Local News

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has opened nominations for the 2023 Innovators Awards. In addition to inducting Individual and Team Honorees into the Society, three unique awards will be considered: Richard C. Sussman Prize for Team Innovation, Society of Innovators Fellows and the John H. Davies Lifetime Achievement Award. Now in its 19th year, the Society of Innovators celebrates the spirit of creativity and ingenuity by discovering, honoring and celebrating innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana. Dedicated to the idea that anyone can be

Press release by Unity Foundation of La Porte County: MICHIGAN CITY, IN —Unity Foundation of La Porte County is accepting applications online for its 2023 Community “Power for Good” Grants through Friday, July 21. Organizations may apply for up to $5,000 to fund projects that strengthen La Porte County in meaningful ways. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in or serving La Porte County residents. In addition, churches may request funds for non-religious purposes, such as community programs or projects. Governmental bodies, including townships and fire districts, as well as educational institutions and teachers may also apply. Interested applicants

Press release by City of La Porte: La PORTE, IN  - After months of intensive discussion, yesterday marked the City of La Porte's deadline with regards to the annexation of the 39 North Conservancy District, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. The city is committed to its strategy and plan for the future, and as such the Mayor's office set a deadline of May 31 for an agreement to be reached. They met their deadline and achieved their goal of obtaining the necessary signatures. However, in an effort to be good partners with the 39 North board, Dermody said the City

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Next Level Trails (NLT), the town of Schererville, and the Lake County Parks Department opened a newly completed segment of the Pennsy Greenway in Schererville on Wednesday. The asphalt multi-use trail extension will extend 2.33 miles connecting the existing Pennsy Greenway southeast from Rohrman Park to Clark Road. Of this trail extension, 1.5 miles are currently open, with an additional 0.83-mile section slated to be complete in June. The new trail will increase the total mileage of the Pennsy Greenway Trail to 12.5 miles, connecting Schererville with Crown Point, Munster, and Lansing, Illinois.

In LaPorte County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a resurfacing project on State Road 4 between Boyd Boulevard and State Road 104 on or after Wednesday, June 7. State Road 4 will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic in the area where work is occurring. The project will be ongoing through late October. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT also says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive

Press release by La Porte Community School Corporation: Congratulations to the La Porte High School Choir for receiving the Indiana State School Music Association All-Music Award for the 2022-2023 school year! Under the direction of Choir Director Tom Coe, these talented Slicer musicians were presented a special banner from the Indiana State School Music Association recognizing their outstanding musicalaccomplishments this year, which include gold ratings for all three choirs at the April contest, as well as gold ratings in sight reading as well. Director Tom Coe said, “This year's Chorale, made up of mostly Seniors, has been the brightest spot

In St. Joseph County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to the next phase of work at the U.S. 20/31 bypass and U.S. 31 interchange on or after Wednesday, June 7. U.S. 31 traffic will be switched to the newly constructed northbound lanes under the U.S. 20 bridge for two-way traffic on the northbound side. The southbound lanes will be closed for reconstruction. The loop ramps on the east side of the interchange will reopen, while the loop ramps on the west side will close due to the location of the work zone. The ramp from southbound U.S.

Press release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Alliance is the recipient of two Indiana Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation division grants totaling $440,000 aimed at continuing and expanding the healthcare ministry’s efforts. The awards include $300,000 for the next phase of the community-building partnership in Lake County and $140,000 for the continuation and expansion of a health systems change partnership at Franciscan Health Lafayette East. “Franciscan Health is proud to partner with ISDH for a subsequent grant cycle to continue work on tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives within the health system and in multiple communities we serve,” said Beth

Washington Park Zoo announced Tuesday that Oden, their eight-year-old wolf-dog hybrid, was diagnosed with invasive bone cancer. The zoo said he is under veterinary care to manage his pain and inflammation since there are not many options at this time for treatment. The zoo said Oden was diagnosed after they noticed a limp in his back leg, so the veterinary staff ran lab work and took x-rays to share with a radiologist who confirmed the news. “Other than the swelling in the leg he still does not appear to feel ill, and he is still in good spirits, so we

The Michigan City Police Department welcomed four new police officers to the MCPD Family. Sworn in as members of the Michigan City Police Department by City Clerk Gale Neulieb were Officer Douglas Abraham, Officer Christopher Bartak, Officer Gary Francisco and Officer Timothy King. Officer Abraham is a lateral transfer from another police department and will be immediately assigned to Uniform Patrol Shift II. Officers Bartak, Francisco and King will be assigned to the Division of Professional Standards to start their training. "Chief Forker and the Michigan City Police Department welcome the new officers and thank their family and friends for

Press release by Michigan City Area Schools: Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer, a day for picnics, games, and getting together with family and friends.  The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) delayed their festivities to remember why this day is a national holiday- to honor those who gave their lives in the service of our country.  They marched in the Michigan City parade and then participated in the memorial ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery.  The parade and ceremony were organized by American Legion Post 37, with participants from

The following is a press release from Michigan City Area Schools about the USDA's Summer Food Service Program: MICHIGAN CITY, IN – May 30, 2023 - Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. Free meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children. Children must be present to receive

A 16-year-old died late Sunday in Crown Point following a shooting involving an apparent prank with a firearm, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. At around 11:40 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff's Department received a report of an assault with a firearm at 12000 block of Burr Street in Crown Point. Officers arrived and encountered an individual who was waving his arms and calling for help. The male led the officers to the backyard of the residence, where a 16-year-old male victim was found lying near a fire pit with a gunshot wound to the chest. The officer immediately

In Lake County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor is moving to the next phase of concrete restoration work on I-65 southbound between U.S. 12/20 and 61st Avenue on or after today, Tuesday, May 30. I-65 southbound is reduced to two lanes between mile marker 259-256, with one lane on the far outside and one lane in a crossover express lane on the northbound side. All I-65 southbound traffic from north of I-80/94 is pushed to the crossover lane. Vehicles in the crossover lane do not have interchange access until 61st Avenue. The ramp from U.S. 12/20 to southbound I-65

A man is being charged with murder after a fatal shooting Saturday in Michigan City. Just before 6:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of York Street due to a report of a disturbance along with a gunshot being fired. While enroute to York Street, the dispatch advised the responding units that one person had been shot. Officers arrived on scene and found 52-year-old Joseph Davis on the floor inside the residence. Officers provided life-saving measures to Davis who had a gunshot wound to his torso. Davis was transported to Franciscan Hospital by EMS for emergency care and

A late-night call on May 25 in Porter County for a carbon monoxide alarm sent the homeowner to the hospital after high levels of toxic gas were detected. Liberty Township firefighters had later learned the homeowner was feeling ill, consistent with anyone who had been exposed to prolonged exposure of carbon monoxide. Firefighters were immediately met at the door of the residence with their gas detectors activating alerting them to the presence of toxic gas. The investigating firefighters retreated to put on appropriate personal protective equipment consisting of a self-contained breathing apparatus that allows them to breathe fresh clean air.

News release by Indiana Department of Health: The Indiana Department of Health is recognizing members of VOICE Indiana, who were honored as 2023 Group Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids for their advocacy efforts in the fight for a tobacco-free future. The teens were celebrated on May 18 at the 2023 Youth Advocates of the Year Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. “We are thrilled that VOICE Indiana members were chosen as Group Youth Advocates of the Year,” said Miranda Spitznagle, director of the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Division at the Indiana Department of Health. “VOICE

The Porter County Health Department was in action on Friday, utilizing their new mobile health clinic for the first time during the evening’s Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST) event at Living Hope Community Church. The primary goal of this outreach initiative is to reach homeless individuals, provide essential services and raise awareness about healthcare and harm reduction. Their nursing staff administered and delivered units of Narcan, hygiene products and provided health screenings.

The Portage Police Department is congratulating Corporal Dan Martinez, who has been selected as the Portage Police Department’s Officer of the Year. Martinez is a nine-year veteran who is currently assigned to the Patrol Division with his K-9 partner Diablo. Police say in late 2021 through early 2022 the City of Portage experienced a spike in crime along the US Highway 20 corridor, specifically at several of the various hotels in that area. Through the efforts of all of the officers of the Portage Police Department crime in the area has been reduced by 60%, according to police. “Of particular

In LaPorte County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 4 between C.R. S 500 E and Taylor Rd on or after Friday, June 2. State Road 4 will be closed through mid-July for a culvert replacement over Leroy arm of the Williams Travis Ditch. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 104 and State Road 23.