Local News

VALPARAISO, IND. — The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) awarded $257,479 in grants to 33 local nonprofit organizations as part of the 2026 Spring Community Fund grant cycle. The following organizations and programs are receiving funding: The Caring Place – $10,000 to increase survivor safety through trauma-informed partnership with local law enforcement Daybreak Shelter – $10,000 to expand a volunteer‑driven transportation program Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support hands-on environmental STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Hebron Country Pantry – $10,000 to replace aging refrigerators and freezers Humane Indiana – $5,000 to help establish a Wildlife Resource and Intake Center Humane Society of

Keys to Hope Garden, started in 2017 by Michiana Lions & Citizens Concerned for the Homeless (CCH). Michiana Lions Club member Jamie Miller is the Garden Manger for this Lions project. Being this program fits with the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, Home Team initiative, Jamie Miller, a Unity Foundation staff member, is given volunteer time to manage the gardens. These Gardens feed a different kind of neighborhood. The disenfranchised, homeless, low-income families and children in the CCH programs, and sometimes produce, is provided to local Soup Kitchens. With the sale of the original garden property on 10th street,

Today A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.   Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 51.   Friday Partly sunny, with a high near 79.   Friday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.   Saturday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.   Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

A Michigan City man is facing multiple charges in connection to a September crash that left one person injured. On Sept. 20, at 12:43 a.m., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Fairfield Avenue. Officers responded to the scene and located a 26-year-old male suffering from life threatening injuries. Officers provided life-saving measures to the pedestrian prior to LaPorte County EMS transporting him to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City for medical treatment. Officers learned the suspect driver and vehicle involved

BURN'EM Brewing 4/20ish BASH on Saturday 4/18. This is an ALL AGES SHOW. $20.00 Entry. Music, Beer, and more. For tickets and information visit www.burnembrewing.com/events.

Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano gave the following update Wednesday regarding a threat made towards Portage High School: ****Portage High Incident Update**** At approximately 11:10am on Wednesday April 15th, the Porter County Central Communications Center received a call from an unknown person claiming they were armed with a rifle and a handgun and were currently outside of Portage High School intending to commit a school shooting. The caller further stated he was wearing a ballistic vest and intended to shoot Officers if they responded. As Officers were arriving on scene, the caller became irate and stated he was going inside

The City of Portage will be holding a Blood Drive on Friday, April 24 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event will be held at Portage City Hall-Council Chambers. To schedule, call 1-800-RED CROSS, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: CityofPortage or use the QR Code provided on the accompanying flyer.

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall remains possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following counties, Grundy, Kankakee, La Salle, Lee and Livingston and northwest Indiana, including the following counties, Jasper, Newton and Porter. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Roads and streets may be flooded. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through this evening. Elevated soil moisture due to recent rainfall is expected to increase the susceptibility to flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A

Washington Park Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Willow, beloved 16-yearold cougar. Willow was more than just a resident; she was a remarkable ambassador for her species and touched the lives of everyone who visited the zoo. Her presence will be greatly missed by staff, volunteers, and guests alike. Since arriving as a cub from an Illinois zoological facility, Willow became a treasured member of the zoo family. She spent most of her life with another female cougar, Baby, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 19 years old. Willow would have been turning 17

Today A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%.   Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.   Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.   Thursday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.   Friday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.

A suspect is in custody after a shooting and a crash that left a woman critically injured in La Porte. On Monday, just after 4 p.m., officers with the La Porte Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Al’s Supermarket on the East side of La Porte. It was determined that a suspect fired a round at four individuals before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The suspect vehicle traveled through several areas of the city, including Ridge Street, Philadelphia Street, and Ohio Street corridors. During the incident, the suspect fired additional rounds from

Michigan City Police say they have made an arrest in connection to a fatal motorcycle crash. On April 12, at 7:00 p.m., the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a serious bodily injury crash involving a motorcycle and van at the intersection of Franklin Street and Westwind Drive. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 and the Traffic Division responded to the scene where they located a motorcyclist suffering from life threatening injuries. The motorcyclist identified as 23-year La Crosse, Indiana resident Matthew Castellanos was transported by LaPorte County EMS to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan

The City of Portage announced that on Thursday April 16 the two west lanes of southbound Willowcreek Road will be closed as Deboer Egolf Corporation installs sanitary structures for a new laundromat development. Crews plan to begin work during the early morning hours to minimize disruption during peak traffic times. This project was previously scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to the weather forecast. See the map for more details.

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Eight Purdue University Northwest (PNW) faculty members received approval today (April 10) by the Purdue University Board of Trustees for academic promotions starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The faculty members’ promotions are effective Aug. 17, 2026. Academic tenure is acquired on promotion to the rank of associate professor. Candidates promoted to this level have demonstrated a record of accomplishment as a faculty member and show promise of continued professional growth and recognition. Faculty members promoted to the rank of professor have achieved a significant record in learning, discovery and engagement. PNW faculty members promoted

Today Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 70%.   Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 80%.   Wednesday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health Michigan City is again partnering with Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch, the City of Michigan City and the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention for a free initiative in May and June aimed at helping residents get moving to improve their overall health and well-being. Move with the Mayor is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 at Gardena Park, 800 Gardena St; 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 at Pullman Field, 550 W. 4th St.; 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at Hansen Park, 100 E. St.; 6

In Porter and La Porte counties, there will be overnight lane closures on I-94 between mile marker 30 and 36 (east and west of U.S. 421) beginning on or after Wednesday, April 15 to set up a new traffic configuration. Overnight lane closures will occur on eastbound and westbound I-94 over the course of two evenings during the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. These lane closures are weather dependent and therefore could be delayed. Starting on or after the morning of April 17, the right shoulder and driving lane of westbound I-94 will be closed for resurfacing with travel

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) researchers have earned over $70 million in research and development funds since 2021, a major achievement that has helped the university earn the Research Colleges and Universities designation from the American Council for Education (ACE) and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (Carnegie Foundation). PNW is the only university or college located in Northwest Indiana to earn this designation, reflecting the university’s expanding research initiatives that positively impact regional growth and quality of life. ACE and the Carnegie Foundation’s Research and Colleges University designation was introduced in 2025 to recognize

Last week, the Indiana State Police released statistics from their Enforcement Bureau for March 2026. The Enforcement Bureau of the Indiana State Police oversees the traffic enforcement efforts of the Troopers assigned to the 14 State Police Districts throughout Indiana. Troopers throughout Indiana documented the following statistics for March 2026: Traffic Stops - 41,223 17,846 traffic citations 33,332 traffic warnings 427 drunk driving arrests 1,851 criminal arrests (traffic related) 1,250 criminal arrests (non-traffic related) 1,364 seatbelt citations 165 distracted driving citations Crashes Investigated – 1,292 Personal injury crashes – 196 Fatal crashes - 5 "Troopers often happen upon or are

SBA Disaster Assistance Now Available to Indiana Counties Impacted by Recent Severe Storms   On April 9, 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a disaster declaration for several Indiana counties impacted by recent severe storms that occurred March 10-11, 2026. This declaration allows eligible residents and business owners to apply for low interest business physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and home disaster loans.   The Indiana counties of Jasper and Newton, and the contiguous counties of Benton, LaPorte, Lake, Porter, Pulaski, Starke and White are now eligible for SBA assistance. At this time, damage occurring outside