Local News

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host fall commencement exercises on Sat., Dec. 10 in Hammond. A total of 833 candidates, representing PNW’s five academic colleges, are eligible to receive their degrees. The total includes 638 earning their baccalaureate degrees, 193 earning their master’s degrees and two earning their doctoral degrees. Two commencement ceremonies will take place at John Friend Court inside the Fitness & Recreation Center on the Hammond campus, 2320 173rd Street. Candidates from PNW’s College of Business and College of Nursing will be recognized during the 11 a.m. ceremony and candidates from the College of Engineering and Sciences,

On November 24th at approximately 7:49 P.M. is when Uniform Patrol Shift 2 Officer Brock Moore was on patrol when he observed a person standing in the parking lot of Virk’s Discount Liquors (1912 East Michigan Boulevard) who he recognized as having an active arrest warrant. Officer Moore was able to identify this person from prior law enforcement encounters as 19-year-old Michigan City resident Julius Bowen. Officer Moore was aware Bowen had an active arrest warrant through LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 for Arson (Level 4 Felony) and Criminal Mischief (B-Misdemeanor). Officer Moore met with Bowen in the parking

Collectors’ tins for 10th Annual Cookie Walk are now on sale!   Residents with a sweet tooth should purchase their tins for the 10th Annual Downtown Cookie Walk this December, according to City Events & Civic Director Brett Binversie.   Collectors’ tins for the 2022 Cookie Walk are on sale and cost $15. According to Binversie, the tins will be larger this year to fit more cookies, as they anticipate even more participation from local businesses.   “The Cookie Walk has become an important holiday tradition in La Porte, and we are excited to work with our local businesses to

Join Ric Federighi and Duneland Chamber of Commerce in downtown Chesterton on Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to experience this year’s Mistletoe Market. This beloved holiday market is moving outside this year, giving the event a more European feel. The Mistletoe Market will feature many of the regular season vendors, from the European Market. There will be mulled wine, and live music along with photo props for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will even be in attendance too! Find that perfect, one of a kind holiday gift and experience a little bit of Europe in

On Sunday November 27, 2022, at approximately 7:00 A.M., Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to a single-vehicle crash that occurred on I-65 at the 240 mile-marker. The 240 mile-marker is the exit ramp to State Road 2. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy shows that a blue 2013 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 240 mile-marker when the vehicle ran off the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck a large tree which caused the vehicle to come to a stop and catch on fire. Witnesses on scene were able to remove the

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 12:04 p.m., Lowell Troopers were dispatched to an SUV traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-65 from the 247 mile-marker. The 247 mile-marker is the exit ramp at U.S. 231. Two minutes later a crash was reported at the 248.2 mile-marker involving several vehicles. Crown Point Fire, Crown Point Police and Troopers arrived at the scene and discovered the vehicle that had been reported to be traveling the wrong direction had struck another vehicle head-on. A third vehicle then struck the SUV after the initial impact. Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Russell Hayes shows

Congratulations to the VALPARAISO VIKINGS on their State Title. Great job New Prairie and Andrean. Proud of everyone. Way to go. The Valparaiso Vikings are your class 5A State Champions in football after their 35-31 victory over Whiteland. The Vikings drove 80 yards in 16 plays, capped by a gutty effort from senior Rocco Micciche, whose 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Clark with only :1seconds giving Valpo the win. This is the Vikings 2nd state title, with their first being in 1975. Connor McHall of Valpo received the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award. The Vikings finished the season

The Michigan City Festival of Lights Celebration is back. Join the festivities Saturday, December 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy the parade, watch the lighting of the official Michigan City Christmas Tree, visit Santa at his Michigan City Workshop (710 Franklin St.) and drop off your wish list to the big man himself, help pick the Chili Challenge champions, and support Meals on Wheels LaPorte County and Toys for Tots. Space is still available in the parade. See more on the Michigan City Special Events Facebook page ot at https://www.emichigancity.com/1252/Festival-of-Lights.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is calling for nominations of impactful alumni to be honored in its PNW Alumni Hall of Fame. The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from any time in the 76-year history of the university’s Hammond and Westville campuses. PNW says it is seeking nominations of alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their community, and those who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. The first inductee, David A. Roberts, BS ’74, was recognized in 2022. Roberts is the retired chairman, president and CEO of Carlisle Companies

Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting multiple COVID-19 vaccine clinics in LaPorte County in partnership with Beacon Health through year’s end. From 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Franciscan Health Legacy Campus, 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the Coolspring Branch of the LaPorte County Public Library, 6925 W 500 N in Michigan City; From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the LaPorte County Main Library, 904 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte; From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Dunebrook, 7451 W.

“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams,” fashion icon, Ralph Lauren, once said. On December 7th, Northwest Indiana’s Innovation Forum 2022 will explore those dreams that propel creativity and everyday fashion. “Fashion: The Language of Creativity” will look at fashion history, its social and commercial value, and its individual expression of innovation. The Emerson House, 3634 North 700 West, La Porte, will host the free, networking event at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. The Center for Creative Solutions annually sponsors the Innovation Forum. Area resident, Dale Cooper, will kick off the program with a commentary about the fashion industry of

Kankakee Valley REMC is partnering again this year with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Help them assist local families in need by donating a new toy in the collection box located in the cooperative’s lobby.  Donations will be accepted until Dec. 9. This program is just one more way to give a little back to the community and help children have a joyous holiday season.

Michigan City High School Athletics is supporting The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center food pantry this holiday season. Now through Dec. 9, you can get $1 off admission to any athletic event when you bring a nonperishable food item. In addition, don't forget the big "Drive Through Food Drive" at Ames Field on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is supporting area nonprofit and community service agencies with its most recent round of ‘Power for Good’ Community Grants, totaling over $265,000 for 91 local projects throughout La Porte County. This surpasses past grant amounts made by Unity. These grants will help local organizations provide vital access to education, literacy, prevention and supportive services for local residents. “Community organizations are doing incredible work throughout La Porte County, and Unity is proud to support their efforts.” said Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President. This year, Unity Foundation increased the amount of funding available for projects

Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that the City of Gary is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. “It is communities like Gary that are trailblazing and making a difference within the connectivity space,” Crouch said. “The many cities, counties and towns throughout the state that are collaborating on behalf of their

There will be overnight lane closures tonight into Wednesday from approximately 7 p.m.-6 a.m. on I-94 between Burr Street and the Illinois State Line, according to INDOT. The closures will be to switch traffic back to the normal configuration as construction wraps up for the year. Work in this area on I-80/94 will continue in early Spring to finish out the contract. Construction has also wrapped up for the year on I-65 in Lake County, with contractors continuing that work next Spring as well.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City  is in need of volunteer bell ringers to stand at each of their locations. Many of the locations will remain vacant because they have no one to fill them. Go to registertoring.com and sign up for one, two hours or the whole day. The Salvation Army says for questions, call 219-874-6885 and say, "I want to volunteer to ring bells and we will make that happen."

Indiana State Police are ramping up patrols during peak Thanksgiving travel. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. AAA is predicting 54.6 million people will be heading out for the holiday. Of those, nearly 49 million will be traveling by car, a rebound to almost pre-pandemic levels. This time of year is also associated with higher drinking rates, which combined with the sheer number of drivers on the road, makes it an especially dangerous time for motorists. To prevent crashes, the Indiana State Police Lowell Post will be ramping up enforcement as part of the Safe

A Michigan City man was sentenced to over 7 years after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Santana Miller, 37, was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in April 2022, Miller possessed a handgun and a rifle while in Michigan City. At that time, he was on federal supervised release for a controlled substance conviction. Miller’s criminal history revealed he has four prior felony convictions and is therefore prohibited from possessing these firearms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In Michigan City, crews are closing 300 North Just west of 950 West from 7:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. today for water main installation. The intersection will be open to the East of 950 West and North & South of 300 North. A detour for 300 North will be set up 421 South to 200 North, East to 950 West, North to 300 North.