Local News

Three students from La Porte County received scholarships Wednesday in honor of fallen La Porte County Sheriff’s Patrolman Neil Thompson. The students were presented with the scholarships at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Merit Board July meeting. Alexis Becker (daughter of Brian and Leslie Crook) is a 2022 graduate of La Porte High School. Roman Piergalski (son of Brian and Ursula Piergalski) and Nicholas Boyd (son of John and Amy Boyd) are 2022 graduates of New Prairie High School. Alexis will be attending Indiana University and plans to major in psychology. Roman will be attending Nova Southeastern University and plans

The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has opened nominations for the 2022 Innovators Awards. In addition to inducting Individual and Team Honorees into the Society, three unique awards will be considered: Richard C. Sussman Prize for Team Innovation, Society of Innovators Fellows, and the John H. Davies Lifetime Achievement Award.  Purdue Northwest says the Society of Innovators “celebrates the spirit of creativity and ingenuity by discovering, honoring and celebrating innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana.”  “Celebrating individuals and teams driving innovation in Northwest Indiana shines a bright light on the incredible spirit of innovation that has

One person died Wednesday after a crash involving a Lake County police officer in Gary.  Wednesday afternoon at around 12:10 p.m., the Indiana State Police Lowell Post was contacted by the Lake County Sheriff's Department to investigate a crash involving a Lake County Officer. The crash occurred within the city limits of Gary at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Colfax Street, police said. Preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Police revealed that a black, 2019, Dodge Charger police car, was traveling east on 5th Avenue when it struck a silver, 2005, Toyota Corolla that was making a left turn

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. – The traffic pattern on I-94 between Exits 34 and 40 (U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35) will change on or after July 20, the Indiana Department of Transportation announced.  The two left lanes and shoulders in both the eastbound and westbound directions will be closed between W 400 N and Bleck Road. Traffic will be shifted to the right with two 11-foot lanes with two-foot shoulders open in both directions.  These lane closures and shifts are for phase two of a bridge replacement project just east of Johnson Road and will be in place through late

The Indiana Department of Education Wednesday presented updated findings from a study on COVID-19’s academic impact on student learning.  The IDOE says that the results show that while learning is stabilizing or recovering for many Indiana students, innovative and collaborative accelerated learning activities must be implemented to increase academic momentum for all Hoosier students. “Today we’re seeing the positive collective impact we can have when educators, communities and families come together to support our students’ learning,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Foundational learning in English/language arts and math is stabilizing or recovering for most of our students,

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. Work is underway at the new east lot and construction of the new station building has started. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement that is in effect from 3 p.m. this afternoon through late tonight for Lake and Porter Counties in Indiana and Lake, Northern Cook and Central Cook counties in Illinois. High wave action and dangerous currents expected at Lake Michigan beaches. Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers. For information on swim advisories or bans at Chicago beaches: www. cpdbeaches. com. The NWS says to "Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures."

To increase awareness of a new procedure that helps eliminate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Northwest Health will present “Got GERD? Turn down the Heat on Heartburn” at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 28. The event will take place at the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, 140 E. Shore Parkway in La Porte. According to The National Institute of Health, “more than 60 million Americans experience GERD at least once a month, and it’s not only painful but can be potentially dangerous. GERD can burn the esophagus, cause chronic inflammation and lead to major damage and potentially result in cancer of the

Pipe lining project to begin on I-65 south of S.R. 114 in Jasper County An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a pipe lining project on I-65 in Jasper County between mile markers 212 and 213 (between U.S. 231 and State Road 114) on or after Tuesday, July 19. Work will begin with overnight lane and shoulder closures on I-65 to install lane shifts. Two travel lanes in each direction will be maintained through the area during daytime hours, but motorists should navigate these lane shifts carefully. Additional overnight lane closures may be used to modify the work zone.

Early this morning, crews responded for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Crews arrived in scene and initiates patient care. Crews then handled traffic control and set up a landing zone for a medical helicopter for patient transport. Good job by all involved this morning. Assisting agenies: Northwest Health EMS Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department UCAN - University of Chicago Aeromedical Network Indiana State Police - Public Information Office

Family FUN at the LAPORTE COUNTY FAIR all week long. Bring your kids to THE CURIOUS KIDS TRAIL. Check out www.lpfair.com for more information on what's going on all week long. SEE SCHEDULE BELOW Tuesday 7/12 fair schedule 8:00am: 4-H Beef Judging Begins (Livestock Arena) 8:30am: 4-H Poultry, Duck, Geese, & Turkey Judging Begins 9:00am: Open Class Draft Horse Halter 9:00am: 4-H Horse and Pony Judging begins (Horse and Pony Arena), 4-H Rabbit Judging Begins 9:00am: Little Peeps Poultry Judging 10:00am -5:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail 11:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open 11:00am: Dino Encounter (Near Pioneerland) Noon: 4-H

Four states have began steelhead broodstock collection, including locally.  The Bodine State Fish Hatchery has begun its annual collection of adult Skamania steelhead. DNR personnel collect the fish at the sea lamprey barrier in Trail Creek. They transport the collected steelhead to Bodine, where they remain until the fish produce eggs for collection in January. The DNR says the broodstock program serves as an integral part of a cooperative effort between Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan to raise more than 200,000 Skamania for Lake Michigan’s waters. Skamania steelhead begin their annual spawning migration in June as 3-year-old fish weighing eight

Franciscan Health is offering grief support group sessions at some of their locations beginning Aug. 2. Those experiencing the loss of a loved one can often find support and wisdom by meeting with others who are finding their own way through the grieving process. The Palliative Care Department at Franciscan Health Dyer/Hammond/Munster offers grief support groups, which are open to the community. The 10-week summer session will be 6-7:30PM on Tuesdays from August 2 to October 4 at a Franciscan Health location to be specified after registration. The groups use the book “Understanding Your Grief” by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., as

The theme of this year’s Michigan City Patriotic Parade was “United We Stand,” and the community came together and showed that unity and patriotism are still alive and well in Michigan City. “What an incredible display of patriotism,” said Michigan City Special Events Director Terry Greetham. “It was really emotional for me to see our community come together and put our differences aside to celebrate our independence. This is something we have needed for a long time, and it was great to be a part of it.” This year’s parade featured multiple high school bands and several traditional floats, which

Michigan City AquaX Grand Prix at Washington Park Beach is Round 1 of the Michigan City Series and Round 3 of the National Championship Series. Watch the top riders battle it out for their qualifying spot for the World Championship. There will be food, brews, bands and more at this family friendly event. Racing Schedule: Saturday, July 9th 9am-11pm – AquaX Race 1 11am-1pm – Closed Course Racing 1:30-3:30pm – AquaX Race 2 3:30-5pm – Closed Course Racing Sunday, July 10th 9:30-11:30am – Closed Course Racing 11:30am-1:30pm – AquaX Race 3 1:30-3:30pm – Closed Course Racing 4:30pm – Awards

The Washington Park Zoo is giving notice that The African Lions and Bengal Tigers will be off viewing until November.  The zoo is undergoing a construction project on the African Lion and Bengal Tiger habitats which will temporarily shift pathways, and close off areas. During the process, the zoo says it  is working to minimize impacts, while continuing to maintain the best experience possible for both guests and the health and safety of the animals.  

The La Porte County Family YMCA is offering the public to become certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding through their 3 day certification course from July 14-16 at 102 Spring St. Door L in Michigan City. Students will learn professional responsibilities, First Aid, CPR for the Professional rescuer, AED, and lifeguarding. The prerequisite swim test includes the following skills: continuous 300 yard swim, tread water for 2 minutes without hands, and must complete a timed swim to retrieve a ten pound object from 7-12 feet of water. The cost for this is $100 for members and $125 for non-members.  They