Local News

Press Release, Franciscan Health: Three-day event aimed at a variety of trauma care audiences   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health is partnering with multiple healthcare organizations from around the Great Lakes for a three-day regional trauma care conference. The Great Lakes Regional Trauma Conference is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 to Friday, Aug. 22 at the Stardust Event Center, 777 Blue Chip Drive in Michigan City. The conference is aimed at healthcare professionals from throughout the Great Lakes, including trauma/general surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, emergency physicians, anesthesiologists, intensivists, nurses, therapists, allied

Five people lost their lives late Wednesday night, June 25, after the SUV in which they were riding was struck by a South Shore commuter train, the Gary Police Department and the Town of Chesterton are reporting. According to the Gary Police Department, the accident occurred just after 10:00 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 20 and Utah Street, just west of Miller. On their arrival at the scene, Gary police officers and firefighters located five deceased victims who had been ejected from the severely damaged SUV. “Preliminary investigation suggests that the vehicle struck by the train went around an

The Town of Chesterton posted the following statement on their Facebook page Thursday regarding a press release from the Chesterton Town Council calling for the resignation of E911 Director Gunn: In a press statement released late Thursday, June 26—establishing a minute-by-minute, even second-by-second timeline of the officer-involved shooting outside the Hilton Garden Inn—the Chesterton Town Council is calling for E-911 Director Debra Gunn’s resignation. The statement: “The citizens of Chesterton, Duneland, and Porter County deserve to hear the facts from the people who really know what they are talking about regarding the officer-involved shooting on June 18, 2025. The Town

The La Porte County Parks Department announced it now has a level 2 public EV charger. Guests can use this charger (for a fee) while visiting Creek Ridge. It is located in the large parking lot near the Prairie Shelter. "Thanks to a grant that funded a portion of this project we were also able to replace two vehicles in our fleet with EV Ford Lightning trucks!"La Porte County Parks said on their Facebook page. "The trucks are working out well for parks use, reducing our fuel usage and improving our emissions."

In Michigan City today, milling (removal of the surface) will be done on Overhill Trail, Kaye Lane, and Hazelwood Drive. All road construction is weather permitting and subject to change. Updates will be provided on the My Michigan City, Indiana Facebook page as they become available.

Friendship Botanic Gardens Launches $75,000 Emergency Fundraising Campaign Michigan City, IN — Friendship Botanic Gardens, a natural and cultural destination in Northwest Indiana for nearly a century, has announced the launch of a $75,000 emergency fundraising campaign to address urgent infrastructure and safety concerns throughout the historic property. The Gardens, known for offering a peaceful retreat where families gather, children explore, and nature is celebrated year-round, now faces significant challenges due to aging infrastructure. Without immediate funding, the safety and accessibility of this beloved space may be at risk. “This is a critical moment for the Gardens,” said Jenilee Haynes Peterson,

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Trash and compost pick-up will follow its regular schedule Monday, June 30 through Thursday, July 3. Those whose normal weekly pick-up day is Friday should put your toters out for Thursday pick-up. The Michigan City Refuse Department will cover as much of its Friday route as possible on Thursday, and come in for a short shift on the holiday, Friday, July 4, to pick up whatever couldn’t be collected on Thursday. Call the Refuse Department at (219) 873-1530 with questions or concerns.

To accommodate passengers attending Blackpink on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Soldier Field, the South Shore Line will have select trains stop at 18th Street Station. For those attending the event, Soldier Field is just a short walk away. Specific details will be released approximately two weeks ahead of the event.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has released final reports for its ProPEL US 30 and 31 studies, which will inform the next 20 years of transportation planning and development along the two corridors in northern Indiana. The Final Level 3 Screening Reports and the PEL Study Reports for each of the four study areas – US 30 East and West and US 31 North and South – are available at ProPELUS30.com and ProPELUS3 1.com . The Level 3 screening reports evaluate potential improvements in each study area. The PEL Study Reports, which mark the completion of these studies, summarize

Aerial mating disruption treatments conducted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to slow the spread of spongy moth are planned for the week of June 23. Spongy moth is one of North America's most devastating invasive forest pests and has caused thousands of acres of defoliation across the eastern United States. Treatments for this destructive pest using SPLAT GM-Organic are planned in Jasper and Starke counties. Treatment begins shortly after sunrise but could be delayed until later in the morning or the next day due to unfavorable weather conditions such as morning fog or rain. Treatment time will

Valpo Parks announced that Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper presented the Valparaiso Park Board with a $42,500 check as part of Center Township’s ongoing $85,000 annual support through the Interlocal Park Agreement. On their Facebook page, Valpo Parks said Jesse shared his appreciation for the Board’s dedication and noted the positive things he continues to hear about the work being done by the Parks Department.

Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson has identified the two officers involved in the shooting outside the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday, June 19. Shortly before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, the Indiana State Police released the following statement: “In a continued effort for full transparency, Chesterton Police Chief Tim Richardson is providing the names of the Chesterton Police officers involved in the police action shooting that occurred last week. “The two officers are as follows: Lt. David Virijevich, a 22 1/2-year veteran of the Chesterton Police Department; and Officer Nolan Mancera, a five-year veteran of the Chesterton Police Department.

Michigan City Exchange Club will be handing out American Flags along the parade route before the parade begins Michigan City Police Department Motor Patrol 2. Michigan City Police Department Honor Guard 3. Michigan City Police Department Chief of Police 4. Michigan City Police Department Patrol Vehicles 5. Michigan City Police Department ATV/UTV Units 6. Michigan City Police Department Paddy Wagon 7. MCPD Vintage Squad Car 8. Michigan City Fire Chief 9. Michigan City Fire Department Ladder Truck 10. Michigan City Fire Department Fire Truck 11. Trail Creek Police 12. Pines Fire Department 13. LaPorte County Sherrif’s Office 14. LaPorte County

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the expansion of its worksite speed control pilot program, known as Safe Zones, to Interstate 65 in Lake County. The program is currently active in the Clear Path I-465/I-69 work zone on the northeast side of Indianapolis. “Overall, the program has been successful in slowing drivers down,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Slower speeds create safer conditions not only for road workers, but also for drivers and their passengers." On or after Monday, July 7, Safe Zones enforcement will begin in the current I-65 construction zone, between mile markers 235 and 239 near Lowell. Safe

Due to the excessive heat and limited air conditioning in parts of the building, the Elston branch will be closing early for the remainder of this week, they will be closing daily at 11 a.m. to ensure the safety of their members and staff. Parents of children currently enrolled in summer camp will be contacted directly with more information about alternate arrangements that are being made for summer camp. “We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to visit our La Porte or Long Beach branches, which remain open during regular hours,” the YMCA said on its Facebook page. Stay safe

A Michigan City man was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Twenty-one-year-old Davon Jaqurious Coleman, of Michigan City, was sentenced by a United States District Court judge after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay announced. Coleman was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, police conducted a traffic stop in Michigan City and found Coleman in possession of a stolen loaded firearm

Several roads in Michigan City will have roadwork this week today through through Thursday, June 27. Due to weather restrictions last week, paving will be done this week on Dahlia, Minnie, Ruth, and Forest streets, as well as Birdella and Victory lanes. Concrete (cement) crews will be working on William and Ripley streets. All road construction is weather permitting. Updates will be provided as they become available. Check Facebook.com/MyMichiganCity for updates.  

Michigan City, IN — As part of the City’s commitment to improving customer service and streamlining development processes, the City of Michigan City is launching new weekly Open Office Hours with the Building and Inspection Department every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at City Hall. “These weekly hours are designed to provide residents, builders, and business owners a consistent time to connect directly with our team, ask questions, and get support with permitting or inspection concerns,” said Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch. “We’re working to make it easier and more efficient to do business in Michigan City.” In addition,

The Town of Chesterton released the following update to their Facebook page regarding a fatal crash that occurred Saturday in Porter County. The original posts below this update are also from the Town of Chesterton Facebook page: Victim and suspect identified in fatal crash at US 12 and Waverly Road Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes has released the name of the victim in the fatal accident at U.S. 12 and Waverly Road on Saturday, June 21. The victim has been identified as Saelor Guistolisi, 18, of Crown Point. Dykes determined cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the

Roadwork has wrapped up a week earlier than expected at the Indiana Toll Road Bridge over State Road 39 according to Indiana Department of Transportation: Northwest. Crews also finished the State Road 39 seal coat project between U.S. 20 and the Michigan State Line last week so the road is fully open between La Porte and Michigan.