Local News

On April 26, 2021, at 11:43 AM, deputies were summoned to the 3900 north block of US 35, rural Center Township, reference a personal injury crash. At 11:50 AM, Deputy Wade Wallace arrived at the scene and confirmed that one of the drivers had been killed in the crash. The initial crash investigation completed by Deputy Ken Etchison and other deputies determined the following had occurred. A red 2015 Volkswagen passenger vehicle, driven by Corbin GAYHEART (51 YOA) of Knox, Indiana, was traveling northbound on US 35. For an unknown reason, GAYHEART drove left of center and into the southbound

The Franciscan Health Foundation’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Fund has received a major boost with a $15,000 donation from Superior Ambulance Service. The gift is being directed to purchase more than 500 COVID-19 kits to help coronavirus patients continue their recovery at home. Franciscan Health’s medical leaders emphasized the difference this will make for patients battling COVID-19 and other ailments. “We have been able to purchase pulse oximeters and thermometers, which are part of a kit provided to COVID patients who are being sent home after evaluation and treatment in the emergency room, urgent care or receiving treatment in the

Lab results have confirmed the presence of parasites in wild white-tailed deer found on a private property in Newton County in late February and early March. About 40 deer were found on the property, dead, soon after heavy snow melted. According to Moriah Boggess, deer biologist for the Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, the deer may have died days or weeks before being discovered. Lab results from diagnostic testing conducted at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Purdue University identified the parasites as lung worm, which Boggess says commonly occur throughout the range of the white-tailed deer

On April 27, 2021, at 8:53 PM, Deputy Alex Clemons was summoned to the area of US 421 and CR 870 South, rural Clinton Township, regarding a male subject walking northbound on US 421. At 8:58 PM while responding to the area, deputies learned the subject had been struck by a vehicle. The initial crash investigation completed by deputies determined the following had occurred. A gray 2016 Volkswagen passenger vehicle, driven by Max W. REIMBOLD (21 YOA) of Knox, Indiana, was traveling southbound on US 421. REIMBOLD had just passed CR 870 South and struck a pedestrian who was standing

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2020-2021 cycle of small 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. “Our area schools are full of exceptional teachers who go above and beyond for their students. We are honored to facilitate

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced today that longtime Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) director of economic development, Don Babcock, will be joining the staff of Chancellor Thomas L. Keon part-time, as director of economic development and community relations, to expand the university’s efforts around community and economic development in Northwest Indiana, especially La Porte and Porter counties.   “We are thrilled to bring Don’s extensive expertise and skill in economic development to PNW,” Keon said. “He has made incredible impacts on the Region throughout his career at NIPSCO and has been a wonderful collaborator and friend of the university

The Ogden Dunes Police Department reminds you that summer parking restrictions take effect starting Saturday, May 1st 2021. All vehicles parked within the restricted area must display a valid 2021 beach area parking permit. Permits are available at Town Hall Monday thru Friday from 8:00AM to 3:00PM. Vehicles parked within the restricted area without a valid beach area parking permit are subject to being ticketed and / or impounded. If you live within the restricted parking area and are having a contractor do work, please remind them that they need to get a contractor parking permit from Town Hall. These permits

Two physical therapists at Northwest Health have been certified by the Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute (PORi) as Oncology Rehabilitation Specialists. With these certifications, Northwest Health – La Porte now meets the standards to classify as an Oncology Rehabilitation Center of Excellence. Stacey Davis, PT, DPT, CLT and Lisa Jongkind, MSPT, CLT received certification as Oncology Rehabilitation Specialists. To earn this certification, Davis and Jongkind participated in specialized cancer rehabilitation training to address the unique needs of individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer-related surgeries, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Each completed over 200 hours of training to become certified Oncology Rehabilitation Specialists and

The DNR is offering free admission to state parks, recreation areas, forests, and reservoirs on Sunday, May 2, which is also a Free Fishing Day. On Free Fishing Days, all Indiana residents can fish the state’s public waters without a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp. All size and bag limits remain in effect. For public places to fish near you, see on.IN.gov/where2fish. Check out the fishing tips and videos at on.IN.gov/learn2fish to help maximize your experience. Free admission provides a great opportunity to enjoy your favorite DNR property or visit a new site. Find DNR properties across the state and

On April 25, 2021 at 4:05 AM, La Porte County Sheriff's Office Captain Andy Hynek was traveling west on US 20 near CR 450 East. He observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on US 20 quickly approaching him. A radar check of the approaching vehicle measured the violator’s speed at 105 miles per hour (MPH). This portion of US 20 has a posted speed limit of 45 MPH. Captain Hynek immediately turned around and began to travel eastbound on US 20 to catch up to the vehicle. He noted how the vehicle’s speed increased while continuing eastbound past the “Dogbone” Interchange

In 2020, extreme sports legend Travis Pastrana shared the driver’s seat of the 47-foot Miss GEICO Victory catamaran with childhood friend and world champion racer Brit Lilly. Co-competing in the cockpit with throttleman Steve Curtis, the trio clinched a world championship title during the 2020 World Offshore Championship Series.   Most races were forced to cancel in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. As conditions improved, OFFICIAL Miss GEICO Racing was able to participate in five separate events towards the end of the year. Due to travel restrictions, many of the international teams were unable to participate during the 2020 season.

Passengers are advised the following trains will be bused between Dune Park and Gary Metro Center stations April 27-29, 2021 (Tues-Weds-Thurs): Westbound: Tr 116 (arrives 12:39p @ Millennium); Tr 18 (2:14p @ Millennium); Tr 118 (4:21p @ Millennium); Tr 20 (6:13p @ Millennium). Eastbound: Tr 7 (departs 8:45a from Millennium); Tr 107 (10:15a from Millennium); Tr 9 (12:35p from Millennium); Tr 109 (2:25p from Millennium); Tr 11 (3:57p from Millennium). No bikes will be transported via bus during these occurrences. Buses will arrive and depart with passengers to match our published train schedule between Dune Park and Gary Metro. Westbound

With the launch of Indiana’s new Student Learning Recovery Grant Program and Fund, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is now accepting applications to fund community and school partnerships to help accelerate student learning this summer and beyond. “We are grateful to the Indiana General Assembly for this opportunity to quickly deploy resources to support strategic local partnerships aimed at accelerating learning for K-12 students who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “As we transition from pandemic response mode to recovery mode, this new grant creates an exciting opportunity to bring

Franciscan Health and Gift of Hope remind the community that the need for organ donors can’t wait for the pandemic to end   With 100,000-plus people waiting for life-saving organ transplants, the need for donors didn’t stop with the pandemic.   During National Donate Life Month in April, Franciscan Health is working with Gift of Hope to encourage people to register as eye, tissue and organ donors and to honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation.   “Organ and tissue donation is a wonderful way to honor a loved one – by giving the gift of

Beginning tomorrow, Saturday, Apr. 24, 2021, everyone in northern Indiana’s 219 and 574 telephone area codes is encouraged to start using 10 digits, rather than seven, to make local phone calls. (For example, callers should start dialing “219-555-5555” or “574-555-5555” instead of “555-5555.”) This will help ease into the upcoming transition to mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls within the 219 and 574 area codes.   Local calls made with seven digits will still work until Oct. 24, 2021, to allow everyone ample time to adjust to the new dialing pattern and to make any required system changes before 10-digit

On Thursday, April 22nd, Indiana State Police stopped a vehicle traveling on Interstate 94 westbound near the 28 mile marker for a traffic violation. That traffic stop eventually led to felony drug and weapons charges being filed against an Indiana man. Devante West, 28, of Howe, Indiana was stopped for a traffic violation while driving a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The traffic stop occurred just east of the Chesterton exit. A search of the vehicle using an Indiana State Police K-9 indicated the presence of drugs and a subsequent search of the vehicle and driver turned up suspected heroine, prescription drug

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls on April 22nd, 2021 at 10:53 A.M. regarding several gun shots being fired in the 1000 block of Franklin Street. One of those 911 calls reported a person was struck by gun fire in the 1000 block of Franklin Street. Numerous officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 1 and detectives from the Investigative Division quickly responded to the scene. Responding officers and detectives learned upon their arrival that no one was struck by gun fire. One witness reportedly observed two black males between the approximate ages of 18-20 years old,

Innovate WithIN™, a statewide high school pitch competition is highlighting the youngest innovators around the state. The competition, which offers up to $100,000 in cash prizes, mentorship opportunities and in-state college tuition assistance, has added over $19 Million in potential scholarships from eleven Indiana schools to the 2021 prize package. Over 800 students from 128 high schools, participated in Round 1 of the pitch competition. The Northwest Indiana, Region 6 finals were held virtually by Purdue University Northwest and the Society of Innovators on Tuesday. Participants made their pitch for the Regional prize of $1,000 and secured their spot in

Horizon Bank celebrated the completion of its remodeled office with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3599 Grant Street. Now through May 31st, the branch will be celebrating with special offers and giveaways. To show support for their new neighbors, Horizon Bank made four check presentations during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Donations were made to Your Block Program, Brother’s Keeper Homeless Shelter, Gary Literacy Coalition and The Baptist Ministers Conference of Gary and Vicinity. A donation was also accepted by Vanessa McCloud, President and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana. In appreciation, and to celebrate the Bank’s opening, McCloud

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and La Porte County DUI Task Force are announcing that it will be increasing enforcement and patrols around prom and post-prom sites this spring. The goal is to deter alcohol use and eliminate alcohol related crashes among La Porte County High School Prom attendees. Proms in La Porte County will begin May 1 and conclude June 4. Between these dates, Westville, La Porte, La Lumiere, Michigan City, Marquette, New Prairie, La Crosse and South Central High Schools will all conduct prom events. The Sheriff’s Office and DUI Task Force will saturate the areas around each