Local News

Drive Clean Indiana’s members and stakeholders last week were awarded $1.8 million in Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund grants for 42 sustainable non-road vehicles and pieces of equipment, the statewide nonprofit announced today. The Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee approved the eight successful grant applications, which were written and assisted by Drive Clean Indiana for its members and stakeholders, during a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3. A total of nine awards were approved by the committee. “Drive Clean Indiana was pleased to assist our members and stakeholders with yet another round of successful grant applications for the

Porter-Starke Services’ newest program will aid clients of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana as well as VNA Meals on Wheels by providing them with check-ins and social contact. Facilitating this initiative are 18 Valparaiso University nursing students participating as part of their public health nursing course. With many Meals on Wheels clients facing increased isolation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trained students will help homebound seniors better assess their mental well-being and provide them with genuine contact through phone calls and home visits. The students have been trained by Porter-Starke employees as part of the Healthy

The Michigan City Police Department recently announced a vacancy for animal control officer. The salary is $18.14 per hour. The FLSA status is non-exempt, full-time. Completed applications are to be turned in by Feb. 25. More information can be found on the Michigan City Police Department Facebook page and emichigancity.com. 

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have upcoming mobile mobile food distributions in Starke and LaPorte counties.  On Tuesday, Feb. 16, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon central time at Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield Street, in Knox. This distribution will serve 200 households, while supplies last. On Monday, Feb. 21, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon at Last Resort Campground, 4707 W. 1300 S, in Hanna. This distribution will serve 150 households, while supplies last.  Assorted food items are offered free of charge. All items are pre-boxed and

Indiana Dunes National Park says they are still accepting applications for the 2022 Artist-in-Residence program. Visit the park's Artist-in-Residence page at their website, or find the link to download the application on the National Park’s Facebook page. Applications must be postmarked by March 14, 2022. The program at Indiana Dunes offers professional artists the opportunity to live in the park for two weeks to create art that helps generate appreciation and support for the national park. In exchange, the artist donates a piece of art created during their stay.  

The Valparaiso Police have expanded their Emergency Medical Responder Program, with the addition of six certified officers, which also includes two certified Emergency Medical Technicians within the sworn personnel.  The program originated in 2020 at the Valparaiso Police Department, with seven officers being certified. The importance of this program is shared by Chief Jeff Balon, who stated, “I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Valparaiso Police Department who have become a certified Emergency Medical Responder.  This is a division that has grown into the largest number EMR’s in the region, totaling 12 on a single department. 

Snowfall totals have come in from the National Weather Service of Chicago and Northern Indiana. The following are local snowfall reports: ...Porter County... Chesterton 4 ESE 14.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 1 NE South Haven 13.5 in 0814 PM 02/02 Public Valparaiso 2 NNW 13.5 in 1000 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 1 N 12.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Porter 11.1 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 2 NW 10.5 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 3 NNW Valparaiso 10.4 in 0440 PM 02/02 Trained Spotter 1 ESE Valparaiso 10.0 in 1140 AM 02/02 Trained Spotter Ogden Dunes 9.9 in

Indiana Dunes State Park says that thanks to the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. the State Park Nature Center provides snowshoe for rent between 10 - 3 p.m. daily. A driver’s license is required for rental. Reservations are not allowed. There is a $5 per day rental fee with cash, check, or card is accepted. Snowshoes are best for ages 5 and up. Call the Nature Center with any questions. 219-926-1390. Additionally, there are Naturalist programs being offered this weekend that are all taking place in the Nature Center's Auditorium: -Saturday, February 5th 2:00 p.m. - SENSATIONAL SPIDERS  “Don’t be

The Indiana State Police - Lowell Post released assistance and crash statistics from Wednesday taking place from 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m.  Troopers responded to 84 crashes (including 12 injury and 72 property), 90 Slide offs, 163 Assist motorists and one impaired driver arrest ("struck trooper car").  Police say dispatch received “thousands” of phone calls.  

Mayor of the City of La Porte Tom Dermody has issued an Executive Order declaring a snow emergency. The City of La Porte says the snow emergency lasts through Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. “During this time, parking along emergency snow routes is not permitted.” As of Wednesday evening, Feb. 2 (an even-numbered day of the month), parking is permitted only on the side of the street that corresponds to even-numbered property addresses. At 6 p.m. Thursday (an odd-numbered day of the month), parking will only be allowed on the side of the street that corresponds to odd-numbered property addresses.

The following are Winter Storm Warning messages from the National Weather Services of Northern Indiana and Chicago: URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Northern Indiana 1103 PM EST Wed Feb 2 2022 INZ003>008-012>016-020-022-MIZ077>081-031215- /O.CON.KIWX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220204T0000Z/ La Porte-St. Joseph-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-Starke-Pulaski- Marshall-Fulton-Kosciusko-White-Cass-Berrien-Branch-Hillsdale- Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, Walkerton, Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka, Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester, Akron, Warsaw, Winona Lake, Syracuse, Mentone, Monticello, Monon, Brookston, Logansport, Royal Center, Niles, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fair Plain, Benton Heights, Buchanan, Paw

$152 million awarded to more than 2,770 providers in first round of Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grants The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced that it is accepting applications for a second round of Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grants, intended to support child care, early care and education and out-of-school time programs that have faced increased costs and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds awarded in this round will cover five months of providers’ operating expenses, allowing them to stabilize their operations and invest in their businesses to build capacity for the future. During the first round of

Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that Porter County is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. “Indiana communities are putting in the work and effort to increase their broadband capabilities, and Porter County joins this group,” Crouch said. “Congratulations to the Porter County Commissioners and community leaders for taking the necessary steps

The following are Winter Storm Warning messages from the National Weather Services of Northern Indiana and Chicago:    URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Northern Indiana 955 PM EST Tue Feb 1 2022   INZ003>008-012>016-020-022-MIZ077>081-021200- /O.CON.KIWX.WS.W.0002.220202T0600Z-220204T0000Z/ La Porte-St. Joseph-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-Starke-Pulaski- Marshall-Fulton-Kosciusko-White-Cass-Berrien-Branch-Hillsdale- Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, Walkerton, Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka, Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester, Akron, Warsaw, Winona Lake, Syracuse, Mentone, Monticello, Monon, Brookston, Logansport, Royal Center, Niles, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fair Plain, Benton Heights,

The City of Michigan City says that Superintendent Shong Smith and Mayor Parry have called for “Phase One” of snow removal in effect at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Phase One indicated no parking on designated Snow Routes, and the immediate attention to these routes and major thoroughfares within the city.   Phase Two which would be called next, is the secondary roads, alleys, and cul-de-sacs. As of Wednesday, the Senior Center has closed until further notice. The City of Michigan City says Mayor Parry will keep everyone updated as the predicted storm continues. The city says to “be prepared, be cautious,