Local News

A-shift crews responded earlier today to a reported structure fire at the former JCPenney store, located within Marquette Mall. The store has been vacant for an extended period. Upon arrival, security personnel advised crews of visible smoke and fire inside. The fire was located in a storage room and quickly knocked down by responding units. Fires in large commercial buildings present unique challenges and increased risks for firefighters, especially in situations like this when fire protection systems like sprinklers are not in operation. Crews did an outstanding job quickly locating the fire, extinguishing it, and conducting a thorough search of

The Chesterton Police Department announced Thursday that after 28 years of service to the Town of Chesterton, Officer Larry Powell worked his final shift. "We couldn’t be happier for you, Larry! CPD said on its Facebook page. "Thank you for your years of service and dedication. Wishing you all the best in your retirement. Chesterton Unit 5, 10-42 for the last time."  

An Illinois man was arrested Tuesday after Indiana State Police seized 50 grams of Fentanyl during a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road in La Porte County. Troopers patrolling the Indiana Toll Road on Tuesday made a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle. According to police, during the traffic stop, troopers detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and search was conducted. During the search, 50 grams of suspected Fentanyl was located concealed in the driver’s pants. The suspect, 25-year-old Raekwon A. Riley from Bolingbroook, IL, was arrested and transported to the LaPorte County Jail. He is

Franciscan Health Michigan City is expanding its partnership with local law enforcement with the donation of emergency equipment backpacks and CPR gear for all LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office vehicles. The 70 large, red backpacks will be used to consolidate a variety of individual emergency response items the officers carry in their vehicles, including 100 Ambu bags donated by Franciscan Health Michigan City to assist in administering CPR. Other items the backpacks will hold include automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), Narcan kits to treat drug overdoses, personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks, basic first aid items and Stop the Bleed

The Porter County Sheriff's Office on their Facebook page gave the following update about the Project Safe Roads program: We recently passed the 1.5 year mark since implementing the Project Safe Roads program which also led to creating a Traffic Unit to help address the growing issues our County is facing. The Officer assigned to this initiative, Sgt. Brockman, has handled over 200 traffic complaints in Porter County since the program’s inception. In addition, Sgt. Brockman began handling our Junk and Abandoned vehicle complaints and dealing with any vehicle tagged that was left unattended on the side of the road.

In the Town of Porter, Waverly Road at Ballard Street is fully closed all day today, Oct. 10, for storm sewer work. The detour for local traffic will be Hjelm Road east to Coleman Street, north to S. Bailey Drive then west back to Waverly Road. Through traffic should take U.S. Highway 20 to State Road 49 north to U.S. Highway 12. 

Several Michigan City Police Department officers were recognized on Wednesday. MCPD said the officers were recognized for their exceptional service and listed the following officers: 🔹 Ofc. Zachery Wells – Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Steve Wiegel - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Makiyah Smallwood - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Jacob Schleyer - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Anthony Brown - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. CJ Fusko - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Charles Davis - Exceptional Service 🔹 Ofc. Angelo Davenport - Life Saving Award 🔹 Det. Brock Moore - Exceptional Service 🔹 Cpl. Jason Costigan - 20 Years of Service 🔹 Cpl.

The Michigan City Fire Department earlier this week responded to a vacant motel fire that caused major delays on U.S. 20. At approximately 4:53 p.m. Tuesday, firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at Christy’s Motel, located along U.S. 20, after receiving a call indicating the building was fully engulfed. Engine 4 arrived on scene within minutes and confirmed two motel rooms were fully involved. Crews achieved a knockdown of the main fire by 5:00 p.m. Due to smoke traveling through the attic space, firefighters conducted a thorough search of all rooms to ensure the fire had not

MICHIGAN CITY, October 8, 2025 – Eight local individuals will be honored for their exceptional dedication and service to the community at the Rotary Club of Michigan City’s annual Service Above Self Awards, to be held on Thursday, October 16. This year’s recipients are: Cadet Robert Pearce, named JROTC Cadet of the Year; Jessica Fleming, recognized as EMT/Paramedic of the Year; Sgt. Alberto Muniz, awarded Correctional Officer of the Year; Deputy Derrick Deck, selected as Deputy of the Year; Tajuana Draper, honored as DSC Worker of the Year; Sgt. Micheal Oberle, chosen as Police Officer of the Year; and Anise

This October, history and mystery come alive at the Barker Mansion. From investigations by candlelight to Gothic tales and family-friendly Halloween fun, the historic Gilded Age estate invites the community to step into the past for an unforgettable series of events. History Hours at the Mansion: October 12 | 12:00 PM – Discovering Your Roots with the Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society Curious about your family history but not sure where to start? The Northwest Indiana Genealogical Society will guide you through the essentials of genealogy research in a fun, approachable way. Candlelight Mystery at the Mansion: The Secret Tunnel October 17, 24

Michigan City Animal Control said on Tuesday it had been made aware of animals found deceased in the area of Gardena and Superior Streets. Animal Control said it is looking into possible causes. Michigan City Animal Control is asking for help from the community to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity or information regarding this matter. Animal Control also posted photos of laws pertaining to the matter on their Facebook page which can be seen below:

Michiana Humane Society's Volunteer Day this month is set for Saturday, Oct. 11. Help them prepare enrichment opportunities for their shelter pets. "Daily enrichment activities can bring their stress levels down dramatically and make a noticeable difference in their lives while they are with us!" MHS said on Facebook. "You don't need to RSVP, all ages are welcome (16 years and under must have an adult present), this awesome event is open to the public! Just show up and come as you are with a helpful heart for the MHS shelter pets." Volunteer Day will be from 11:30am-12:30pm at MHS.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications from community organizations and local businesses interested in marching through Downtown Chesterton in the annual Twilight Holiday Parade, on Saturday, Nov. 29, the Town of Chesterton announced on Facebook. The Town of Chesterton gave the following information: All are welcome to participate in this beloved holiday tradition! INFORMATION *Lineup at 4 p.m. Step-off at 5:15 p.m. *Battery-operated lights are encouraged for both marchers and vehicles. *The parade lineup is currently being finalized with the Town of Chesterton. Detailed lineup instructions will be provided once confirmed. *The parade route: North onto Sixth

The City of Valparaiso has announced that the hours for Trick or Treat will be 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Halloween, October 31, 2025, rain or shine. The City says to please be watchful of traffic and trick or treaters.

The Town of Chesterton shared the following information for the Duneland Chamber's Hatta Girl event, taking place in November: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will celebrate woman and the many hats they wear at its annual Hatta Girl event, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive South, Chesterton. Enjoy an engaging women’s tea featuring a panel of outstanding panel of speakers who will share their insights and experiences, discuss their journeys and the obstacles they surmounted in those journeys, and the ways those obstacles shaped their success. *Christy

In order to accommodate system testing related to the West Lake Corridor Project, the South Shore Line will provide temporary busing substitution for late evening/overnight train passengers Friday, Oct. 10. The temporary bus bridge will be in place for all train passengers between 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., between Hegewisch, Hammond Gateway, and East Chicago. No bikes will be permitted on buses. FRIDAY, OCT. 10, 2025, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.: ·      Weekday EB Tr 33, Tr 133, Tr 35 & Tr 101/601 passengers bused between Hegewisch, Hammond Gateway, and East Chicago. ·      Weekday WB Tr 32 passengers bused between East Chicago, Hammond Gateway, and

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) has announced her retirement from the Indiana General Assembly. Elected in 2018, Boy has served on the House Environmental Affairs Committee, the House Elections and Apportionment Committee, and as the ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Boy will continue serving in office through the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 17. Last session, Boy had two bills signed into law. House Enrolled Act 1376 expands access to opioid overdose reversal medication and House Enrolled Act 1380 exempts motor driven cycles and lightweight electric vehicles from supplemental fees. "After 22 years of public service, I

Just before noon Monday, the Chesterton Police Department received a report from a business owner in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue who stated that he had just been robbed at knifepoint. CPD patrol officers responded, and after speaking with the victim and witnesses, obtained a description and license plate number of the suspect vehicle. Utilizing their network of FLOCK license plate reading cameras (LPRs), officers were able to track the movement of the suspect vehicle as it left Chesterton and traveled into La Porte County. CPD investigators and administrators responded to the area to assist in locating the vehicle

Officials from the The Indiana Toll Road have announced that on Friday October 10, maintenance work will be underway at both the Westbound and Eastbound Portage Travel Plazas (mile marker 22), resulting in a partial parking closure of a designated section at each location from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Toll Road officials say parking will be limited, so plan ahead of time. Both Travel Plazas will remain open, and parking is permitted outside of the closed areas. “Please watch out for work zones, reduce your speed, and stay alert while driving through the area,” the Indiana Toll Road stated on its

On October 6, 2025, as a jury awaited to hear the State’s case against Demarcus Williams, Mr. Williams decided to plead Guilty to multiple felony counts, including Attempted Rape, Child Molesting, and Burglary.  Mr. Williams was charged from 3 separate incidents, all occurring in Michigan City, on July 9, 2020.  Mr. Williams will be required to register as a sex offender, and faces up to 40 years in the Department of Corrections.  Sentencing will be a later date before Judge Jaime Oss. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said:  “Deputy Prosecutors Meghann Chonowski and Harry Peterson prepped hard for weeks on this