Local News

Timely access to services has historically been one of the greatest hurdles of those seeking treatment for mental and behavioral health issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, timely access has become even more important, as anxiety and stress levels begin to rise due to the uncertainty surrounding us all. As a part of their commitment to LaPorte County, Swanson Center has created a process to help remove these barriers. The Open Access Center is designed to meet the needs of people who are seeking treatment and helps them to take that first step in the (treatment) process.The Open Access Center at

Timely access to services has historically been one of the greatest hurdles of those seeking treatment for mental and behavioral health issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, timely access has become even more important, as anxiety and stress levels begin to rise due to the uncertainty surrounding us all. As a part of their commitment to LaPorte County, Swanson Center has created a process to help remove these barriers. The Open Access Center is designed to meet the needs of people who are seeking treatment and helps them to take that first step in the (treatment) process.The Open Access Center at

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 492 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 28,255 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. Nearly 40 percent of ICU beds and nearly 81 percent of ventilators were available as of Sunday. A total of 1,621 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 14 over the

Healthcare system seeking blood donations from patients who have recovered Franciscan Health is participating in a national study spearheaded by the Mayo Clinic to investigate the effectiveness of convalescent plasma in treating patients infected with COVID-19. Convalescent plasma is blood plasma collected from people who have already recovered from the virus. “Convalescent plasma has been used since the 1800s to help people infected with different viruses and bacteria. The idea behind convalescent plasma is that if we take the antibodies from a patient who has recovered from an infection, and give them to a patient who is sick from that

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that Indiana has been approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed by President Trump, which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals dealing with school closures. Indiana will be able to operate Pandemic EBT, a supplemental food purchasing benefit to current SNAP participants and as a new EBT benefit to other eligible households to offset the cost of meals that would have otherwise been consumed at school. For the 2019-2020 school year, Indiana had

Friday LaPorte County Commissioner Dr. Vidya Kora released a friend-of-the-court or amicus filing submitted on Wednesday to the U.S. Supreme Court that included LaPorte County along with 43 other cities, towns and counties across the country, filed in defense of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The LaPorte County Commission on a 2-1 vote on May 6, authorized LaPorte County Attorney Shaw Friedman to add LaPorte County as a signatory to the brief. The case, on appeal from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is in the briefing stages now before the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision is not likely for

COVID-19 testing by OPTUM, a contractor for the Indiana State Department of Health, is available at no cost at Michigan City High School. You must register online or by phone before going to the testing site. Once OPTUM releases the flyer with the new testing information as promised, it will be shared with you and across media outlets. In the meantime, feel free to share this information so that people can sign up online or via phone. The LaPorte Armory testing site will no longer be open for testing. Please use a mask or face covering and practice social distancing

Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the bipartisan Indiana Election Commission voted to implement several changes for the upcoming primary election, which has been moved to June 2. The most notable change allows any resident of La Porte County to vote by mail with an absentee ballot, though in-person voting and early voting will still be available. Registered voters who wish to vote through the mail may request an absentee ballot by filling out ABS–MAIL PRIMARY 2020 FORM and return it to their local election board via mail, email, fax or hand delivery. Alternatively, registered voters can use

On Wednesday May 14th, 2020 at approximately 9:00 P.M.; Michigan City Police Department Shift 2 Patrol Officers were dispatched to the area of Pullman Field, on the city’s west side, for a report of shots being fired. Several officers that were near the area also reported hearing the shots. As officers responded, people were observed chaotically leaving the area. Officers secured the scene, collected evidence, and spoke to witnesses. A group wascelebrating a birthday party at Pullman Field, when for unknown reasons, shots were fired.Soon after arriving at the scene, officers were dispatched to Franciscan Hospital in reference to a

City of La Porte Police Chief Paul Brettin (third from left) accepts a grant check awarded to the department by the Norfolk Southern Foundation Thursday, May 14, 2020, in La Porte. The $5000 grant was given as part of the Norfolk Southern Corporation’s charitable giving programs, which seek to enhance the livability of the communities served by the corporation. Brettin said the money will be used to purchase needed equipment for the department. Pictured, from left: Mayor Tom Dermody, City of La Porte Assistant Police Chief Nate Thode, Brettin, Norfolk Southern Police Supervisory Special Agent Steven Kirkman, Norfolk Southern Police

Starting the week of May 18, most DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife-owned shooting ranges will begin to reopen.All facilities will be following COVID-19 social distancing and cleaning requirements. Restrictions will reduce the number of recreational shooters on the shooting ranges at a given time.Atterbury Fish & Wildlife Area’s shooting range will open by appointment only May 15-17 and resume normal operating hours the week of May 18. Shooters wishing to schedule an appointment should call 812-526-6552.All other FWA shooting ranges, except the one at Willow Slough FWA, will reopen starting the week of May 18. Shooting range hours differ

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 634 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 26,053 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remain steady. Nearly 41 percent of ICU beds and nearly 80 percent of ventilators were available as of Thursday. A total of 1,508 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 26 over the

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 25 year old Jerry Valencia of Elkhart. Tuesday night, deputies were dispatched to the Family Express, located at 243 West Johnson Road, reference a theft (later determined to be a robbery) that had just occurred. Responding deputies were provided with a description of the suspect and suspect vehicle. Deputies were advised the vehicle was last seen traveling east on Severs Road. A short time later, Deputy Derrick Deck spotted the suspect vehicle traveling north of SR 39. He attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle at the automated

Preliminary results from a scientific study aimed at measuring the spread of the novel coronavirus in Indiana show a general population prevalence of about 2.8 percent of the state’s population. Researchers tested more than 4,600 Hoosiers between April 25 and May 1 for viral infections and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. This number includes more than 3,600 people who were randomly selected and an additional 900 volunteers recruited through outreach to the African American and Hispanic communities to more accurately represent state demographics.Researchers determined that during the last week in April, 1.7 percent of participants tested

Chesterton’s European MarketTentative New Opening Day! Saturday, May 30 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm It’s almost that time of year again! Come visit us for our essential vendors including produce, meat, and other consumable items. We are still accepting vendor applications and sponsorship opportunities are available. Please follow us on Facebook for updates! The start to this season will look different from year’s past. The season will plan to open two weeks after the regular start date, which is normally the first Saturday in May running through the last Saturday in October. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce has been monitoring

For 74 years, the Jaycees, an organization comprised of all volunteers has hosted the premierfamily-friendly 4th of July Celebration that encompasses an arts and crafts festival, community fireworks, andthe largest 4th of July parade in the state of Indiana. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jaycees regret to announce that the Arts and Crafts Fair and Fireworks Celebration will be cancelled and the iconic 4th of July Parade will be moved to a later date. This decision was not made lightly, and the 4th of July Celebration encompasses a committee of volunteers that have been working hard planning

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors recently announced the election of its 2020-21 Board officers. They are :-Kathryn Bernel, Chair-Leigh Morris: Immediate Past Chair-Nolah Nasser-Gertner, Vice-Chair-Suzan Wade, Secretary-Lorri Feldt, TreasurerThese five individuals will be leading the LCSO Board of Directors comprised of 21 members. The LCSO will be entering its 48th season next fall with Hoosier Star, Drayton Children’s Educational Concerts, three subscription concerts with music director candidates and Holiday at the Pops. For more information visit www.lcso.net.

Yesterday the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced that 566 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 25,127 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.Intensive care unit and ventilator capacity remains steady. Nearly 45 percent of ICU beds and more than 81 percent of ventilators were available as of Tuesday.A total of 1,444 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 33 over the previous

 The La Porte Armory Located at 2391 W. State Road 2, is a COVID-19 testing site. Hoosiers will not be charged for testing and insurance is​ not required. If you have private health insurance, please​ bring that information with you.​Register here: https://lhi.care/covidtesting​ or by phone at: 888-634-1116 . 

Horizon Bank has donated $10,000 to Unity Foundation of La Porte County’sLa Porte County Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to aid those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Unity Foundation of La Porte County is ready to assist La Porte County residents and will utilize their resources in the most impactful ways to serve the community’s needs during this challenging time.We hope other community members consider contributing to their La Porte County Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund,” said Steve Kring, Regional President for Northwest Indiana. “Unity activated our Disaster Fund and made early grants to frontline organizations for food and