Local News

Press Release by City of Valparaiso: The Mayor's Youth Council has named Nora Burk as Valparaiso's Rising Star for 2025. The Rising Star recognition celebrates the abundance of responsible, intelligent and hardworking youth that contribute to the success of Valparaiso every day. "We share our Youth Council's commitment to elevating the qualities of benevolence, leadership and perseverance that the Rising Star recognizes," said Mayor Jon Costas. "We congratulate Nora Burk and share our gratitude for her commitment to the community." Nora is a fifth grader at Central Elementary. Since second grade, she has been a committed member in the community,

HOBART, Ind. – Amber Morris said one of the happiest days of her life was when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “I was ecstatic because now I had an answer and validation that it wasn’t all in my head,” the 58-year-old Hobart woman said. “After four years of trying to figure out what was wrong, now that we knew what it was, we could treat it.” But managing symptoms and working to slow progression was all that could be done for the degenerative, incurable disease. Some days were better than others and the bad days eventually intensified to the

News Release, DNR: The deadline for submitting Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) applications is Jan. 15, 2026. The goal of the LARE program is to restore and enhance aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife while ensuring continued use of Indiana’s publicly accessible lakes, rivers, and streams. The program provides technical assistance to qualifying projects that reduce non-point sediment and nutrient pollution throughout their watersheds. Qualifying projects include sediment removal, restoring wetlands, lowhead dam removal, and others. To view a full list of qualifying project types, along with additional information about the LARE program, see lare.dnr.IN.gov . Applicants are encouraged to

Here is the latest from OTT Haverstock Funeral Chapel in Michigan City regarding Lorriane Chango-see below Lorraine A. Chango October 20, 1945 - December 7, 2025 Lorraine A. Chango, 80, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at her home in, Michigan City, Indiana after a long period of poor health. A memorial service celebrating Lorraine's life will be announced at a later date. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana 46360 is handling arrangements. Contributions may be made to Gabriel Home for the Elderly, 372 Franciscan Dr., Valparaiso, IN 46385

INDOT announced on Friday that U.S. 35/Indiana Ave. reopened in La Porte. Work this year involved reconstructing the intersection of U.S. 35 and Kingsbury Ave/Woodlawn Dr, as well as outfall utility work. INDOT said on their Facebook page that road reconstruction between the north end of this year’s project area and State Road 2/Lincolnway will occur in 2026. This will result in phased closures on U.S. 35 as work progresses northward. "Due to the amount of work still left to complete this project, our contractor may close U.S. 35 for the next phase of construction as early as mid-February (if

MICHIGAN CITY, December 12, 2025 – Three local accounting firms will compete in a friendly bell-ringing challenge on Tuesday, December 16 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm to support The Salvation Army of Michigan City’s annual Red Kettle Campaign. Applegate & Company, CLH CPAs, and CBIZ will each staff a kettle location as part of this year’s “Battle of the Beancounters.” During the competition, each firm will ring at a different location in the community. Applegate & Company will be collecting donations at Al’s Supermarket on Karwick Plaza, CLH CPAs & Consultants will be stationed at the south door of Al’s Supermarket

Several Chesterton Police Officers were honored at the Chesterton Police Commission’s meeting on Thursday evening. Cpl. Ryan Miller and Officer Cole Foster of the Chesterton Police Department and Officer Matthew Reynolds of the Porter PD were presented with the Exceptional Service Award. Officer Jorge Perez was presented with the Exceptional Service Award. Det. Cpl. Arwen LaMotte was presented with the Exceptional Service Award. Sgts. Eric Lisoski and Justin Frever were presented with the Exceptional Service Award. See details of each award on the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.

As the temperatures plunge, the Town of Chesterton gave the following information on warming centers around Chesterton: "Due to the ongoing remodel, the Chesterton town hall meeting room will be unavailable to the public as a warming shelter until the New Year." "But with temperatures expected to drop into single digits over the weekend—with subzero windchills—the Duneland Family YMCA and the Healthy Living Campus will both be open during businesses hours for persons whose furnaces fail." The Duneland Family YMCA is located at 215 Roosevelt St., Chesterton. Hours: *5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. *7 a.m. to 3

The Indiana Department of Health are reminding the public that warming shelters and centers are open across Indiana for any Hoosier who needs to get out of the cold. “Shelters are a safe place for anyone needing to get out of the cold for a few hours or to stay overnight,” the Department said on its social media. Hoosiers who need additional assistance can call 2-1-1. DHS warming center map: https://bit.ly/4pw3tWu Indiana 211 warming center map: https://bit.ly/3ME79qG

The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership LEAP are proud to honor Charity Hlavsa, owner of HotSpot Cafe La Porte IN, as their 2025 Community Partner of the Year! Her tireless advocacy for downtown businesses and the creation of the Small Business Coalition has strengthened our local economy and inspired collaboration across our community. Join us in congratulating Charity for her vision, dedication, and impact!

The Salvation Army is letting the public know that there are still opportunities to receive items for those who did not get their application in for Christmas assistance before the deadline. There will be last chance Christmas assistance for La Porte County residents Dec. 17 in La Porte and Dec. 22 in Michigan City. See the flyer for requirements and more details.   

Thursday evening, Porter Police Officer Matthew Reynolds received a Life Saving Award from our friends at the Chesterton Police Department during their Police Commission meeting. Earlier this year, Officer Reynolds responded to assist the CPD with a call for service involving a severely injured citizen, the Porter Police said on their Facebook page. Officer Reynolds- a Marine and trained Emergency Medical Responder- administered life saving aid along with two of our CPD colleagues. Porter Police Chief Dickey stated “Officer Reynolds has proven time and again his dedication to the Duneland community. His commitment to training for these critical moments cannot

The Town of Chesterton says Downtown Chesterton shoppers still have a few more days to vote for their favor storefront as part of this year’s Holiday Window Decorating Contest. This year’s theme: Winter Wildlife! Deadline to vote: Sunday, Dec. 14 The Town of Chesterton says if you haven’t ventured into the Downtown in a while, make a point over the next few days of doing some holiday shopping there. Vote online at https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSen2brOICu.../viewform... "The contest is sponsored by the Chesterton Branding and Leadership Corporation, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to a vibrant and thriving Chesterton community, celebrating the art of life

Wheeler, IN — In partnership with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of its latest Fire Academy. The ceremony was held on Thursday, December 11 at Wheeler High School. This new class represents the continued commitment of the MAAC Foundation to support, prepare, and empower the next generation of first responders serving communities throughout the region. “Our mission has always been to provide the training, resources, and support future and current responders need to succeed,” said Nicole Gladstone, President & CEO of the MAAC Foundation. “This

The City of Michigan City says "Give Something That Means Something" this holiday season by donating blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 12. There's even a donor incentive of a $15 Amazon gift card by email. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.

The true meaning of Christmas involves the giving of one’s time and talents. The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) did just that on Saturday, December 6, as they competed in a military drill meet, helped the Salvation Army, and led the Michigan City Festival of Lights parade. The MCHS Military Drill Team earned a second-place finish in the Color Guard category at the Portage drill meet, with Romeoville, IL, as the overall winner. The meet was judged by the midshipmen of Purdue University Navy/Marine Corps ROTC. Some of those same cadets then

News Release by La Porte Community School Corporation: LA PORTE, IN — La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) and Preserve Historic La Porte have entered into a memorandum of understanding to jointly fund a feasibility study assessing the scope of work needed to restore Kiwanis Stadium. The 75-year-old stadium, home to Slicer football, requires significant repairs to meet the needs of a modern high school athletics program. The collaborative agreement, approved by the LPCSC Board of School Trustees on December 8, 2025, marks the first step in the district's efforts to define a path forward for its football facilities. "We

News Release by Marquette Catholic High School: Blazers Make $1,130 Donation to Franciscan Health Foundation's Michigan City Breast Center Marquette High School is grateful for the community-wide support it received during its donation drive for local breast cancer patients this past fall. Proceeds from the school's Dig Pink volleyball match versus South Central, coupled with the program's fundraising efforts, netted $1,130 for the Franciscan Health Foundation's Breast Center in Michigan City. Marquette was elated to present Vice President of Clinical Support Services Jill Nygren, Manager of Outpatient Therapy Services Deborah Pitchford, and Franciscan Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator Amy Johnson with

Indiana DNR nursery inspectors are reminding Hoosiers to check all purchased natural holiday décor for hitchhiking invasive pest species. The DNR says to look closely at Christmas tree trunks for egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SPL) and spongy moth. "These devastating pests can cause tree mortality and threaten loss of revenue to the timber and wine industry," the DNR said on its Facebook page. "Both species are now present within Indiana and have the potential to spread to new areas of the state clinging to natural plant material." Keep up to date with new and unusual findings, pest

LA PORTE, IN – Holiday shoppers in La Porte have a great opportunity to double the impact of their charitable giving later this week. On December 11, 12, and 13 all gifts made to Red Kettles at local businesses will be doubled thanks to a local couple. For shoppers, it means that a $5 bill becomes $10 and every $20 turns into $40. The anonymous supporters are offering up to $5,000 in matching dollars and are encouraging shoppers to dig a little deeper in their pockets to help those in need in La Porte County. With the recent cold snap and snow storms decreasing