Local News

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department says it has become aware of recent calls to Lake County residents from people pretending to be Lake County police officers. The phony officers attempt to bilk citizens out of thousands of dollars. The department says it has received more than 14 calls from people who have been contacted by scammers demanding large sums of money as payment for “violations” including a missed court appearance. The fraudsters then ask the would-be victim to pay using  mobile payment apps including Venmo, Zelle and CashApp and also suggested payment could be made through electronic or virtual currency,

The Valparaiso Police Department is alerting the public about a recent phone scam reported in the area. The department says it has been notified in recent weeks of various scams that are occurring over the phone in the area. The department says these financial scams often encourage large sums to be donated, pay for a loved ones criminal or health issues, or require payment for what seems to be actual services. Valpo police say that on a national level, political and law enforcement support groups are now being used as fraudulent reasons to solicit such funds from unexpected victims. Valparaiso

The State Road 2 closure south of U.S. 30 in Porter County will be moved from the intersection of Horse Prairie Avenue /Smoke Road to the bridge over Sager Run on or after Friday, June 17. This is still minor work to be completed in the northeast corner of the Horse Prairie Avenue / Smoke Road and State Road 2 intersection, which will be done under flagging operations.  State Road 2 will be closed over Sager Run (between U.S. 30 and Horse Prairie Avenue / Smoke Road). That work will take approximately six to eight weeks, and then State Road

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department recently received a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte to fund operations at the Activity Center for Older Adults (ACOA). The facility, located in downtown La Porte, provides services and programs for the city’s senior population. “La Porte Activity Center is much more than a social space or a place to play cards,” said Maria Fruth, President and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. “It connects older adults to vital community services that can help them stay healthy and independent. The Center offers activities to keep seniors

Franciscan Health Michigan City staff members recently recognized three of their colleagues for their team approach to patient care and rapport with staff and patients. Hospitalist and internal medicine physician Elias Salloum, M.D., is the 2022 St. Luke Award recipient, and nurses Abby Knoll, R.N., and Jill Ross, R.N., are the 2022 St. Camillus Award recipients. The winner of the St. Luke Award, named for the patron saint of physicians and surgeons, is chosen each year by the patient care staff. Franciscan says, "The award recognizes physicians who have an outstanding rapport with nurses, patients and their families; show respect

Franciscan Health’s Mobile Markets in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana will be offered this month at both Hammond and Crown Point hospitals. The Mobile Markets are provided by the Franciscan Health Foundation as a key component of its Franciscan Food Insecurity Program. Upcoming Mobile Markets locations and dates are: -Franciscan Health Crown Point, 1201 S. Main St., 3PM, Tuesday, June 21, in the hospital parking lot near the helicopter pad. -Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., 3PM, Wednesday, June 22, in the parking lot across the street next to Centier Bank.

Attorney General Todd Rokita encourages Hoosiers to avoid scams by being mindful as they prepare for out-of-town summer vacations. To ensure your time away is as safe as possible, use caution to avoid crafty scammers. Attorney General Rokita shared the following list of tips to avoid common vacation scams: -Avoid high-pressure sales pitches before you book a trip. -Be extra cautious when booking through an unfamiliar company. Check the Better Business Bureau ratings and research the name online to see if there are any allegations of scams. -Read the fine print in the contract before you sign it. It will tell you

Michigan City Transit Service will not be operating on Monday June 20th in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. They will resume regular service on Tuesday June 21st.

Horizon Bank announces donation to Dunebrook Inc., in Michigan City Indiana. The donation, in the amount of $10,000, was presented by Noe Najera, Sr. Retail & Mortgage Lending Officer to Tammy Button, Executive Director of Dunebrook, Inc. Funds will be used towards child abuse prevention education in LaPorte and Porter County Indiana. Dunebrook’s program strengthens their ability to reduce the occurrence of child sexual abuse in children and adolescents. The objective of the program is to present child sexual abuse prevention education to over 24,000 children and teens in grades K-12. In addition, the program will play a key role in educating adults through an informational Parents’

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce announced that a series of workshops are being planned to gather community input and conversations on use of the ARPA funds in Michigan City. Businesses, organizations, and community members are encouraged to attend. The workshops are scheduled for June 22, 27, and 29. See more on the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. 

An Air Quality Action Day has been forecast for Northwest Indiana for elevated ozone levels and is in effect until midnight CDT. An Air Quality Action Day has been also been declared by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Allen, Wabash and Huntington in Indiana and is in effect until 11 p.m. CDT Wednesday. Ozone Levels are expected to be at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups. People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone and fine particulate formation. These activities include: refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling, using gasoline

The Portage Police Department announced that beginning this week, the Portage Police Department will start periodic bike patrols in the city’s neighborhoods. The department says it has historically conducted patrols on trails and now plan to expand this service to neighborhoods throughout the Summer. Chief Candiano says he believes this will provide more visibility and encourage more positive interaction between officers and citizens. Candiano added, “Please feel free to speak with our officers and pass along any concerns you have, especially those related to your neighborhood.”  

Kathleen Snyder, Horizon Bank’s Vice President, Investment Sales and Compliance Manager, announced the addition of Chelsea Brandt as Trust Relationship Manager.  She is located at 515 Franklin Street, in Michigan City. Brandt has ten years of experience in the financial industry. She was in the previous positions of teller, service manager, personal banker, branch manager, and district manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for managing fiduciary and investment-oriented client relationships.  Brandt attended Michigan State University, and in 2020 went on to attend the Graduate School of Banking – Sales and Marketing School. She has been a member

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work is underway in both the west and east parking lots. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) will be 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

Hundreds of children will head back to school with brand new backpacks packed with supplies, thanks to a team of volunteers at Franciscan Health Michigan City. A total of 600 backpacks purchased by Franciscan Health Michigan City through its Mission Fund were stuffed with supplies on June 8 by volunteers in the community room at the hospital. Five hundred of the backpacks will be donated to the Michigan City Area Schools Back to School Rally, and another 100 backpacks will go to St. Stanislaus School. Franciscan Health Michigan City is aiming to help even more children with its annual Backpack

Additional cooling centers have been announced. The following is a list of cooling centers in our area: La Porte: The following locations will be open to the public as cooling centers for Wednesday, June 15: Location Address Times La Porte City Hall 801 Michigan Ave. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *La Porte Fire Station #3 710 Daytona St. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. La Porte Civic Auditorium 1001 Ridge St. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Porte Park & Rec Office 250 Pine Lake Ave. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Porte County Public Library 904 Indiana Ave. 9 a.m.

PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award while being recognized for his 10 years of transformational leadership in Northwest Indiana at the 5.75 Roaring Ahead Scholarship Gala on June 10. The gala raised more than $200,000 from generous donors to support scholarships for current and future PNW students. Keon was recognized for his 10 years of leadership at the university’s helm during the gala, including being awarded with the Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. The Sagamore of the Wabash is one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by a sitting

An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. central time Tuesday to 11 p.m. Wednesday night for the counties of LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Starke within the WIMS listening area. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 expected. Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The National Weather Service says to "drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left

The 27th annual graduation ceremony of Michigan City High School took place on Sunday in the Wolves Den gymnasium, as 308 students received a high school diploma. Barbara Eason-Watkins, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, told the graduates they are shining examples of what it means to be Michigan City Wolves. She used the word “resilient” to describe this graduating class, referring to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years. “Through all of this, you made strong bonds with one another,” she said. “You went through an unprecedented time – and you are stronger because