Local News

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana health and hospital officials are encouraging eligible Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) as soon as possible, as high levels of transmission are significantly impacting hospitals across the state. As of the week ending Dec. 3, Indiana has recorded 24 influenza deaths this season. In addition, the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season was recorded last week and will be reflected on the flu report posted on Dec. 16. No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws. “Like many states, Indiana is experiencing very high levels of flu activity right

Michigan City Area Schools students collected more than 3.5 tons of nonperishable food items during their district-wide food drive for The Salvation Army food pantry. In addition 917 books for Operation Bookworm. Knapp Elementary School took home the giant trophy again this year. Knapp collected 2,621 pounds of food, almost 7 pounds per student. Marsh, Coolspring, Krueger, MCHS, and Springfield all collected more than 1 pound per student. Coolspring Elementary School collected the most books for Operation Bookworm and will receive service hours from the MCHS National Honor Society as a prize. The MCHS Student Council organized the drive.

In Valparaiso, a portion of Washington Street will be closed for NIPSCO work to replace decorative light poles. The closure will include Washington Street from Monroe Street south to West Street on Dec. 14-15 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. Detours will be marked, and flaggers will be stationed at each end to allow local traffic to access the area.

The Valparaiso Police issued a community alert on Monday regarding financial scams. VPD stated the following: "Over the last few weeks, the Valparaiso Police have received several complaints of financial scams being utilized in the area. In multiple incidents, citizens are being asked to pay large sums of money to third parties in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, and mailed check payments, to protect themselves against hacked computer accounts or alleged illegal activities.  Often, the initial contact is made through computer applications that prompt a need for software services that provide false contact numbers to aid in correcting

A Domino’s delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday in Michigan City. Two suspects were arrested, Michigan City Police said. Just before 12:30 a.m., a 911 reported an armed robbery. Officers were dispatched to Domino’s Pizza to speak to the delivery driver who was reportedly robbed at gunpoint. The victim reported that he was delivering an order to the 700 block of Washington Street. He then encountered two males and began interacting with them. During the course of the interaction one of the males displayed a firearm and pointed it at the victim. The same suspect then removed property

The Board of Directors of Bolt for the Heart, the organization is thanking the cities of Michigan City and La Porte, Franciscan Health, The Play for Jake Foundation, ACME Communication, Horizon Bank and Peepers and all the walkers and runners for making the 4th annual Bolt for the Heart 5K and 10K walk / run on Oct. 29 a great success. “The turnout, venue, weather and enthusiasm was fantastic, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) stated. “Law enforcement teams from La Porte County were represented and led by La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd, Chief Steve Forker of

The following is a list of upcoming mobile food distributions by the Food Bank of Northern Indiana:   Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – Starke County 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. CT *While supplies last. WHERE: Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield St., Knox, IN 46534 *This is a USDA distribution and will serve 250 households.   Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – LaPorte County – Turkey Distribution Noon – 2 p.m. CT *While supplies last. WHERE: Kingsford Heights Community Center, 515 Wayland Rd., Kingsford Heights, IN 46346 *This distribution is provided by Beacon Health System and will provide turkeys for

A man with multiple warrants on charges was arrested after a police pursuit, according to Michigan City police. Thursday night around 11 p.m. officers were working a special Street Hawk patrol for gun violence and firearm offenses. An officer observed a GMC Sonoma had committed traffic infractions while following behind it, along the west side of the city.  The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Sonoma but the vehicle failed to stop and fled from police south out of the city limits, police said.  Officers continued to pursue the fleeing vehicle and notified surrounding agencies of the

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Michigan City were among five Franciscan Health hospitals to be recognized by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, for their commitment to infant and maternal health through the INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program. The recognition was announced Thursday at the IHA Labor of Love Summit in Indianapolis. INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals

Tickets are on sale now for the NIBC LaPorte Invitational on Jan. 5-7 at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. This three-day event features 10 of the best high school basketball programs in the nation, featuring 30 of ESPN’s top-ranked recruits. This is your chance to see the future all-stars of the NCAA and NBA, right here in the City of La Porte. Buy tickets at: www.viewstub.com/LaPorte-NIBC.

The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana DNR Law Enforcement and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry are jointly encouraging hunters to donate deer to help feed those in need. Hunters donated  879 deer to help stop hunger in 2021. The organizations are hoping to make it to 900 donations this year. You can help reach this goal by donating your harvested deer to the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund to help hungry Hoosiers during the upcoming seasons. Last year’s donations provided 181,304 meals. That averages to 206 meals per donation. The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund provides grants to Hoosiers Feeding the

The Michigan City Police Department is collecting winter items for those in need. They are in need of hats, scarfs, gloves, socks, backpacks etc. This is for new items only. Any items can be dropped off in the lobby at MCPD. The collection date ends on Jan. 15 See the departments flyer for contact information.

The Portage Police Department and their officer Lt. J. Maynard were recently recognized with awards for community outreach. The Portage Police Department says that several years ago they had set goals to become more involved in community outreach, to increase positive interactions with their citizens, and to increase their partnerships with local groups working to improve the community. Thursday morning, at an awards ceremony hosted by the Porter County HUB Coalition (Substance Abuse Council), the Portage Police Department and specifically, Lt. J. Maynard were recognized for some of the work done in these areas during 2022. PPD received a Community

Longtime La Porte County Sheriff’s Office employee Vern Hohnke recently retired.  He served the Sheriff’s Office for 35 years, having been hired in August of 1987. Vern served for five Sheriffs and worked in the jail for several years before transitioning to Courthouse Security where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says Vern was a dedicated employee who was extremely passionate about his duties.

The Indiana Health Department’s Labor of Love Summit focusing on maternal health took place Thursday in Indianapolis. Indiana’s infant mortality rate rose slightly in 2021 primarily due to an increase among Hispanic infants, while the rate for non-Hispanic white infants improved slightly and the rate for non-Hispanic Black infants remained unchanged, the Indiana Department of Health announced Thursday. The statewide 2021 infant mortality rate rose to 6.7 per 1,000 live births, up from 6.6 in 2020. The Hispanic infant mortality rate rose from 6.0 to 8.1 per 1,000 live births, while the rate for white infants fell from 5.5 to

Michigan City Transit made the following statement on Thursday regarding a service detour on Route # 4: “Due to South Shore double track project, Route # 4 is unable to provide service to Cooper St., Willard Ave., and 10th Street. “Route #4 will resume regular route service at Willard Ave. and 9th Street. “Michigan City Transit apologize for any inconvenience to our riders, we are unable to safely and timely re-route service to this area.”

HAMMOND, Indiana – Northwest Indiana families facing food insecurity will have extra help thanks to a $20,000 grant from Old National Bank Foundation to Franciscan’s Health’s Fresh Start Market and new Food Rx Program. The Franciscan Health Foundation partnered in 2021 with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to create a three-phase Food Insecurity Program to address food insecurity across the region. Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development MinDee Richard said the expansion of the Food Insecurity Program would not be possible without the financial support from Old National Bank Foundation. “The program will directly partner with vulnerable populations to

Michigan City Area Schools on Wednesday addressed a fix to a glitch in the PowerSchool app. MCAS stated on their Facebook page, “Attention, Families: We've been made aware of a glitch with the PowerSchool Mobile parent portal app that is causing data not to sync. The fix for this is to uninstall and then reinstall the app on your phone. (This free app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.)”

The South Shore Line announces that it will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, applicable for January monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of January 2023 will remain valid throughout February 2023. Passengers purchasing a paper January monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through February, and passengers purchasing a digital January monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a February ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Feb. 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these

La Porte County Parks announced that the Red Mill playground is complete. The Department stated, “We know it’s cold but come on out and check this out!” A grand opening is planned in the spring. See a 360 degree photo on Facebook on the La Porte County Parks Facebook page.