Local News

Press release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health’s partnership with the Lake County Courts to provide volunteer advocates for elderly and incapacitated adults who are unable to represent themselves now has six new members. Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in the new class of Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in a ceremony May 17. Ramona Daniel, Sherri Ervin, Michele Meacham and Bob Overland, all of Merrillville, were sworn in during the ceremony at Lake Superior Court along with Mike Southworth of Crown Point. Roxanne Pluskis of Dyer is a member of the new class and

A man died and two of his teenage children were injured Saturday after a grenade exploded inside a home in Lakes of the Four Seasons, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Sometime before 6:30 p.m. officers responded to a reported explosion in the 3400 block of West Lakeshore Drive. A family had been going through a grandfather’s belongings when they found a hand grenade. Police say someone reportedly pulled the pin on the device and it detonated. An adult male was found unresponsive at the scene and was later declared dead. Police say his two teenage children were transported

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: With Memorial Day weekend around the corner, Indiana Conservation Officers remind Hoosiers to make water safety a priority now and throughout the summer. “We urge all Hoosiers to recognize the danger water poses when on or around our waterways,” said Capt. Jet Quillen of the Department of Natural Resources Division of  Law Enforcement. Follow these basic safety tips: Discuss the dangers of water with your family and loved ones before going out. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Go with a buddy. Do not venture around flooded

News release by Indiana Department of Health: INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana health officials are urging Hoosiers to protect themselves from tick bites during and after spending time outdoors to protect themselves from tick-borne diseases. “Even though we’ve had a cool, wet spring, ticks are already out and looking for their next meal,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Jen Brown, D.V.M., M.P.H. “The risk for tick-borne disease is at its highest for the next few months, so we want Hoosiers to protect themselves by taking precautions against tick bites.” While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Indiana, Hoosiers are also at

Press release by Michigan City Chamber of Commerce: This June the Chamber turns 105 years old, and they are inviting the community to celebrate with them! The celebration will take place on June 14, 2023, from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm at Millennium Plaza. The event is presented by Harbor Country Adventures and includes a fun-filled evening of networking, music, food, a sunset cruise, and more. Members of the chamber and members of the community are all invited to attend this special event. “Reaching this milestone of 105 years in operation is a great accomplishment,” stated chamber president Katie Eaton, “Our chamber

Overnight lane closures are scheduled for I-94 in Lake County. Permanent pavement markings will result in lane closures for around two weeks starting Sunday, May 21 on eastbound I-94 from the state line to State Road 912. A single left lane closure is being used overnight as needed on westbound I-94 between I-65 and State Road 912 now through late June.  

An arrestee on Wednesday afternoon was found with scissors in a “peculiar” location after a body scan at the La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Lieutenant Jeff Holt - Assistant Jail Commander of Operations, was assisting jail deputies with the intake of the arrestee inside the jail.  Police say while completing the process of the intake, the arrestee refused to participate in a body scan.  The body scan is a requirement for all arrestees to complete prior to acceptance as an inmate at the LCJ. Police say the arrestee reluctantly agreed to participate in a scan.  While reviewing the scan image,

The Michigan City Police Department made the following statement regarding gun violence and increased patrols: "Across the United States gun violence is a topic being discussed by neighbors, community leaders, law enforcement, politicians and media outlets. It is a topic that affects everyone and no one is immune from the potential devastating consequences such as loss of life, serious injury and property damage. According to the not-for-profit corporation, Gun Violence Archive (www.gunviolencearchive.org), there have been 6,893 gun violence deaths in this country from January 1 to May 17, 2023. This number is comprised of the deaths categorized as Homicide, Murder,

News release by Indiana DNR: Educators interested in taking K-12 students on field trips to an Indiana state park or state-managed lake in the 2023-2024 school year can receive financial help through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF). Grants from the Discover the Outdoors fund are available for all school types, according to INRF executive director Jody Kress. “The Foundation’s mission is to celebrate and preserve Indiana’s natural legacy,” Kress said. “This grant gives children an adventure that showcases some of Indiana’s natural and cultural treasures and teaches the importance of protecting and preserving them for everyone to enjoy.” Since

Traffic will be flagged through the roundabout at U.S. 6 and State Road 2 May 23-25 during the hours of approximately 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Crews will be installing permanent light poles. Expect delays during peak times. Schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.  

Press release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest proudly announces the graduates of the Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program. This premium leadership program, facilitated by a team that includes professors from the Purdue Northwest College of Business, as well as leadership practitioners, meets once a month for eight months. A 360 assessment and custom coaching are program highlights. The facilitation team provides research-based leadership content and skill-building for effective leadership in the workplace and in life. “We are simply delighted at the level of progress and growth exhibited by this year’s

The City of La Porte is asking for residents’ input. The city said on its Facebook page, “Help our Community Development & Planning team make paddling, biking and walking safer and more convenient in the City of La Porte!” The Trails, Greenways and Blueways Master Plan Public Open House is this Thursday, May 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. The City of La Porte also said, “If you want see improved connections between our neighborhoods, businesses parks and lakes, this opportunity is for you!” No registration is required.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking community nominations for the following awards to be presented during the Duneland Chamber Community Awards luncheon on July 19: -Duneland Distinguished Woman Award -Putting Duneland on the Map Award -Business Renovation Award -New Construction Award -Humanitarian of the Year Award -Volunteer of the Year Award -Golden Achievement Award -Serviceman of the Year Award Follow this link to nominate an individual or organization: https://form.jotform.com/231065020435139  

Press release by Office of Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales: INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosier voters will be receiving postcards in the mail from the Secretary of State’s Election Division.  The mailings are part of a statewide voter list maintenance. The goal is to identify outdated, duplicate, and inaccurate voter registrations to improve the accuracy and integrity of Indiana’s voter registration list. You don’t have to do anything in response to receiving a postcard.  If a postcard is returned by the Post Office as undeliverable, a second postcard will be sent to the forwardable address on file with the US Postal

The Salvation Army is getting ready to celebrate National Donut Day with a tradition that has become highly anticipated every year in Michigan City – the 8th annual Donut Eating Contest. In this event, 17 contenders will compete to see who can eat the most donuts in 10 minutes. It will take place on Friday, June 2 at Blue Chip Casino. Doors open at 9 am and the contest begins sharply at 10 am. This event is free and open to the public. Competing this year will be: Lee Ann Killingbeck, The Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County;

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana -- Franciscan Health and Geminus Regional Health Systems are partnering to host a free car seat safety clinic from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 30. The event will take place at the Franciscan Health Michigan City legacy campus at 301 W. Homer St. Car seats will be available free of charge to qualifying Indiana residents thanks to a generous grant from Geminus Regional Health Systems. The seats will be installed by a certified technician while supplies last. Caregivers must bring children to the event to allow the technicians to create a safe, proper fit. The

An adult and two children were hurt after a crash on I-80/94 early Monday in Lake County. At around 4:00 a.m., a trooper was dispatched to a single vehicle crash on I-80/94 at the 3.8 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation shows that a 2005 Chrysler van was eastbound when for unknown reasons, the vehicle struck the right barrier wall, then crossed the lanes and struck the center median wall head-on.  Emergency personnel located the 36-year-old male driver from Chicago, with serious injuries.  Also, inside the rear of the vehicle were two juveniles, a female and male both less than 10 years of

News release by Healthcare Foundation of La Porte: LA PORTE -- The HFL City of La Porte Housing Initiative, which began in 2022 with a six-month in-depth housing study of the City of La Porte, continues its work with a partnership with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture’s Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative for a downtown housing and regeneration charrette. A charrette is an intensive planning session where architects, citizens, and others collaborate to develop a design or vision for a project. HFL and the City of La Porte are welcoming a professional team from the University of

Michigan State Police are seeking help identifying a body that washed ashore in 1988. The Michigan State Police (MSP) Niles Post, in coordination with New Buffalo Police Department, are again reaching out to their southern Lake Michigan coastal partners and residents requesting assistance to help with the identification of a recovered body. Thirty-five years ago, an unidentified body washed ashore on the New Buffalo breakwater of Lake Michigan on April 8, 1988. The unidentified body was exhumed November 9, 2021, to collect a DNA sample for CODIS entry and forensic genetic genealogy. Dental records are on file for comparison to