Local News

Dunes Arts Foundation (DAF) encourages parents to act now to enroll their kids in the 2021 Summer Youth Theatre Classes. Enrollments are limited to 15 students per class and openings for the popular summer programs fill quickly, says Elise Kermani, DAF managing director.“The Youth Summer Classes at Dunes Summer Theatre give children and teens a unique first-hand experience in performing arts,” Kermani says. “Students will be engaged in activities designed to help them grow as individuals and to work cooperatively with others.”Classes will be held in June and July at Dunes Summer Theatre in Michigan City. DAF classes will adhere

On February 6, 2021, at 4:58 AM, Deputy Austin Wells was in the area of US 35 and Jefferson Avenue. He observed a male subject standing next to a snow-covered parked vehicle. When the subject observed Deputy Wells, he quickly looked away and began walking away from the parked car. In the 1000 block of Jefferson Avenue, Deputy Wells made contact with the subject who was then walking in the middle of the city street.The subject was identified as Ryan J. FAATUAI (36 YOA) of La Porte. During a brief roadside interview with Deputy WELLS, FAATUAI’S behavior was extremely unnatural,

Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 responded to two shootings within a n hour time frame during the evening hours o f February 5th , 2021. The LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on February 5 th , 2021 at 10:57 P.M. from a caller who reported her residence was struck by gunfire in the 1000 block of East Michigan Boulevard. Officers arrived shortly after being dispatched and discovered a residence in the 1000 block of East Michigan Boulevard was struck by gunfire. No one was reportedly injured from this incident. Officers interviewed a tenant who mentioned

In honor of Black History Month this February, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors, and especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood to honor the legacies of African Americans like Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland. Their passion for helping improve the lives of patients in need of lifesaving blood products is carried on through dedicated blood donors, blood drive sponsors, volunteers and Red Cross employees. Drew, an African American surgeon, was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved

Applications are available for the Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO) program, which is designed to assist traditionally underrepresented groups in pursuing a legal career. Applications are available at courts.in.gov/cleo and are due by March 8. ICLEO offers students a preparatory institute the summer before law school. This year, the institute is being hosted by the Indiana University McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis. While applicants should be prepared to be in-residence as stated in the application, due to the pandemic, the Summer Institute may be hosted virtually. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on academic rigor and provides professional development

Steve started his career in this field in April of 1996.  As a group home manager in Indianapolis with a company called REM (now Mentor)He moved to La Porte when accepted a job with Dungarvin in March of 1998, starting as a Program Director/QDDP. Then being promoted to an Area Director, Director of Development, and Senior Director. He supervised residential services to individuals in supported living sites through the waiver and individuals living in ICFs. Dungarvin was one of three agencies that provided services to individuals in Exceptional Support Need ICFs, commonly called ESNs and was over all the ESN programs.  For a couple of

On Saturday, a herd of Holstein calves left their home near the area of US 35 and CR 500 South for an adventure. A short time later, an off-duty deputy spotted the high-energy group running southbound in the northbound lanes of US 35. The herd quickly made it to US 6 where they continued eastbound on their journey. Contact was quickly established with the owners as other deputies converged on the area. A small group of the calves were corralled into a fenced area near US 6 and CR 700 South, while a large group continued eastbound on US 6

Sunday, 2/7:WB Trains 502, 504, 506, 508, and 510EB Trains 503, 505, 507, 509, and 511The following trains will be canceled: EB Tr 701 & Tr 703Monday, 2/8:WB Trains 6, 14, 18, 20, and 22EB Trains 403, 7, 9, 11, 17, and 19The following trains will be canceled: WB Tr 422 & Tr 424 and EB Tr 401 Service is suspended to and from Hudson Lake while substitute bus service is in effect. Hudson Lake passengers are encouraged to board at Carroll Ave. Station for train service. Conditions will be re-evaluated on Monday, Feb. 8, to determine if service can resume

After 11 long, lonely months, life is beginning to show subtle signs of normalcy. COVID-19 vaccinations are slowly but surely rolling out to our fellow Americans. Yesterday, the LaPorte County Health Department announced it is relaxing restrictions on indoor dining and retail establishments. Were it not for inclement weather, Marquette would have completed another successful week of in-person learning. We're not out of the woods yet, but there are reasons for optimism.One welcome sight on campus has been the return of prospective students in and around the main building and Scholl Student Center. Beginning in mid-January, Marquette began to reaccustom

Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest is open from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily and admission is free for members and non-members through March 31! Weather-related closures and delays are announced on our Facebook page.Winter Photo ContestPhotos have a chance to be featured on education, marketing and social media materials. Photos must be taken at Gabis Arboretum.Photos will compete under two categories. Indicate which category your photograph will be competing in when you fill out the application.Landscape and NatureFun with Family and FriendsWinners of each category will win an annual membership to Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest.You may submit as

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Indiana Region can expect a “strong polar blast” this weekend and into next week, with temperatures in the single digits along with wind chills as low as -15°F in some areas.  “As we brace for frigid weather, we have tips everyone can follow to stay safe,” said LaMar Holliday, regional communications director for the American Red Cross – Indiana Region.  “Whether trying to keep your home warm or—if you must—going outdoors, there are steps you can take to prepare.” SAFETY TIPS – COLD TEMPERATURES INDOORS: Bring your companion animals indoors.Learn how to

State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) today responded to concerns raised by the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association on increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour for all employees, including those who receive tips. "I understand the concerns of local servers and other tip workers, whose tips may work out to be more than $15 an hour some days, and hope my bill offers a compromise," Boy said. Boy has introduced House Bill 1345, which would raise both the minimum wage and the cash wage paid to tipped workers incrementally over the next three years. If passed, the bill would raise the

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction today announced the state will partner with Overdose Lifeline, Inc. to expand access to the opioid reversal agent naloxone through the purchase of 24/7-access “NaloxBox” units. “Making overdose response tools like naloxone readily available to any Hoosier who may encounter an individual suffering from an overdose is critical in addressing the drug epidemic,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We’re committed to raising awareness about the need for bystanders to carry this lifesaving drug, which is why we’ve made it available via so many avenues,

Shipshewana hosted a record number of visitors taking the opportunity to enjoy their spectacular display of holiday light scenes this past holiday season. Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy, featuring more than two million LED Christmas lights displayed in a one-and- a-half-mile-long symphony of spectacular light scenes was a welcomed stop for families looking to enjoy some normalcy in a very challenging year. With their help, Shipshewana’s Lights of Joy was able to give back more than ever to local organizations making a positive difference in the local community. Shipshewana Trading Place and Blue Gate Hospitality, in partnership with Winterland, Inc. brought

In accordance with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention federal order effective at 11:59pm ET on Feb. 1, 2021, the South Shore Line will continue to require masks or face coverings for all passengers and employees in stations and onboard our trains. In addition to the CDC federal order, the SSL continues to abide by a State of Indiana Executive Order mandating the usage of masks that became effective Nov. 15, 2020. If a passenger is in need of a mask, the SSL will continue to provide masks free of charge. Passengers are reminded to maintain 6-feet of social

Financial management is a key element for independence and self-sufficiency. Learn banking basics with Luis Zapata, Vice President of 1st Source Bank. He will explain how to create an accurate monthly budget plan and how to make your money work for you! Hiring Event  Wednesday, February 3 rd / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Wednesday, February 10 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Wednesday, February 17 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  Friday, February 26 th / 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Visit the Career Center and find the job for you! Hiring managers

City of La Porte firefighters proudly showcase the table made by Firefighter Jesse Bowen (center) Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, at Fire Station 3 in La Porte. The table, built from salvaged wood from the previous Fire Station 3, was made to commemorate the old station and bring a piece of it into the new firehouse. The department relocated in September after over 50 years at the previous location. Pictured, from left: Firefighter Patrick Schuyler, Firefighter Russ Oake, Bowen, Captain Bill Lott and Firefighter Ryan Balanow.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Lilly Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, Phase VII match. The initiative tripled the impact of local donations to Unity’s Community Funds over the past two years with a two to one match. As a result, $500,000 in local donations became $1.5 million to support community needs. GIFT is part of Lilly Endowment’s effort to strengthen Indiana communities and has been a priority of the Endowment since the first phase of GIFT in 1990. Lilly Endowment unveiled the latest phase, GIFT VII, in

For the 40 percent of women with dense breast tissue, conventional mammography can miss up to 30 percent of breast cancers. That’s why Franciscan Health Crown Point Breast Center is introducing ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound) as an additional screening option. ABUS is the only FDA‐approved breast cancer screening technology for detection in women with dense breast tissue. The non-invasive exam takes approximately 15 minutes and creates clear 3D ultrasound images. An ABUS screening, along with a screening mammogram, will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the breast tissue. Women with extremely dense breast tissue have a four to six times greater

Keeping everyone safe remains the first priority at Northwest Health and its hospitals in Knox, La Porte and Valparaiso. Based on the decrease in positive COVID-19 cases in the communities served by Northwest Health – La Porte, Northwest Health – Porter and Northwest Health Starke, the following changes to the hospitals’ visitor restrictions go into effect Wednesday, Feb. 3.According to a Northwest Health spokesperson, “It is the community’s efforts to fight against this virus that have made it safe for visitors to begin coming back into our facilities. For that we are grateful and we encourage everyone to continue to