Local News

The Indiana Department of Transportation is seeking public input for its 80/94 FlexRoad project. There will be two public meetings, one in-person and one virtual,  this month for the 80/94 FlexRoad project (I-80/94 from the Illinois State Line to I-65). The project, expected to improve traffic flow and safety along one of Indiana’s busiest interstate corridors, is moving to its next phase. The in-person meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. central time at the Purdue Northwest Student Union Library Building, Alumni Hall 2200 169th St. in Hammond. The virtual meeting will be Thursday, Nov. 17,

This week the Duneland School Corporation and Chesterton High School suffered the loss of a teacher, colleague, and friend, Penny Jo Morris, after a long battle with cancer, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. The Town of Chesterton stated the following on their Facebook page: “Penny spent most of her adult life as a stay-at-home mom, but when her youngest daughter graduated high school, she decided to attend college to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. This current year was her seventh year as an English teacher at Chesterton High School, where she taught English 9

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office said on Friday it has again been receiving reports that citizens have been getting phone calls in which people were fraudulently claiming to be Law Enforcement Officials. “Sometimes callers can mask the caller ID information to make it appear as if the call is coming from a police department or other government entity,” the PCSO stated. “If you receive a call from a person claiming to be one of our officers and are concerned they are not who they say they are, please hang up and call 219-477-3000 to verify their identity.” Police also say

Michigan City Transit announced that due to the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 5, there will be Service Suspension and Service Delays beginning at 10:30 a.m. Normal service will resume at the conclusion of the parade. Michigan City Transit also announced they will operate regular service hours on Election Day Nov. 8 and Veterans Day Nov. 11 Veterans/Active-Duty Military ride free on Nov. 5, and Nov. 11.

Chesterton High School went into a “modified secure lockout” Thursday according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. The “vague threat” made against Chesterton High School late Thursday morning, is believed never to have been credible and to have originated outside Porter County, according to the Town of Chesterton. At 7 p.m. Thursday evening, the Duneland School Corporation released the following statement from Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson: “The Chesterton Police Department has worked tirelessly on its investigation into the threat communicated today to Chesterton High School that resulted in the school being placed on a Secure/Lockout. “Based on an

NIPSCO is reminding the public of the dangers of carbon monoxide during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. November is known across the nation as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. NIPSCO says it cares about your safety and wants to use the occasion to remind the community about the risks of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “Silent Killer” because it is an odorless, tasteless, non-corrosive gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, or oil) burn incompletely. Even though natural gas doesn’t contain CO, it can be produced when there’s not enough oxygen for fuels to burn

The paving of Boyd Boulevard is ongoing in the City of La Porte.  Mayor of La Porte announced on his Facebook page Thursday that Boyd Boulevard is currently being paved from Jefferson Avenue to Ohio Street.  Dermody is asking the public to use alternate routes through Friday (today) as this portion of the road is closed. 

A 27-year-old Chicago man was arrested and a ghost gun was recovered after a pursuit that ended in Illinois, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. At around 11:24 a.m., a Lake County police officer observed the driver of an SUV talking on a cell phone with his seatbelt unfastened. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near 24th and Grant Street in Gary. When the officer approached the car and began speaking with the driver, he noticed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The driver admitted to having smoked wrapped marijuana cigarettes, which he pulled

The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has announced winners of the 2022 Innovators Awards. Winners will be inducted into the Society during the group’s annual luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Merrillville, IN from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST. The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest (PNW) aims to contribute to economic and community development throughout the region as the champion of innovation in Northwest Indiana. “As our region bounces back from the pandemic and the challenges of the times, it is both powerful and inspiring to honor the ingenuity of innovators

More roadwork is scheduled in Valparaiso, the city announced. The intersection at Vale Park Road and Silhavy Road, and east through the roundabouts across State Road 49, is scheduled to be closed to traffic overnight on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 7:00 p.m. to Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 a.m. and then again overnight on Friday, Nov. 4, from 7:00 p.m. to Saturday Nov. 5 at 7:00 a.m. The closure is weather permitting, to allow for safe striping and marking of the roadway. Detours will be marked.  

New officers were recently installed to help lead the Jobs for America’s Graduates (J.A.G.) program at Michigan City High School. In a ceremony held at the school last week, 11 new officers were sworn in to office, including Malkiyel Woodard, who will serve as president during this school year. The J.A.G. Program is offered to MCHS students through a partnership with WorkOne and the Center of Workforce Innovations. The program helps students prepare for the future by focusing on four goals – leadership development, career preparation, civic awareness, and social awareness. Other officers who were sworn in this year are

Mayor Duane Parry has announced the City of Michigan City opened its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program to support eligible Michigan City nonprofit organizations on Tuesday,  via an online grant portal.  Eligible organizations can apply for up to $50,000 for grant projects that strengthen Michigan City in meaningful ways. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. No paper applications will be accepted. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations in good standing with a physical address in Michigan City, IN. Funding must be used in the City of Michigan City to provide services to Michigan City

An Indiana organization, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, is asking Hoosiers for hunters and farmers to help feed those in need this deer season. Farmers, hunters, and 4-H members donate deer and livestock to their “Meat” The Need program.  Donations are then processed at local participating meat processors and the meat is distributed to hunger-relief agencies within the community it was donated in. The organization pays 100% of the processing fees so there is no charge to donors or agencies receiving meat. According to Feeding America, an estimated 47% of the over 726,000 Indiana residents struggling with food insecurity make above

What better way to kick off the holiday season than with the beloved Santa Parade?! This well-attended family event is a fan-favorite and completely free for all to participate! NEW THIS YEAR: The Santa Parade will start at 3 p.m. at the corner of State & Tipton. The route will proceed west down State Street to Michigan Ave; south on Michigan to Lincolnway; then east on Lincolnway to Plaza 618 for the City of La Porte’s inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony! Stick around to get your photo with Santa at his chalet. Then, head across the street to La Stitch for

The Indiana DNR announced that #OptOutsideIN2022 is Friday, Nov. 25.  The DNR says entrance to all properties will be free.  Check out all state properties by visiting on.IN.gov/recfinder.  There will be chances to win all kinds of prizes, from annual passes to hunting/fishing/camping gear. 

The City of Michigan City, earlier this week provided a forecast for city street closures involving the Double Track NWI Project by NICTD.  Ohio Street is now open.  Tennessee Street is now permanently closed Wabash will be open effective starting Friday, Nov. 4.  Sheridan Avenue will open Friday Nov. 11  Franklin Street will be closed Friday Nov. 4 through Nov. 19  Washington Street will then close from Nov. 19 through Dec. 2. 

The Indiana Toll Road gave an update on Tuesday for work going on in Lake County. There is a lane Shift During Construction between mile markers 3.4- 4.6. Traffic will be shifted to alternate lanes. Work is scheduled through Dec. 9. The on-ramp at Calumet Avenue for east-bound traffic is closed through Nov. 24. The on-ramp was originally set to be closed through Dec. 6.

The Indiana Department of Transportation on Tuesday announced the roundabout at State Road 2 and U.S. 6 in La Porte County is now open. Image source: Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest   INDOT is asking motorists to be careful when navigating the new traffic pattern. The department noted that due to supply chain issues, the lighting at the roundabout is temporary and will be replaced with permanent lighting next year. Image source: Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest INDOT also stated on its Facebook comments under a diagram of how oversize/overweight vehicles will navigate the roundabout on

MarCom Awards announced Visit Indiana/Indiana Destination Development Corporation as a 2022 winner in the international creative competition for marketing and communication professionals. MarCom Awards recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design and production of marketing and communication materials and programs. Visit Indiana received two Platinum (highest) awards, one in the Advertising Campaign category of Print Media/Marketing/Ads and another in the Branding category of Strategic Communications/Marketing/Promotion Campaign for IN Indiana open-source campaign. Visit Indiana also took home a Gold (second highest) award in the Marketing category of Digital Media/Web Video for the 'There is More to Discover IN

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. announced Friday the department has a new way to help save the lives of some of the most vulnerable residents if they should wander away or become lost.  Project Lifesaver uses radio technology to track missing loved ones who have cognitive challenges including autism, Alzheimer’s and dementia or other medical conditions that may cause them to wander.  Participants wear a bracelet around their wrist or ankle, which allows their location to be tracked with special search equipment.  People enrolling in the program must meet the eligibility requirements.  They must have a medically-diagnosed impairment that