Local News

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is proud to announce a ribbon cutting for a new mural on Thursday, July 30, at noon (Central) at The Firehouse, located at 910 State Street in LaPorte, Ind. The event is free and open to the public. Created by artist, Felix "FLEX" Maldonado, the mural was made possible by grants from the Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association and the City of La Porte. The ribbon cutting festivities will begin with remarks by Janet Bloch, LCA's Executive Director and facilitator of the project,

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM CDT MONDAY EVENING... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect through Monday. Heavy smoke is lingering for the northern half of Indiana currently divided by a stationary front. The front will lift north later Friday providing a brief break in levels before a system late Saturday will bring another round of smoke. High pressure in place Sunday and Monday will recirculate the smoke over most of the state with the primary concern remaining the northern half of Indiana. This smoke, in addition to the other meteorological

For the latest visit their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE THEM on FACEBOOK   Saturday, July 18, 2026   Gates Open at 10am   8:00am: Horse and Pony Show - Contesting   9:00am: 4-H Project Release Begins   10:00am - 6:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: Pioneerland Artisan Auction (Artisan Barn)   1:00pm: Skerbeck Carnival Rides Open   1:00pm: Silly Safari (Pioneerland)   3:00pm: Antique Tractor Parade   4:00pm: Silly Safari (Pioneerland)   5:00: Extension Homemaker Demonstration   7:00pm: Antique Tractor Parade   7:00pm: Silly Safari (Pioneerland)

The Indiana State Police Lowell Post announced that on Friday afternoon, Sgt. Heflin chose to proudly walk out of the hospital and is now continuing his recovery at home. Heflin had been shot multiple times on July 10 during a pursuit. "After a week of strength, determination, and support from friends, family, and the community, today marks a huge step forward. Sgt. Heflin is grateful for the exceptional care he received and for everyone who has kept him in their thoughts," the ISP Lowell Post said on Facebook. "While the road to full recovery continues, being home is a milestone

In Chesterton, overnight lane restrictions will be implemented on Indian Boundary Road between Plaza Drive East and the multi-stop intersection at North Calumet Road beginning on Monday, July 20, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. The lane restrictions will go into effect at 8 p.m. each evening and end by 6 a.m. the following morning. The restrictions are expected to remain in effect through Saturday, July 25. Contractor Rieth-Riley Construction Company will be conducting paving operations.  

Nation Night Out is Aug. 4, and the Valparaiso Police Department shared the following statement on the event: “Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 4, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. and join us at Central Park Plaza for an evening dedicated to building stronger relationships between our police department and the community we proudly serve. This year marks the 22nd consecutive year that the Valparaiso Police Department has participated in National Night Out, and we can't wait to celebrate with you! Come meet and talk with Valparaiso Police officers and professional staff from every division of the department. Explore police vehicles, enjoy

The Town of Porter Police Department said that as of Friday morning, a source or cause of the boom on Thursday night was not found. On Thursday night the department said all units were  investigating a "mysterious boom that probably shook most of your homes." Check the Porter Police Department Facebook page for any updates.

The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT SATURDAY NIGHT. An Air Quality Action Day for smoke has been issued. Smoke levels are expected to be in the Very Unhealthy range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. * Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip. * Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment

The Indiana Finance Authority’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Programs finances drinking water projects in seven communities INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Finance Authority (IFA) completed $76,345,874 in low-interest, federal equivalency financings in June to help multiple Indiana communities finance drinking water infrastructure improvements. The State’s financial assistance will save these utilities an estimated total of $108.5 million in principal and interest costs, compared to open-market financing. City of Fort Wayne The City of Fort Wayne received financing in the amount of $13,000,000 through the DWSRF Loan Program to help fund improvements to the city’s drinking water system. This project will

Thursday, Gov. Mike Braun announced that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) following the June 6 through June 30, 2026, flooding, tornadic activity, severe storms and derecho. The joint PDA is a critical step in gathering information needed to determine whether a federal disaster declaration should be requested. They will be conducted by local, state and federal officials (FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration) to evaluate the impact and magnitude of the disaster. "Hoosiers experienced historic severe weather in June, with record-setting tornadic activity

Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival all weekend long in Michigan City in Washington Park-presented by Arnett Construction & Roofing JOIN TEAM WIMS LIVE ALL WEEKEND LONG! RAIN OR SHINE-The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival Presented by Arnett Construction & Roofing is a multi-day celebration of Michigan City’s iconic lakefront and beach, taking place at Washington Park from July 17 – 19th, 2026. The centerpiece of the festival is a professional sand sculpting competition and exhibition, featuring some of the world’s most talented and renowned sand sculptors creating incredible works of art in Michigan City’s famous “Singing Sands.” Thank you to

For the latest check out their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE THEM on FACEBOOK   Friday, July 17, 2026   Gates Open at 10am Sponsored by Surf Internet   8:00an: 4-H Draft Horse Show   9:00am: All Day 4-H Livestock Auction (Livestock Arena), Order of Sale: Swine, Goat, Poultry, Duck, Geese, Turkey, Rabbit, Dairy, Sheep, Auction for Scholarship Fund, and Beef, Battle of the Barns to Follow Auction   9:00am: 4-H Booster Club Pie Auction (Show Arena)   9:00am: 4-H Horse and Pony Show - Contesting   10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: All Buildings

In Porter and La Porte counties, there will be overnight lane closures on I-94 between mile marker 29 and 34 (east of State Road 49 and west of U.S. 421) to set up a new traffic configuration. Alternating lane closures are currently scheduled for I-94 next week during the overnight hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic layouts during this time. In the new traffic configuration, eastbound traffic will return to the eastbound side of I-94, with two lanes shifted to the right starting on or after Monday, July 20. Starting on or

Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan would like to remind the public that the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in Laporte County is still working on its new and updated protocols.   It’s just taking more time than expected. The SART Team should have something finalized very soon. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan commented: “There was a lot of talk by the prior administration that the SART team was active. That’s not accurate. In order to be an active SART team, protocols have to be filed with the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault (ICESA). ICESA doesn’t have a copy of any protocols

The La Porte County Health Department on Thursday made the following statement regarding the first positive identification for West Nile Virus this year: The La Porte County Health Department (LPCHD) has received confirmation from the Indiana State Department of Health that a pool of mosquitoes submitted for testing has tested positive for West Nile Virus. This is the first positive identification of West Nile Virus in La Porte County this year. The sample was collected on 6-30-2026. The species most likely to transmit the virus are those that prefer to breed in containers therefore it is important to prevent the

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - A motorcyclist died after a crash in New Buffalo Township on Thursday, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. First responders were dispatched to West U.S. Highway 12 and Lubke Road in New Buffalo Township for a multivehicle crash that occurred at approximately 12:30 pm. Upon arrival, they found that a motorcycle had been hit from behind and that the driver was suffering from life threatening injuries. The motorcycle driver was treated on scene by MEDIC 1 and was transported to Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City. The driver, a 45 year old male from Niles was

The South Shore Line has given the following service advisory: Millennium Station depot switch effective Saturday, July 18, 2026: Between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, all South Shore Line passengers utilizing Millennium Station will temporarily board/detrain from the Metra Depot, located northwest of the SSL platform. Passengers on the following weekend trains will utilize the Metra depot on July 18: Westbound Tr 600, Tr 502, Tr 504, Tr 506, Tr 608, Tr 508, & Tr 610; Eastbound Tr 503, Tr 505, Tr 507, Tr 609, & Tr 509. During this time, Metra will be performing work

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT. An Air Quality Action Day for ozone and PM 2.5 has been issued. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy range and ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: *

For the latest check out their website at www.lpfair.com and LIKE THEM on FACEBOOK   Thursday, July 16, 2026   Gates Open at 10am   8:00am: 4-H Dairy/Open Class Judging Begins (Livestock Arena),   8:00am: 4-H Draft Horse Show   10:00am Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland)   10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail   10:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open   10:30am: Home and Family Arts Judging starts   12:00: Story Time with the Queen   1:00pm: Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland)   1:00pm: Silly Safari (Pioneerland)   1:00pm: Skerbeck Carnival Rides

In Portage, Willowdale Road is closed between Mulberry Avenue and Stone Avenue through Friday, July 17 for stormwater sewer repairs south of United Pentecostal Church. Construction is to include Stormwater sewer repairs near the intersection of Meadow Avenue and Willowdale Avenue Road.