Local News

Franciscan Health Infusion Center in Munster is now a brass bell for patients to ring on the day of their final cancer treatments. The bell was purchased using donations to the Franciscan Health Foundation. Patient Jacqueline Frabotta became the first patient to ring the bell on her final day of chemotherapy. She and her family expressed thanks to the staff for the care she received. “Everyone was emotional. We are so thankful that she was our first patient to ring the new bell,” said Gail Blackburn, director of outpatient services. Blackburn said patients had been requesting a bell to celebrate

NIPSCO is accepting applications for a grant to support local nonprofit organizations who provide public safety education and training across northern Indiana. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applications are being accepted now through August 5, 2022, with grant awards announced during the week of August 22. Grant opportunities will include, but are not limited to, community and youth public safety education programming and training for first responders, police and fire department fire and carbon monoxide safety programs, education, and training in the prevention of damage to underground natural gas lines, and child-related safety education. Grant

The Michigan City Police Department is reminding the public of the city’s fireworks ordinance. The department is reminding everyone that fireworks can only be discharged by persons 18+ years old and only during set dates and times outlined in city ordinance 54-231. Inside of the corporate limits of Michigan City, fireworks can only be discharged on the following dates and times: ▪️June 29th-July 3rd from 5:00 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset ▪️July 4th from 10:00 a.m. until midnight ▪️July 5th-9th from 5:00 p.m. until 2 hours after sunset ▪️10:00 AM on December 31st until 1:00 AM on January 1st

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work is underway in both the west and east parking lots. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is inviting Michigan City area educators to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful. Unity Foundation manages three grant programs established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning. Together the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators at Michigan City public and private schools for projects of their own design since the mid-1990s. Unity Foundation says the grants of $400- $500 each aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students. Teachers are invited to complete

Two separate accidents occurred on I-94 at the mile marker 26 Tuesday.  The three right lanes of eastbound I-94 were closed at mile marker 26, which is at the S.R. 49/Chesterton exit. The ramp from Southbound S.R. 49 to Eastbound I-94 was also closed.  Earlier in the day all lanes of westbound I-94 were closed for around four hours at mile marker 26.6 for a serious crash. At around 7:00 a.m., a trooper responded to a crash on I-94 westbound. Indiana State Police motor carrier units arrived first and reported that a tractor pulling a lawn mower had been struck

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Monday that construction is moving forward on one of the largest public transit investments in Indiana’s history – double tracking of the South Shore Line from Michigan City to Gary. The project adds nearly 18 miles of new track over a 26-mile corridor along the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) existing South Shore Line between Gary and Michigan City and makes multiple improvements to the existing line. The Double Track Project includes a separated two-track right-of-way along two miles in Michigan City. The project will include replacing the current street-running tracks on 10th and 11th

State health officials announced Saturday that the first probable case of monkeypox in Indiana in 2022 has been identified, the Indiana State Department of Health announced. The department said no further information about the patient will be released due to privacy concerns. Initial testing was completed at the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Laboratories Monday. Confirmatory testing is pending at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based on the initial positive test and preliminary case investigation, state health officials consider this a probable monkeypox infection. The patient remains isolated, and health officials are working to identify anyone the

Concrete pavement restoration operations will move from northbound to southbound State Road 55 between State Road 2 and U.S. 231 on or after Wednesday, June 22, INDOT said in an update. Currently, northbound State Road 55 is closed between 137th Avenue and U.S. 231. Local traffic seeking to access businesses or homes on State Road 55 in the closed section have to come from the north and utilize southbound State Road 55 to get to their destination. Weather permitting, the lane closure will switch to the southbound side of the roadway between 137th Avenue and U.S. 231 Wednesday. INDOT says

A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. central time to 7 p.m. this evening for the counties of LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph and Berrien in the WIMS area. Heat index values in the 95 to 100 degree range expected this afternoon and early evening. Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. The National Weather Services advises to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you

The City of Valparaiso announced that as of 1:00 p.m. on Monday, the water main leak, which was scheduled to be repaired, was located and repaired by Valparaiso City Utilities field service crews. The city says the repair was completed without the need to interrupt water service to our customers. The City of Valparaiso says if you need further assistance to call the city at 219-462-6174.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of 65 year-old Curtis R. Heaphy, who was being held in the La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Early Sunday morning during a routine check, Heaphy was found unresponsive inside his assigned cell by a LCSO Jail Division member. The jail staff immediately began to render aid and resuscitation efforts. Members of the La Porte County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported Heaphy to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus. At 3:25 a.m. Heaphy was pronounced deceased by the medical staff at Northwest Health. Thursday afternoon, Heaphy was arrested

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Friday announced the launch of the Recovery Capital Index, designed to measure the sum of resources necessary for an individual to initiate and sustain recovery from addiction and to help track the overall recovery capital of the state and communities. “People in recovery have been telling us for decades that there is more to recovery than just maintaining sobriety,” said Jay Chaudhary, DMHA director. “A well-rounded, fulfilling life is the key to a thriving recovery. The Recovery Capital Index will help the state measure the quality of

Governor Eric Holcomb will join federal, state and local partners to celebrate the start of construction for the South Shore Double Track Project on Monday at 10 a.m. at 11th Street and Franklin Street in Michigan City. The expansion is one of the largest public transit investments in Indiana’s history which will result in unmatched economic growth for the region and the state. Also attending are Sen. Todd Young, Rep. Frank Mrvan, Pete Visclosky, former congressman and chairman of Gary/Chicago International Airport Kelley Brookins, FTA Region 5 Regional Administrator.

Valparaiso City Utilities field service crews will be investigating a potential water main leak on State Road 2. Based on the results of this investigation, water service may be interrupted on Monday, June 20, at 8:00 a.m. for a period of time for customers in the Aberdeen, Autumn Oaks, The Prairies and Eagle View subdivisions. The city says the schedule gives customers a window of opportunity to prepare for a possible water outage. The city says however, if the leak worsens and/or pressure is lost, water service will be interrupted sooner than the scheduled outage. At this time, the City

Beginning Monday, June 20 through Friday, June 24, drivers along Willowcreek Road, between Lute Road and U.S. 6, can expect lane restrictions. Indiana American Water has informed the city that work will begin to repair the "dip" on Willowcreek Road by their contractor. The roadway was damaged by a water main break several months ago. The city is telling drivers to drive safely through the area and look out for the construction workers repairing the roadway.

PORTER COUNTY -- The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve informed the public on Friday that on Thursday night someone dumped a truckload of tires off the bridge and into the preserve and Coffee Creek. The preserve said the authorities and town were contacted. The preserve says if anyone has any information that might help the investigation, please call the Chesterton Police Department. The preserve went on to say they will work to have the tires cleaned up as soon as possible.

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd officially announced the hiring of three new merit patrol deputies, effective May 23. The deputies hired are 32 year-old Justin D. Gorny, 28 year-old Julian A. Sanchez, and 27 year-old Matthew M. Disbrow. Gorny is a 2008 graduate of New Prairie High School. Following graduation, Gorny attended Indiana State University earning a bachelor’s degree in 2013 while majoring in Criminal Justice and Criminology. In 2015, he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and was a member of Basic Recruit Class 202. Gorny is married, has two children, and currently resides in South

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department says it has become aware of recent calls to Lake County residents from people pretending to be Lake County police officers. The phony officers attempt to bilk citizens out of thousands of dollars. The department says it has received more than 14 calls from people who have been contacted by scammers demanding large sums of money as payment for “violations” including a missed court appearance. The fraudsters then ask the would-be victim to pay using  mobile payment apps including Venmo, Zelle and CashApp and also suggested payment could be made through electronic or virtual currency,