Local News

News release by South Shore Line: ’Tis the season for free rides! To let riders know it has been a pleasure serving them throughout 2023 and provide another opportunity for friends and family to create more memories, South Shore Line (SSL) has expanded its Kids Ride Free program to ALL trains and train times for a limited time. Tuesday, December 26, through Friday, January 5, up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride any train for free — ALL weekend, holiday, off-peak, or rush hour weekday trains — when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Quiet

Press release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso will pause the South Shore Connect service, effective January 1, 2024. The service currently provides bus transportation between the Valparaiso’s transit parking lot on Brown Street and Valparaiso University to the Dune Park South Shore train station. The service will be reviewed once the South Shore Double Track project concludes in August 2024. At that time, South Shore Connect service may reorganize and return. The South Shore Connect service was introduced in 2019 and faced significant challenges as transit ridership dramatically declined in 2020 due to the pandemic and then

Press release from La Porte County Auditor Tim Stabosz: 12/13/23 (La Porte, Indiana) -- Timothy Stabosz, La Porte County Auditor, today reminded taxpayers that the deadline day to file for property tax exemptions for the 2023 pay 2024 tax billing cycle is December 31, 2023.   Stabosz stated, “We want everyone to be aware of, and receive, the deductions that the law provides for.”   He indicated that the most commonly used exemption, by far, is the homestead exemption, which allows taxpayers a deduction for the use of property as their primary residence.  Only one homestead exemption is allowed per individual or

Press release by Michigan City Area Schools: Cyber Security is one of the fastest growing occupational fields, a career that pays well and has high job satisfaction.  The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are obtaining a head start on the requirements of being a security manager of an information systems network by participating in Cyber Patriot, the national high school cyber security competition. They competed on December 7th, defending against a mock cyber attack.  Besides the technical skills of manipulating the virtual imagery, cadets are also exercising decisiveness and

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. —Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) department of Psychology was recently awarded a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to partner with pediatric healthcare clinics in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties to support mental health services and interventions for child traumatic stress. The project, Northwest Indiana Identification and Management of Pediatric Experiences of Trauma and Underlying Stress (NWI IMPETUS), was selected as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative to implement routine screenings and brief in-office and group interventions for child

On Tuesday Morning, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) announced that their department, along with the Wheatfield Police Department, are currently investigating a “potential murder” at an apartment in the Town of Wheatfield. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a person of interest is in custody and was being interviewed. The JCSO said that public safety is not believed to be compromised, but they request the community's cooperation for an effective investigation. The JCSO said more details will be provided later.    

The Town of Porter has released the detour map for the bridge closure on North Mineral Springs Road between Planet Court and U.S. Highway 20, the Town of Chesterton posted on their Facebook page. The bridge has been closed since Dec. 1, but INDOT has only just finalized official detours for truck traffic. Traffic southbound on Mineral Springs Road from Planet Court will be directed to eastbound Beam Street, then to northbound Wagner Road, then to U.S. 20. Traffic southbound on Mineral Springs Road from U.S. 20 will be directed to eastbound U.S. 20, then to southbound Wagner Road. Traffic

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has been elevated to the First Scholars phase by the Center for First-generation Student Success in recognition of its continuous efforts to support first-generation college students. Earning First Scholars status means PNW has demonstrated sustained commitment to support its first-generation students. These practices are evidenced by intentional institutional frameworks that foster a supportive campus culture for first-generation students, student and professional leadership development and resources for student academic success. “We are honored and excited by PNW’s inclusion in the First Scholars cohort,” said Elizabeth Babcock

NIPSCO announces the completed installation of nearly 19 miles of new 24” steel gas pipeline that will service the new battery plant in the City of Kokomo with a safe, reliable source of natural gas for the future. This new gas system expansion also supports opportunity for future economic growth in Cass, Howard, and Miami Counties; the project included an additional 800 feet of 16” steel pipeline, safety enhancements to the existing Walton gas regulator station, and a new customer station in Kokomo that will serve as a dual gas supply to the battery pant as well as the Greater

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospitalist Ahmer Festok, DO, was recently presented with the St. Raphael Award from the hospital’s nursing staff. Dr. Festok received the award in recognition of his outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for the nursing staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point and for his commitment to the mission and values at Franciscan Alliance. Tisha Casey, Julie Kruzan and Mindy Palmquist, all of whom are RNs in the Progressive Care Unit, nominated Dr. Festok for the award. Casey, Kruzan and Palmquist noted Dr. Festok’s respect for the nursing staff and his compassionate care for

Chesterton Police Department Officer Nolan Mancera, a 3-year veteran of the department, graduated last week from the Indiana DECP and is now an Indiana Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). In Indiana, a DRE is an officer that is highly effective and skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DREs are trained in a systematic and standardized 12-step evaluation process that incorporates physical, mental, and medical components. The DRE certification process encompasses over 70 hours of classroom training followed by 40 hours of field certifications. There are only approximately 8,000 DREs nationwide, equating to 1.1% of

Last Friday, Barker Middle School became the first school in the MCAS district to be Project Adam certified. Project ADAM is a nationwide initiative that has saved the lives of more than 200 children, adolescents, and adults who went into sudden cardiac arrest. According to their website, immediate CPR and the availability of an AED can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. To learn more, visit https://www.projectadam.com  

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) fall 2023 graduates may have just had their degrees conferred, but it will not mark the end of impactful lessons for their budding careers. Work experiences, unexpected upheavals in their personal lives, new relationships and more will all likely be sources of unique learning opportunities that enhance what they gleaned as college students. That was the advice imparted by Indiana state representatives Harold (Hal) Slager and Mike Andrade, who served as keynote speakers during morning and afternoon ceremonies, respectively, at PNW’s fall commencement on Dec. 9 in

The Valparaiso Police are recognizing the efforts of the 2023 Officer, Supervisor, and Investigator of the year. The awards, given annually, are voted on by the membership of the department, and awarded each December.   Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Officer of the Year - Patrolman Ethan Biggs Supervisor of the Year - Lieutenant Jon Watson Investigator of the Year - Detective Eric Pickford  

The Indiana Department of Insurance on Friday issued a warning to Hoosiers seeking health insurance coverage through the Federal Marketplace. The department advises caution regarding websites offering rewards like debit or cash cards in exchange for signing up through them. These “lead generating” websites collect users’ personal information and may provide inaccurate information about insurance coverage. The department urges Indiana residents to exercise skepticism regarding third-party websites promoting marketplace health plans and incentives. “Consumers should verify information directly through official marketplace resources before entering any personal details or selecting a plan,” stated Alexandria Peck, Indiana Department of Insurance Chief Deputy

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced Friday that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will receive up to $500,000 to support the assessment and potential development of the Indianapolis - Chicago passenger rail corridor through the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program. "This is a first step toward expanding passenger rail in Indiana," said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. "Receiving this funding allows us to gather essential information to make more informed decisions going forward." INDOT put forth its application in the spring. The federal funds will go toward preliminary work in preparation for a Service Development Plan. The plan would

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Dec. 8) ratified the appointment of Kenneth C. “Chris” Holford as chancellor of Purdue University Northwest, effective Jan. 8, 2024. Holford has served since May 2020 as PNW’s provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs. As provost, he has prioritized the quality of the student experience, the importance of developing a highly trained workforce and the enrichment of the regional community. He has emphasized the importance of academic and research quality at PNW, leading to a tripling of sponsored research activity at the institution over the past three

Press release from Michigan City Area Schools: The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) participated in many civic events in support of Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) and the LaPorte County community.  Among those activities were supporting the Salvation Army with food donations, helping the Deserving Children’s Shopping Tour, and assisting with the set-up and clean-up of the One City One Sound MCAS Holiday Concert.  Cadets also led the Michigan City Festival of Lights Parade, along with providing Color Guards for the LaPorte County Veterans Court graduation and the MCHS home boys basketball

A North Judson man has been charged in connection with the theft of St. Jude’s donation jars from the front counters of two local gas stations, according to the Chesterton Police Department. The Chesterton Police Department said on its Facebook page the man has been identified as 43-year-old Joshua Todd. According to police, at 1:36 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, a male subject driving a silver Dodge Avenger—with a license plate whose number was indistinct on the video surveillance footage—entered the BP at 525 Indian Boundary Road and asked the clerk for a can of tobacco. When the clerk turned to

Update: The Newton County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that Christian Fritts has been located and is safe.   Original post: Silver alert declared overnight for Newton County man A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared. The Newton County Sheriff Department is investigating the disappearance of Christian William Fritts, an 18-year-old white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 108 pounds,  brown hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a brown carpenter jacket, brown khakis, white/grey sketchers. Christian is missing from De Motte, Indiana which is 124 miles northwest of Indianapolis and was last seen on Thursday, December 07, 2023, at 1:00pm.