Local News

Press Release, Indiana Department of Education:  Indiana private colleges join forces to offer 30-credit block in high school that automatically transfers to any participating institution Indiana high school students now have an additional opportunity to earn a tangible credential of value before graduation. The new Professional Pathway credential – announced Tuesday by leaders from the Independent Colleges of Indiana and Indiana Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner – expands early college opportunities and provides students additional options to complete their first year of college while still in high school. “This announcement adds to our state’s growing list of partners who

The Salvation Army of La Porte County is now accepting applications from families who need help with food or toys this holiday season. Please see flyer below for more details!

The Chesterton Police Department is investigating the theft of tools and shop fixtures from behind a storefront in the 200 block of Broadway, the Town of Chesterton reported on their Facebook page. According to the CPD, sometime between 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, and 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, someone—or more likely two people—removed from the alley behind the business the following items: *Three white metal cabinets. *Assorted hand and power tools. *A large steel clothing rack. The CPD put the loss at more than $750 but less than $50,000. “The cabinets, full of tools, and the large, heavy, awkward

The Town of Chesterton announced that leaf collection will begin on Oct. 27. “We’re getting into the season where we have to talk about leaves,” Chesterton Street Commissioner told the Town Council at its meeting Monday night, Oct. 13. “We’re starting to get calls. There are leaf piles out there.” Schnadenberg announced that crews will begin this year’s five-week leaf collection program on Monday, Oct. 27. As much as the weather and leaf volumes permit, crews will follow the traditional pickup schedule per the map below. The Town of Chesterton also gave the following information: "Please keep in mind the

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co Inc will have overnight lane and ramp closures on I-94 westbound at the I-65 interchange for four weekends beginning on or after Friday, October 17. During the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, I-94 westbound will have lane closures between State Road 53/Broadway and Central Ave. I-94 westbound will be reduced to one lane so motorists should be prepared for traffic delays in the area. The ramps from Central Ave and I-65 southbound to I-94 westbound will also be closed during

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso is seeking extraordinary youth to recognize in their Rising Star Award program, created by the Valparaiso Mayor’s Youth Council. The Rising Star Award was introduced in 2024 to celebrate the abundance of responsible, intelligent and hardworking youth that contribute to the success of Valparaiso every day. "We see so many extraordinary young people in Valparaiso and wish to support the youth council's enthusiasm in recognizing these emerging leaders," said Mayor Jon Costas. The Rising Star Award recognizes benevolence, leadership and perseverance, qualities the Mayor's Youth Council chose as worthy of recognition.

Press Release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte—Students at La Porte Community School Corporation's elementary schools experienced something special this week—an energetic blend of hip-hop music, dancing, and life-changing lessons about perseverance, delivered by nationally recognized motivational speaker and artist C.J. Luckey. Over two days, all seven LPCSC elementary schools participated in the C.A.P.S. (Celebrating All Persevering Students) assembly at the Educational Services Center. Luckey, who founded the Texas-based nonprofit in 2017, has now impacted over 100,000 elementary students and educators nationwide with his unique approach to teaching growth mindset concepts through music. The journey to bring C.J. Luckey

The Chesterton Town Council voted unanimously at its meeting Monday night to approve an ordinance establishing a fee for the use of the EV charging stations in Downtown Chesterton, located on the north side of Broadway near Thomas Centennial Park, the Town of Chesterton reported on their Facebook page. The Town of Chesterton reported the following: The authorizing ordinance sets both an “active charging” fee and an “inactive charging” fee: *ACTIVE CHARGING: The initial rate will be 40 cents per kilowatt hour but is “subject to change at the discretion of the Town Council.” *INACTIVE CHARGING: Any vehicle connected to

The Chesterton Police Department said on Monday that there was no threat to the public after a report of a person with a rifle report turned out to be a someone with a "pellet style gun" deterring animals. A around 3:40 p.m. Monday, the Chesterton Police Department received a report of a subject with a rifle outside a residence near South 11th Street and West 1100 North. Officers from CPD and surrounding agencies responded quickly to the area. As a precaution, both the Duneland School Corporation and Growing Kids Childcare Center were notified. Police said the individual in question was

Trick-or-treat in the Town of Chesterton will from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson noted that trick-or-treat in the unincorporated parts of Porter County will go later and be one hour longer, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. “I do know that the county has switched it up a little bit and they’re doing 5 to 8 p.m.,” he said. “I think there was some pressure, some online groups, saying, ‘What can’t we do 5 to 8 p.m. in these communities, because of our

A truck driver is dead after a single vehicle crash Monday afternoon on I-80/94 in Lake Station, according to the Indiana State Police. At around 4:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, Indiana State Police troopers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash eastbound on I-80/94 at the 13 mile-marker. This location is about one mile east of the I-65 interchange. Troopers arrived at the scene and discovered a gravel truck had struck the median wall and the trailer overturned, resulting in gravel being thrown across all lanes of the  westbound interstate. Preliminary reports indicate that the truck was traveling eastbound in the

In Lake County, NIPSCO will close U.S. 6/State Road 51 between Central Avenue and Old Hobart Road beginning on or after Friday, Oct. 17. The road will be closed for approximately three weeks for NIPSCO gas relocation work. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 20, State Road 149 and U.S. 6.

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) Raider Team competed at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, October 11. Schools from Fort Wayne and Romeoville, Illinois, also competed against local area schools. Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor, commended the cadets for the extra effort they exhibited despite being short-handed. “We had two key cadets who did not make our 4:15 am report time for the school bus ride to Indianapolis. Our cadets really bonded together to make up for that lack of talent and expertise caused by those cadets

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The potential of Michigan City’s residential and commercial real estate markets took center stage at the fall breakfast event with the presentation of new studies, research and analysis. Laurie Volk, co-managing director, Zimmerman-Volk Associates, spotlighted the opportunities and need for housing not only across the city but also in targeted areas: downtown, the Northeast, the Northwest and the Southside. The study drilled down to the potential number of units for rent, detached homes and for-sale condos and townhomes and the demand for almost 3000 new housing units over the next 5 years. Downtown is a good spot to

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announces overnight lane closures that will impact I-65 southbound in Jasper County. Beginning on or after the evening of Sunday, October 19, I-65 southbound will be down to one lane, with alternating lane closures taking place underneath County Road 1800 S. for bridge rehabilitation. Work will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays and between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekends. Construction is anticipated to last until December but is weather-dependent and subject to change. INDOT encourages drivers to use caution while traveling in

The Westville Police Department announced Trick or Treating hours will remain the same this year from 5 p.m. - 7  p.m. Friday Oct. 31. Check the Westville Police Department Facebook page for any updates.

Exterior Improvement Grant Program Supports Porter Businesses   Duneland Economic Development Company has released applications for the 2025 Exterior Improvement Grant Program – an initiative administered by the Duneland Economic Development Company which distributes funding to projects that will improve the appearance of commercial buildings in the Town of Porter.   PORTER, IN – The Duneland Economic Development Company (DEDC) made possible by the Redevelopment Commission of the Town of Porter, is pleased to announce the revitalization of the Exterior Improvement Grant Program. Applications for the Exterior Improvement Grant Program are now available. All interested commercial building owners are encouraged

Awesome time Friday night with the United Way of La Porte County for United We Rise at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. What a wonderful way of raising funds for Great Organizations, programs and services in La Porte County. Outstanding job from Kristie L. Pate, Dave Sisk and their crew. Killer set up, Great vibe, wonderful Community Pillars and just overall fun. TEAM WIMS' Ric Federighi had the honor and pleasure of being the "fun" and "crazy" singer and doing the song “Tequila” to get crazy with the audience. Can’t wait for next year. Support the United Way at

Chesterton's Downtown Trick or Treat will be on Friday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 6  p.m. Central Time. In addition to trick-or-treating downtown, they will have booths set up in the Chamber parking lot and on Broadway with even more treats.

In the Town of Porter, Waverly Road will again be fully closed all day at Ballard Drive on Monday, Oct. 13, for storm sewer work, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. The detour for local traffic: Hjelm Road east to Coleman Street, north to South Bailey Drive, then back to Waverly Road. The detour for through traffic: U.S. 20 to Ind. 49, then north to U.S. 12.