Local News

News Release, Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health Michigan City’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is back and open for registration. The unique, six-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 8 and 15. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures. The program explores healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health. Individual and family-centered physical activities and tips to maintain a healthy, active life with Trainer Ron Gaston are included along with cooking, meal prep and sessions on understanding nutritional facts with

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host commencement exercises on Saturday, May 4. A total of 834 candidates have completed plans of study in PNW’s academic colleges of Business; Engineering and Sciences; Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Nursing; and Technology. Honors College graduates who have completed enriched multidisciplinary academic opportunities, leadership engagement and community service will also be recognized. The candidates include 685 earning their baccalaureate degrees and 149 earning their master’s degrees. Candidates for graduation are students who completed plans of study in spring 2024. PNW’s spring commencement ceremony will take place outdoors on the

Returning to Lake County Fairgrounds May 4th and 5th! Gift, Food and Craft Show is a weekend of fun where you’ll find anything and everything under the sun! Looking for something fun to do? How about a day of shopping for the most unique trinkets and treasures under the sun? For the past two decades, Shipshewana On The Road Gift, Food and Craft Show has brought the most interesting, most innovative, most creative and just plain awesome products to their customers. You’ll find thousands of unique items that you may not find anywhere else! Come join the fun!   Location:

MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT Today, Wednesday, April 24, from 10am-Noon at Fedders Alley in Michigan City. See flyer for details!

The Michigan City Tree Board is combining Earth Day and Arbor Day this year, and will celebrate on May 4 with a free tree giveaway at the Michigan City Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. until noon. They will host another giveaway from 1-4 p.m. the same day at the Earth Day Extravaganza at Krueger Memorial Park. In addition to the beautification of your property, trees provide many benefits, including shade, reducing your energy costs, windbreak, privacy, cleaner air, noise reduction and higher property value. Warmer spring weather marks the start of landscaping season and from time to time all trees

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will close State Road 39 between C.R. W 1800 S and State Road 8 beginning on or after Monday, April 29. State Road 39 will be closed through early June for a bridge deck overlay project over the Kankakee River. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 8, U.S. 35 and U.S. 30. INDOT had previously announced that this project would begin in early April.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will reduce State Road 2 to one lane between Colorado St and Clay St on or after Monday, April 29. State Road 2 will be reduced to one lane at Pearle Creek, with traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals through early July. Crews will be conducting a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through all work

ITRCC ensures customer data protection amid E-ZPass toll phishing/ smishing scams. In light of recent phishing/ smishing scams targeting customers of various toll road agencies, the ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC), the maintainer and operator of the Indiana Toll Road, wishes to remind its customers that it does not send text messages requesting sensitive information such as passwords, payment information, or account numbers. Scammers have been using fraudulent text messages to deceive individuals into providing payment for unpaid tolls. These messages may appear to be from toll road agencies with links to pay a toll. If you receive a text message

Parents looking for fun and engaging programs for their children for summer 2024 can check out more than 20 programs serving a variety of interests for K-12 students. PNW summer camps allow participants to have fun while gaining memorable hands-on experiences. Various camps’ themes and activities will include robotics, artificial intelligence, forensics, nursing, leadership, environmental sciences, psychology, sports and more. Students can explore their areas of interest, deepen their knowledge, meet peers with similar interests, engage with knowledgeable PNW faculty members, and build their skills for future education and work careers. Several PNW summer camps are made possible by Lilly

UPCOMING SOLID WASTE DISTRICT/RECYCLING 7 IN 1 COLLECTION When: May 11, 2024 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Where: LaPorte County Fairgrounds 2851 W. State Rd. 2 Please be advised, there will be a limit of 25 tires accepted at this event. If you have more than 25 tires, please contact our office directly at 219-326-0014, Ext. 1.

City residents are invited to share their thoughts on how federal grant dollars ought to be spent within La Porte, according to CDBG Program Manager Mary Ann Richards. The City of La Porte is set to receive federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant program to be used effective October 1 of this year. Historically, these funds have been used for a variety of projects targeting low- and moderate-income areas within the community. Richards said residents with ideas are encouraged to attend an upcoming public hearing to share their thoughts. “These funds have had a major impact on several

Children's Art Scholarships Thanks to a generous donation of $2,000 from the Rotary Club of Michigan City MAC will be able to award some children's art scholarships. The Michigan City Public Art Committee, created in 2011 by the Michigan City City Council, has established a scholarship fund to assist Michigan City children in taking art instruction. Visual art classes or individual art instruction for qualified children between 5 and 18 years of age will be funded. The maximum grant request per individual is $200. Funds will be available for instruction in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, collage, crafts such as

The Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana is thanking CAPTRUST for its recent donations totaling $4,166 in support of the Franciscan Health Michigan City Prenatal Assistance Program for vulnerable mothers with children under the age of one. The Prenatal Assistance Program, located at 301 Homer St., provides a variety of services including pregnancy education, counseling, peer support and enhanced access to public assistance programs, community services and local hospital programs. The program also runs the Diaper Pantry, which provides diapers, wipes, formula, bottles and other supplies to qualifying families in need. “One of CAPTRUST’s core values is community and with

???????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? The #LCSO is investigating a fatality hit and run crash involving a pedestrian. At 6:03 AM this morning, deputies were dispatched to the 11000 west block of US 6 for a subject who had been struck by a vehicle. At 6:12 AM, Captain Derek Allen arrived and located the scene in the 11800 west block. A deceased adult male was found lying off the westbound lane of travel near a ditch. A citizen who had been traveling along US 6 located the subject and contacted authorities. Additional personnel, including members of the agency’s Fatal Alcohol

This week the LaPorte County Purdue Extension is celebrating the volunteers that are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Extension Service, including determining the needs of the local residents, planning and implementing programs to address these needs, securing resources, and evaluating programs in areas of 4-H, Ag & Natural Resources, Community Development, and Health and Human Sciences. Their volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during the 50th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 21-27, 2024. “We are appreciative

The Town of Chesterton has announced the railroad crossing on 15th Street will close on Wednesday April 24 with the crossing on Jackson Boulevard to follow two days later. The Norfolk Southern grade-crossing on North 15th Street will be closed on Wednesday, April 24. The closure will remain in effect for approximately 10 days as crews complete the asphalting of the grade-crossing. NORTH JACKSON BLVD.: Then, on Friday, April 26, the Norfolk Southern grade-crossing on North Jackson Blvd. will also be closed. This latter closure is expected to last only a portion of the day, but as of Thursday, April

John Seibert has been named as the City of Valparaiso’s representative to the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission, announced Mayor Jon Costas. Seibert was nominated by Mayor Costas and approved by the Valparaiso City Council to sit on the commission, which brings ethics awareness and training to communities throughout Porter and Lake counties. “John Seibert has demonstrated a commitment to ethics and the highest community standards. We are grateful to have him serve in this advisory role,” said Mayor Costas. Seibert served the City of Valparaiso for more than 34 years, retiring as Parks Director in 2023. Under his leadership, the

The Michigan City Police Department is congratulating Probationary Officer Alexander Henry on his graduation from the 232nd Class of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Officer Henry completed 16 weeks of training at the academy in Plainfield and will continue his training in the department’s Field Training Program for the next several months. WIMS congratulates Officer Henry.

The Portage Streets and Sanitation Department announced on their social media that starting Monday April 22, crews will be lane striping in the Ameriplex east of U.S. 249. The department is asking drivers to expect delays and to use extreme caution if you must travel in the area. The department did not specify how long this work will take.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter has announced the recipient of the 2023 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year. “This honor is bestowed upon a deserving Trooper that exemplifies the department’s lofty standards and expectations as related to the overall mission," the ISP said in a press release. “Leadership, productivity, service to the community both on and off duty, and assigned responsibilities are just a few areas taken into consideration when nominated.” The 2023 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year is Trooper Dennis L. Griffin. “Trp. Griffin’s performance and accomplishments during 2023 are worthy of such recognition,