Local News

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is re-implementing a waitlist for new Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) voucher applicants due to significant growth in both programs. At this time, the waitlist will impact new child care voucher applicants. Vouchers support low-income families who make less than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL), which is about $45,000 for a family of four, and have a service need including employment, seeking employment or enrollment in an education or training program. OECOSL will continue to re-enroll children

Press Release, Porter County Community Foundation: The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Porter County: Samuel Macker, William Orban, and Mariah Rivera. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Samuel, William, and Mariah are dedicated students and community members. We are proud to recognize them as 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars and are confident they will be successful in college and beyond,” said Bill Higbie, PCCF President and CEO. Samuel Macker, a senior at Chesterton High School, has excelled

The statement below is from Area IV Captain Anthony Scott, who has been selected by Governor-Elect Mike Braun to become the 21st Superintendent of the Indiana State Police. “I am deeply honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Indiana State Police, a Department steeped in heritage and tradition. I look forward to working with law enforcement across the State to implement Governor Elect Braun’s public safety initiatives. I want to thank Superintendent Carter for his service and dedication to the Indiana State Police and look forward to working with him during the transition. With the loving support

There will be a mobile food distribution event in Michigan City on Wednesday, December 18th from 10am-noon, or until all food is distributed. See flyer for more details!

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra's Holiday at the Pops is this Saturday and tickets are going fast. "There's no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with the LCSO's annual Holiday Pops concert, which culminates in a moving Silent Night sing-a-long," the LCSO said in a newsletter. Balcony seating is General Admission, and doors open at 5:30 pm. Food and beverage will be for sale in the lobby, balcony, and on the main floor of the Civic Auditorium. For questions call the LCSO office at 219.362.9020.

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) earned a first-place trophy at the Portage military drill meet on Saturday, Dec. 7 in the Color Guard category. The Wolves defeated larger schools, including perennial powerhouse schools Ben Davis and Warren Central from Indianapolis. Three of the four cadets in the Color Guard plan to enter the military. Cadet Major Marcus has enlisted in theMarine Corps for Reconnaissance, which is the Marine equivalent of Navy SEALS or ArmySpecial Forces. Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Matthew Wilson plans to enlist in the Navy for its nuclear submarine program.

In Michigan City, Rieth-Riley Construction is doing road repairs at various locations along Michigan Boulevard between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. They are asking the public to be cautious of the workers in the area if you have to travel that route.

At the December school board meeting, VFW Post 1130 Auxiliary members honored several La Porte Community School Corporation students for their outstanding entries in two prestigious VFW youth essay competitions. In the Voice of Democracy audio essay contest, high school students were challenged to address the theme "Is America Today our Forefather's Vision?" Hunter Quadlin (Grade 12) earned first-place honors, followed by Lila Gillisse (Grade 12) in second place. The Patriot's Pen competition invited middle school students to write about "My Voice in America's Democracy. " Abel Gorenson (Grade 8) claimed first place. Adara Smith and Olivia Mejan, both eighth-graders,

Board-certified Cardiologist Manoj Duggal, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Duggal specializes in cardiac electrophysiology. He completed medical school at Rohtak Medical College in Rohtak, India. His residency was done at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. Dr. Duggal’s cardiovascular fellowship was completed at Christ Hospital Rush University in Oak Lawn and his clinical cardiac electrophysiology training was completed at Illinois Masonic Medical in Chicago. Dr. Duggal’s clinical interests include the management of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia; ablations

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force, an Indiana HIDTA Initiative, Michigan City Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit, and the Indiana State Police Illicit Hazardous Environment Team (IHE), announced the successful dismantling of an illegal drug manufacturing operation, marking a significant blow to underground narcotics production in the area. Following an extensive investigation, police executed a residential search warrant at 109 Earl Rd, Michigan City, IN on December 5th, 2024, uncovering a fully operational drug lab. “This operation was a sophisticated setup designed to produce and distribute dangerous substances,” said LaPorte County Drug Task Force Commander Sgt. Kyle Shiparski. “Thanks to

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) has announced that 16 organizations across northern Indiana will be able to further their public safety initiatives as a result of support from the 2024 NIPSCO Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant program. Over the past seven years, NIPSCO’s Public Safety Education and Training Action Grant has funded a total of 110 projects geared toward community and youth public safety education projects, as well as training for first responders, police and fire departments. Some of these include lithium-ion battery response training, carbon monoxide training and CPR and AED training for residents and

Jack Arnett, CEO of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau said, “Last month Linda made it official – she announced her retirement effective at the end of the year.” Linda is going out on top, having led the Bureau’s Marketing Department for the last 17 years. During that time, she spearheaded the efforts behind the award-winning Great Lakes Grand Prix Marketing Campaign – having won the prestigious Best Event in the State of Indiana Award twice during her tenure. Linda has been involved in numerous boards and commissions locally and at the state level. She currently is finishing her

This past week, Jail Division Deputies Mathew Ballman, Richard Doperalski, and Andrew Anderson attended and successfully completed an Indiana Law Enforcement Academy certified Basic Jail Officer Course. The state mandated web-based course consisted of 40-hours of instruction, a final exam, and was hosted by the Indiana Sheriffs' Association. The course was taught by instructors from throughout the State of Indiana, including one from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Approximately 150 students from across the state were enrolled in the course. Congratulations to all who participated!

The South Shore Line announces it will extend its “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” monthly ticket promotion for January 2025. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of January 2025 will remain valid for February 2025.

  Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers to important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in November. The office is encouraging consumers to take advantage of opportunities available to them to return, fix, dispose, return or replace a purchased recalled item that could be harmful to their families.   “The holidays should be a time of togetherness, not a time to worry about defected products,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Hoosiers need to know if purchased items are flawed or have the potential to hurt them or their families.”  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in November:      

Lake County Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in unincorporated Crown Point. It happened just after 9 in the morning on Friday at a home in the 8300 block of Webster Court.  A 37-year-old woman suffered an apparent gunshot wound. Paramedics attempted to save her life, but she succumbed to her injuries. The investigation is still ongoing and no further details will be released at this time.  -Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.

Orthopedic spine surgeon Wajeeh Bakhsh, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Chesterton and Michigan City. Dr. Bakhsh is board-certified in orthopedics. He attended medical school at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and completed his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Bakhsh completed his fellowship training in complex orthopedic spine surgery at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center in Chicago. His clinical interests include disc herniations; neck, low and mid back pain; spinal stenosis; spinal cord compression and injury; nerve compression; scoliosis and sacroiliitis.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The original Michigan City Public Library turns a page as the ribbon is cut on the three-year renovation project. The refreshed Casa del Libri features five new, luxury apartments at Eighth and Spring Streets in the Elston Grove Historic Neighborhood. The building highlights its historic roots, including a 12-foot-high Tiffany-style-stained glass window depicting the Shakespearean figures Rosalind, Portia and Ophelia. “I think the biggest impact of the project is the fact that the library was opened to the public in 1897 as a pillar in the rich history of Michigan City. It has sat effectively vacant since

Unity Foundation of La Porte County announced that its founding president, Maggi Spartz, will retire at the end of 2025.   Under Spartz’s visionary leadership and tireless efforts, the Unity Foundation has grown from nothing to over $50 million in assets, benefiting thousands of people and hundreds of LaPorte County organizations. “In 1992, an opportunity presented by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to start a community foundation grew into a thriving and impactful organization. Building the Unity Foundation from scratch and transforming La Porte County and the region has been the honor of my lifetime,” said Spartz. “I am so

The Michigan City High School Student Council is once again coordinating a city-wide “drive-through” food drive. Students and staff throughout Michigan City Area Schools are collecting food, and the community is invited to participate. Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected at The Salvation Army of Michigan City (1201 Franklin Street) on Saturday, December 21 from 9:00 am to Noon, and all items collected will benefit The Salvation Army of Michigan City food pantry. The food drive has become a tradition for MCAS, held before the holidays each year to benefit those in need. Last year it generated more