Local News

Double Track NWI - Construction Next Steps INFORMATION UPDATED 12/21/2023-   The Double Track Northwest Indiana Project (DT-NWI) is under construction. The project team has information to share about the project's final steps. The project is currently 93% complete.   Estimated Final Project Completion: May 2024   Effective Oct. 25, 2023, train service resumed between Dune Park and Carroll Ave. stations, including train service to Beverly Shores and 11th St. stations. Busing will remain in effect between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations until the project’s completion in 2024.    Bus service will make all intermediate scheduled station stops, and

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner today announced 14 communities will receive a combined $31.2 million for 28 miles of new trail as a part of the fourth round of the Next Level Trails program. “Across the state, trails are making connections – bringing people and communities together in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Next Level Trails program has elevated those connections with record trail funding and palpable energy. Through $180 million across four rounds, we’re funding important infrastructure that is making an impact now and will continue to

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on December 20, 2023, at approximately 8:17pm, regarding an injury crash at the intersection of Woodland Avenue and Coolspring Avenue. Michigan City Police Department Uniform Patrol Shift 2, along with Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS were dispatched to this location. A preliminary investigation has revealed that a vehicle driven by Bill Hadley was traveling northbound on Woodland Avenue. As this vehicle approached the intersection, a juvenile male was crossing the intersection and was struck by Mr. Hadley’s vehicle. Upon arrival of Emergency Services, a juvenile male

Citizen appointments the La Porte County Council is seeking to fill in early 2024. Provided herewith is a list of citizen appointments the La Porte County Council is seeking to fill in early 2024, that the Council is pleased to announce: La Porte County Library Board, 4 year term, applicant must have lived in library district for at least 2 years Alcoholic Beverage Commission, 1 year term, applicant must have lived in La Porte County for at least 5 years Property Tax Board of Appeals, 1 year term, 2 appointments, knowledge of real estate and/or real estate valuation desirable Regional

In observance of the upcoming holidays, most City offices, including City Hall and Non-Emergency City Operations will be Closed on Friday December 22nd and Monday December 25th, to observe the Christmas Holiday, and again on Friday December 29th and Monday January 1st to celebrate the New Year. Michigan City Refuse will be closed on Monday the 25th and Monday the 1st and all scheduled pickups will be delayed one day for the remainder of both weeks. The Transit Department will not be operating on Saturday the 23rd and Monday the 25th of December, and additionally Saturday the 30th and Monday

There was a SIGHTING of Santa and the Grinch at Rittenhouse Village in Michigan City. Rittenhouse Village Michigan City currently have a handful of Assisted Living Openings with scheduled move-outs 1st of January and we would truly love to help families over these Winter months ahead of us! Seeking ways to get our name out there since families will be with their aging parents over the holidays. We can be that short-term or permanent solutions for those struggling! Contact-Stefanie Olson-Senior Lifestyle Counselor at Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City located at 4300 Cleveland Avenue in Michigan City. For more information call

The Pax Center is pleased to invite their friends and neighbors for a Christmas Day lunch. In the spirit of the holiday, the Pax Center welcomes everyone to celebrate and share delicious food and friendship on this special day. In a year that has presented many challenges, the Pax Center remains committed to ensuring that the holiday season is felt by every member of the community. Christmas Day is meant to be a joyful and inclusive occasion, and the Pax Center warmly welcomes the public to come together from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked Christmas

On Monday the Porter County Sheriff’s Office held a Conference to announce they have been selected to receive a federal grant (FY2023 COPS Technology and Equipment - Community Project Funding) in the amount of $400,000. “We are extremely grateful to all who were involved in selecting our Agency,” the Porter County Sheriff’s Office said on their Facebook. “The funds will be used for much needed technology upgrades at our Office and a Flock camera subscription. Thank you again!” Congressman Frank Mrvan spoke at the Conference, as well as Sheriff Balon and Prosecutor Germann.

All six Indiana Franciscan Health Family Birth Centers were awarded INspire Hospital of Distinction awards by the Indiana Hospital Association in partnership with Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver. The Family Birth Centers in Crown Point, Dyer, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Michigan City and Mooresville all received the honor. The awards were presented on Tuesday. The Family Birth Centers were judged based on the implementation of best practices in key maternal-fetal health categories, including safe sleep, breastfeeding, tobacco, perinatal substance use, Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) safety bundles and social drivers of health. AIM safety bundles are sets of practices that improve the quality of

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of two different phone scams. Agency employees were made aware on Tuesday of two different phone scams, both of which included Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg’s name being utilized during the calls. The first scam is related to the Sex and Violent Offender Registry (SVOR). Registered sex offenders are receiving unsolicited calls from a subject purporting to be Sheriff Heeg. The scammer is telling the registered sex offender a payment of $2,500 in Green Dot prepaid cards is necessary to satisfy a fine. The second scam is related to arrest warrants.

Walmart in Michigan City was evacuated Tuesday after a 13-year-old from Florida called in a false bomb threat. Police say on Tuesday at approximately 10:50 a.m. the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from an employee of the Walmart stating that an unknown person just called the store and indicated a bomb had been placed inside. The store was immediately evacuated. Due to the nature of the call, numerous officers, SWAT and the Investigative Division responded to the store as well as the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS. A thorough search of the store

A student was able to fire an officer's gun during at Eggers Junior High School in Hammond, according to the Hammond Police Department. On Monday morning, an officer from the Hammond Police Department observed a 14-year-old child attempting to leave Eggers Junior High School against regulations. Hammond Police said on their Facebook page that the officer promptly contacted the child’s mother, and efforts were made to bring her back to the office. During the attempt to restrain the female, who has a history of confrontations with law enforcement, a struggle ensued. The situation escalated when the officer, attempting to secure

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today announced the recipients of the agency's Community Recycling Grant Program. IDEM awarded $541,245.00 to 15 applicants. “Community recycling grants provide direct investments that make recycling more accessible to Hoosiers. Historically, these grants have provided new equipment for recycling operators and improved local collection programs,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. “These grants will make a significant impact on community recycling efforts across Indiana.” The grants are available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana. Here is the list of recipients and the amounts they were

Michigan City High School Student Council and JROTC volunteers sorted all of the food on Saturday, December 16, and received collections at Ames Field. The food drive more than doubled any previous record for collections. This year, 17,352.4 pounds of food items were gathered which equals 8.7 tons and is a new record. Last year, 4.1 tons were collected, and the previous year it was 4.6 tons. The school that collected the most was Joy Elementary School. Joy collected 5,538.7 (12.9 pounds per student). MCHS Student Council members will present the traveling trophy to them on Wednesday. Knapp Elementary School

MICHIGAN CITY – Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch has appointed an all-new Michigan City Board of Public Works & Safety. “The Board of Works is concerned with making sure the city operates both safely and efficiently,” Nelson Deuitch said. “I believe we’ve got a great group coming in who will work together to really ensure that we are following state and local statutes.” Beginning in January, the board will consist of Tim Bietry, Gene Simmons and Candice Antisdel. “In considering my Board of Works appointments, I focused on identifying people who have a passion for the city and who also have experience

Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes has released the name of the victim in a fatal two-vehicle crash on Ind. 49 in Morgan Township early Sunday morning, Dec. 17. The victim was identified as 30-year-old Ryan Fox of Kouts. “The accident is still under investigation,” Dykes said. According to the Porter County Sheriff’s Police, at 4:05 a.m. a 2020 Ford SUV was northbound on Indiana 49, at the intersection of County Road 600 South, it crossed the center line for an unknown reason and collided with a second vehicle southbound on Indiana 49. The driver of the Ford SUV was ejected

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today a $127 million grant award received by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program. The funding will support the I-80/I-94 FlexRoad project in northwest Indiana. “FlexRoad represents a transformational opportunity to improve mobility and safety, while also providing better access to employment hubs and destinations for those who live and work near the corridor,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Strategies like dynamic shoulder lanes, variable speed limits, ramp metering and queue warning systems are innovative tools to help optimize traffic flow and make travel safer.” The funding

Press release by Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb: As tax season approaches, Hoosier National Guardsmen, which number approximately 12,000 troops, will no longer pay state income tax starting with their 2023 tax returns. In April, the Indiana legislature passed the military exemption bill, House Bill 1034, and on May 1, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb signed it into law. “By completely phasing out state taxes on military veteran retirement in 2022 and eliminating the state income tax for Hoosier Guardsmen in 2023, Indiana continues to demonstrate our state’s enduring appreciation for the exemplary women and men who serve our local

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will honor Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., the Honorable Diane Kavadias Schneider and Jeff Strack, president and CEO of Indiana Grocery Group, as its third annual PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome these three accomplished PNW alumni and friends of the university to our Alumni Hall of Fame,” said PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon. “They have remained loyally connected and integrally involved in PNW’s forward direction as a catalyst for our region. Their induction attests to their fervor in helping make Northwest Indiana the best place it can be

News release by Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – Board-certified cardiologist Sheryl Christy, DO, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Christy is board-certified in cardiology and attended Midwestern University School of Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill. and completed residency at Midwestern University/Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields, Ill. in internal medicine with a fellowship in cardiology. Dr. Christy’s clinical interests include congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and preventative cardiology. She is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Crown Point, 1205 S. Main St., Suite 101 in Crown Point.