Local News

Indiana residents in need of rental assistance should apply now to afederally-funded state program offering assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. People can apply online at IndianaHousingNow.org and will be filtered to one of two programs basedapplicant data: Emergency Service Grant Covid-19 (ESG-CV) or the Rental Assistance Fund (RAF). The State of Indiana will determine which fund applicants qualify for.The ESG-CV program will provide rental assistance for applicants with income capped at 0-50% AMI beginning April 1, 2020 related to COVID-19. New income limits in La Porte are single person ($23,000) and family of 4 ($32,500). The RAF program will

Last week, Michigan City first responders answered an emergency call for service to assist with a potential deceased person. It was later determined that the decedent unfortunately tested positive for COVID-19.  First responders were immediately tested and to date, three have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The City has provided additional testing for City employees who had direct exposure to the positive first responders.

For Being A Felon In Possession Of A Firearm Jeffrey Cooper, age 32, of Michigan City, Indiana was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty upon his guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Kirsch.  Mr. Cooper was sentenced to 115 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents filed in this case, Cooper led police on a car chase for over a mile that ended when he crashed into a car and then a telephone pole outside the Blue Chip Casino.  Cooper ran away

The Salvation Army of Michigan City will present a virtual Vacation Bible School this summer.  This offers children entering first grade through sixth grade to experience the fun and educational program from the safety of their own home. Online classes will take place from 10am to 1pm Monday July 27 through Friday, July 31. A final class will be held Sunday, August 2 at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street with the presentation of awards. This is the only portion of the class that will take place in person. The Salvation Army’s Vacation Bible School is offered at no

On Wednesday, July 8, 2020, during routine entrance procedures, which include searching the staff property prior to entering the Indiana State Prison, Correctional Officer Portia Williams was detained for allegedly attempting to trafficking cell phones with an offender, a Level 5 felony and Official Staff Misconduct, a Level 6 felony. Williams, 54, of Gary, IN had been employed as a Correctional Officer at the Indiana State Prison since October 21, 2019. After her arrest she was transported to the LaPorte County Jail for further booking and processing. Determination of final charges will be made by the LaPorte County Prosecutor's office.

Early Saturday morning, deputies were summoned to US 421 and CR 1800 South in rural Dewey Township in reference a motor vehicle crash. Deputies Keith Waltz and Jet Balenia arrived and located a passenger vehicle along the southbound shoulder of US 421, just south of CR 1800 South. The crash investigation determined a gray 2003 BMW had been traveling south on US 421. For an unknown reason, the vehicle drove left of center into the northbound lane for a short distance, back into and across the southbound lane, off the roadway, into a ditch for an extended distance, before eventually

 La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody today issued an executive order requiring that all customers and employees wear face coverings in retail buildings to help limit the spread of COVID-19. “Our community has seen comparatively low numbers throughout this pandemic, but it is far from over,” Dermody said. “Our numbers are beginning to run as the anticipated second wave approaches, and we want to be prepared. The last thing we need is for the economy to shut down again, so we are being proactive in hopes that this measure will help prevent the spread of the virus and minimize the impact

Scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic are on the rise. Calls from scammers to homes and businesses posing as NIPSCO employees continue to occur —an issue impacting many energy companies around the United States. Recent, and common reports from NIPSCO residential and business customers state that they have received calls and texts from people claiming to be NIPSCO employees and demanding payment to avoid their service being disconnected. However, the company wants to emphasize that NIPSCO does not demand immediate payment by meeting them in person or using a specific type of payment method. If a customer receives a suspicious

On Wednesday, the Indiana State Police and the DEA /Lake County HIDTA Task Force interdicted approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine in Munster, Indiana.  The shipment was destined to the Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana area.  The drugs were coming from the El Paso, Texas area. Citizens are encouraged to contact law enforcement with tips regarding any illegal drug activity at the DEA hotline 219-681-7000.

A single westbound lane will be closed on U.S. 20 between Old SR 39 and C.R. N 300 W from Monday, July 13 to approximately Saturday, July 25. The lane will be closed so that old transmission lines can be removed. All eastbound lanes will be open and one westbound lane will be open.

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody and Police Chief Paul Brettin thank LaPorte-Starke-Pulaski Building & Construction Trades Council President John Carr (far left) for the council’s help with installing the new bulletproof service windows at the police station Monday, July 6, 2020, in La Porte. The organization donated money toward the cost of labor for the project. Brettin said the bulletproof windows will allow the station to be more open and accessible to the public while also protecting the officers and staff at the front desk.

The South Shore Line plans to periodically bus passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend International Airport while we upgrade our track and segments of overhead wire between Michigan City and South Bend. The next busing period will take place Monday, July 13, through Friday, July 24, 2020 (this includes the weekend of July 18-19). Please note that bus service to and from Hudson Lake will not be available during this time. Hudson Lake passengers are encouraged to board at the Carroll Ave. station. The following trains operating exclusively between South Bend and Michigan City are canceled during busing:Westbound Train 422

Four students from La Porte County received scholarships in honor of fallen La Porte County Sheriff’s Patrolman Neil Thompson this morning. The students were presented with the scholarships at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Merit Board monthly meeting.  Faith Biggs and Sidney Swanson will graduate from South Central High School later this month.  Jaiden Wahl graduated from Michigan City High School last month. Taylor Adams will graduate from New Prairie High School later this month. Patrolman Thompson, killed in the line of duty on September 21, 1980, is the only member of the Sheriff’s Office to have died in the

After much consideration, the 2020 Sunflower Fair and Night on the Ave. in La Porte has been canceled, according to La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook. This cancellation comes after careful consideration and consultation with many participants, vendors, community leaders and patrons. La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership said, “While the committee and volunteers have certainly worked diligently to put on the event, they reached a point where a final decision had to be made. The committee does not feel confident that the Sunflower Fair can realistically meet all of Governor Holcomb’s requirements in the reopening of Indiana.

Last evening in Crown Point, a motorcycle was involved in a crash on I-65 on the south bound ramp from U.S. 231 (Ramp 247).  Preliminary investigation by an Indiana State Police trooper shows that a 2005 Harley Davidson was southbound on the ramp when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the roadway and drove into the west ditch where it overturned.  A good Samaritan stopped and observed the motorcycle laying on top of the rider however he was unable to lift the motorcycle off of the rider until help arrived.  Once the trooper arrived and was able to help free

Shirley Heinze Land Trust announced the tenth season of its annual “Bringing Nature Home” Awards program. The initiative recognizes those in northwestern Indiana who landscape their grounds or gardens using plant species that are native to the region. Home gardeners, businesses, institutions, public agencies, and landscapers are eligible to apply. The program takes its name from a book written by native-plant advocate Douglas Tallamy. Plantings in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties are eligible. Applications are due no later than Monday, July 20th. Full program details, photos of last year’s awardees, and an online application may be found at

Operation Round Up is supporting the La Porte County Sheriff's Office with a $2500 grant for the purchase of a drone. Drones have become very beneficial to officers during search and rescue operations and disaster response situations. Accepting the grant from KV REMC Director of Marketing & Communications, Amanda Steeb is Detective Jake Koch and Deputy Austin Howell. Both officers are FAA drone pilots and are overseeing the development of a drone program.

From delivery of care packages and virtual exercise sessions to staff-led parades, the Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness PACE program has found innovative ways to remain connected to its clientele during the COVID-19 pandemic. Franciscan’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a community-based healthcare program created for people 55 or older who prefer to receive their care in their own familiar surroundings. “We work off an interdisciplinary team approach. Every participant is assigned a nurse practitioner, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, nurse and a home care coordinator. We encompass all their care,” said PACE Center

Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the promotion of Deputy Andrew D. Hahn to the rank of Sergeant, effective July 4th, 2020. Sergeant Hahn is a 2001 graduate of Michigan City High School and a lifelong resident of La Porte County.  He began his career as a jail deputy with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2005.  In February of 2008, Sergeant Hahn was transferred/promoted to the Merit (Patrol) Division.  He is an honor graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Recruit Class 2008173.  Upon graduation from the academy, Sergeant Hahn began working in the Patrol

LAPORTE & STARKE COUNTIES, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 8 for seal coating between U.S. 421 and State Road 39 starting Monday, July 13.  Seal coating is expected to be finished in about three days, depending upon weather conditions. During the operation only local traffic will have access.  Drivers should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 421, State Road 10 and State Road 39.