Local News

High school hoops fans can delight in the return of a slam-dunk event, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. The La Porte Invitational returns for its fifth year Friday, Jan. 9, through Sunday, Jan. 11, at the historic La Porte Civic Auditorium. This three-day, nationally recognized basketball showcase will feature 12 of the best high school programs in the nation, with dozens of ESPN’s top-ranked players. With several college recruits on the court, well-known VIPs in the stands and an atmosphere that’s electric, Dermody said this is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. “If there’s

MUNSTER, Ind. – Hematologist and Medical Oncologist Jeremy Johns, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Munster. Dr. Johns earned his medical degree from the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Buffalo, N.Y. He completed both his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in hematology and oncology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J. His clinical interests include benign hematology, gastrointestinal and genitourinary malignancies, lymphomas and chronic leukemias, melanoma and thoracic malignancies. Dr. Johns is accepting new patients at the Franciscan Health

South Shore Line to offer active-duty military personnel & veterans free transportation Nov. 7 through Nov. 11 CHESTERTON, Ind. – To show our gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free, November 7-11, 2025, on all weekday and weekend trains. “We are proud to continue this annual tradition of honoring our nation’s veterans and active-duty service members,” said Amber Kettring, Manager of Customer Service and Communication at the South Shore Line. “Their courage and commitment inspire us every day, and offering free rides is one way we can show our appreciation

Personnel from the #LCSO conducted a compliance check on Thursday on a selected group of registered Sex Offenders. The unannounced check of the 37 Sex Offenders deemed 33 of them as being compliant with their information on the Sex and Violent Offender Registry (SVOR). The remaining four (4) were found to be non-compliant and a criminal investigation of each will now begin. Yesterday's compliance check was in addition to the required checks performed of all registered Sex Offenders (205) in La Porte County. The agency, along with all other Indiana Sheriffs, utilize the OffenderWatch Sex Offender Management System to manage

Chesterton CAPTRUST donates $10K to Franciscan Prenatal Assistance Program’s Diaper Pantry CHESTERTON, Ind. – The Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program’s Diaper Pantry recently received a boost in the form of a $10,000 donation from CAPTRUST’s Chesterton office.   The donation was made as part of the CAPTRUST Community Foundation program, which aims to enrich the lives of children in the communities in which CAPTRUST employees work and live. The CAPTRUST Community Foundation encourages CAPTRUST employees to give back to their communities through charitable grants and volunteer opportunities.   The Chesterton CAPTRUST team earlier this year voted to steer its annual

LYNN WARE PLEADS GUILTY!   On October 27, 2025, on the day of trial, Lynn Ware, Jr pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Superior Court 1 in Michigan City. Mr. Ware entered into a plea agreement with the State of Indiana. Mr. Ware pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, a Level 2 Felony, for a term of 30 years in DOC, with an additional 15 years for a firearms enhancement. Mr. Ware, in total, agreed to the sentence of 45 years in prison. Mr. Ware was originally charged in December 2020 for Murder. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: “Deputy Prosecutors Sarah

Check out what's happening this coming month at 219 Taproom!

Here is the latest from OTT Haverstock Funeral Chapel in Michigan City regarding Dr. Wayne A. Simerlein   Dr. Wayne A. Simerlein, 80, Noblesville, IN, formerly of Chesterton, IN, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 4:05 am in Clearvista Lake Health Campus, Indianapolis, IN.   Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, November 3, 2025 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 818 Franklin St., Michigan City, IN with Pastor Mark Reshan officiating. Burial will follow in Angelcrest Cemetery, Valparaiso, Indiana. Visitation will be from 9:00 am - 11:00 am, Monday at the church. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan

It’s no surprise colder weather is upon us. Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is reminding homeowners to have their fireplaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected to ensure homes are safe from chimney fires. Fireplace users and even residents who periodically use a fireplace should have their chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned annually to remove creosote buildup. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) “Heating fires peak during the winter months, with nearly half of all U.S. home heating equipment fires (46 percent) occurring between December and February.” Heating safety tips: • Heating systems and chimneys inspected by professionals annually

Story Time Wednesday, Nov 5 & 12                   10:00am Join Mr. Dave and Miss Dana for stories, activities, songs, and crafts each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.! For children birth through age 5 and accompanied by an adult. Be sure to check out all of our previous story time videos through our YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.   Friends of the Library Meeting Wednesday, November 5                   2:00pm The monthly meeting of the Friends of the Michigan City Public Library will be held at 2:00pm in the library

La PORTE, IN – A playground on La Porte’s east side has been given a much-needed face lift.   Hastings Park, located on the northeast corner of Boyd Blvd. and Monroe Street, was re-dedicated with a special ceremony today to showcase its newly installed playground equipment. Funds for these upgrades, totaling $60,000, were raised by Big Comedy La Porte and matched by the La Porte City Park Foundation. Foundation President Jim Magnuson said this collaborative effort could not have come at a better time.   “The wooden play structures that were formerly installed at the park were a fun and

Indiana Conservation Officers encourage Indiana hunters to donate harvested deer to help feed Hoosiers in need. “Venison harvested through hunting is an important source of nourishment for Hoosier families,” said Col. Steve Hunter, director of DNR Law Enforcement. “Through Hunt for Hunger, hunters can donate a deer and expand that generous impact to even more Hoosiers in need across the state.” Hunt for Hunger, a program administered by the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, provides grants to the division’s nonprofit partners, including Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, the Dubois County Sportsmen Club, and Hunters and Farmers Feeding the Hungry, to pay

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is moving forward with its Charging the Crossroads initiative, a statewide effort to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along Indiana’s interstates and highways. The program is funded through the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. On August 11, 2025, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released revised guidance for the NEVI program, streamlining requirements and giving states greater flexibility to accelerate deployment. As a first step under the revised guidance, INDOT has resumed the contracting process for contingent awards announced in 2024. More information about future phases of Charging the Crossroads, including anticipated installation of charging stations

The Salvation Army of Michigan City and La Porte are now hiring paid bell ringers to help raise critical funds during their 2025 Christmas Campaign. "Every hour you ring the bell helps provide food, shelter, toys, and HOPE to families right here in La Porte County," the Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center said on their Facebook page. Apply In Person at the Location Nearest You: La Porte Corps – 3240 Monroe Street Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Michigan City Corps – 1201 S. Franklin Street Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM –

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction will move to phase six of pavement patching work on I-65 between 93rd Ave and Central Ave this week. Overnight lane closures will occur on I-65 southbound during the hours of 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for one night to switch traffic into the next configuration. While weather dependent and subject to change, this is currently scheduled for Wednesday, October 29. Once complete, I-65 southbound will have three lanes shifted to the right with the work zone on the left, and there will no longer be a counterflow lane for southbound traffic. Northbound I-65

Mobile Food Distribution today, Wednesday, October 29th, 10am-Noon (or while supplies last) at Laporte County Fair Grounds!

The recent Amazon Web Services outage, which caused widespread disruption nationwide, highlighted the importance of virtual security. Skilled managers of computer systems and networks will continue to be in high demand in both the public and private sectors of our economy. Cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are receiving practical experience by participating in the first round of CyberPatriot, the national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) competition. Cadets act as security managers for an organization’s Information System Network, counterattacking a simulated cyber attack. Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor,

PRESS RELEASE- MICHIGAN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT On October 27th at 3:14 PM, the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a pedestrian that located a body lying in a ditch within the 700 block of Indiana State Road 212. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 and the Traffic Division responded to the scene where they located a deceased adult male with fatal injuries. This male was later identified as 31-year-old Michigan City resident Gregory Wyse. Detectives from the Investigative Division responded to the scene and are assisting with this investigation. A preliminary investigation into this incident

La Porte County residents can request holiday help for food and toys The Salvation Army is now accepting applications for assistance from individuals and families in La Porte County who need help with holiday food and/or toys this Christmas. Those needing assistance are encouraged to apply online at www.saangeltree.org now through December 5. In-person applications will also be accepted on select dates. At the La Porte location (3240 Monroe Street), residents can apply on Friday, November 7 and 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and on Friday, November 14 and December 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. At

Nurses and staff in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Franciscan Health Crown Point and the Family Birth Center at Franciscan Health Dyer are helping babies and their families get into the Halloween spirit with costumes and photo shoots for their little ones. Infants in the NICU at Franciscan Health Crown Point dressed up as a cow, Snow White, a fairy, Captain America, Rapunzel and a boxer. The newborns in the Family Birth Center at Dyer posed for “Our Little Boo” photos in a cauldron. Staff members work with families to provide costumes and take photos to celebrate the milestone of dressing baby