Local News

The City of Valparaiso is reminding residents that this week is a trash-only collection week. Effective January 1, 2023 recycling services moved to a bi-weekly schedule. View the 2023 schedule at https://tinyurl.com/valpo2023. Weeks highlighted in green indicate recycling collection weeks for all trash and recycling customers. Trash will remain on a weekly schedule and will not be affected by this change. Visit https://tinyurl.com/CityServicesFAQ for additional information.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office officially announced the recent promotions of two deputies within the Courthouse Security Division. Major Patrick G. Cicero announced that Mike Raymer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Jon Keene was promoted to the rank of Corporal. The opening within the rank of Sergeant came available as the result of Vern Hohnke’s recent retirement. The rank of Corporal was recently created as the Courthouse Security Division has expanded by adding personnel. Sergeant Raymer is a 31-year veteran of the LCSO. He is a 1988 graduate of Peru High School and holds an Associate’s

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is now accepting applications for the 2023 cycle of scholarships and awards. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 24, 2023. Scholarship awards average over $2,000 each. For the 2022-2023 school year, Unity reduced tuition bills worth more than $330,000 for 150 students. Adults looking to gain more education can apply too. “We know that getting certificates and degrees past high school means a happier and healthier life. Thanks to our forward-thinking and caring donors, students can get help, year after year.” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President. The Unity Foundation General Scholarship Application

In order to accommodate construction for the Double Track NWI project, the South Shore Line announces the temporary relocation of the Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot and bus stop, effective Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, until the project’s completion in spring 2024. As passengers continue to be bused between Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center stations, the Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot and bus stop will be located in the recently completed south parking lot (entrance located on Stagecoach Road. Please see attached map). The existing Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot will be temporarily inaccessible beginning Jan. 9. See a map on MySouthShoreLine.com.

This morning (1/8) at approximately 3:15 AM, deputies were summoned to CR 500 East, south of CR 650 North, reference a single vehicle crash. At 3:23 AM, Captain Jeff Wright, Sergeant Gabe Struss and Deputy Shayne Landry located the crash scene in the 6400 north block of CR 500 East. The initial on scene investigation completed by Deputy Landry and assisting deputies determined the following had occurred. A silver 2005 SAAB was traveling northbound on CR 500 East. The vehicle left the northbound lane, traveled off the east side of the roadway and continued traveling northbound. The vehicle reentered the

On January 4th, 2023 at 11:14 P.M. is when the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center was notified of a glass breakage burglar alarm from Polo Ralph Lauren located at 1400 Lighthouse Place in the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets. Several Michigan City Police Department Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 quickly responded to the scene and noticed the glass in one of the front doors to this store was shattered. Officers then discovered articles of merchandise from Polo Ralph Lauren and Adidas in the parking lot of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall. Some officers recovered the merchandise while others searched

The final results are in from the Michigan City Area Schools Food Drive for the The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center. AWESOME JOB everyone. We are proud of you. The students, staff, and community members collected a total of 4.1 TONS of food for the Salvation Army of Michigan City from the MCAS Food Drive last month. The coveted traveling trophy remains at Knapp Elementary School, which collected 2,621 pounds of food (a whopping 6.92 pounds per student). Pine Elementary finished in second place, followed by Marsh Elementary. MCHS Student Council Vice President Ashley Sparks and Student

Mayor Parry urges the citizens of Michigan City and visitors to our community, to stay clear of shelf ice at Washington Park. Although shelf ice at our lakefront can provide breathtaking views it can also become deadly. As the ice appears to be tall and thick there can be cracks or holes under the formations that can’t be seen, and you may break through. According to the Michigan City Coast Guard they have a rule known as the 1-10-1 Rule. “If you break through you have one minute of getting your breath under control, and getting that shock out of

Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg officially announces the promotions of Sergeant Jeff Wright to the rank of Captain, and Deputy Gabe Struss to the rank of Sergeant, effective January 1, 2023. The openings within the ranks were the result of former Sheriff John T. Boyd’s retirement and the subsequent administrative appointments. Captain Wright is a 15-year veteran of the LCSO. He is a 1994 graduate of New Prairie High School and a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, Basic Recruit Class 04-157. Captain Wright has assumed the role as the Midnight Patrol Shift Commander and will oversee and

Angie Nelson Deuitch has officially filed her candidacy for the office of Mayor of Michigan City. A Democrat currently in her second term serving on the Michigan City Common Council, she is looking forward to the upcoming primary election in May. “I am committed to using my leadership skills and relationships to bring needed resources to our families, neighborhoods, employees, and businesses,” Deuitch said, noting her campaign slogan of “Reimagine Michigan City – Our People, Place, and Future.” Deuitch said the office of Mayor is truly about working on behalf of the citizens to elevate Michigan City has a whole

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.