Local News

The Porter County Traffic Safety Partnership (TSP) will be working to safeguard students as they get on and off the bus this spring, the Town of Chesterton said on its Facebook page. Over the next couple of months in Porter County, beginning after most school systems’ spring break, officers will take positions along bus stops and routes specifically looking for stop-arm violations and dangerous driving, the Town of Chesterton said. The overtime patrols are part of the state’s Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) program, which was developed by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) and funded by the National Highway

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced today that $127.6 million in federal transportation funding is being awarded to 38 cities, towns, and counties across rural Indiana to invest in local road and bridge improvements, as well as sidewalk and trail projects. Combined with local funds, approximately $156.9 million is being invested to improve transportation infrastructure in communities receiving funds. “Improving local infrastructure is essential to the constant growth of communities across Indiana,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Enhancing our state’s transportation network allows for continued economic success to follow and a better quality of life for Hoosiers.”-

The Portage Police Department has welcomed their newest member of the Portage Police Department, a therapy dog named Tilly. Tilly is a 2-year-old Blue Heeler who has been trained to be a therapy dog at Paws & Stripes College, an AKC recognized program created by and ran by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. Tilly’s job will be to provide comfort and recovery for child crime victims, help veterans and first responders suffering from anxiety disorders, and visit any citizens in the community who could benefit from animal assisted comfort, the PPD says. (Portage Police Department / Facebook)

The Video Production Class at La Porte High School recently competed in the Indiana Association of Student Broadcasters Competition in the Video Spot Production category. Nearly 40 high schools participated in the event, featuring the work of over 726 students. Hallee Novak, Sara Villa, and Joy Defendre submitted an ad they created for Dawn dish soap and wereacknowledged with a fourth place finish. Visual/Digital Communications Teacher Don Varda said, "I was really proud of these young ladies. The video had excellent production value, great lighting, and editing. I was also impressed with Joy's performance in the video." Their work can

The Indiana Sheriffs' Association (ISA) announced information for their 44th Annual Youth Leadership Camps this year. The first session, serving the northern part of the state, will be held June 12 - June 15, at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village, Indiana (Warren County).  The second session, serving the southern part of the state, will be held July 5 - 7, 2023, at Waycross Episcopal Camp in Morgantown, Indiana (Brown County). The ISA Youth Leadership Camps are a program for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more

The LaPorte County Crisis Intervention Team on Friday graduated 25 first responders from the Crisis Intervention Training. The participants consisted of officers from Michigan City PD, LaPorte City PD, LaPorte County Sheriff's Department, Trail Creek PD, Long Beach PD and Kingsford Heights PD. Dispatchers from the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center and the Center Township trustee also participated. CIT is grant funded and provides advanced training in dealing with individuals suffering a mental health crisis.  Course attendees received training from fellow law enforcement officials, community mental health providers, doctors, social workers, and interacted with individuals living with various mental health

Mayor Duane Parry announces the return of the Michigan City Easter Egg Hunt, to be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Fedder’s Alley at Washington Park for the youth of Michigan City. “We are extremely excited for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt, as it is such a great event for the children in our community”, said Mayor Parry. “Last year’s event was a huge success, and with the support of all the City departments, this year will be even bigger and better!” “This is a great event for our community and a collaborative effort between community businesses, Police, Fire,

A La Porte man was recently arrested for impersonating a public servant. The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says that on Tuesday, March 14, at 3:25 p.m., a deputy was traveling in the 2800 east block of State Road 2 when he saw a delivery vehicle stopped along the shoulder of the eastbound lanes.  A GMC Yukon was also stopped and parked directly behind the delivery vehicle.  A man was speaking with a female, who was later identified as the driver of the delivery vehicle. As the deputy passed by the two stopped vehicles, he saw a large light stretched

The Indiana Department of Transportation recently gave an update on eastbound I-80/94 roadwork in Lake County. Continued concrete restoration work is in Phase 1, with traffic shifted to the right. INDOT says overnight single or double lane road closures may be needed eastbound, and the ramps from Calumet Avenue to eastbound I-94 are closed. Work is scheduled through mid-April

A La Porte man was sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Indiana Anthony Sanders, 35, of LaPorte, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in February 2021, Sanders was in Michigan City with a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine. When police officers attempted to stop him, he ran and discarded the handgun.  Police recovered the pistol and two extended magazines, one with 28

Road construction on the Indiana Toll Road at Exit 10 (Gary/Chicago International Airport) will start on Monday, March 20, the Indiana Toll Road announced. The work will be contained on the Exit 10 interchange ramps and bridges, with intermittent restrictions on mainline travel lanes on I-90. To expedite the overall project schedule, the majority of construction will occur Monday through Saturday between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CT). Project Timeframe: Exit 10 | Cline Toll Plaza | March 20 to November 15, 2023 • Eastbound (EB) Entry Ramp Closure – (3/21 – 5/20) - Take 912 south (Cline Ave) to

Michigan City police are investigating after a delivery driver’s vehicle was struck by gunfire on Tuesday. At approximately 5:20 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the intersection of Vail and Walker Streets for a report of shots being fired. While enroute to the call, additional information was received and indicated that an occupied vehicle had been struck by the gunfire. The initial investigation determined a 19-year-old woman driving for Door-Dash was making a delivery in the 300 block of Walker Street. Police say when she stopped her vehicle near the delivery address, numerous gunshots rang out. She and her juvenile

Press release by Unity Foundation of La Porte County and and Healthcare Foundation of La Porte: Two local leaders are serving on the 2023 Board of Directors for the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance (IPA). Maggi Spartz, President of Unity Foundation of La Porte County was elected as Chair of the IPA board for 2023. She has served on the board for eight years and on various committees. Maria Fruth, President & CEO of Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL), was recently elected to the board. IPA is the largest network serving philanthropy in Indiana, working to increase impact and lead positive

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input about an All Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park at Fedder’s Alley in Washington Park. The meeting will be on April 11, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m at City Hall at the Emergency Operation Center on the lower level. Preliminary plans will be presented for public comment. For more information call the park office.

U.S. 421 In Starke County will be closed between County Road W 400 S and County Road W 500 S on or after Monday, March 20 through mid-April for a culvert replacement. The Indiana Department of Transportation says motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 10, State Road 49 and State Road 8.

The City of La Porte Police Department has announced the arrests of four juveniles in connection to a robbery that occured on March 10 at the Lincolnway Mini-Mart. Preliminary investigation revealed that four individuals were involved in the robbery. On March 11, the lead detective in the case secured the arrest of two juvenile males involved in the robbery. On March 12, the detective arrested the third male juvenile involved in the robbery. The detective on Tuesday secured the arrest of the fourth and final juvenile male involved in the robbery. Police say no further information will be released at

Clarence Hulse, executive director of the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Paul J. Alinsky Excellence Award, presented by the Rotary Club of Michigan City. “It is an unbelievable honor to be recognized by Rotary members in memory of Paul, who truly served our community,” Hulse said. “I strive to propel our city forward every day through my passion for economic development and dedication to servant leadership as a resident of Michigan City. I look forward to continuing to be an example of Paul’s shining star as a recipient of his award.”

A crash on I-65 Monday in Jasper County left two people with serious injuries, according to the Indiana State Police. At 1:30 a.m., a trooper was dispatched to a rollover semi on I-65, southbound lanes, near the 221 mile-marker. The investigation showed that a semi-tanker had driven off the roadway, into the median, and rolled. The tanker was loaded with liquid sugar. The driver of the semi refused medical treatment at the scene. The contents of the tanker needed to be offloaded prior to the truck being towed.  As a result, the left lane of the interstate was closed for

A motorist who led an officer on a pursuit into downtown Chesterton, through Liberty Township and into South Haven early Sunday, is facing multiple charges, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. The 29-year-old man—who has a listed address in Valparaiso but advised the CPD that he’s currently homeless—has been charged with three counts of resisting law enforcement; two counts of criminal mischief; and one each of reckless driving, criminal recklessness, and possession of paraphernalia, the CPD said. According to police, at around 12 a.m. an officer was on routine patrol when he observed a suspicious vehicle—a Honda Civic—parked between two

Michigan City High School students Destiny Meneweather and Mia Zemrowski placed 3rd in the state at the Japanese Olympiad held on February 25 at Indiana University – Bloomington. This duo competed at Level 4, the division for students in their fourth year of Japanese.

“As seniors, Destiny and Mia made their rookie appearance at the Japanese Olympiad this year because the competition was cancelled throughout their freshman, sophomore, and junior years,” said MCHS Japanese teacher Mike Tsugawa. “They competed well and we are proud of them.” MCHS also competed at Levels 2 and 3 in the Japanese Olympiad. At Level 3,