Local News

A chance encounter by a local physician with a man asking for money for food on the street led to the creation of a food and diaper pantry that opened its doors this week to serve community members in need. The Fresh Start Market and Diaper Pantry at 5454 Hohman Avenue in Hammond officially opened Wednesday following a blessing and dedication Oct. 7. The Fresh Start Market is a healthy food bodega where those in need can shop free of charge. The Diaper Pantry, located adjacent to the Fresh Start Market, provides diapers, wipes and other essentials for free to

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind.-- A Hammond man is facing charges of theft and criminal mischief for allegedly damaging an ATM and while taking an undisclosed amount of money. The Michigan City Police Department was notified on the morning of Oct. 9, regarding the theft of currency from an ATM machine located at First Trust Credit Union on U.S. Highway 20. Police learned the ATM had sustained an extensive amount of damage and was deemed a total loss. An audit was conducted by a representative from First Trust Credit Union who revealed that an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the

Extended closures have been announced for the S.R. 23 bridge over the St. Joseph River in South Bend.  The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced an extended closure of the northbound side of the State Road 23 bridge over the St. Joseph River in South Bend. During a deck overlay project this summer, crews discovered that additional repairs to the bridge are necessary. Due to the expected scope of the repairs, much of the work cannot begin until next spring. Traffic will utilize one lane in each direction on the southbound side of the bridge until the repairs can be

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is now accepting applications for the 2023 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. On-Ramp is a program for artists and creative entrepreneurs seeking training and resources around establishing or supporting an arts-based business in Indiana. On-Ramp focuses on ten key business concepts for a successful creative career including defining value, business structure, identifying and marketing to customers, pricing strategy, marketing strategy, managing expenses and generating revenue, taxes, and planning.   The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator is comprised of a three-day in-person intensive entrepreneurship and community engagement workshop and the opportunity to apply for up to $2,000 in

Franciscan Physician Network’s Coolspring Health Center is welcoming the addition of two new audiologists, Jackie Fletcher, AuD, and Erin Pluard, AuD. Fletcher and Pluard both received their training at Rush University in Chicago and completed their residencies at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. Their clinical interests include hearing aid technology, Cochlear implants, tinnitus management and vestibular testing. Franciscan Physician Network’s Coolspring Health Center is located at 1225 E. Coolspring Ave., Suite 300, in Michigan City. For more information or to make an appointment, call (219) 873-2992.

Early in-person voting is underway for the 2022 Indiana General Election after kicking off on Wednesday.  Now until Monday, Nov. 7, Hoosiers can vote early in-person before General Election Day. All registered Indiana voters are eligible to vote early in-person. Voters who need to cast their ballot by mail may request an absentee ballot online at www.indianavoters.com or from their county clerk’s office. Requests for absentee ballots by mail must be delivered by Thursday, October 27. More than half of Indiana counties now offer vote centers, which allow voters to cast a ballot at any polling location in their county.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) Wednesday released information on a projected increase in winter heating bills for gas customers. The following is the news release released by NIPSCO: Future Natural Gas Market Prices Projected to Increase Winter Heating Bills for NIPSCO Gas Customers Flexible payment options and energy assistance available MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Due to current market price projections for natural gas and assuming normal winter weather, NIPSCO natural gas residential customers could expect their winter heating bills this season to be higher when compared to last year. This is in line with trends across much of the country. Each

The Chesterton High School Trojan Guard marching band earned a Gold Rating this past Saturday, at the ISSMA Scholastic Prelims Contest hosted by Chesterton High School. The Trojan Guard also received the “With Distinction” designation for its high scores in visual performance. Awarded the highest score in its class, the Trojan Guard will now advance to the Scholastic State Finals competition on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis.  Experience “Something Blue” in a free public performance at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, in the CHS stadium. The event will begin with an explanation of the creation

Lake Hills Elementary is thanking the Fire Science students from AK Smith Career Center for stopping by their sixth grade classes.  The future firefighters taught the sixth-graders about the training they are going through in the Fire Science classes — including a recent aerial climb they performed on a 75-foot ladder, a "gear drill" showing how they put on all of their safety gear in only 90 seconds, and a radio test using portable radios. Lake Hills stated on their Facebook page “This was such good information for our students who are still considering their future careers.”

A Breman man has died after drowning during a kite surfing lesson on Lake Michigan near Washington Park Beach over the weekend.  The Department of Natural Resources says that dispatch received a 911 call on Saturday at 5:23 p.m. about a man who “nearly drowned” while kite surfing near Washington Park Beach. Initial investigation revealed that 56-year-old Douglas Tolle was participating in a kite surfing lesson when, for unknown reasons, he began struggling in the water. By the time other kite surfers reached Tolle, he was unconscious. Tolle was taken to shore where CPR was started. He was transported to

The Michigan City Police Department shared on its Facebook page a reminder about animal trapping from Michigan City Animal Control Director, Jacqueline Euler. The Michigan City Animal Control division says it is currently not licensed to handle wildlife. Euler says that recently, they’ve been receiving opossum, raccoon, bat and coyote calls. Additionally Euler says at this time, they are not equipped to assist. Animal Control is asking the public to contact a private pest control agency if there is a nuisance wildlife animal. Euler went on to say that Animal Control will be implementing systems and structures in the future

Unity Foundation of La Porte County raised a record-breaking total of over $700,000 to benefit 56 charitable causes with endowed funds at the foundation as part of its 30th Anniversary and La Porte County Gives event on Saturday, Oct. 1. The 56 participating funds collectively raised more than $370,000 during La Porte County Gives. An additional $310,000 match pool will be split among the causes in proportion to the amount they raised, and special prizes totaling $31,000 were awarded. “La Porte County Gives made history with record-breaking fundraising in a 30-hour period thanks to 640 generous donors,” said Maggi Spartz,

Michigan City Police are investigating a shooting that occurred inside a house on Sunday. According to police, on Sunday, at around 6:43 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of West 7th Street for shots fired and a male subject being struck by the gunfire. Officers canvassed the area for evidence and located numerous spent ammunition casings inside the residence. Witnesses were interviewed at the scene by officers to gather more information regarding the incident. Officers learned that a man had entered the residence and fired numerous rounds inside the home. A male occupant was struck in the leg by

The Chesterton Street Department will begin leaf collection operations on Monday, Oct. 24, for a five-week program, weather permitting, according to the Town of Chesterton. Collection is from roadside only. Street Department crews will maintain the same Monday-Friday schedule from years past. Color-coded maps are available at the Street Department, 1490 Broadway; the town hall, 726 Broadway; and at www.chestertonin.org The Town of Chesterton is asking residents to note that brush collection will be very limited during the leaf program. Assistant Street Commissioner Dan Moy is reminding residents of the leaf program’s “three don’ts” which are: do not place leaves

Moraine Nature Preserve, in Porter County, will be temporarily closed beginning Oct. 10. This is to repave and seal the property entrance road. Work is expected to last 2-3 weeks. The closure applies to the entire property including the entrance road, trails and parking facilities. For more information about Moraine Nature Preserve, see https://www.in.gov/dnr/nature-preserves/files/np-Moraine.pdf.

When Tom Swedenberg learned he was pre-diabetic, he wanted to be proactive, not only for himself, but for his family. The 62-year-old Michigan City man and his high school sweetheart recently celebrated 43 years of marriage and have two grown children. When his doctor told him he needed to lose weight and eat healthier, Swedenberg, a registered nurse in the cardiac catheterization lab at Franciscan Health Michigan City, decided to enroll in the year-long Franciscan Health Diabetes Prevention Program. “I had started to drop weight but wanted to do better, so I thought, why not try this?” Swedenberg said. Franciscan

The La Porte County Rural Broadband Task Force (LPCRBBTF) has hosted its first community workshop to discuss the state of broadband within La Porte County. “When I selected this powerful Blue-Ribbon Committee of community experts and innovative thinkers, I knew we would benefit most from having these key people at the table to make big things happen for LaPorte County. The leaders you see on this Task Force deserve our gratitude because they have volunteered their time, and their expertise to help our county tackle the enormous and complex issue of much-needed broadband expansion,” stated Sheila Matias, LaPorte County Commission

The Michigan City Fire Department says it responded to two fires early Sunday. At around 3:30 a.m. firefighters  responded to a structure fire on Ohio Street. At 3:47 a.m., while crews were still extinguishing the fire on Ohio Street, MCFD was dispatched out for another structure fire on East Homer Street.  The fires are under investigation.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reminding the public that fall harvest is in full swing and motorists are very likely to encounter large and wide farm equipment on roadways. They advised the public to reduce their speed, be patient, not to tailgate and use caution when passing. They stated on their Facebook page, "The LCSO wishes all of our agricultural friends and families a very safe and plentiful harvest."

Starke County Sheriff’s Office K9 Cody will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. 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 program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired