Local News

The South Shore Line (SSL) announced that it will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, applicable for November monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of November 2021 will remain valid throughout December. Passengers purchasing a paper November monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through December, and passengers purchasing a digital November monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a December ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Dec. 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these

The Portage Township Trustee’s office, in cooperation with the Porter County Health Department, has partnered with a third-party testing facility to offer PCR COVID-19 testing at its Airport Road office, located at 3484 Airport Road in Portage.  The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. This is a drive-up testing site. No appointments are necessary. Results will be provided by email and available by 5 p.m. the day after testing. There is no cost for this service. Tests are available to anyone in need. Testing is provided by Gravity Diagnostics.

Michigan City trick-or-treat is scheduled for Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mayor Duane Parry is reminding residents to proceed with trick-or-treat in a safe manner. The Mayor’s Office is asking parents to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe.  The Mayor’s office recommends following all COVID safety protocols including the use of masks and social distancing. The office stated that parents should accompany children while trick-or-treating and should adhere to the guidelines of visiting only homes that have porch lights turned on, staying together in small groups, wearing highly visible clothing, walking on sidewalks and not on

In an update, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest and charges against 28-year-old Alan D. Morgan in connection with the death of his biological son, 4-year-old Judah Morgan.   On Monday, at 2:45 AM, deputies were dispatched to a residence located in the 3100 east block of CR 875 South in reference to an unconscious child.  Deputies arrived and located the child inside the residence.  The child, later identified as Judah, was pronounced dead at the scene.   On Tuesday, an autopsy was conducted at Franciscan Health Michigan City. The death of Judah was ruled a homicide. Later in

A class of eight officially joined the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) organization of Franciscan Health Hammond during a swearing-in ceremony at Lake Superior Court on Sept. 29.   Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou performed the swearing in of the fall 2021 class, telling the volunteers that the court looks to them to fill the void by representing those unable to advocate for themselves. “You’re doing God’s work, and we don’t say that lightly,” he said.   The ceremony was opened with a greeting by VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett and Program Manager Barbara Melendez. Taking

Over 150 residents participated in this year’s Michigan City Walk to End Alzheimer’s – both in person at Washington Park and by watching an online ceremony and walking from home in their own neighborhoods.  Participants raised over $43,200 – and counting – to support the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Fundraising will continue through the end of the year. The organization says those who didn’t participate can still make a donation to the Walk at act.alz.org/MichiganCity.   

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says a person of interest is in custody after deputies found a child dead at  a residence in rural Union Township. Deputies were dispatched Monday morning at 2:45 a.m. to a residence located in the 3100 east block of CR 875 South for an unconscious child.   A pair of deputies responded. After being unable to establish contact with anyone inside, deputies entered the residence and located a young child inside that was deceased.   Police developed a person of interest, 28-year-old Alan. D. Morgan, who was located and taken into custody. WIMS will continue to

Danny Hogan has joined the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce as their Membership Director. Hogan’s focus in this new role will be to assist the Chamber with recruitment, engagement, and retention of membership. Hogan will also be responsible for organizing and managing the ambassador committee for the chamber which is an essential group of volunteers who engage with members and businesses. “We are thrilled to add Danny to our team here at the Chamber,” stated Chamber president, Katie Eaton, “Danny has served as a volunteer for the Chamber and is passionate about serving our members.” Hogan served the Chamber as

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is awarding over $330,000 in scholarships to 153 students from 43 different scholarship funds for the 2021-2022 academic year. Since 1992, Unity has awarded over $2.6 million dollars in scholarships to La Porte County students. This year’s recipients represent 10 La Porte County high schools and 46 colleges and universities across the world.   Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President, said, “The Scholarship Committee was delighted with the outstanding quality of our applicants in 2021. This is a testament to our exceptional La Porte County schools, students and parents. It’s especially important to note

Valparaiso Community Schools are offering the Holiday Assistance Program again this year to help supplement holiday gifts for families in need. For those who are experiencing financial need and would like to be considered for this assistance, complete the form for each child you would like to be considered. This program is open to children living in your home who attend Valparaiso Community Schools, in grades K-12, as well as any children who are not yet school-age. A link to the form can also be found on the Valpo HS 411 Facebook page.

The DEA is sponsoring the 21st nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” On Saturday, Oct. 23. The initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through the proper disposal of prescription drugs. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  The program is for liquid and pill medications.  Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken.  Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal.  The service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. This initiative addresses a

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody joined other elected officials throughout the State of Indiana this week at the AIM Ideas Summit in French Lick. The Ideas Summit features many speakers, exhibits and workshops in an effort to connect elected officials from across the state and help them to better serve their municipalities. In addition, Dermody was invited to speak on the American Rescue Plan Panel and share La Porte’s plan for using the Fiscal Recovery Funds. “It was a great experience to not only attend the AIM Ideas Summit, but also to share what La Porte is doing with hundreds

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office says two more motorists were stopped for going over 100 mph on State Road 2. This past Thursday afternoon, a deputy observed two passenger vehicles traveling westbound on SR 2 in the area of CR 400 East at a high rate of speed.The vehicles were traveling side by side – one in the driving lane and the other in the passing lane. The deputy’s radar unit measured the speed of the vehicles at 104 mph. A traffic stop was initiated in the 2800 east block of SR 2 on the two vehicles. The drivers

Update: Indiana State Police say the Silver Alert for Linda Wilde has been canceled.   Original: The Starke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of Linda Wilde, a 74 year old white female, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, gray hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a yellow or orange T-shirt with faded blue jeans and eyeglasses. Linda is missing from Knox, Indiana and was last seen on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 4:45 pm. Police say she is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.  If you have any information on Linda Wilde,

Mishawaka Police announced that both girls who were missing have been located. Police said on Thursday that Lilli Davis was located in South Bend Thursday morning. Ashley Taulbee was also located in Noble County Thursday night. 

Michigan City residents will join the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease at the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 9.  On walk day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the Promise Garden ceremony. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s and their personal reasons to end the disease. The event and Walk route will open at 9 a.m., and the Promise Garden ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. The Walk will be held outdoors and implement additional safety protocols including physical distancing, contactless registration, hand sanitizing stations and more. Masks are

Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Center of Hope will further its mission to provide trauma care to survivors of abuse, thanks to a $10,000 grant from CAPTRUST Community Foundation. Kelly Shikany, CAPTRUST vice president and financial advisor, presented the gift to Franciscan Health Michigan City, noting that the CAPTRUST office in Chesterton applied for the grant during the CAPTRUST Community Foundation’s second annual Day of Giving. Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Center of Hope is a designated space where SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurses create a safe environment for victims of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. SANE nurses are also trained

The National Park Service has temporarily closed the waters of Portage Lakefront in Indiana Dunes National Park due to the sighting of an “oily sheen” in the waters Thursday. The National Park Service said on Thursday that an investigation is under way to determine the nature and extent of the discharge. Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is the lead agency on this incident. Questions on local drinking water quality should be referred to the individual water provider. Information on closures within Indiana Dunes National Park should be directed to the national park’s information desk line at 219-395-1882.

La Porte County Park and Recreation Department has announced Downtown Spooktacular, sponsored by the La Porte Small Business Coalition. Downtown businesses will be handing out candy to children from 1-3 p.m. this Saturday. Be sure to stop by Plaza 618 to receive a treat from the park department’s mascot, Parker the Fox.