Local News

Thursday, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced federal grant awards for Crown Point, Merrillville, Portage, and Valparaiso under the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant program. According to the DOT, the SS4A Grant program aims to improve roadway safety by supporting communities in developing plans to implement infrastructure projects designed to reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. Crown Point will receive $280,000, Merrillville will receive $280,000, Portage will receive $280,000, and Valparaiso will receive $200,000 to develop comprehensive safety action plans that aim to eliminate roadway fatalities. Congressman Mrvan stated, “Congratulations to all the leaders

The 6600 block of Lakeland Avenue between Juniper Street and Moss Street will be closed to traffic beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday Sept. 16. The City's Utility Department will be excavating across the width of the road. This repair should be complete by the end of the day on Sept. 16, weather permitting.  

News release, NIPSCO: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), has made a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to adjust its electric rates. Continued investments in renewable energy largely drive the request to support the company’s ongoing electric generation transition, along with infrastructure upgrades to provide enhanced safety and reliability. As demonstrated by the company’s Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process in 2018 and 2021, making these investments now is the most cost-effective approach for customers over the long term. While the proposed increase was filed with the IURC today, it

Pioneer Cays will be happening Saturday and Sunday September 28th and September 29th from 10am-4pm.   Pioneer Days event is approaching quickly! Please come out and enjoy a day at Creek Ridge County Park and enjoy the great stations we’ll have set up. Ham and Beans, kettle corn, apple butter and more food available for donation as well as many hands on activities for the kids. Draft horse wagon rides and ceramic painting will be back this year as well. We’ll also have Jimbo’s and Downtown Delights on site as vendors. Come support our park programming and the La Porte

Duneland School Corporation Dr. Chit Pettit released the following statement on school safety late Friday, Sept. 13: “This week, there have been several safety concerns brought to the attention of Duneland School Corporation (DSC) building administrators and our School Resource Officers (SRO). When a safety concern is received, school administrators and SROs conduct an immediate investigation and work together to proactively address the concern. Information is shared with students and families when safety measures are implemented. At no time this week have any of the safety concerns been determined to be legitimate or a threat to any school or individual

The following is a statement from NPUSC Superintendent Paul White about a rumor of a threat to New Prairie Middle School: Dear NPUSC Families and Staff, This morning as students were arriving at New Prairie Middle School, administration received a report of a rumor of a threat to New Prairie Middle School (NPMS).  Students arriving to school were brought into the gym upon arrival. Multiple School Resource Officers are present at NPMS and will be present throughout the school day. Students and their backpacks are being searched prior to students being sent to classes by administration and SROs. There is

The Westville Police Department Facebook page is reporting a phone scam. The department stated the following: “Today I received an automated call claiming to be a civil claims department urging me to call back to settle my delinquent account. Oddly enough, when I called back and they realized it was a police department number, they were quick to hang up... Phone scammers will frequently focus on geographical areas and can be intimidating to some people. Just be aware that the calls are coming around and do not provide any of your personal identifying information to anyone over the phone.”

The following statement is from the Jasper County Sheriff's Department: The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department (JCSD) has been collaborating closely with the Kankakee Valley School Corporation (KVSC) in response to recent threatening social media posts. The individual responsible for the direct threat made toward Kankakee Valley Middle School (KVMS) has been identified, and charges have been filed. KVMS is adhering to Indiana law and its student conduct policy regarding the incident. Additional social media posts have been reported to both the JCSD and KVSC. Each report is thoroughly investigated by both parties. However, following JCSD's investigation, these other posts have

Press release La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership: La PORTE, IN  - The Sunflower Fair celebrates its twenty-fifth year in the heart of Downtown La Porte on Saturday, September 21! The fair that celebrates community and creativity will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will last until 4:00 p.m. This unique fair is situated along beautiful Michigan Avenue between Lincolnway and Noble Street. Sponsors of this event include Arnett Construction & Roofing and Visit Michigan City La Porte. Supporting sponsors include the Urban Enterprise Association of La Porte as well as NIPSCO. With over 100 craft and specialty vendors, the Sunflower Fair

The Valparaiso Police Department says they were informed on Thursday about a possible threat at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Police say the threat was immediately investigated by the Valparaiso Police Department and Valparaiso Community Schools staff. "The threat was found to not be credible; however, the persistence of rumors led to a few athletic teams to temporarily secure in their respective locker rooms during after school activities, as an exercise of caution," VPD said in a statement. "The joint (VPD and VCS) investigation determined that no evidence was found to support these rumors and will continue to take these matters

Bridge #39 Closure-Road Closure from 500 East to 100 South FROM: Connie Gramarossa, LaPorte County Commission DATE: 9/12/2024 Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of LaPorte County have closed County Bridge #39 located on 525 East over the Little Kankakee River until further notice. 525 East will be closed from East Division Road to 100 South. It will be open to local traffic only

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: In response to several recent questions from the community regarding dead wildlife, the City of Valparaiso wishes to remind residents of how to handle dead animals discovered on private property. “We follow the lead of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on protocol for the handling of dead animals. The DNR recommends that people wear gloves when moving dead animals,” said Steve Poulos, Executive Director for Valparaiso City Services. The DNR reports that a number of naturally occurring diseases may affect wildlife and cause their death. To learn more about wildlife diseases, you may visit

Press release, MAAC Foundation: Valparaiso, IN – The MAAC Foundation First Responding Training Campus is proud to announce the 5th Annual First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day (FRADD), scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2024. This highly anticipated event will take place from 9 AM to 2 PM CST at the MAAC campus. FRADD is a free and fun event for all ages and serves as our largest fundraiser of the year. The day is dedicated to honoring and supporting our first responders by providing them with comprehensive and inclusive training and skill enhancement opportunities. This year's event will feature over

On Wednesday, members of the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, Valparaiso Police and Fire Departments completed a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Valparaiso High School. The climb consisted of 2,200 steps, which is the equivalent of 110 stories. Jail Officer Matthew Anderson also participated in another Memorial Stair Climb at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – Vascular and General Surgeon Patrick Albert, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City. Dr. Albert is board certified in general surgery and board eligible in vascular surgery. He attended medical school and completed his residency at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, La. Dr. Albert completed his fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Albert’s clinical interests include procedures for open and endovascular peripheral artery disease, revision surgery and dialysis access. He is accepting patients at Woodlawn Health Center, 8865 W.

The La Porte Police Department is seeking tips from the public in reference to extensive criminal mischief in the area of West 18th Street. The pictured property damage occurred sometime between the late night on Sept. 10 and early morning hours on Sept. 11. The suspects are currently thought to be juveniles and local to the area. Police say any information in reference to this crime is encouraged to be reported. Police are asking those with information to contact Det. Cpl. Ashley Adams at (219) 362-9446 x2007 or at aadams@lpcitypd.com.

The Indiana Department of Transportation says they are aware of numerous fraudulent text and email campaigns related to their agency and various tolling groups. "Be sure to carefully inspect message sources as well as any links that may be included in these messages before clicking or providing any type of personal information," INDOT said on their Facebook page. Follow Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest on Facebook for more updates from INDOT.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. –Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is celebrating the completion of a second mural at the H.O.P.E. Community Center in Michigan City. Please join us in a community celebration at H.O.P.E. on Sunday, September 29, from 1-3 p.m. (Central). The celebration will mark the 1st Annual West Fest and will include remarks from Bernard Williams. The celebration will also feature performances by Michigan City High School's Wolvettes, the double-dutch group JUMP and spoken word with Gerri Lucas. Food trucks and vendors will be on site. The 2024 mural titled, "The Bridge to Tomorrow," was facilitated by Lubeznik

MICHIGAN CITY – Curb and ADA access concrete removal is underway on the west side of  Franklin Street beginning at 4th Street and continuing south to 10th Street. On Thursday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 14, concrete crews will continue removal, and forming and installing concrete at those same locations will commence, weather permitting. Traffic control will remain in place, so please use caution when driving in this area. The City says updates will be provided as they become available.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office says a deputy who was shot earlier this month will not survive, according to a statement made on Tuesday afternoon. The Newton County Sheriff's Office made the following statement Tuesday afternoon: “On behalf of the family of Corporal Schreiber, it is with great sadness we must provide this update. Corporal Schreiber was shot in the line of duty on September 1, 2024.  Despite the tremendous and heroic efforts of his medical team, we have been informed he will not survive his injuries. Corporal Schreiber is an organ donor.  His sacrifice will present the opportunity for