Local News

Thursday, Gov. Mike Braun announced that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) following the June 6 through June 30, 2026, flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and derecho. The joint PDA is a critical step in gathering information needed to determine whether a federal disaster declaration should be requested. They will be conducted by local, state and federal officials (FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration) to evaluate the impact and magnitude of the disaster. "Hoosiers experienced historic severe weather in June, with record-setting tornadic activity

Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival all weekend long in Michigan City in Washington Park-presented by Arnett Construction & Roofing JOIN TEAM WIMS LIVE ALL WEEKEND LONG! RAIN OR SHINE-The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival Presented by Arnett Construction & Roofing is a multi-day celebration of Michigan City’s iconic lakefront and beach, taking place at Washington Park from July 17 – 19th, 2026. The centerpiece of the festival is a professional sand sculpting competition and exhibition, featuring some of the world’s most talented and renowned sand sculptors creating incredible works of art in Michigan City’s famous “Singing Sands.” Thank you to

For the latest check out their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE THEM on FACEBOOK   Friday, July 17, 2026   Gates Open at 10am Sponsored by Surf Internet   8:00an: 4-H Draft Horse Show   9:00am: All Day 4-H Livestock Auction (Livestock Arena), Order of Sale: Swine, Goat, Poultry, Duck, Geese, Turkey, Rabbit, Dairy, Sheep, Auction for Scholarship Fund, and Beef, Battle of the Barns to Follow Auction   9:00am: 4-H Booster Club Pie Auction (Show Arena)   9:00am: 4-H Horse and Pony Show - Contesting   10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: All Buildings

In Porter and La Porte counties, there will be overnight lane closures on I-94 between mile marker 29 and 34 (east of State Road 49 and west of U.S. 421) to set up a new traffic configuration. Alternating lane closures are currently scheduled for I-94 next week during the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic layouts during this time. In the new traffic configuration, eastbound traffic will return to the eastbound side of I-94, with two lanes shifted to the right starting on or after Monday, July 20. Starting on or

Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan would like to remind the public that the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in Laporte County is still working on its new and updated protocols.   It’s just taking more time than expected. The SART Team should have something finalized very soon. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan commented: “There was a lot of talk by the prior administration that the SART team was active. That’s not accurate. In order to be an active SART team, protocols have to be filed with the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault (ICESA). ICESA doesn’t have a copy of any protocols

The La Porte County Health Department on Thursday made the following statement regarding the first positive identification for West Nile Virus this year: The La Porte County Health Department (LPCHD) has received confirmation from the Indiana State Department of Health that a pool of mosquitoes submitted for testing has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first positive identification of West Nile Virus in La Porte County this year. The sample was collected on 6-30-2026. The species most likely to transmit the virus are those that prefer to breed in containers therefore it is important to prevent the

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - A motorcyclist died after a crash in New Buffalo Township on Thursday, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. First responders were dispatched to West U.S. Highway 12 and Lubke Road in New Buffalo Township for a multivehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:30 pm. Upon arrival, they found that a motorcycle had been hit from behind and that the driver was suffering from life threatening injuries. The motorcycle driver was treated on scene by MEDIC 1 and was transported to Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City. The driver, a 45 year old male from Niles was

The South Shore Line has given the following service advisory: Millennium Station depot switch effective Saturday, July 18, 2026: Between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, all South Shore Line passengers utilizing Millennium Station will temporarily board/detrain from the Metra Depot, located northwest of the SSL platform. Passengers on the following weekend trains will utilize the Metra depot on July 18: Westbound Tr 600, Tr 502, Tr 504, Tr 506, Tr 608, Tr 508, & Tr 610; Eastbound Tr 503, Tr 505, Tr 507, Tr 609, & Tr 509. During this time, Metra will be performing work

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT. An Air Quality Action Day for ozone and PM 2.5 has been issued. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy range and ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: *

For the latest check out their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE THEM on FACEBOOK   Thursday, July 16, 2026   Gates Open at 10am   8:00am: 4-H Dairy/Open Class Judging Begins (Livestock Arena),   8:00am: 4-H Draft Horse Show   10:00am Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland)   10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open   10:30am: Home and Family Arts Judging starts   12:00: Story Time with the Queen   1:00pm: Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland)   1:00pm: Silly Safari (Pioneerland)   1:00pm: Skerbeck Carnival Rides

In Portage, Willowdale Road is closed between Mulberry Avenue and Stone Avenue through Friday, July 17 for stormwater sewer repairs south of United Pentecostal Church. Construction is to include Stormwater sewer repairs near the intersection of Meadow Avenue and Willowdale Avenue Road.  

The City of Michigan City has announced that due to dangerous temperatures, the Refuse Department will begin its collection routes one hour earlier for the remainder of the week to help protect our employees from extreme heat. 🗓️ Today & Friday (July 16 & 17, 2026) 🕕 Collection will begin at 6:00 a.m. (instead of 7:00 a.m.) Residents and businesses are asked to have all trash toters at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on these days to ensure they are collected.

U.S. 6 has reopened between Mander Rd and C.R. 350 E in Porter County after a bridge deck overlay at Coffee Creek. The reopening is over two weeks ahead of schedule.    (Photo Credit: INDOT Northwest)

There are rock stars, and then there are icons. John Mellencamp reminded everyone exactly which one he is Saturday night at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, delivering a powerhouse performance that pulverized through a catalog of timeless hits and reaffirmed his place among America's greatest storytellers. Mellencamp has long been known for his unwavering dedication to his craft, often choosing to play the songs he feels compelled to perform rather than simply catering to fan expectations. But this tour is different. Dancing Words Tour: The Greatest Hits is exactly what its title promises. It’s a celebration of the music that

.AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT WEDNESDAY NIGHT...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS in EFFECT as well. SEE BELOW for details The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect for through Wednesday, July 15th. An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued. Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool or use public

For the latest check out their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE their FACEBOOK page   Wednesday, July 15, 2026   Gates Open at 10am Sponsored by Keystone Cooperative   8:00am: 4-H Swine Judging Begins (Livestock Arena)   8:00am: 4-H Draft Horse Show   9:00am: 4-H Rooster Crowing Contest, and Turkey Gobbling Contest (Poultry and Pigeon Building)   9:00am: 4-H Miniature Equine Show - Showmanship, Halter, & Color and Costume   10:00am Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland)   10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open   10:30am: Home and

CHESTERTON, Ind. – The South Shore Line is pleased to announce that normal train service is scheduled to resume on Friday, July 17 at 3:01am CDT. The first train running on the normal schedule will be Train 401. Regular Monday-Friday service will begin at that time along both the Lakeshore and Monon Corridors. Busing will conclude at the end of service on Thursday, July 16. “We thank the South Shore Line crews, Iron Workers Local 395, Operators Local 150, DLZ and Superior Construction teams that worked incredibly hard to make these repairs in a safe and timely manner,” said Dave

The Town of Chesterton shared  the following information on Valparaiso cooling centers available: Cooling shelters available in Valparaiso The City of Valparaiso is announcing the availability of cooling shelters being made available by several community organizations: VALPARAISO YMCA, 1201 CUMBERLAND CROSSING (219-462-4185) *5 a.m. to 10 pm. Monday through Friday. *7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. *11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. VALPARAISO BRANCH, PORTER COUNTY LIBRARY, 103 JEFFERSON ST. (219- 462-0524) *9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. *9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. *9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. *7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. DAYBREAK RESOURCE

The Town of Chesterton has shared the following information on cooling shelters available: Cooling shelters available in Chesterton Duneland is feeling the heat again, and for those whose A/C fails or who have no A/C, cooling shelters are available in Chesterton: DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA, 215 ROOSEVELT ST. (219-926-4204) *5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. *7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. *10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. WESTCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY, 200 W. INDIANA AVE. (219-926-7696) *9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. *9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. *9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. *1 to 5 p.m.

Here is your Tuesday forecast-AIR QUALITY ALERT DAY and HEAT ADVISORY-be careful AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TUESDAY NIGHT... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect for Today, Monday, July 13th and Tuesday, July 14th. An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued. Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool