Porte UEA awards grants each year to local businesses and residents residing within the Urban Enterprise Zone. In 2024, the UEA was proud to award more than $110,000 to aid 13 business owners to improve the outward appearance of buildings within the zone. Riehle said these grants help to alleviate the financial burden for those small business owners that take pride in the appearance of their building. “Our board places high priority

The Starke County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a burglary and requesting the public's assistance in identifying the male and/or vehicle in photos the department has shared. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Justin McDaniel at (574) 772-3771 ext. 232, via email to jmcdaniel@starke.in.gov, or by calling the anonymous tip line at (574) 772-5958.

A man who allegedly used a baby as a “shield” during a standoff was arrested in unincorporated Gary. Police say what began as an armed domestic incident escalated into a tense hostage situation for a woman with three young children early Wednesday morning.  Police say the woman’s ex-boyfriend used her 15 month old as a human shield while barricading himself in her restroom. Just before 5 a.m., a 25-year-old woman called 9-1-1 to report her ex was armed with a handgun inside her apartment and had threatened to shoot her and police.  The woman stated she had a protective order

A Porter Township man was arrested on Wednesday morning on charges of sexual conduct in the presence of a minor and indecent exposure, the Valparaiso Police Department said. On March 26, at around 10:50 a.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the McDonald’s Restaurant, located at 2150 W. Morthland Dr., in reference to the report of a man committing a lewd act in a public place.  Upon arrival, police were advised the male subject was committing the indecent act alone, having exposed his genitalia to others within the play area of the restaurant.  The man had left the business prior to police

On Wednesday March 26 at approximately just before 2:45 a.m. a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a red SUV traveling in the wrong lane on Front Street in the City of Buchanan. The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his emergency lights as the vehicle was turning southbound on South Redbud Trail. The vehicle failed to stop and continued south on Redbud Trail at a high rate of speed pulling away from the deputy. The driver lost control and went airborne as the vehicle crossed the railroad tracks causing him to strike a tree and then colliding with

The Ogden Dunes Police, along with other agencies helped rescue a stranded boater Tuesday on the shores of Lake Michigan. The boater became stranded on the beach due to windy conditions and rough waters, Ogden Dunes Police said. With help from the Burns Harbor Police Department, the Ogden Dunes Fire Department, and the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement, they were able to assist the boater and help them on their way.

La Porte Police are looking for 32-year-old Brandon Bernacchi is currently wanted by the La Porte Police Department on four active felony warrants. If you know the whereabouts of Bernacchi you are encouraged to provide tips(s) to the La Porte Police Department. Police are asking the public to contact Sgt. Adam Jaskowiak at (219-362-9446 ext: 2134) or ajaskowiak@lpcitypd.com. Police say you may remain anonymous.  

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office announced the recent arrest of a man after allegedly attempting to enter a locked vehicle and a home. On the morning of March 23, a resident northeast of Rensselaer, IN, reported a male in blue jeans and a black jacket attempting to enter her locked vehicle and then her home, the JCSO said on its Facebook page. Fearing for her safety, she called 911. Deputies responded, located a suspect matching the description nearby, and identified him as 31-year-old Jacob A. Parketon of Hobart, Indiana. A witness confirmed him as the suspect. Parketon was taken into

News release, Indiana DNR: Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Alan Morrison announced that organizations in 20 Indiana counties across the state will receive $1,116,940 in grants to fund 53 lake and stream projects through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program. Funded projects are in Dearborn, Fayette, Fulton, Hamilton, Johnson, Knox, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Noble, Owen, Porter, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Steuben, and Sullivan counties. Grants totaling $643,300 will support 11 sediment or logjam removal projects in 10 counties. Another $473,640 will be used to support 42 projects to combat aquatic invasive plants, involving 52

 Last night (3/24) at 11:14 PM, Deputy Austin Wells was traveling east on US 20 in the area of CR 125 West.  A certified speed measuring instrument inside Deputy Wells’ vehicle confirmed a westbound US 20 vehicle was traveling in excess of the posted speed limit.  A traffic stop was initiated near the intersection of US 20 and SR 39.  The driver verbally identified himself as “Torris” HEAD and a rear seat passenger verbally identified herself as Shantae S. SPENCER (31).  As the traffic stop progressed, the three occupants were invited to exit the vehicle. The provided name of “Torris”

On March 3, 2025, Detective Derrick Deck was assigned to investigate a matter of child abuse / neglect that had been reported to the Indiana Department of Child Services.  Over the next several days, Detective Deck gathered information that included allegations of sexual abuse occurring at several different locations throughout La Porte County.  A 31-year-old La Porte County man, Jeremiah G. MANLEY, was identified as the suspect.    On March 12, Detective Deck presented a probable cause affidavit to the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office that included his initial investigation findings.  Probable Cause was later found in La Porte

To accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) taking place April 11-13, 2025, at McCormick Place, the South Shore Line will be offering extra service and select train stops at McCormick Place Station on April 11, 12 & 13. As McCormick Place is no longer a scheduled stop, passengers traveling to C2E2 should purchase tickets for Museum Campus. EXTRA TRAINS SATURDAY, APRIL 12: Westbound and eastbound Extra passenger trains: WB Extra will depart Carroll Ave. at 8:27 a.m. and make all local stops (arriving at McCormick Place at 9:45 a.m.). EB Extra will depart Millennium Station ahead of Train 509

An update on an accident Westbound 94 near the Indiana/Michigan State Line from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office   On Monday March 24, 2025 first responders were dispatched to an unknown injury traffic crash. Upon arrival they found that an eastbound semi-truck and trailer had crossed the cable barriers and struck a westbound Semi-truck and trailer in the driver’s side front of the trailer. The impact was so great that the driver of the eastbound truck was ejected along with the driver’s seat. The driver was found on the roadway next to the damaged truck unresponsive suffering from major trauma

Law Enforcement band together to target distracted drivers on I-94 from New Buffalo to Lake Huron Today,  law enforcement across Michigan will unite to target distracted driving on I-94 from New Buffalo to Port Huron. Michigan State Police, sheriff's departments, and local police will increase patrols to focus on drivers texting, eating, or engaging in other distractions while driving. Partnering with The Kiefer Foundation, this initiative precedes Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. For more about the Kieffer Foundation visit: https://mkiefer.org/

INDOT is aware of a tolling-related text message or "smishing" scam targeting Hoosiers. False messages appearing to come from INDOT alert recipients of a "final notice" regarding unpaid tolls. INDOT does not and will not notify drivers of unpaid tolls via text message. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4bVDdiz

𝐋𝐂𝐒𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐈 – 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 & 𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐔𝐒 𝟐𝟎 𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐙-an update from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office On March 19, one hundred (100) law enforcement officers from twelve (12) states – Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts worked a traffic safety project on US 20. Four (4) deputies participated in the project to increase traffic safety and public awareness along US 20 in La Porte County. Deputies worked the project during a two-hour peak travel time and produced the following results: • Contacts – 33 • Warnings – 24 (18

                 CEDAR LAKE, Ind. -- Board-certified family medicine physician Lynn Vattathara, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting patients in Cedar Lake. Dr.  Vattathara attended medical school at St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his residency in family medicine at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, N.Y. Dr. Vattathara’s clinical interests include dermatology, nutrition and fitness, preventative medicine and public health, sports physicals and minor sports injury management. In addition to English, Dr. Vattathara is fluent in Malayalam. He is accepting new