Local News

News release, Indiana Department of Revenue: The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) will start accepting filings for the 2024 Individual income tax season on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, along with the Internal Revenue Service. DOR encourages customers to use electronic filing, online payment and direct deposit to significantly improve the accuracy and speed of the return and refund processes. Customers must file both their state and federal tax returns and pay any taxes owed for 2023 by Monday, April 15, 2024. DOR reminds Hoosiers they should wait to file their tax returns until they receive all their official tax documents

To help Indiana schools celebrate Earth Day 2024, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is offering free hands-on classroom presentations to elementary students across the state. Every year, IDEM staff visit schools to talk about their careers and share STEM-based lessons on air, land, water, and recycling. “I am pleased to have IDEM staff visit classrooms to work with Indiana’s leaders of tomorrow. Our STEM-based lessons are a great way to emphasize the importance of taking care of our environment while also introducing them to environmental-related careers,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “I hope Indiana’s teachers will take advantage

La Porte County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man during Friday’s winter storm following a foot pursuit. At about 9:30 a.m., deputies responded to a residence located in the 700 block of Dorothy Lane for a welfare check. Deputies had prior knowledge of a wanted person, 26 year-old Beck A. Serles, to have been periodically staying at the residence recently. Shortly after arriving, deputies determined Serles had just fled from the residence. While beginning to search the neighborhood, a deputy observed Serles on Lura Lane. Serles was ordered to stop, however he disobeyed the commands and continued to flee. Despite the

For the counties of La Porte, St. Joseph IN, Berrien: 321 AM EST Sat Jan 20 2024 /221 AM CST Sat Jan 20 2024/ ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST /NOON CST/ THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. * WHEN...Until 1 PM EST /noon CST/ this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The intense lake effect band will shift into far northwest Indiana, before pushing back east into LaPorte

A Travel Warning remains in effect for LaPorte and Starke counties by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Until 4PM today Saturday The highest level of local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a "warning" local travel advisory, individuals are directed to: (A) refrain from all travel; (B) comply with necessary emergency measures; (C) cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and (D) obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers. Check for updates on https://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory/.

The City of Michigan released an update on a water main break in Michigan City. Water service was restored to customers near U.S. 12 and Karwick Road around 11 a.m. Friday. Department of Water Works Superintendent Chris Johnsen advised that all impacted customers are under a 24-hour Boil Water Advisory as a precautionary measure. The update was made at 12:46 p.m. Friday. See the statement below for additional details:    

La Porte County Disaster Emergency Declaration for Travel Restriction. See below and attached. Thank you LaPorte County EMA for the update. #wims #nwi #laportecounty

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch declares a Snow Emergency effective immediately. Stay inside and off the roads. Only Emergency Personnel are allowed. Stay Home. #wims

The Indiana Toll Road (ITR) has issued a Winter Weather Ban starting from the IL state line to St. Joseph County, IN | MM 96. The ban is in effect until Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:00 a.m. ET. This ban only impacts: Triple-tractor-trailers, long-doubles (high profile only), high-profile oversize permit loads. The ITR says to use extreme caution if you are out on the road and remember to reduce speed in hazardous conditions. The ITR will reevaluate on Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET for possible ban extension

The National has issued multiple Winter Storm Warnings for northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. For the counties of La Porte, western St. Joseph (Indiana) and southern Berrien (Michigan): Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, Kingsbury, Fish Lake, Wanatah, La Crosse, Union Mills, North Liberty, New Carlisle, Walkerton, Niles, New Buffalo, Stevensville, and Berrien Springs ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches in northern La Porte County and southwest Berrien County. Total snow will generally be in the

The City of Michigan City released the following statement on a water main break:

All eyes were on the City of La Porte this week, as Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor presented at the Accelerate Indiana Municipalities Conference in Indianapolis. The conference gathered nearly 700 newly elected municipal officials from throughout the state of Indiana for a Newly Elected Officials Boot Camp. La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said Batchelor was asked to share with the group the best practices for code enforcement within a city. Dermody said this is a testament to the hard work being done by Batchelor’s team every day. “Not only did state officials recognize that we are doing something right

The Indiana State Police is investigating a crash on the Indiana Toll Road that led to the death of a tow truck driver this morning, January 18, 2024. (Thank you to the Indiana State Police for the update and information). Preliminary investigation by Trooper George Youpel indicates that at approximately 9:40 a.m. crews were on scene at mile maker 114.2 cleaning up a diesel spill and removing a semi from the center median that crashed earlier in the morning when the driver of a 2021 white Dodge Ram towing an enclosed trailer lost control as it traveled eastbound. The Dodge

MICHIGAN CITY– Michigan City Special Events and Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch, are excited to announce the 2024 Michigan City Special Events schedule, highlighted by the return of The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival and Oktoberfest. “One of the best things about Michigan City is our unique brand of special events,” the mayor said. “The Lake Michigan shoreline provides a beautiful backdrop for several of our celebrations, which Michigan City residents and visitors alike have come to really enjoy as we continue to grow and develop them year after year. We’re looking forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force has arrested a 46-year-old Michigan City man as the result of a child solicitation investigation, the Michigan City Police Department announced Wednesday. According to police, in recent weeks, Earl Stone Jr. began communicating via Facebook with an undercover detective who represented themselves as a 15-year-old girl. It was amidst these conversations that Stone expressed his desire to perform more than one sexual act with the 15-year-old girl. Police say these conversations continued to escalate to the point that Stone agreed to meet with the detective to commit these “vivid sexual acts.” Police say on

MICHIGAN CITY, IN - Paladin, a non-profit organization that hosts Head Start of LaPorte County, Imagination Station (Michigan City) and Early Childhood Programs at Bethany Church (LaPorte City), is pleased to announce its partnership with Purdue University Northwest. The partnership will offer aspiring human service professionals interested in working with children the opportunity to complete their practicum in one of Paladin’s high-quality childcare facilities. According to a 2023 childcare feasibility study by the Michigan City Economic Development Corp (EDMC), “…there is an overwhelming need for quality early childhood education programs.” A recent study provided by the Center for Workforce Innovations

The ramp from westbound I-94 to westbound U.S. 20 is closed due to a bridge strike. The length of this closure is unknown, as an inspection and repairs will need to take place before opening. A detour will be posted.

The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana has issued a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph, Marshall counties in Indiana and Berrien County in Michigan. In addition the National Weather Service of Chicago has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Porter County in Indiana.   For LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph, Marshall counties in Indiana and Berrien County in Michigan: ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Heavy lake effect snow possible. Total snow accumulations in excess of 6 inches possible. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. * WHEN...From

News release, Indiana Department of Environmental Management: VALPARAISO – Partners for Clean Air (PCA) is inviting Hoosiers to nominate those who voluntarily undertook actions to improve air quality in Northwest Indiana for the organization’s 2024 Partners in Clean Air Awards.  PCA also encourages area students with an interest in environmental science or advocacy to apply for the organization’s annual scholarship program. In addition, the organization has announced a new membership structure aimed at increasing local participation, particularly by individuals and smaller businesses and organizations. Award Nominations Due April 30. PCA will present awards in three categories: business, municipal and industrial.

As South Shore Line crews continue to repair overhead wire damage at Gary Metro Center, the following service revisions will be in effect on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024: A regular weekday train schedule will be in effect. Midday train passengers will be bused to stations between Dune Park and East Chicago on Jan. 17. Rush hour train passengers will be bused to stations between Dune Park and Gary Metro Center. Due to frigid temperatures continuing to impact mechanical components and train movement, passengers are advised to expect significant delays. The midday busing substitution between Dune Park and East Chicago will include only