Local News

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeff Balon has announced the hiring of Samantha Burgett, MSW, as the first Police Social Worker at the Valparaiso Police Department. Burgett obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from Valparaiso University and her master’s in social work (MSW) from IUPUI.  She has a background in non-profit work, case management, program development and facilitation within the criminal justice system. The Police Social Worker position grew out of a partnership that started in late 2017 when Chief Balon and Caroline Ban, Program Director and Assistant Professor in the Valparaiso University Social Work Department, joined forces to begin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expecting a severe flu season this year, and that could have a negative impact on the nation’s already-struggling blood supply. The American Red Cross continues to address an emergency blood shortage, and donors of all blood types – especially type O - are needed to make an appointment now to help ensure it doesn’t get worse as we move into winter. To encourage donations this month, all who come to give through Nov. 23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday,

Ashley Dickinson, chief executive officer for Northwest Health, has named Keith Nichols chief executive of Northwest Health – La Porte effective today. Nichols will provide operational leadership for Northwest Health – La Porte and will also be involved in operations at Northwest Health – Starke in Knox, Indiana. Nichols comes to La Porte County from Prescott Arizona where he served as the chief operating officer for Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and was responsible for two acute care hospitals and multiple outpatient care sites. Dickinson shared, “I’m pleased to name Keith as the CEO for Northwest Health – La Porte. I look forward to

Friday 11/12/21 FISH FRY-ALL YOU CAN EAT  from 5-7PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes: HAND BREADED POLLOCK, chicken strips, French fries, baked potato, creamy coleslaw, salad, roll and dessert.  Special veterans and senior pricing:  Adults-$11.00, Seniors(60yrs+) & Vets-$9.00, Kids 12 & under-$5.00, Preschoolers-Free.  Carry-outs available.  Call 219-785-2923 to pre-order for carry-outs, otherwise first come first serve. Wednesday, 11/17/21 TURKEY & CASH BINGO at American Legion Post #21, 107 N. Flynn Road (Hwy 421) in Westville. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m..  The $20 entry includes cards for

The Indiana Department of Labor has released the state’s results from the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses(SOII) report on its website. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2020, Indiana's rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses maintained a historic low of 3.1 per 100 full-time workers. In 2019 there were 3.3 injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time workers, the 2019 nonfatal injury and illness rate for Indiana at the time was tied with the 2018 rate as the lowest rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the state’s history From an all-time

The DNR recently stocked 80,896 Coho salmon in northern Indiana’s Lake Michigan tributaries. Bodine State Fish Hatchery released 29,457 Coho salmon fingerlings measuring approximately 7.2 inches into Trail Creek. Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery released an additional 51,439 Coho salmon fingerlings measuring approximately 6.6 inches into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. The DNR says Coho salmon stocked this fall will stay in the streams until next spring, when they will migrate to Lake Michigan. They will spend one to two years there feeding and maturing until they return to the streams where they were stocked for spawning. The

The Indiana State Police has partnered again with the U.S. Department of Justice in promoting the 2022 National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.  In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th as National Missing Children’s Day.  This day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers and all concerned individuals with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority.  It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and loved ones.  It also serves as an occasion to honor those who are dedicated to this cause.  The National Missing Children’s Poster Contest

INDOT is converting the intersection of State Road 39 and 18th St to a four-way stop on Monday, Nov. 8. This intersection is currently a two-way stop, with 18th St traffic stopping and traffic on State Road 39 continuing through the intersection. Now vehicles traveling on either roadway will need to stop. Motorists should exercise caution in the area while navigating the new traffic pattern.    

The City of La Porte will host the country’s top high school basketball teams and players at televised NIBC games this winter. The U.S. Marines NIBC La Porte Invitational on January 6-8 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. The event will feature 22 of top 100 college prospects from the Class of '22. Games will be televised on ESPNU and ESPN+. Tickets are $20 for an all-day pass to see four games. The NIBC is comprised of eight member institutions from around the country: Bishop Walsh School (Cumberland, Md.) IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) La Lumiere School (La Porte, Ind.) Legacy

La Porte County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning on State Road 8. Thursday morning at 8:39 a.m., deputies were summoned to the intersection of SR 8 and CR 875 West, rural Dewey Township, for a two vehicle personal injury crash. Three minutes later, a deputy arrived at the scene and located the involved vehicles west of the intersection along SR 8. The initial crash investigation determined that a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by 79 year old Joseph F. Barker of Valparaiso, was traveling southbound on CR 875 West. A 2021 GMC Penske

The La Porte Police Department announced Thursday it will be increasing patrols during the holiday season.  From now until Nov. 30, officers will be showing zero tolerance for impaired drivers, whether it’s alcohol or drugs, and will be on the lookout for Aggressive Driving behaviors. Impaired driving includes more than alcohol. Drugs and even some over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment, and can slow coordination, judgment and reaction times on the road. “With the weather starting to change, it is important to slow down and buckle up.  We want everyone to have a safe Thanksgiving season, and driving sober and

Governor Eric J. Holcomb Thursday announced the state will fund a $1.7 million implementation of statewide Harm Reduction Street Outreach (HRSO) teams to reach Hoosiers at-risk of drug overdose. The initiative is a combined effort of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Health. Indiana reported a 33% increase in fatal overdoses in 2020, according to provisional data released in July by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HRSO teams are comprised of one supervisor and two outreach workers who provide harm reduction strategies and resources such as naloxone and pamphlets to members of

The Michigan City Tree Board has 24 one-inch diameter, 5-foot to 7-foot-tall trees of various species, available for planting in the tree lawn in front of city residences. Tree board members will deliver and plant the trees. Homeowners may assist and must pledge to water and care for the trees as they grow. Those interested may email Laura Henderson at lhendeliz@yahoo.com . Emails must state Tree Request in the subject line and provide the homeowner’s name, address, phone number, precise description of where the tree will be planted (which must be in the tree lawn -between the sidewalk and street)

The A.K. Smith Career Center’s welding program in Michigan City recently received a donation from a local company. The company, Roeslein & Associates, donated 50 hoods, 50 pairs of gloves and 50 jackets.  Alex Strelinski, Operations Manager for Roesleing & Associates says Roeslein & Associates, which is relatively new to the area, wanted to give back to the community, and he could think of no better way than to support A.K. Smith as they teach students in the trades. Roeslein & Associates specializes in conveyor systems for the aluminum and steel manufacturing industry, and Strelinski said he hopes to offer

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) contributes $745.9 million in total income to Northwest Indiana, supporting 10,494 jobs across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, according to a recently completed economic impact study. PNW’s impact accounts for 2% of gross regional product, including the accomplishments of students and alumni, research conducted, start-ups launched and visitors welcomed as a result of PNW’s educational and engagement activities. According to the study, the activities of PNW and its students support one out of every 36 jobs in Northwest Indiana. Furthermore, expanding the research to PNW’s primary service region including Cook and Will counties in Illinois and

The Indiana State Department of health updated their weekly COVID county advisory level map on Wednesday.  Porter and Lake counties remain at a score of 1.5, yellow level.  LaPorte and St. Joseph counties have moved up from a score of 1.5, yellow level to a score of 2, orange level.  Starke and Jasper counties remain at a score of 2.5, orange level. Newton County has moved up from a score of 2, orange level to a score of 2.5, orange level. 

The FDA has issued an extension of the Emergency Use Authorization allowing the use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 5 years of age and older. The La Porte County Health Department will be offering the Pfizer pediatric vaccine starting on Friday, Nov. 5 at our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic located at 1007 Lincolnway in La Porte. Clinic hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. No appointment is needed; however, you can schedule one at www.ourshot.in.gov. As more sites are identified, information and locations will be provided. You can also visit