Local News

The La Porte County Drug Task Force announces the arrest of four individuals, for various charges including two separate narcotics, and weapons related cases. The first investigation resulted in the arrest of Cameo M. CRAWFORD (20) of Michigan City on Wednesday April 18th, 2018, after an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest by La Porte County Superior Court #1 for Dealing in Cocaine Level 3 Felony. CRAWFORD was observed leaving a residence in the 1000 Block of Salem Street in Michigan City, and was quickly apprehended by The La Porte County Drug Task Force, and F.A.S.T. Team. A subsequent

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) received a record $1,058,979 in contributions during Wednesday’s (4/25) fifth annual Purdue Northwest Day of Giving, shattering the previous year’s total by more than $100,000 for the 24-hour, social media-driven giving campaign. This year’s total was the tenth highest from among 60 various participating groups across the entire Purdue system, resulting in additional “bonus money” awarded to Purdue Northwest. Some 607 donor gifts to PNW contributed to a single-day giving total of $37.6 million across the entire Purdue system—an amazing fourth consecutive year for most dollars raised in a college/university single-day campaign.

Wednesday, Sheriff John T. Boyd and Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek hosted an active shooter tabletop exercise at Michigan City Town Hall. Mr. Lance Bella, Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Tactical, coordinated and facilitated the exercise. Approximately sixty representatives/officials participated in the exercise. The exercise elicited an open forum of discussion full of ideas and strategies. The following is a list of those who had personnel that participated in the exercise. La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Michigan City Police Trail Creek Police Long Beach Police Michigan City Fire La Porte Fire La Porte County EMS La Porte County EMA

The Mobile Health Unit of La Porte Hospital will be out in the community throughout May to provide bone density screenings and to educate on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease. Come and visit the Mobile Health Unit to learn more about these two important topics. The Mobile Health Unit program has been made possible by the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. Upcoming Dates and times of the Mobile Health Unit visits are: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., May 4th, at La Porte Hospital and 9-10 a.m., May 4th, at La Porte County Family YMCA

NIPSCO is awarding 15 local nonprofit organizations with grants—totaling $50,000—to help fund restoration and education projects throughout northern Indiana. Some of this year’s winners include: Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana, Spaceship Earth education programming; City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department, erosion control project; Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, scholarships for the Stewards of Tomorrow; Michiana Area Council of Governments, Partners for Clean Air; Michigan City Area Schools, high school environmental restoration team; Porter County Parks Foundation, Sunset Hill Farm County Park Pond restoration phase IV; Shirley Heinze Land Trust, educational guidebook project; St. Joseph County Parks Foundation,

Starting Monday, April 30th at 6:00 a.m. phase 1 of the Ohio Street reconstruction project will begin in Michigan City. This phase will close the Southbound (or West side) of Ohio Street from US 20 to 400 North (Kieffer Rd). At that point all traffic on Ohio Street will be one way only (Northbound) until further notice, until the end of September. Southbound Traffic will be detoured at US 20 West to either 1100 West (Hitchcock St) or to US 421 (Franklin St.) and then South to 400 North (Kieffer Rd). During this phase access from all side streets will

Team WIMS was out at the PNW Day of Giving yesterday. The once-a-year event is a non-stop, 24-hour opportunity to support PNW’s student scholarships, academic programs, athletics and more. Check out the WIMS Facebook page for videos and pictures of the event along with interviews.

Last week, two Toll Road troopers were recognized for their outstanding work by Superintendent Douglas Carter at the Indiana State Police Spring Awards Ceremony. Trooper Christopher Eagles was recognized as the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post “Trooper of the District.” This award goes to the trooper that is chosen by their command staff that personifies professionalism, integrity, a well-rounded work ethic, and community involvement. Eagles’ efforts have resulted in many criminal arrests, drunk drivers taken off of Indiana’s roadways and the seizure of large amounts of drugs. Trooper Ala’a Hamed received the “2017 District DUI Award” for the Indiana

Wednesday morning, around 8:00am, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG), assisted by the Portage Police Department and Portage SWAT, executed an arrest warrant on 35 year old Valparaiso resident, Jeffrey F. Vanautreve, for a Failure to Appear warrant at a residence in the 2400 Block of Odell in Portage. Vanautreve’s original charges were Dealing Narcotics, both being felonies. During the execution of the arrest warrant, three subjects were located inside; two of those subjects were released on scene and Vanautreve was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was obtained for the residence and narcotics were located inside. Jeffrey Vanautreve

Chief Troy Williams of the Portage Police Department is making citizens aware that there is a city wide yard sale being advertised on Facebook that is hosted by Oddities & Objects - O.B.OT (Portage, IN - City Wide Yardsale). According to Chief Williams, the City of Portage has not authorized this, nor sanctions it. Additionally Chief Williams stated there is concern on the part of city officials and the police department that you are being asked to share your address and items you may be wanting to sell with no real idea who is collecting or watching this information. Chief

Yesterday afternoon the Michigan City Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) utilized an abandoned house in the City limits for training. This is a normal practice and the neighbors of the residence where the training occured were notified. MCPD said this type of training allows the SWAT Team to maintain their skills. A statement by MCPD noted that the department’s use of abandoned houses that are set to be demolished by the City of Michigan City adds realism and gives a more hands-on experience.

On Saturday, April 28th, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 15th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medications. Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to

On 4/22/18, at approximately 4:32pm, members of the Uniform Shift II division were dispatched to the Metro PCS store, located at 1310 Franklin Street, reference a Robbery that had just taken place. Information was gathered at the scene and it was determined two black male suspects entered the store and approached the employees. A demand for the store money was made and subsequently received. Once the money was obtained, both men fled the store. The first suspect was described as wearing a grey shirt and black pants. The second suspect was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black

Tomorrow, the Westville American Legion is organizing CASH BINGO at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m. The $20 entry includes cards for all the regular games; special games are sold separately. There is an 80% payout on all Bingo games. There are cookies and other special games to win.. Food, snacks, and drinks are available, no outside food or drink please. This is a smoke free hall and players must be 18 years or older in order to play. Contact 785-2923 with questions.

The Indiana State Police is accepting applications for a Regional Dispatcher position at the Lowell Post which is located at 1550 East 181st Avenue, Lowell. Successful applicants must be able to receive, record, disseminate, and accurately dispatch information to police personnel, other law enforcement agencies, and other support services. The Lowell Regional Dispatch Center serves both the Lowell and Lafayette Districts of the Indiana State Police. A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Two years of public safety communications experience and emergency medical technician certification are preferred. Pay starts at $30,082 per year. The deadline for applications is

Drive around Indiana, or anywhere in the Midwest, and you're likely to see some trees that turn green early and have a beautiful white bloom early in spring. They're likely Bradford pears, but state officials aren't big fans and are asking residents to avoid planting them. Megan Abraham with the Department of Natural Resources says they've become very popular because they're inexpensive and grow quickly. The problem is they've become invasive, taking over space where native grasses and plants, along with oak, maple or hickory trees should be. When Bradford pears first came on the market it was thought that

Start your Spring cleaning or continue your Earth Day celebration with 50% off drop off shredding services at Secure Shred, a division of Opportunity Enterprises. Now through May 4, 2018, patrons can bring their boxes and bags of personal items needing to be shred and receive 50% the cost. That makes each pound of shred materials just $0.08. To translate that, a typical drop off box of shred is a banker’s archive box that is about 2/3 full. These boxes typically weigh about 40 pounds, or just $3.20 with the promotion. All types of paper, magazines, junk mail, newspapers, bills,

The City of Michigan City would like to announce that The Ohio Street Reconstruction Project, between Country Road 400 North and US Highway 20, is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 30th. Traffic along that stretch of Ohio Street will be reduced to one lane, in the northbound direction with a posted detour for southbound traffic. All necessary measures will be taken to maintain access for local businesses and residents. This project, which is scheduled to be substantially completed by Friday, November 30th, will include the installation of new utilities and storm sewers. Future notifications and updates will be announced

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for Merit Patrol Deputy. Applicants who successfully complete and pass the various stages of the hiring process will be ranked on a list for any future vacancies that may arise within the Merit Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division interview panel and a Merit Commission interview. Applications can be found online by accessing the Sheriff’s Office website: www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk of the

The Michigan City Tree Board, in partnership with NIPSCO/Arbormetrics, would like to announce that they will be giving away 600 tree seedlings at the Michigan City Farmer’s Market, located at the corner of Washington Street and 8th Street, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The Farmer’s Market is open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the seedling species given away will include: river birch, white pine, and several oak species. Tree seedlings will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.