Local News

The Porter Police Department is warning people to be mindful of scams when surfing the web looking for dogs or cats to buy; and at the same time is encouraging families wanting a pet to think of the Porter County Animal Shelter first.According to the PPD, a Porter resident reported on Tuesday, Jan. 26, that she’d been badly burned in a fraudulent transaction after searching “Dachshund puppies for sale.”The Internet search yielded the Baltimore phone number—the purported Baltimore phone number—of a purported seller of Dachshund puppies, “although the complainant was led to believe that the puppy was (initially) in Indiana,”

A Chesterton Police Detective was honored by StoryPoint for his investigation of suspected theft. When a StoryPoint resident reported her suspicions that someone had been pilfering from her checking account, StoryPoint Executive Director Courtney Fokianos promptly called the Chesterton Police Department. Nearly a month later, after a meticulous investigation, Detective Christoper Schoof believes he’s got the goods on a suspect and is now preparing to forward a felony theft charge against that person to the Porter County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Wednesday, Fokianos and StoryPoint Business Development Specialist Jeannie Nowarita presented Schoof with a token of their gratitude, for his professionalism,

A weekly webinar series featuring Purdue University experts in data science and digital agriculture will kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET Thursday (Feb. 4). Each Thursday this spring, the Data Driven Agriculture webinars will explore ways digital agriculture and data science can advance agriculture today and into the future. “Building on the momentum of last fall’s digital agriculture webinars, we wanted to highlight how data is not only being used today but also explore its future potential,” said Dennis Buckmaster, agricultural and biological engineering professor and dean’s fellow of digital agriculture at Purdue. “In this series, researchers from across the College

On Jan. 23, 2021, Agrati in Valparaiso became eligible to apply for benefits and services through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. TAA is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and assists workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade. Any worker laid off from Agrati, a manufacturer of nuts, bolts and screws, on or after June 10, 2019, or any worker scheduled to be laid off before Jan. 23, 2023, may be eligible to apply for TAA benefits. TAA services and benefits include: Training—pays 100% of all required

With snow predicted to fall across large portions of Indiana this weekend, 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 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 yourself a break. Take

In regard to the recent movement in the COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Holcomb will be signing on Sunday a new Executive Order changing attendance at social gatherings and events. RED or ORANGE Counties may not exceed 25% of facility capacityYELLOW Counties may not exceed 50% of facility capacityBLUE counties may be at 100% of facility capacity SAFETY PLANS FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS OR EVENTS PLAN must be submitted to the local Health Department PLAN must include the number invited, requested, or expected attendees and staff PLAN must include Occupancy and capacity information, Covidscreening, social distancing measures, increased sanitation, and face coverings mandate

After nearly a year of being closed to the public, Central Ave. Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park in Beverly Shores has been reopened. Central Ave. Beach was closed in the spring of 2020 due to severe erosion caused by high water levels in Lake Michigan.The re-opening follows the U.S. Army Corps’ placement of 56,000 tons of sand on Central Ave. Beach. This was the Army Corps’ second sand nourishment project at Indiana Dunes National Park over the last year. The first one was completed in the fall of 2020 at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk site.NPS is, however, cautioning

Communities interested in applying for funding through DNR’s Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) can apply through March 31.CHAP is designed to increase hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer in communities and to help alleviate human/deer conflicts. The program provides participating organizations with financial and technical assistance to administer hunting programs in their communities. In a broader sense, CHAP provides a practical and economical method for reducing deer numbers and balancing ecological and societal needs through regulated deer hunting.Parks, homeowners associations, and other land-managing entities are eligible to apply for CHAP. Successful applicants will be awarded financial assistance to help them manage

The April 6, 2020 report of a man down has led private donors to establish a reward for information resulting in an arrest, and conviction, of those responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim. The original incident came to light the morning of April 6, 2020, after having gone unreported to police, as the down subject was transported from the area for medical reasons only. The male subject was located at 6:30 a.m., in the courtyard of an apartment complex, located in the 100 block of Chicago St., having sustained numerous injuries. A police investigation was begun immediately following

Michigan City Parks & Recreation DepartmentLifeguards City Kids Playground LeadersGolf Course Laborers Pro Shop ClerksGolf Course Cook/Server Golf Course Cart LaborersPark Maintenance Laborers Volunteer Starters/RangersConcessions Manager Zoo DieticianConcession Attendants Zoo Train AttendantsParking Sticker Clerk Zoo GroundskeepersZookeepers/Aviary Attendants Work Study StudentZoo Aviary Attendants Parking Lot AttendantsPark Maintenance Seasonal Laborer: Duties include building and ground maintenance, grass mowing, trimming, sand removal, and trash pickup. Improvement projects may include painting and cleaning. At least 30 hours a week, must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays when needed. Must be 18 years of age or older. Park Maintenance Seasonal Custodian:

It is with great pleasure that the La Porte County Health Department announces that they will be receiving an increased allotment of COVID-19 Vaccine from the Indiana Department of Health for their clinic located at the La Porte County Fairgrounds. Previously, weekly allotments were given at 700 doses per week for the next month, and that number has more than doubled to 1700 doses per week for the next month’s duration. LPCHD has graciously accepted this increase, and subsequently the public will soon see an increased amount of appointment slots becoming available over the course of the next month at

This Friday, at the Westville American Legion Post 21, there is a fish fry dinner, carryout only, from 5-7PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes: Hand Breaded Pollock or 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. Call 219-785-2923 to pre-order for carry-outs, otherwise first come first serve. A mask is required for entry.

On Dec. 15, 2020, ArcelorMittal in East Chicago became eligible to apply for benefits and services through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. TAA is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). TAA assists workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade, and anyone affected can seek help at their local WorkOne center. Any worker laid off from ArcelorMittal, a producer of steel, galvanized and aluminum sheets, on or after July 7, 2019, or any worker scheduled to be laid off before Dec. 15, 2022, may be eligible to apply

Roger Alford did his homework even before he made the leap to becoming a student in Purdue University's online electrical and computer engineering master's degree program.“I evaluated every online program available at the time and found Purdue to have one of the best," said Alford, who received his master's in December. "It was well established, well organized, had many excellent course offerings, and had a good selection of concentrations to choose from. These features, combined with Purdue’s deeply rooted reputation for engineering excellence, made it the clear choice for me.”Alford, an experienced professional engineer on a team developing lifesaving medical

The 2021 Best Online Programs rankings from U.S. News & World Report once again named Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) online nursing programs among the best in the country. PNW’s nationally recognized online RN-to-BSN program placed among the top 50 online bachelor’s degree programs in the nation again this year, ranking 48 in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs category. The RN-to-BSN degree provides busy nursing professionals an affordable and convenient option to gain the skills, knowledge and credentials needed to advance their careers. The PNW online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program once again made the list of Best Online Master’s in

On Sunday Night 1/24, at approximately 11:20 PM, Deputy Alex Clemons was traveling in the 6000 west block of Johnson Road. He observed a vehicle traveling southeast on Johnson Road approaching him. Deputy Clemons activated his radar to obtain the speed of the approaching vehicle. The radar reading indicated the vehicle was traveling in excess of the posted 45 miles per hour speed limit.A traffic stop was initiated near the intersection of Johnson Road and CR 500 West. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Stacy M. SUTTON (36 YOA) of La Porte. As the traffic stop progressed, SUTTON

La Porte residents can now share their feedback on ways to improve the community through La Porte's new social media campaign, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. Last week, the city launched its new 'Feedback Friday' campaign on Facebook. Each Friday, a survey link will be posted to both the City's and Mayor's Facebook pages, asking for opinions on various topics as they relate to the city. Dermody said he and his leadership team will use this data as they make important decisions regarding the future of La Porte. "Our residents' thoughts and ideas matter," Dermody said. "As we continue to

On Thursday, January 21st, the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post was contacted by the Indiana Department of Correction for a death investigation at the State Prison located in Michigan City.  Deceased is Daniel L. Heflin, 30, originally from Goshen, IN.  Family has been notified.  Heflin was incarcerated, having plead guilty to murder in 2012 in Elkhart Circuit Court.  This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available to be released.

On Friday, January 22nd, at 8:20 a.m., S/Trp. Potesta and Trooper Marlowe were on patrol in LaPorte County when they observed a silver Lexus at the Speedway at U.S. 20/U.S. 35.  While speaking with the occupants, the odor of burnt marijuana was detected.  Further investigation lead to the discovery of several hypodermic needles including one that contained a brown substance.  A female subject was then taken into custody.  Once transported to the LaPorte County Jail, two plastic baggies were discovered on her person that contained  suspected narcotics. Nicole Orlopp, 36, from Waukesha, WI, was arrested and booked on charges of

Saturday morning at 12:55 AM, Deputy William Masterson was dispatched to the area of SR 39 and CR 1800 South, rural Prairie Township, reference a motor vehicle crash.  At 1:01 AM, Deputy Masterson arrived at the scene.  He located a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in a ditch off the west side of SR 39 south of CR 1800 South. The crash investigation completed by deputies determined the following had occurred.  A white 2015 Hyundai Tucson had been traveling southbound on SR 39 when it entered a curve.  For an unknown reason, the driver failed to navigate the curve.  The vehicle left the southbound lane