Local News

We have a NEW POPE. Robert Francis Prevost. God Bless. First American Pope. Pope Leo XIV #wims

The City of Portage says their paving contractor has placed no parking signs throughout the Swanson North subdivision in preparation for a paving project. The City of Portage says for the next week or two, they are removing and replacing the existing curbs and sidewalk ramps with new ADA compliant curbs and sidewalk ramps. Once the concrete work is completed, they will start the milling process and laying new asphalt in the neighborhood.

On the weekend of April 25, Michigan City High School band and choral students participated in their respective Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) concert festivals. Students performed exceptionally well, and their gold ratings marked important honors within the history of both departments. On Friday, April 25, the MCHS Band Department competed at Elkhart High School, where both the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band earned Gold Ratings from all three judges. The Wind Ensemble also received a Gold Rating in Sight-Reading. As a result of their consistent high-quality performances, the Band Department was awarded the ISSMA All-Music Award, recognizing Gold-level

The La Porte County Sheriff Office is inviting the public to attend this year’s La Porte County Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on May 9th at 11 a.m. at FOP #75 - 416 U.S. Highway 20, Michigan City, IN. Agencies will come together to honor and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, including the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office’s own, Patrolman Neil G. Thompson.  

The Elkhart Toll Plaza, EXIT 92, is fully closed now through Sunday, May 11. There will be no access to the plaza during this closure. The plaza will reopen on Monday, May 12, at 6:00 AM ET. Detour: Motorists are advised to detour to the Elkhart East Toll Plaza, EXIT 96.

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Families with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Franciscan Health Crown Point now have a variety of children’s books to read to their little ones thanks to a generous donation from the Northwest Indiana Literacy Council. The new mobile lending library was officially donated this week by members of the Northwest Indiana Literacy Council. Dr. Sharon Pratt, associate professor of elementary and literacy education at Indiana University Northwest and treasurer of the Northwest Indiana Literacy Council, helped spearhead the project. Pratt said she wears many hats, including as a professor, Northwest Indiana Literacy

Michigan City, Ind. - LaPorte County Staff, Students, and Community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the LaPorte County Career and Technical Education (CTE) program’s new South Campus building at 1001 US Hwy 20. The $13.5 million LPCCTE South Campus is home to essential programs, including Automotive, Construction, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood, Health Careers, Precision Machining, Smart Manufacturing, and Welding. MCAS Superintendent, Dr. Wendel McCollum expressed, “This new facility is a testament to our commitment to preparing students who are truly college- and career-ready,” said Dr. Wendel McCollum, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools. “There’s been a lot of

CHESTERTON, Ind. -- Over the past few days, the Chesterton Police Department has taken several reports of suspicious individuals walking through neighborhoods during nighttime hours and checking car door handles. When they find unlocked vehicles, they are rummaging through them and stealing items. Reported areas include: ▪️2000 Block of Texas Street ▪️100 Block of Washington Street ▪️100 Block of Westchester Court   The Chesterton Police Department  says they have obtained video footage of one possible suspect. In the video, the individual is wearing “a 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭, 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 (𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞), 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬”. “The suspect appears to meet with

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Fish & Wildlife has made changes to previously announced rainbow trout stocking plans because of a shortage of that species at the hatchery. Nineteen streams across 13 counties were stocked with trout before April 26, the opening day of trout season, but some locations didn’t receive the planned amount of rainbow trout. Some were supplemented with brown trout. The streams affected will receive no more rainbow trout this spring; however, nine of them will be stocked with brown trout this month. The brown trout to be stocked range from 8 to 12

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (“NIPSCO”) is committed to helping the public stay safe by sharing essential electrical safety tips and guidelines. Electrical Safety Month is a time to raise awareness about the importance of preventing electric-related injuries, deaths and fires. “It’s essential to remember that electrical safety begins with education,” said Orville Cocking, Senior Vice President of Electric Operations at NIPSCO. “Awareness and quick action can prevent injuries and save lives at home and in the workplace.”   What to Do if You Find a Downed Power Line

Michigan City, IN |  This spring, Danny Gokey is doing more than sharing his powerful voice on the Sound of Heaven Tour — he’s helping The Salvation Army bring real hope to communities across the country. Thanks to a partnership between The Salvation Army, Awakening Foundation, and Altrua HealthShare, each stop of Gokey’s 15-city tour — running from April 11 through May 10, 2025 — will include a $500 donation to the local Salvation Army serving that city. These gifts will directly support programs that meet the most urgent needs, from feeding hungry families to providing shelter for those experiencing

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Hawk Enterprises Inc. will have further restrictions on I-94 eastbound near U.S. 20/Exit 22 this week as part of the replacement of the box truss structure in this location. The right lane of eastbound I-94 will be closed approaching U.S. 20/Exit 22 from approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 8th for temporary barrier wall removal. Overnight the evening of Saturday, May 10, there will be two rolling slow downs on I-94 eastbound starting at U.S. 6/State Road 51 to U.S. 20 to remove the current overhead box

The La Porte Police Department on Friday congratulated Officers Matthew Buell and Sean Mattmann on graduating from the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. "We’re proud of their hard work and dedication, and we’re excited to welcome them back as they begin the next step in their careers," LPPD said on its Facebook page. Both officers began their Field Training Program this past Monday.

Local health departments are required by statute (IC 13-23-16) to inform the public of the discovery of released regulated substances at an underground storage tank site or above ground storage tank, in the surrounding area or a spill or overfill. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was notified on May 2, 2025, of such an incident from the owner or operator of the Speedway #6673 facility located at 473 West US Hwy 30 in or near Valparaiso, Indiana in Porter-Valparaiso County. • For further information on the Petroleum Remediation Program, please go to https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/. • Or contact the Indiana

The Valparaiso Police Department announced that several officers graduated from the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Class 25-53. Friday marked the successful completion of their basic training. Graduating officers are: Patrol Officer Austin Arias Patrol Officer Madison Patrick Patrol Officer Nicholas Houston (Class Treasurer/Secretary) Patrol Officer Kaleb Ellingham

Valparaiso, IN – Ivy Tech Community College’s will honor over 1,000 graduates at the annual commencement ceremony on Thursday May 8, 2025, at 6pm CT. The ceremony will take place at the Valparaiso University Athletics Recreation Center located at 1009 Union Street, Valparaiso, IN. Students earned almost 1,700 degrees and certificates during the 2024-2025 academic year. Commencement ceremony will highlight distinct honors and awards to Distinguished Graduates and Alumnus of Ivy Tech. Ceremony will also feature keynote speaker Dean Mazzoni, President/CEO of Franciscan Health Michigan City. “We are incredibly excited and proud of all our students and their many accomplishments.

Michigan City, IN – May 5, 2025 - The Michigan City Chamber is pleased to announce that Monica Komasinski will be joining the Chamber as Membership Director, effective June 2, 2025. In her new role, Komasinski will lead the Chamber’s efforts in membership recruitment, engagement, and retention. She will also oversee the Chamber's Ambassador Committee, a vital group of volunteers who support member outreach and business engagement. “We are excited to welcome Monica to our Chamber team,” said Kurt Gillins, President of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce. “Her leadership experience, dedication to professional development, and strong community ties make

MUNSTER, Ind. -- Franciscan Health Munster has achieved Primary Stroke Certification through Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for stroke care. Certification is a process through which healthcare organization demonstrate compliance with national standards. Certification by ACHC reflects an organization's dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. ACHC is a nonprofit organization that has been as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. “Franciscan Health Munster is proud to continue our dedication to patient centered evidence-based quality care for our stroke patients,” said Emily Demario, RN, program coordinator for the

The Michigan City Police Department Family announced that Officer Shane Motshagen has officially graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (NILEA). Officer Motshagen distinguished himself by earning the Academic Excellence Award for achieving the highest overall score in his class. He also earned top marks on the Criminal Law test, leading his class in that area as well.

Project part of Better World Day observance   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Students at Joy Elementary School came together this spring to bring a little extra cheer to new parents and babies born at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Family Birth Center as part of their Better World Day project.   The students collected new baby books, toys, blankets and reusable bags, which they placed in paper bags they decorated with hand-drawn pictures and inspirational phrases.   The bags were presented to Franciscan Health Michigan City staff during an all-school assembly last week.   “These bags were created and designed