Local News

A sold-out crowd watched in awe as Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch surprised 13 local youth programs with thousand-dollar checks at her inaugural charitable gala on April 19 at the Stardust Event Center at Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa. Through sponsorships and ticket sales, the mayor raised $113,000. These funds will benefit Michigan City organizations that offer youth services and programming. “Before I was mayor, I was a coach, a teacher and a mentor,” Nelson Deuitch said. “I’m as committed now as I’ve ever been to our young people, and saw my first mayor’s ball as the perfect opportunity to

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the ribbon-cutting and grand opening event for the 1100 Woods Community by Phillippe Builders. Join them for an exclusive first look at these stunning new home models on Thursday, May 16, 4:30pm, at 2179 CR 1100 North, just south of Dogwood Park. Guests will enjoy cocktails, light bites, and the opportunity to meet the Phillippe Builders team and Home Consultant, Laura Hetherington. This event is a celebration of craftsmanship and community, showcasing the dedication to excellence that Phillippe Builders is known for. Owner Rachael Phillippe expressed her excitement, stating, "We are

Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre and Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon requested the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon in Valparaiso. Preliminary information is that officers were dispatched to the area of Fairgrounds Park for a suspicious person that was reported to be displaying a handgun. Officers located a male subject that matched the description of the suspect near the Butterfield Pavilion. As officers approached the suspect, the suspect fled and ran towards Calumet Avenue.  During the foot pursuit, an exchange of gunfire took place between the suspect

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close State Road 312 between Parrish Avenue and State Road 912/Cline Avenue on or after Wednesday, May 1. State Road 312 will be closed through early June for a small box culvert replacement. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 20, U.S. 12, and State Road 912.

Governor Eric Holcomb Thursday announced that Amazon Web Services (AWS), an Amazon.com. Inc. company, plans to invest $11 billion to build a data center campus in north central Indiana and create at least 1,000 new jobs. This planned investment marks the largest capital investment announcement in Indiana’s history. “Indiana’s long-term economic strategy is paying dividends for Hoosiers as we cultivate the growth of critical sectors like technology infrastructure,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Amazon has long been an important economic partner in Indiana, and we are excited to welcome AWS. This significant investment solidifies Indiana’s leadership position in the economy of the

News Release, Michigan City Area Schools: Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins has announced that she will be retiring, effective August 2, 2024. She has served as the Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools since July 2010. Her top priorities have centered on strengthening the instructional core, expanding college and career preparation opportunities, and providing increased educational options for families and students. She led efforts to establish elementary magnet schools in the Arts (at Pine Elementary) and in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (at Lake Hills Elementary) and supported both Lake Hills and Barker Middle School in obtaining

News Release, Franciscan Health: Two Franciscan Health hospitals in Northwest Indiana have a new CFO and Franciscan Health Crown Point has a new vice president of medical affairs, the healthcare ministry announced today. Justin Kats became the new chief financial officer for Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Michigan City effective April 8. Kats recently served as the executive director/system controller for UChicago Medicine for 10 years and previously served as manager for audit services for Crowe Horwath, LLP for 10 years. “I am excited to join Franciscan Alliance, its mission and the wonderful individuals that serve their community

Press Release, Michigan City Sustainability Commission: Who wants a FREE tree? Do you enjoy exploring our environment and making new discoveries? Michigan City Sustainability Commission, has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Tree Board to bring you the 3rd Annual Earth Month Extravaganza. This FREE all ages event is on Saturday, May 4th from 1-4 pm at Kreuger Memorial Hall, 801 Liberty Trail, Michigan City, IN 46360. Learn from over 20 environmental organizations! Activities include guided hikes, a fossils hunt, games, crafts and more! Contact Andie Jahnz-Davis at Andie.goinggreen@gmail.com for more details

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso has been awarded the maximum $1.5 million in Community Crossings grant funds through the Indiana Department of Transportation, announced Governor Eric Holcomb. Together with newly appropriated funding for roadways, the City of Valparaiso will embark on its largest-ever paving season, with an ambitious $8.8 million in roadway projects for 2024, more than double of the previous year’s budget. “We’re very pleased to be looking ahead to more roadway improvements than ever, assisted by this grant and further appropriations. This aggressive budget reflects a renewed priority on roadways,” said Mayor Jon Costas,

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. –  One person died in a multi-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon on I-65, according to the Indiana State Police. Troopers were dispatched to I-65 northbound at the 257.7 mile-marker, just south of the ramp to I-80/94. Preliminary investigation by troopers on scene and crash reconstructionists shows that a Chevrolet HHR was traveling north in the right lane when the driver failed to slow in traffic and rear-ended a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The impact caused the Elantra to travel into the path of a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup. The pickup struck the Elantra on the driver’s side. The driver

The Social Events Committee of the Michigan City Area Schools Transportation Department will host its 11th Annual Mother’s Day Plant and Flower Sale on Friday, May 10th. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the front lawn of the Service Building located at 1100 S. Woodland Ave, Michigan City, IN, directly behind Joy Elementary School. Cash, credit, and debit will be accepted. This year the sale will feature a large selection of potted plants, flowers, flats, and hanging baskets grown locally by Mark’s Farm Market and Greenhouses. Gary’s Hot Dog Cart will be on site from 11

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 48-year-old Troy L. Slack in connection with the April 22 death of Keith A. Eastwood. Eastwood was struck Monday morning by a vehicle in the 11800 west block of U.S. 6.  Following the crash, the vehicle left the scene.  Eastwood was found by a citizen who had been traveling along U.S. 6 at approximately 6:00 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division and members of the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) responded to the scene and launched a major investigation into the fatal

News Release, Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health Michigan City’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is back and open for registration. The unique, six-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 8 and 15. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures. The program explores healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health. Individual and family-centered physical activities and tips to maintain a healthy, active life with Trainer Ron Gaston are included along with cooking, meal prep and sessions on understanding nutritional facts with

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host commencement exercises on Saturday, May 4. A total of 834 candidates have completed plans of study in PNW’s academic colleges of Business; Engineering and Sciences; Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Nursing; and Technology. Honors College graduates who have completed enriched multidisciplinary academic opportunities, leadership engagement and community service will also be recognized. The candidates include 685 earning their baccalaureate degrees and 149 earning their master’s degrees. Candidates for graduation are students who completed plans of study in spring 2024. PNW’s spring commencement ceremony will take place outdoors on the

Returning to Lake County Fairgrounds May 4th and 5th! Gift, Food and Craft Show is a weekend of fun where you’ll find anything and everything under the sun! Looking for something fun to do? How about a day of shopping for the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun? For the past two decades, Shipshewana On The Road Gift, Food and Craft Show has brought the most interesting, most innovative, most creative and just plain awesome products to their customers. You’ll find thousands of unique items that you may not find anywhere else! Come join the fun!   Location:

MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT Today, Wednesday, April 24, from 10am-Noon at Fedders Alley in Michigan City. See flyer for details!

The Michigan City Tree Board is combining Earth Day and Arbor Day this year, and will celebrate on May 4 with a free tree giveaway at the Michigan City Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. until noon. They will host another giveaway from 1-4 p.m. the same day at the Earth Day Extravaganza at Krueger Memorial Park. In addition to the beautification of your property, trees provide many benefits, including shade, reducing your energy costs, windbreak, privacy, cleaner air, noise reduction and higher property value. Warmer spring weather marks the start of landscaping season and from time to time all trees

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will close State Road 39 between C.R. W 1800 S and State Road 8 beginning on or after Monday, April 29. State Road 39 will be closed through early June for a bridge deck overlay project over the Kankakee River. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 8, U.S. 35 and U.S. 30. INDOT had previously announced that this project would begin in early April.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will reduce State Road 2 to one lane between Colorado St and Clay St on or after Monday, April 29. State Road 2 will be reduced to one lane at Pearle Creek, with traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals through early July. Crews will be conducting a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through all work

ITRCC ensures customer data protection amid E-ZPass toll phishing/ smishing scams. In light of recent phishing/ smishing scams targeting customers of various toll road agencies, the ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC), the maintainer and operator of the Indiana Toll Road, wishes to remind its customers that it does not send text messages requesting sensitive information such as passwords, payment information, or account numbers. Scammers have been using fraudulent text messages to deceive individuals into providing payment for unpaid tolls. These messages may appear to be from toll road agencies with links to pay a toll. If you receive a text message