Local News

Hoosiers ages 16 and older are now eligible to sign up for a free COVID-19 vaccine, the Indiana Department of Health announced today. The expansion makes more than 1.3 million additional individuals eligible for vaccine.   “With this expansion in age group, more than 5.4 million Hoosiers are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “I encourage everyone who is eligible to sign up for an appointment so that we can take the next step toward putting this pandemic behind us.”   With today’s expansion, the state has now made COVID-19 vaccines

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), announced that an eight-week mass vaccination clinic with the capacity to administer 3,000 COVID-19 vaccines a day will open in Gary in early April. The clinic will run from April 7 to June 2 at the site of the former Roosevelt High School, 730 W. 25th Ave., Gary. The location was recommended by Indiana and selected by FEMA based on its proximity to a large number of Indiana’s high-risk citizens and medically underserved populations.

Friday 4/2/21 FISH FRY-ALL YOU CAN EAT from 5-7PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes: HAND BREADED POLLOCK, chicken strips, French fries, creamy coleslaw, rolls and dessert. Special veterans and senior pricing: Adults-$10.00, Seniors(60yrs+) & Vets-$9.00, Kids 12 & under-$5.00, Preschoolers-Free. Limited seating available. Carry-outs available. Call 219-785-2923 to pre-order for carry-outs, otherwise first come first serve. Mask required for entry.

On March 29, 2021, at 2:11 AM, a New Carlisle Police Officer advised he was attempting to stop a fleeing vehicle traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of SR 2 in the area of CR 900 East. The motor vehicle pursuit continued westbound on US 20 from SR 2. Deputy Austin Howell became involved in the pursuit near US 20 and CR 350 East. The fleeing vehicle avoided two (2) sets of tire deflation devices (TDD) that had been deployed – one set at US 20 and Fail Road and a second set at US 20 and US 35. The

LAPORTE COUNTY- The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for C.R. W 400 N over I-94 beginning Tuesday, April 6. The bridge over I-94 between C.R. N 875 W and C.R. N 850 W will be closed for bridge deck joint repair for approximately 35 days. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow Johnson Rd, Pahs Rd and Cleveland Ave.

More than 100 students recently graduated from Indiana Connections Academy, a tuition-free full-time public virtual school - including Tristan McFadden from Michigan City, Ind.   For more than a decade, Indiana Connections Academy has served thousands of students with a variety of needs. Students with health issues or who are highly involved in activities outside of school succeed in the online environment because it offers a more flexible schedule. Other students benefit from the ability to work at their own individual pace with learning plans tailored to match their needs and abilities or from the personal attention they receive from teachers to stay

Free nicotine patches and gum available The Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County is celebrating the Indiana Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) 15th anniversary and its work to help Porter County residents overcome their tobacco addiction and live healthier lives. To mark the anniversary, the Quitline is offering four weeks of free nicotine patches and gum to anyone who enrolls, while supplies last. Since it began in March 2006, the Quitline has helped more than 180,000 tobacco users quit tobacco through its free phone counseling, web-based service Web Coach and supplementary texting service Text2Quit. “The Indiana Tobacco Quitline plays

Northwest Health is now offering a comprehensive weight loss service. The program is designed to meet the needs of all individuals who are ready to improve their health through weight loss by offering the expertise of a board certified obesity medicine physician as well as a bariatric surgery option. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States*. It contributes to the risk of developing serious medical conditions including respiratory and cardiac problems, depression cancer and type-2 diabetes. Yet unfortunately, losing weight can be difficult, and for people who have 100 pounds or more to lose,

Hoosiers ages 30 and older are now eligible to sign up for a free COVID-19 vaccine, the Indiana Department of Health announced today. This expansion of eligibility makes the vaccine available to more than 840,000 additional Hoosiers. Beginning Wednesday, Hoosiers age 16 and older also will be able to schedule a vaccine. Vaccine appointments will extend over the next several weeks to align with expected vaccine deliveries to the state. Individuals seeking an earlier appointment are encouraged to look at openings in surrounding counties. To schedule a vaccine, visit https://ourshot.in.gov and select a location from one of more than 530 clinics around

The Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children, received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and began an investigation into the online activities of a Michigan City man.  The cyber tip was submitted via social media and indicated that a user of their services had allegedly solicited an underage child for sexual acts. The investigation revealed that Jonathon Schuette, 42, from Michigan City, IN, had been communicating with a minor since 2018.  Schuette had allegedly contacted the child to engage in sexual conduct.   Detectives from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post assisted with

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officers. The Michigan City Police Department will be hosting both a written and a physical agility test at the police department located at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. on May 1st. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from their website. The deadline to turn in applications will be Friday April 23rd, 2021 at 4:00 P.M.(CST). Visit the MCPD Facebook page or check out their website for more information.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for U.S. 12 east of State Road 149 in Burns Harbor beginning Thursday, April 1. The U.S. 12 bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad will be reduced to one lane in each direction for a bridge deck overlay and other bridge maintenance activities through early-October, 2021. The ramp lanes on the bridge for exit and entry into Cleveland-Cliffs (F.K.A. ArcelorMittal) will be closed, but the ramps will remain open. A temporary stop sign will be installed at the top of the ramp onto U.S. 12 due to the merging lane being closed. A bridge

We’ve changed habits and actions to protect our health during the pandemic, but one thing still remains the same – we need to take quick action with a possible heart attack or stroke. Life-threatening blockages and arrhythmias need timely detection and treatment to support the best possible outcome. Waiting to get help can increase the damage to heart muscle or brain tissue. The hospitals of Northwest Health have deep resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke. Emergency medicine physicians have 24/7 access to advanced imaging and testing, multiple cardiac cath labs and

Senior Aidan Bartnicki was one of only 90 students statewide to earn Indiana Regional Academic All-Star status as communicated by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP).   Academic All-Star distinction recognizes seniors who excel in the classroom first and foremost, but who also are actively involved in their schools and communities, taking on leadership roles in those activities. The program is produced by the IASP with support provided by DePauw University, Indiana University Bloomington, and Purdue University.   Aidan, the son of Dan and Anna Bartnicki, possesses a 4.582 cumulative grade-point average. A member of Marquette’s inaugural early-college program

Northwest Indiana residents now have even more convenient options for great healthcare. Midwest Express Clinic just opened two new locations in Portage and Cedar Lake.  MEC already has six other area locations, including the Dyer and Merrillville clinics, which opened in 2019. "Our goal has always been to continue to expand so we can serve more people in the community,” Kasia Marshall, FNP-C, Clinical Resource said. “Having locations within miles of each other increases access to care and allows patients to find a location closer to home, where they can receive quality care in a timely fashion." The Cedar Lake office

South Shore Line passengers are advised that federal mask orders will remain in effect mandating the use of masks or face coverings for all SSL passengers and employees.  As announced on March 23rd, Governor Eric Holcomb will downgrade the state’s mask requirement to a mask advisory, effective April 6th. The governor encouraged citizens to continue to wear masks in public places and will continue to mandate masks within state properties.    The SSL, along with other public transportation entities, says they must continue to abide by federal orders put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Transportation

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on March 24th, 2021 at approximately 06:32 PM regarding a crash at the intersection of West US Highway 12 and Sheridan Avenue. It was reported that a semi-truck and passenger vehicle crashed into each other. Uniform Patrol Shift 2 officers Sergeant Michael Oberle, Officer Rene Lozano, Officer Steven Kolarczyk and Officer Mark Galetti responded to the scene and located a beige colored 2006 Buick Rendezvous and white 1999 Freightliner semi-truck with severe front-end damage. The responding officers then discovered two occupants trapped inside the Buick from extensive damage. Officers

TransPorte today announced that it will once again provide weekend rides to residents, according to Manager Beth West. Beginning Saturday, April 3, the transportation system will resume its Saturday service from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. West said TransPorte limited its hours back in November to help slow the spread of the virus. "As COVID-19 numbers continue to drop throughout the greater La Porte community, we feel it is appropriate to resume our normal operating schedule," West said. "As always, we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we've worked to protect both our drivers and riders" West said many health

  Your visit to the zoo may look different, but please know that these new policies and procedures are there to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The health and safety of our guests, employees, volunteers, and the animals in our care remain our top priority and we thank you for helping us with these efforts. We take health and safety very seriously, and we have based our precaution policies on the CDC and the recommended zoological association guidelines that are being instituted across the country.  We ask that all of our visitors follow these policies to ensure

Minority Health Partners Of La Porte County is teaming up with Healthlinc for COVID vaccine distribution at holdcraft performing arts center, which is the old Elston Middle School auditorium outside the entrance next to YMCA. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 31st from 2pm-6pm. Anyone age 18 or older living in public housing, low income based/section 8 housing, homeless, migrant workers, or those who speak english as a second language (federal COVID-19 vaccination plan eligibility)  Vaccine availability is limited, please register. By calling 219-872-6200 ext. 3730 .