Local News

Mayor Duane Parry would like to announce a free Tree Sapling giveaway in light of celebrating Arbor Day. With large gatherings prohibited in a time that has brought social distancing and self-imposed isolation, the City was not able to host a planned Arbor Day Tree Celebration at the Michigan City Farmer’s Market. The City Forester, Parks Department, and Michigan City Tree Board, will be distributing saplings at City Hall on Saturday, May 9th from 9am-12pm. The goal with this giveaway is so citizens can have an outdoor project that can get them safely outside to enjoy a project with their

This past Friday, in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Indiana Motor Truck Association (IMTA), the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) helped to provide cotton face masks to truck drivers across central and northwest Indiana.  Sgt. Dale Turner and Master Trooper Jim Strong passed out 1,000 masks at the I-94 rest park in LaPorte County.  They were assisted by Darin Jones, Regional Field Administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.The FMCSA, after working with FEMA and trucking stakeholders, recently acquired 1,000,000 cotton face masks and selected Indiana as one of eight

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City Mayor Parry and his administration are reviewing Governor Holcomb’s new orders and his plans for reopening the State issued late this afternoon.   In the meantime, Mayor Parry’s Executive Order #04-2020, which was issued on April 7, 2020, still remains in full force and effect, which includes the following provisions: The opening of only essential retail businesses selling the necessities of life (such as grocery stores, hardware stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and gas stations) and limiting the number of customers in said establishmentsA City-wide curfew between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and

City of La Porte Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber (far right) thanks local manufacturer New York Blower Company for their donation of 60 bottles of hand sanitizer Friday, May 1, 2020, in La Porte. The company donated the sanitizer to help protect park staff during the pandemic. Pictured, from left: Production Supervisor Dale Lake, Executive Vice President of Operations Scott Hamilton, Director of La Porte Operations Bob Kuizim and Schreiber.  

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 815 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 18,630 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 1,062 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 55 over the previous day following the removal of one duplication. Another 113 probable deaths have been reported. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19

Executive Order 1-2020, also known as the Retail Responsibility Act, will expire tomorrow, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. “With changes expected to be made to the governor’s ‘stay-at-home’ order later this week, I have advised the city council against extending the Retail Responsibility Act,” Dermody said. “Though restrictions will be lifted, I urge retailers and shoppers to continue taking the necessary safety precautions as we continue to navigate this pandemic together.”  The executive order, which expires at 12:01 a.m. on May 1, limited customers entering a store within the city to one person per family. It also required retailers to

The Michigan City Transit will continue to offer free transportation throughout the month of May.  The Transit System will be limiting ridership to fifteen (15) passengers per bus and is emphasizing that passengers utilize the Transit System for essential travel only.  In addition, the Triangle Transit System will temporarily be suspended until further notice.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 605 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 17,182 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 964 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19, an increase of 63 over the previous day. Another 101 probable deaths have been reported. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced OptumServe Health Services, powered by Logistics Health, Inc., will open sites across Indiana in the next seven days to begin large-scale testing of Hoosiers. “Launching this partnership with Optum further expands Indiana’s COVID-19 testing capacity,” said Gov. Holcomb. “These free tests will be available in locations across the state, ensuring even more Hoosiers who have symptoms or an affected family member can get tested for coronavirus.” In the first 30 days, 100,000 Hoosiers are expected to be tested. Testing is for any symptomatic Hoosier, close contacts of positive cases, or residents of congregate living settings.

To show appreciation for the medical personnel who are tirelessly working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, South Shore Line (SSL) is inviting all doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, and other medical personnel to ride free throughout the months of May and June. “Many healthcare workers and medical personnel have continued to ride with us to their jobs since the pandemic started. We not only want to show our appreciation for their ridership but also for the work they are doing in their critical jobs on the frontlines,” said Michael Noland, President of South Shore Line. “Their selflessness has not

NIPSCO Forestry is once again participating in the Arbor Day Foundation's "Energy Saving Trees" program . https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/#HomeAny NIPSCO electric customer can sign up using the website https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/#Home to receive a 1 gallon tree- free of cost- mailed directly to their home. The website will track energy savings for our customers. This program will provide 325 trees to the community of La Porte. Species include Sugar Maple, Serviceberry, Bur Oak, Ninebark, Paw Paw, White Oak, and Swamp White Oak.  Sign up now as supplies are very limited.Even more exciting- NIPSCO Forestry has secured additional funding to supply 50 larger trees (3 gallon size) to residents

Four Michigan City restaurants are partnering with local charities to provide meals for those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Patrick’s Grille, Dune Billies Beach Café, Fish Camp and Fiddlehead Restaurant, popular dining spots in the city, will work with United Way of LaPorte County in coordinating the project. United Way will take donations from the general public to support the program. Please visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/unitedwaylpc/event/814781/ to donate. Currently the restaurants will be providing meals to Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Sand Castle Shelter for Homeless Families and Interfaith Community PADS, but hope to include other organizations as funds become available.

Golf Courses are considered one of the “open recreation areas” permittedto remain open by Governor Holcomb’s original Order, yet when we tried it resulted in improper use, inappropriate gathering, and non-compliance with social distancing. SO…. We are going to try it again with stricter rules, guidelines, and proper hygiene and sanitation rules.  Anyone not adhering to the rules will be asked to leave the course.    Michigan City Golf Course will be open for play beginning May 1st.  Groups can book a tee time at www.golfnow.com or via phone at (219) 873-1516.  All greens fees will be paid over the

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 963 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 15,961 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 844 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died of COVID-19. Another 88 probable deaths have been reported. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which

At 12:15pm on Friday April 24th, the Sanitary District of Michigan City was made aware of a report of a sheen on Lake Michigan approximately 300 yards northeast of the lighthouse.  The sheen was discovered by the US Coast Guard at 10:45 am, and reported to the National Response Center at 12:05pm, by US Coast Guard, Michigan City. They reported, “The discovery of an unknown sheen from an unknown source in Lake Michigan.” Upon being notified of the potential threat, the Sanitary District immediately notified the Water Department, Park Department, Port Authority, and the Mayor’s Office. Each Department began monitoring

La Porte County native Shannon Walker has joined the Unity team as Vice President of Marketing and Operations. Walker will take over for current VP, Deb Varnak, as she leaves in May to spend more time with family. Walker joins Unity with more than fifteen years of development, strategic communication and nonprofit management experience. She is a graduate of Franklin College (Franklin, IN) with B.A. degrees in journalism and public relations; and, a graduate of Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN) with M.S. degrees in organizational leadership and supervision (OLS) and strategic communication. “I’m thrilled to join the Unity team and support

Horizon Bank of Michigan City has bolstered the Franciscan Health Foundation’s efforts to fight the coronavirus in Northwest Indiana with its latest donation. The bank has pledged $12,500 to the new Franciscan Preparedness & Response Fund. The donation will be a match to local gifts provided to the fund, which helps address the urgent need for supplies and equipment in healthcare facilities. The $12,500 is in addition to $250,000 pledged by Horizon Bank for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are being allocated across several not-for-profit groups working to assist communities Horizon serves in Indiana and Michigan. The public

Indiana has secured $130.4 million from tobacco product manufacturers this year under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, Attorney General Curtis Hill announced recently. Since the inception of this settlement agreement in 1998, Indiana has now received a total of $2.78 billion. Under the agreement, the state will continue to receive payments in perpetuity, as long as the tobacco manufacturers continue selling cigarettes in Indiana. The attorneys general of 46 states and six U.S. territories originally participated in the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement resolved lawsuits against the four largest tobacco manufacturers that aimed to recover billions of dollars in state

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) 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 15,012 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 813 Hoosiers have been confirmed to have died of COVID-19. Another 88 probable deaths have been reported. Probable deaths are those for which a physician listed COVID-19 as a contributing cause based on X-rays, scans and other clinical symptoms but for which

It was with great sadness leadership at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility (WVCF) reported that on Saturday, April 25 67 year old Correctional Officer Gary Weinke succumbed to complications of COVID-19. This was the first death of a state correctional officer as a result of contracting COIVD-19. Officer Weinke began his career at WVCF as a Stores Clerk in the Commissary Department on March 26, 2007. He later transferred to custody. He was assigned to the I-Bracket as a relief officer working several posts throughout the facility. Officer Weinke eventually found his home working the pod in the Special Confinement