Local News

Representatives from Franciscan Health, Bolt for the Heart and the Play for Jake Foundation presented a total of 40 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Michigan City Police Department, City of La Porte Police Department and the La Porte County Sheriff's Office to be placed in patrol vehicles at Franciscan Beacon Hospital Wednesday. Now all La Porte City, La Porte County, and Michigan City Police officers will have one in their patrol vehicles. The AEDs were purchased with funds generated by the Bolt for the Heart Hallowrun race this past October in Michigan City, sponsored by Franciscan health Michigan City.

In La Porte, Truesdell Avenue from McClung to Hoelocker will be closed beginning next week. The closure is for ‘critical’ road construction improvements. The City of La Porte says residents looking to enter Fox Park to visit the baseball field, skate park, etc. may do so at the North park entrance off of McClung Road. An estimated end date was not announced.    

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Board Wednesday approved an agreement to temporarily relocate the Activity Center for Older Adults to Heritage Place, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. Heritage Place, located at 910 Lincolnway, is just feet away from the current center. The agreement, which will be executed upon final approval by Northwest Health, calls for a three-year, rent-free lease, with the Park Department covering utilities. The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte granted the Park Department operating funds through the end of 2023 and has also been facilitating a strategic plan for the ACOA. The strategic planning

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Prospective students are invited to attend Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Preview PNW on April 29 to learn more information about attending the region’s premier metropolitan university. Located just 30 miles from Chicago, PNW is where academic excellence meets real-world experience. Preview PNW allows prospective students to explore campus and discover how a PNW experience will help build hands-on skills and create connections with professors who care. PNW offers more than 70 areas of study, nearly 60 student organizations and 20 athletic teams on two student-centered campuses. Preview PNW events provide prospective

VALPARAISO, IN - In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of its 11th Fire Academy. The ceremony will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the MAAC Foundation First Responders Training Campus. The 17 graduates representing the towns of Concord, Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Michigan City, New Carlisle, North Judson, Portage, and St. John - have completed a rigorous 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. They have also learned about the importance

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced an update on ramp closures on I-65 in Lake County. The ramp from eastbound I-80/94 to southbound I-65 to Ridge Road is closed through mid-May. The ramp from Ridge Road to southbound I-65 is closed through mid-June. The ramp closures of northbound I-65 to 109th and U.S. 231 to northbound I-65 are expected to be in place Friday, April 21. They will remain closed through late August.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that from April 24-28 in the Westville area, traffic will be flagged through the roundabout at U.S. 6 and State Road 2 during the hours of approximately 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Crews will be installing permanent light poles and repairing damaged pavement. Expect delays during peak times.

Press release by City of La Porte: The City of La Porte recently received results from an independent study regarding the status of water infrastructure within the 39 North Conservancy District, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. NIES Engineering, a regional firm, performed the study and found that fire flow within the district is limited to a single fire hydrant, and that fire flow capacity is inadequate for a large industrial fire. NIES identified and proposed three infrastructure improvements to remedy this situation, with estimated costs totaling more than $10.5 million. La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner said these findings confirm

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- A 24-year old Michigan City woman is facing charges after a shooting early Sunday. At around 4:38 a.m., dispatch received several calls in reference to a loud disturbance taking place in the 700 block of Madison Street. One of the callers reported hearing a gunshot. Multiple Officers responded and found a 28-year-old woman who had suffered a gunshot wound to her arm. Officers applied first aid to the wound and summoned EMS to the scene to transport the woman to the hospital for additional care. Information was provided during the initial investigation indicating that 24-year-old Caitlyn

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host its 10th annual Day of Giving fundraiser Wednesday, April 26. PNW Day of Giving is the university’s most successful campaign for supporting new or existing student scholarships. Donor gifts can also enhance support for programs that benefit PNW students and the community. Donors are encouraged to save the date and visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 26 to make a gift of their choice to PNW and help expand the many resources that allow the university’s students to experience a high-quality college education at the

News release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health is offering prediabetic patients the opportunity to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with its year-long Diabetes Prevention Program. Franciscan Health’s 12-month virtual, online Diabetes Prevention Program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S., impacting more than 37 million American adults. Few realize type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, like those implemented through the Franciscan Health Diabetes Prevention Program.

In Portage, soil borings are taking place along Swanson Road between Birch Avenue and Redwood Avenue. Expect traffic control involved and a single lane closure at each individual boring site till Wednesday, April 19 (weather pending). The City of Portage is asking motorists to drive with caution.

Now through approximately May 17 in Portage, Central Avenue, between Swanson Road and Willowdale Road will be down to one lane from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily due to the relocation of NIPSCO lines for the Central Avenue West project. There will also be periodic full road closures as the utility crosses the road. The City of Portage is asking motorists to drive cautiously and to expect delays.  

Residents are once again invited to enjoy breakfast with their local firefighters this month, according to La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder. For its second year in a row, the City of La Porte Fire Department is hosting a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 at Fire Station 1. Tickets include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and eggs, as well as an entry into their $100 cash giveaway. Snyder said the department will also be selling $1 raffle tickets for a wide variety of prizes donated by local businesses, including memberships, gift baskets and the chance to be “Firefighter

Press release by Franciscan Health MICHIGAN CITY – Franciscan Health Michigan City is offering comfort and support to families who have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or newborn with a memorial service. Remembering Our Babies will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1015 Greenwood Ave. in Michigan City. Franciscan Health Michigan City conducts perinatal memorial services twice a year. The services support the values of the Franciscan Health ministry, which include compassionate concern and respect for life through all stages, including unborn and newborn children, their parents and their extended families. For

Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. is hosting the 2023 Little Black Dress Signature Event this April 20th, at the NEW Four Winds Event Center in South Bend. The event features a pop-up boutique at 4pm, dinner and a fashion show at 5:30pm. All boutique clothing, purses and jewelry are hand-picked from Michiana Goodwill Retail stores and for a good cause – with purchases furthering the mission of Goodwill’s programs, to strengthen communities by empowering individuals and families through education, training and job placement. The MC’s for the evening are Jennifer Copeland, WSBT news Anchor and B100’s Deb Miles. Goodwill is

Portage Police officer Lieutenant Janis Crafton is retiring from the department after 27 years of service. Lieutenant Crafton began her law enforcement career in 1992 when she became a member of the department’s Civil Defense Unit as well as working as a telecommunications dispatcher (911) for the agency. In 1996 Lieutenant Crafton was hired as a full-time officer and graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy with honors later that year. Lieutenant Crafton went on to spend thirteen years as a detective where she specialized in crimes against children. Near the end of her career Lieutenant Crafton returned to the

Walsh Construction has given the following upcoming road closure information related to NICTD’s Double Track Northwest Indiana Project: Sheridan/10th – TBD – will be a 5-day closure 10th and Huron at Amtrak crossing – TBD Chicago Street- May 15 Open Day Ohio/11th – close 5/16/23 open 5/30/23 Wabash/11th – close 6/9/23 open 7/7/23 Washington/11th – close 5/15/23 open 6/9/23 Franklin/11th – close 3/20/23 open 5/15/23 (work at 10th and Franklin will happen simultaneously) Lafayette – close 4/3/23 open 4/19/23 Michigan Blvd/11th – TBD Michigan Blvd/Vail St – TBD Michigan Blvd/School St – TBD Michigan Blvd/Carroll Ave - TBD    

The Indiana Department of Transportation has issued an update on the work ongoing at the U.S. 31/20 interchange. The west loop ramps (dashed red lines on map) will be closed for approximately 3 days starting on/after Monday, April 17. This is to add pavement for southbound U.S. 31 to be converted to two-way traffic. The traffic conversion of U.S. 31 southbound to two-way traffic will occur on/after the evening of Saturday, April 22. With the northbound lanes closed for construction, the two east loop ramps (solid red lines on map) will close. Traffic will be in this configuration through June.

State Road 152 will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic between Carrol Street and Summer Street in Lake County from the hours of approximately 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18. This project is for bridge joint work. INDOT says to expect delays during peak times.