Local News

Press release from Unity Foundation of La Porte County: LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce it is awarding $310,000 in scholarships to 171 students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The recipients are attending 50 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Since 1992, Unity has awarded more than $3.5 million from sixty scholarship funds to help area students advance their education. Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President, said, “We are honored to award scholarships each year. Beyond providing financial assistance, receiving these awards is proof that their community believes

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 23 between County Road East 300 North and County Road East 400 North on or after Monday, July 24. State Road 23 will be closed through early September for a small structure replacement. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, U.S. 35, and State Road 8.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – Charges have been filed by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office following the pursuit that took place on July 12 on I-65, according to the Indiana State Police. Thomas J. Sanhamel, 45, from West Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with attempted murder, attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, four counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, attempt to commit battery against public safety official, four counts of battery to public safety official and two counts of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle. The original story can be found here.  

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Saturday. Just after 2 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of State Road 2 and Old State Road 2, in reference a single vehicle personal injury crash.  The initial on-scene investigation determined a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup truck had been traveling along State Road 2.  The vehicle left the roadway, traveled into a deep ditch, and came to rest in a field. Two subjects identified at the scene were determined to be occupants of the vehicle.  One of the subjects, 55-year-old Allan M. Vanblaircom of

Michigan City police are investigating after one person was shot in the shoulder on Friday. According to police the dispatch center received a 911 call at approximately 10:35 a.m. regarding a person who was shot in the 500 block of Pleasant Avenue. Officers responded to the scene and located a 37-year-old male from Gary, Indiana who had a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. An officer provided first aid to the victim before he was transported by EMS to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City for a non-life-threatening injury. The victim was eventually transported from Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 20 between State Road 520 and County Line Rd starting on or after Friday, July 21. U.S. 20 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately three weeks while crews perform maintenance on the bridge deck and approaches over Amtrak/Chandler Road. There will be changing traffic patterns in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work

To thank local educators for their hard work, the South Shore Line is inviting teachers to ride the SSL for free beginning Monday, July 24, through Sunday, July 30, 2023, on all off-peak weekday and all weekend trains (off-peak weekday trains arrive at Millennium Station after 9:30 am CST, and depart Millennium Station before 3:30 pm and after 6:30 pm CST). To ride, educators will need to present a valid school ID. Passengers can also take advantage of the Kids Ride Free Program, allowing up to three children 13 years of age and under to ride free with each parent

La Porte County Circuit Court Clerk issues public notice and letter to citizens    The La Porte County Clerk will hold a Public Meeting regarding Vote Centers on July 20th, 2023 at 6:00pm at City Hall in Michigan City, Indiana. (100 E Michigan Blvd Michigan City, IN 46360)   The Final Public Meeting on Vote Centers will be held at 6:00pm on August 3, 2023 in Meeting Room 3 at the La Porte County Complex (809 State St La Porte IN, 46350)   Below is a letter by La Porte County Circuit Court Clerk Heather Stevens:   MESSAGE FROM LA

Chesterton police are seeking a hit and run driver. On Tuesday morning in the area of Railroad and Kelle Drive, a blue Tesla sedan was involved in a property damage crash. Police say the driver of the blue Tesla was described as an Asian male, 50-60 years of age. He also mentioned that he was a doctor, according to the Chesterton Police Department. Anyone with information that could assist in identifying the driver of the blue Tesla, are asked to call Cpl. LaMotte at 219-926-1136.

A Gary Police K-9 was killed during a pursuit Thursday. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.made the following statement: “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of beloved Gary Police Department K-9 Falco. He was shot and killed this afternoon during a police foot pursuit near 35th Place and Martin Luther King Drive in Gary. A 29-year-old male is in police custody. He was wanted for aggravated battery and criminal recklessness. The officer involved in the foot pursuit was not injured. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation. “Falco served as a police K-9 for

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one person injured Wednesday morning in Michigan City. At 10:53 a.m., deputies were to called to the 300 block of Woodsedge Drive at the Woodland Crossing Apartment Homes in reference to a shooting. Deputies located one gunshot victim and secured the scene.  Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded to the complex to assist. The early stages of the investigation revealed the victim was an employee of the complex’s contracted law maintenance company.  Police say the victim was approached on foot by a male subject who began shooting

La Porte County Sheriff Ronald Heeg officially announced the retirement of James Sosinski from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. Sosinski was hired by the LCSO in January of 1982, as a Jail Deputy.  In April of 1985, he was transferred and promoted to the Merit (Patrol) Division.  During the summer of 1985, Sosinski attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where he later graduated as a member of Class 85-82. During Sosinski’s career, he attained the ranks of Sergeant, Captain, Major and served as Chief Deputy during former Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer’s two consecutive four-year terms, from January of 2007 to

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Sinai Forum announced the series of notable speakers to headline its milestone 70th season. The series will feature topics ranging from global affairs and politics to journalism, mental health and more. More than 300 speakers have engaged and inspired our communities and students since the forum’s inception in 1953. The season begins on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. with the former President of Purdue University and two-term Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. Daniels’ political background brought a unique perspective to the realm of academia. During his tenure he prioritized affordability, innovation

News release via La Porte County Sheriff's Office: The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is partnering with other Indiana law enforcement agencies to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits. Through the end of July, deputies will be on high alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and administered through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Not only is speeding illegal, but it is also deadly. In 2021, speeding killed 252

The Indiana Toll Road says they are making great progress on the Northwest Indiana Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The Toll Road says since construction is moving along at a good pace, they are able to accelerate their project schedule with the closure of the Exit 10 westbound entry and westbound exit ramps, which is ongoing. The exit ramp will re-open on Aug. 31 and the entry ramp will re-open on Sept. 23. Additional details can be found in the photo attached to this story.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Illinois man was arrested after a pursuit on I-65 Wednesday afternoon, according to the Indiana State Police. At approximately 3:15 p.m., a trooper was patrolling I-65 southbound near the scale barn.  This is approximately 3 miles north of State Road 2 (exit 240).  A citizen notified the trooper of a vehicle that was traveling at 5 mph in the right lane.  The trooper located the vehicle traveling 8 mph in the right lane and attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle to investigate the circumstances of the extremely slow speed. The driver failed

Press release by Franciscan Health: MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Board-certified interventional cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist Naseer Nasser, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City. Dr. Nasser completed his training at the University of Baghdad, College of Medicine, in Iraq. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Nasser’s general cardiovascular fellowship training was at Cook County Hospital and his interventional cardiology and peripheral vascular intervention fellowship training was at RUSH University Medical Center, both in Chicago. His fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology was at the

Michigan City Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across the country to host a National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 1. This is a community crime prevention and safety event that will be held in Michigan City for the first time in several years. National Night Out will take place at Pullman Park, 550 West 4th Street, on Tuesday, Aug. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. with a bike safety demonstration followed by a Community Bike Cruise with the MCPD Bike Unit at 6 p.m. Children and adults are invited to ride the Calumet Trail-Singing Sands Trail, starting at Pullman

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have restrictions at the I-65 and I-94 interchange this weekend for ongoing concrete restoration work. The ramp from northbound I-65 to eastbound I-94 is scheduled to close the evening of Friday, July 14 for concrete patching and is expected to reopen the morning of Monday, July 17. The detour will be to exit at U.S. 12/20 and use Ripley Street / State Road 51 to access eastbound I-94. The ramp from northbound I-65 to westbound I-94 will have a single lane closure overnight on Friday, July 14, which will

Michigan City Police Department announced National Night Out will take place at Pullman Park, 550 W. 4th Street, on Tuesday, Aug. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. with a bike safety demonstration followed by a Community Bike Cruise with the MCPD Bike Unit. Children and adults are invited to ride the Calumet Trail-Singing Sands Trail, starting at Pullman Park heading west toward County Line Road and returning to the Pullman Park (approximately a 2-mile ride). Afterwards, a community block party will take place at Pullman Park. This event includes a pop-up art project, free food, games, music, K-9 demonstrations, and the