Local News

The Office of Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is encouraging all Hoosiers who purchased consumer products that were recalled in October and November to take advantage of the remedies available to them. “With the holiday season approaching, Hoosiers want to ensure that their hard-earned money is being spent on gifts that are safe and work correctly,” Scott Barnhart, director and chief counsel for consumer protection, said. “If you purchased a faulty good or item in October and November that has been recalled, then you should immediately see what forms of reimbursement the company that sold or manufactured the product is

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have several upcoming mobile food distributions. They are: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CT or while supplies last WHERE: First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350 This distribution will provide assorted frozen food items. website: https://www.lpchurchofgod.com/ Friday, December 17, 2021 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CT or while supplies last WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 S. U.S. 20, Michigan City, IN 46360 This distribution is provided by United Way of LaPorte County and will serve up to 300 households.  

The Dyer Police Department is investigating the disappearance of 72-year-old Raul Hernandez. He is described as a Hispanic male, 6 foot tall, 176 pounds, gray hair with brown eyes last seen driving a light blue 2005 Suzuki Verona with an Indiana license plate of 460REW. Raul is missing from Dyer, Indiana and was last seen on Tuesday November 30, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. If you have any information on Raul Hernandez, contact the Dyer Police Department at 219-660-0000 or 911.  

The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday updated their weekly COVID county advisory level map. La Porte, Porter, St. Joseph, Starke and Jasper counties remain with a score of 2.5, in the orange level.  Lake County has moved up from a score of 2, in the orange level to a score of 2.5, in the orange level. Newton County has moved up from a score of 2.5, in the orange level to a score of 3 out of 3 in the red level.  In the past week positivity has risen in all of the counties mentioned, other than Jasper

Wednesday, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signed Executive Orders 21-31 and 21-32 to continue the public health emergency and the executive order for provisions that address the impact of COVID-19. Extending the executive orders allows “key items to remain in place that protect Hoosiers.” Holcomb outlined three provisions that “necessitate the extension of a public health emergency and executive order.” First, Indiana is eligible to receive enhanced federal funding for Medicaid programs to help cover the increased costs of 500,000 Hoosiers who have enrolled in the programs because of the pandemic. Holcomb’s office stated “So far, the state has received $972

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration today announced that its Be Well Crisis Helpline has surpassed 25,000 calls, a milestone in its ongoing efforts to provide Hoosiers with free, confidential mental health counseling and resources. The support line is available through Indiana 211 and enables Indiana residents to speak with trained, compassionate counselors 24/7. Approximately 59% of callers have received a referral for additional mental health or substance use services or requested additional crisis counseling. FSSA also announced that federal funding will allow the agency to operate the Be Well Crisis Helpline through at least March of 2023. “FSSA

Almost 43,000 fall fingerling walleyes were stocked at eight locations in northern Indiana in early October, the DNR announced on Tuesday. Additionally over 26,700 fall fingerlings were stocked at five more locations in late October to mid-November. The fish stocked in the second round were grown at Fawn River State Fish Hatchery to supplement the earlier stockings that were purchased from a private commercial fish supplier, the DNR said.  Locally stocked lakes include Bass Lake in Starke County, Pine and Stone Lakes in La Porte, the St. Joseph River, and Wolf Lake in Lake County.  The DNR said most of

The annual Love Lights Tree Blessing scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5, at Franciscan Health Michigan City has been canceled due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community. The annual event allows community members to honor loved ones during the holiday season. Families make $3 donations, which benefit Franciscan Health Michigan City’s mission and community outreach activities. All names that have been submitted will still be published in The LaPorte County Herald-Dispatch and remembered in prayer.        

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced their last First Friday event of 2021 on Dec. 3, 2021 from 4 – 7 p.m.. Enjoy the Fall/Winter exhibition Nature Now, shop the Holiday Artisan Market and have a snack while enjoying some holiday cheer. LCA is proud to showcase the talents of the Krueger Middle School 7/8 Chorus led by director, Shirley Allen at 5:45 p.m. as part of the First Friday celebration. The chorus will present a variety of holiday music – don’t miss it. A special trunk show of wearable art by Rita Cochran will also be featured. Rita’s

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the recent retirement of Captain Dave Richardson and the appointment of Andrew McIntyre as the Captain of Investigations. Captain Dave Richardson has served the City of Valparaiso for 25 years, accepting his first appointment as a Probationary Patrolman on November 18, 1996. Dave attained his first promotion, to Sergeant in 2005 and was again promoted in 2010, to Lieutenant. During his career, Dave remained a valuable member of the Patrol Division, heading the largest division of the department since August 19, 2017. Captain Andrew McIntyre is a 2009 graduate of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement

Hammond Police are looking to identify a suspect in a motel robbery.  On Nov. 5, a robbery occurred at the Motel 6, in Hammond. Hammond Police are attempting to identify a male suspect shown on their Facebook page. Police say if you recognize the man, or have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Sgt. Michael Elkmann 219-852-2982.

The Michigan City High School Student Council is once again coordinating a “drive through” collection of non-perishable food items at Ames Field. The food drive will take place Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. The community is encouraged to help by “driving through” the Ames Field parking lot with a donation. All items collected will go to The Salvation Army of Michigan City food pantry. Every year, right before the holidays, the high school – along with Michigan City Area Schools elementary and middle schools – participate in a districtwide food drive that benefits The Salvation Army. For several years running, the

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) says it will host its fall commencement ceremonies in-person, with appropriate health and safety protocols, on Saturday, Dec. 11, at its Westville campus. A total of 995 candidates are eligible to receive degrees during the two commencement ceremonies, including one doctorate degree candidate, 218 master’s degree recipients and 776 earning undergraduate degrees. Purdue Northwest will hold ceremonies on its Westville campus on Dec. 11 in the H.D. Kesling Gymnasium inside the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex. Graduates in the College of Business, College of Engineering and Sciences, and College of Technology will participate

A Hobart man has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery that occurred in Michigan City.  Monday morning at around 10:00 a.m., police responded to a bank alarm at Horizon Bank located on 515 Franklin St.  Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had received an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot. Officers searched the area and located a subject matching the description of the suspect near 6th Street and Washington Street. The man was detained and evidence from the robbery was discovered. Probable cause was established and 52-year-old Paul Farkas of Hobart, was taken into custody and

Saturday morning at 6:43 AM, deputies were summoned to the area of US 35 and CR 400 North, rural Center Township, reference a crash.  Sergeant James Lear was the first to arrive on scene and confirmed the driver of the vehicle was deceased.  The initial crash investigation completed by Deputy Bobby Greer and assisting deputies determined the following had occurred.   A red 2002 Ford Focus had been traveling southbound on US 35.  For an unknown reason, the vehicle crossed the double yellow line, traveled into the northbound lane, began to lose control and drove back into and across both of the southbound lanes