Local News

PORTER COUNTY – A fire broke out in an occupied residence in Jackson Township sending one to the hospital for smoke inhalation Friday evening. This happened while the family and several pets were home. At around 6:50 PM (CDT) Porter County 911 started receiving phone calls in the 800 North block of 500 East in Jackson Township for a reported residence on fire. Liberty Township Fire Department (AHJ) was dispatched along with automatic aid units for smoke and flames visible from basement windows involving a 2-story residence. Liberty Fire Chief Brian Duncan arrived on scene with a single occupant out

Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins stopped by the Michigan City Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75 on August 12 to accept a ceremonial check from officers Matthew Babcock and Brian Wright. The $2,000 donation will be used to purchase personal hygiene items used for students at all eight MCAS elementary schools. "We are so grateful for this support, and for the partnership of law enforcement officers throughout the school year," said Dr. Eason-Watkins.

A City of La Porte police officer was arrested early Friday morning by Trail Creek Police, according to Chief Paul Brettin. The officer was charged with public intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor) as well as public indecency (Class A Misdemeanor). Brettin said the officer has been given an automatic suspension, and further disciplinary action may be taken once the department sees what comes of the charges. "Here in the City of La Porte, we hold our officers to a very high standard,” Brettin said. “This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, and our department and Merit Commission will be meeting to

Franciscan Health on Wednesday recognized Horizon Bank for its contribution of $7,500 to the Franciscan Health Foundation in support of the Center of Hope program. “We are so thankful for all that Horizon has done to help us in our mission to minister to some of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Sister Petra Nielsen, vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health Michigan City. “We are grateful to have them as one of our community partners.” The Center of Hope program provides a safe environment for survivors of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. Indiana ranks second in the

The City of Portage says residents can be a part of designing and developing the city's downtown, by attending public input sessions. Consultant SmithGroup will hold open design studios from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16 and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Community meeting/public input sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Aug. 18. All meetings will be held at City Hall, 6070 Central Ave. An event page can be found on the "Portage Indiana Government Page" Facebook.

The opening of the Westchester and Liberty middle schools—and the closure of Chesterton Middle School—will not take place in the fall of 2023 as originally planned, according to the Town of Chesterton. It was reported that at the Duneland School Board’s meeting Monday night, Aug. 8, Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit announced that “supply chain challenges” are delaying the construction of additions at both the Westchester and Liberty campuses. Neither campus will be ready to add seventh- and eighth-grade students until August 2024. A recently adopted redistricting plan for some students in the Yost and Liberty areas will also be delayed

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it has awarded $9,054.00 to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra through the Arts Organization Support grant program. During its June 10 Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved funding recommendations for the Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support grant programs. Over 460 applications were reviewed by 85 Hoosiers from around the state specializing in arts, community development, and finance. “The projects and organizations that are receiving funding are improving the economic and educational climates of the state of Indiana,” said Alberta Barker, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The Commission is delighted to

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department will dedicate the Stone Lake accessible small watercraft launch at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 21, at Cummings Lodge in Soldiers Memorial Park. The dedication follows the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association Annual (NWIPA) Rendezvous. The afternoon begins with the NWIPA Annual Rendezvous at noon, with beverages provided and food available for purchase from Kostka Krave. The program includes social time, annual awards and an update on the clearing of the Calumet River. The event is open to the public with a $10 donation to support NWIPA events, education and stewardship activities. Following

The Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City (EDCMC) announced Thursday that the Redevelopment Commission recently heard a presentation by Town Planning on repositioning Marquette Mall from “a dying retail entity to a mixed-used entertainment and multifamily town center district as the shopping and retail landscape has forever changed.” The EDCMC says their team will be working closely with the Redevelopment Commission and property owners to market the property and seek investors and developers to transform this 50-acre site over the next 5 years. Check out the concepts and more here . *NOTE: Illustrations are for discussion purposes only. They are

The Indiana Department of Health has partnered with the Milk Bank to host milk drives to provide donor milk to Hoosiers babies. The infant formula shortage continues to impact families and infant health across Indiana and the rest of the United States. The Indiana Department of Health says that "Indiana has been particularly affected by not only shortages in stores and safety recalls associated with Abbott Nutrition, but also breastfeeding rates below the national average." State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said, “In the absence of a mother’s own milk, pasteurized donor human milk offers optimal nutrition, easy digestibility

The Town of Chesterton announced that signage lowering the speed limit for semi-tractor trailers to 40 miles per hour has been installed along Indiana 49 between the I-94 interchange and the Indiana Toll Road. The signage was installed on Wednesday, Aug. 10. See more on this story on the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.    

The Washington Park Zoo said Thursday it would like to send out a heartfelt "Thank You" to the WHM Motorsports boat owner/racer Billy Mauff for his generous donation of $12,000 towards the Big Cat Canyon habitat once again. The Washington Park Zoo said Billy has made amazing pledges to help them "Build for the Big Cats" for the last few years, so during a special pre-race event last Friday evening, they were able to show a bit of their gratitude with the dedication of a plaqued bench placed in their entry plaza. Mauff was also given a custom framed "Art

The DNR Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies Thursday at the Indiana Government Center South in Indianapolis. Twenty-five new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event. Conservation Officer Andrew Harmon, the 2021 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year, administered the oath of office to the recruits, who will fill positions in various locations around the state. The new officers represent the 39th recruit class of conservation officers: The officers and assignment locations (by county in parentheses) are Thomas Adams (Marion), Bradley Barker (Brown), Jarrett Batliner (Ripley), Jacob Bolt (Starke), Draven Browning (Howard), Tyler Burton (Wayne),

A Portage woman died as a result of a Monday crash on I-94. A Lake Station man was charged with several O.W.I offenses, including O.W.I. resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with the crash. At around 4:45 a.m., troopers were dispatched to a crash on I-80 eastbound lanes at exit 15B. This is the ramp to Ripley Street. Preliminary investigation showed that a 2016 Subaru rapidly reduced speed to merge to the Toll Road exit ramp when a 2016 Buick rear-ended it. Both vehicles sustained severe damage. A female passenger in the Subaru was transported from the scene with

There is a beach hazards statement that remains in effect for LaPorte and Berrien counties until 4 a.m. central time Friday. High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves. North winds will be 15 to 25 mph. Waves will build to 3 to 5 feet this afternoon and continuing into tonight. Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. The National Weather service says to remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions and do not venture out on piers. Another

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced several I-65 on-ramp closures for concrete restoration projects in Merrillville. Construction is scheduled to begin on or after August 13, with work expected to wrap up by the beginning of September. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. The closures include: -Eastbound and westbound 61st Street ramps to southbound I-65 -Ridge Road to southbound I-65 Drivers needing to access southbound I-65 from these locations should use the approved detour of State Road 53 south to U.S. 231, to I-65. INDOT encourages motorists to consider worker safety by slowing down, using

The Criminal Investigations Division of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance and whereabouts of 38 year-old Brett A. Lawson. Lawson was last seen on July 31 at a rural Center Township residence located in the 3100 west block of Small Road between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Lawson is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 225 pounds, has red hair and blue eyes. Lawson has a large tattoo on his right forearm. Anyone with information related to Lawson is encouraged to contact Chief of Detectives Captain Andrew Hahn (219-326-7700, ext. 2340 / ahahn@lcso.in.gov) or

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) Wednesday released results from the 2021-2022 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment. The Indiana Department of Education says the assessment shows, “that nearly one in five Hoosier students have not mastered foundational reading skills by the end of third grade.” “We know that students first learn to read, and then they read to learn,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Data shows a direct link between reading by the end of third grade and future learning. As many students continue to recover from the academic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specific

Update: The Silver Alert 093-2022 issued on Thursday, July 21, 2022, on Michelle Delane has been canceled as of Tuesday, Aug. 9. For more information on this cancellation, please contact the Hammond Police Department at 219-660-0000.   Original story: A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a missing Hammond woman. The Hammond Police Department is investigating the disappearance of 52-year-old Michelle Delane. Delane is described as a white female, 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 130 pounds, and has blonde hair with blue eyes. Delane was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with the word “Levi’s” on the front,

LaPorte County businesses and non-profits have partnered to provide local, 4-H-raised protein to more than 20 local food pantries and soup kitchens as part of Operation Feed LaPorte County – a mission that has been dedicated to distributing local meat to the hungry for nearly 10 years. This year’s distribution took place on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds in the Community Building. Ten businesses and non-profits partnered at the LaPorte County 4-H Livestock Auction on July 15 to purchase animals, which were processed by Sims Meat Processing in Kingsbury, IN to produce approximately 3,000 pounds of beef,