Local News

PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award while being recognized for his 10 years of transformational leadership in Northwest Indiana at the 5.75 Roaring Ahead Scholarship Gala on June 10. The gala raised more than $200,000 from generous donors to support scholarships for current and future PNW students. Keon was recognized for his 10 years of leadership at the university’s helm during the gala, including being awarded with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by a sitting

An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. central time Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday night for the counties of LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Starke within the WIMS listening area. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 expected. Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The National Weather Service says to "drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left

The 27th annual graduation ceremony of Michigan City High School took place on Sunday in the Wolves Den gymnasium, as 308 students received a high school diploma. Barbara Eason-Watkins, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, told the graduates they are shining examples of what it means to be Michigan City Wolves. She used the word “resilient” to describe this graduating class, referring to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years. “Through all of this, you made strong bonds with one another,” she said. “You went through an unprecedented time – and you are stronger because

The Michigan City Police Congratulated Corporal Scott Combs who was selected as a Honored Educator by a Distinguished Graduate of the Michigan City High School.  Every year Distinguished Graduates of the Senior class have the opportunity to recognize a person that impacted their life while in school. The Michigan City Police Department said,  “Cpl. Combs serves as the School Resource Officer at MCHS and this honor shows the impact he is making on students’ lives."

The City of La Porte says they were informed by the railroad that they will be closing tracks for repairs Wednesday, June 15 through Friday June 17 at the following streets:  - Boston St. - Pulaski St. - Tipton St.  - Detroit St.  The city asks the public to plan ahead and seek an alternative route during the closure. 

Three bridge deck overlay projects will cause alternating lane closures on State Road 912/Cline Avenue between U.S. 12/20 and 169th St/15th Avenue beginning on or after Monday, June 13 through early November. The Indiana Department of Transportation says motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area with multiple phases of construction. One lane will remain open in each direction.

A child with autism that went missing was safely located by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Friday afternoon. At around 2:30 p.m. a family member reported the missing 11-year-old boy. The caller stated that the child had autism and was believed to have walked away from a home in St. John Township. The caller was especially concerned because of a nearby retention pond, police said. Officers worked with neighbors and began a search of the area where the child was last seen. A little more than 20 minutes later, at approximately 2:53 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officer

The La Porte County Health Department announced the COVID-19 testing Clinic located at 302 W. 8th Street in Michigan City will permanently close at the end of June. The final day of operation will be Thursday, June 30. To locate a COVID-19 Testing facility please contact your family doctor or visit www.coronavirus.in.gov to find and schedule a test. Rapid test kits are currently available for free at both their Michigan City and La Porte office locations. Additionally, the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will permanently close on June 29 at its current location at 901 Lincolnway. Beginning July 6, COVID vaccinations will

Governor Eric Holcomb Friday announced he has selected Court of Appeals Judge Derek Molter as the next member of the Indiana Supreme Court. Molter will replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Steven David. Molter was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Holcomb and began his service on Oct. 1, 2021. During his time on the Court of Appeals, Judge Molter has remained active as an officer in the Appellate Section of the Indiana State Bar, including recently leading an effort to organize an all-day continuing legal education seminar regarding state constitutional law. Before joining the Court of Appeals, Molter

On Saturday, the La Porte County Family YMCA will be hosting its 42nd annual triathlon beginning at 8 a.m. in Soldiers Memorial Park. The race should conclude by 10:30 a.m. The road course for the race includes the streets bordering Soldiers Memorial Park and Small Road from Garden Street to 700 West. The course will be closed to through traffic beginning at 7:45 a.m. Police and course monitors will be turning away traffic, except for residents who live along the course. The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department says to please exercise extreme caution when approaching intersections or

The City of Portage Street Department began training on its newest piece of equipment called the Vortex Total Patcher. The city says operators initially underwent classroom training and then got some hands-on training at the former Garyton School building. The patcher, operated with a three-man crew will be used to fill potholes throughout the city. The city says the process not only allows potholes to be filled quickly, but doesn't require tamping or rolling. Vehicles can drive over the patched area immediately after it is completed, according to the city. Additionally, the machine, which cost approximately $90,000, will also be

Lane Closures for  I-94 in LaPorte County Watch for lane closures on I-94 between U.S. 421 and the Michigan State Line beginning on or after Tuesday, June 14. Lane closures will be in place in two locations - just east of U.S. 421 and just west of the Indiana Welcome Center. The right outside lane and shoulder will be closed in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Two travel lanes will remain open in each direction. Work will be ongoing through the end of June.

Governor Eric Holcomb Thursday announced a plan to return $1 billion of state reserves to Hoosier taxpayers, following higher than expected revenue performance this fiscal year. The Governor’s office says each taxpayer would collect about $225 in addition to $125 Hoosiers are currently receiving from the state’s automatic taxpayer refund (ATR). Each eligible Hoosier would receive about $350; a married couple filing jointly would receive about $700. The state’s reported revenues for May, released Thursday, were $209 million over forecast. For 11 months of the fiscal year, revenues are $1.075 billion over forecast. The governor’s office says if approved, an

A Purdue Northwest process to turn food waste into sustainable hydrogen has been licensed to an energy company. The Purdue Research Foundation recently completed the agreement with an international energy company for the commercialization of a new process discovered at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) for the biological production of hydrogen from food waste. A second licensing agreement with a company in Indiana is under negotiation. Purdue says the new process uses food waste to biologically produce hydrogen that can be used as a sustainable energy source for producing electricity, as well as for chemical and industrial processes or as a

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department maintenance staff Tuesday and Wednesday morning spread over 245 tons of sand along Stone Lake Beach. The park department thanked the La Porte Park Foundation for funding this project on its Facebook page.  At Stone Lake Beach Lifeguards on duty and concession stand open from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through August 14.  

On Saturday, June 4, community partners who share a passion for justice joined with the Pennsylvania Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) group to hold a workshop to help youth and law enforcement better understand how the other half lives. Erika Stallworth, Director of the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center, Mary Lake, Chief of Staff for the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office, and Kris Pate, Director of United Way of LaPorte County, joined with the PA DMC group to present useful information to teenaged participants and members of the local law enforcement community, and to have participants engage in role-reversal exercises to better

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced it has designated a new Center for High Energy Physics (CHEP). The center will include the university’s particle and high energy physics research and community outreach programs. PNW says that high energy physics is a subfield of physics that seeks to better understand the fundamental particles and forces of nature. The center will leverage its existing programs and promote PNW’s unique status as a member in several circles of world-class physics research. The center will operate under the leadership of Dr. Neeti Parashar, professor of Physics and the center’s founder and director. Joining her will

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) Wednesday approved new K-12 Indiana Academic Standards in science and computer science, as well as academic standards for a new middle school civics course.  The Indiana Department of Education stated “Indiana’s new science standards reflect similar content areas as Indiana’s previous 2016 standards, with an increased focus on supporting active student engagement in science learning.”  The department says this includes updates to Indiana’s science standards that:  -Reflect science as it is practiced and experienced in the real world;  -Build logically from kindergarten through grade 12;  -Focus on deeper understanding as well as application

Visit Indiana and the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) Wednesday launched the ‘IN Indiana’ marketing campaign, a unique effort to tell the Hoosier State’s authentic story. Visit Indiana has developed an extensive customizable toolkit of resources available free of charge to every business, small town, big city, and destination in the state. “In keeping with our great state’s spirit of innovation, this campaign gives tools and a voice to everyone, making Indiana stronger together,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “From Indiana’s shoreline to the hills in southern Indiana, there is something for everyone here IN Indiana.”  The IN Indiana marketing

Michigan City Area Schools Tuesday congratulated Kevin McGuire, who was recently named Chief Financial Officer for Michigan City Area Schools. MCAS says that Kevin has served as MCAS Director of Technology for the past 20 years and that they welcome him into this new role. MCAS also congratulated Ms. Neal, new Principal of Marsh Elementary for next school year. Additionally they congratulated and gave best wishes to Mrs. Tappan, who is retiring as Marsh Principal after 26 years of service.