Local News

The Valparaiso Police have expanded their Emergency Medical Responder Program, with the addition of six certified officers, which also includes two certified Emergency Medical Technicians within the sworn personnel.  The program originated in 2020 at the Valparaiso Police Department, with seven officers being certified. The importance of this program is shared by Chief Jeff Balon, who stated, “I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Valparaiso Police Department who have become a certified Emergency Medical Responder.  This is a division that has grown into the largest number EMR’s in the region, totaling 12 on a single department. 

Snowfall totals have come in from the National Weather Service of Chicago and Northern Indiana. The following are local snowfall reports: ...Porter County... Chesterton 4 ESE 14.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 1 NE South Haven 13.5 in 0814 PM 02/02 Public Valparaiso 2 NNW 13.5 in 1000 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 1 N 12.0 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Porter 11.1 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS Valparaiso 2 NW 10.5 in 0700 AM 02/03 COCORAHS 3 NNW Valparaiso 10.4 in 0440 PM 02/02 Trained Spotter 1 ESE Valparaiso 10.0 in 1140 AM 02/02 Trained Spotter Ogden Dunes 9.9 in

Indiana Dunes State Park says that thanks to the Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc. the State Park Nature Center provides snowshoe for rent between 10 - 3 p.m. daily. A driver’s license is required for rental. Reservations are not allowed. There is a $5 per day rental fee with cash, check, or card is accepted. Snowshoes are best for ages 5 and up. Call the Nature Center with any questions. 219-926-1390. Additionally, there are Naturalist programs being offered this weekend that are all taking place in the Nature Center's Auditorium: -Saturday, February 5th 2:00 p.m. - SENSATIONAL SPIDERS  “Don’t be

The Indiana State Police - Lowell Post released assistance and crash statistics from Wednesday taking place from 12 a.m.-11:59 p.m.  Troopers responded to 84 crashes (including 12 injury and 72 property), 90 Slide offs, 163 Assist motorists and one impaired driver arrest ("struck trooper car").  Police say dispatch received “thousands” of phone calls.  

Mayor of the City of La Porte Tom Dermody has issued an Executive Order declaring a snow emergency. The City of La Porte says the snow emergency lasts through Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. “During this time, parking along emergency snow routes is not permitted.” As of Wednesday evening, Feb. 2 (an even-numbered day of the month), parking is permitted only on the side of the street that corresponds to even-numbered property addresses. At 6 p.m. Thursday (an odd-numbered day of the month), parking will only be allowed on the side of the street that corresponds to odd-numbered property addresses.

The following are Winter Storm Warning messages from the National Weather Services of Northern Indiana and Chicago: URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Northern Indiana 1103 PM EST Wed Feb 2 2022 INZ003>008-012>016-020-022-MIZ077>081-031215- /O.CON.KIWX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220204T0000Z/ La Porte-St. Joseph-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-Starke-Pulaski- Marshall-Fulton-Kosciusko-White-Cass-Berrien-Branch-Hillsdale- Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, Walkerton, Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka, Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester, Akron, Warsaw, Winona Lake, Syracuse, Mentone, Monticello, Monon, Brookston, Logansport, Royal Center, Niles, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fair Plain, Benton Heights, Buchanan, Paw

$152 million awarded to more than 2,770 providers in first round of Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grants The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced that it is accepting applications for a second round of Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grants, intended to support child care, early care and education and out-of-school time programs that have faced increased costs and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds awarded in this round will cover five months of providers’ operating expenses, allowing them to stabilize their operations and invest in their businesses to build capacity for the future. During the first round of

Today, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that Porter County is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. “Indiana communities are putting in the work and effort to increase their broadband capabilities, and Porter County joins this group,” Crouch said. “Congratulations to the Porter County Commissioners and community leaders for taking the necessary steps

The following are Winter Storm Warning messages from the National Weather Services of Northern Indiana and Chicago:    URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Northern Indiana 955 PM EST Tue Feb 1 2022   INZ003>008-012>016-020-022-MIZ077>081-021200- /O.CON.KIWX.WS.W.0002.220202T0600Z-220204T0000Z/ La Porte-St. Joseph-Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-Starke-Pulaski- Marshall-Fulton-Kosciusko-White-Cass-Berrien-Branch-Hillsdale- Including the cities of Michigan City, La Porte, South Bend, Mishawaka, New Carlisle, Walkerton, Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Lagrange, Topeka, Shipshewana, Angola, Fremont, Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Knox, North Judson, Bass Lake, Winamac, Francesville, Medaryville, Plymouth, Bremen, Culver, Rochester, Akron, Warsaw, Winona Lake, Syracuse, Mentone, Monticello, Monon, Brookston, Logansport, Royal Center, Niles, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Fair Plain, Benton Heights,

The City of Michigan City says that Superintendent Shong Smith and Mayor Parry have called for “Phase One” of snow removal in effect at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Phase One indicated no parking on designated Snow Routes, and the immediate attention to these routes and major thoroughfares within the city.   Phase Two which would be called next, is the secondary roads, alleys, and cul-de-sacs. As of Wednesday, the Senior Center has closed until further notice. The City of Michigan City says Mayor Parry will keep everyone updated as the predicted storm continues. The city says to “be prepared, be cautious,

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce announced newly elected directors and officers to the board for 2022.   Approved for their first three-year terms is Lori Tubbs with McColly Bennet Commercial Advantage and Greg Wilkerson with Fiber Bond Corporation.  Elected officers who will serve as the executive committee to the board for 2022 are Jill Nygren with Franciscan Health Michigan City as Chair, Kim Giannetti with General Insurance Services as Chair-Elect Megan Applegate with Applegate & Co., CPA, as Treasurer, and Brenda Temple with Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa as Secretary.  2021 Chair, Bill Gertner with Horizon Bank, will serve

With snow predicted to fall across large portions of Indiana this week, the American Heart Association encourages Hoosiers to protect their hearts while shoveling snow and to seek immediate treatment if they experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack. “Shoveling snow can be a very vigorous activity, and you’re basically doing it ‘in a freezer,’” says Dr. William Gill, a cardiologist who is immediate past-president of the American Heart Association board of directors in Indianapolis. “Those conditions can very quickly lead to stress on the heart.” To help make snow removal safer, the American Heart Association suggests: Give

The American Heart Association believes losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many   American Heart Association, the leading global volunteer organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, is rallying women in Indiana to “Reclaim Your Rhythm” on Friday, Feb. 4 as a part of the Association’s Go Red for Women® National Wear Red Day®.   This February, Go Red for Women is helping women reclaim their rhythm by promoting easy opportunities for women to build healthy habits that work best for their life, giving them the best chance at life. On Friday, Feb. 4, crank up

The La Porte Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) continues its 49th season on March 13 by celebrating composers Giuseppe Verdi and Peter Ilyich Tchaikvosky. Under the direction of Music Director, Dr. Carolyn Watson , the Orchestra will be performing Verdi’s Overture to La Forza Del Destino and Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Op. 33 as well as his Symphony No. 5. This concert will be held at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring Street, Michigan City, IN.   Masks will be required upon entrance. Watson returns after her first successful venture with Holiday at the Pops this past December.  Since then, and in addition to her duties with the LCSO as well as Director