Local News

The Washington Park Zoo has announced that its male tiger, Stars, had recently been suffering from chronic kidney disease when the zoo decided to euthanize him at the age of 18-years-old. The zoo says chronic kidney disease is a common cause of illness and death in older feline species including tigers. Stars was diagnosed with the disease a few weeks ago and had been closely monitored and treated with medications to keep him comfortable, but his activity and appetite continued to slow. The zoo says the tough decision to euthanize Stars was necessary based on his extreme medical condition before

Indiana State Police say several charges have been filed against a Hammond man who reportedly rammed a stolen vehicle into police cars and was fired upon by a Munster police officer. Detectives with the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division have filed charges against Roy Viverette, the suspect involved in the Munster officer involved shooting that took place on Feb. 1. Viverette faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement, auto theft and theft.   Original story: Indiana State Police: Munster officer fires at suspect ramming into police vehicles A

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that preparation for additional concrete restoration work on I-65 in Lake County will start Monday. Overnight lane closures and the closure of the ramp from Ridge Road to Northbound I-65 will take place on or after Monday Feb 6. Watch for crews performing work on the shoulders through late April. The overnight lane and ramp closures are anticipated to take place over one evening, but additional closures may be needed through Feb 17. Overnight work hours will be from approximately 8 p.m.-6 a.m. The schedule and work is weather dependent.

The DNR is reminding the public that all tree stands on state property may only be left overnight from Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands must be legibly marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number or DNR customer ID number, according to the DNR. The DNR stated on its Law Enforcement Facebook page, “If you’re stand is still in the woods, it’s time to get it out!”

Instrumental music students from several Michigan City Area Schools took part in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) solo and ensemble contest on Jan. 28 at Kankakee Valley Middle School, with nearly 50 receiving gold and silver ratings. Four students from Michigan City High School earned gold ratings on music of the highest difficulty level and will now advance to the ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble competition at North Central High School in Indianapolis on Feb. 25. These students are Sophia Barczak, Emray David, Kyra Krachinski, and Ashley Sparks.

 During the ISSMA event on Jan. 28, Krachinski received gold

The Indiana Department of Health has awarded nearly $8.5 million in grants to organizations working to improve Hoosiers’ health as part of the Health Issues and Challenges program, which was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2021 with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This is the second round of grants through the program and follows $35 million that was announced last June. “Public health is built on a foundation of prevention and accessibility, and we are grateful to be able to use the remaining funds that our legislators allocated to support programs that will help improve Hoosiers’

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a phone scam involving someone claiming to be a local utility service provider. The scam is offering an 85% reduction on gas bills. “Of course with the ever so enticing special offer, come the additional questions where some citizens become victims, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said on their Facebook page. “Do not entertain this goof! Please terminate the call and carry on with your law-abiding day.”

A Munster police officer opened fire Wednesday on a man who reportedly rammed a stolen vehicle into police cars at a gas station, Indiana State Police reported. The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post was requested by the Munster Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting.  Preliminary investigation shows that at around 7:40 p.m., officers with the Munster Police Department were in the area of Ridge Road and Manor Avenue attempting to locate a stolen vehicle. Officers located a stolen 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Mobile gas station located in the 300 block of Ridge Road.

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife stocked roughly 4,500 brown trout into northern Indiana streams in early January. Most fish ranged between 8 to 14 inches at the time of release. Indiana obtained the trout from Illinois last year when they were approximately 3 inches long. Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery in Walkerton raised the trout until they were close to an average of 10 inches long. The DNR stocked six streams including the Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County, Pigeon River (Steuben/LaGrange counties), Solomon Creek (Elkhart County), Little Elkhart River (LaGrange/Elkhart counties), Rowe Eden Ditch (LaGrange/Elkhart counties) and Cobus

Get ShakIN' during Earthquake Awareness Month February is Earthquake Awareness Month Earthquakes in Indiana may seem unusual or unlikely, but the reality is the state is near two seismic zones. Both seismic zones have the potential to produce major earthquakes and many small quakes. About 2,000 tremors occur daily in the central United States, underscoring the need for all Hoosiers to know earthquake safety. Hoosiers need to Get ShakIN' to be aware of the risk and prepare for a substantial quake. If an earthquake were to strike, Hoosiers should stop what they are doing and: Drop where they are, onto their hands and

Attorney General Todd Rokita invites Hoosiers to visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov or text CLAIM to 46220 to see what types of treasures await you on National Unclaimed Property Day.    “Protecting Hoosiers’ liberty is my office’s top priority,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Returning unclaimed property to the rightful owners is just one way we carry out this larger mission. Who knows — you might find $5 or $1,000, but it’s worth a look.”   Indiana is the only state where the attorney general oversees unclaimed property.   Last year, Attorney General Rokita’s Unclaimed Property Division returned over $61 million to Hoosiers.   Here are the types

Families welcoming a new baby via cesarean section are now able to have a birthing experience that more closely mirrors traditional vaginal births thanks to a new practice being offered at Franciscan Health Michigan City. “During a cesarean section, once the baby is delivered, we hand over the baby first to the nurse or the pediatrician and then a good amount of time lapses before the mother actually gets to see and hold the baby” Franciscan Physician Network OB/GYN Dr. Sharmilee Thota, MD, said. “The mother and her partner miss out on having the first glimpse of their baby, touching

Residents of Michigan City, La Porte, and surrounding communities are invited to clean out their closets for a good cause this month. Deals on Wheels (2114 Franklin Street, Michigan City) will host a “Drive-Through Shoe Drive” collection of gently worn used and new shoes on Saturday, February 18, from 9am to 12pm. Proceeds from the sale of the collected shoes will help a free community kids’ playgroup based at St. Luke United Lutheran Church in Trail Creek. The church will earn funds from the nonprofit Funds2Orgs based on the total weight of the pairs of shoes collected. Donated shoes will

A 23-year-old man faces criminal charges after leading police officers on a two-state pursuit in a stolen vehicle and crashing into two police patrol units. Shortly before 1 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023, a Lake County Sheriff’s Department officer observed a light blue Honda crossover SUV traveling at a high rate of speed on Broadway in Gary.  The officer ran a check of the Illinois license plate, which revealed it had been reported stolen. The officer followed the SUV as it pulled into a gas station and parked at 15th & Broadway. Officers positioned two Lake County Sheriff’s Department patrol

On January 20th, 2023, numerous staff members from the Michigan City Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department and the LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to 824 W 6th Street for an unresponsive three year old child. Despite the efforts of immediate family, first responders and medical professionals, the child unfortunately passed away. The Investigative Division was summoned to the scene and worked in conjunction with the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office on this matter. When tragedies like this occur, information such as the dispatch and call type are released as public record by law. Detailed information about the case

Firefighters, retirees and officials at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) recently celebrated the arrival of two new aircraft rescue firefighting apparatus, which included ceremonial traditions practiced among firefighters dating back to the 1800s. The event demonstrated the fellowship and team connection candidates looking to serve among Indy airport first responders can expect to find.   “These are age-old traditions that signify teamwork, camaraderie, respect for the job and appreciation for the right resources to do that job,” said Chief Fred Pervine of the Indianapolis Airport Authority fire department.   The event kicked off with a wet down, a tradition of

If you saw all the Law Enforcement vehicles from multiple jurisdictions in the area of the Northern Indiana Education Foundation building this week, it was not a SWAT call or hostage situation. As a result of an Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction Community Catalyst grant and support from Indiana NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) and the Unity Foundation Power for Good, the first cohort of 25 participants completed the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team C.I.T. training. These officers volunteered and became certified as C.I.T. Officers and earned 40 hours of Law Enforcement Training Board, LETB training hours. In

The City of Valparaiso and the City of Portage announced the following organizations are serving as warming centers: Valparaiso: ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (219) 462-4185 1201 Cumberland Crossing Dr. - Open Mon – Fri 5:00 am – 10:00 pm, Sat 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sun 11:00 am – 6:00 pm ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? (219) 462-0524 103 Jefferson St. - Open Mon – Thurs 9:00 am – 8:00 pm., Fri 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? (219) 548-2800 2001 Calumet Ave. - Open Mon – Fri

In recognition of National Energy Assistance Day on Wednesday, February 1, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is raising awareness about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and other financial support to help customers with their utility bills. Approximately $4.5 billion in LIHEAP funding was released nationally in November 2022. Of that amount, more than $94 million was allocated for eligible Indiana residents. Customers experiencing financial difficulty paying their energy bill are encouraged to find out if they qualify for LIHEAP and explore other assistance options available to meet their individual needs. “We exist to deliver safe, reliable

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police is seeking the public’s help in connection with a shooting Sunday night, Jan. 29, in South Haven, the Town of Chesterton said on its Facebook page. According to police, at 7:08 p.m. officers responded to the 700 block of Ind. 149 in Portage Township following a report of a person with a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, officers located a man who had been shot. The man was transported to hospital for treatment and his condition was not known Monday morning. An investigation is ongoing.