Local News

Pledging to do their part for a staged return to normalcy on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus this fall, 60% of incoming Purdue students and 66% of Purdue employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have submitted proof four weeks in advance of the Aug. 13 fall semester deadline. Purdue announced the figures Tuesday (July 20) in its first release of overall campus vaccination rates. Calling it a “personal choice approach” for what is expected to be another record year of enrollment at the West Lafayette campus, Purdue is strongly encouraging all students and employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 2021 in the following region: Northwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorte IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can: Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible Combine errands into one trip Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m. Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding eligible veterans about the Military Family Relief Fund. The applicant must: -Be an Indiana resident -Prove a genuine financial hardship -Not have a household exceeding 2 times the federal poverty guideline -Lifetime limit of 2,500 of assistance available to each veteran Rules that have changed are: -No longer have 12 months of active duty service -Military service can be during peacetime or war time -Hardship does not have to be connected to military service -Certain other than honorable discharge codes may be considered All eligible applications must be filled out completely. Be

United Way Regional Volunteer Center is seeking volunteers to help local nonprofits during its annual Day of Caring event on Friday, August 6. As the largest single-day volunteer event across Northwest Indiana, Day of Caring brings together nonprofits, families, local businesses, municipalities, churches, civic groups and individuals to change lives by helping local nonprofits with facility improvements and client-support projects. United Way is looking for more than 700 volunteers to help with 67 service projects. Volunteers can choose from in-person, virtual and donation drive opportunities. Projects include painting, landscaping, building, cleaning, hosting social activities, taking kids fishing, collection drives and

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department says that youth softball players that are interested in potential fall league play or clinics can call the Park Office to provide your contact information. With enough interest, the department will proceed with leagues and/or clinics to build upon skills and prepare players for next season.

American Red Cross says they currently have a severe shortage of blood. INDOT will be hosting their annual blood drive on July 30. This drive is open to the public, and INDOT has plenty of available time slots for anyone interested in signing up. The drive will be at the La Porte District Office located at 315 East Boyd, from 10am-3pm Visit redcrossblood.org and enter 46350 in the zip code box to see upcoming blood drives and sign up to donate with INDOT.

The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte to present a check to City of La Porte officials for the Clear Lake Greenway Loop and Trail connection project. WHO: Healthcare Foundation CEO Maria Fruth, La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody, City Engineer Nick Minich, and other representatives from the Healthcare Foundation and City of La Porte WHEN: Wednesday, July 21 at 4 p.m. WHERE: Hoelocker Drive near the Clear Lake Boardwalk & Trail Head For questions, please contact Communications Director Jessica Bruder at 219-325-8368 or jbruder@cityoflaportein.gov.

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department is sending a friendly reminder that Park Department policy prohibits smoking and vaping within 50 feet of playgrounds, splash pads and the skate park as well as baseball/softball fields and tennis courts during youth programs, including games, practices and lessons. Additionally, at Stone Lake Beach, smoking/vaping and alcohol consumption are prohibited in the Family Section.

— This Saturday evening, Michigan City community leaders will host a Good Trouble Candlelight Vigil for Democracy on the one-year mark of the passing of Rep. John Lewis. We join more than 100 vigils happening around the country. We will celebrate his extraordinary legacy and call on Congress to pass critical legislation to protect the freedom to vote, end gerrymandering, and get money out of politics to realize Rep. Lewis’ vision for a democracy that works for all of us. We demand that Congress pass a suite of laws to safeguard Voting Rights nationwide, including the For the People Act (S1), the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act,

On July 13th, 2021 at approximately 9:20pm, Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 were dispatched to the 1100 block of Buffalo Street regarding an unconscious male bleeding from the head. Officers arrived on scene and discovered 39-year-old Michigan City resident Aaron Luncsford lying on the floor with a severe head injury. Luncsford had a faint pulse and was immediately transported to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital by LaPorte County EMS where he was later pronounced deceased. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 were then dispatched to the 100 block of West Homer Street 40 minutes later regarding a person who was shot. Responding officers located a 43-year-old Michigan City resident shot in the neck

The City of La Porte Police Department are pleased to announce that an arrest was made in the burglary that occurred at Mucho Mas! Fresh Mex Grill over the past weekend. Due to the ongoing investigation no further details will be released at this time. “Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”

Three Chesterton Police Officers were commended for outstanding professionalism under dire circumstances at a meeting last week. The incident occured on June 9, as officers walked into a kitchen on the west side of town where a 14-year-old autistic boy, who minutes before had become violent with his family, had armed himself with a knife. Those officers would later walk that boy out of the kitchen, disarmed and unharmed, having used only words and kindness to deescalate the crisis. At its meeting Friday, the Police Commission agreed unanimously to authorize formal letters of commendation for Lisoski, Jesse, and Wracker. This