Local News

A Portage man faces a murder charge after a fatal shooting in Valparaiso that left one person dead. According to an update from the Valparaiso Police Department, on Oct. 10, at approximately just before 3:00 a.m., police were dispatched to the 50 block of Campbell Street to a report of multiple gun shots taking place in a local business parking lot. Reports further indicated one person had sustained a gunshot wound and was down in the rear lot of the establishment. Police learned the potential suspects had fled the area in a vehicle, with witnesses providing a vehicle description and

The Portage Police Department Crash Reconstruction Team is planning a training event on Wednesday, Oct. 14 in the afternoon going into the evening hours. The Portage Crash Reconstruction Team with cooperation of Bauer Farm Subdivision will be in the area of Paddock Street and Mustang Ave. The Portage Police Department Police says these roads are part of the new subdivision and have no houses or business in that area at the time of the training. Those roads will be closed to the public during the training event. The Portage Police Department Crash Reconstruction Team is used to do a secondary

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Town & Country Construction Inc will close U.S. 231 between U.S. 231/State Road 10 and C.R. 1100 N on or after Wednesday, October 14. U.S. 231 will be closed through mid-November for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 231/State Road 10, State Road 10 and State Road 110.

The La Porte Police Department will be hosting their 3rd annual Trunk or Treat taking place Oct. 25 from 1-3p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. See the flyer for more details.

Columbus Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.   Tonight A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.   Tuesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

The below information is from the South Shore Line regarding upcoming busing substitution: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, & Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026  Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, & Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026  South Shore Line Lakeshore Corridor and Monon Corridor transfer passengers are advised weekend busing substitution will be in place in Chicago on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 24-25, 2026, and on Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 2026, due to construction. There will be NO SERVICE to Museum Campus or Van Buren Street stations on Oct. 24, Oct. 25, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1.  SSL passengers traveling to and from downtown Chicago will be

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The Roberts Impact Lab at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will advance a regional economic development initiative that supports aspiring innovators through a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The grant will support the implementation of a planned Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, and Innovation Academy (ECIA) that will be hosted through PNW’s Roberts Impact Lab. The lab’s mission centers on advancing a regional hub for business growth, where entrepreneurial innovation, technological development, applied research and industry partnerships create new opportunities for economic and workforce development for Northwest Indiana. The lab, located at 5454 Hohman Ave.

The City of Valparaiso recently announced that Trick or Treat hours in Valparaiso are set for 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. "Stay safe, Valpo! the city said on their Facebook page. "Light up your costumes, use sidewalks and crosswalks, carry a flashlight or glow stick, and watch carefully for little ghouls and goblins crossing the streets." (Image source: Valparaiso Now / Facebook)

Press release, Indiana Department of Homeland Security: INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is warning survivors of the August 2026 disaster about attempts to fraudulently acquire state and federal disaster assistance. State Disaster Relief Funds are intended for the survivors of disaster events to help those affected rebuild. The improper use and receipt of funds will be pursued by the State of Indiana to the maximum extent possible under Indiana law. The State Disaster Relief Funds (SDRF) administered by IDHS are only intended for eligible applicants. Individual assistance is available for individuals and families to be spent

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.   Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.   Columbus Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

La PORTE, IN – High school basketball fans can start counting down to another unforgettable weekend of hoops as the La Porte Invitational returns to the historic La Porte Civic Auditorium this January, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.   The La Porte Invitational returns Friday, Jan. 8, through Sunday, Jan. 10, for its sixth year. This three-day, nationally recognized basketball showcase will feature 10 of the best high school programs from across the nation, bringing elite talent, high-level competition and an all-out basketball showcase to La Porte.   “The La Porte Invitational is three days of basketball at

Story Time   Wednesdays, October 14 & 21 10:00am   Join Mr. Dave and Miss Dana for stories, activities, songs, and crafts each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.! For children birth through age 5 and accompanied by an adult. And be sure to check out all of our previous story time videos through our YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.     A Song for Everything: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi –PBS Michiana WNIT Documentary   Wednesday, October 14 5:00pm-6:30pm   Join us at MCPL for a PBS Documentary and Discussion of A Song For Everything: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, produced

The Starke County Sheriff's Office announced that beginning Monday, Oct. 12, Norfolk Southern will be making repairs to the railroad tracks on Pacific Avenue (50 S), just west of Klockner Road (300 E). During the repairs, truck routes will be affected as follows: • Factories east of the railroad tracks: Trucks will need to use State Road 8 to 300 E. • Factories west of the railroad tracks: Trucks will need to use State Road 8 to Range Road, then take 50 S. Repairs are expected to continue throughout the week. The Starke County Sheriff"s Office says to plan accordingly

DYER, Ind. – More than 600 Catholic school students from across Northwest Indiana gathered at Franciscan Health Dyer last week for the 33rd annual Respect Life Celebration.   The event, co-hosted by Franciscan Health and the Diocese of Gary during Respect Life Month, aims to celebrate life at all stages with the goal of drawing attention to the lives lost to abortion. The theme for this year’s Respect Life Month is “Mary, Mother of Life.”   The Most Rev. Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Diocese of Gary presided over the service. Bishop McClory used the analogy of pumpkin farming

Today Sunny, with a high near 75.   Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 58.   Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.   Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.   Columbus Day Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.

NORTHWEST INDIANA – Franciscan Health is hosting multiple events this fall aimed at encouraging women to schedule screenings for both breast and lung cancer.   The campaign, called Pink & Pearl, originated with the Tennessee Department of Public Health in 2019 and has since expanded across the country. Pink & Pearl -- the colors of the breast cancer and lung cancer awareness ribbons -- was inspired by a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study that found women screened for breast cancer were still dying from lung cancer. While breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, lung cancer is

In Starke County, the ramp from U.S. 30 westbound to U.S. 35 northbound will close on or after Monday, October 12 through mid-November in conjunction with the small structure replacement and resurfacing project on U.S. 30. The schedule is weather dependent. U.S. 30 remains one lane in each direction, with the westbound lanes closed for construction and eastbound lanes converted to two-way traffic through the end of November. No left turns from U.S. 30 are permitted through the work zone. Exercise caution when crossing or turning onto U.S. 30 from intersecting roads.

Press release, Office of State Senator Ed Charbonneau: STATEHOUSE — Memorial Elementary School and St. Paul Catholic School, a Diocese of Gary, earned the Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools designation from the Indiana Department of Education, said State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso). Both schools, located in Valparaiso, are among 16 public and private schools to receive this recognition for their continued commitment to academic and student success. The Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools designation celebrates schools that demonstrate exemplary academic performance and innovative approaches to meet student needs. “Congratulations to Memorial Elementary School and St. Paul Catholic School for being named an Indiana

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is inviting nominations for impactful university alumni to be recognized and inducted into the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame. The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from across the history of the PNW Hammond and Westville campuses. Nominations are sought for alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. “Our alumni represent the very best of Purdue University Northwest through their leadership, service and professional accomplishments,” said Katie Holderby, director of Alumni

NFL legend Mike Ditka, who revolutionized the tight end position before becoming the head coach of the world champion 1985 Bears and a towering figure in the city of Chicago, has passed away. Thank you for the memories Coach Ditka. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.