Local News

Several rule changes that affect DNR properties took effect Wednesday, with the Natural Resources Commission, Attorney General’s Office, and Governor’s Office having recently approved them. Changes include the following: -Stands or blinds (including portable ground blinds) are allowed to be left overnight on DNR properties if the blind or stand is legibly marked with the name, address and phone number of the owner or the owner's customer identification number issued by the DNR. -Trail/game cameras can be placed on properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, as well as on state forests, and state recreation areas as long

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. Work is underway at the new east lot.. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is 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 US 12/Dunes Hwy. Construction of the

Washington Park Zoo announced the birth of twin Common Marmosets. The babies weigh around 30 grams each. The zoo doesn’t yet know their genders, but says the twins will grow strong under the care of their parents and older siblings who will all share in their care. The marmoset family can be found in the Engineers Castle daily.    

To accommodate passengers attending The Weeknd concert taking place at 6:30 p.m. July 24, at Soldier Field, the South Shore Line plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway. As 18th Street Station is not a regularly scheduled stop, passengers utilizing 18th Street for this event should purchase tickets for Museum Campus/11th Street. In addition to regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th Street, the following trains will also serve 18th Street Station on Sunday, July 24:

PORTER, LAPORTE and STARKE COUNTIES -- Maintenance crews will be conducting seal coating operations resulting in road closures on State Road 8 and State Road 10 over the next several weeks. State Road 8 will be closed between State Road 49 and U.S. 421 for approximately three days on or after Monday, July 25. The official detour for this closure will follow State Road 49, State Road 10 and U.S. 421. State Road 10 will be closed between State Road 39 and U.S. 35 for approximately five days on or after Monday, Aug. 1. The detour will follow State Road

Northwest Medical Group cardiologist, Maya Kommineni, M.D., MPH, recently added a new office at Northwest Health – Michigan City located at 3777 N. Frontage Road in Michigan City. She will continue to see patients at her offices in Valparaiso and Portage as well. Dr. Kommineni uses a multidisciplinary approach to cardiovascular disease management. She has specific interests in preventive cardiology, cardiovascular nutrition, women’s cardiac health and cardio-oncology, the cardiac care of patients undergoing both chemo and radiation therapy. She is accepting new patients and accepts most insurance including Medicine and Medicaid. To make an appointment with Dr. Kommineni at her

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce announced Michele Gustin as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the Second Quarter of 2022. “As a new Michigan City Chamber Ambassador, I have enjoyed the great networking opportunities and many benefits the Chamber offers its members,” stated Gustin. “It’s been a great way to be more involved in the city and a wonderful way to meet business owners.” 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 with members through emails, calls,

PORTER COUNTY– An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will reduce the State Road 249 bridge to the Port of Indiana to one lane on or after Monday, August 1. State Road 249 will be reduced to one lane for bridge rehabilitation work through late September. A temporary traffic signal will be installed to direct traffic through this work zone. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal in this location. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will move into phase two of a bridge deck overlay project on Burr Street over I-80/94 on or after Thursday, July 21. During phase two, the outside right lanes of Burr Street will be closed in each direction from 25th Avenue to 29th Avenue. The ramp from eastbound I-80/94 to northbound Burr St will also be closed due to the location of the work zone. The detour for the ramp closure will have motorists continue to Grant Street and then use the ramps at the Grant Street and I-80/94 interchange to

The City of La Porte says it was informed by the railroad on Monday that several tracks will close for repairs through the end of this week. The following crossings are closed: - Boston Street - Pulaski Street - Tipton Street - Detroit Street The city says to please plan ahead and seek an alternative route on these days.

In the City of Portage the intersection of Oglethorpe Avenue and Macon Street will be completely closed to traffic until 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The City of Portage says that this is due to the replacement of stormwater structures. The city says finding alternate routes will be necessary.

Mayor of Michigan City Duane Parry’s charges to remove several Michigan City Housing Authority Commissioners was upheld, according to a statement Monday. Parry, who is the Appointing Authority of the Michigan City Housing Authority, served four MCHA Commissioners, Carla Mock, Willie Lee, Doretha Sanders-Malone, and Milton Malone, on April 26, 2022, with charges for their removal as Commissioners on the MCHA Board. The statement from Parry’s office states the following: “As this was contested by the Board members and their attorney, a Hearing Officer, The Honorable Gerald M. Bishop was appointed by the Michigan City Common Council to hear the

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office is sharing the results of its recent U.S. 20 Traffic Safety Project. Last Wednesday, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office participated in a multi-state traffic safety project along U.S. 20. Agencies from five states – Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana partnered to raise awareness and reduce crashes on U.S. 20. The LCSO was included in the project due to the high volume of crashes on U.S. 20 in La Porte County. Deputies worked the project throughout the day, with a primary focus occurring during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours. A total of 42

The Indiana Department of Transportation will close westbound U.S. 12 west of State Road 249 to replace several NIPSCO poles and wires for the NICTD Double Track Project beginning on or after Monday, July 25.  The work will take around two weeks to complete.  INDOT says that motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will utilize State Road 249.

A project to improve traffic flow and safety along Indiana’s busiest interstate corridor is moving to its next phase. The project, 80/94 FlexRoad, will identify the best solutions for the I-80/I-94 corridor. The Indiana Department of Transportation says innovative strategies are being developed to help reduce travel time, increase reliability and improve safety. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study will examine benefits, impacts and costs of those alternatives. The study is required for projects that will receive federal funding. INDOT stated, “Strategies being considered include dynamic shoulder lanes, variable speed limits, ramp metering, lane control and queue warning systems.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction Co. will implement ramp closures and restrictions at the I-65 and U.S. 30 interchange the next two weekends. The schedule is weather dependent and subject to change but is currently as follows: -The ramp from I-65 southbound to U.S. 30 will be reduced to one lane from the evening of Friday, July 22 through the evening of Sunday, July 24. -The ramp from westbound U.S. 30 to southbound I-65 will close the evening of Friday, July 22 and reopen the morning of Monday, July 25. -The ramp from eastbound U.S. 30 to southbound

Michigan City Police have opened a homicide investigation after a woman died in an apparent shooting early Sunday. At 01:50 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Springland Avenue and Roeske Avenue for a call of shots fired. They were further notified that a subject was believed to have been struck by gunfire. Upon their arrival, officers located an unresponsive adult female in the driver’s seat of a vehicle that went off the roadway at Springland Avenue and Roeske Avenue. Officers found that the woman had an apparent gunshot wound, at which time they attempted lifesaving measures. The woman

The City of Portage's Utility Department is taking orders for 55- gallon rain barrels for residential usage. The limit is one barrel per household. The cost is $25 each. A limit of 135 barrels will be sold at that price. After the limit is met, additional barrels may be purchased for $54. The deadline for mail orders is Aug. 19 and for online orders, the deadline is Aug. 22 See a flyer on how to order the barrels on the Portage Indiana Government Facebook page. A link to the company to order online has been posted to the Portage Indiana

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced that Fall Baseball registration for Minor, Major and Junior divisions is now open. Emphasis will be on instruction and constructive competition as players look to take their games to the next level. Players must be age 8-11 for Minor and Major divisions and age 12-14 for the Junior Division (as of April 30, 2022). Cost is $60 for Minor and Major divisions and $100 for Junior Division and registration is available at the Park Office (250 Pine Lake Avenue), by phone (219-326-9600) or online at www.laporteparkandrec.com. The deadline is Friday,

The Collective Artisan Market returns to Fox Park for LakeFest 2022. The curated artisan pop-up event will be from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater. Shop small and support 75-plus locally-owned small businesses. There will be live music, food vendors, high school artists and more. Admission is free. Visit www.laportelakefest.com for the full schedule.