Local News

The Chesterton Police Department is participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s Prescription Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The DEA launched the semiannual Takeback Day for the purpose of making it easy for folks to dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications. “Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse,” the DEA says. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as is the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.” Enter from North Eighth Street and simply

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter announced the recipient of the 2022 Indiana State Police Dispatcher of the Year Award. Julia C. Montano was presented with this prestigious award Wednesday at the Indiana State Police annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Julie is a dispatcher at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center which dispatches calls to troopers in both the Lowell and Lafayette Districts. This award recognizes Julie’s technical expertise, calm demeanor during high-priority dispatches and non-emergency calls for service while maintaining operations support for troopers and other first responders. The Dispatcher of the Year exemplifies strength of character, a strong

INDOT has announced that State Road 39 will be closed between State Road 10 and C.R. W 500 S on or after Tuesday, April 25 for a culvert replacement through mid-May. The structure is at the north junction of State Road 39 and State Road 10 so State Road 10 will have a lane closure at this location with stop lights directing traffic. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour for the State Road 39 closure will follow State Road 10, U.S. 35 and State Road 8.  

Press release by Michigan City Chamber of Commerce: The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (chamber) announced Pia Parrott as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the First Quarter of 2023. “I love being a part of the Michigan City Chamber, everyone on the team wants to see businesses grow and thrive! We are a fun group who all bring different ideas to how we can support our members” stated Parrott. The Ambassador of the Quarter is given to an individual who has shown dedication to the mission of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce by regularly attending chamber events, connecting

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 6. A total of 889 candidates have completed plans of study in PNW’s academic colleges of Business; Engineering and Sciences; Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Nursing; and Technology. Honors College graduates who have completed enriched multidisciplinary academic opportunities, leadership engagement and community service will be recognized. Graduating seniors with the highest grade point average from each academic college will be presented a Chancellor Medallion by PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon. The candidates include 755 earning their baccalaureate

Representatives from Franciscan Health, Bolt for the Heart and the Play for Jake Foundation presented a total of 40 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Michigan City Police Department, City of La Porte Police Department and the La Porte County Sheriff's Office to be placed in patrol vehicles at Franciscan Beacon Hospital Wednesday. Now all La Porte City, La Porte County, and Michigan City Police officers will have one in their patrol vehicles. The AEDs were purchased with funds generated by the Bolt for the Heart Hallowrun race this past October in Michigan City, sponsored by Franciscan health Michigan City.

In La Porte, Truesdell Avenue from McClung to Hoelocker will be closed beginning next week. The closure is for ‘critical’ road construction improvements. The City of La Porte says residents looking to enter Fox Park to visit the baseball field, skate park, etc. may do so at the North park entrance off of McClung Road. An estimated end date was not announced.    

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Board Wednesday approved an agreement to temporarily relocate the Activity Center for Older Adults to Heritage Place, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. Heritage Place, located at 910 Lincolnway, is just feet away from the current center. The agreement, which will be executed upon final approval by Northwest Health, calls for a three-year, rent-free lease, with the Park Department covering utilities. The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte granted the Park Department operating funds through the end of 2023 and has also been facilitating a strategic plan for the ACOA. The strategic planning

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Prospective students are invited to attend Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Preview PNW on April 29 to learn more information about attending the region’s premier metropolitan university. Located just 30 miles from Chicago, PNW is where academic excellence meets real-world experience. Preview PNW allows prospective students to explore campus and discover how a PNW experience will help build hands-on skills and create connections with professors who care. PNW offers more than 70 areas of study, nearly 60 student organizations and 20 athletic teams on two student-centered campuses. Preview PNW events provide prospective

VALPARAISO, IN - In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of its 11th Fire Academy. The ceremony will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the MAAC Foundation First Responders Training Campus. The 17 graduates representing the towns of Concord, Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Michigan City, New Carlisle, North Judson, Portage, and St. John - have completed a rigorous 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. They have also learned about the importance

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced an update on ramp closures on I-65 in Lake County. The ramp from eastbound I-80/94 to southbound I-65 to Ridge Road is closed through mid-May. The ramp from Ridge Road to southbound I-65 is closed through mid-June. The ramp closures of northbound I-65 to 109th and U.S. 231 to northbound I-65 are expected to be in place Friday, April 21. They will remain closed through late August.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that from April 24-28 in the Westville area, traffic will be flagged through the roundabout at U.S. 6 and State Road 2 during the hours of approximately 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Crews will be installing permanent light poles and repairing damaged pavement. Expect delays during peak times.

Press release by City of La Porte: The City of La Porte recently received results from an independent study regarding the status of water infrastructure within the 39 North Conservancy District, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. NIES Engineering, a regional firm, performed the study and found that fire flow within the district is limited to a single fire hydrant, and that fire flow capacity is inadequate for a large industrial fire. NIES identified and proposed three infrastructure improvements to remedy this situation, with estimated costs totaling more than $10.5 million. La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner said these findings confirm

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- A 24-year old Michigan City woman is facing charges after a shooting early Sunday. At around 4:38 a.m., dispatch received several calls in reference to a loud disturbance taking place in the 700 block of Madison Street. One of the callers reported hearing a gunshot. Multiple Officers responded and found a 28-year-old woman who had suffered a gunshot wound to her arm. Officers applied first aid to the wound and summoned EMS to the scene to transport the woman to the hospital for additional care. Information was provided during the initial investigation indicating that 24-year-old Caitlyn

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host its 10th annual Day of Giving fundraiser Wednesday, April 26. PNW Day of Giving is the university’s most successful campaign for supporting new or existing student scholarships. Donor gifts can also enhance support for programs that benefit PNW students and the community. Donors are encouraged to save the date and visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 26 to make a gift of their choice to PNW and help expand the many resources that allow the university’s students to experience a high-quality college education at the

News release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health is offering prediabetic patients the opportunity to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes with its year-long Diabetes Prevention Program. Franciscan Health’s 12-month virtual, online Diabetes Prevention Program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S., impacting more than 37 million American adults. Few realize type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, like those implemented through the Franciscan Health Diabetes Prevention Program.

In Portage, soil borings are taking place along Swanson Road between Birch Avenue and Redwood Avenue. Expect traffic control involved and a single lane closure at each individual boring site till Wednesday, April 19 (weather pending). The City of Portage is asking motorists to drive with caution.

Now through approximately May 17 in Portage, Central Avenue, between Swanson Road and Willowdale Road will be down to one lane from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily due to the relocation of NIPSCO lines for the Central Avenue West project. There will also be periodic full road closures as the utility crosses the road. The City of Portage is asking motorists to drive cautiously and to expect delays.  

Residents are once again invited to enjoy breakfast with their local firefighters this month, according to La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder. For its second year in a row, the City of La Porte Fire Department is hosting a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29 at Fire Station 1. Tickets include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and eggs, as well as an entry into their $100 cash giveaway. Snyder said the department will also be selling $1 raffle tickets for a wide variety of prizes donated by local businesses, including memberships, gift baskets and the chance to be “Firefighter

Press release by Franciscan Health MICHIGAN CITY – Franciscan Health Michigan City is offering comfort and support to families who have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or newborn with a memorial service. Remembering Our Babies will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1015 Greenwood Ave. in Michigan City. Franciscan Health Michigan City conducts perinatal memorial services twice a year. The services support the values of the Franciscan Health ministry, which include compassionate concern and respect for life through all stages, including unborn and newborn children, their parents and their extended families. For