Local News

Attorney General Todd Rokita encourages Hoosiers to avoid scams by being mindful as they prepare for out-of-town summer vacations. To ensure your time away is as safe as possible, use caution to avoid crafty scammers. Attorney General Rokita shared the following list of tips to avoid common vacation scams: -Avoid high-pressure sales pitches before you book a trip. -Be extra cautious when booking through an unfamiliar company. Check the Better Business Bureau ratings and research the name online to see if there are any allegations of scams. -Read the fine print in the contract before you sign it. It will tell you

Michigan City Transit Service will not be operating on Monday June 20th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. They will resume regular service on Tuesday June 21st.

Horizon Bank announces donation to Dunebrook Inc., in Michigan City Indiana. The donation, in the amount of $10,000, was presented by Noe Najera, Sr. Retail & Mortgage Lending Officer to Tammy Button, Executive Director of Dunebrook, Inc. Funds will be used towards child abuse prevention education in LaPorte and Porter County Indiana. Dunebrook’s program strengthens their ability to reduce the occurrence of child sexual abuse in children and adolescents. The objective of the program is to present child sexual abuse prevention education to over 24,000 children and teens in grades K-12. In addition, the program will play a key role in educating adults through an informational Parents’

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce announced that a series of workshops are being planned to gather community input and conversations on use of the ARPA funds in Michigan City. Businesses, organizations, and community members are encouraged to attend. The workshops are scheduled for June 22, 27, and 29. See more on the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. 

An Air Quality Action Day has been forecast for Northwest Indiana for elevated ozone levels and is in effect until midnight CDT. An Air Quality Action Day has been also been declared by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Allen, Wabash and Huntington in Indiana and is in effect until 11 p.m. CDT Wednesday. Ozone Levels are expected to be at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone and fine particulate formation. These activities include: refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline

The Portage Police Department announced that beginning this week, the Portage Police Department will start periodic bike patrols in the city’s neighborhoods. The department says it has historically conducted patrols on trails and now plan to expand this service to neighborhoods throughout the Summer. Chief Candiano says he believes this will provide more visibility and encourage more positive interaction between officers and citizens. Candiano added, “Please feel free to speak with our officers and pass along any concerns you have, especially those related to your neighborhood.”  

Kathleen Snyder, Horizon Bank’s Vice President, Investment Sales and Compliance Manager, announced the addition of Chelsea Brandt as Trust Relationship Manager.  She is located at 515 Franklin Street, in Michigan City. Brandt has ten years of experience in the financial industry. She was in the previous positions of teller, service manager, personal banker, branch manager, and district manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing fiduciary and investment-oriented client relationships.  Brandt attended Michigan State University, and in 2020 went on to attend the Graduate School of Banking – Sales and Marketing School. She has been a member

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

Hundreds of children will head back to school with brand new backpacks packed with supplies, thanks to a team of volunteers at Franciscan Health Michigan City. A total of 600 backpacks purchased by Franciscan Health Michigan City through its Mission Fund were stuffed with supplies on June 8 by volunteers in the community room at the hospital. Five hundred of the backpacks will be donated to the Michigan City Area Schools Back to School Rally, and another 100 backpacks will go to St. Stanislaus School. Franciscan Health Michigan City is aiming to help even more children with its annual Backpack

Additional cooling centers have been announced. The following is a list of cooling centers in our area: La Porte: The following locations will be open to the public as cooling centers for Wednesday, June 15: Location Address Times La Porte City Hall 801 Michigan Ave. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *La Porte Fire Station #3 710 Daytona St. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. La Porte Civic Auditorium 1001 Ridge St. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Porte Park & Rec Office 250 Pine Lake Ave. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Porte County Public Library 904 Indiana Ave. 9 a.m.

PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award while being recognized for his 10 years of transformational leadership in Northwest Indiana at the 5.75 Roaring Ahead Scholarship Gala on June 10. The gala raised more than $200,000 from generous donors to support scholarships for current and future PNW students. Keon was recognized for his 10 years of leadership at the university’s helm during the gala, including being awarded with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by a sitting

An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. central time Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday night for the counties of LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Starke within the WIMS listening area. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 expected. Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The National Weather Service says 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

The 27th annual graduation ceremony of Michigan City High School took place on Sunday in the Wolves Den gymnasium, as 308 students received a high school diploma. Barbara Eason-Watkins, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, told the graduates they are shining examples of what it means to be Michigan City Wolves. She used the word “resilient” to describe this graduating class, referring to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years. “Through all of this, you made strong bonds with one another,” she said. “You went through an unprecedented time – and you are stronger because

The Michigan City Police Congratulated Corporal Scott Combs who was selected as a Honored Educator by a Distinguished Graduate of the Michigan City High School.  Every year Distinguished Graduates of the Senior class have the opportunity to recognize a person that impacted their life while in school. The Michigan City Police Department said,  “Cpl. Combs serves as the School Resource Officer at MCHS and this honor shows the impact he is making on students’ lives."

The City of La Porte says they were informed by the railroad that they will be closing tracks for repairs Wednesday, June 15 through Friday June 17 at the following streets:  - Boston St. - Pulaski St. - Tipton St.  - Detroit St.  The city asks the public to plan ahead and seek an alternative route during the closure. 

Three bridge deck overlay projects will cause alternating lane closures on State Road 912/Cline Avenue between U.S. 12/20 and 169th St/15th Avenue beginning on or after Monday, June 13 through early November. The Indiana Department of Transportation says motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area with multiple phases of construction. One lane will remain open in each direction.

A child with autism that went missing was safely located by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Friday afternoon. At around 2:30 p.m. a family member reported the missing 11-year-old boy. The caller stated that the child had autism and was believed to have walked away from a home in St. John Township. The caller was especially concerned because of a nearby retention pond, police said. Officers worked with neighbors and began a search of the area where the child was last seen. A little more than 20 minutes later, at approximately 2:53 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officer

The La Porte County Health Department announced the COVID-19 testing Clinic located at 302 W. 8th Street in Michigan City will permanently close at the end of June. The final day of operation will be Thursday, June 30. To locate a COVID-19 Testing facility please contact your family doctor or visit www.coronavirus.in.gov to find and schedule a test. Rapid test kits are currently available for free at both their Michigan City and La Porte office locations. Additionally, the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will permanently close on June 29 at its current location at 901 Lincolnway. Beginning July 6, COVID vaccinations will

Governor Eric Holcomb Friday announced he has selected Court of Appeals Judge Derek Molter as the next member of the Indiana Supreme Court. Molter will replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Steven David. Molter was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Holcomb and began his service on Oct. 1, 2021. During his time on the Court of Appeals, Judge Molter has remained active as an officer in the Appellate Section of the Indiana State Bar, including recently leading an effort to organize an all-day continuing legal education seminar regarding state constitutional law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, Molter

On Saturday, the La Porte County Family YMCA will be hosting its 42nd annual triathlon beginning at 8 a.m. in Soldiers Memorial Park. The race should conclude by 10:30 a.m. The road course for the race includes the streets bordering Soldiers Memorial Park and Small Road from Garden Street to 700 West. The course will be closed to through traffic beginning at 7:45 a.m. Police and course monitors will be turning away traffic, except for residents who live along the course. The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department says to please exercise extreme caution when approaching intersections or