Local News

A La Porte Community School Corporation bus driver beat the odds after needing his leg amputated due to complications of COVID-19 last fall. “Don’t ever give up,” was the message delivered by Jim Hines, at the Aug. 15 staff opening day event. Superintendent Dr. Mark Francesconi introduced Hines and asked him to share his story. Last Fall, Jim contracted COVID-19 and suffered symptoms so severe that his friends and family prepared for the worst. Against all odds, he recovered, but not before having his lower right leg amputated due to complications. Within two months of his amputation, Jim was fully

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board has approved more than $22.9 million in matching state grants, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking school safety investments. The grants will be allocated to 425 schools, which is the largest number of schools to ever apply. Governor Holcomb stated, “We continue to prioritize investments in school safety to help students and staff succeed without the worry of violence in Hoosier schools. This funding allow [sic] schools to address their specific safety needs through additional personnel and programs designed to prepare for and prevent school violence.” With the addition of $3.9 million in

The Michigan City Department of Water Works will begin the semi-annual fire hydrant flushing on Tuesday Sept. 6. The flushing is done to insure the hydrants are in proper working order for the fall and winter months. The program is expected to take around 8 weeks to complete. The department says that if anyone should experience any discoloration in their water, they should let the water run for a short time and the water will clear.

The City of Valparaiso is presenting funds to support local nonprofit organizations serving the Valparaiso community, as provided in the adopted plan under the American Rescue Plan Act. Organizations receiving ARPA funding through the City of Valparaiso include Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, The Caring Place, Dressed for School, Hilltop Neighborhood House, MAAC Foundation, Opportunity Enterprises, Respite House, and both the Valparaiso Police and Valparaiso Fire departments. Earlier this year, organizations were invited to share their thoughts for use of the ARPA funds at a City Council meeting, highlighting many positive initiatives. The Boys & Girls Club

A semi truck that was stolen Wednesday morning in Jasper county was later recovered on I-65, Indiana State Police said. Officers from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post were dispatched to a theft of a tractor-trailer from the Love’s Truck Stop located on S.R. 10 east of I-65. Officers spoke with the victim who had been inside the truck stop and determined when the driver went outside, his truck was missing. During the investigation, officers were able to determine that the vehicle was at another truck stop located in Remington. That truck

Portage police made two arrests Tuesday afternoon after a robbery and pursuit, which left one officer injured. Police say at around 1:01 p.m. officers were called to the area of the Port Crossing Apartments in reference to an armed robbery, which had just occurred. The victim stated he had met with two individuals, later identified as 20-year-old Keshawn McLaurin of Chicago and 24 year-old Keyante Hayes of Portage to sell two firearms to the men. During the attempted sale, McLaurin was inspecting one of the firearms being sold, which was loaded. McLaurin then pointed the weapon at the victim and

Eighteen organizations will receive grants from NIPSCO to help fund their safety education and training projects throughout Northern Indiana. This year, NIPSCO has granted a total of $68,000. Over the past five years since this grant program was initiated, a total of 78 projects were funded, totaling $281,000 in grant donations that positively impact safety education and programming within the NIPSCO’s service territory. This year’s recipients include: MAAC Foundation - MAAC Lunch and Learn Series American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana - Disaster Relief/Preparedness Monticello Fire Rescue Association - Emergency Response Diver II Certification Fractured Atlas - Teacher of Patience

The South Shore Line has announced that to accommodate passengers attending University of Notre Dame 2022 home football games, the SSL will provide its regularly scheduled train service with revisions to previous years’ service offerings: "Due to an ongoing bus operator shortage, the 2022 season will not offer a free Transpo shuttle bus operating between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium for home football games. South Shore Line passengers are encouraged to utilize ride-sharing services for transportation to/from the Airport and stadium." Passengers should be advised that extra westbound trains departing after the conclusion of 7:30 p.m.

A Lake County Sheriff’s officer has been charged with stalking according to the Indiana State Police. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez recently contacted the Indiana State Police regarding alleged criminal activity being conducted by a Lake County Officer. In early July, the Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post began an investigation centered around an allegation that an officer had used police resources to stalk and harass an ex-domestic partner. During the investigation, it was learned that Patrol Officer Nicholas Katalinic had made false statements to the Lake County 911 Center in order to determine the whereabouts of an ex-domestic

In Michigan City 300 North is closed Wednesday from around 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for the installation of a sanitary sewer. Local traffic will be able to get to Frontage Road and the residence of 9932 W. 300 North from U.S. 421. Local traffic will be able to get to everything East of Frontage Road from 950 West.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is awarding over $330,000 in scholarships to 200 students from 50 different scholarship funds for the 2022-2023 academic year. Since 1992, Unity has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to help area students advance their education. The recipients are attending 52 different colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President, said, “This year’s scholarship recipients represent the best of La Porte County. They have persevered in the face of unique circumstances during the past few years of their education, and we wish them continued success in

The South Shore Line will operate a weekend/holiday train schedule in observance of Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. Due to ongoing holiday events, the following alcohol restrictions will be in place: · Friday, Sept. 2: Alcohol is prohibited on all trains after 7 p.m. · Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, Sept. 3-5: Alcohol is prohibited on all trains. Glass bottles are prohibited at all times. The Millennium Station ticket office will be open from 9:35 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday; all other ticket offices will be closed. Please purchase tickets from our ticket vending machines, via the South Shore mobile

LAKE COUNTY– Tuesday roadwork crews are shutting down the westbound right lanes of I-80/94 from mile marker 6.5 to mile marker 0 in the evening/overnight hours. Construction is moving into a new phase. Once the change is made the on-ramps at Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard will be reopened.

The following is a construction update for the South Shore Line NWI project: 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. 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 shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy.  Construction of the new Miller Station began in August at the southwest corner of Lake Street

Michigan City High School has been named a host site for both the regional and semi-state rounds of the 2022-23 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Boys Basketball Tournament. This year’s tournament will be the 113th of its kind. With sectional rounds scheduled to take place at many schools throughout the state, Michigan City will host the games that qualify the top 16, 8, 4, and 2 teams in Indiana. The regional competition at MCHS is scheduled for March 11; the semi-state contest will be held March 18. The semi-state champion will go on to represent the northern half of

Governor Eric Holcomb on Monday signed an executive order, suspending certain regulations in order to minimize the disruption of adequate fuel supply to Hoosiers and motorists in surrounding states after an electrical fire at the BP Whiting refinery on Aug. 24, which caused it to shut down production. The order temporarily waives regulations regarding vapor pressure requirements on fuel standards and lifts restrictions on hours of service relating to motor carriers and drivers transporting fuels. The temporary suspensions are meant to expedite the refining and transporting of fuel through Indiana. The refinery provided up to 25 percent of the refined

Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting two COVID-19 vaccine clinics in an effort to increase education and vaccination rates in underserved communities. The clinics will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sept. 1 at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Pleasant Hill Ministries, 715 E. 10th St. Pfizer first and second vaccines and booster shots will be available for ages 5 and older. Individuals who are receiving their second dose from the first series of shots or either of their booster shots are eligible

The staff of Indiana Dunes National Park is pleased to announce that one of the park’s volunteers, Rob Albrecht-Mallinger, is the national recipient of the National Park Service’s George and Helen Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. This award recognizes and honors the efforts of exceptional "Volunteers In Parks," or VIPs. Rob won under the individual category for his leadership work on making the East Branch of the Little Calumet River accessible to the public. In 2019, the park’s volunteer office partnered with the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association to create the national park’s River Restoration Crew. This volunteer crew does log jam