Local News

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

LaPorte County Commissioner Sheila Matias showcased another local company in a new business series on Wednesday called LaPorte County Works!, which focuses on high-impact local manufacturers who are flourishing and growing in LaPorte County. “The pandemic made the last few years tough on everyone and so it’s more important than ever to focus on what’s good about our county-good jobs, good wages, and good futures right here. “LaPorte County WORKS! is a way of honoring the many businesses who call LaPorte County home. We highlight local businesses and industries so citizens of all ages and skill sets know they can

La Porte County Family YMCA says on the "National Day of Giving" they need your help to keep more families active and healthy through their scholarship program. The MC Elston branch will be hosting a spin a thon to encourage donations for this special day. You can join in or donate as they spin for dollars. The event will be Tuesday, Nov. 30.

The Portage Street Department will begin the yearly fall leaf pick-up schedule as management observes the need to start. The department has stated that, weather permitting, residents' leaf piles will be picked up about three to five times during this fall period. In case of rain or snow, leaf pick-up will be delayed and will resume as weather allows. The city is divided into four zone quadrants, these zones are the same as the trash and recycling routes. The department says it is very important to understand that in the peak of leaf pickup, the department will take about 3-5

In Lake County, the right lane of northbound U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue and the ramp from eastbound I-80/94 to northbound U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue will be closed for approximately five days starting on or after Wednesday, Nov. 4. These closures are for bridge deck overlay work.

The Michigan City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance with identifying two subjects. MCPD says if anyone is able to identify the subject, please notify Captain Kevin Urbanczyk at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1042 or at kurbanczyk@emichigancity.com.   MCPD also is reminding the public that you can contact them via Facebook Messenger, through their crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or you can also call the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. You can always request to remain

NIPSCO announced on Monday that its first two Indiana-based solar projects – Indiana Crossroads Solar and Dunns Bridge Solar I – have broken ground and are currently under construction.  Dunns Bridge Solar I is a 265 megawatt (MW) facility located in Jasper County, Ind. A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, is constructing the project. Dunns Bridge Solar I will include an estimated 900,000 solar panels, is expected to be operational in 2022 and will be capable of producing enough energy to power 79,500 homes.  The second phase of the project, Dunns Bridge Solar II, which will also be constructed

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have several upcoming mobile food distributions in LaPorte and Starke counties.  There will be a distribution Friday, Nov. 12, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. CT at HealthLinc, 104 E. Culver Rd., Suite 101, in Knox. This distribution will serve 250 households. There will be a distribution Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. – Noon CT at Marquette Mall (outside of J.C. Penney), 201 W. U.S. 20, in Michigan City. This distribution is provided by United Way of LaPorte County and will serve 300 households. Additionally, there will be a distribution Thursday, Nov.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2021-2022 cycle of grants for Michigan City educators. These grants aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students – particularly during the pandemic. Since the mid-1990s, three grant programs, established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning, have awarded grants to over 1,000 teachers for projects of their own design. This year’s group of recipients is receiving more than $10,000. Funding assistance for this year’s grants was also provided by the Christian J.

The South Shore Line has announced to show their gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free Nov. 8-10, and on Veterans Day (Nov. 11). As train personnel walk through the train, please let them know that you are active military personnel or a veteran, and they will provide you a ride at no charge. No identification will be required. On Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, trains will follow the regular weekday train schedule. Up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride free with each military personnel/veteran

Friday afternoon, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office says it was blessed to receive a large gift basket that was delivered on behalf of the students from St. John’s Lutheran School.  The students recently began tithing with a goal to raise enough money to purchase treats and goodies for deputies. The LSCO said the thoughtfulness of the students will raise the spirit of the deputies and provide a boost of energy heading into the Halloween weekend.  

Join Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City, Friday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. for an opening reception for “Compelling Dunes Landscape Paintings” from 5 - 8 p.m.  See the works of Eugene Moldenhauer in the NIPSCO Art Education Studio at Lubeznik Center for the Arts.  The exhibition is organized by Gene’s daughter, Nancy Moldenhauer, and LCA’s Exhibition Director, Lora Fosberg. Funds generated through the sales of Gene’s paintings are being generously donated by Ms. Moldenhauer to be split by Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Save the Dunes. LCA is located at 101 W. 2nd Street, Michigan City.