Local News

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 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, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Highway will remain open. Construction activities may be taking place on the shoulder of Dunes Hwy. Upcoming

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor has begun a $31.99 million concrete pavement restoration project on I-80/94 between the Illinois State Line and State Road 912. Mobile operations are currently taking place on the shoulders of I-80/94 between mile marker 0 and 7 during the daytime hours of approximately 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Work includes cleaning the shoulders and inspecting and repairing storm drains to prepare for shifted traffic during construction. These daily shoulder closures are scheduled to continue through May 11. Starting on or after Thursday, May 12, overnight lane closures will be utilized on westbound I-80/94. Alternating lane

Two Illinois men were arrested Monday after leading Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers on a pursuit.  At around 11 a.m., officers observed an occupant in a Ford Fusion throw a bottle out of the vehicle near 25th and Grant Street in Gary, police said.  Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled onto  I-80/94 westbound at Grant Street. Officers attempted to box the fleeing vehicle in and reduce its speed, but the car collided with a civilian vehicle and a police patrol SUV. The suspect vehicle came to a stop “just across the Illinois state line.” Officers

Valparaiso University gave an update Monday regarding the fire that occurred on Friday at the Art-Psychology building.  “As you know, Valpo suffered a great loss this weekend. The damage to the Art-Psychology building is extensive, but we are thankful and blessed that no one was injured in the fire and want to express gratitude to those who helped evacuate the building.”  The university announced that the Art-Psychology building is permanently closed.  Additionally the university announced that Dickmeyer and Kroencke Hall are closed until further notice. Anyone needing access to either building should contact VUPD.  Valparaiso University additionally stated on their

The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development team is celebrating a recent recognition by the Small Business Administration after receiving the SBDC Excellence & Innovation Center Award. “National Small Business Week is the first week of May. At the SBA, we think every day is Small Business Week,” said SBA Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter at the Financial Literacy Roundtable, which included the award presentation. The award is given to small business development centers “for providing valuable guidance and assistance to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds and advancing program delivery and management using innovative programming and methods.” “Our team is humbled to

The following is a press release from Franciscan Health:  When Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Family Birth Center encountered a rare, life-threatening childbirth condition, expertise and teamwork combined to save the life of a Michigan City mother and her baby. Teresa Gomez came to Franciscan Health Michigan City on Jan. 31, 2022, to give birth to her seventh child. However, this labor was different from any she had before. She developed an amniotic fluid embolism, a serious condition that occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream. It’s a condition with high mortality risk for mother and infant. “I couldn’t breathe,

Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) newest structure, a steel bell tower at its Hammond campus, rang its first official chimes this past Friday during a ribbon-cutting and celebration. PNW additionally premiered its fight song, “Onward PNW,” and alma mater song, “In the Heart of the Calumet,” via the bell tower’s chimes and in-person singing. PNW administrators, students, faculty and staff members, and public officials came together at the site of the bell tower, near Lawshe Hall and the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience Innovation Building on the Hammond campus, to celebrate completion of the structure’s construction, which began in November 2021. “This

Those caring for an aging parent or spouse will have the opportunity to tour centers devoted to Franciscan Senior Health and Wellness programs and collect information from senior service providers at open houses in Dyer on May 10 and Michigan City on May 24. The open houses will highlight Franciscan’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a community-based healthcare program created for people 55 or older who have chronic care needs and prefer to continue living independently in their home environment. It was created as a one-stop shop for the seniors’ healthcare needs, from doctor’s appointments and medication

A former Valparaiso man has been arrested for child molesting, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday. On September 18, 2021, Deputy Scott Lanoue responded to a residence located in rural Springfield Township regarding a sex offense involving a juvenile. A follow-up investigation was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, with Detective Gabe Struss as the lead investigator. The investigation identified 30 year-old Alexander E. Perez formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana. On October 19, 2021, Detective Struss presented the findings of his investigation to La Porte County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Boehm. The following day, an arrest warrant was issued

The Fraternal Order of Police Associate Lodge 125 on Friday presented a check for $3000 to the Lake County Animal Adoption & Control Center. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department says the funds will go a long way toward helping them care for and find forever homes for unwanted and neglected pets.  The F.O.P. Associate Lodge primarily raises funds to support the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and its animal shelter.

NICTD will be closing Franklin Street at 11th Street beginning Monday May 2 for a period of 30 days for track removal and replacement for the Double Track Project. Due to the closure the bus routes will follow the below detour: “Routes #1 and #3 will detour southbound, from Washington Street to Green Street and resume the regular route on Franklin Street and Green Street. Northbound Franklin Street to Green Street to Washington Street to 9th Street to Pine Street and resume the regular route. Due to time constraints Route #2 will not be crossing 11th Street. Route #2 will

The City of Valparaiso announced on Friday that Silhavy Road is now open for traffic. The city said that while the weather prolonged the railroad project, the extended closure helped to speed up the resurfacing work.  Final paving and surface markings will take place over the next weeks, with the roadway remaining open for traffic.  

La Porte’s Robert Martin, students at Michigan City’s Barker Middle School and Crown Point’s Christian School know the ‘secret’ of innovation. Like every creative genus, these students dream, probe, experiment, risk, ask, observe, persevere, challenge and imagine. The Center for Creative Solutions honored them during April’s World Creativity and Innovation Week. Underwritten by the Morgan Family Foundation, they received Student Innovation awards. For the first time, two schools, Barker Middle and Crown Point Christian, were honored with monetary prizes. Robert Martin is a La Porte High School junior, and an aspiring architect and entrepreneur. “Robert knows no stranger. His determination

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) raised nearly $900,000 from more than 1,240 donations in 24 hours during its annual Day of Giving on April 27. Donors’ gifts to PNW are used to support student scholarships, academic programs, Pride athletics, student organizations and other strategic initiatives. “PNW received an overwhelmingly positive response with generous gifts from all across our community to support PNW’s students, academic initiatives and mission,” said Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement at PNW. “Our sincerest gratitude goes out to all those who took the time to contribute a gift. During our  5.75 Roaring Ahead celebration, your support

A wrong way driver died in a crash on the Indiana Toll Road Thursday morning.  At around 3:08 a.m., dispatchers began to receive 911 calls of a wrong-way driver on the Indiana Toll Road. As troopers were being dispatched and responding to the area, another 911 caller reported a head-on crash near the 5 mile-marker involving the wrong-way driver.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Nissan Versa was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. The vehicle struck a silver 2019 Honda HR-V head-on. The female driver of the Nissan was declared deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner. 

The City of La Porte on Friday unveiled its headliner entertainment for this year’s LakeFest. This year's entertainment will take place throughout the city, with acts performing in Downtown La Porte, at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park and at Stone Lake Beach. The shows are free to the public and open to all ages. With the performers spanning across multiple genres, Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber said there is a live show for everyone to enjoy. "After a successful inaugural event last year, our team knew we had to take LakeFest 2022 to the next level," Schreiber said.

The body of a 22-year-old man from Indianapolis was recovered Thursday morning after he went missing in Lake Michigan on Feb. 21. The DNR announced Bryce Dunfee’s body was located and recovered at West Beach in Porter County. This is approximately a half-mile from where he went missing. In the original report, the DNR said responders had learned that five people had entered onto shelf ice along the shoreline when it began to crack. The group began to retreat to shore when one person fell into the water.

U.S. 6 in Porter County will be resurfaced between Scottsdale Street and State Road 149, with alternating lane closures “on or after” Monday, May 2 through late August. Work will begin with lane closures for sidewalk and curb ramps modifications to make them ADA compliant, patching and milling. Paving will take place during phase two.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County DUI Task Force are announcing increased enforcement and patrols around prom and post-prom sites this spring. Police say the goal is to deter alcohol use and eliminate alcohol related crashes among La Porte County High School prom attendees. Proms in La Porte County will begin May 7 and conclude June 2. Between these dates, La Porte, New Prairie, Michigan City, Westville, La Lumiere, Marquette, La Crosse and South Central schools will all conduct prom events.  Deputies will saturate the areas around each prom and post-prom site to deter potential alcohol