Local News

Local 4600 of the International Association of Fire Fighters—representing the career firefighters of the Chesterton Fire Department—will host a Easter Egg Hunt, at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, at Dogwood Park. The department says it has 4,000 Easter eggs on order. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand for photos with your little ones. Free entry for all, with age-appropriate hunts for the following groups: 1-3, 4-6, 7-10, and 11+. The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on the east side of Dogwood Park by the playground. For special accommodations, please contact Chet at cholt@chestertonfire.org

In the latest “City Talk” Newsletter the City of Valparaiso announced they are launching a program to complete a full inventory of the city’s water service lines, including those in residences. The inventory is required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) as part of the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2021 revision of the Lead and Copper rule. How to Report YOUR Residence: To compile the required information, residents are asked to participate in either of two ways: Inspect your service line in a simple test and submit the information online. OR Allow an authorized door knocker to

The Portage Police K-9 Units have announced the unexpected medical retirement of K-9 Haro. Haro served the citizens of Portage for the past two years alongside Corporal Creighton Price making numerous drug arrests and has assisted with several criminal apprehensions.  Haro has also participated in numerous public demonstrations and public relations events. “Haro was recently diagnosed with cancer that is being treated and thankfully does not appear to be life threatening,” the Portage Police K9 Units said on their Facebook page. “Due to the veterinary recommendation, it has been determined that Haro must be medically retired so he can begin

The Michigan City Police Department had a day of celebration and additions to the department at Wednesday’s Michigan City Police Commission Meeting. Officer Dan Revoir was awarded the 2023 Chris Smith Award, which is given to the officer that demonstrates the spirit, love and dedication to law enforcement displayed by Officer Chris Smith before he tragically passed away from Cancer. K-9 Freya was introduced as the newest member to the department.  Freya is a therapy dog that will be used in situations where citizens or victims will need to be comforted or in situations of tracking missing juveniles or older

The state of Indiana is now accepting nominations for the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards, which honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for at least 100 or 50 years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving the community. Qualifying criteria are as follows: The business must have had continuous operations in Indiana for 100 or 50 years by Dec. 31, 2023. The business must have participated in the same line of work for the duration of its operations. If different, an explanation of the evolution into the current business must be provided on the nomination

News release, Indiana Department of Agriculture: According to the newly released agricultural census data from The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Indiana remains a top agricultural state, with agricultural products valued at over $18 billion. “This data shows that agriculture remains a pillar of the Indiana economy with the total value of agriculture production growing 62% over the five year period,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The Census of Agriculture is all encompassing, and it allows us to compare ourselves to fellow states, whether that is in ranking of

The Indiana State Police say a mother and daughter have been charged with felony theft after an investigation revealed the two were allegedly pocketing money from patients at their place of employment. Police say on Feb. 2, 2024, Indiana State Police District 13 Field Investigations filed criminal charges against Meagan Baker (mother) and Kayla Baker (daughter) through the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office.  The two were employed by Brian Shields DDS, which had been conducting business in Demotte, IN, when the crime occurred. The office, formerly located at 520 8th Ave. NE, Demotte, IN, closed in July of 2023, after accounting

The Michigan City Police Department celebrated the retirement of Officer Kelly Williams on Tuesday. Williams gave the department and community 27 years of service. “The MCPD Administration would like to thank Ofc. Williams for upholding the values of the department while serving:  Dedication, Integrity and Professionalism, MCPD said on Facebook.  “The MCPD family wishes Ofc. Williams the best in his next chapter of his life!!”

A South Bend woman died and another person was injured after a crash Monday afternoon in La Porte County. Just before 1:25 p.m., La Porte County Sheriff's deputies responded to U.S 20 and Wilhelm Road. The initial on-scene investigation determined the a 2008 Chevrolet passenger vehicle was traveling westbound on U.S. 20 in the driving lane.  For an unknown reason, the vehicle veered to the right, left the north side of U.S. 20, and began to travel off the roadway, police said.  The vehicle continued traveling west until colliding with a tree located on the northwest corner of U.S. 20

A motorist died Monday morning after colliding with a semi-tractor trailer on U.S. Highway 30 in Union Township according to a Facebook Post by the Town of Chesterton. The Porter County Sheriff’s Office said at 7:47 a.m. the male driver of a Chevrolet SUV was eastbound on U.S. 30 when, near the Porter/Lake county line, he struck a semi traveling in his lane of travel. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene, police said. The cause of the crash is under investigation.  

The LaPorte County Crisis Intervention Team conducted a Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) class that local law enforcement took part in last week. The class graduated 28 officers from all police agencies in LaPorte County, including the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center. There were nine Michigan City Police Department officers in the graduating class which gave MCPD a total of 21 CIT trained officers. “The Crisis Intervention Training gives officers the tools and resources to better communicate with and provide resources to those that are dealing with mental health illness and trauma,” the Michigan City Police Department said on their Facebook

News release, Indiana Department of Transportation: Indiana will play a pivotal role in hosting eclipse enthusiasts as they flock to the Hoosier State to catch a glimpse of the first total solar eclipse in seven years on Monday, April 8. The eclipse will be visible over a large portion of the state, with the path of totality spanning from Evansville to the outskirts of Fort Wayne, entering southwest Indiana at 3:01 p.m. EDT/2:01 p.m. CDT and exiting to the northeast at 3:12 p.m. EDT/2:12 p.m. CDT. Other parts of the state will experience a partial eclipse of at least 90

Press release, La Porte Community School Corporation: The La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees announced the retirement of Superintendent Mark Francesconi on Monday, February 12, 2024.  Dr. Francesconi has dedicated over 30 years to the field of education, with the last 13 serving the La Porte district. He leaves behind a legacy of unrelenting commitment and integrity. The school community and the board of trustees have expressed their deep gratitude for his decades of service and wish him a well-deserved retirement. Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Francesconi shared, “It has been an honor to serve the community

News release, Indiana Department of Environmental Management: On Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, representatives from IDEM's Office of Air Quality Permits Branch arrived at East Chicago Public High School for a scheduled public meeting to discuss an air permitting renewal application for BP Products North America Inc.'s Whiting Business Unit. As recently as last month, the school served as a location for IDEM public meetings due to the auditorium's ability to accommodate larger crowds. However, moments before Thursday's meeting was set to begin, the school district superintendent informed IDEM staff that he had concerns about proceeding with members of the media

The Michigan City Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 30 in Fedder's Alley. Michigan City Special Events is accepting candy and golden ticket prize item donations. Email ewilliams@emichigancity.com to arrange pickup or drop-off of donations.

Northwest Indiana poets, April is made for you! Throughout the month, the Center for Creative Solutions will celebrate both World Creativity & Innovation Week, April 15-21, and National Poetry Month. Northwest Indiana poets of all ages are invited to share their work in the 8th annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” A panel of experts will evaluate all poems. For students, the Center for Creative Solutions will bestow 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors in each grade level, according to Bill Halliar, co-chair of the Poetry Showcase. Poems submitted by adults will be judged separately. “Make your poem humorous or thoughtful,

The Indiana Toll Road announced 141st westbound exit ramp in Hammond will be closed on Feb. 14 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT. NIPSCO will conduct a ramp closure at the 141st WB exit ramp in Hammond. The detour is after the toll plaza, all traffic is to go right to access 141st east or west bound travel. The Indiana Toll Road is reminding drivers to stay alert in work zones.

News release, Indiana Department of Natural Resources: It’s time to prepare for the April 8 solar eclipse, during which the moon will completely cover the sun over a significant portion of Indiana, causing darkness at mid-afternoon. Because viewing the sun at any phase of the eclipse without proper eye protection can cause permanent eye damage or even blindness, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is providing the opportunity to buy eclipse glasses. The glasses, branded with the state’s eclipse logo and purchased from a vendor on the American Astronomical Society’s approved list (eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters), have 2-millimeter scratch-resistant polymer lenses that

Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon recently announced an interactive program called “Project Safe Roads.” The program will partner with citizens to help identify roadways within Porter County that need extra traffic enforcement from time to time.  When a citizen believes there is a traffic problem somewhere, they can go to the website (portercountysheriff.com) click on the Project Safe Roads tab and complete the necessary information. The sheriff's office said this will also be on the Porter County Sheriff’s App in the near future. This information will be forwarded to the necessary personnel within the Sheriff’s Office and they will follow

The City of La Porte says it has received reports of individuals knocking on doors and claiming to be from the City of La Porte Water Department. “These scammers are asking to test the homeowners' water, tampering with the test and then attempting to sell homeowners a filter to “improve” their water quality,” the City of La Porte stated on its Facebook. “Please note: our Water Department employees will NEVER attempt to sell you anything. All members of our Water Crews drive clearly marked City of La Porte vehicles, wear uniforms with the City logo and carry valid City I.D.s.