Local News

Franciscan Health Crown Point is now offering patients with aortic valve stenosis a minimally invasive valve replacement procedure that speeds recovery time. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive treatment for aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve which blocks the flow of blood to the body, requiring the heart to work harder. Deanna Frank, 74, of Crown Point was the first patient to undergo the TAVR procedure at Franciscan Health Crown Point earlier this year. Frank said she started having trouble breathing nearly four years ago. “I couldn’t breathe or walk more than 50 feet

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 421 will be closed between U.S. 30 and State Road 8 for approximately three days. The detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 39 and State Road 8. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local access will be maintained so traffic should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is subject to change. 

The fun continues with day 2 of the LaPorte County Fair! See below for a detailed schedule of events set to take place later today, Sunday, July 7th. (times may be subject to change) Sunday, July 7, 2024 Gates Open at 10am 8:30am: 4-H Goat Judging begins (Livestock Arena) 10:00am: Rabbit Showmanship (Rabbit Barn) 10:00am-6:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail 11:00am: Old Time Church Service (School House) 12:00pm: Pioneerland Opens 12:00pm: Oakley The Tree Man 12:30pm: Live Shark Encounter 2:00pm: Royal Bengal Tigers Show (Grandstand) 3:00pm: Live Shark Encounter 4:00pm: 4-H County Bred Steer and Dairy Feeder Steer

Passengers are advised the South Shore Line intends to operate its regular weekend/holiday train schedule throughout the NASCAR Chicago Street Race taking place in Grant Park on Saturday-Sunday, July 6-7: Any disruptions or changes in service will be promptly posted to the SSL website, the South Shore mobile app, and via email/text notifications (click here to sign up). The South Shore Line reserves the right to remove disorderly passengers. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to, public indecency/nudity, and drunken or disruptive conduct.

La Porte Police arrested a man just hours after seeking the public’s help on social media. In just under 8 hours, after police made their “Wanted Wednesday Post” on Facebook, police took 38-year-old Dustin Mueller into custody. Mueller was wanted by the La Porte Police Department on 5 active arrest warrants including Possession of Methamphetamine and Resisting Law Enforcement. Cpl. Jaskowiak received information from another agency about a possible location of Mueller. This information was quickly relayed to our on duty patrol units who located him within 30 minutes of receiving the tip. “If you have information about a wanted

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation will host a public hearing the evening of Thursday, July 11 regarding a proposed intersection improvement project for U.S. 231 and Parrish Avenue. The proposed project involves the construction of a roundabout with dual lane approaches on U.S. 231 and single lane approaches on Parrish Ave. The existing signal infrastructure will be removed, and new signing and lighting will be added. Each approach leg will have a splitter island to separate and manage traffic approaching the center island. Each quadrant of the intersection will have pedestrian sidewalks with buffers, and the

Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Olympia Fields were both recently named Bariatric Centers of Excellence (COE) by Optum. Bariatric departments belonging to the Optum bariatric COE program perform more successful bariatric procedures than many other facilities nearby. The Optum COEs also have fewer complications and readmissions, with 15% lower mortality rates, 16% lower inpatient hospital readmission, 12% lower reoperation rate for bariatric procedures and $4,239 lower average cost per surgical episode. To ensure COEs continue to meet professional standards for top specialty care, Optum takes the added step of annually reviewing and recertifying each bariatric COE program. Bariatric services

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 421 will be closed between U.S. 30 and State Road 8 for approximately three days. The detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 39 and State Road 8. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local access will be maintained so traffic should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is

The following is a statement from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office about their participation in Operation Dry Water: The July 4th holiday means time on the water for boaters across La Porte County. The heightened public presence on the water can lead to an increase in boating incidents, and even fatalities. In response, from July 4 - 6, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the national Operation Dry Water awareness and enforcement campaign. During this time, Marine Patrol Deputies will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, including the importance of sober boating. As the leading

City Hall of Michigan City will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. The Michigan City Transit and Refuse departments will be closed as well, meaning bus service will not run on Thursday, nor will trash and compost pick-up. Trash and compost pickup will resume on Friday, July 5; and any incomplete routes will be finished on Saturday, July 6.

The LaPorte County 4-H Fashion Revue was held on Friday, June 28th at the Westville High School. Below are the results:   2024 Senior Fashion Revue Informal or Casual Wear – Champion – Paige Bannwart Reserve Champion – Chloe Fasshauer A-Honors – Paige Bannwart, Chloe Fasshauer, Mary Minich A’s – Kaitlyn Duttlinger   Free Choice – Champion – Leah Eskridge A-Honors – Leah Eskridge   Suits Coats – Champion – Madison Scarborough A-Honors – Madison Scarborough   Dress Up Wear – Champion – Kate Minich Reserve Champion – Caroline Wildfang A-Honors – Kate Minich, Caroline Wildfang   Senior Grand Champion

The LaPorte County Health Department has issued a Swim with CAUTION Advisory for a number of Lakes. Read below for the details. Thank you City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department for the update. The LaPorte County Health Department has issued a Swim with Caution Advisory for the water in Pine Lake off Waverly Road (Ski Beach) and Kiwanis-Teledyne Park. The water tested Tuesday showed above satisfactory bacteria levels in those locations. All areas of Stone Lake tested well within the satisfactory range. The water will be retested on Friday with results available by noon Saturday. Under the Swim

Press Release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte - The La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Sandra Wood as the new Superintendent. With a rich background in educational leadership and a steadfast commitment to student success, Dr. Wood has committed to leading the district toward excellence and growth. With 19 years of experience in public education, Dr. Wood has established herself as a dedicated educator invested in the communities she serves. Her commitment to empowering others and promoting successful outcomes has been a cornerstone of her leadership philosophy.

LA PORTE, Indiana – A new Franciscan Health building housing a variety of services is now open in the City of La Porte. The building at 400 Legacy Plaza West houses a Franciscan Physician Network orthopedic surgeon’s office, a Franciscan WorkingWell location and a HEALTHeACCESS office. “We are thrilled to be able to provide these services in this location for the La Porte community and beyond,” Franciscan Health Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said. “Our newest La Porte location offers easy access for patients and the business community to additional Franciscan Health services right here in their own

Light the Path auction event will benefit case management for local families MICHIGAN CITY, July 2, 2024 – The Salvation Army will continue to “light the path” for local families with an annual auction fundraiser to support its case management program. The Light the Path Auction, which supports The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, will take place on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Uptown Social, 907 Franklin Street. This event benefits an intense case management program that helps break the cycle of generational poverty. “We work closely, one-on-one with families who are ready to

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have shoulder closures and overnight lane closures on I-65 just south of State Road 114 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. Crews will be conducting bridge deck patching and scour protection at Martindale Ditch, approximately 0.5 miles south of State Road 114, through early September. Shoulder closures will be in place through the duration of work. One lane will be closed in each direction overnight. Overnight lane closures hours will take place during the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings and 7 p.m.

Citywide Back to School Rally set for Aug. 10, organizers seeking community support Community organizations are teaming up to provide school supplies and an end-of-summer celebration with the annual “Citywide Back to School Rally.” This event is set for Saturday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Elston Gill Field. It provides free school supplies for students in Michigan City and/or Michigan CityArea Schools students. The rally will also include games, food, fun, and prizes; as well as vision screenings and school vaccinations. The City wide Back to School Rally is coordinated by a collaboration of community focused

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close U.S. 231 between C.R. W 700 S and C.R. W 750 S on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 231 will be closed through early August for a bridge deck overlay over Watson Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 114, I-65 and State Road 16.

PORTER COUNTY- A Chicago woman allegedly threatened and bit an Indiana State Trooper during a traffic arrest, according to the Indiana State Police. On Saturday, June 29, at about 6:40 p.m., the trooper was patrolling I-94 east of the truck weigh station when he observed a vehicle approaching him from behind at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle, a Hyundai with Illinois registration, passed the trooper in his fully marked police car as the trooper was also traveling eastbound. The trooper caught up to the vehicle and paced the vehicle at 105 mph.  The speed limit on I-94 in

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close U.S. 231 between C.R. 1700 N and 8th Ave on or after Monday, July 8 for two bridge projects. U.S. 231 will be closed between 15th Ave/C.R. 1400 N and 8th Ave for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Tyler Ditch starting on or around July 8. U.S. 231 will then also be closed between C.R. 1700 N and C.R. 1600 N for a bridge replacement project at James Krucek Ditch starting on or around July 15. U.S. 231 will remain closed through mid-October. Motorists should