Local News

Kim Nowatzke wrote a brilliant article in February’s weekly magazine “The Beacher”, honoring local hero Charles R. Westcott along with, Albertine Allen, Larry Gipson, Vernon Payne, Gene Simmons, and Allen Williams. The Michigan City Public Art Committee (MAC) commissions large posters of that article and put them in the kiosk at Charles R. Westcott Park for public viewing. In 2011, the Charles R. Westcott Park opened at U.S. Hwy 12 and East Michigan Blvd, the site of the former Elite Youth Center and Harborside Homes. The property was dedicated to his memory and his leadership in the community. Westcott is

Franciscan Health is thanking the generosity of the community for making the fourth annual Diaper Drive their most successful ever. Donations of diapers and monetary contributions combined for 44,198 diapers, which will be distributed to help meet the needs of families in Northwest Indiana and the South Suburbs. This year’s total far outpaces 2019’s total of 30,000 diapers that were delivered.All donations will be delivered to the following organizations in the coming weeks and will serve more than 3,000 families in Southern Cook, Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties: Franciscan Health Crown Point and Hammond Prenatal Assistance Programs, Duneland Healthy Families,

Boney will focus on business recruitment, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as putting into place housing strategies for Michigan City.“I am very excited to have someone of Jalen’s caliber and talent join our team. He has the professional drive and business acumen we need to advance our EDCMC 2019-23 Strategic Action Plan as well as a welcome addition to our team,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “We are looking forward to a long and productive relationship with him and I am sure that our Hoosier hospitality will make him feel right at home.”“I am honored to

The President of The Barker Welfare foundation announced on Friday, November 6, 2020, that the first recipient of the Barker Prize is Thomas P. McCormick. As stated by Alex Ross, President of the Barker Welfare Foundation, “The prize is awarded in memory of John H. Barker and Catherine Barker Hickox, both of whom valued good citizenship, entrepreneurship, community service and philanthropy. The winner must be a resident of or own a business in LaPorte County, Indiana, and will be chosen by the Directors of The Barker Welfare Foundation. The Winner will embody the above qualities.” Thomas P. McCormick has made

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, the Transit Department will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2020 Due to the increase in COVID 19 Pandemic cases in La Porte County and out of an abundance of caution to protect driver and passengers, the Transit Department will be suspended service on Friday 27th and Saturday the 28th for deep cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. Michigan City Transit bus service will resume our schedule service on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 6:30 AM. Reminder: LaPorte County Health Department Public Health Order Face Covering Mandate. Every individual must properly wear a face covering over their

Thanksgiving is normally one of the busiest travel times of the year. While the pandemic may have impacted plans with family this year, the Indiana State Police wants to remind motorists who do use the road to buckle up and drive sober this holiday season.  “Due to the pandemic, we anticipate fewer vehicles on the road, but precautions still need to be taken, like wearing a seat belt and designating a sober driver,” said Lt. Terry Gose, Indiana State Police Lowell Post Commander.  “Let’s work together to make sure everyone gets to their planned destination safely.” Many traffic deaths and

On November 20th at 4:32 PM, deputies were summoned to US 20 and CR 200 East, rural Kankakee Township, reference a personal injury motor vehicle crash.   The crash investigation conducted by Deputy Evan Doperalski determined the following had occurred.  A silver 2004 Ford, driven by Arthur C. MCNEELEY (61 YOA) of Mishawaka, was traveling east on US 20 in the passing (inside) lane.  A silver 2015 Cadillac, driven by Debra J. BIRKHOLZ (69 YOA) of LaPorte, was stopped in the passing lane facing east, yielding to westbound US 20 traffic to eventually execute a left turn to travel north

***Hero Pet Animal Hospital Breaks Ground *** Hero Pet Hospital, is the first in the Town of Westville to seek the Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) designation. This significant Redevelopment project broke ground Friday by a responsible, socially distanced and all wearing masked individuals celebrating this development for a new state of the art veterinary clinic. “Today is an exciting day for our business. We have spent more than two years including COVID related delays working on the site selection, engineering, design of the building and working closely with the LaPorte County Office of Community and Economic Development to secure the

City of Michigan City Mayor Parry has announced City Hall will remain temporarily closed to the public in precaution of the COVID-19 situation through November 30th . We will remain from that point by appointment only. In this rapidly changing environment, the City is making decisions that we believe to be in the best interest of our citizens and employees. We understand this temporary closure will undoubtedly cause inconveniences and disruptions to those who use City Hall services and we are committed to working with our residents under these trying conditions by telephone and Email. This measure is precautionary and

Sanitary District General Manager, Michael Kuss, would like to inform the public that no garbage will be picked up on Thanksgiving Day. Customers whose garbage is usually collected on Thursday are requested to put their garbage out one day earlier on Wednesday November 25, 2020. If your garbage is not picked up on Wednesday, please put it back out on Friday November 27, 2020. All questions should be directed to James Micheals at 219-898-3209 or Kenny Parks at 219-873-4014.

A pioneering collaboration among Unity Foundation of La Porte County, Legacy Foundation, Crown Point Community Foundation, Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and the Center of Workforce Innovations has culminated in the development of NWI BizHub (nwibizhub.com), a new network to advance economic growth in Northwest Indiana.Indiana is home to over 500,000 small businesses that support over 1 million jobs. Outside of Indianapolis, Northwest Indiana is the second largest business population. This new online platform builds upon previous research conducted by the NWI Forum as part of the Ignite the Region: A Regional Strategy for Economic Transformation.“The Ignite the Region

This crazy year is winding down and all of us at Nature's Cupboard Michigan City/ Chesterton are reflecting and focusing on the wonderful things for which we are grateful. Family is always first. We are all grateful for our families who support us and that includes our faithful and loyal customers who make up our Nature's Cupboard family. Our gratitude for you is endless! We have been able to remain open this entire year. Thankfully, we've all remained healthy and our customers have continued to support us by shopping locally and taking advantage of the extra services we have provided

Visit Michigan City LaPorte is happy to welcome visitors and locals alike to our hotels, attractions, shops, and restaurants but nothing is more important than everyone’s safety. Businesses throughout LaPorte County are following state guidelines in accordance with the governor’s five-part plan. Holiday Happenings It's a festive time of year...Celebrate in LaPorte County with holiday events, lighting displays, outdoor markets, Santa Parade, Winterfest and more local traditions. Tis the Shopping Season Lift holiday spirits with a great gift from our local stores. Choose from Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets boasting the best brands at bargain prices to a special find at our quaint

Mayor Duane Parry assisted in the Turkey Giveaway at the Advanced Christ Missionary Church here in Michigan City, and to the Social Learning Institute (Photo Attached) and included the Share Foundation for the Handicapped and Paladin for their Christmas dinner events. 250 Turkeys were picked in Valparaiso and delivered to Michigan City!

Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) College of Business is pleased to host the second annual Digital Marketing Competition (DMC). The international student competition challenges collegiate teams of two to four students to create and present a digital marketing campaign based on a case study supplied by the competition sponsor. This year’s final presentations will be held virtually on Dec. 12. The DMC was created by Matthew Hanson, clinical assistant professor of marketing at PNW, in response to the rapidly growing field of digital marketing. Working with corporate sponsors from across the country, Hanson, who facilitates the competition, explains the goal of

On Monday afternoon, Officer Matthew Babcock and Steven Kolarczyk were in the area of St. John Road and Franklin Street when they observed a white Ford Fusion travel left of center. A traffic stop was conducted on the driver of this vehicle near Barker Road and Franklin Street.The driver was identified as Joseph Martell VAUGHN, 35, of Michigan City. While being issued a citation for the traffic infraction, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jon Samuelson arrived with his K9 partner Bosco.Bosco alerted on the vehicle. The vehicle was searched, and a firearm was located. VAUGHN was placed under arrest

Several members of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s security detail have tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, Indiana State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box has advised Governor Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb to quarantine beginning today. Governor and First Lady Holcomb are considered close contacts and will be tested later this week. The Indiana State Department of Health will perform the contact tracing for the Governor, First Lady and the security detail. Dr. Box and Dr. Lindsay Weaver will lead Wednesday’s weekly COVID briefing and the Governor will join by phone. A media advisory with details will be

Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-48 to implement pandemic requirements for all Hoosiers and targeted restrictions for counties that have high levels of COVID-19. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines.The Indiana Department of Health has established a color-coded county map that measures weekly cases per 100,000 residents and the seven-day positivity rate for all tests completed. Each county is assigned a color based on the average of scores for the two metrics. Restrictions are assigned based on the map, which is updated each Wednesday at www.coronavirus.in.gov.Among the requirements are:Blue: The county has low community spread.Social gatherings of

From Sheila Matias, President of Laporte County Commission.As the COVID positive data continue to trend in the wrong direction, our employees remain front and center of our concern. Because of that and to help reduce the potential of workplace spread while also protecting the public, I have conferred with my fellow commissioners and I am exercising my authority as Commission President to return county operations to the hybrid model we used in late March through the end of June where county building doors (other than the Courthouses ) are locked and visits were by appointment only. Both Michigan City and

In accordance with a State of Indiana Executive Order mandating the usage of masks effective Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, the South Shore Line will continue to require masks or face coverings for all passengers and employees in stations and onboard our trains. If a passenger is in need of a mask, the SSL will continue to provide masks free of charge. Passengers are reminded to continue to maintain 6-feet of social distance from other individuals onboard all trains and at stations.  All businesses in the state are required to enforce the mask mandate, or face possible closure. The SSL will