Local News

Franciscan Health Foundation board members raised more than $19,400 for the Prenatal Assistance Program in Michigan City at a recent reception aimed at matching an anonymous $15,000 contribution. “This combined educational and fundraising reception was completely the idea of two of our incredible Foundation Board members who toured our Prenatal Assistance space this summer and were moved to raise awareness of and funds for the program,” said Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development Debbie Tatum. “We can’t thank them enough for hosting this amazing event.” Franciscan Health Foundation Board members Kelly Shikany and Jennifer Hogberg hosted the fundraising reception Oct.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. – An Illinois man died in a crash on I-94 Saturday morning, according to Indiana State Police. At around 6:45 a.m., an Indiana State Police trooper was dispatched to a crash on I-94 at the 17.6 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Cadillac STS, driven by 31-year-old Carlos D. Robinson of Chicago Heights, IL, was reportedly driving westbound on the right shoulder, while passing another vehicle, when it struck a parked semi.  The semi was broken down due to a mechanical issue, police say.  The Cadillac struck the rear of the trailer at a high rate

One person was hurt after being struck by gunfire at Washington Park Lot 1 in Michigan City early Sunday.  Dispatch Center received a call at 04:26 a.m. that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire at Washington Park Lot 1. The caller reported their vehicle was struck by gunfire. Officers met with the driver at the police department and noticed their vehicle was struck by gunfire. Officers interviewed the driver and occupants of the vehicle to gather additional information. An officer was then dispatched to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital a short time later for a person who had been

Valparaiso City Services will begin leaf pick-up on Monday, Oct. 24 and will continue through Dec. 2.  The city is reminding residents that they are to place only leaves in their pile. For more reminders and the interactive map of pick-up progress see the City of Valparaiso website.   

The Portage Streets and Sanitation Department announced the CSX railroad crossing will be closed at McCool Road between Bush Avenue and Bruce Avenue starting Monday Oct. 24 for five days. Detours for vehicle traffic will be posted. The department is asking the public to plan their travels accordingly.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department has issued a fraud alert for a phone scam involving fraudsters claiming there is an active warrant out to the person who answers the phone. The sheriff’s office said they became aware that unknown subjects may have been attempting to rob local residents using a new twist to a warrant scam. People have reported that when the fraudsters call on the phone, the sound of a police radio or scanner traffic can be heard in the background in an effort to make the call seem legitimate, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) announced Cara Jones as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the Third Quarter of 2022.   “You are never too small to make a difference” stated Jones.  “It is a quote from Greta Thunberg on which I try to live my life.”   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, and in person meetings, and referring non-members for membership.   As an Ambassador, Jones helps to promote the

The Indiana Department of Transportation is alerting motorists that there will be several ramp closures over the next two weeks at several I-65 interchanges. The schedule is weather dependent and subject to change but is currently as follows: - The ramp from eastbound U.S. 30 to northbound I-65 will be closed for approximately 2 weeks after 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. - The ramp from eastbound 61st Ave to northbound I-65 will be closed for approximately 2 weeks after 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. - The ramp from northbound I-65 to 61st Avenue will be closed after 8 p.m. on

The Porter County Coroner's Office is asking for the public's assistance in finding the next of kin for 73 year old Cheri Emeringer. Emeringer is described as having gray hair and brown eyes. Her last known address was Madison Street in Valparaiso. Porter County Government said on its Facebook page that a possible grandson's name is Gage Tomaszewski from Georgia. Anyone with information that could be of help, is asked to contact the coroner's office at (219) 548-0208.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is alerting motorists who use I-94 during overnight hours in La Porte County to be aware of a short term restriction Saturday night into Sunday morning. The right lane and shoulder of I-94 will be closed with traffic shifted to the left between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20 from approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday. The restriction is for road repairs.

The Michigan City Civil Service Commission promoted five Michigan City police officers due to the recent retirement of Sergeant Darren Kaplan and other vacancies.   Both ranks became available and filled due to the retirement of Sergeant Darren Kaplan: Corporal Hood was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  Sergeant Hood is a 12 – year veteran and is currently assigned to the Detective Bureau. Officer Aaron Bass was promoted to the rank of Corporal.  Corporal Bass is a 12 – year veteran and is currently assigned to Uniform Patrol Shift 1.   All three ranks became available due to recent vacancies within

Franciscan Physician Network is welcoming a board-certified family medicine doctor to its La Porte location. Victor Benavides, M.D., a board-certified family medicine doctor, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network at the LaPorte Health Center in La Porte. Dr. Benavides received his training at the Universidad de Montemorelos in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. His residency was at Mayaguez Medical Center in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. His clinical interests include adult medicine, hypertension, diabetes and preventative medicine. Benavides is fluent in Spanish. He is accepting new patients at the LaPorte Health Center, 9001 I Street in La Porte. For more information or to schedule

The La Porte High School Students in Mary Beth Lebo’s art class painted Salvation Army kettles and unveiled their masterpieces this week. Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Mario Rosa, partnered with the Salvation Army and presented the project to Mrs. Lebo. The school says the kettles will be used this holiday season to provide much needed assistance to members of the La Porte community.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced lane restrictions for I-94 in La Porte County.  Eastbound and westbound I-94 will be reduced to two lanes to the east and west of U.S.  421 on or after Thursday for a pavement patching project. Approximately 4 miles of roadway will be impacted, and work will be ongoing through the end of November. Traffic will be shifted to the left inside lanes during phase one and to the right outside lanes during phase two.

Franciscan Health Woodland Cancer Care Center Michigan City is helping to expand local cancer care with the addition of medical oncologist Meshaal Khan, MD. Dr. Khan received her training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kan. Her residency in internal medicine was at the University of Missouri Department of Medicine in Columbia, Mo., and her fellowship was at the University of Illinois Department of Hematology and Oncology in Chicago in hematology and oncology. Her clinical interests include immunotherapy, cancer survivorship, breast cancer, benign hematology and GI malignancies. Dr. Khan joins medical oncologists Saud Rana, MD,

This weekend will be the start of the Water Department's biannual water system flushing, In the City of La Porte. Beginning Sunday, and continuing for the next three to four weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. According to La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner this critical process helps to maintain the city’s water quality and infrastructure. "Hydrant flushing is nothing new to our residents, as it happens twice a year," Werner said. "Still, we like to the opportunity each time to remind our community just

The City of La Porte has set dates for this year's Fall Clean Up, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.     Running Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 11, city residents will be able to discard of their large and heavy trash. Dermody said the clean up is a bit later this year due to scheduling conflicts with RTS, the City's third-party trash vendor. "We normally provide Fall Clean Up during the month of October, but we are hopeful that these extra two weeks will give residents the time they need to get rid of unwanted items before we head

The La Porte County Family YMCA will have a couple of upcoming Halloween events. There will be a Trunk or Treat and Dance Party at Elston on Thursday. The Trunk or treat is from 4-5 p.m.  The dance party is from 5-7 p.m.  La Porte Halloween Family Fun Night is Friday Games are from 5-6 p.m and ‘splashing pumpkins’ from 6-7 p.m. The events are free. 

The National Park Service plans to conduct seven prescribed fires this fall totaling more than 1,400 acres. Several of the burns are carryovers from the spring that could not be completed due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to the National Park Service (NPS).   The NPS announced that at the east end of the park, near Central Avenue Beach, the 215-acre Kansas Avenue unit, will be burned. At the nearby Dunewood Campground, another 77 acres are planned.   They also announced that near the center of the park adjacent to Dune Acres, the 547-acre Howes Prairie/Lupine unit will be burned. Near Ogden

The City of Valparaiso will begin its annual curbside leaf pick-ups from October 24 through Dec. 2, weather permitting, announced Mayor Matt Murphy. The City has four leaf collection zones and will rotate continuously. Progress updates will be provided to residents, so they have a better idea of when to expect leaf collection in their own neighborhoods. Some areas of the city take longer due to more trees and the weather also affects the collection efforts. To view the progress updates and learn your zone, visit https://tinyurl.com/ValpoLeaf. The Valparaiso City Services Department of Public Works (DPW) will post periodic progress