Local News

The Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday the establishment of the Next Level Conservation Trust, a program which will acquire property that will become part of the public trust and be protected for future generations of Hoosiers to use and enjoy.  The state will initially invest $25 million in the program, which is an extension of the Bicentennial Nature Trust program and will incorporate elements from the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust. “The Next Level Conservation Trust will continue the DNR’s legacy of preserving Indiana’s rich natural heritage,” said DNR Director Dan Bortner. “Outstanding natural features, unique habitats, significant historical

From the Town of Chesterton:  "The Duneland School Corporation will serve free summer student meals to all children in the community, beginning Tuesday, June 7 and ending Thursday, June 30, at Chesterton High School, 2125 S. 11th St., Chesterton.   This Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program which reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens. All children 18 and under are welcome to participate. Meals will be served in the CHS Cafeteria (enter through Door 20). Meals must be eaten on site (indoor seating provided). Elementary age children must be

The Lake County Metro Homicide Unit is asking for the public’s help to identify a deceased white male in his 20s.  His remains were discovered in an abandoned home in the 1200 block of E. 35th Place in Gary Tuesday, at about 6:40 p.m. The deceased is described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 204 pounds.  He was believed to have been wearing white high-top Fila sneakers.  The cause of death is under investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Report-A-Crime Hotline

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that 35-year-old Adrian Romero Antunez, a Mexican national in the United States on a tourist visa, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Romero Antunez was the final defendant to plead guilty in a transnational and interstate cocaine ring that centered around New Buffalo, Michigan resident 33-year-old Ivan Huerta Hernandez. Through conduits in Mexico, Huerta Hernandez was supplied by sources located in Chicago, including Romero Antunez. Huerta Hernandez then distributed cocaine to dealers in West Michigan and Northern Indiana. On the morning of November 3, 2021, approximately 90 federal, state,

The Town of Chesterton is reporting that the Town Council has pledged a donation of police and fire protection for the annual “Fireworks on the Lakefront” event.  The Town of Chesterton said that, “in the past the Duneland Chamber of Commerce has asked each of the Tri-Towns to contribute $2,500 in cash toward the expense of holding the annual Fireworks on the Lakefront event, as well as $2,500 in in-kind service, that is, police and fire protection. The Town said that "this year, however, the Chamber has no need for cash, as its president, Maura Mundell, told the Chesterton Town

A Portage man was arrested Tuesday for child pornography possession, Indiana State Police announced.  Members of the Indiana State Police Cyber Crimes Unit and the Lowell Post All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) served a search warrant in the 2400 block of Monnier Street in Portage.  As a result, 24 year-old Patrick J. O. Alaniz, of Portage was arrested.  Police say the arrest was the result of an extensive investigation conducted by detectives from the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The investigation began after a cyber tip was received in September 2021 from the National Center for

Michigan City Area Schools has updated sites for the Summer Food Service. Knapp Elementary was added. Lake Hills breakfast time was changed to 8:00 - 8:45 am Under the Enrolled Sites: Madeline Smrt Center breakfast times were changed to: Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. (8:45 – 9:15 a.m. June 13-June 17). Those changes have been made to the information below. Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction Co. will begin a roundabout project in Westville at the intersection of U.S. 6 and State Road 2 on or after Tuesday, May 31. Construction will be conducted in three phases, with the intersection of U.S. 6 and State Road 2 partially closed during the first two phases. The project will be ongoing through late October. Phase one will be in place through early August, with the north and west portions of the intersection closed. U.S. 6 will be closed between State Road 2 and Lowman Lane, with an official detour following State

The 13th Annual Award-Winning Great Lakes Grand Prix, featuring some of the world’s fastest and most exciting powerboat racing, will be back August 3-7 at Michigan City’s Washington Park, it was announced earlier this week by Jack L. Arnett, CEO of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event will again present teams from all seven continents racing across the waters of Lake Michigan in some of the world’s fastest powerboats, reaching speeds nearing 175 miles per hour. Along with the boat races, Arnett announced other weekend highlights – the downtown Boat Parade and Block Party on Saturday night

Michigan City Area Schools announced the Multisensory Environment (MSE) room at Pine Elementary was officially dedicated Monday.  Pine says the room features special equipment such as a crash pad, swing, bubble tubes, and much more. A video for more information about the MSE at Pine and similar rooms across the district can be found here.  

Four people were arrested Tuesday morning during a narcotics search warrant in Cedar Lake, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. At around 9:15 a.m., officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Drug Task Force and SWAT Team and Cedar Lake Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at a home in the 7200 block of W. 129th Lane in Cedar Lake. Officers had received information that methamphetamine was dealt from the home. Seven individuals were detained during the search of the home. Officers arrested 30-year-old Ty Pozza and 20-year-old Jordan Fletcher, both of the residence in Cedar Lake. Police

A Silver Alert that had been issued for a missing 17-year-old was canceled on Tuesday. The original Silver alert was declared this past Friday for Amari McDade out of Merrillville. The Indiana State Police did not provide any further details.  

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: INFORMATION UPDATED 5/24/2022 GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work has begun 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, and the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City announced Monday the release of a new website for the zoo.  The Zoo said on its Facebook page, “Washingtonparkzoo.com is designed to provide an excellent user experience with even more features to come that will continue to enhance the site's educational value and make planning your next visit simpler than ever.” See more zoo updates on the Washington Park Zoo Facebook page.  

INDOT has provided an update on work being done on U.S. 41 near St. John. "Work continues on U.S. 41 after several conflicts with local utilities pushed project completion into this year", INDOT stated. INDOT says road resurfacing should be complete by the end of this week, with work on a box culvert across from Target continuing through possibly July.  

The Michigan City Police Department, along with other agencies across Indiana, will be increasing patrols as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign ahead of Memorial Day weekend. For the next three weeks, officers will be out in full force making sure drivers and passengers are buckled up and children are properly secure. Their goal is to reduce the number of traffic injuries and fatalities from lack of seat belt use, a continuing concern. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with grants administered by ICJI. Police say vehicle collisions continue

A pedestrian was injured early Sunday after being struck by a vehicle on Franklin Street in Michigan City.  At around 1:00 a.m., dispatch received a report of a serious bodily injury crash at the intersection of Franklin Street and Westwind Drive. Officers located a Toyota Corolla stopped on Franklin Street in the center turn lane, facing south, and a female lying on the ground near the front of the vehicle. Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS personnel quickly arrived on scene and began with patient care. The pedestrian, later identified as Casey Wallace, was then transported to Franciscan

Franciscan Health Crown Point and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago announced a new partnership that the two organizations say will bring one of the nation’s top neonatology programs to Northwest Indiana. Beginning September 2022, Lurie Children’s neonatologists will staff the 20-bed Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Franciscan Health Crown Point, caring for the most vulnerable babies and their families close to home. “Lurie Children’s is excited to partner with Franciscan Health Crown Point on creating a regional center of excellence for neonatology in Northwest Indiana,” said Tom Shanley, MD, President & CEO of Lurie Children’s. “Infants

A dog that was reported missing along with her owner assisted the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office find her owner, police said. The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said that several deputies responded to a residence Friday afternoon to assist a case manager in locating a missing and endangered adult female and her dog, Delilah. As deputies investigated, Delilah showed up, but darted off to an area behind the residence. Deputies checked the backyard, exterior buildings and along the roadway, without success. While waiting for additional assistance, deputies spotted Delilah running in a nearby pasture. Delilah ran towards an area

Thursday afternoon, deputies participated in the 100th birthday celebration of Mr. Wilbur Lawson, a rural La Porte County resident. Lawson is a World War II veteran and gunner of a B17. To help commemorate his 100th birthday, there was a flyover from a vintage military aircraft and he was presented with a proclamation from the State of Indiana.