Local News

The Town of Chesterton says that Chesterton firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in the 2800 block of Pinehurst Ave. on Thursday. Firefighters responded to the scene at around 5:20 p.m., to find CFD Chaplain Lowell Black, a neighbor, already there, having emptied a five-pound ABC chemical extinguisher into the engine compartment. Firefighters flushed the engine compartment with approximately 50 gallons of water. A thermal imaging camera was then used to confirm the fire was out and the battery was disconnected. The vehicle’s owner, advised that she’d been having battery issues and two days earlier had had it replaced. While

Indiana Dunes State Park has announced that on weekdays only, the beach is closed for swimming. However, on weekends, weather permitting, through Labor Day, swimming will remain open from 11- 7 p.m. CST when lifeguards are present.

In March, the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross partnered with more than 40 organizations to help individuals and groups begin the conversation with others about the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends youth as young as 12 years old get the vaccine. To reach this demographic, the Red Cross is partnering with an organization in Gary, Indiana that encourages youth to talk about the COVID-19 vaccination through a region-wide campaign. AVE Y Productions, which stands for Amplifying the Voice of Every Youth, is a group of young people dedicated to sharing topics

On Friday, the Michigan City Police Department family congratulated and thanked Lieutenant Tim Richardson on his retirement from the Michigan City Police Department. Lieutenant Richardson was hired on August 15th, 1994 and served the citizens of Michigan City for 27 years.  He started off as a Patrolman and worked his way up through the ranks to Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant.  The Michigan City Police Department was also honored to have Richardson serve as Assistant Chief (Chief of Operations) during his career. He earned numerous awards throughout the course of his career that include, Chief’s Award for Leadership Excellence, Life Saving

Local Volunteers and Organizations Received Awards for Efforts in Tobacco Education and Prevention The Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County held a virtual volunteer appreciation event dedicated to thanking their volunteers for all that they have done to end smoking and vaping in Porter County. “We always look forward to this annual event to show our appreciation and thank our volunteers for all they do throughout the year,” said Carrie Higgins, Program Director for the Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition. Todd Willis, Porter Starke’s Director of Prevention and Education and Executive Committee Member of the Tobacco Coalition, recognized the hard-working volunteers at

Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Friday in Michigan City. Dispatch received a call at 5:16am regarding shots being fired and that one person had been shot. Multiple officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 quickly responded to the 100 Block of Edward St and learned that one subject had been shot in the back. The Michigan City Fire Department and La Porte County EMS arrived on scene and immediately transported the subject to Franciscan Health with nonlife-threatening injuries. Officers canvassed the area and began to look for evidence and witnesses. Witnesses were interviewed by officers at the scene to

The City of Michigan City announced that in response to a Covid concern, Refuse Department operations have been suspended for Friday, August 13 to protect the health and safety of Refuse Department employees and their families.   Garbage pick up routinely scheduled for Friday, August 13 will be delayed until Monday, August 16.

The Michigan City Police Department announced that Marty Corley will replace Assistant Chief Dave Cooney as Chief of Operations. Cpl. Michigan City Police Department Assistant Chief of Operations. Chief of Police Dion Campbell announced a change in his administrative staff. Cpl. Marty Corley will replace Assistant Chief Dave Cooney as Chief of Operations. Cpl. Corley will begin his official duties on Monday Aug. 16. Chief Campbell stated this, “I want to commend Dave Cooney for his self-less service to this department and our community. I am proud of his efforts in helping to lead this department during the most difficult

The La Porte County Health Department released the following statement and information: The Delta variant has become the dominant strain of COVID-19 in La Porte County.  This is concerning as the Delta variant has been shown to spread easily among those who are unvaccinated and puts individuals at increased risk for pneumonia, hospitalization, and possibly death.  Even for those who are vaccinated, the Delta variant is more infectious and transmittable. Our senior population, our school age children under the age of 12, and our immunocompromised population are particularly susceptible to the Delta variant. It is for these reasons that the

A heat advisory is in effect for parts of Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan from noon to 7pm Thursday. Local counties included are La Porte, Starke, St. Joseph IN, Starke and Berrien. Heat index values 98 to 105 expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. Thunderstorms may bring some relief from the heat by late afternoon. The National Weather Service says that anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is available on the Unity Foundation website between now and September 10, 2021. Through support of Independent Colleges of Indiana and Lilly Endowment Inc., two La Porte County students will receive four-year, full tuition scholarships to an accredited public or private Indiana college or university of their choice and an annual $900 stipend for required books and equipment. “Receiving the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a privilege and an honor for a student that far exceeds its monetary value. A selection committee, comprised of volunteers from throughout the county, will seek to recommend the two most outstanding La

The La Porte County Sheriff's office is investigating a fatality crash that occurred on Tuesday morning.  Deputies were summoned at 6:46 AM, to State Road 2 and CR 600 East, for a crash involving two vehicles. Deputy Justin Phillips quickly arrived and found a large scene located at the intersection.  The initial investigation determined that a semi-tractor pulling a flatbed trailer, driven by 21 year old Anarbol D. Del Toro of Joliet, Illinois, had been traveling north on CR 600 East.  After stopping at the stop sign, Del Toro began to cross the eastbound lanes of SR 2 to turn

Amtrak informed the City of Michigan City Tuesday that they were closing the Railroad crossing at the Franklin Street Bridge. This needed track repair may take up to two weeks to complete. Detours to Washington Park and Lakeshore Drive can be accessible from Center Street.

The Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County will host the fifth household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, Aug. 14, at Portage High School located at 6450 US Highway 6 in Portage. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Household hazardous wastes are unwanted products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients that require special care upon disposal.  Accepted materials include household cleaners, pesticides, kerosene, gasoline, oil-based paints, antifreeze, solvents and much more.  Electronics or latex paints are not accepted. Tires will only be accepted at the October 9th Household Hazardous Waste Collection

With homeschooling and hybrid learning disrupting classroom learning for the past 18 months, it’s easy to forget what preparing for a “normal” school year might look like. In addition to buying new clothes and stocking your child’s backpack with the right supplies, an annual physical and the proper immunizations will start your child’s new school year on a healthy foundation. Children should receive an annual checkup with their physician even if they are healthy. At a checkup, your child will receive a full physical exam including measurements such as height and weight. This is a good time for parents to discuss any developmental, emotional or