Local News

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeffrey Balon on Friday announced that retired Assistant Chief William “Buddy” Collins lost his life in a motor vehicle crash Thursday at 325 East and U.S. Highway 30. Assistant Chief Collins served the citizens of Valparaiso for 35 years, from 1969 to 2005. Balon said of Collins, "He was beyond proud to be a VPD Officer, and he exemplified that pride by wearing his trademark gold necklace with a miniature Valparaiso Police Department badge charm. Even after his retirement, it was clear that he loved, and continued to love, each and every member of the VPD family.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Friday released information about a police pursuit that occurred on April 19, in which a man was arrested after a pursuit that went from Indiana into Illinois. Just before 12:40 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Department officer observed a Dodge Charger exceeding the posted 30 mph speed limit near Georgia Street and East 40th Avenue in Gary. The vehicle also had an expired Illinois license plate. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated in an attempt to flee. The driver disregarded several stop signs, then headed eastbound on Ridge

Citing increasing numbers of incidents involving coaches, players and parents abusing game officials, the City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced Thursday that the Park Board has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on umpire abuse. The department says this is in an effort to create a positive experience for participants, volunteers and staff. The policy calls out penalties for actions that make an umpire feel physically threatened, verbally intimidated or emotionally humiliated. For more information on the policy, visit www.laporteparkandrec.com.

Bridge preventative maintenance work will result in alternating lane closures at two locations in LaPorte and Starke Counties on U.S. 30 on or after Monday, April 25.  U.S. 30 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Thompson Street and County Road 1350 South over Hunsley Ditch in LaPorte County and between County Road 750 East and County Road 500 North over Jain Ditch in Starke County. The right lanes and shoulders will be closed during phase one, which will be in place for around two weeks. Work will be ongoing through late May.

A Michigan City man was sentenced to 7 years in prison for a firearm offense according to the U.S. Department of Justice.  Sentenced was 33-year-old Colton Crawford, on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Crawford was sentenced to 7 years (84 months) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. During a traffic stop in August 2020, police discovered a handgun, magazines, and a holster, which DNA verified Crawford possessed according to documents in this case.  Crawford has a June 2015 felony conviction in LaPorte County Superior Court which prohibits him from

NIPSCO announced Thursday the recipients of its 2022 environmental action grant program, which awarded $69,100 to 17 local organizations that applied earlier in the year. In its seventh year, NIPSCO’s Environmental Grant program has donated more than $392,000 to date, helping 109 projects across northern Indiana. This year’s projects focus on pollinators including monarch butterflies, bluebirds and bees, use of native plants for sustainable food sources and habitats, as well as corresponding education programs for communities and citizens of all ages. Additionally, funding is provided to support the airing of an environmental documentary on public media, and for special environmental-related

Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner on Wednesday announced that 38 communities and non-profit organizations will receive a combined $65 million for 77 miles of new trail development as a part of the third round of the Next Level Trails program. With matching funds from applicants, this round is expected to generate a total investment of more than $102 million. The grants awarded in the third round include 17 regional projects and 21 local projects. The list of awards, project descriptions, and a map are posted at on.IN.gov/NLT-round-3. The third-round grant recipients are contributing

A bridge project in Kingsbury will cause alternating lane closures on U.S. 35 between U.S. 6 and C.R. 500 S on or after Monday, April 25. Lane closures will be in place through late July for bridge rehabilitation work. The work includes a bridge deck overlay and approach replacement.   

Governor Eric Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith on Tuesday awarded over $107M in Community Crossings matching funds for local road projects in Indiana. Thirty-seven communities in northwest Indiana that received awards. More details can be found at bit.ly/INDOTCommunityCrossings.

The silver alert out of Elkhart County for a missing woman and her baby has been canceled as the mother was found dead and the baby was found safe. South Bend Police announced that on Tuesday evening, police were called to the 400 block of South Kaley to investigate possible sightings of a vehicle connected to a recent Silver Alert issued out of Elkhart County. Officers located an adult female and a small baby inside the vehicle. Twenty-seven-year-old Alexis Morales was pronounced deceased at the scene. Five-month-old Messiah Morales was not injured but was transported to the hospital for observation.

Franciscan Health announced Wednesday that the medical staff at Franciscan Health Michigan City voted unanimously to establish and fund a scholarship to honor the memories and continue the legacies of doctors who gave years of service to the community as a member of the medical staff. The scholarship of up to $5,000 is for a LaPorte County high school senior interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. It is the hope of the scholarship committee that the recipient will someday return to work alongside the medical staff in serving the health care needs of the city and county. Scholarship applications

NIPSCO on Wednesday announced that work to close its five coal ash ponds at the company’s Michigan City Generating Station has begun. Coal ash is the material that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity. NIPSCO says this is similar to the leftover material when wood is burned in a fire. The work that has been outlined will meet the 2023 deadline required by the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule and it is another step forward in the company’s previously announced plans to retire the Michigan City Generating Station. The project work is expected to last through December of

The Salvation Army of Michigan City recently announced that it is recruiting this year's competitors for its Donut Day, Donut Eating Competition on June 3 at Blue Chip Casino. Amateurs and professionals are allowed to enter this year's Donut Day.  The final day to sign up is Friday, April 29.  Respond to the post regarding this event on the Salvation Army of Michigan City Facebook page or tag someone you think should be in it. 

The DNR is reminding the public that Canada geese breeding season has begun. The DNR says that freshly mowed lawns and ponds or other water bodies are ideal goose habitat and you may encounter these waterfowl. But, Canada geese are protected during nesting season and can become aggressive protecting eggs or goslings. The DNR provided tips for if you see nesting Canada geese: Give nesting geese plenty of space. Don’t run from birds. Face them and back away, slowly and quietly. Keep pets leashed in unfenced areas and steer them clear of paired-up geese. Don’t feed the geese. They have

Due to a mistake in the calculation of the 2021 payable 2022 tax bills, the La Porte County Auditor’s Office will be recalculating tax bills in the coming weeks. The error was a miscalculation of deductions. Because the issue was widespread, we believe the overall tax rate has been affected. The La Porte County Government is working in a coordinated effort along with the State of Indiana to resolve this issue as quickly & efficiently as possible. New tax bills will be sent out to all taxpayers in the next several weeks. We encourage all taxpayers to pay the current

The South Shore line has lifted its mask mandate, just 4 days after it announced it was extending it.  The South Shore line stated that, “Pursuant to recently received guidance from the Transportation Security Administration, the South Shore Line will no longer require masks for passengers onboard trains or in stations, effective immediately. If a passenger chooses to wear a mask and requires assistance, train crews will continue to provide masks free of charge.”

Valparaiso City Services crews repaired the water main break at State Road 2 and Horse Prairie Avenue late Monday night as affected customers' water services have been fully restored.  The City of Valparaiso says that procedures require necessary laboratory testing to assure the water passes the required bacteria testing before a boil advisory may be lifted.  Therefore, the boil advisory will remain in effect for affected customers until those results are available.  Results may take up to 48 hours or more if additional testing is needed.  Those that have questions can contact the city’s customer service center at (219) 462-6174.

Sheriff John T. Boyd on Tuesday officially announced the retirement of David Spence from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.     Spence was hired on May 15, 1978, as a Jail Deputy.  In August of 1980, Deputy Spence was transferred and promoted to the Merit Division.  For 19 years, he was assigned to the Patrol Division.  During the fall of 1999, Spence was transferred to the Warrants Division where he completed a variety of tasks, including the extradition of wanted persons. In 2009, Spence retired from the Merit Division and accepted a civilian position within the agency.  Up until his recent

The following is a new update from NICTD (the South Shore Line) on the NWI Double Track project construction:  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 the west parking lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular 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.NIPSCO will have periodic lane closures on westbound Melton