Local News

Press release, Marquette Catholic High School: Annual Fall Benefit Set for November 1st at Trinity Hall in Chesterton; Early Pricing Available through October 18th Since 1886, Marquette/St. Mary's has provided students with the knowledge, resources, and faith formation to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. Odds are you know someone who has thrived thanks to a Marquette education - a family member, a friend, or a civic leader. Those opportunities often exist because someone before them made a sacrifice.   This November 1st, you can show your gratitude for those contributions and pay it forward by attending "A Toast to Marquette" at Trinity Hall in Chesterton.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. — A motorist lost his life in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 20 and County Road 375 East in Pine Township on Wednesday afternoon, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police is reporting. Just before 3 p.m. the male driver of a 2010 Buick was southbound on County Road 375 East when he failed to yield right-of-way and pulled into the path of a 2019 Hyundai westbound in the inside lane of U.S. 20, according to police. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said. No information on the status of the Hyundai’s female

In order to accommodate construction at the current Hammond Station, the South Shore Line will temporarily bus overnight train passengers between 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11 and from Sunday, Oct. 13 through early Friday morning, Oct. 18. There will be no busing on Saturday, Oct. 12. The busing will be in effect between Hegewisch, Hammond, and East Chicago stations, and will last until train service is shifted to the new Hammond Gateway Station (located at 4530 Sheffield Ave.) on Oct. 18, 2024. Busing substitution in effect overnight Oct. 11, beginning at 7 p.m.: Weekday EB Trains 131,

Press release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso has opened its new Valpo Transit Center, located at 252 S. Campbell, adjacent to Journeyman Distillery. The new facility includes a waiting area and lobby, as well as restrooms and ticket sales/information. “The Transit Center will be the focal point for our Transit Oriented District. The City of Valparaiso is committed to providing transit within our city, to Chicago and beyond, connecting our residents to each other and the greater region,” said Mayor Jon Costas. The Valpo Transit Center was completed through a public-private partnership, with support from Journeyman Distillery and

Press release, Duneland Chamber of Commerce: Chesterton, IN – The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a $1,000 donation to the Duneland Garden Club in recognition of their outstanding efforts to beautify our downtown area. The Garden Club has been instrumental in planting vibrant flowers, lush bushes, and other greenery, transforming our community spaces into welcoming and picturesque environments. The Duneland Garden Club, composed of dedicated members, has been actively involved in enhancing the aesthetics of our town, contributing countless hours of service and passion to their gardening projects. Pictured left to right Janet Williams, Maura Mundell, Theresa

MERRILLVILLE — Unexpected capital expenses can put a strain on any budget, but thanks to the assistance of U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, the Merrillville Police Department secured nearly $1 million in federal Community Project Funding to upgrade vital radio equipment. Police Chief Kosta Nuses said the department’s former radios were well past their service life, and repair bills were becoming costly. He said the department began pricing new radios after learning the devices would become obsolete as Lake County Emergency Communications would eventually be operating on a different frequency. “This is where the panic kicked in,” Nuses said. “We quickly

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) LCC announced today that natural gas residential customers can expect an increase in their winter heating bills this season compared to last year. Based on current market projections and assuming normal winter weather, bills for natural gas residential customers are estimated to be 15 percent higher in contrast to cost at this same period in 2023, and 17 percent lower compared to the recent peak experienced in 2022. Each year, NIPSCO and other Indiana energy companies provide a forecast for home heating bills during the upcoming winter months. Projections are based on market forecasts,

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – Primary Care and Sports Medicine Physician Thomas Schmittdiel, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City and La Porte. Dr. Schmittdiel attended medical school at the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia, Mo. and completed his residency Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. Dr. Schmittdiel’s fellowship in sports medicine was completed at Ascension Resurrection in Chicago. His clinical interests include concussion management, non-operative fracture care, musculoskeletal injury, evaluation, treatment and ultrasound-guided joint injections. Dr. Schmittdiel is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), an Indiana HIDTA Initiative, announced the arrest of 47-year-old La Porte resident, Thomas Newgene Gill Anderson, for dealing in a narcotic drug as a Level 2 Felony. In the months leading to his arrest, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force began receiving community complaints and tips regarding Mr. Anderson distributing illegal drugs within La Porte. On Oct. 9, after months of investigative work and with the assistance of La Porte Police Department’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), a search warrant was executed at 912 Ridge Street, where Anderson was taken into custody. The LaPorte

Governor Eric J. Holcomb activated the Indiana National Guard to aid with hurricane relief efforts in Florida and help with route clearance, shelter management, supply distribution, and command and control. “Whether we’re aiding North Carolina recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, or assisting Floridians in the wake of Hurricane Milton, time and time again, when devastation strikes, Hoosiers of all backgrounds answer the call in helping those in desperate need," said Gov. Holcomb. "Indiana’s finest who serve in the National Guard, chief among them, will continue to provide critical help on the ground and air while we back here at home

Local first-responders will be conducting a joint exercise involving simulated aircraft crash this Saturday in Valparaiso. The following is a statement from the Town of Chesterton Facebook page regarding the exercise: "On Saturday, Oct. 12, local first-responders will be conducting a joint exercise within the confines of the Montdale Industrial Park in Valparaiso. "The purpose of this Emergency Preparedness Exercise, organized by the Porter County Local Emergency Planning Committee and both state and federally mandated: To evaluate sections of the Porter County Emergency Operations Plan. "PLEASE NOTE: This will be a full scale exercise, emergency equipment will be seen operating

Portage Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect from a case where several electric bicycles were stolen in Camelot Manor. Police provided a photo of the suspect on their Facebook page. Police are asking the public to email or call Detective Bryan Slatton with any information. Contact information: Bryan Slatton #145 | Detective Portage Police Department 6260 Central Ave. Portage, IN. 46368 (219) 762-3122 Ext. 5709 Email:  bslatton@portage-in.com  

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is hosting a free Family Day on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Central), and all families are invited to attend. This free, drop-in event allows children and adults to use various materials to design their own hero or villain masks, as well as a kid-friendly scavenger hunt through LCA’s three galleries in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Family Days are particularly engaging for school-age children and their parents or caregivers, but all ages are welcome. Free snacks will be provided, and no advance registration is required.

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Professor of Physics Neeti Parashar has been elected as a 2024 Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS). Parashar is recognized with the prestigious distinction from APS “for outstanding mentorship, teaching and leadership over two decades by creating and providing groundbreaking research and educational opportunities for minority students and young physicists from many nations, and for wide ranging contributions to the Compact Muon Solenoid program and its pixel detector at the Large Hadron Collider.” “This is one of the highest honors a U.S. physicist can earn, so it’s very gratifying to

A total of 55 non-profit organizations across Indiana and Chicago’s south suburbs will receive a boost through $448,000 in funding from Franciscan Health’s Social Impact Partnership Program (SIPP) for community health improvement programs. SIPP is a community health enrichment program that builds partnerships with nonprofit health and human service agencies providing services in at-risk communities served by Franciscan Health. The goal of the program is to foster long-term relationships with community providers to better address significant health issues among vulnerable populations. “This program honors the incredible work our partners provide to community members each and every day,” said Kate Hill-Johnson,

Today, paving preparation will commence on Beverly Court from Coolspring Avenue to Cleveland Avenue. Thursday paving will commence on Coolspring Avenue from Franklin Street to Earl Road and on Beverly Court from Coolspring Avenue to Cleveland Avenue. All road construction is weather permitting. Updates will be provided as they become available.

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has opened its first public comment period for proposed changes on deer rehabilitation in the (CWD) Positive Area. These proposed changes would require sick, injured, or orphaned white-tailed deer that are found in a CWD Positive Area to be given to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator only within that area or to a rehabilitator within the county where the deer was found. Changes are also proposed for permitted wildlife rehabilitators to release deer obtained from a CWD Positive Area only within that area. Currently, the CWD Positive Area includes LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb counties;

La PORTE, IN  – On Tuesday, September 24, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the City of La Porte for water infrastructure to support manufacturing business growth in the city. “Since the beginning of our administration, we have searched for ways to battle a rapidly aging infrastructure that is crucial for, not only our residents, but the many businesses that choose to call the City of La Porte home,” Dermody said. “Our team has made it a priority and we are very grateful to the U.S.

Road repairs in the 1700 block of Franklin Street and the 300 block of Washington Street will be completed on Tuesday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 9. These repairs will temporarily close the northbound lanes on Franklin Street from Barker Avenue to Homer Street and the southbound lanes on Washington Street from U.S. 12 to Fourth Street. During the same period, the intersection of Washington Street and U.S. 12 will be closed temporarily, with eastbound and westbound turning lanes blocked. A detour will be in place for Franklin Street, redirecting traffic northbound via Pine Street to East Ripley Street and

CROWN POINT, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point’s emergency department is the first in Indiana and only one of 13 in the nation to receive the American College of Emergency Physician’s Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department (PACED) Gold Level accreditation. PACED is an ACEP-governed national accreditation program which seeks to improve pain management for patients in the emergency department. It recognizes the need for prompt, safe and effective pain management and treatment for patients in pain and/or addicted to pain medication. A Gold Level PACED accreditation is the highest possible. Led by a collaborative multidisciplinary team within