Local News

Free nicotine patches and gum available The Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County is celebrating the Indiana Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW) 15th anniversary and its work to help Porter County residents overcome their tobacco addiction and live healthier lives. To mark the anniversary, the Quitline is offering four weeks of free nicotine patches and gum to anyone who enrolls, while supplies last. Since it began in March 2006, the Quitline has helped more than 180,000 tobacco users quit tobacco through its free phone counseling, web-based service Web Coach and supplementary texting service Text2Quit. “The Indiana Tobacco Quitline plays

Northwest Health is now offering a comprehensive weight loss service. The program is designed to meet the needs of all individuals who are ready to improve their health through weight loss by offering the expertise of a board certified obesity medicine physician as well as a bariatric surgery option. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States*. It contributes to the risk of developing serious medical conditions including respiratory and cardiac problems, depression cancer and type-2 diabetes. Yet unfortunately, losing weight can be difficult, and for people who have 100 pounds or more to lose,

Hoosiers ages 30 and older are now eligible to sign up for a free COVID-19 vaccine, the Indiana Department of Health announced today. This expansion of eligibility makes the vaccine available to more than 840,000 additional Hoosiers. Beginning Wednesday, Hoosiers age 16 and older also will be able to schedule a vaccine. Vaccine appointments will extend over the next several weeks to align with expected vaccine deliveries to the state. Individuals seeking an earlier appointment are encouraged to look at openings in surrounding counties. To schedule a vaccine, visit https://ourshot.in.gov and select a location from one of more than 530 clinics around

The Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children, received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and began an investigation into the online activities of a Michigan City man.  The cyber tip was submitted via social media and indicated that a user of their services had allegedly solicited an underage child for sexual acts. The investigation revealed that Jonathon Schuette, 42, from Michigan City, IN, had been communicating with a minor since 2018.  Schuette had allegedly contacted the child to engage in sexual conduct.   Detectives from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post assisted with

The Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for Full-Time Police Officers. The Michigan City Police Department will be hosting both a written and a physical agility test at the police department located at 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. on May 1st. Applications may be picked up at the Michigan City Police Department or downloaded from their website. The deadline to turn in applications will be Friday April 23rd, 2021 at 4:00 P.M.(CST). Visit the MCPD Facebook page or check out their website for more information.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for U.S. 12 east of State Road 149 in Burns Harbor beginning Thursday, April 1. The U.S. 12 bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad will be reduced to one lane in each direction for a bridge deck overlay and other bridge maintenance activities through early-October, 2021. The ramp lanes on the bridge for exit and entry into Cleveland-Cliffs (F.K.A. ArcelorMittal) will be closed, but the ramps will remain open. A temporary stop sign will be installed at the top of the ramp onto U.S. 12 due to the merging lane being closed. A bridge

We’ve changed habits and actions to protect our health during the pandemic, but one thing still remains the same – we need to take quick action with a possible heart attack or stroke. Life-threatening blockages and arrhythmias need timely detection and treatment to support the best possible outcome. Waiting to get help can increase the damage to heart muscle or brain tissue. The hospitals of Northwest Health have deep resources ready to support diagnosis and intervention in the event of heart attack or stroke. Emergency medicine physicians have 24/7 access to advanced imaging and testing, multiple cardiac cath labs and

Senior Aidan Bartnicki was one of only 90 students statewide to earn Indiana Regional Academic All-Star status as communicated by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP).   Academic All-Star distinction recognizes seniors who excel in the classroom first and foremost, but who also are actively involved in their schools and communities, taking on leadership roles in those activities. The program is produced by the IASP with support provided by DePauw University, Indiana University Bloomington, and Purdue University.   Aidan, the son of Dan and Anna Bartnicki, possesses a 4.582 cumulative grade-point average. A member of Marquette’s inaugural early-college program

Northwest Indiana residents now have even more convenient options for great healthcare. Midwest Express Clinic just opened two new locations in Portage and Cedar Lake.  MEC already has six other area locations, including the Dyer and Merrillville clinics, which opened in 2019. "Our goal has always been to continue to expand so we can serve more people in the community,” Kasia Marshall, FNP-C, Clinical Resource said. “Having locations within miles of each other increases access to care and allows patients to find a location closer to home, where they can receive quality care in a timely fashion." The Cedar Lake office

South Shore Line passengers are advised that federal mask orders will remain in effect mandating the use of masks or face coverings for all SSL passengers and employees.  As announced on March 23rd, Governor Eric Holcomb will downgrade the state’s mask requirement to a mask advisory, effective April 6th. The governor encouraged citizens to continue to wear masks in public places and will continue to mandate masks within state properties.    The SSL, along with other public transportation entities, says they must continue to abide by federal orders put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Transportation

The LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call on March 24th, 2021 at approximately 06:32 PM regarding a crash at the intersection of West US Highway 12 and Sheridan Avenue. It was reported that a semi-truck and passenger vehicle crashed into each other. Uniform Patrol Shift 2 officers Sergeant Michael Oberle, Officer Rene Lozano, Officer Steven Kolarczyk and Officer Mark Galetti responded to the scene and located a beige colored 2006 Buick Rendezvous and white 1999 Freightliner semi-truck with severe front-end damage. The responding officers then discovered two occupants trapped inside the Buick from extensive damage. Officers

TransPorte today announced that it will once again provide weekend rides to residents, according to Manager Beth West. Beginning Saturday, April 3, the transportation system will resume its Saturday service from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. West said TransPorte limited its hours back in November to help slow the spread of the virus. "As COVID-19 numbers continue to drop throughout the greater La Porte community, we feel it is appropriate to resume our normal operating schedule," West said. "As always, we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we've worked to protect both our drivers and riders" West said many health

  Your visit to the zoo may look different, but please know that these new policies and procedures are there to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The health and safety of our guests, employees, volunteers, and the animals in our care remain our top priority and we thank you for helping us with these efforts. We take health and safety very seriously, and we have based our precaution policies on the CDC and the recommended zoological association guidelines that are being instituted across the country.  We ask that all of our visitors follow these policies to ensure

Minority Health Partners Of La Porte County is teaming up with Healthlinc for COVID vaccine distribution at holdcraft performing arts center, which is the old Elston Middle School auditorium outside the entrance next to YMCA. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 31st from 2pm-6pm. Anyone age 18 or older living in public housing, low income based/section 8 housing, homeless, migrant workers, or those who speak english as a second language (federal COVID-19 vaccination plan eligibility)  Vaccine availability is limited, please register. By calling 219-872-6200 ext. 3730 .   

On Tuesday, Valparaiso Fire Department’s Tim Stites and Scott Arnold gave out COVID vaccinations through the Homebound Hoosiers program. The program provides in-home vaccinations to those unable to travel to vaccine sites. To see if you qualify, call Porter County Aging & Community Services at 219-464-9736 and select 1 (Energy Assistance) or 5 (Emergency Assistance).

Roadwork that was scheduled for this week on SR 49 in Porter County has been postponed and will now occur on Monday, March 29th. State Road 49 will be reduced to two lanes between I-94 and Indian Boundary Rd. The lane closures are expected to be put up and taken down in one day.

A La Porte County fugitive announced a fugitive was arrested in Arkansas Monday. On March 11th, 53 year old Timothy J. Bailey, who was not in custody, appeared in person in La Porte court . During the hearing, Bailey was sentenced to five years, fully executed, in the Indiana Department of Correction, for Theft. Bailey was ordered to self-surrender at the La Porte County Jail (LCJ) by March 12th.   Bailey failed to report to the LCJ as ordered by the court.  As a result, an arrest warrant was issued for Bailey for Failure to Appear, for the original offenses of

In La Porte, U.S. 35 will be closed between State Road 2 and Washington St on Saturday, March 27th from approximately 7am-5pm. The overpass will be closed while NIPSCO upgrades the wires above the highway. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The right northbound lane is expected to be closed in this location on Monday, March 29th during the hours of 7am-5pm as well.

Tuesday, Governor Eric J. Holcomb  delivered a statewide address to lay out the road ahead for Hoosiers in the fight against COVID-19. “As we continue to isolate if you test positive, quarantine if you’re a close contact, and get vaccinated when you’re eligible, the light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter and brighter,” Gov. Holcomb said. “It’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to stay on our course.” Indiana’s current cases, positivity rate, hospitalizations, and deaths have all dropped drastically since mid-January and nearly a million Hoosiers are fully vaccinated. The state

Michigan City Area Schools has announced a new partnership with the national nonprofit DonorsChoose to help teachers tap into a network of 4.7 million donors to support classroom projects and more seamlessly align with district strategy and operations. To date, teachers in Michigan City Area Schools have raised $286,275 and completed over 657 projects on DonorsChoose. These projects vary from books to laptops and other tools to enhance the learning environment and support student success. As one of the 120+ members of the DonorsChoose District Partnership Program, Michigan City Area Schools will be able to fully support teachers in the