Local News

Franciscan Health is aiming to help families achieve their wellness goals together with “FIT-Together,” a unique, eight-week fitness program intended for households with children between age 8 and 14. FIT-Together will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Aug. 16 to Oct. 4 at the Michigan City YMCA, 1202 Spring St. The program is free, but registration is required. The FIT-Together program addresses the well-being of every participating family member – children, siblings, parents or parental figures – by exploring healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health. Sessions will include physical activities as a fun way

Each year, Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) offers two grant cycles to community partners and nonprofits looking to improve health and wellness in La Porte County. In the first grant cycle this year, 2022 Cycle 1, HFL awarded $3,804,550 across 55 grants. The 55 grants span HFL’s three strategic priorities—Healthy Children, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Living—as well as projects that contribute to the overall health and wellness of La Porte through the Foundation’s Healthy La Porte grants.   The 55 grants awarded in 2022 Cycle 1 fall within HFL’s main strategic areas:   Healthy Children: 17 grants, totaling $900,069 Healthy Living: 17 grants, totaling $2,464,741 Healthy Minds: 5 grants, totaling $108,000  Healthy La Porte: 16

The Ogden Dunes Police Department announced that the repairs for the water main break in the area of Diana Road and Hillcrest Road have been completed and services have been fully restored. Police said Thursday afternoon that the boil order is still in effect and will remain in effect until further notice. Water will continue to be tested and this order will remain in effect until the water is shown to be clear of any contaminants for two consecutive days. Police say it is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five minutes

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) elected a new slate of officers to serve during the 2022-2023 50th Anniversary Season. The officers are as follows: Susan Aaro n, Chair Kathryn Berne l, Immediate Past Chair Nolah Nasser-Gertner, Vice-Chair Alyssa Speichert, Secretary Cecelia Largura, Treasurer In addition, board member Dale Knouse will serve as the Chair of the Marketing Committee and Steve Kring and Dr. Tom Keon will be serving as Co-Chairs of the 50th Anniversary Committee. Two LCSO board members whose terms are ending are: Immediate Past Chair, Leigh Morris and board member Ela Bilderback . “I am excited

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office says it obtained updated information on the vehicle crash in which Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and three others died. Police say the information from the preliminary investigation at the scene, as to the direction of travel of the vehicles, was not correct. The continuing investigation has located eyewitness and video evidence.  Both confirm that the maroon Buick LeSabre driven by 56-year-old Edith Schmucker of Nappanee was southbound on SR 19 south of SR 119 and the silver Toyota RAV 4, driven by 27-year-old Zachery Potts of Mishawaka was northbound on SR 19.  The Toyota RAV 4

In Chesterton, Indian Boundary Road between Starwood Drive and Graham Drive in unincorporated Westchester Township is scheduled to close from 7 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, through noon Saturday, Aug. 6, according to the Town of Chesterton. A trench is being cut in Indian Boundary Road for the installation of a new water main. Indian Boundary Road between Starwood Drive and Graham Drive will be closed to all traffic, including emergency vehicles.

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement for Porter and Lake Counties  from 1 p.m. Thursday through midnight early Friday.  High waves of 3 to 6 feet and dangerous currents expected at Lake Michigan beaches. Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers. The National Weather Service 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.” In addition there is a beach hazards statement for Northern Cook, Lake and Central Cook Counties in Illinois from 10 a.m. Thursday to

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Bryan Boyer, MD, has joined the care team at Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center. Dr. Boyer received his training at Indiana University School of Medicine in Bloomington, Ind. His residency was at Akron General Medical Center in Akron, Ohio, and his fellowship was at Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship in Columbus, Ohio. His clinical interests include general orthopedic care, trauma fracture care, kyphoplasty, SI fusions and total knee, total hip and total shoulder replacement. Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center is located at 1225 E. Coolspring Ave. in Michigan City. For more information or to make an appointment,

In honor of Unity Foundation of La Porte County’s 30th Anniversary, Horizon Bank has donated $30,000 to Unity’s La Porte County Gives Gift Match Pool.  “For over 30 years, Unity Foundation has served as a powerful conduit for donors, nonprofits and community stakeholders,” said Craig M. Dwight, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Horizon Bank and Horizon Bancorp, Inc. “As a result, La Porte County is poised for stronger partnerships and bigger impact for many years to come.”  Unity is hosting La Porte County Gives, a 30-hour fundraising event between September 30 and October 1, 2022, at laportecountygives.net. Permanent funds held

Governor Eric Holcomb is directing flags in the State of Indiana to be flown at half-staff in honor of U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski, who passed Wednesday. Flags should be flown at half-staff immediately until the date of her burial. Holcomb is asking businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags.

Indiana Second District Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and three others died in an Elkhart County crash Wednesday.  At around 12:32 p.m. the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on State Road 19 south of State Road 119. A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle. All three occupants in the southbound vehicle died as a result of their injuries. They were identified as 58-year-old Jackie Walorski of Elkhart, 27 year-old Zachery Potts, of Mishawaka and 28 year-old Emma Thomson of Washington, DC.  The sole occupant of the

Heat advisories are in effect in northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and parts of Illinois Wednesday. The first heat advisory is from the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana: “...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT /11 AM CDT/ TO 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Peak afternoon heat index values 100 to 105 degrees. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From noon EDT /11 AM CDT/ to 8 PM EDT /7 PM CDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids,

The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Cadets help put up one of the many tents used at the school district Back to School Rally. (MCJROTC) have been busy this summer as they trained for a week in Wisconsin at a Leadership Camp organized and run by MCHS, with cadets from Portage and South Bend Riley also attending. Selected cadets also attended the National Military Drill Camp at Schreiner University in Texas and the MCJROTC Senior Leadership Camp in Boswell, Pennsylvania. These camps, like all MCJROTC activities, were done at no cost to the students or MCHS. They

The following is an update on the Shore Shore Line's Double Track NWI construction: 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 is expected to begin in

Attorney General Todd Rokita on Tuesday announced Indiana as a leader of the nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force, which will include 50 attorneys general. The task force will investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the country. This bipartisan national task force has one goal: to stop illegal robocalls.  The new task force, led by Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina attorneys general, has issued 20 civil investigative demands to 20 gateway providers and other entities that are allegedly responsible for a majority of foreign robocall traffic. Rokita’s office says

HOBART, Ind. – Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a kayaking incident Sunday night that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old Dyer man and left a 54-year-old Dyer woman in critical condition. At around 8:15 p.m., the Lake County 911 Center received a call for help after witnesses saw two kayakers on Robinson Lake tip over and begin struggling in the water about 200 feet from shore. As the kayakers struggled, one witness entered the water to rescue them. During that attempt, both kayakers went under the surface of the water. The witness located the female and swam her back

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of 15-year-old Antonio Mikell. He is described as a black male, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, last seen wearing a Trump 2020 T shirt and pajama pants with Christmas lights, and carrying a silver suitcase. Antonio is missing from Elkhart and was last seen on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at 3:15 pm. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. If you have any information on Antonio Mikell, contact the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office at 574-533-4151 or

Ogden Dunes police are reminding the public that U.S. 12 Westbound is closed in Ogden Dunes through Wednesday 3, for NIPSCO work related to the double track project. Drivers are able to take U.S. 12 east out of town; however, when returning to town the frontage road needs to be used. Additionally, northbound 249 is also experiencing traffic backups due to construction. Police say “If you can avoid the area around Ameriplex when returning to town, please do so. If you cannot, please expect delays and plan accordingly.”

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the 54 -year-old Michael A Zaragoza. He is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Zaragoza has no known vehicle or employment, and typically travels with the assistance of friends or Uber. He is wanted for aggravated battery. Zaragoza is known to reside in, and frequent the Portage area, and is known to attend various substance abuse recovery meetings throughout northern Porter County. Zaragoza is currently believed to be staying at random locations with friends or family. He also has a history

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is entering its 50th Anniversary with the 2022-23 season. Concerts include: August 21 – Friendship Botanic Gardens September 17 – 17th Annual Hoosier Star! September 24 – Sharing Meadows (40th Anniversary) October 12 – 34th Annual Drayton Family Children’s Educational Concerts November 5 – “Americana!” December 10 – 28th Annual Holiday at the Pops February 11, 2023 – “Side by Side” with the La Porte High School Orchestra and Wind Ensemble March 12, 2023 – “Pictures at an Exhibition” April 22, 2023 – Purdue Varsity Glee Club and special guest yet to be announced