Local News

In response to a state lawmaker’s inquiry, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita today released an official advisory opinion indicating that generally, schools are not liable for damages related to COVID-19. “With so much discussion across our state and our country about the appropriate response to COVID, this opinion provides another consideration for school decision-makers in determining the best policies for our greatest asset, our children,” said Attorney General Rokita. “Like the Parents’ Bill of Rights, this opinion was issued to provide a roadmap for school administrators, parents, and taxpayers on their legal rights regarding our children’s education.” Attorney General Rokita produced

Edgewood Elementary School announced that they have been selected as a recipient of the Mobile Van program through the Enchanted Backpack Organization. The school will receive nearly $50,000 worth of brand new classroom supplies, recess items, books, winter coats, games, art supplies and more. More information on the program can be found on the Edgewood Elementary School Facebook page. 

Michigan City Area Schools is again seeking nominations for its 2022 employee "Wall of Fame". This annual award, first presented in 1976, honors former school employees who have made outstanding contributions to the children of the Michigan City Area Schools. Employees from every area are eligible: administrators, custodians, food service personnel, instructional assistants, maintenance personnel, paraprofessionals, teachers, transportation staff, and secretarial staff. To qualify for nomination, the candidate must have been employed by the Michigan City Area Schools for a minimum of 15 years. Special circumstances may be considered for those not meeting the 15-year requirement due to hardship or

A Portage man on Wednesday was cited for catching and keeping undersized steelhead trout, in addition to littering, after tossing a plastic bag containing the small fish into the grass when he spotted an officer approaching him on a trail, according to the DNR. The DNR says that Lake Michigan tributaries in several northwest Indiana locations are periodically stocked by the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife with steelhead trout, which ultimately will grow to be very large and strong fish. The size limit for these fish is 14 inches and any small fish must be immediately returned to the

Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan is reminding Hoosiers of two upcoming dates regarding voting: Indiana’s voter registration deadline is April 4th. Registering to vote and checking your status for the 2022 primary can be done online at https://IndianaVoters.com or by visiting your local county election administrator’s office. On April 4th, online registration needs to be completed before midnight and registering in person at your local county election administrator’s office needs to be completed before the end of the business day. Absentee in-person Voting begins on April 5th. Voting absentee in-person is open from April 5, 2022 to May 2, 2022. All

A 17-year-old Illinois resident was placed under arrest Tuesday after police used a helicopter to find the suspect, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  Just before 9 a.m. the Lake County Aviation Unit began tracking a suspect in an Indiana State Police Pursuit on I-80/94.  Indiana State police had been following a silver passenger car from approximately the 24 mile marker of I-80/94 in Porter County, but lost the suspect vehicle at the truck stops at Burr Street in Gary.  Aviation Unit members were able to keep the suspect in view and provide information about his movements to officers

The annual “Magic Baton” competition is returning to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) for the first time since 2019. La Porte Mayor, Tom Dermody , and Michigan City Mayor, Duane Parry , will square off in vying for the privilege of conducting the LCSO at their final concert of the season. The concert date is Saturday, April 23, 7:00 p.m. , and will be performed at the Civic Auditorium in La Porte. This concert is entitled “FILM FEST!” and will feature many movie themes with a tribute to America’s premiere composer, John Williams. Music Director, Dr. Carolyn Watson , will lead the musicians of the LCSO in excerpts from several

Two of Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) graduate program offerings were recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Programs rankings, released Tuesday, March 29. PNW’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, offered by the College of Nursing, was ranked No. 88 nationally in the Best Nursing Master’s Programs category. PNW’s MSN offers advanced nursing practices and clinical training to gain additional skills and qualifications for the healthcare field, such as its Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist concentrations. PNW’s online MSN was also recognized in January in U.S. News’ 2022 Best Online Programs rankings. More

The following information is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line Double Track construction that is taking place throughout the area. “INFORMATION UPDATED 3/28/2022 GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. The removal of underground obstructions will continue in March. New sewer work has begun in the west parking lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, but the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Highway will remain open.  NICTD’s Double

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana is hosting several mobile food distributions in the area.   In St. Joseph County, there will be a distribution On Tuesday, April 5, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET At Emmons Elementary School, 1306 S. Main Street, in Mishawaka. This distribution will serve 300 households, while supplies last, and is sponsored by St. Joseph Health System Community Health and Well-Being.   In LaPorte County there will be a distribution Wednesday, April 13, from 10 a.m. – Noon CT at Fedder’s Alley, Washington Park, in Michigan City. This distribution will serve 300 households, while

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that a LaCrosse man has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatality accident, in connection to a crash that occurred on March 14 at the area of U.S. 421 and County Road 500 S. in San Pierre.  On that day, at around 10:45 p.m., deputies from the Starke County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to that area for a personal injury traffic accident. When officers and other first responders were on the scene at 10:53 p.m. they located an unresponsive male. The male, 35-year-old Sherman Rhodes Berry of Hamlet, was pronounced dead

The Porter Police Department has released information on a crash that occurred Friday evening on U.S. 20.  At around 7:40 P.M. Friday; members of the Porter Police Department were dispatched to a vehicle collision on U.S. 20, between Tremont Road and the SR 49 bridge. Two vehicles were found to have been involved. Based on witness statements and the preliminary crash investigation, a 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer being driven by a 69-year-old Michigan City man was traveling eastbound on U.S. 20 and a 1994 Toyota Corolla being driven by 55 year-old Sandra Rice-Hatch, of Chicago was traveling westbound on U.S. 20. 

A man has been charged with attempted murder in connection to a shooting in La Porte. Police say officers were dispatched on Saturday at around 9:45 p.m., to the 1000 Block of Clay Street in reference to a shooting. Officers located a man inside a residence of the 1000 block who had suffered two gunshot wounds. The suspect, Clifford Wesley, was detained at the scene and subsequently transported to the La Porte Police Station for questioning.  According to the La Porte County Jail’s JailTracker, Wesley is a resident of La Porte. A firearm was also recovered on scene and collected.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is now accepting applications for its new Explore, Engage, and Experience Grant. The grant is available for Indiana’s schools and local partners as they work to expand students’ access to pathways leading to high-wage, high-demand careers. “It’s important that every student has access to pathways throughout their PK-12 education in order to help prepare them for what’s next after high school – whether that’s employment, enrollment, or enlistment leading to service,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Before it’s time for a student to consider the ‘Es’ of employment, enrollment, or enlistment, though,

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps was very busy during March, supporting school and community activities as well as competing in the MCJROTC Regional Drill Championship at Purdue University in West Lafayette on March 5th. MCHS hosted the Boys Regional Basketball tournament on March 14th.  The cadets provided parking support for the semifinal games in the morning and the championship game game at night.  They also provided the Color Guard for the morning and evening games. Of note, with a crowd of nearly 7000 for the championship game between Chesterton and Penn, the

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office Facebook page sent out an update that said "***CANCEL/LOCATED***" on the alert for a missing teen.   Original: The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of 17-year-old Emma Whitaker. Emma is described as a white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 133 pounds, with blonde hair with blue eyes, and last seen wearing a blue sweater, tie dye shirt, and blue jeans. Emma is missing from Wheatfield, Indiana and was last seen on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:00 p.m. She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

Michigan City Police Friday evening responded to calls for shots fired and that two individuals were shot in the area of Hitchcock Road north of US Highway 20. Officers immediately responded and began gathering information. EMS arrived on scene and immediately transported two gun-shot victims to Franciscan Health Michigan City with non-life-threatening injuries.  Officers canvassed the area and began to look for evidence and witnesses.   Detectives were called to the scene to assist.  Witnesses were interviewed by officers at the scene.  Detectives continue to work the investigation by interviewing witnesses, processing evidence, and gathering video surveillance regarding this matter. The

Indiana State Police are investigating after a Valparaiso man wanted in connection with a double homicide crashed shortly after a trooper attempted to stop his car in Harrsion County, Indiana. Around 5 a.m. Friday, police were advised to be on the lookout for a Buick and its driver in reference to a double homicide that occurred late Thursday night in Evansville. While searching for the car, a trooper spotted a car matching the description backed into a hotel parking spot just north of I-64 in Corydon. The trooper noted that the car was occupied and requested assistance before approaching the