Local News

A group of Hardee’s employees, along with others, have been charged after police uncovered a scheme in which money taken from customers' credit/debit card numbers were used bail out jail inmates. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says last month, La Porte County Jail Commander, Captain Andrew Hahn, along with other members of the jail administration, noticed “suspicious irregularities” of funds on some inmate’s accounts.  Police say large sums of money were being placed onto the inmates’ communication system — called Securus — accounts from a source outside the jail.  Police say the same inmates were bonding out of the jail

Press release by Northern Indiana Public Service Company: October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and NIPSCO is encouraging customers to take steps to keep personal information safe from cyber criminals. The potential dangers can present themselves in many forms, including phony calls, emails and text messages. “Maintaining the confidentiality of customer information is critically important to all of us at NIPSCO,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO President. “Some of the measures we have implemented include extensive and continuous training of our employees on how to safeguard customer data, amplifying our data encryption and bolstering our incident response capabilities.” “We also want to

Concrete restoration work on I-94 EB between S.R. 912/Cline Ave and I-65 are changing ramp closures this week. INDOT provided the following information: - Ramps from NB & SB S.R. 912 to EB I-94 expected to reopen on/around Mon, Oct 9. Ramps from EB I-94 to Grant St and from NB & SB Grant St to EB I-94 will then close through late Oct. - Ramps from NB & SB Burr St to EB I-94 expected to reopen on/around Thurs, Oct 12. Ramps from EB I-94 to S.R. 53/Broadway and from NB & SB S.R. 53 to eastbound I-94 will

The Duneland Education Foundation recently awarded Acorn grants to Bailly, Brummitt, and Liberty elementary schools, the Town of Chesterton said on their Facebook page Friday. Bailly was awarded a $938 Acorn grant for the 1st Grade Friends and the 2nd Grade Sidekicks programs. In each program, every student will receive a stuffed animal friend to read to and with, with the idea of improving their reading fluency and fostering their love of reading. Brummitt was awarded a $4,069.35 Acorn grant to purchase PLAY kitchens, for use by all kindergarten students at Brummitt. PLAY—Playful Learning for All Years—is a highly successful

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co Inc will change ramp closures on I-94 eastbound between State Road 912/Cline Avenue and I-65 next week. This is part of phase 5 of the concrete restoration work occurring along this stretch of interstate. The ramps from northbound and southbound State Road 912/Cline Avenue to eastbound I-94 are expected to reopen on or around Monday, Oct. 9. Once the ramps at the State Road 912 interchange open, the ramps from eastbound I-94 to Grant Street and from northbound and southbound Grant Street to eastbound I-94 will close. The

The Porter County Community Foundation awarded Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department funding for the purchase of a new thermal imaging camera to support its operations. The Thermal Imaging Camera or TIC is a camera used by firefighters to allow them to see areas through smoke, darkness, or heat-permeable barriers. The Thermal Imaging Camera allows firefighters to be able to pick up heat signatures in areas they cannot see for instances of people who may be trapped inside a home. Porter County Community Foundation President Bill Higbie and Vice President Jeri Gabbert presented Fire Chief Brian Duncan and Assistant Chief Michael

The following is a message from the City of Michigan City: Mayor Duane Parry and Chief Steve Forker have announced that trick or treat in Michigan City will be Tuesday October 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The city is asking homeowners who would like to participate to please turn on your outside porchlight. The city also gave the following trick-or-treating tips:   Plan your route ahead of time. Trick or treat in familiar neighborhoods. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries after dark. Always trick or treat in groups, accompanied by an adult. Follow the correct hours of treating.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - NIPSCO will close State Road 2 between Hayes Leonard Road and Thornapple Way during daytime work hours Wednesday, Oct. 11 through Friday, Oct. 13. State Road 2 will be closed daily during the approximate hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while NIPSCO replaces five utility poles. Motorists should seek an alternate route during those time frames. The official detour will follow State Road 8, State Road 49 and U.S. 30.

Indiana Conservation Officers are encouraging Hoosiers to help the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) put an end to poaching by reporting potential violations to Turn In a Poacher, Inc. (TIP). TIP is a nonprofit conservation organization that partners with DNR protects fish and wildlife resources by increasing public support and involvement in bringing violators to justice. According to the DNR, a poacher is a thief who illegally steals wildlife. The DNR says you can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. The DNR says that doing so will help conserve wildlife for

The Town of Chesterton announced that C.R. 1050N between C.R. 50E and C.R. 100E will not be paved Friday, Oct. 6, as originally scheduled. Chesterton Assistant Street Commissioner Dan Moy was advised Thursday morning that rain has prompted the contractor, Milestone North Contractors, to postpone the job to Saturday, Oct. 7, and Monday, Oct. 9. “The Porter County Highway Department is coordinating the milling and paving and in particular is providing the in-kind services of design and engineering, construction administration, and construction observation,” the Town of Chesterton said on their Facebook page.

Press release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso is seeking nominations for its annual Good Neighbor Recognition, launched in 2020 to highlight an individual who demonstrates exemplary commitment to their neighborhood and the greater community through volunteerism and service. “The Good Neighbor Award is one way we can recognize people who are engaged in Valparaiso and doing extraordinary things in our community,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. Last year’s Good Neighbor Award was presented to Joe Baczynski. Members of the community are invited to nominate individuals who demonstrate their volunteerism and commitment to community by building a brighter future

The Ogden Dunes Police Department has announced that beach cleanup will be this Saturday, Oct. 7 at 9:00 a.m. They ask to meet at Access #14 to help. Bags and gloves will be handed out for cleanup. All volunteers will receive a Cronoid bracelet. All chairs, towels, and toys must be removed before Saturday or they will be taken away. Only properly licensed kayaks and boats can remain on the beach after Saturday morning, the department said.

Students attending Michigan City Area Schools will enjoy fruits, vegetables, and more provided by local farmers, thanks to a new program that will begin during National School Lunch Week, Oct. 9-13. MCAS has partnered with the NWI Food Council (NWIFC) to serve locally sourced food from area farmers for school lunches. Funding for the initiative is made possible through a Local Food for Schools grant awarded to the NWIFC by the Indiana Department of Health. The grant provides funds to NWIFC to purchase local products from Indiana farmers, such as vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs, dairy, and grains, which the organization

The La Porte Area Lake Association stocked 3,000 walleye into Pine Lake Wednesday morning, the City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department said on their Facebook page. The organization has been stocking fish into Pine Lake the past four years. Additionally, the lake association has used its funds to combat invasive aquatic vegetation in Pine and Stone lakes, particularly Eurasian watermilfoil. To learn more visit www.laportelakeassociation.com.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor is conducting high friction surface treatment on seven off-ramps along I-94 and I-65. While subject to change, the updated schedule is currently as follows: Southbound I-65 to U.S. 231 - complete Eastbound I-94 to southbound Calumet Ave - currently closed Eastbound I-94 to northbound S.R. 152/Indianapolis Blvd - currently closed Eastbound I-94 to northbound U.S. 41/Calumet Ave to close on/after Thursday, October 5 Eastbound I-94 to northbound Burr St to close on/after Monday, October 9 Southbound I-65 to Ridge Rd to close on/after Tuesday, October 10 Eastbound I-94 to northbound

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Wednesday shared a first look at a new early warning dashboard, which is currently under development to help educators identify students who may be at risk of not graduating and, ultimately, direct resources accordingly. IDOE also presented the state’s most recent chronic absenteeism data, which increased significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Indiana’s chronic absenteeism rate for the 2022-2023 school year was 19.3%, meaning nearly one in five students missed at least 10% of school days or about three and a half weeks. While the state’s chronic absenteeism rate decreased from the 2021-2022 school

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW), following a rigorous review process, has earned designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). The IEP designation is an acknowledgement for public research universities with strong evidence of collaboration with public and private sector partners to support economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development. The designation is a significant mark of excellence for PNW that recognizes its mission as a metropolitan university and its proven impactful change for its surrounding communities. “What has long

Yesterday (Oct. 4) marked Energy Efficiency Day, and NIPSCO is reminding customers that small changes around the house can have big energy savings during the colder months ahead. • Use natural light: Natural light is a source of free heat that many homes overlook. Leave your curtains open during the day to allow your rooms to absorb some warmth. Furthermore, natural light has physiological benefits – it improves your vision, helps you sleep, and can improve your mood. • Turn back the thermostat: First and foremost, be cautious of how high you set the thermostat temperature during the winter. Your

The Indiana Toll Road has announced that the Exit 17 (Gary East) eastbound entrance ramp will be closed through Oct. 21. The detour route is as follows: Eastbound travelers can take U.S. 20 east to Ripley Street south. Take Ripley south to I-94 east then take I-94 east to Indiana Toll Road Exit 16.

Press release by City of Valparaiso: Rod Gayda and Jeff Lamb have been named to the Valparaiso Utilities Board, announced Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. “We’re so pleased to have Rod Gayda and Jeff Lamb join this important board for the City. Their leadership and business experience as well as long-term commitment to the community make them both excellent additions to the city’s leadership team,” said Mayor Murphy. Rod Gayda is the owner of Gayda & Associates, an insurance agency and tax preparation firm serving Northwest Indiana. He is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph with a degree in