Local News

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) today announced the recipients of the agency's Community Recycling Grant Program. IDEM awarded $513,593 to 16 applicants. “IDEM is proud to work with communities throughout the state toward increasing recycling opportunities,” said IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess. The grants are a great way for IDEM to promote recycling and facilitate recycling education in communities statewide.” The grants are available to counties, municipalities, solid waste management districts, schools, and nonprofit organizations located in Indiana. Here is the list of recipients and the amounts they were awarded: Brown County Solid Waste Management District: $28,710 Carmel Clay

Last week, The Porter County Sheriff's Office gathered to celebrate the retirement of K9 Rogue. Lt. Praschak had been partnered with Rogue since 2016 when they went to training in South Carolina. Captain Edwards (head of the K9 Division) was quoted as saying, “Rogue was the best Narcotic Detection K9 in Department history.” Rogue will be missed! Thank you Lt. Praschak for your years of dedication to the K9 Division. Rogue will now stay at home and be loved by family. Thank you for your service.

After ringing in the new year, Attorney General Todd Rokita invites Hoosiers to visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov to see if they have some extra money waiting for them in 2023.   “Our hardworking Hoosiers deserve to have their money returned,” Attorney General Rokita said. “My office is committed to serving the people of Indiana and protecting their individual Liberty. Getting unclaimed property back in the hands of its rightful owner is crucial.”   With the new year rolling in, let’s celebrate together with newly discovered cash.   In 2022, Attorney General Rokita’s office returned over $62 million in unclaimed property to its rightful owners. This is in

On January 1, 2023, recently elected Ronald C. Heeg, assumed the office as 46th Sheriff of La Porte County. Sheriff Heeg officially announces his administration totaling 110 combined years of law enforcement experience with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Chief Deputy – Allen W. Ott Al Ott is a 28-year veteran of the LCSO. He has been appointed to the position of Chief Deputy, second in command. He previously held the rank of Captain and served as the Jail Commander for the past five (5) years. Chief Deputy Ott is a 1990 graduate of La Porte High School

The Builders Association of LaPorte County's 28th Annual Home and Lifestyle Expo is on the horizon. Returning for the 9th year in a row, at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Event Center located in Michigan City, IN. The event will take place on Saturday, March 4 & Sunday, March 5, 2023.   This Expo features all aspects of home ownership including home maintenance, remodeling, custom building, landscaping, finance, home furnishings as well as health, recreation, travel, etc. Vendors will exhibit the latest trends and products in today's market. Hours: March 4th- 9a-5p March 5th- 9a-4p Check out this youtube video on

The Family Birth Center at Franciscan Health Crown Point welcomed the first baby of 2023 at 6:33 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Owen Dale Wyant was born to Toni and Josh Wyant of Valparaiso. Owen weighed in at 5 pounds 1 ounce and was 18 inches long. He is the couple’s second child, following his sister, 21-month-old Emily Jane Wyant. Families with the distinction of having the first baby born in the new year at The Family Birth Center at Franciscan Health Crown Point receive a gift basket containing items to help parents during their first weeks at home with

The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer welcomed the first baby of 2023 at 12:10 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Londynn Jones was born to Rayven Mitchell and Tomas Jones of Crete. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Families with the distinction of having the first baby born in the new year at the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer receive a gift basket containing items to help parents during their first weeks at home with their newborn. A virtual tour of the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer is available on the Franciscan Health

Liberty Township Firefighters were busy late afternoon on ecember 30, 2022 answering calls. Motorists may have xperienced temporary road closures on U.S. Highway 6 between county road 75 West and 200 West on Route 6 for a period of time as crews worked a three-vehicle crash. A driver from one vehicle was transported for knee and leg injury as another was transported for a minor head injury. The driver of the third vehicle escaped unharmed and was not transported. All the involved vehicles became disabled as a result from the crash and required being towed from the scene. One vehicle

The Franciscan Health Michigan City medical staff is accepting scholarship applications through March 1 from LaPorte County high school seniors interested in healthcare careers. The medical staff at Franciscan Health Michigan City voted unanimously in 2021 to establish and fund a scholarship honoring the memories and continuing legacies of physicians who served the community as members of the medical staff. The scholarship of up to $5,000 is funded by physicians on the Franciscan Health Michigan City medical staff in partnership with the Franciscan Health Foundation. The scholarship or scholarships will be awarded to LaPorte County high school seniors interested in

Tickets are on sale now for the NIBC La Porte Invitational on Jan. 5-7 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. This three-day event features 10 of the best high school basketball programs in the nation, featuring 30 of ESPN’s top-ranked recruits. This is your chance to see the future all-stars of the NCAA and NBA, right here in the City of La Porte. Buy tickets at: www.viewstub.com/LaPorte-NIBC.

The City of Valparaiso is releasing the City’s new recycling collection schedule for 2023. On Sept. 12, the City of Valparaiso’s Common Council adopted new recycling collection rates, charges and guidelines for the City’s recycling customers. Part of this amended ordinance included changing the residential recycling collection frequency from once per week to once every two weeks. “We learned that most recycling bins were being set out at the curb far less than full for weekly pickups. By switching to every other week recycling collections, we are able to make our operations more efficient and keep our rates reasonable as

The Salvation Army of Michigan City says that it is only at 60% of the campaign goal set for the 2022 holiday season. With a theme of “Love Beyond Christmas,” the campaign collected record low amounts in donations in the kettles since the kick-off” says Majors Dale Simmons of The Salvation Army. We understand our community is suffering from the current economic situation and the inclement weather did not help with our biggest donation days.  “The blizzard last week impacted our already low donations in the kettles” “We are so lucky to have a great crew that dressed up in

 Amendment to the PRESS RELEASE FOR TRANSIT Just so there is no misunderstanding for the holiday, Michigan City Transit will be closed on Saturday December 31st, and CLOSED on Monday January 2nd. They will however operate their Complementary Paratransit Service (Dial-A-Ride) on both Saturday and Monday for regularly scheduled medical treatment appointments. Chris J. Yagelski Administrator to the Mayor CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY Email: cyagelski@emichigancity.com Phone: 219-873-1400 Mobile: 219-898- 0738 100 E. Michigan Blvd. Michigan City, IN 46360 www.emichigancity.com

Congressman Frank J. Mrvan has announced that over $20 million in Community Project Funding requests have been included in the final Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations package. As the House and Senate have both approved this package, it is expected to be signed shortly into law by President Biden. Congressman Mrvan stated, “One of the fundamental lessons I have experienced in my first term of Congress is how success requires partnership and collaboration. I am grateful for all of these community partners for putting in the work to successfully identify and advocate for how the federal government can best help them

The Indiana Department of Transportation is updating the Planning Public Involvement Plan, and they want to hear your feedback. This PPIP update emphasizes the importance of public outreach and engagement as they plan for the future of Indiana’s transportation infrastructure. Additionally, it serves to guide planning efforts to ensure that a high level of public engagement is achieved agency wide. View the draft and leave comments through January 14, 2023: https://www.in.gov/.../the-public-involvement-process/

The past few days presented challenging travel for motorists that chose to drive in conditions that were often treacherous at best. To those people that listened to our warnings about the road/weather conditions and decided to delay their travel, we sincerely thank you for being safe. Troopers found themselves responding to crashes, slide offs, and stranded motorists from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. The following statistics have been compiled for your review. All of us at the Indiana State Police Post would like to thank several agencies, but if we try to name them all we would leave someone out.

The Chesterton Police Department is investigating a fatal accident this morning, Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the intersection of Ind. 49 and Indian Boundary Road. Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes has not yet released the name of the victim, pending notification of the family. According to the CPD, at approximately 11 a.m. the deceased—the sole occupant of a Chevrolet passenger vehicle—was southbound on Ind. 49 and rear-ended a semi-tractor trailer stopped in traffic just north of Indian Boundary Road. “The driver of the Chevrolet was not ejected from the vehicle but was pronounced deceased at the scene,” the CPD said. The

Throughout Sheriff John T. Boyd’s 30 plus year law enforcement career, many have come to know how skillful and accurate he is firing his duty pistol. From his days as a member of the agency’s Emergency Response Team and until now, Sheriff Boyd has continued to train and hone his skill set as a shooter. Earlier this year during a qualification shoot, Sheriff Boyd shot a perfect score. Agency Firearms Instructors pleaded with him to take the target as a keepsake knowing his retirement was nearing. He humbly declined and departed from “The Range.” Knowing just how important Sheriff Boyd’s

The Michigan City Police Department is still collecting winter items for those in need. They are in need of hats, scarfs, gloves, socks, backpacks etc. This is for new items only. Any items can be dropped off in the lobby at MCPD. The collection date ends on Jan. 15 See the departments flyer for contact information.

On Saturday, January 21, 2023, Burn ‘Em Brewing is hosting “Long Johns On Winter Warmer Bash.” The event will take place from 12-5 PM CST at 718 Freyer Road, Michigan City, IN. They will be serving new barrel aged variants as well as the return of The Gluhwein Ljo, served warm! Food will be provided by: Barebones. Doors open at noon with LIVE music starting at 12:30 PM. Live music includes: JANKY LIMO, SYPIAN FAMILY BAND, MG BAILEY. VIP: $75.00, GA Presale: $20, $25 At the door. Purchase your tickets at www.ontaptickets.com