Local News

The City of Valparaiso has announced the awarding of 20 new grants in the 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, providing over $216,000 in funds to support neighborhood unity and community improvements. Coupled with the matching investments by the neighborhoods themselves, this grant cycle will result in more than $350,000 in positive impact for the community. “These neighborhood grants truly contribute to Valparaiso’s excellent quality of life as they unite neighbors for projects they care about and then fund the work for lasting benefit. Neighborhood Improvement Grants are a positive way the City can support neighborhoods and elevate the community,” said

The Michigan City Refuse Department will conduct its Annual Spring Clean-Up beginning on March 27, 2023. The following information is from the Office Of Mayor Duane Parry:   The Refuse Department requests that all residents separate the debris that is to be discarded into the following three (3) categories: Brush, limbs, shrubs, yard waste, and unpainted concrete (no black-top rubble); Rugs, lumber, furniture, mattress, and box-springs; and Appliances and tires.  Tires can be rimmed or un-rimmed, and appliances include items such as stoves, refrigerators, air conditions, water tanks, etc. Please keep the above items separated as described above.  Residents may

Press release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will welcome Deirdre Mask, author of “The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth and Power,” as the keynote speaker during the university’s annual Days of Discovery research symposium. The presentation will include a live question and answer session and take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 in Alumni Hall, located in the Student Union and Library Building, 2233 173rd Street, Hammond, IN. The keynote address by Mask is free and open to the public. Visit pnw.edu/one-book for

The La Porte County Family YMCA is collecting needed items for both the Pax Center, and Stepping Stone Shelter for Women through the end of March. Items can be dropped off at any of the La Porte County Family YMCA's three branch locations until March 31. See the flyer for a list of needed items.  

The Indiana Urban Fishing Program is celebrating 10 years of annually stocking channel catfish in urban lakes in order to bring quality fishing opportunities closer to Hoosiers’ backyards. Last week, the DNR stocked a total of 1,875 channel catfish ranging in size from 10 to 14 inches (average 12 inches). Robinson Park Lake Lake in Lake County was stocked with 300 catfish. The lake is located in Hobart. The lake is stocked three times from mid-March to the first week of June with catchable-size channel catfish. To find out more about the urban fishing program, including tentative stocking dates and

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.