Local News

Join the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce for Coffee Talk, a networking event for La Porte area business people. The event will take place on June 19th at Silver Birch of Michigan City, 4400 E. Michigan Boulevard, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. This version of Coffee Talk will be Speed Networking, where each attendee will have the opportunity to speak to each other one-on-one for 2 minutes at a time. This event is free of charge, and coffee will be provided. These events highlight a nonprofit or community-based member of the Chamber at each meeting. The community member

Possible changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program now under debate in Congress could overwhelm the faith groups that run some of Indiana's hunger-fighting programs. Rules added to SNAP, formerly food stamps, under a proposal in the House could include much tighter income and work requirements for eligibility. States where those tactics have been tried report more people showing up at food banks and pantries. Andrew Green with Shepherd Community Center in Indianapolis says the problem is, they're already feeding as many people as they can. Supporters argue tighter rules could save the government money by forcing people to get

The 1920’s will be alive in the Barker Mansion gardens during the June 24 Midsummer at the Mansion event. The first-time event will hearken back to Catherine Barker’s social life in the 1920’s, when she was a young woman known to make bathtub gin and patronize the finest clubs in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris. The midsummer event begins at 7 pm Central Time. The garden will be the primary setting for the event, but guests will be able to tour all three floors of the historic home. Games of the era, including bocce ball and croquet, can be played

The Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department & The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission invites the community to attend the Ribbon Cutting for Grand Opening of the Bismarck Hill Restoration Project & Trail System on Saturday, June 16th at 9:00am. The Ribbon Cutting will be followed by an interpretive trail hike. Those attending are asked to meet at the Guy Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheatre in Washington Park, 6 on the Lake. The Park Department, with funding through the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission, conducted a restoration project on Bismarck Hill, a set of three sand dunes encompassing approximately 30 acres just east of

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced he will work with the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge #86) to build a bridge between police officers and the public. In May, the Indianapolis FOP launched a multifaceted initiative called #ThinkBigger aimed at educating the public about best practices for interacting with law enforcement. As part of its outreach mission, the Indianapolis FOP has pledged to contribute up to $25,000 to public education and awareness about “do’s and don’ts” during encounters such as traffic stops. The Indiana State FOP has endorsed the plan and agreed to contribute an additional $25,000. Among other proactive

August 18 and 19 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM guests can come to Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) for Northwest Indiana's premiere art festival: Lubeznik Arts Festival (LAF). There will be over 100 national artist and community booths for the public to enjoy as well as a delicious array of food for all tastes and an art scavenger hunt for families. Now in its 37th year, LAF attracts thousands of shoppers and art enthusiasts to Michigan City's North End. Held on the third weekend in August, this festival features contemporary art and food. It draws repeat visitors from Chicago, South

On Friday, the Senate Agriculture Committee released the draft text for the 2018 Farm Bill, which contains a number of provisions championed by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly that would benefit Indiana agriculture and the state’s rural communities. Donnelly, who serves on the committee, helped craft the bipartisan bill and earlier this week reiterated priorities for the bill that were developed after holding 12 listening sessions with nearly every segment of Indiana’s agricultural community. The Donnelly provisions included in the bill would help improve risk management tools, expand market opportunities, promote voluntary conservation activities, combat the opioid epidemic, support rural communities

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Private NonProfit (PNP) organizations in Indiana of the July 5 deadline to submit disaster loan applications for physical damages caused by severe storms and flooding from Feb. 14 through March 4, 2018. PNPs located in the following counties are eligible to apply: Benton, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Gibson, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, La Porte, Marshall, Newton, Ohio, Perry, Porter, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Warrick and White in Indiana.

Special Olympics of Lake County & SPLASH are holding a fundraising event for only $8.00 The Special Olympics Family Splash Party Fundraising Event at Deep River Waterpark is on Wednesday, July 18th. A 5pm early entry Event starts from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Open to the public Tickets are limited to first 2500. If all 2,500 have not been sold.Purchase tickets in advance for $8.00, at the South Lake County Community Service, 1450 E. Joliet St., Special Olympics will also have tickets available at the group entrance on Wednesday July 18th at 5pm for 10 dollars Wednesday July 17th at 5pm

Lakeshore PAWS dog rescue will be hosting its 6th Annual Pup Crawl event from 5-10 p.m. June 16 at the Central Park Plaza Home to the Porter Health Amphitheater in downtown Valparaiso. The free event will feature tons of fun including music by The Crawpuppies, a beer and wine tent, activities for children, local food and pet vendors, and many available dogs to meet. Feel free to bring your friendly dog or dogs and take part in the big dog walk/parade, which steps off at 6 p.m. Registered participants of the walk will receive a commemorative T-shirt and goody bag.

Historic sites in Michigan City will become museums for one night only during the Barker Mansion’s newest programm: pop up tours. Through partnerships with area institutions, guests will get an insider’s look at significant structures which feature a connection to the mansion’s rich legacy. The group will depart from the Barker Mansion at 7 pm and walk to the locations of that night’s tour together. Heritage Interpreter TJ Kalin will point out significant architectural sites during the short walk. July’s pop up tour will highlight St. Mary the Immaculate Conception. The July 7 event will meet at the Barker Mansion

August 18 and 19 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM guests can come to Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) for Northwest Indiana's premiere art festival: Lubeznik Arts Festival (LAF). There will be over 100 national artist and community booths for the public to enjoy as well as a delicious array of food for all tastes and an art scavenger hunt for families. Now in its 37th year, LAF attracts thousands of shoppers and art enthusiasts to Michigan City's North End. Held on the third weekend in August, this festival features contemporary art and food. It draws repeat visitors from Chicago, South

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), and 33 other senators sent a letter on Friday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta, and HHS Secretary Alex M. Azar urging the administration to restore 12-month terms for short-term, limited duration insurance plans, which were available for two decades before being prohibited by Obama administration rules in 2016. The senators also urged the administration to clarify that issuers can offer renewal guarantees for STLD plans as a consumer option.

Lakeshore PAWS dog rescue will be hosting its 6th Annual Pup Crawl event from 5-10 p.m. June 16 at the Central Park Plaza Home to the Porter Health Amphitheater in downtown Valparaiso. The free event will feature tons of fun including music by The Crawpuppies, a beer and wine tent, activities for children, local food and pet vendors, and many available dogs to meet. Feel free to bring your friendly dog or dogs and take part in the big dog walk/parade, which steps off at 6 p.m. Registered participants of the walk will receive a commemorative T-shirt and goody bag.

On Friday, the Senate Agriculture Committee released the draft text for the 2018 Farm Bill, which contains a number of provisions championed by U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly that would benefit Indiana agriculture and the state’s rural communities. Donnelly, who serves on the committee, helped craft the bipartisan bill and earlier this week reiterated priorities for the bill that were developed after holding 12 listening sessions with nearly every segment of Indiana’s agricultural community. The Donnelly provisions included in the bill would help improve risk management tools, expand market opportunities, promote voluntary conservation activities, combat the opioid epidemic, support rural communities

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Private NonProfit (PNP) organizations in Indiana of the July 5 deadline to submit disaster loan applications for physical damages caused by severe storms and flooding from Feb. 14 through March 4, 2018. PNPs located in the following counties are eligible to apply: Benton, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Elkhart, Floyd, Fulton, Gibson, Harrison, Jasper, Jefferson, La Porte, Marshall, Newton, Ohio, Perry, Porter, Spencer, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Warrick and White in Indiana.

Swanson Center will host their fifth annual golf outing to benefit the Activity Center for Older Adults on Friday, July 13 at Briar Leaf Golf Club. The outing will begin with lunch and registration at 11am until the noon shot gun start. Get in the swing with contests and games plus a welcome bag for all participants. Contact Jennifer Solner today, to reserve your spot, at 219.873.9820 or visit the events section on our website, SwansonCenter.org to download the registration form and tee sponsor opportunities. The Activity Center for Older Adults provides educational and recreational programs and activities for seniors

Wednesday morning, First Sergeant Terrance Weems was working on I-80/94 at the 6 mile marker (Burr St), traveling eastbound in the far left lane when he observed a motorcycle approaching him from behind at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The motorcyclist was passing vehicles by "splitting lanes" and was also in and out of traffic. F/Sgt. Weems increased his speed in his to 130 m.p.h. with his lights and siren activated as the motorcycle continued to travel east. F/Sgt. Weems was able to obtain a radar speed of the motorcycle at 135 m.p.h. He also paced

Historic sites in Michigan City will become museums for one night only during the Barker Mansion’s newest programm: pop up tours. Through partnerships with area institutions, guests will get an insider’s look at significant structures which feature a connection to the mansion’s rich legacy. The group will depart from the Barker Mansion at 7 pm and walk to the locations of that night’s tour together. Heritage Interpreter TJ Kalin will point out significant architectural sites during the short walk. July’s pop up tour will highlight St. Mary the Immaculate Conception. The July 7 event will meet at the Barker Mansion

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred in the Michigan City area during the evening hours on Wednesday. At approximately 6:05 PM, deputies were dispatched to a business, located at 10128 West Kieffer Road (CR 400 North), in reference to an armed robbery. One subject entered the business demanding money while brandishing a firearm. The suspect left the business a short time later after an unsuccessful attempt of acquiring money. The suspect is described as an African American male in his early 20’s, 5’9” – 5’10” in height, medium build and at the time