Local News

Please see the below press release regarding La Porte County COVID Action. All questions should be directed to La Porte County Health Department at lphealth@laporteco.in.gov. LAPORTE COUNTY COMMISSION PRESIDENT SHEILA MATIAS RELEASES LAPORTE COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S ORDER TO ADDRESS FALL, 2020 SURGE IN COVID-19 CASES – CITES INPUT FROM MAYORS, COUNTY OFFICIALS AND LOCAL LEGISLATORS (LaPorte, IN)  -- LaPorte County Commission President Sheila Matias today released a copy of LaPorte County Health Officer Dr. Sandra Deausy’s order – which goes into effect Monday – to address what she called “an alarming spike in cases, deaths and hospitalizations in the past few days.”Matias

This morning at the Sheriff’s November Merit Board meeting, Carey Garwood and Dennis Meyer Pastor of Bethany Church were recognized and presented with a plaque. Pastor Meyer and Carey are staunch supporters of the LCSO and the K9 Division. For several years, they have coordinated fundraisers for various programs, provided spiritual support, delivered healthy snacks (the Garwood Orchards items go fast) and conducted a congregational wide drive for hand sanitizer at the beginning of the pandemic.

The City of La Porte Police recently promoted two officers, according to Chief Paul Brettin. Officer Matt Drangmeister was promoted to Corporal following the retirement of Corporal Dan Reed. He is assigned to the detective bureau as an evidence tech. Drangmeister has served on the department for nearly 13 years and was also formerly the handler for the late K9 Rambo. Officer Chae Uhlemann was also promoted to Corporal upon the retirement of Captain Dennis Behenna. He is currently assigned as an investigator in the detective bureau and has been with the department for close to 13 years. Uhlemann is also the department

The Michigan City Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department, and Michigan City Area Schools will once again be “United for the United Way” as they hold their traditional Car Wash fundraiser on Monday, November 16, 2020.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the car wash will be “waterless” this year. The organizations are instead encouraging donors to donate online -- or to drop off a donation at Ames Field on Monday, November 16. Representatives from the three entities will be stationed at Ames from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm on the 16th to accept donations of any amount. Those wishing to donate

The Michigan City Fighting Chance Fund aims to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The City of Michigan City along with the Michigan City Common Council are working together to ensure that our business community stands strong in the face of continued COVID challenges,” said Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry. “We remain focused on avenues to keep our city and community moving forward, and this grant program really hits at the core of what business owners are needing today – ways to continue to operate and pay employees.” Eligible businesses will be awarded a grant of up to $5,000 to

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce has recently launched a Support Local campaign to encourage individuals to shop, spend, and give locally this holiday season. The Michigan City community’s small retail, restaurants, and nonprofit organizations have all suffered revenue losses this year due to COVID-19 and they need local support as they head into the end of the year. The Michigan City Chamber kicked off the campaign on November 6th with a live WIMS radio broadcast in front of the Artisan CO-OP at 622 Franklin Street which houses three of the chamber’s members. Local businesses and organizations were interviewed to

Today, November 12, 2020, Mayor Duane Parry appointed Michigan City Firefighter Captain Douglas Legault to the position of Fire Chief of the Michigan City Fire Department. Chief Legault assumed his duties as Fire Chief at 8:00 a.m. this morning.

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is introducing its newest exhibition,  New Views , which opens tomorrow November 13th. This show celebrates the 13th year of creative achievements by artists from LCA’s Health Promotion Through the Arts program, which is designed to provide high quality arts instruction to adults living with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Health Promotion Through the Arts (HPA) is offered in partnership with The Social & Learning Institute and Paladin, Inc. with generous funding provided by Duneland Health Council and Horizon Bank. New Views is curated to include some of the best artwork by nearly 40

Wednesday morning November 11th just before 3 AM, deputies were summoned to Hitchcock Street also known as CR 1100 West, north of Earl Road, reference a single motor vehicle crash. The crash investigation determined that a 2020 Chevrolet pickup truck had been traveling north on Hitchcock Street. For an unknown reason, the truck drove left of center, crossed over the southbound lane and left the west side of the roadway. The truck traveled northbound off roadway, parallel to Hitchcock Street and struck a utility pole. After doing so, the truck continued traveling north for several hundred feet and collided with

The East Porter County School Corporation Board of Trustees is seeking a qualified individual to fill a vacancy on the school board. The School Board consists of seven members. Two members each are elected from Pleasant, Morgan, and Washington Townships. The seventh member is an at-large member and can be from any of the three townships. One of the Pleasant Township seats is vacant. The term of this position on the school board expires on December 31, 2024. After that date, each school board member is elected to a four-year term. Terms are staggered to provide continuity. Members take office

The Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation Board of Directors would like to remind organizations that the deadline for the 2021-2022 Grant Applications is November 30, 2020 at 11:59 pm.  The online application is available at www.mccec.com. In March of this year, the Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation awarded 51 grants totaling $641,310.00 to Michigan City Area charitable organizations. They also awarded $100,000 to the Washington Park Zoo for capital projects. Since the Board’s inception in 1997, the Enrichment Corporation has awarded over $15,00,000 in assistance to charitable organizations that directly benefit people in the Michigan City area. The Washington Park

La Porte's Veterans Day service will be held online this year, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. "With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in our area, we decided we could not gather for our traditional ceremony at the Civic Auditorium," Dermody said. "However, our teams put their heads together to find a way to still honor our veterans with a virtual service. After all they have sacrificed, they deserve recognition, and we are so glad we found a way to make it work." Dermody said his team partnered with local veterans’ groups to pre-record the service. Despite the

Plans are in full swing for this year’s Downtown for the Holidays. The LaPorte Santa Parade will be happening in downtown LaPorte on Saturday, November 28, 2020 beginning at 11 a.m. The format for the parade will be a drive-thru style this year with all parade entries lined up on either side of State Street. Patrons will enter State Street through Jackson Street and drive West toMichigan Avenue. Families have the option of taking a right turn ontoMichigan and proceed to the train depot at 809 Washington where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be waiting in their chalet to take

Michigan City Police say they Seized five illegally possessed firearms in eight days. On Halloween, an officer was dispatched to the 100 West Block of Fulton Street for a report of a subject pointing a firearm. The officer arrived and located the vehicle and suspect believed to be involved. The suspect, 29 year old Charles Pheal, of Michigan City was found to be in possession of a firearm that was reported stolen. Pheal was placed under arrest for Theft of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm without a Permit. On Tuesday November 3rd, an officer was in the area

  INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On August 19, Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, visited Indiana Dunes National Park during a tour of the Midwest. In addition to learning about possible projects that could be funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, he wanted to meet with park employees for a question and answer session. During the session, Ryan Koepke, the park’s Fee Program Supervisor, asked why there wasn’t a free pass to the national parks for military veterans. Mr. Koepke’s question prompted the Department to testify to Congress that veterans should be added to a proposed bill that would

The Indiana State Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred on November 5th, at the home of a Michigan City firefighter, while a group of firefighters were off duty. Mayor Parry has released both the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief from their duties, in part due to their handling of this incident. The Mayor will be announcing future leadership of the Michigan City Fire Department in the upcoming days.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City is offering the opportunity for the public to learn more about volunteering this holiday season through a volunteer orientation. On Friday, November 13th, an in-person orientation will be held at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street, at 1pm, with social distancing guidelines in place.  For those who prefer to learn about these opportunities from home, the event will broadcast via Facebook live, as well. Major Dale Simmons of The Salvation Army said the purpose of this orientation is to inform the community of the various ways to help support the annual Christmas Campaign. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020, United Way will facilitate a food giveaway event for Food Bank of Northern Indiana at the Marquette Mall. These events have been instrumental in helping our community battle food insecurity with FRESH healthy food delivered right to your car. To ensure these critical services continue, United Way has partnered with Food Bank of Northern Indiana to provide financial resources. In front of the old Carson's store, from 10-12 (or until supplies run out), volunteers from CCH and from the community will load your trunks with fresh perishables as well as dry goods. Please enter the Mall

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) would like to alert all Hoosiers of a tax scam reported by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This scam is sent through text message and is trying to trick individuals into providing personal information in order to receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The scam text message reads: "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …" The text includes a link to a fake web address. The IRS has advised people who

State Road 2 is closed between Thornhill Dr and Thornapple W through approximately Saturday, November 14. This closure is to rebuild a culvert under the road. Drivers should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 49, and State Road 8.