Local News

News Release, National Park Service: Indiana Dunes National Park has received approximately $22 million from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund to stabilize and restore three nationally significant historic buildings. This spring, restoration efforts will begin on the Bailly Homestead, the Good Fellow Camp Lodge, and the Century of Progress District’s House of Tomorrow. “Through the restoration of these iconic buildings, we are preserving key elements of the park's cultural heritage and creating opportunities for current and future visitors to experience the beauty and history of the park,” said Deputy Superintendent Chris Pergiel. The Bailly Homestead, a national historic landmark,

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday for The Franklin at 11th Street Station in Michigan City. The Franklin at 11th Street Station is the upgraded South Shore Train Station with apartments, a parking garage, more than 5,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The Double Track project will reduce total travel time between Michigan City and Chicago to about 65 minutes. “The project was originally envisioned as only a parking garage but is now another plat- form for housing and amenities to our residents, guests and South Shore riders,” EDCMC Executive Director Clarence Hulse said. The apartments will

News Release, Indiana DNR: Much of Indiana will be in the zone of totality for the total solar eclipse on April 8, including 54 properties managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that will provide an excellent vantage point for viewing the once-in-a-lifetime event. “We look forward to welcoming thousands of Hoosiers and guests to see and feel the effects of this amazing astronomical event with the wonderful backdrop our public lands provide,” said DNR director Dan Bortner. “We have guests coming in from across Indiana, the country, and the globe to camp, stay at our inns, or

Franciscan Health hospitals across Northwest Indiana and Chicago’s south suburbs have been rated among the top 10% in their states, and in some cases, the top 10% in the nation, for 2024 by CareChex® Awards, an information service of Quantros, Inc. Franciscan Health hospitals ranked among the top 10% in the nation include Franciscan Health Dyer for heart attack treatment; Franciscan Health Michigan City for cardiac care and Franciscan Health Munster for interventional carotid care. “It is exciting to see that CareChex recognized our Franciscan Health hospitals for being in the top 10 percent in the nation for these services,”

The Washington Park Zoo will open daily for the 2024 season starting on April 1. However, this year they will be hosting a special Wild Spring Preview on March 30 and 31 with the gates open from 10:00 am to 3 p.m. This season, the zoo will host a range of special events and camps for eager learners. Regular admission is $10 for adults, $8 for kids ages 2 to 11 years, $9 for seniors ages 62 and older, and free for kids ages two and under. Washington Park Zoo members get in for free on regular admission dates. For

The South Shore Line is advising passengers that platform work in conjunction with the West Lake Corridor Project will be ongoing at Hammond Station and will impact platform availability, effective Friday, March 15, 2024. Beginning March 15, the eastern half of the Hammond platform will be closed. Passengers must enter/exit the Hammond platform via the west entrance only. Train service will operate as regularly scheduled from the west end of the platform. This construction is an element of the eventual demolition of Hammond Station in anticipation of the transition to the new Hammond Gateway Station (located at 4530 Sheffield Ave.)

The Chesterton Fire Department has announced its participation in the Home Fire Campaign launched by the American Red Cross, which aims to prevent fire-related deaths and injuries. The Home Fire Campaign consists of the installation of 10-year life lithium battery smoke alarms and providing residents with home fire safety information, including how to create an escape plan. The Chesterton Fire Department says the goal of the Chesterton Fire Department and the American Red Cross is to provide these items free of charge to all Chesterton residents who request this service. The Chesterton Fire Department Smoke Detector Hotline phone number to

The City of Valparaiso will host a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Valparaiso City Hall, 10 am to 4:00 p.m. To schedule your appointment, visit redcrossblood.org. According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office says a skimming device was located at the South Haven Save-A-Lot. Police say if you used your debit or credit card at this business between the dates of Feb. 9 to Feb. 27 they would recommend you cancel that card and get a new one immediately. Anyone with information in reference to this case, are asked to submit a tip via the Porter County Sheriff’s Office website or app.    

In Lake County, there will be ramp closures at Ridge Road for fiber optic work beginning on or after Wednesday, March 20. The ramp to Ridge Road from the I-94 eastbound to I-65 southbound off-ramp will be closed. Traffic from eastbound I-94 will still be able to exit to I-65 southbound. The ramp from I-65 southbound to Ridge Road will also be closed. These closures will be in place on or after March 20 through early April. Beginning on or after April 1, the ramp from Ridge Road to northbound I-65 will be closed. This closure will be in place

Press Release, Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health’s partnership with the Lake County Courts to provide volunteer advocates for elderly and incapacitated adults who are unable to represent themselves now has three new members. Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in a class of three Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in a ceremony March 11. The new advocates are LaFayette Boone of Crown Point, Steven Bowling of Portage and Dr. Celeste McGill of Chicago. The court collaborates with Franciscan Health to provide trained, supervised volunteers to serve as court-appointed agents to assist elderly and incapacitated adults. The

The motorist detained for questioning in the fatal road rage shooting on I-80/94 early Wednesday morning, March 6, has been released from custody, the Indiana State Police is reporting. The Town of Chesterton Facebook page released the following quotes: “The individual who was in custody for questioning has been released,” the ISP said in a statement released on Friday, March 8. “No other information regarding this incident is able to be released. Again, this investigation remains open and detectives continue to investigate in coordination with the Lake County Prosector’s Office.” The victim of the shooting has been identified as 55-year-old

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: To continue providing safe, reliable and uninterrupted water, sewer, stormwater and fire utilities at a competitive cost while supporting responsible growth and maintaining environmental compliance, Valparaiso City Services (VCS) has been reviewing its rate structure to keep pace with the future. “Investment in our utilities' infrastructure provides clean drinking water, a cleaner environment and important safety features – all necessary in maintaining Valparaiso's quality of life,” said Steve Poulos, VCS Executive Director. A significant number of water and wastewater treatment process units within the City of Valparaiso are 35 to 60 years old and approximately

Press Release, NIPSCO: NiSource (NYSE: NI) today announced that Mike Hooper, president of their Indiana-based subsidiary NIPSCO, is departing on March 15, following a successful 13-year career with the organization. Hooper is leaving to accept an opportunity to lead another Midwest utility company. “We thank Mike for his leadership in advancing a number of our long-term business priorities on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve across Northern Indiana,” said Melody Birmingham, NiSource executive vice president and group president utilities. “Our electric generation transition, infrastructure modernization, and other key transformation efforts are well underway, and we are well

An INDOT contractor will have lane and ramp closures on I-65 near U.S. 30 beginning next week to finish concrete restoration work that began in 2023 between U.S. 231 and U.S. 30. On or after Monday, March 18, I-65 will be reduced to two lanes shifted to the left in each direction between 61st Avenue and 109th Avenue. The work zone will be in the right lane and shoulder in both directions. The ramps from westbound U.S. 30 to southbound I-65, eastbound U.S. 30 to southbound I-65, and northbound I-65 to U.S. 30 will also be closed. These restrictions will

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced a new program designed to assist personnel with criminal investigations and search related incidents.  Project STAR-CAM is a database comprised of residential and business owners who register their video surveillance system with the agency. “By partnering with the Sheriff’s Office and registering a video surveillance system, agency personnel will have up-to-date information as to where systems are located throughout La Porte County, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. “In the event agency personnel need assistance in a specific area, they would access the database, meet with the homeowner or

An INDOT contractor will close State Road 2 between Calumet Avenue and Stateline Road on or after Monday, March 18. State Road 2 will be closed through late June for a bridge replacement project over West Creek ditch. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, State Road 10, State Road 114 and State Road 17.

The victim of a shooting in Valparaiso has died and an arrested person has been identified, according to police. A report of multiple gunshots occurring in the 350 block of Locust Street occurred on Friday at about 3:50 p.m.  The shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Jessica Kouba of Valparaiso.  The second subject who was located on scene at the time of the incident has been identified as 25-year-old Anthony Lee of Merrillville.  Lee was taken into custody and transported to the Valparaiso Police Department as part of the investigation.  He has since been incarcerated on unrelated charges (possession

The Michigan City Police Department says its officers were shot at by a barricaded juvenile on Saturday night. Just after 8:30 p.m. officers received a notification from the city’s Flock Safety Raven gunshot detection system that multiple gunshots were fired in the 1600 block of Tennessee Street. Multiple officers began responding to this area when they were notified a short time later by the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center that a 911 call was received regarding multiple gunshots that were fired in the 1600 block of Tennessee Street. Officers located a residence within this block that was struck multiple

The City of La Porte Fire Department is currently accepting firefighter applications, according to Chief Andy Snyder. As the testing procedure occurs just once every two years, Snyder said the time is now for anyone who has been considering a career in firefighting. “Because our application process and testing procedure do not take place every year, it is all the more important for those interested to apply now,” Snyder said. “If you’ve been considering a career change or are graduated and looking to start your career, now is your time give the LPFD a try. We look forward to meeting