Local News

PLYMOUTH, Ind. Governor Eric J. Holcomb was joined by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and firefighting leaders from across Indiana on Friday to announce the first phase of a large-scale plan to expand physical firefighting training for Hoosiers. Gov. Holcomb prioritized more training site funding as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda. “Indiana will always support its public safety personnel, who selflessly risk their lives to protect the communities in which they live,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This plan will ensure that Hoosier firefighters have the skills and the equipment necessary to do their job safely and effectively.”

The Porter County Coroner’s Office has identified the person found dead at the scene of a house fire in Union Township late Thursday morning, Aug. 24, according to the Town of Chesterton. Jeannette Knowlton, 76, was discovered by first-responders inside the residence in the 500 block of Sandalwood Court, the Coroner’s Office said. “This incident is still under investigation,” Coroner Cynthia Dykes said. “Autopsy and toxicology are pending.” The Union Township Fire Department and Porter County Sheriff’s Police responded to the fire at 11 a.m. Thursday.

ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) — operator of the Indiana Toll Road — is announcing several updates for the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Work has been completed on the 108th Street entrance ramp to I-90 east. It is reopening to traffic on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 26-27). Construction has also been completed on the exit 10 westbound exit ramp. It is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 28. Heading into Labor Day on Sept. 4, all work on the project will be halted during the busy weekend of travel. The next phase of construction will begin with single lane

The Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding $247,200 to the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department to make critical improvements to operations and safety, equip and train emergency personnel, and enhance operational deficiencies. The award funding comes from federal tax dollars through a program called Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), which is administered and managed by FEMA. AFG aims to help obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The project replaces and funds the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or

In La Porte, starting on Monday, Waverly Road will be closed at the Pine/Stone Lake channel bridge from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily to allow the Wasterwater Department to dredge the channel entrance from Pine Lake. The process will take 3-5 days to complete. The channel will also be closed to watercraft traffic while the dredging takes place. The City of La Porte says to please plan appropriately.

A Michigan City suspected of murder was arrested Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A detective started a criminal investigation on Aug. 29, 2022, after receiving information that a homicide had possibly occurred inside a residence in the 1000 block of West 9th Street in Michigan City in November of 2017. Police say detectives from the Investigative Division executed multiple search warrants at the residence in 2022 and collected numerous items of evidence. Two different search and rescue detection K9s were also used at the residence while the search warrant was being executed. Police say “countless” interviews were conducted by investigators while

Valparaiso Police Department’s K9 Raider has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Raider’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “In honor of K9 Vega”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The potentially lifesaving body armor for  K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. – One person was found deceased at the scene of a house fire in the 500 block of Sandalwood Court in Union Township Thursday, the Town of Chesterton reported via the Porter County Sheriff’s Police. According to police, at 11 a.m. officers were dispatched to the scene to assist the Union Township Fire Department with initial response. “It was discovered that one person was deceased in the home,” the PCSP said. “The cause of the fire is under investigation along with the cause of death.” “Please keep the family and friends of the subject who passed in

Walsh Construction has provided upcoming road closure information related to NICTD’s Double Track Northwest Indiana Project in the Michigan City area: Sheridan/10th – 9/27/23 to 10/2/23 10th and Huron at Amtrak crossing – 9/6/23 open 9/16/23 Ohio/11th –open 8/28/23 Wabash/11th –open 8/28/23 Washington/11thopen Chicago/11th open Franklin/11th – Open Michigan Blvd/11th –  Lane Closures Week of August 28th Michigan Blvd/Vail St – 9/19/23 to 10/6/23 School St Crossing – 9/6/23 to 9/19/23 Carroll Ave Crossing – 9/6/23 to 9/19/23 Grace St Crossing-9/13/2023 to 9/22/2023 Willard to Sheridan – 9/18/23 open 9/27/23 Green Street Kentucky to Chicago – open  

Press release by Michigan City Police Department: The Michigan City Police Department would like to provide an update in response to yesterday’s press release regarding 2 adults that were found deceased inside an apartment at Normandy Village. As previously stated, the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on August 22nd at 11:42 AM regarding an unconscious person located inside an apartment in the 2300 block of Normandy Drive at the Normandy Village apartment complex. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 1 arrived on scene and located two deceased adults inside the apartment who had been shot. Detectives

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the hiring of Natalie Kasberger, MSW, as the new Police Social Worker. Kasberger obtained her BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) from Valparaiso University in 2021 and her MSW (Master of Social Work) from the University of Kentucky in 2023.  Kasberger also serves in the U.S Navy, as a 2nd Class Petty Officer, assigned as an Intelligence Specialist.  Prior to arriving at VPD, Kasberger worked as a social worker for Northwest Health in LaPorte (IN). Kasberger will continue the work started in 2021, when the first social worker in Porter County was hired by the Valparaiso

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will have overnight lane and ramp closures on I-65 between U.S. 30 and I-80/94 beginning on or after Tuesday, August 29. These closures will be for final pavement markings on the ramps, and are currently scheduled to take place the evenings of August 29, 30 and 31 along northbound I-65 and September 6, 7 and 8 along southbound I-65. Two to three ramps will be closed each evening, as well as the right two lanes of I-65 in the area of the closed ramps. The closures will be

The Salvation Army of Michigan City announced that to provide relief to those in need during the heat wave expected in our area this week, they are extending their lobby hours. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week, their lobby will be open until 6 p.m. to anyone who needs to stop in and cool off. They also have cold water available. Other Michigan City Cooling Centers: Cooling stations are available at: *Michigan City Fire and Training Center 2510 E. Michigan Blvd. 8:00am to 4:00pm *Michigan City Police Department 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. 8:00am to 4:00pm *City Hall 100 E.

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The spirit and pride of Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will flourish anew with a reimagined approach to its annual Homecoming activities for the university community and general public. Between Sept. 1 and Sept. 9, annual campus traditions will showcase PNW’s communal energy and competitiveness of Pride Athletics. Events will draw on Student Life, philanthropy, career-building and networking, recreation and sporting events. “PNW and the alumni engagement team are looking forward to celebrating Homecoming,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni Engagement at PNW. “This will be the first year Homecoming is in the fall compared to

More than 20 LaPorte County businesses and non-profits partnered to provide local, 4-H-raised protein to 29 local food pantries and soup kitchens as part of Operation Feed LaPorte County – a mission that has been dedicated to distributing local meat to the hungry for 10 years. This year’s distribution took place Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds in the Community Building. Operation Feed LaPorte County donated just north of 5,000 pounds of fresh protein that was purchased from the LaPorte County 4H Livestock Auction on July 14 – 2,000 pounds more than in 2022. Seven hogs, seven steers,

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect Thursday in all of northern Indiana. ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT EDT THURSDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 expected Thursday afternoon. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 11 AM Thursday to midnight EDT Thursday night. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. * ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...Heat indices in excess of 100 degrees expected Wednesday afternoon into early Wednesday evening. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on August 22nd at 11:42 AM regarding an unconscious person located inside an apartment in the 2300 block of Normandy Drive at the Normandy Village apartment complex. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 1 arrived on scene and located two deceased adults inside the apartment who had been shot. Detectives from the Investigative Division were summoned to the scene and took over the investigation. A preliminary investigation revealed multiple gunshots were fired inside the apartment before the two victims were found. Multiple items of evidence related to this shooting investigation

An Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisories are in effect for the WIMS Listening area: Excessive Heat Warning: ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TODAY TO MIDNIGHT EDT /11 PM CDT/ THURSDAY NIGHT... * WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 expected. * WHERE...Starke, Pulaski, White, Cass IN, Northern La Porte and Southern La Porte Counties. * WHEN...From noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ today to midnight EDT /11 PM CDT/ Thursday night. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Board-certified infectious disease and internal medicine doctor Annette Abraham, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City. Dr. Abraham completed her training at Government Medical College in Kottayam, Kerala, India. She completed her residency in internal medicine at John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County in Chicago. Dr. Abraham’s fellowship training was in infectious diseases at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. Her clinical interests are HIV, bone, joint and cardiovascular infections, travel medicine and tropical infections and central nervous system infections. Dr. Abraham is fluent in

A combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will likely result in the heat index reaching between 95 and 100 degrees in the next few days. Mayor Parry would like to remind citizens If you must be outdoors, please use necessary precautions to protect yourself from heat related illnesses and drink plenty of fluids. Please check up on at risk friends, family, and neighbors. Pay close attention to your children’s outdoor activities. And as a final reminder, remember your pets as they feel the heat too! You should never leave pets unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Cooling stations are available at: Michigan City Fire and Training Center 2510 E. Michigan Blvd. 8:00am to 4:00pm Michigan