Local News

August 4, 2023 - Michigan City, Indiana – The Indiana Department of Corrections announced today the closure of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City. This closure marks the beginning of a new chapter for Northwest Indiana, as it presents a tremendous opportunity for positive economic development and growth. The Northwest Indiana Forum, alongside many partners, released the Region’s first economic development plan, IGNITE the Region- Northwest Indiana’s Strategy for Economic Transformation, in 2018.  This plan included the redevelopment and reimagination of the Michigan City State Prison location and has been awarded READI funds to plan what could be next

The Chesterton Police Department posted the following on its social media about an upcoming enforcement blitz towards school-bus stop-arm scofflaws: As students head back to the classroom this month, the Porter County Traffic Safety Partnership (TSP) is reminding motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences. Porter County TSP is now increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding, and other forms of reckless driving around school buses and in school zones. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “When a school bus’s red

On the Indiana Toll Road, the Exit 10 eastbound exit ramp is open to traffic. The Exit 10 westbound entry and westbound exit ramps remain closed. The westbound exit ramp will reopen on Aug. 31 and the westbound entry ramp will reopen Sept. 23.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- An investigation conducted by members of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Michael Anthony Prestamer of Munster. Investigators received more than twenty Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to a specific online account that had been used for child exploitation, police said.  After months of investigation, search warrants for a residence in Munster and a business in Hammond were requested and granted by a judge with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. Prestamer was arrested without

An intoxicated man was almost struck while passed out in the roadway Wednesday, the Porter Police Department reported. During the late-night hours, police responded to a report of a man passed out in the roadway on Tremont Road. An off-duty Beverly Shores police officer advised he was traveling northbound on Tremont Road and had to swerve to avoid striking the male. Police said that while detaining the man, who appeared to be in a state of alcohol induced intoxication, a female driver arrived on scene and identified the man as her boyfriend. She reported to police that she kicked him

INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 4, 2023) — Forty hospitals in Indiana are among the 2,600 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively. These health crises require swift and proven treatment to ensure the best outcomes for patients. The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, sets the standards for high-quality, science-based care and access that all patients deserve. “Every 40 seconds,

Thursday, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2023 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest. The winning photographs will be displayed in the lieutenant governor’s Family of Business offices in Indianapolis throughout the next year. The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries in the following four categories: Agritourism, Conservation, Faces of Agriculture and On the Farm. Two winners were selected from each category, along with two winners overall. To be considered, the photo had to be taken in the state by an Indiana resident. The photos were evaluated by a panel

The South Shore Line is reminding the public about track safety. They gave the following information in a news release on their website: At South Shore Line, safety is our number one priority. The completion of the first phase of the Double Track Project presents an opportunity to refresh all pedestrians and drivers on safety around the railroad tracks. “We want to keep all drivers, pedestrians, and passengers safe on our trains and around our tracks,” said Nicole Barker, South Shore Line Director of Capital Investment and Implementation. “With the Double Track NWI project taking place from Gary to Michigan

The City of Portage announced that workers from Milestone Contractors have begun to mobilize for the Portage Avenue reconstruction projects. The City of Portage says you may have seen workers this week beginning to demolish concrete aprons and other areas. Work will continue ramp up over the next couple of weeks on the project which will repave Portage Avenue from McCool Road to Willowcreek Road. The city says the project, which is funded through the state Community Crossings Grant Program and city Wheel Tax revenue, will significantly disrupt residents living on the north side of Portage Avenue between Pennsylvania and

The City of New Buffalo is gearing up for a Special Election on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. This election pertains to the renewal of the current millage for Lake Michigan College, which is set to expire with the 2023 tax levy. Polling hours are 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The polling location is New Buffalo City Hall, located at 224 W. Buffalo Street. Early Registration and Absentee Ballots: For your convenience, the City Clerk's Office will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2023, to facilitate voter registrations and to receive absentee ballots.

A man has been charged after a stand-off with Porter Police on Monday. In the evening hours, an officer attempted to contact a motorist who was operating a vehicle with a broken tail-light and loud exhaust. The vehicle pulled into a driveway in the 200 block of Franklin Street. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Gary Bolcerek, became irate and appeared to be reaching for a weapon, police reported. The initial officer called for emergency assistance at which time the Chesterton and Burns Harbor Police Departments responded to the scene. Bolcerek retreated from his vehicle into his garage

A two-hour manhunt for a shooting suspect ended Wednesday afternoon with two arrests. Aaron Belcher, 35, of Griffith, and a female subject who was with him were both taken into custody in Merrillville Wednesday afternoon. The two were spotted arguing in the entryway of an apartment complex near Grant Street and 79th Place.  The witnesses called 9-1-1.  The two subjects fled into a nearby wooded area between Grant and Cleveland Streets where they were arrested. Earlier Wednesday, a 33-year-old man was transported to an area hospital with gunshot wounds after an assault at a home in the 1000 block of

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) received a decision from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to adjust its electric rates, effective August 2023. The newly approved rates will be phased in over a multi-step process to spread out the changes to customer bills beginning in August 2023, with the remaining changes applied in 2024.   “Customers expect safe, dependable electric service at the lowest cost possible,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “This decision balances new rates in a way that allows NIPSCO to continue making the necessary investments in our infrastructure and technology to serve

WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Leadership Institute and Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) have announced the 2023 Northwest Indiana Women’s Leadership and Innovation Summit. The annual event brings 260 diverse women leaders together for inspiring presentations and panel-style conversations, with a focus on authentic leadership, innovation knowledge, the power of networking and personal empowerment. The summit is especially suited to mid-level managers, star contributors and high potential employees who have been identified as outstanding prospects for increased leadership responsibilities, professionals with an interest in personal development and executives seeking to become a more innovative leader. “Leadership is highly

The Michigan City Police Department released the following information on parking restrictions for the XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix Boat Parade: “Due to the 2023 XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix Parade, there will be NO PARKING on the west side of Pine Street from U.S. Hwy 12 to 10th Street, NO PARKING on 10th Street between Pine Street and Franklin Street, NO PARKING on Franklin Street from 10th Street to 4th Street, and NO PARKING on 7th Street from Pine Street to Washington Street. This parking restriction will begin Saturday August 5th at 6am and will go through midnight. We

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the retirement of Sergeant Perry Stone, who has served the City of Valparaiso since January 16, 1986. Stone began his career with VPD as a “Special Officer” before being officially sworn-in on August 1, 1987, as a Probationary Patrol Officer. During his tenure, Stone earned the ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Detective Sergeant. The Valparaiso Police Department said on its Facebook page that Stone also excelled in specialty areas such as canine handler, Field Training Officer, emergency vehicle operations instructor, and negotiator. In 1999, Stone briefly left VPD to serve as a member of the

Press release by Duneland Chamber of Commerce: Chesterton, IN – The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Duneland Pottery on Thursday, August 24.  Duneland Pottery is located at 500 Broadway, Chesterton, IN. We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Duneland Pottery, a welcoming art studio right in the heart of downtown Chesterton! Please join us from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm as we celebrate this creative new business in the Duneland Community. The ribbon cutting will be followed by refreshments and even a live pottery demonstration by the owner, David Arreola! We hope

The City of Portage announced that through Aug. 30, the roads listed below will have rolling lane closures as their crack sealing contractor will be filling cracks in the asphalt pavement. The City said on its Facebook page to expect delays periodically. Flaggers will be present. “We also ask that residents in these areas not park on the streets between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” the City of Portage said.   List of rolling lane closures: Bailey Street – US Hwy 20 to the End Marine Drive – Southport Road to the End Willowcreek Road – Coca Cola Road to

The 41st annual Lubeznik Arts Festival will bring over 70 artists from around the United States in a variety of media to Michigan City, Ind. on Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST. Always the third weekend in August, the festival draws children and adults from the Northwest Indiana region and beyond to Lubeznik Center for the Art’s (LCA) grounds and galleries at 101 W. 2nd Street. Festival goers enjoy fine arts and crafts from over 70 artists from across the nation, indoor exhibits by contemporary artists, family activities, free art making, live

Franciscan Health and Geminus Regional Health Systems are partnering to host two free LaPorte County car seat safety clinics in September. The first event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at the Strengthening Indiana Families LaPorte County Family Resource Center, 1232 W. State Road 2 in La Porte. The second event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Central on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Legacy Campus, 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City. Car seats will be available free of charge to qualifying Indiana residents