Local News

UPDATE: The Indiana State Police have announced that the Statewide Silver alert that was issued for Trinity Sue Thomas has been canceled.   Original post: A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a missing Lake County woman. The Winfield Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Trinity Sue Thomas, an 18-year-old white, female, 5 feet 0 inches tall, 135 pounds, brown hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a pink spaghetti strap dress. Trinity is missing from Winfield, Indiana and was last seen on Friday May 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. She is believed to be in extreme danger

Press Release, Indiana Department of Education: Nearly 12,000 Educators Have Already Registered For Training Through Keys to Literacy INDIANAPOLIS –The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced at today’s State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting that due to an incredible number of teachers who have already signed up for training through Keys to Literacy, additional cohorts are now available for teachers to participate in this free professional development over the next year and beyond. Since launching in April, nearly 12,000 educators have already registered for the science of reading-focused course developed specifically for Indiana. Over the past 10 years, Indiana has

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin construction on the roundabout at State Road 130/State Road 51/Hobart Road and State Road 51/Cleveland Avenue on or after Monday, May 13. Construction at this intersection will be done in phases and will be ongoing through mid-October. Phase one of the project will consist of a road closure on State Road 130/State Road 51/Hobart Road from State Road 51/Cleveland Avenue to Hickey Street through early July. The detour will follow U.S. 6 and State Road 149. A public hearing for this project was held in October 2021. Documents from the hearing can

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will begin recruiting students for its new Master of Social Work (MSW) program that is expected to enroll its first cohort in fall 2025. PNW’s MSW program will prepare advanced generalist social workers who are well-qualified to meet social services needs in our metropolitan region. “Engaging individuals as partners in the helping process is key to social work,” said Anne Gregory, dean of the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at PNW. “If you are someone interested in building and strengthening relationships in ways that promote, maintain and enhance the

News Release, Franciscan Health: Students from Coolspring Elementary School recently delivered 54 care packages featuring a coloring book of their artwork for Franciscan Health Michigan City patients. “On behalf of the Coolspring students, we would like to present you with these 54 goodie bags, which contain a student-made coloring book, coloring supplies and a sweet treat for the patients and families of the patients at your hospital,” sixth-grade student London Stupar, 12, said during the presentation. “We are hopeful that these donations will spread a little joy on this Better World Day.” Better World Day is an annual, national event

The Ogden Dunes Police Department is reminding residents and those planning to visit the community that parking restrictions are currently in effect. All vehicles parked within the restricted area must display a valid 2024 Ogden Dunes Parking Permit. National Park permits will not be honored. “Vehicles parked within the restricted area without a valid beach area parking permit are subject to being ticketed and / or impounded,” ODPD said in a statement. “The fine for parking within the restricted area is now $200 if paid within 30 days. If parking fines are not paid within 30 days, the fine increases

Press Release, Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.: April was made for northwest Indiana poets. Nearly 500 of them, mostly students, submitted their work in this year’s Eighth Annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” The Showcase is sponsored every year by the Center for Creative Solutions during World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month. The winners read their work to family, friends and community members at the La Porte County Visitors & Convention Center on (Sunday) April 28. The event followed a women’s poetry reading earlier in April. That program, funded by the Sinai Temple, featured poets, Carnessa Carnes, Carmen

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of 27-year-old Coltyn T. Nowatzke, who was being held in La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Tuesday at about 8:00 a.m., an inmate assigned to the same cell as Nowatzke alerted jail staff of an emergency.  Jail Division Deputies, along with medical staff, responded and found Nowatzke unresponsive. Deputies and a nurse immediately began to render aid and resuscitation efforts. Members of the La Porte County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported Nowatzke to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus. Nowatzke was later pronounced as deceased by the medical

The following are unofficial numbers for Tuesday's Primary for LaPorte County:

U.S. 231 is closed between Hendricks Place and Chase Drive for a permitted water main project. The local detour is Lane Street, 105th Avenue and State Road 55. “We are working to coordinate with our construction contractor for the projects between Bell Street and Fathke Road (small structure replacement project) and between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive (pipe lining project), Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest said on its Facebook page. “We will announce the plans for the projects when established.”

The following information is provided by the Town of Chesterton: Join Westchester Township History Museum staff for one of three Historic Chesterton Walking Tours on Third Fridays this summer: *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 17. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. The tours will leave from the Westchester Public Library’s Thomas Branch, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. On each tour your guide will discuss the history of Downtown Chesterton and some of its most unique and historic buildings and houses. Walking and standing will be required. Water bottle, hat, and sunscreen

In Michigan CIty, Tilden Avenue is closed between Wilshire Avenue and Gardena Street for sanitary sewer work. The city anticipates it to reopen on Friday, May 10. To opt in for text message alerts about updates or changes in construction activity, text MC2024 (no spaces) to 833-236-7421.  

The LaPorte County Law Enforcement Community will present the Peace Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m. The location for the event will be the Fraternal of Police Lodge 75 and Congressman Frank Mrvan will give the keynote address. Students from Michigan City High School will sing the National Anthem and play Taps. The event is open to the public.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to phase two of bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance work on I-94 eastbound near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and Kennedy Avenue on or after Monday, May 13. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures to install the new traffic configuration. Eastbound traffic will then be in phase two through mid-June, where the work zone will split traffic with one travel lane to the left of the work zone on the inside shoulder and three lanes of traffic on the right of the work zone. The following

Press Release, Duneland Chamber of Commerce: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking community nominations for eight awards given during the Duneland Chamber Community Awards Luncheon, to be held on Wednesday, July 17. Nomination forms are available at www.dunelandchamber.org or can be emailed to you upon request. All nominations are due by Friday, June 28, 2024.   Putting Duneland on the Map Award honors an individual or organization whose achievements have brought state and/or national recognition to the Duneland area. Business Renovation Award honors a business owner who has made a significant improvement to their businesses. Construction Award honors

Nest Community Shelter, a non-profit organization providing emergency housing and support services, has received a generous donation of 5,000 high-performance socks from Bombas known for their signature performance socks made from moisture-wicking and antimicrobial materials. The donated socks are being used to provide dignity and comfort to the shelter's guests, with the excess supply of 3,750 pairs of socks being shared with the Michigan City Area Schools to support children and families in need throughout the local community. "We are incredibly grateful to Bombas for their thoughtful donation," said Harrison Holtkamp, Executive Director of the Nest Community Shelter. "Access to

The City of Michigan City will host a BLOOD DRIVE from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Wednesday, May 8, in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on the lower level of City Hall. Please see flyer for more details.

Letter carriers across the country will be picking up more than mail on Saturday, May 11. This weekend marks the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an event organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. City residents are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 11 to be collected by the letter carriers. The Salvation Army of Michigan City is pleased to be the local recipient of these donations, filling the shelves of its food pantry with the items given so generously by the community. These items stay in Michigan City and

Press Release, Valpo Parks: Valpo Parks is thrilled to announce the construction of a brand new outdoor heated golf hitting facility at Creekside Golf Course & Training Center, thanks to a lead gift from Bender Golf. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the existing 20-year-old facility. The new facility will provide golfers of all skill levels with the opportunity to practice and improve their game year-round, regardless of the weather. “We are incredibly excited to unveil the new hitting facility at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center,” said Beth Bowker, Business Operations Manager, Valpo Parks Golf. “The upgraded covered hitting facility

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office announced new officers that recently graduated. Multiple department members gathered at Valparaiso University on Friday afternoon to attend the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s Graduation Ceremony for Class 24-51. The new Porter County Sheriff’s officers are: Officer Alec Bauer (Squad Leader / Criminal Law Academic Award Recipient) Officer Gabriel Smail Officer Alexa Tumidalsky (Platoon Leader / Gary Martin Mental Attitude Award Recipient) Officer Jack Wallace Officer Alec Zuklin