Local News

Considering the emerging concerns regarding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Visit Michigan City LaPorte has announced the temporary closing of the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center will be closed until further notice.  This comes as a direct recommendation from Industry leaders. As the official destination marketing, planning and development organization for LaPorte County we are dedicated to providing accurate information for both visitors and residents alike. To this end we will continue to monitor federal, state and local health authorities as well as other relevant travel organizations to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff while continuing to

INDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that a second Hoosier has died from COVID-19. The patient is a Johnson County adult over age 60 who had been hospitalized. No further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws. ISDH has received six new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 30 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. The new cases involve residents of Lake (2), Franklin (2) and Marion (2) counties and will be included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. The full

LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office COVID-19 PrecautionsThe World Health Organization (WHO) has officially classified COVID-19 virus as a global pandemic. President of the United States Donald Trump has declared a National State ofEmergency. The Indiana Governor has declared a public health emergency. The LaPorte County Commissioners have limited public business in County buildings to Emergency or extremely essential services only due to current health concerns. In addition, the Indiana Governor has justclosed in-person services at all restaurants and bars.Although the CDC has said that risk to the general public of exposure remains low, the experts have said that the best way

In response to the rapidly changing situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and to support the public health response of the community, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will be moving to remote learning for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, including the final exam period. The measures were announced in a message from Chancellor Thomas L. Keon to all students, faculty and staff.

The Valparaiso Police are restricting public access to the police station until further notice. The Records Division will remain staffed and can be contacted at 219-462-2135, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Records will then be able to direct all inquiries regarding police business and release of information. Police officers will continue to patrol and be available for all calls for service and community needs.

La Porte Hospital and Starke Hospitals Update Visitor Restrictions and Wellness Center Closures La Porte Hospital and Starke Hospital have announced updated visitor restrictions. Effective on Tuesday, March 17 visiting hours have been suspended in all areas at Starke and La Porte Hospitals with the following exceptions. -Patients in these areas may have one visitor at any given time: -Emergency Department -Surgery -Labor & Delivery Unit -Pediatric patients -Patients at end of life -Patients in other areas may not have visitors at this time. At La Porte Hospital, visitors may enter through the main entrance until 6:00 p.m. or may enter through

The Salvation Army of Michigan City lobby will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17 until further notice.The Diaper Bank, Pathway of Hope and other services will still be available by appointment only by calling (219) 874-6885.The food pantry will operate Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 11am and 1pm to 3pm, but will shift to a "drive through food pantry." Clients may plan to use the back door via the alley behind our building (whether they are walking or driving). They can enter the alley from Washington Street and exit to Franklin Street.For questions, call (219) 874-6885.

Yesterday Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced the first Indiana death from COVID-19. The patient is a Marion County adult.The adult from Marion County died at a Community Health Network hospital on Monday morning. The person, who was over age 60, had been hospitalized as a COVID-19 patient and also suffered from underlying medical conditions. No further information will be released about the patient or the case.For a list of counties with positive cases, visit ISDH’s online dashboard at www.in.gov/coronavirus. The dashboard will be updated daily at 10 a.m. and will reflect results

Reminder-Indiana Casinos will close at 6am local time tomorrow including Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa, Majestic Star Casino, Horseshoe Hammond, Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago According to the Indiana Gaming Commission a number of Indiana casinos will close at 6 a.m. local time Monday for at least two weeks. This is a part of the state's ongoing effort to minimize the potential spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today reported four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 19 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. The new cases involve residents of Hamilton and Marion counties and have been included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. Eleven counties now have cases. The dashboard will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Additional updates on the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak will be provided later today. ###

The Indiana Department of Insurance is addressing concerns that facilities that provide services such as childcare and meals to the community will lose their liability insurance if they remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no reason to believe that any carrier would be or is denying coverage at this time. Insurance companies cannot cancel coverage without filing an endorsement change in the terms of the policy with the Department. Commissioner Stephen W. Robertson stated that the Department will aggressively support those facilities if their commercial insurance carrier attempts to deny their liability insurance without approval.  At this time,

S In response to the Indiana State Department of Health’s report of the first LaPorte County resident diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus), we can report that to date, Franciscan Health Michigan City has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the hospital. For those seeking information, we request that they not call the Emergency Department, since it takes resources away from treating our patients. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus, you can call this hotline: (219) 879-5111, prompt #8. This is not a medical screening hotline, it’s general information only. Those with general questions about coronavirus can also find resources online, which

Dear LCA Community,Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is taking every precaution to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The people we serve are our number one priority. To this end, we have decided to close our galleries to the public until April 6 th , at which time we will reassess the situation.Please check our Facebook page and website for updates. To reach us please call (219) 874-4900 or email us at artinfo@lubeznikcenter.org .Let’s all work together to stay safe and healthy!

At NIPSCO, safety is at the forefront of everything we do and this extends to the health and wellness of our customers and employees. Financial Assistance AvailableWe know this could be a time of financial hardship. So, we've voluntarily suspended shutoffs for nonpayment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we're offering to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19 our most flexible payment plans, and we will suspend late payment charges until May 1. Manage Your Account VirtuallyWe know you may be staying home more, and you can easily manage your NIPSCO

Bipartisan Agreement Makes COVID-19 Testing Free for Patients, Provides Emergency Paid Leave and Nutrition Assistance WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, bipartisan legislation to provide relief to workers and families affected by coronavirus as well as additional resources to support response efforts: “As a country, we’re stronger when we work together. Congress and the Trump administration are putting politics aside and putting American families first. This bipartisan legislation will provide critical relief for working families impacted by coronavirus, including paid sick leave and nutrition assistance

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) Just as many of you are, Mayor Duane Parry is concerned with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the effect it may have on our community. Until more is known, it is best to use common sense as we are examining all information in order to pass helpful documents, research, policies, etc. along to you without creating unnecessary panic. Mayor Parry recognizes the important role our City plays in providing essential services to our citizens and community. The health and well-being of our valued residents and employees are our top priority. As we navigate the rapidly evolving

Earlier today, school leaders from across the region met with health department officials to discuss proactive plans to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result of that meeting, all LaPorte County public school corporations have agreed to cancel and all school related activities through April 10th. Schools are hopeful that they may be able to reconvene daily student attendance and related activities on Monday, April 13th. 

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: To protect public health and slow the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, the National Park Service is cancelling this weekend’s Maple Sugar Time Festival at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Chellberg Farm. The park’s Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education has also been closed and all ranger-led public and school programs are cancelled until at least March 23. These actions have been taken based on the best available medical advice to limit gatherings of large numbers of people and to promote social distancing. At this time, the park’s trails and beaches remain open to the

For the first time in its nearly 50 year history, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is canceling a concert due to a worldwide pandemic caused by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.The Sunday, March 15 concert has been canceled.More information to follow. The LCSO Board of Directors, staff and musicians wish to thank you for your continued support.

Meals on Wheels La Porte County at this time will continue to deliver meals Monday-Friday while monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak.  Alternative service options are being developed and will be implemented if and/or when necessary. Clients have been provided 7 meal blizzard boxes—shelf stable meals for winter weather closings, 5 meals remain after 2 snow days in the event we are not able to deliver. We are reminding volunteers to wash their hands and reminding them that if they don’t feel well or safe, there is no harm in canceling. We are trying to find that thin line between being proactive