Local News

SoLa mixed-use development bringing hotels, residences, retail to Michigan City Groundbreaking launches new $280 million development by YAB Development Partners, will create $680 million in local economic impact over the next 15 years Historic downtown Michigan City kicked off construction of a new 628,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art mixed-use development on Friday with a groundbreaking event at the corner of Michigan Boulevard and Franklin Street. The SoLa Development will feature two boutique hotels, a wide variety of residences including townhomes, destination food and beverage, plus parking that is hidden from view, all just steps from the beach, zoo and Washington Park. Named for its

U.S. 231 will close between Pettibone Avenue and Indiana Avenue on or after Monday, Sept. 18 through late November for a sewer main line replacement in The City of Crown Point. Local detour will follow Indiana Avenue, Summit Street and State Road 55/Main Street. Through traffic may wish to seek alternate routes.

The following statement is from the Office of Mayor Duane Parry and the City of Michigan City sent out on Thursday: Mayor Duane Parry, the Michigan City Council, and the Michigan City Parks Board have authorized its attorneys to proceed with the next legal step necessary for the City to take formal action to preserve and protect the dune area known as the “Esplanade.” The City has filed formal court action to clarify and confirm the City’s right to manage, oversee, and control the Esplanade dune area. The City’s attorneys are sending out copies of the lawsuit to interested parties,

The Ogden Dunes Police Department is notifying residents that NIPSCO will be performing work on the new pipeline starting Monday Sept. 18, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The work is scheduled to last 2 weeks. This work will take place on Highway 12. Police say if you're this area and see flames, smell gas, or hear strange noises, to not be alarmed. See a statement from NIPSCO below:  

Press release by Purdue Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW)’s fall 2023 enrollment figures show steady core enrollment, increases in the university’s graduate and international student populations, and continued growth in campus diversity. “Enrollment data for 2023-24 show that motivated students continue to view Purdue Northwest as an excellent choice to attain a high-quality college education and enhance their lifelong career opportunities,” said PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon. “It is also clear that continued investment in PNW’s advanced degree programs are attracting talented minds who want to earn additional credentials, grow their skills and improve their

Press release by Franciscan Health: LA PORTE, Ind. - Board-certified cardiologist Abul Basher, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in La Porte and Michigan City. Dr. Basher completed his training at the University of Madras, Thanjavur Medical College in Thanjavur, India. His residency in internal medicine was at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in the Bronx, NY. Dr. Basher completed his fellowship in cardiology at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center. His clinical interests include preventive cardiology, coronary artery disease, heart failure, echocardiogram and nuclear cardiology. Dr. Basher is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Legacy

Four Chesterton firefighters were presented with the Chesterton Fire Department’s Lifesaving Award at the Town Council’s meeting Monday night, Sept. 11. "Capt. Aimee Gilbert, Lt. Evan Jones, Engineer Heather Compton, and Firefighter Justin Lewis were honored for their professional—and exceptional work—at the scene of a near-fatal cardiac event at Dogwood Park on Tuesday, June 13," the Chesterton Fire Department said on its Facebook page Wednesday. Deputy Chief Rudy Jimenez had the privilege of reading the citation accompanying the presentation: “On June 13 at 7:54 a.m. Chesterton Fire and Northwest Health-Porter EMS units were dispatched to a cardiac arrest at Dogwood

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- On Saturday, Sept. 16, troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post will be conducting a sobriety check point at an undisclosed location in Lake County. "Drivers passing through the checkpoint area should have their license and registration available and will only wait briefly while troopers determine whether further investigation is necessary," Indiana State Police stated in a press release. The Indiana State Police also stated the following information: "Hoosiers are asked to help do their part in making Indiana roadways safer by observing the following tips: Plan ahead and always use a designated driver. Don’t

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said on their Facebook page Wednesday that administrators had recently learned of an extended upcoming road closure. U.S. 421 will have a hard closure in both directions at the Kankakee River on or about Sept. 18. This will be a 60 day project for a bridge overlay. The official detour route will be State Road 8, 39 and 10.

Press release by Indiana Department of Education: INDIANAPOLIS –Today, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) provided an update to the Indiana State Board of Education on the state’s ongoing work to rethink the high school experience. This included the anticipated timeline and process for how the state will define high-quality work-based learning and credentials of value, as well as presentations from national thought leaders. “How might we maximize the four years of high school, in order to make it as valuable as possible for students? This is our collective challenge, yet also, an incredible opportunity,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana

Press release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is sponsoring two college fairs this fall in partnership with local high schools. The fairs will take place at Highland High School and Michigan City High School. Each will host approximately 60 colleges and universities for students interested in attending a post-secondary educational institution. In past years, PNW sponsored and hosted annual college fairs on its Hammond and Westville campuses. This fall the university will partner with local high schools to use their facilities for the events. Students attending will be able to conveniently interact with many

The intersection of Ind. 49 and Indian Boundary Road will have closures beginning Wednesday night (tonight), according to the Town of Chesterton. The Town of Chesterton posted the following information to its Facebook page: *Along Indian Boundary Road, from INDOT’s right-of-way on the west side of Ind. 49 to its right-of-way on the east side *Along Ind. 49, from the project area south of Indian Boundary Road to the project area north of it. This phase will consist of a combination of nighttime milling and daytime resurfacing: *NIGHT MILLING: From 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, to 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept.

One person died Tuesday afternoon after a crash in La Porte County, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reporting. Tuesday afternoon just before 4 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 0300 north block of County Road 250 East, in reference to a single vehicle personal injury crash.  The initial on-scene investigation determined a maroon 2014 Ford passenger vehicle was traveling southbound on County Road 250 East.  For an unknown reason, the vehicle drove left of center, left the east side of the roadway, and struck a tree.  The vehicle continued traveling southbound and returned to the roadway for nearly

U.S. 12 will be closed between Hobart Road and County Line Road in Lake County on or after Monday, Sept. 18 for about five days. Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) will be setting bridge supports for their Double Track project. The official detour for this closure will follow U.S. 20 and State Road 149.

An investigation is underway after two people were found dead at inside a Michigan City hotel room, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. The La Porte County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, along with the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department, are investigating the circumstances of two adults found deceased inside a room located at the Dunes Inn (3934 North Frontage Road, Michigan City). The early stages of the investigation have determined this was an isolated incident and there is / was no immediate public safety threat. Anyone who may have

Firefighters responded to a shed on fire in unincorporated Liberty Township late afternoon Monday. Volunteers from Liberty Township, South Haven, and Union Fire Departments responded for a shed having caught fire near a residence in the 200 block of Falcon Way near U.S. Highway 6 in Eagle Ridge subdivision. Firefighters arrived on scene and found an approximate 20 by 15 foot shed in close proximity to the residence fully engulfed. Firefighters entered the residence to check for extension after radiating heat caused the exterior of the house siding to melt. Only a smoke-filled residence was found and subsequently ventilated. The

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and partner organizations encourage those living or working in Hammond, Whiting, East Chicago, and Gary to attend a free open house-style event focused on restoration efforts within the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern (AOC). Community members may come anytime during the open house to engage with project and program staff about the AOC restoration work. Guided hikes of Gibson Woods will be held at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Families are welcome. Materials and educational activities will be available for school-age children. Details of the event are as follows: WHO: IDEM and partner organizations WHAT: Free public

Multiple Beach Hazards Statements are in effect for Lake Michigan Tuesday. For the counties of Northern La Porte, Northern Berrien, Southern Berrien: ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING... * WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet Tuesday afternoon. * WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties. * WHEN...From Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to phase 5 of 6 for concrete restoration work on I-94 eastbound between State Road 912/Cline Avenue and I-65 starting on or after Friday, Sept. 15. There will be overnight lane closures on eastbound I-94 from approximately 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept.16. Beginning the morning of Saturday, Sept. 16, traffic will be in a new configuration with the work zone to the right and travel lanes shifted left. The farthest lane to the left will be an "express" counterflow lane on the

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is reporting conservation officers are investigating the death of a Chicago man whose body was recovered from Lake Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 9, according to a Facebook post from the Town of Chesterton. The Town of Chesterton stated the following on its Facebook page: "According to the DNR, at 4:09 p.m. first-responders were dispatched to Whiting Lakefront Park to search for a missing person, last seen struggling in the water, then going under near the boat ramps. "Gerardo Castaneda-Soto, 27, was located by the Whiting Fire Department and transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital in