Local News

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – A woman is dead and a man was hospitalized after a house fire Tuesday in Three Oaks, Mich. At around  4:36 a.m. the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and the Chikaming Township Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire inside Lakewood Estates Manufactured Homes. Upon arrival 59-year-old Mark Tuszynski who , was standing outside, suffering from smoke inhalation. Tuszynski stated that there was another person inside the residence who could not get out. Deputies from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office attempted to enter the structure, but the smoke and heat was too much, the sheriff’s office

Two juveniles are facing a delinquency charge of felony intimidation in connection with a “vague threat” made against Chesterton High School Tuesday morning, according to the Chesterton Police Department Facebook page. The Chesterton Police Department’s Facebook page stated the following: That threat—the nature of which the CPD did not disclose—was made to the Duneland School Corporation’s new “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System,” prompting CHS staff and CPD school resource officers to begin an immediate investigation. “In a timely fashion, officers and staff learned that the tip was not credible and that there was no threat to school safety,” the CPD

Hesston crews are gearing up for our annual Labor Day Steam & Power Show this weekend! Each day this week, we’ll be posting feature exhibits you and your family won’t want to miss! Today we are featuring the Hesston & Galena Creek Narrow Gauge Railroad: Steam locomotives No. 2 and 7 (HK Porter #2 and Shay Logging Locomotive #7) will be operating on the following schedule: -Friday, September 1 (Homeschool Field Trip Day) No. 2 will be pulling trains from 10a-5p CT. No. 7 will be on display and firing up for the weekend. -Saturday, September 2 No. 2 and

It was announced Monday by City of La Porte officials that Truesdell Avenue’s final stage of construction is happening now through the end of year. The road will be closed from Pine Lake Avenue to Hoelocker, but Hoelocker Drive will reopen temporarily to provide a detour for thru-traffic. Additionally, the Chessie Trail will be closed on each side of Truesdell. Dermody says to please use an alternative route. The La Porte Park and Recreation Department says to please use caution and watch out for park users when driving on Hoelocker.

Multiple Beach Hazards Statements are in effect for Lake Michigan Wednesday. For La Porte and Berrien Counties: ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves. * WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties. * WHEN...From this evening through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Waves 1 to 3 feet Tuesday morning increase quickly in the evening

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close Indian Boundary Road just west of State Road 49 for approximately four days beginning on or after Tuesday, September 5. The road will be closed to replace a pipe structure between State Road 49 and Plaza Drive. This work is occurring in conjunction with intersection improvements at State Road 49 and Indian Boundary Road. INDOT says motorists should seek alternate routes during the closure.

The Michigan City Police Department welcomed back Officer Zachery Wells. Monday Officer Wells was sworn in as a member of the Michigan City Police Department. Wells completed all mandatory training and was presented with his badge. Wells is a lateral transfer with years of experience and will immediately transfer to the Uniform Patrol Division.

LAPORTE AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on State Road 2 between County Road North 600 East and Snowberry Road on or after Tuesday, September 5. The right lane and shoulder will be closed in each direction through late October for two small structure maintenance and repair projects. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is sharing federal eligibility guidelines for free or reduced-price meals or free milk served under the federally-funded National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Programs, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Household size and income criteria, which are used to determine eligibility, are available here. Each local school corporation office and organization participating in a School Nutrition Program or CACFP has a copy of the guidelines that may be reviewed by any interested party.

PLYMOUTH, Ind. Governor Eric J. Holcomb was joined by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and firefighting leaders from across Indiana on Friday to announce the first phase of a large-scale plan to expand physical firefighting training for Hoosiers. Gov. Holcomb prioritized more training site funding as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda. “Indiana will always support its public safety personnel, who selflessly risk their lives to protect the communities in which they live,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This plan will ensure that Hoosier firefighters have the skills and the equipment necessary to do their job safely and effectively.”

The Porter County Coroner’s Office has identified the person found dead at the scene of a house fire in Union Township late Thursday morning, Aug. 24, according to the Town of Chesterton. Jeannette Knowlton, 76, was discovered by first-responders inside the residence in the 500 block of Sandalwood Court, the Coroner’s Office said. “This incident is still under investigation,” Coroner Cynthia Dykes said. “Autopsy and toxicology are pending.” The Union Township Fire Department and Porter County Sheriff’s Police responded to the fire at 11 a.m. Thursday.

ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) — operator of the Indiana Toll Road — is announcing several updates for the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Work has been completed on the 108th Street entrance ramp to I-90 east. It is reopening to traffic on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 26-27). Construction has also been completed on the exit 10 westbound exit ramp. It is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 28. Heading into Labor Day on Sept. 4, all work on the project will be halted during the busy weekend of travel. The next phase of construction will begin with single lane

The Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding $247,200 to the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department to make critical improvements to operations and safety, equip and train emergency personnel, and enhance operational deficiencies. The award funding comes from federal tax dollars through a program called Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which is administered and managed by FEMA. AFG aims to help obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The project replaces and funds the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or

In La Porte, starting on Monday, Waverly Road will be closed at the Pine/Stone Lake channel bridge from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily to allow the Wasterwater Department to dredge the channel entrance from Pine Lake. The process will take 3-5 days to complete. The channel will also be closed to watercraft traffic while the dredging takes place. The City of La Porte says to please plan appropriately.

A Michigan City suspected of murder was arrested Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A detective started a criminal investigation on Aug. 29, 2022, after receiving information that a homicide had possibly occurred inside a residence in the 1000 block of West 9th Street in Michigan City in November of 2017. Police say detectives from the Investigative Division executed multiple search warrants at the residence in 2022 and collected numerous items of evidence. Two different search and rescue detection K9s were also used at the residence while the search warrant was being executed. Police say “countless” interviews were conducted by investigators while

Valparaiso Police Department’s K9 Raider has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Raider’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In honor of K9 Vega”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The potentially lifesaving body armor for  K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. – One person was found deceased at the scene of a house fire in the 500 block of Sandalwood Court in Union Township Thursday, the Town of Chesterton reported via the Porter County Sheriff’s Police. According to police, at 11 a.m. officers were dispatched to the scene to assist the Union Township Fire Department with initial response. “It was discovered that one person was deceased in the home,” the PCSP said. “The cause of the fire is under investigation along with the cause of death.” “Please keep the family and friends of the subject who passed in

Walsh Construction has provided upcoming road closure information related to NICTD’s Double Track Northwest Indiana Project in the Michigan City area: Sheridan/10th – 9/27/23 to 10/2/23 10th and Huron at Amtrak crossing – 9/6/23 open 9/16/23 Ohio/11th –open 8/28/23 Wabash/11th –open 8/28/23 Washington/11thopen Chicago/11th open Franklin/11th – Open Michigan Blvd/11th –  Lane Closures Week of August 28th Michigan Blvd/Vail St – 9/19/23 to 10/6/23 School St Crossing – 9/6/23 to 9/19/23 Carroll Ave Crossing – 9/6/23 to 9/19/23 Grace St Crossing-9/13/2023 to 9/22/2023 Willard to Sheridan – 9/18/23 open 9/27/23 Green Street Kentucky to Chicago – open  

Press release by Michigan City Police Department: The Michigan City Police Department would like to provide an update in response to yesterday’s press release regarding 2 adults that were found deceased inside an apartment at Normandy Village. As previously stated, the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on August 22nd at 11:42 AM regarding an unconscious person located inside an apartment in the 2300 block of Normandy Drive at the Normandy Village apartment complex. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 1 arrived on scene and located two deceased adults inside the apartment who had been shot. Detectives

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the hiring of Natalie Kasberger, MSW, as the new Police Social Worker. Kasberger obtained her BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) from Valparaiso University in 2021 and her MSW (Master of Social Work) from the University of Kentucky in 2023.  Kasberger also serves in the U.S Navy, as a 2nd Class Petty Officer, assigned as an Intelligence Specialist.  Prior to arriving at VPD, Kasberger worked as a social worker for Northwest Health in LaPorte (IN). Kasberger will continue the work started in 2021, when the first social worker in Porter County was hired by the Valparaiso