Local News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced earlier this week the recipients of the 2023-2024 Competitive Science of Reading Grant. Nearly $15 million was awarded to 72 school corporations, serving over 65,000 students in kindergarten through third grade, to support the implementation of evidence-based practices aligned with science of reading. Within LaPorte and Porter counties: Duneland School Corporation was awarded $276,840. South Central Community School Corporation was awarded $149,947. A full list of 2023-2024 Competitive Science of Reading Grant recipients can be found here. “In Indiana, we have set an aggressive goal: that 95% of third graders are able to

Spend you afternoon strolling down the Uptown Arts District and visit our local businesses while trying various chilis from local organizations. It is $5 to try all of the chilis, which will go to Meals on Wheels of LaPorte County. The Festival of Lights Parade will start at 5:00 PM. Vote on the vest chili within each category from 3:00-5:00 PM. Join in on the fun and see Santa, who will be at General Insurance Services! WIMS is a sponsor of this event.

City of La Porte Residents with a sweet tooth should purchase their tins next week for the 11th Annual Downtown Cookie Walk this December, according to City Events & Civic Director Brett Binversie. Collectors' tins for the 2023 Cookie Walk will go on sale Tuesday, Nov. 28 and cost $15. Binversie said those interested should not wait to purchase their tins, as they are expected to sell out like they have in previous years. "Christmas is a magical time of year in the City of La Porte, and the Cookie Walk has become a very important tradition," Binversie said. "We've

The City of Valparaiso City Services department has added this week to the recycling calendar to accommodate the community's increased volume for curbside recycling during the holiday season. The city says that while this week would typically be trash-only collection, recycling will also be picked up this week. The week of Christmas has also been added. To view the updated schedule, visit tinyurl.com/ValpoTrashNov-Dec. Customers may utilize online formats to report excess recycle placed outside the tote by emailing CityServices@valpo.us or using Valpo Voice at tinyurl.com/ValpoVoice. If you need further assistance, please call Valparaiso City Services at (219) 462-6174.  

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: For Hoosiers looking to get outside the day after Thanksgiving, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will offer free admission to all Indiana State Park properties on Nov. 24 as part of Opt Outside Day. In addition to the 24 state parks, participating properties also include Lieber State Recreation (SRA); Raccoon, Deam Lake, and Starve Hollow SRAs; Brookville, Hardy, Mississinewa, Monroe, Patoka and Salamonie lakes, and the two off-road state recreation areas, Redbird and Interlake. “There’s nothing like going for a hike the day after Thanksgiving to work off the turkey

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host its annual fall commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 9. A total of 694 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 544 earning their baccalaureate degrees and 150 earning their master’s degrees. Candidates for graduation include students who completed plans of study in summer and fall 2023. Two

The City of Michigan City has announced that in observance of Thanksgiving, most City offices, including City Hall and Non-Emergency City Operations will be closed on Thursday Nov. 23 and Friday Nov. 24. Michigan City Refuse and Michigan City Transit will be closed on Thursday, and both will be operating a normal Friday schedule. Thursday’s refuse pickup will take place Friday and Friday’s pickup will be made Saturday. Compost season has ended so you may place compost with your regularly scheduled garbage pickup, the city announced.

Indiana First Lady Janet Holcomb joined the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana on Monday to let hunters know how they can help hungry Hoosiers. This reminder comes as deer firearms hunting season begins and the need for protein donations remains strong across the state. Updated this year with a new name and website, Indiana Hunt for Hunger turns donated deer into healthy venison that is provided to Hoosiers through food banks like Gleaners across the state. “Indiana Hunt for Hunger combines two time-honored Hoosier traditions—deer hunting and helping our neighbors in need,” said First

Two people were able to elude police after a multi-county pursuit on Sunday night, according to the Chesterton Police Department Facebook page. Sunday evening just before midnight, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office was engaged in a pursuit of a vehicle westbound on Interstate 94. The suspect vehicle exited the highway southbound on State Road 49 and the suspects fled on foot into the heavily wooded area of North Calumet Road The Chesterton Police Department and various other law enforcement agencies searched the area on foot with the assistance of K9’s and a drone, but suspects were not located. The

Press release by Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center: The Berrien County Public Safety Communication Center/911 Dispatch is providing the following update on the Thursday, Nov. 16 derailment of a passenger train in New Buffalo Township. While the incident remains under investigation, it appears a technology failure and misidentification of a crossing contributed to the accident that led to the derailment of a westbound Amtrak train at approximately 10 p.m. Of the approximate 200 passengers on the train, six individuals were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries by ambulance services who responded to the incident. The technology issue

News release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health’s Fresh Start Markets are celebrating a milestone this fall after serving nearly 3,900 food insecure residents with healthy options in their first year of operation. The Fresh Start Markets at the St. Clare Clinic in Crown Point at 1121 Indiana Ave. and in Hammond at 5530 Hohman Ave. are part of the healthcare ministry’s efforts to fight food insecurity in the Region. The healthy food pantries allow those in need to shop free of charge. “The markets are focused on people with acute and chronic diseases, not just filling gaps in food security,”

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Wolves Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) competed in a Raider competition at Indianapolis Ben Davis High School on Saturday, November 18th.  Raiders is a physically challenging event, requiring cadets to work together to accomplish objectives roughly based on skills required in combat.  The Wolves won the Tug-of- War event, placed second in the Physical Fitness Challenge, and earned third place in the Rope Bridge, Sandbag Relay, and Tire Flip. “Our cadets really improved from our first meet,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “Since this is our first year doing

CHESTERTON – Duneland’s Hometown Holiday Celebration will take place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Event celebrations are coordinated by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Chesterton, the Chesterton Police and Fire, Parks and Street Departments, and the Chamber organizations and volunteers. Enjoy shopping at our Hometown Holiday European Market starting at 8:00 am and running until 5:00 pm in the Chamber parking lot at 220 Broadway in Chesterton. The Twilight Christmas Parade will depart from Chesterton Middle School at 5:15 pm. The parade will head north on 6th Street, east on Broadway, south on Calumet

Press release by La Porte County Sheriff's Office: Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather.  However, with more people on the roadways, there is greater potential for crashes.  That is why the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is joining agencies from across the state to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely. "This holiday season, we expect to see a lot of traffic on the roads.  Please make smart decisions by not mixing drinking and driving,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.  “Be proactive and plan for a sober driver." According to

The Valparaiso Police Department is providing guidance and training regarding financial and cyber-crimes brought to you by the United States Secret Service. Police say as shopping season has arrived and the holidays are quickly approaching, law enforcement often sees an increase in fraudulent financial activities, scams, counterfeit actions, and criminal exploitation. The course is designed to provide information to help prevent such attacks against customers and institutions who may be vulnerable. It will take place at the Valparaiso Police Department on December 4, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — with plenty of discussion time to follow — as United

Press release by Porter County Community Foundation: The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded $99,393 to 15 local nonprofit organizations as part of its bi-annual grants cycle for 2023. Grant recipients include: Art Barn School of Art - $10,000 to support a fire and security system and improve accessibility Call-A-Ride - $6,000 to support operating two vans in Hebron and Boone Township The Caring Place - $10,000 to support OhanaLink Purple, a mobile technology to provide services and communication in a safe, secure and traceless way Compass International Family Center - $10,000 to support community growth and services of newcomer,

Press release by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration: The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning today announced it will extend the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund application window and award grants in two rounds. The $25 million fund, part of Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, will mobilize employers and communities to create or expand child care offerings that address the needs of working Hoosiers. Round one of applications are due at 11:59 p.m. Nov. 22. Round two of applications will close at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 15. FSSA will target up

Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced on Friday that a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been awarded to the Northwest Indiana Community Action Agency (NWICA). According to HHS, the NWICA will receive $250,000 under the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration program.  Mrvan's office says this funding will allow NWICA to expand its capacity to provide supportive services for affordable housing residents by hiring a new resident services coordinator and information technology analyst to further connect residents with essential social services.  The funding also will aim to enhance support services for in-home care systems

A train derailment is under investigation after an Amtrak struck a vehicle that was stuck on the tracks in Berrien County, Michigan. On Thursday, Nov. 16, just after 9:20 p.m. a vehicle was stuck on the railroad tracks and was in the process of being removed by a tow truck at the Lakeside Road crossing in New Buffalo Township. A westbound Amtrak train was unable to stop and collided with the vehicle and tow truck on the tracks. The train derailed but stayed upright on the tracks. The engineer and approximately 10 passengers received non-life threatening injuries and were treated

The Chesterton Police Department has announced that a suspect is in custody in connection with a hit-and-run which left a pedestrian injured in the parking lot of the Jewel/Osco early Wednesday afternoon. Douglas Poole, 66, of Liberty Township has been charged with leaving the scene of a serious bodily injury accident. According to the Chesterton Police Department, on Thursday detectives received a tip from a witness who saw video surveillance captures of the suspect vehicle, posted to social media. That person was able to identify the vehicle in the images as belonging to Poole, the Chesterton Police Department said. Officers