Local News

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

Michigan City High School has determined that an in-person ceremony with 360+ graduates (and thousands of guests) is not possible, regardless of the venue or the date. As a result, MCHS is planning a virtual graduation ceremony, followed by a “drive-through” pick up of your diploma. The virtual ceremony will take place at the time and date originally scheduled for graduation: Sunday, June 7 at 12:00 noon. This virtual celebration will be broadcast live on their website, Facebook, YouTube, and Channel 98. (It will be also available online for viewing later.) This ceremony will be starring the students in their cap and

"Today (April 24, 2020) Indiana Packers Corporation in Delphi announced a temporary shutdown of their pork processing facilities.  This voluntary shutdown, combined with the voluntary shutdown of the Tyson Foods plant in Logansport, is a severe blow to pig farmers who may not have any other place to market their hogs." "Indiana Pork recognizes the need for these plants to  take special precautions to ensure worker safety.  In the long run, if that's what it takes to make sure plant employees are safe and plants can continue to operate then it's all worth it.  In the meantime though, these temporary shutdowns and

It's the LIVE STREAM SPECIAL on Thursday April 30th at 7pm featuring a ton of great performances. Check it out on 102.5FM/AM 1060 the WHFB tunein app along with FACEBOOK. Presented by JELLIEFISH PRODUCTIONS and WHFB

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that 656 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 13,680 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total. A total of 741 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days. To date, 75,553 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 72,040 on Thursday. Marion County had the most

Beechwood Golf Course is set to reopen May 1, according to City of La Porte Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. Despite golf courses having the ability to remain open under Governor Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order, Schreiber said Beechwood closed April 4 out of an abundance of caution. He said as the weather warms up and the state’s economy gradually begins to reopen, golfers have the all-clear to head to the course as long as they take the necessary safety precautions. “During the stay-at-home order, we needed to prioritize the community’s health, and the health of our employees,” Schreiber said. “We now

South Shore Maker Faire 2020 CANCELLED With events across the nation being canceled or postponed this summer, local partners pulling support, and the understanding that it is the correct response to keep our community, families, and volunteers safe and healthy, we are canceling this year's Maker Faire due to the CoVid virus. We are committed to making this an annual premiere event in La Porte County for our region. As soon as we can, we will start planning for the 2021 Maker Faire! Please be on the lookout for next year's information and continue being Maker Leaders of our community. Best wishes

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association announces a decision has been made to cancel this year’s ISA Youth Leadership Camps for 2020.  With the recent COVID-19 Emergency we feel this is the best decision for all.  This would have been the ISA’s 41st year to facilitate the ISA Youth Leadership Camps.   The Indiana Sheriffs Youth Leadership Camp, founded in 1979, was established by sheriffs in order to aid and enhance the development of the state’s youth. Originally called the Indiana Sheriffs Career Camp, the camp’s name was changed in 2003 to go along with a new curriculum. The program is designed to

DNR fisheries staff have been busy in recent days stocking thousands of trout in preparation for the opening of inland stream trout season this Saturday at 6 a.m. local time.By opening day, DNR will have stocked over 23,000 rainbow trout in 17 streams in 12 different counties. To find a stocked stream near you, see the 2020 Trout Stocking Plan at wildlife.IN.gov/5457.htm.