Local News

Press Release, Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.: April was made for northwest Indiana poets. Nearly 500 of them, mostly students, submitted their work in this year’s Eighth Annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” The Showcase is sponsored every year by the Center for Creative Solutions during World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month. The winners read their work to family, friends and community members at the La Porte County Visitors & Convention Center on (Sunday) April 28. The event followed a women’s poetry reading earlier in April. That program, funded by the Sinai Temple, featured poets, Carnessa Carnes, Carmen

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of 27-year-old Coltyn T. Nowatzke, who was being held in La Porte County Jail (LCJ). Tuesday at about 8:00 a.m., an inmate assigned to the same cell as Nowatzke alerted jail staff of an emergency.  Jail Division Deputies, along with medical staff, responded and found Nowatzke unresponsive. Deputies and a nurse immediately began to render aid and resuscitation efforts. Members of the La Porte County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived and transported Nowatzke to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus. Nowatzke was later pronounced as deceased by the medical

The following are unofficial numbers for Tuesday's Primary for LaPorte County:

U.S. 231 is closed between Hendricks Place and Chase Drive for a permitted water main project. The local detour is Lane Street, 105th Avenue and State Road 55. “We are working to coordinate with our construction contractor for the projects between Bell Street and Fathke Road (small structure replacement project) and between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive (pipe lining project), Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest said on its Facebook page. “We will announce the plans for the projects when established.”

The following information is provided by the Town of Chesterton: Join Westchester Township History Museum staff for one of three Historic Chesterton Walking Tours on Third Fridays this summer: *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 17. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 21. *4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 19. The tours will leave from the Westchester Public Library’s Thomas Branch, 200 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. On each tour your guide will discuss the history of Downtown Chesterton and some of its most unique and historic buildings and houses. Walking and standing will be required. Water bottle, hat, and sunscreen

In Michigan CIty, Tilden Avenue is closed between Wilshire Avenue and Gardena Street for sanitary sewer work. The city anticipates it to reopen on Friday, May 10. To opt in for text message alerts about updates or changes in construction activity, text MC2024 (no spaces) to 833-236-7421.  

The LaPorte County Law Enforcement Community will present the Peace Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m. The location for the event will be the Fraternal of Police Lodge 75 and Congressman Frank Mrvan will give the keynote address. Students from Michigan City High School will sing the National Anthem and play Taps. The event is open to the public.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to phase two of bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance work on I-94 eastbound near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and Kennedy Avenue on or after Monday, May 13. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures to install the new traffic configuration. Eastbound traffic will then be in phase two through mid-June, where the work zone will split traffic with one travel lane to the left of the work zone on the inside shoulder and three lanes of traffic on the right of the work zone. The following

Press Release, Duneland Chamber of Commerce: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking community nominations for eight awards given during the Duneland Chamber Community Awards Luncheon, to be held on Wednesday, July 17. Nomination forms are available at www.dunelandchamber.org or can be emailed to you upon request. All nominations are due by Friday, June 28, 2024.   Putting Duneland on the Map Award honors an individual or organization whose achievements have brought state and/or national recognition to the Duneland area. Business Renovation Award honors a business owner who has made a significant improvement to their businesses. Construction Award honors

Nest Community Shelter, a non-profit organization providing emergency housing and support services, has received a generous donation of 5,000 high-performance socks from Bombas known for their signature performance socks made from moisture-wicking and antimicrobial materials. The donated socks are being used to provide dignity and comfort to the shelter's guests, with the excess supply of 3,750 pairs of socks being shared with the Michigan City Area Schools to support children and families in need throughout the local community. "We are incredibly grateful to Bombas for their thoughtful donation," said Harrison Holtkamp, Executive Director of the Nest Community Shelter. "Access to

The City of Michigan City will host a BLOOD DRIVE from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. this Wednesday, May 8, in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on the lower level of City Hall. Please see flyer for more details.

Letter carriers across the country will be picking up more than mail on Saturday, May 11. This weekend marks the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an event organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. City residents are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 11 to be collected by the letter carriers. The Salvation Army of Michigan City is pleased to be the local recipient of these donations, filling the shelves of its food pantry with the items given so generously by the community. These items stay in Michigan City and

Press Release, Valpo Parks: Valpo Parks is thrilled to announce the construction of a brand new outdoor heated golf hitting facility at Creekside Golf Course & Training Center, thanks to a lead gift from Bender Golf. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the existing 20-year-old facility. The new facility will provide golfers of all skill levels with the opportunity to practice and improve their game year-round, regardless of the weather. “We are incredibly excited to unveil the new hitting facility at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center,” said Beth Bowker, Business Operations Manager, Valpo Parks Golf. “The upgraded covered hitting facility

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office announced new officers that recently graduated. Multiple department members gathered at Valparaiso University on Friday afternoon to attend the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy’s Graduation Ceremony for Class 24-51. The new Porter County Sheriff’s officers are: Officer Alec Bauer (Squad Leader / Criminal Law Academic Award Recipient) Officer Gabriel Smail Officer Alexa Tumidalsky (Platoon Leader / Gary Martin Mental Attitude Award Recipient) Officer Jack Wallace Officer Alec Zuklin  

An 80-year-old resident was defrauded of $5,000 in a dating scam, according to a Facebook post from the Chesterton Police Department. According to police, the senior and her daughter advised the investigating officer of the following: The senior “explained that she met a man named Vincent Malone on Facebook in December for 2023,” the CPD said. “She advised he is a brigadier general with the U.S. Army. (The senior) and Vincent spoke for a few months. During this time, Richard Paul, a diplomat and a member of Congress, reached out to (the senior). Richard explained that he was reaching out

A Gary man has been charged in connection to a fatal shooting, according to the Portage Police Department. On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1, Portage Police Department Detectives secured an arrest warrant for Montrell Mclaurin Jr. in connection with the murder of Darion Anderson occurring on April 29, 2024 in the 5300 block of Aspen Avenue. At around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday May 3, 2024, Mclaurin was taken into custody. Montrell Mclaurin Jr. has been charged with murder and robbery and is being housed at the Porter County Jail without bond. Police say Mclaurin is a nineteen-year-old male with

Transit Triangle Commuter Route Service. Michigan City, City of LaPorte and Purdue University Northwest Service resumes May 6, 2024. The return of the Transit Triangle commuter route service is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awarded to Michigan City for the recovery of COVID 19-related service reductions. On-board Fares Full Fare $1.00 Reduced Fare $.50 Monthly Pass (may be purchased in the Controller’s Office at City Hall in Michigan City and the Bursar’s Office at PNW) Full Fare $20.00 Reduced Fare $10.00 Transfers (Free at Marquette Mall) Transfers are to continue one-way travel in Michigan City

Chesterton Branding and Leadership Corporation (CBLC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting a vibrant, thriving Chesterton community while preserving and enhancing the historical charm of the town through branding, marketing, and placemaking. CBLC is pleased to announce the launch of Chesterton Third Fridays, with the inaugural event kicking off on Friday, May 17th and continuing monthly through October 17th, 2024. CBLC is launching the Chesterton Third Fridays initiative in partnership with twenty-three retail businesses, restaurants, and non-profit organizations located throughout downtown Chesterton. Chesterton Third Fridays will run from May through October over six special evenings, and local businesses will

Michigan City Area Schools has announced Val Beglin has been named the Director of Special Education for MCAS, beginning July 1st. The current Special Ed Director, Stacy Attar is retiring. Val been serving as the Assistant Special Ed Director for six years, and this is her 19th year with MCAS. She has served as a Special Ed teacher, a second-grade teacher, and also co-taught English at the high school level. She has a master’s degree in building-level administration and a certification in special education administration.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County (RWRD) is inviting residents to mark International Compost Awareness Week—Monday, May 6, through Saturday, May 11–by visiting its Valparaiso or Portage compost sites, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. During that week, RWRD will be offering free loading of compost and mulch for Porter County residents. Non-residents will be charged a fee of $10 per cubic yard for compost. Limit of 9 cubic yards a day per resident. VALPARAISO COMPOST SITE: 2150 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. Loading hours for compost and mulch: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to