Local News

The Valparaiso Police are investigating the report of several vehicles being damaged due to fire, at 105 Bush St., on August 4th. Officers responded to the location at 12:20 a.m. locating several fires having been ignited within vehicles. The Valparaiso Fire Department also responded to assist in extinguishing the fires. In total, nine vehicles sustained damage as a result of the multiple fires. The estimated loss due to the damage is $20,000—$30,000, among various victims. If you have any information as to who is responsible for this incident, please contact the Valparaiso Police Department at 219-462-2135. Information can also be

The Michigan City Commission for Women is holding its annual retreat/workshop this Saturday, August 10th at the Barker Mansion. This will take the place of the regularly scheduled August 15th meeting, so there will be no meeting on August 15th.

An SUV that was on a Michigan City drawbridge when it began to rise was partially crushed between the rising part of the bridge and the pavement. An Ohio couple that was inside the SUV was not hurt. The incident happened Friday afternoon on the south side of the Franklin Street bridge, which was stuck upright for about two hours while first responders tried to figure out how to remove the car. All passengers were out of the vehicle with no injuries and it was determined that there was no fire. Several agencies were called to check on the integrity

Indiana State Police investigated a roll over crash on Saturday night. The crash occurred on I-65 at the 241 mile marker, which is just north of the Lowell exit. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Clay Mcbride revealed that for unknown reasons a 2001 silver Lexus, being driven by 18 year old Ariel Enzian of Hammond, overturned and went off into the center median. The crash threw a debris field across all lanes of I-65 northbound and southbound, prompting all lanes to be closed temporarily for clean up. The driver Ariel Enzian and passenger 18 year old Dylan Boots of Morocco, Indiana

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims of the tragedies in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Flags should be flown at half-staff from now until sunset on Thursday, August 8. Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags to half-staff.

In its 11th year, thousands of spectators attended all of the weekend events in Washington park including the Great Lakes Grand Prix that featured many of the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore power boats and new this year included the exciting addition of P1 boats and AquaX jet ski racing. Other events included the boat parade, block party and Taste of Michigan City. TEAM WIMS/WHFB radio was broadcasting live all weekend covering the races and festivities. Powerboat racing Saturday and Sunday with more than 60 racing teams. A day after the ribbon cutting to celebrate the start of the

Police Regional Dispatch Center in Lowell began to receive multiple 911 calls of someone throwing rocks off of the Harrison St. overpass onto I-80/94. One vehicle sustained extensive damage as a result of the thrown rocks. Master Trooper Dwayne Halliburton was dispatched to the scene to take a criminal incident report from a victim. The Gary Police Department also responded to Harrison St. and to the last known location of the suspects. The Gary Police Department located two juveniles that matched the description of the rock throwers. Subsequent investigation by M/Trp. Haliburton and the Gary Police Department resulted in the

Porter County is now accepting applications for the position of Truck Driver / Laborer. The incumbent serves as Truck Driver/Laborer for the Highway Department, responsible for operating various trucks, tools and equipment in clearing and maintaining county roads and right-of-ways. Serves on 24-hour call as needed. For a complete job description and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs

Last week, U.S. Senator Mike Braun offered an amendment to America’s Highway Infrastructure Act which strengthens the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements to use “made-in-America” products in taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. According to a statement from Braun’s office, “Buy America requirements have been applied for decades to most federal transportation projects, but some projects that receive federal Department of Transportation (DOT) discretionary dollars are not subject to Buy America.  To ensure that the economic benefits of taxpayer spending go to American workers and businesses, Buy America should apply to American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products in all DOT funded infrastructure projects. The

Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosier consumers to beware of scams perpetrated by online posers in the wake of a recent Equifax settlement following the company’s 2017 announcement of a data breach affecting approximately 147 million people.Scammers have been setting up fraudulent websites that imitate the appearance of an authentic site created to enable people affected by the breach to file claims.The website www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com is authentic. (See the Federal Trade Commission’s recent post about this website.)Would-be scammers, however, have begun setting up imposter websites – misspelling “breach” as “breech” in one URL, for example, and misspelling “settlement” in other web addresses.Online

The regular monthly meeting of the Michigan City Human Rights Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 6, at 4:30p.m. In the West Conference Room, City Hall, 100 E. MichiganBoulevard. This meeting is open to the public.

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