Local News

On March 11, 2021, at 3:49 PM, Deputies Ryan Doperalski and Shayne Landry were dispatched to a residence in rural Union Township reference a sex offense. While in route, they were advised a male subject, who resides nearby, wished to surrender for the same offense.   Deputy Landry responded to the victim’s residence where he met with the parents and the victim. Several minutes later, Detective Kristina Hynek arrived at the residence to assist.   Deputy R. Doperalski met with the accused, William R. HOAGLAN (42 YOA), at his residence. Shortly after arriving, he transported HOAGLAN to the La Porte

On Friday, March 12th, at approximately 10:30 p.m., troopers responded to Munster Community Hospital for a reported gunshot victim.  The male had been shot while driving westbound on  I-80/94 between Indianapolis Blvd. and Calumet Ave.  The victim was driving a 2002 Pontiac when the back window was shot.  The victim realized he was hit by gunfire in his arm and drove home before being transported to Munster Community Hospital.  The suspect vehicle may be a silver 2005-2010 Audi sedan.  Injuries to the victim were non-life-threatening.  The investigation is on-going.

The La Porte County Association of Realtors donated $2500 to Family Advocates to support the volunteers and staff who advocate for abused and neglected children, at-risk youth and parents in La Porte County.  To become a volunteer go to www.lpfamilyadvocates.com. Representing The La Porte County Association of Realtors is Olga Sanchez(secretary) Karole Myres (treasurer) Tommy Sunn (co-chair for Charity auction committee) and Brad Anderson(President).  Representing Family Advocates is Karen Biernacki, CEO, Lesley Lefeber, Lisa Huber, Maggie Fritzen,  backrow:  April Greetham, Kayla Pedraza, and Rechelle McCray.

Officer Zachery Wells conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East 11th Street on March 14th, 2021 at approximately 12:59 A.M. for an infraction. Another motorist sped past Officer Wells during the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. He also heard the tires on the speeding vehicle squeal loudly as it turned north onto Pine Street from East 11th Street. Officer Wells quickly finished his traffic stop in the 300 block of East 11th Street and began to locate the speeding vehicle so a traffic stop could be performed for the driver’s reckless driving behaviors that

Michigan City Area Schools announced 8th or 7th grade students can now sign up for the 21st Century Scholars program. You may qualify for 4 years of paid tuition. The deadline to apply is June 30th. Read more about the 21st Century Scholars Program and see if you qualify at https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars .

Michigan City Area Schools announced 8th or 7th grade students can now sign up for the 21st Century Scholars program. You may qualify for 4 years of paid tuition. The deadline to apply is June 30th. Read more about the 21st Century Scholars Program and see if you qualify at https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars .

The South Shore Line announced that eastbound Train 203, departing Millennium Station at 6:10 a.m. and arriving at Gary Metro Center at 7:07 a.m., will be canceled for approximately four weeks, Tuesday through Thursday.The temporary cancellation of Train 203 will begin on Tuesday, March 16, and occur every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through early April.Train 203’s temporary schedule change is due to track construction at East Chicago Station that will impact track availability. Monday and Friday service for Tr 203 will operate as regularly scheduled.Recommended alternative service during this period includes eastbound Train 205 or Train 207.Residual delays may occur

Thursday at 2:30 PM, Deputy Jake Pisowicz was working Operation Pullover - a grant funded traffic enforcement project. While traveling eastbound on US 20 east of Meer Road, he began to travel behind a blue Dodge Neon. While nearing the intersection of US 20 and US 35, Deputy Pisowicz observed the vehicle suddenly merge from the passing lane to the driving lane. While making said lane change, the driver committed a traffic infraction.Deputy Pisowicz initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the parking lot of a service station located near the intersection of US 20 and US 35. After

Horizon Bank has made supporting individuals and families through COVID Relief efforts a priority during the pandemic. Building on previous gifts and services, the bank has just announced an additional $30,000 gift to United Way of LaPorte County to extend the local Homelessness Prevention Program. In October, local funders including Duneland Health Council, Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, Unity Foundation of La Porte County, and United Way of LaPorte County came together to address the most pressing community needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of this partnership a pilot project took seed to help La Porte County residents stay

Since delivering the first shot into an arm in LaPorte County on Dec. 18, the staff at Franciscan Health Michigan City has administered 13,279 doses at its COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Vice President of Clinical Support Services Jill Nygren, RN, MHA, said that clinic staff are delivering vaccines to five people every 10 minutes, or about 240 doses each day of operation. The clinic currently operates in the hospital’s Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel Community Room, Monday through Thursday and Saturdays. On April 1, the clinic will be open 8AM to 4:30PM Monday through Friday. A multidisciplinary team makes sure the vaccines

As many residents are aware, Striebel Pond was conceived as a dual-path project to control flooding along the Striebel Arm Ditch and provide a very popular 40-acre recreational park. The pond was completed in 2006 with native wetland plants. Since that time, the native plantings have been almost completely overtaken by non-native invasive species dominated by Phragmites australis. This invasive vegetation is not only unsightly, it impairs the biodiversity of the habitat and view of the pond and the many beautiful birds it attracts. To restore the native vegetation and biodiversity of the wild life habitat, the Michigan City Sanitary

Youth hunters may apply for reserved turkey hunts during the special youth wild turkey hunting season on DNR properties from March 15-26.The youth turkey season is April 17-18. Youth hunters who are under age 18 on the day of the hunt are eligible to apply. A limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day in order to improve the quality of hunts for participants. Interested hunters or an adult representing them must register in person or by phone during the normal office hours for the property they wish

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Franciscan Health is joining others in urging patients to schedule the screenings that they may have delayed due to the pandemic.According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, colon cancer screenings dropped roughly 90 percent and diagnoses fell by 32 percent at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Epic Health Research Network estimated 95,000 missed screenings in the U.S. during the three months from mid-March to mid-June 2020. The missed screenings mean precious time lost for treatment. Studies show more than 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented with screening.The American

Schedule a blood donation appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.March is Red Cross Month, and the Red Cross is celebrating blood, platelet and plasma donors for stepping up to meet the constant need for blood amid the pandemic. In thanks for being a vital part of the organization’s lifesaving mission, all who come to give March 15-26 will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 15-31st: La Porte La Porte3/23/2021: 1 p.m. -

Indiana state park properties and inns are hiring approximately 1,300 workers for the summer season.Positions available include gate attendants, laborers, naturalist aides, security, housekeeping, dishwashers, cooks, guest services, and camp store attendants. Most positions will be seasonal, but some are full or part-time year-round positions.To apply for a position at one of the properties, see WorkforIndiana.IN.gov. To apply for a position at one of the seven Indiana state park inns, see indianainnsjobs.com. See stateparks.IN.gov to see which property or inn is closest to you.

The La Porte County Family YMCA is currently looking for dynamic individuals to assist with the before school child care program at Rolling Prairie Elementary School. With direction and assistance from YMCA professional staff, this individual will ensure excellence in the program by creating a safe, nurturing environment for children attending before school care. Candidates must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma and have experience working with school age children. For more information, please contact Sandy Stefanko at 219-325-9622 or emailsstefanko@lpymca.org .

On March 9, 2021 at 7:00 a.m., Master Trooper Lawrence McFarrin observed a white Chevrolet Impala traveling westbound on I-94 near the 26 mile-marker (Chesterton exit).  Tpr. McFarrin subsequently paced the vehicle traveling nearly 125 mph as it was weaving in and out of traffic.  As a traffic stop was initiated near the 24 mile-marker, the driver attempted to switch positions with the front seat passenger.  During this dangerous action, the vehicle struck the guardrail on the north side of the road.  The driver was identified as Johnell C. Higgins, 36, from Detroit, Michigan.  Mr. Higgins showed signs of impairment,

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on March 9th, 2021 at 01:53 P.M. regarding a motorcycle crash with injuries in the eastbound lanes of East Michigan Boulevard at Dewey Street. Multiple officers from Uniform Patrol Shifts 1 & 2 responded to the scene and located a critically injured motorcyclist operator and female passenger laying in the eastbound lanes of East Michigan Boulevard next to a Harley Davidson. The motorcyclist operator was identified as 20-year-old Michigan City resident Myles Edson and his passenger was a 20-year-old female Michigan City resident. Edson was found to be suffering

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces closures for the ramps from northbound and southbound U.S. 41/Indianapolis Blvd to westbound I-80/94 starting on or after Tuesday, March 16.   The ramps will be closed for a bridge deck overlay project, which will be ongoing through mid-June, 2021. A bridge deck overlay is a protective treatment done to extend the life of a bridge deck.  Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour is to take the ramp from southbound or northbound U.S. 41/Indianapolis Blvd to eastbound I-80/94 and use the ramps at Kennedy Ave to turn around and go westbound on I-80/94. 

Indiana residents in need of rental assistance should apply now to a new, federally-funded state program offering assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. People can apply online at IndianaHousingNow.org to the new Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance (IERA) program. The IERA program is designed to decrease evictions, increase housing stability and prevent homelessness by helping renters whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility assistance. IERA can provide eligible renter households with up to 12 months of rental assistance. Qualifying applicants may also receive utility assistance for past due utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash), home