Local News

Walmart and The Salvation Army are joining forces to provide new school supplies to local children of Michigan City Area Schools during the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event at Walmart, 5780 Franklin Street, on Saturday, August 3 from 9am to 6pm. As part of a nationwide effort, the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event in Michigan City is one of nearly 3,000 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country.  In-store shoppers on August 3 will receive lists of supplies needed, and all they have to do to participate is purchase and drop off the requested items at collection bins

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reminds truck drivers that operating semi trucks on county roadways is prohibited. With the ongoing construction at the State Road 2 and US Highway 20 intersection there has been an increase in truck violations on nearby county roads, including a recent overnight violation on Fail Road. The Sheriff’s Office would like residents to spread the word and help protect our neighborhoods. 

Next week MCPD will be encouraging the community to join in on their basketball court at the Police station to play basketball with the community youth, Tuesday, August 6th from 2:30 to 4pm. Afterwards pizza and refreshments will be served. For complete details see the MCPD Facebook page. 

The Governor made four appointments to the new Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Task Force.One of these new members will be Jim Markle of Valparaiso, who is executive director of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.These members will serve until Dec. 31, 2019. 

This week, Paladin, Inc. announced the sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals at no separate charge. Free and reduced-price meals will be provided to participants meeting the approved eligibility criteria. Meals are available to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability at the following sites: Imagination Station, La Porte County Head Start- Niemann, Knapp, and La Porte Presbyterian Church. Children who are members of households that receive TANF or Food Stamp benefits, are Head Start Participants, or are Foster children are

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the retirement of Patrolman Ronald Chapman and Patrolman Michael Cairns, effective July 31st. Ronald Chapman has served the City of Valparaiso for over 22 years. Ronald was an active member within the department, spending his entire career within the Patrol Division.  During this time, Ronald attained many certifications that aided the department’s firearms and training programs. Ronald further joined the Porter County Emergency Response Team (ERT) in 2012 and was awarded three Honorable Mention awards as a member of the Valparaiso Police Department. Ronald has accepted a position with ArcelorMittal Steel as a shift manager

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) has distributed 1,000 new RADAR and LIDAR speed measurement.  Devices among 162 state and local police agencies. The units are being purchased with $1.6 million in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds.Dash-mounted RADAR systems may be used while patrol vehicles are moving or stopped and can measure traffic speeds in the same and opposing directions. Hand-held LIDAR devices help officers spot speeding drivers through several lanes of traffic or obstructions such as trees and bushes. The Michigan City Police Department received six new moving radar units and a LIDAR from the Indiana Criminal Justice

The Michigan City Police Department is wishing Detective Cpl. Greg Radiger congratulations and best wishes for his next professional adventure as a law enforcement K-9 handler for Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. MCPD thanked Cpl. Greg Radiger for his dedicated service in our community for more than 11 years. 

A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared. The Hobart Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Addyson Grey Williams, a 14 year old white female, 5 feet tall, 110 pounds, sandy brown hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing a grey shirt with “WHATEVER” on the front, light blue jeans, black backpack, red hobo backpack and possibly wearing black nonprescription glasses. Addyson is missing from Hobart, Indiana which is 148 miles northwest of Indianapolis and was last seen on Wednesday, July 31st at 9:00 am. She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. If you

Michiana Humane Society’s party last Saturday broke records according to a press release. After modest expenses, over $235,000 will go to caring for the animals at the Michiana Humane Society, including allowing the Humane Society to be open to the public on Sundays. The Humane Society said that means more visitors, more adoptions, more "Fetch Some Fun."

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is hosting Taste of Duneland on Saturday, August 31, from 10 am to 10 pm. This summer taste celebration will be held in Thomas Centennial Park in historic downtown Chesterton, Indiana.Taste of Duneland will feature food vendors with tastings for purchase, live entertainment all day, bounce houses, and a beer and wine garden.With this being such a big event for the community, the Chamber is seeking as many volunteers as possible. Duties include set-up, garbage maintenance, beer garden attendant, and break-down. Different shifts are available and a tee-shirt will be provided to each volunteer.The Chamber

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 80th Recruit Academy.  Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at https://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm.  This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police.Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, November 3rd.  Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for the 80th Recruit Academy.Student loan forgiveness programs are being offered at this time through the following:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-serviceInterested applicants can obtain additional information about a

This week, Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced the specific times and locations of the Next Level Teacher Compensation Commission input sessions. The governor announced the dates of the input sessions earlier this month as part of his effort to make teacher pay competitive with surrounding states.The commission and advisory council, which includes education and business leaders, have been tasked with providing recommendations for how to achieve competitive compensation for teachers. The commission will deliver the recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly prior to the 2021 legislative session.During the input sessions, members of the commission and advisory council will

The State Road 331 bridge over the Yellow River in Bremen is closing Monday for a superstructure replacement project.The bridge is anticipated to reopen in early November.

Traffic is switching late Sunday night on I-65 as part of a concrete restoration project between U.S. 30 and U.S. 231.Southbound traffic will be switched to the northbound side of the road, where two lanes will flow in each direction.As part of the traffic switch, the southbound ramps at 109th Avenue will be closed as they will be inaccessible with work happening in the southbound lanes. The switch should be complete by Monday morning.The project is anticipated to wrap up by October.State road detours must be on state-maintained roads only. For the southbound 109th Avenue ramps, northbound traffic will be

Mark Reiter, director of DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, has retired after 39 years of service.Reiter had several notable achievements during his DNR tenure. While director, Reiter was instrumental in the creation of the Healthy Rivers INitiative, modernizing shooting ranges at Fish & Wildlife Areas, establishing the Gamebird Area Program, and creating the deer bundle license.In June, Reiter received the Sagamore of the Forest, Fields, and Streams lifetime achievement award from the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (MAFWA). This award is given to directors who have dedicated years of service to the association. Reiter’s 10 years of

Indiana State Police investigated a fatal single vehicle crash that occurred early Thursday. The crash occurred just after midnight on the exit ramp from I-65 northbound to US Highway 30 in Merrillville. Preliminary investigation revealed that a motorcycle was exiting I-65 at the 253 mile marker, which is the exit for US 30, when for unknown reasons it left the roadway. The motorcycle struck a highway sign and then overturned, fatally injuring the driver. The driver was identified as 25 year old William Fortner of Hobart. Notification has been made to the family. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at

Attorney General Curtis Hill joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general yesterday in settling a multistate lawsuit against Cisco Systems Inc. involving deficient security surveillance system software sold to Indiana, other states and the federal government.This case started when a whistleblower came forward under the False Claims Act to assert that Cisco’s software contained major flaws rendering the system vulnerable to hackers. Despite learning of these issues, the whistleblower stated, Cisco failed to report or remedy this security flaw for several years. In 2009, Cisco allegedly discovered security flaws in a software product designed to control security camera systems but

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reminds truck drivers that operating semi trucks on county roadways is prohibited. With the ongoing construction at the State Road 2 and US Highway 20 intersection there has been an increase in truck violations on nearby county roads, including a recent overnight violation on Fail Road. The Sheriff’s Office would like residents to spread the word and help protect our neighborhoods.

Next week MCPD will be encouraging the community to join in on their basketball court at the Police station to play basketball with the community youth, Tuesday, August 6th from 2:30 to 4pm. Afterwards pizza and refreshments will be served. For complete details see the MCPD Facebook page.