Local News

Shortly after midnight Thursday morning, Travis Hornett, an Indiana Department of Corrections offender, who walked away from custody in the afternoon of July 10th was captured.  Hornett had in his possession, when he was captured, a backpack that he acquired by unknown means while he was fleeing. It is believed he came into possession of the backpack from one of the local beaches in the area.  Indiana State Police Detective Mike Bailey is asking anyone who may be missing a backpack and the contents inside please contact him at 219-690-0039. Hornett, was ultimately tracked to a vacant home he had

The Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association will be holding their monthly board meeting on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 6 pm.  It will be held at 601 Franklin Street, Suite 100, Michigan City, Indiana. The public is invited to attend.

In outlining Indiana’s 2019 Year-End Report, which highlights the state’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, Auditor of State Tera Klutz, CPA, announced Indiana ended FY19 with a budget surplus of $410 million allowing the state to close the books without utilizing reserves.The Year-End Report, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget, shows Indiana maintaining reserves of approximately $2.3 billion or 13.9% of current year expenditures, representing an increase from FY2018. 

In the Portage area beginning at 6:00 am on Monday, July 15th a crew will be closing down the north and south bound drive lanes (lanes closest to the curb) on Willowcreek Road from Central Avenue all the way to U.S. Hwy 6.They will be removing the curbing and approaches at all the intersections to install handicap ramps.There will be traffic congestion due to the work/upgrades and lane restrictions. 

Governor Holcomb recently proposed using nearly 300 million dollar to pay down debt and make major project investments according to a press release. Holcomb wants several one-time capital projects and to finish the free-flow of U.S. Hwy. 31 from South Bend to Indianapolis. According to the statement, the state would maintain fiscally responsible reserves of nearly $2 billion or 12.2 percent of expenditures after putting aside money for the following capital projects: $50 million for the swine barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds $73 million for the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine teaching hospital $60 million for the Ball State

Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, Indiana (EDCMC) finalized a long-term strategic economic development initiative - An Agenda for Economic Prosperity- highlighting action items towards creating a local sustainable business environment and economic prosperity and equity for all residents following the principles of economic inclusion. In December 2018, EDCMC announced the organization was embarking upon a process to develop a comprehensive strategic initiative. Since then, EDCMC outlined a plan of action towards a more robust and competitive marketplace in Michigan City. EDCMC commissioned Roderick Miller, President and CEO of Ascendant Global Consulting to coordinate and complete the 2019-2023 Michigan City Strategic

Following a meeting held with department heads and elected officials this morning, LaPorte County Commission President Dr. Vidya Kora announced that “decryption” of the county’s data began late yesterday and steps are being taken to reduce the chances of any future “ransomware attack” as occurred on Saturday, July 6th. Said Dr. Kora, “this particular virus – RYUK – that was used by the bad actors in this attack was particularly insidious in that it jumped over all our firewalls and was able to penetrate backup servers.  Even after conferring with the FBI’s cyber security unit to determine if their decryption

La Porte Hospital is hosting another Taste of Wellness Event, this time at its Lifeworks Campus at 3777 Frontage Road in Michigan City.  This free event, open to the community will be held on Thursday, August 1 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The interactive health and wellness event will include healthy food tastings, ask-a-doctor booths, free health screenings, interactive demonstrations, and other health education opportunities.  Participants will also have an opportunity to meet some or the newest members of La Porte Physician Network.  Registration is encouraged but not required.  Register by calling 888-840-8204 or visit laportehealthfair.comThis community health education event is

According to a press release sent out Thursday, Mayor Ron Meer and the Project Steering Committee have heard concerns and points of view about the Michigan City Plaza that "need to be taken into consideration before moving forward" and because of this, Mayor Meer has asked for the resolution for the bonding of the Michigan City Plaza be withdrawn at this time. The statement says they will continue their outreach and community wide discussions regarding the Michigan City Plaza for all to be heard.  They also stated they will engage additional community partners to ensure financial sustainability of the project and

La Porte Hospital offers a free, monthly breakfast program for all.  Space is limited so registration required.  The programs are part of La Porte Hospital’s HealthPorte program which was created to provide health and wellness education for community members aged fifty or better.  Breakfast at 8 a.m. and Presentation at 9 a.m.Location:  La Porte Hospital Auditorium, Lower LevelThursday, July 25Don’t Let Your Heart Skip a Beat: Atrial FibrillationAndleeb Bangash, M.D. , La Porte Physician Network’s newest Cardiologist Thursday, August 22Colon Health: the Ins and Outs Megan Vermilyer, N.P, Gastroenterology Thursday, September 26Incontinence – Prevention and TreatmentJohn Lynam, M.D., Urologist Thursday, October 24Chest PainMark

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) voted to confirm Damon Ray Leichty from South Bend to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Mr. Leichty was confirmed by the full Senate vote of 85-10.

High temperatures and humidity, caused the South Shore Line to implement a temperature speed restriction for the entire length of the railroad.Train maximum speeds were decreased to minimize heat-related damage to equipment and track, and passengers had around 15-20 minute delays according to the South Shore Lines advisory.  

The Indiana Department of Transportation is hosting a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday to discuss a proposed realignment and reconstruction of U.S. 12 and U.S. 20 in Gary. The hearing will be held at Beyond 4 Walls Christian Center, 875 S. Lake Street in Gary.INDOT's preferred alternative for this 1.3-mile project would be conducted in two phases and consist of removing and realigning sections of U.S. 12. U.S. 12 will connect with U.S. 20 at a new stop-controlled intersection east of the existing U.S. 20 and Lake Street intersection. The current intersection of U.S. 12 and U.S. 20, west

Today on the South Shore Line, passengers on eastbound Train 7 (departing Millennium @ 8:45a) and westbound Train 18 (departing South Bend at 12:49p ET) will be bussed between Carroll Ave. and South Bend due to overhead wire work. No service to and from Hudson Lake for these trains. All other trains will operate as scheduled.

Michigan City Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of “Probationary Police Officer”. Starting salary is $42,494.01. After the first year the salary increases to $45,836.46 plus additional benefits. On Saturday August 24th at 9am they will be hosting an applicant test at the police station. Applications are due prior to August 18th. Michigan City residents are preferred. 

All are invited to join the La Porte Hospital Wellness Outreach staff during one, or both, of their upcoming Walk into Wellness Weeks Monday July 15 thru Friday July 19th in La Porte.Meet Wellness Outreach staff at Kesling Park, 2150 A Street at 6:30 a.m. for a 45 minute walk. Walkers will gather at the entrance off of 18th Street near the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte Fitness Court and the entrance to the walking track.  Walkers may attend every morning or just one; no registration is required. Another Walk Into Wellness Week will take place in Michigan City, Monday August

A prisoner escaped from the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City at about 11:10am yesterday according to the Michigan City Police. The escapee, Travis Hornett is described as a white hispanic male, 39 years old, 5'04'', 160lbs with brown hair and brown eyes. He fled from a work detail on prison grounds and was believed to still be in the area at the time of the press release. Hornet was wearing khaki clothes when he fled, but it is unknown if he's wearing the same now. if you see this person he's to be considered dangerous, call 911 immediately and

The community now has two convenient locations for urgent care with the opening on July 8 of a new Franciscan ExpressCare at the site of the former Michigan City hospital.The new Franciscan ExpressCare is in the emergency department area of the former hospital at 301 W. Homer St. It provides convenient, fast and complete urgent care for patients with non-life-threatening illnesses and conditions. No appointment is needed, and the facility is open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM. For more information, visit FranciscanExpressCare.org or call (219) 214-4400.The new ExpressCare joins the existing location at 4111 S. Franklin St., which

The South Shore Line will be busing passengers on two weekday trains on Thursday, July 11, 2019, due to overhead wire work:Eastbound Tr 7 (departing Millennium Station at 8:45am CT); Westbound Tr 18 (departing South Bend at 12:49pm ET).The busing will take place between Carroll Ave. and South Bend Airport stations. Buses for these trains will arrive and depart with passengers to match published Monday-Friday train schedule between Carroll Ave. and South Bend. Please note that bus service to and from Hudson Lake will not be available for Trains 7 and 18. These Hudson Lake passengers are encouraged to board at

26 new volunteer firefighters representing 11 region fire departments will celebrate the completion of a rigorous 6-month training academy at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) Foundation. These men and women have spent nights and weekends, at their own expense, completing the necessary training to become certified firefighters in order to serve in one of our local fire departments. The graduation ceremony will be held on: Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 6:00 PM at Wheeler High School Auditorium located at 587 W 300 N Valparaiso, Indiana 46385.