Local News

Since the news briefing on April 22, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,600 emails, 506 calls to the tip line and an additional 145 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state.  The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000.“Please remember that we are looking for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. Please refrain from sending investigative information.  Tips on possible suspects or information that can lead to the closure of the

On June 1, over 1,000 people are expected to dance the night away at Save The Dunes’ signature fundraiser, Jammin' with Save the Dunes music and beer festival, at Michigan City’s Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park. Jammin' will feature five live bands, craft beer from over 10 local breweries, food trucks, a market place, and a kid’s zone. The 67 year old environmental non-profit is excited to bring this event back to the Lake Michigan shoreline for its 9th year on June 1st from 4pm to 10 pm. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door. Children 12 and under

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of 50 year old Lee T. Hall. Last Friday, Hall was located and taken into custody in the 6300 south block of Ellis Street in Chicago, Illinois by members of the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. In 2015, a criminal arrest warrant was issued for Hall for one (1) count of Child Solicitation, a Level 5 Felony.  Since then, Hall had eluded authorities and his location was not known. By way of some investigative means, the whereaboutsof Hall was narrowed, eventually leading

Bring the family to the local fishing hole on Saturday, May 18, the second of four Free Fishing Days in Indiana.FishingOn Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents can fish public waters without a fishing license or salmon/trout stamp. For this reason, Free Fishing Days are a great opportunity for families to learn to fish together. Children age 17 and younger do not need a license on any day.There will be several Family Learn to Fish workshops on May 18 throughout the state. All events run from 9 a.m. to noon. Advance registration is required.— Pinhook Park in South Bend: bit.ly/2DPR62G.— Monon

The Valparaiso Police made the following statement on a suspicious video investigation: “The Valparaiso Police investigated the report of a suspicious video brought to the attention of Valparaiso High School staff Monday. The incident, involving a Valparaiso High School special needs student, stemmed from a social media posting showing the male subject swinging a baseball bat while talking about an acquaintance. A follow-up video further showed the same male handling various “weapon like” toys associated with the television show, The Walking Dead. The investigation revealed that no threats were made to any specific student, staff, school, or school system and

The Valparaiso Police made the following statement on a suspicious video investigation:“The Valparaiso Police investigated the report of a suspicious video brought to the attention of Valparaiso High School staff Monday.  The incident, involving a Valparaiso High School special needs student, stemmed from a social media posting showing the male subject swinging a baseball bat while talking about an acquaintance.  A follow-up video further showed the same male handling various “weapon like” toys associated with the television show, The Walking Dead. The investigation revealed that no threats were made to any specific student, staff, school, or school system and that

Since the news briefing on April 22, the Multi-Agency Task Force has received over 2,600 emails, 506 calls to the tip line and an additional 145 calls and or walk-ins to local police departments and state police posts around the state. The total amount since the inception of the email and tip line is over 42,000. “Please remember that we are looking for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who committed this crime. Please refrain from sending investigative information. Tips on possible suspects or information that can lead to the closure of

This month troopers from the Lowell District of the Indiana State Police, and Districts across the state will join law enforcement agencies across the nation to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of highly visible patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night.Click It or Ticket continues through the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer travel season. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice

The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission has acquired land for development near the former Westport Community Center. A partnership between the RDC and Holladay Properties led to the 32-acre purchase from the Duneland School Corporation. The property lies along State Road 149 and Haglund Road.RDC President Eric Hull says the site is where the founders incorporated the town in 1969.The project will be done in phases, with a pre-development phase kicking off the plans to allow for integration of prior Town plans. Current trail infrastructure projects and the most recent market data would then be added into the Westport Sub-Area plan

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags across the state to be returned to full-staff at sunset on Wednesday, May 15 after lowering them to honor former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) has reintroduced the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act, legislation to end a penalty on seniors who continue working after claiming Social Security benefits. The Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act would eliminate a penalty on Social Security Old-Age (OASI) beneficiaries who choose to enter, remain in, or return to the labor force. Specifically, the bill would eliminate the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) that affects younger seniors who choose to continue working after claiming Social Security benefits.In 2000, Congress eliminated the RET for those who are at or above their full retirement age. This bill

INDOT is hosting a public hearing 6 p.m. today, at Heavilin Elementary School, 2300 N. 50 W., Valparaiso, IN, 46385, to present information about and receive public comment on a proposed intersection improvement for State Road 2 and Heavilin Road in Valparaiso.INDOT's preferred alternative to the current configuration would convert the T-intersection to a single-lane roundabout in order to increase safety. Since 2010, 25 crashes have been documented at this location.The event will feature a formal presentation followed by a public comment period. There will then be an open house where attendees can ask INDOT personnel questions about the project.The

Franciscan Health staff, members of the St. John Chamber of Commerce and local officials welcomed the newest Franciscan ExpressCare and WorkingWell location during a blessing and open house on Wednesday, May 8. The new location at 8345 Wicker Ave., across the street from Lake Central High School, replaces the former St. John ExpressCare location on 97th Lane, which closed on April 12. The new location will be open to the public in June. No appointment is needed, and the facility is open Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit FranciscanExpressCare.org

A community-based CPR course that includes the practice and demonstration of CPR skills, AED use, use of barrier devices, choking rescue skills, information about the chain of survival and EMS activation. Participants will be required to demonstrate the skills in order to receive a two-year American Heart Association completion card. $60; Must pay prior to the class to be registered. Call 219.326.2322 to register. Next class is May 21, 5 – 8 pm in the La Porte Hospital Auditorium (lower Level)

Camp leaders are announcing, the application process for the 2019 Northwest Regional Sheriff's Camp is now closed. They are however still allowing applicants to send in applications without a check to be 'wait-listed,' in the event that there are openings. Any applications received or postmarked will be wait-listed and will be notified by July 19th if there is an opening for them. Porter County Sheriff’s Office stated that those that have applied and sent in checks will be hearing from assigned camp counselors in the next month.

NICTD is evaluating properties that may be affected by the West Lake Corridor Project. They will be holding two open houses that will allow residents who will be potentially impacted to meet with representatives and discuss any questions in regards to the West Lake Corridor project. Below is the information for dates and locations of each open house. May 22: Dyer Town Hall 1 Town Square, Dyer, IN 46311 Lower Level Meeting Room 1-7 PM  May 23: Jean Shepherd Community Center 3031 J.F. Mahoney Dr., Hammond, IN 46323 Cafeteria 1-7 PM All parties who will potentially be affected are encouraged to attend and bring along any pertinent information to their property

The natural childbirth class is for expectant parents who are interested in a non-medicated birth plan. This class will provide physical and emotional coping techniques how to practice hands-on comfort measures. The class is the third Tuesday of every other month, in the Birthing & Family Care Center on the second floor of La Porte Hospital. Next class is May 21. Class sizes are limited and advanced registration is required at laportehealth.com/childbirth. 

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that Evansville Regional Airport and Fort Wayne International Airport will each receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) supplemental grants totaling $18.1 million. Senator Young urged Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao to support funding for these important Hoosier airports. 

This month troopers from the Lowell District of the Indiana State Police, and Districts across the state will join law enforcement agencies across the nation to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of highly visible patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night.Click It or Ticket continues through the Memorial Day holiday and the start of the summer travel season. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice

The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission has acquired land for development near the former Westport Community Center. A partnership between the RDC and Holladay Properties led to the 32-acre purchase from the Duneland School Corporation. The property lies along State Road 149 and Haglund Road.RDC President Eric Hull says the site is where the founders incorporated the town in 1969.The project will be done in phases, with a pre-development phase kicking off the plans to allow for integration of prior Town plans. Current trail infrastructure projects and the most recent market data would then be added into the Westport Sub-Area plan