Local News

LaPorte County businesses and non-profits have partnered to provide local, 4-H-raised protein to more than 20 local food pantries and soup kitchens as part of Operation Feed LaPorte County – a mission that has been dedicated to distributing local meat to the hungry for nearly 10 years. This year’s distribution took place on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds in the Community Building. Ten businesses and non-profits partnered at the LaPorte County 4-H Livestock Auction on July 15 to purchase animals, which were processed by Sims Meat Processing in Kingsbury, IN to produce approximately 3,000 pounds of beef,

Indiana State Troopers are investigating after someone apparently shot at a semi truck Monday on I-80.  At around 2:52 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a shots being fired call on I-80 eastbound at the 0.1 mile-marker, just east of the Illinois/Indiana state line. The caller, a truck driver, reported a small gray passenger car with Illinois license plates had shot at his truck for no apparent reason. A trooper arrived at the scene and discovered that there were two bullet holes in the truck. Further investigation showed that one of the bullets entered the cab of the truck near the

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is available on the Unity Foundation website from August 10 to September 9, 2022. Through support of Independent Colleges of Indiana and Lilly Endowment Inc., two LaPorte County students will receive four-year, full tuition scholarships to an accredited public or private Indiana college or university of their choice and an annual $900 stipend for required books and equipment. A selection committee, comprised of volunteers from throughout the county, will seek to recommend the two most outstanding LaPorte County students among those who apply. To be eligible, students must: be a resident of LaPorte County,

Governor Eric Holcomb on Tuesday signed Executive Order 22-12 calling a special election in the Second Congressional District. The special election will be held to fill the vacancy in the office of United States Representative for the Second Congressional District due to the death of Rep. Jackie Walorski. The special election will be held concurrently with the general election on Nov. 8, 2022. Click HERE to view the executive order. Click HERE for more information on the special election.

More than 350 seniors attended Senior Day Monday at the Lake County Fair, sponsored by Franciscan Health. The event took place in the Showcase Tent at the Lake County Fair. Senior Day featured free admission for seniors 62 and older with free health screenings and information on a variety of Franciscan Health programs and services. Snacks, entertainment, giveaways and the annual apple peeling contest were also included. Free health screenings provided for attendees included balance and fall risk, pulmonary function, body mass index, glucose testing, blood pressure testing and skin cancer spot checks. Seniors also received information about Franciscan Health’s

In Portage, the southbound lane of Willowcreek Road between Houston Avenue and Portage Avenue is closed through Friday, Aug. 12, weather permitting. Crews are adjusting manhole heights. A detour route will be marked.

On Monday Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy and the City Council honored Aidan Gutierrez of Valparaiso High School for winning the Indiana High School Athletic Association Golf Championship. They also honored the VHS Boys Golf Team for placing 6th in the State tournament. Aidan is only the second VHS golfer in the history of the school to be named state champion.

The City of Portage has given an update on a $2.6 million 2022 paving project. Last week, a contractor removed existing non-compliant sidewalk ramps and started to replace them with code compliant ones. They started on Aspen, Debra, and Belmont. Then moved to Orchard and are now in Brookview and Arvilla Acres. Monday, they started milling Aspen Avenue. Contractors will be back on Wednesday to continue to mill Debra, Belmont, and Orchard. Wednesday they will also start paving Aspen Avenue and then move to Debra, Belmont, and Orchard. Concrete crews will continue to replace sidewalk ramps and curbs in Arvilla

The City of La Porte announced that The City Hall drive-thru will be closed Tuesday for necessary repairs. The City says if you would like to drop off a payment, you can do so at the drop box located on the sidewalk in front of City Hall. The Utility Billing Office will also be open for residents who need further assistance.  

A beach hazards statement remains in effect through Tuesday afternoon for La Porte County in Indiana and Berrien County in Michigan. High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves. North winds 10 to 15 mph Tuesday. Waves are building to 3 to 6 feet overnight. Waves 3 to 6 feet Tuesday, gradually subsiding in the afternoon. Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. The National Weather Service says to remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions and do not

At its annual banquet on Wednesday, July 20, the Duneland Chamber of Commerce presented its Putting Duneland on the Map Award to the Chesterton High School basketball team for going 28-1 on the season and being runner-up to Cathedral in the state final in March. Accepting the award on behalf of his team was CHS boys head basketball coach Marc Urban. Presenting the award was Duneland School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit. See more on this story on the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.  

Indiana Dunes National Park announced a temporary closure to a portion of the Little Calumet River Trail for the replacement of an existing boardwalk. Indiana Dunes National Park says, “The closure is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety.”  The closure will remain in effect from August 7 through August 14 or until further notice.  Please note: The map pinpoint is only for approximate location purposes. The whole trail is not closed.

The South Shore Line has revised information on long-term busing between Carroll Avenue and Gary Metro Center Stations. In order to accommodate construction for the Double Track NWI project, the South Shore Line announced a long-term busing schedule for passengers between Gary Metro Center and Carroll Avenue stations. Train service between Gary Metro and Millennium and between Carroll Avenue and South Bend Airport will operate as normal. Now through spring 2023, busing between Carroll Avenue and Gary Metro stations will be ongoing for all weekday and weekend trains. Bus service will make all intermediate scheduled station stops, and passengers will

New teachers in Michigan City were welcomed to the city, their school, and the business community on Thursday as the Lakefront Career Network (LCN) hosted its annual New Teacher Luncheon. LCN, the young professionals group of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, holds this event every August as a way to introduce new teachers to area businesses, and to help them settle into this new role. “This luncheon serves as a reminder to the teachers and administrators of our local schools that the business community in the Michigan City area is here to support you,” said Katie Eaton, President of

Franciscan Health is aiming to help families achieve their wellness goals together with “FIT-Together,” a unique, eight-week fitness program intended for households with children between age 8 and 14. FIT-Together will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Aug. 16 to Oct. 4 at the Michigan City YMCA, 1202 Spring St. The program is free, but registration is required. The FIT-Together program addresses the well-being of every participating family member – children, siblings, parents or parental figures – by exploring healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health. Sessions will include physical activities as a fun way

Each year, Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) offers two grant cycles to community partners and nonprofits looking to improve health and wellness in La Porte County. In the first grant cycle this year, 2022 Cycle 1, HFL awarded $3,804,550 across 55 grants. The 55 grants span HFL’s three strategic priorities—Healthy Children, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Living—as well as projects that contribute to the overall health and wellness of La Porte through the Foundation’s Healthy La Porte grants.   The 55 grants awarded in 2022 Cycle 1 fall within HFL’s main strategic areas:   Healthy Children: 17 grants, totaling $900,069 Healthy Living: 17 grants, totaling $2,464,741 Healthy Minds: 5 grants, totaling $108,000  Healthy La Porte: 16

The Ogden Dunes Police Department announced that the repairs for the water main break in the area of Diana Road and Hillcrest Road have been completed and services have been fully restored. Police said Thursday afternoon that the boil order is still in effect and will remain in effect until further notice. Water will continue to be tested and this order will remain in effect until the water is shown to be clear of any contaminants for two consecutive days. Police say it is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five minutes

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) elected a new slate of officers to serve during the 2022-2023 50th Anniversary Season. The officers are as follows: Susan Aaro n, Chair Kathryn Berne l, Immediate Past Chair Nolah Nasser-Gertner, Vice-Chair Alyssa Speichert, Secretary Cecelia Largura, Treasurer In addition, board member Dale Knouse will serve as the Chair of the Marketing Committee and Steve Kring and Dr. Tom Keon will be serving as Co-Chairs of the 50th Anniversary Committee. Two LCSO board members whose terms are ending are: Immediate Past Chair, Leigh Morris and board member Ela Bilderback . “I am excited

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office says it obtained updated information on the vehicle crash in which Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and three others died. Police say the information from the preliminary investigation at the scene, as to the direction of travel of the vehicles, was not correct. The continuing investigation has located eyewitness and video evidence.  Both confirm that the maroon Buick LeSabre driven by 56-year-old Edith Schmucker of Nappanee was southbound on SR 19 south of SR 119 and the silver Toyota RAV 4, driven by 27-year-old Zachery Potts of Mishawaka was northbound on SR 19.  The Toyota RAV 4

In Chesterton, Indian Boundary Road between Starwood Drive and Graham Drive in unincorporated Westchester Township is scheduled to close from 7 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, through noon Saturday, Aug. 6, according to the Town of Chesterton. A trench is being cut in Indian Boundary Road for the installation of a new water main. Indian Boundary Road between Starwood Drive and Graham Drive will be closed to all traffic, including emergency vehicles.