Local News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Thursday announced 20 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. This year’s cohort also includes four schools that renewed certifications, as well as 11 additional schools that are making strides to create an engaging STEM culture. Created in 2015, the STEM Certification program recognizes schools committed to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom. STEM Certification exemplifies a highly innovative approach to education, employing a great deal of inquiry, project-based learning, community engagement, entrepreneurship, student-centered classrooms, integration into humanities and related arts and out-of-school STEM activities. For secondary

Press Release, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Construction company F.H. Paschen has expanded with a new regional office at 2146 N. Karwick Road, Suite D, with an initial investment of approximately $250,000 in the space’s build-out. F.H. Paschen has its roots in Chicago with more than 500 total employees who work at offices across the country, including Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Washington, D.C. The construction company teams with private and commercial clients in a range of industries to work on repairs, renovations and rebuilding of facilities. Projects include bridge repairs, school renovations, transit

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest will host John H. Davies, the author of “Extraordinary Ordinary Innovators,” for a book signing and networking event from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 12 at Anderson’s Winery and Vineyard, 430 E. U.S. Highway 6, Valparaiso, IN. John Davies’ new book, “Extraordinary Ordinary Innovators,” demonstrates the importance of truth and ideas through innovation. Innovators see things that others do not see by “thinking differently” – new, improved and different ways of doing things. Through his book, Davies aims to inspire everyday people to embrace innovation to

News Release, Franciscan Health Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a doula certification workshop over two weekends in June, with needs-based scholarship applications being accepted to cover the registration fees. Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula may help communicate a woman's birth plan, create a comfortable environment during delivery or simply provide general support a family may seek during this pivotal time. A doula does not perform clinical tasks. The Franciscan Health Crown Point Family Birth Center offers doula services to families free

In La Porte, Truesdell Avenue is closed from McClung Road to Taylor Drive for road construction. This closure will run through Friday, May 17. Fox Park, including Ron Reed Field and Thrills N Spills Skate Park, will remain accessible to the public during this time. The city is asking the public to enter the park through the parking area off of McClung to the east or by taking Truesdell in from the west.

Town of Porter Police Department May 9th, 2024 Two suspects are in custody after a high speed chase originated at the Pines Branch of Porter Bank on US HWY 12. At approximately 11:45 PM on Wednesday May 8th, Porter Police responded to assist the Porter County Sheriff’s Office at the “Pines Bank” concerning an ATM burglary in progress. The first arriving officer from Beverly Shores PD encountered two suspects who fled in a vehicle westbound on US 12 at a high rate of speed. A Porter Police Officer intercepted the vehicle and continued the chase while a second officer attempted

UPDATE: The Indiana State Police have announced that the Statewide Silver alert that was issued for Trinity Sue Thomas has been canceled.   Original post: A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a missing Lake County woman. The Winfield Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Trinity Sue Thomas, an 18-year-old white, female, 5 feet 0 inches tall, 135 pounds, brown hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a pink spaghetti strap dress. Trinity is missing from Winfield, Indiana and was last seen on Friday May 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. She is believed to be in extreme danger

Press Release, Indiana Department of Education: Nearly 12,000 Educators Have Already Registered For Training Through Keys to Literacy INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced at today’s State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting that due to an incredible number of teachers who have already signed up for training through Keys to Literacy, additional cohorts are now available for teachers to participate in this free professional development over the next year and beyond. Since launching in April, nearly 12,000 educators have already registered for the science of reading-focused course developed specifically for Indiana. Over the past 10 years, Indiana has

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin construction on the roundabout at State Road 130/State Road 51/Hobart Road and State Road 51/Cleveland Avenue on or after Monday, May 13. Construction at this intersection will be done in phases and will be ongoing through mid-October. Phase one of the project will consist of a road closure on State Road 130/State Road 51/Hobart Road from State Road 51/Cleveland Avenue to Hickey Street through early July. The detour will follow U.S. 6 and State Road 149. A public hearing for this project was held in October 2021. Documents from the hearing can

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will begin recruiting students for its new Master of Social Work (MSW) program that is expected to enroll its first cohort in fall 2025. PNW’s MSW program will prepare advanced generalist social workers who are well-qualified to meet social services needs in our metropolitan region. “Engaging individuals as partners in the helping process is key to social work,” said Anne Gregory, dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at PNW. “If you are someone interested in building and strengthening relationships in ways that promote, maintain and enhance the

News Release, Franciscan Health: Students from Coolspring Elementary School recently delivered 54 care packages featuring a coloring book of their artwork for Franciscan Health Michigan City patients. “On behalf of the Coolspring students, we would like to present you with these 54 goodie bags, which contain a student-made coloring book, coloring supplies and a sweet treat for the patients and families of the patients at your hospital,” sixth-grade student London Stupar, 12, said during the presentation. “We are hopeful that these donations will spread a little joy on this Better World Day.” Better World Day is an annual, national event

The Ogden Dunes Police Department is reminding residents and those planning to visit the community that parking restrictions are currently in effect. All vehicles parked within the restricted area must display a valid 2024 Ogden Dunes Parking Permit. National Park permits will not be honored. “Vehicles parked within the restricted area without a valid beach area parking permit are subject to being ticketed and / or impounded,” ODPD said in a statement. “The fine for parking within the restricted area is now $200 if paid within 30 days. If parking fines are not paid within 30 days, the fine increases

Press Release, Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.: April was made for northwest Indiana poets. Nearly 500 of them, mostly students, submitted their work in this year’s Eighth Annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” The Showcase is sponsored every year by the Center for Creative Solutions during World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month. The winners read their work to family, friends and community members at the La Porte County Visitors & Convention Center on (Sunday) April 28. The event followed a women’s poetry reading earlier in April. That program, funded by the Sinai Temple, featured poets, Carnessa Carnes, Carmen

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of 27-year-old Coltyn T. Nowatzke, who was being held in La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Tuesday at about 8:00 a.m., an inmate assigned to the same cell as Nowatzke alerted jail staff of an emergency.  Jail Division Deputies, along with medical staff, responded and found Nowatzke unresponsive. Deputies and a nurse immediately began to render aid and resuscitation efforts. Members of the La Porte County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported Nowatzke to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus. Nowatzke was later pronounced as deceased by the medical

The following are unofficial numbers for Tuesday's Primary for LaPorte County:

U.S. 231 is closed between Hendricks Place and Chase Drive for a permitted water main project. The local detour is Lane Street, 105th Avenue and State Road 55. “We are working to coordinate with our construction contractor for the projects between Bell Street and Fathke Road (small structure replacement project) and between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive (pipe lining project), Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest said on its Facebook page. “We will announce the plans for the projects when established.”

The following information is provided by the Town of Chesterton: Join Westchester Township History Museum staff for one of three Historic Chesterton Walking Tours on Third Fridays this summer: *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 17. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. The tours will leave from the Westchester Public Library’s Thomas Branch, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. On each tour your guide will discuss the history of Downtown Chesterton and some of its most unique and historic buildings and houses. Walking and standing will be required. Water bottle, hat, and sunscreen

In Michigan CIty, Tilden Avenue is closed between Wilshire Avenue and Gardena Street for sanitary sewer work. The city anticipates it to reopen on Friday, May 10. To opt in for text message alerts about updates or changes in construction activity, text MC2024 (no spaces) to 833-236-7421.  

The LaPorte County Law Enforcement Community will present the Peace Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m. The location for the event will be the Fraternal of Police Lodge 75 and Congressman Frank Mrvan will give the keynote address. Students from Michigan City High School will sing the National Anthem and play Taps. The event is open to the public.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to phase two of bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance work on I-94 eastbound near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and Kennedy Avenue on or after Monday, May 13. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures to install the new traffic configuration. Eastbound traffic will then be in phase two through mid-June, where the work zone will split traffic with one travel lane to the left of the work zone on the inside shoulder and three lanes of traffic on the right of the work zone. The following