Local News

News Release, Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – What started as a way to get out of the house and stay busy nearly 50 years ago has turned into a lifetime of dedicated service for a 100-year-old volunteer at Franciscan Health Crown Point. Vivian Kelby, who turned 100 on May 4, will exceed 38,000 volunteer hours with the hospital this month. That’s the equivalent of more than four years. She still volunteers every Friday afternoon in the gift shop. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t enjoy it,” Kelby said. “I like to work and I like the people.” Kelby

If you missed the first Free Fishing Day on May 4, mark your calendar for the next ones, June 7-8, and Sept 27. While there are no licenses or stamps required on these special days, all regulations such as seasons, bag limits, and size limits still apply. Free Fishing Days offer Indiana residents the opportunity to try fishing for the first time without having to purchase a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps. If you already have your annual fishing license, this is a perfect opportunity to take friends and family fishing who haven’t gone before. Helping new anglers experience the

Michigan City, IN  - Michiana Humane Society (MHS) is set to receive a $4,000 grant investment from national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for pets in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Petco Love is a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested nearly $410 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. And Petco Love helps find loving homes for pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations — like ours

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - There will be lane closures on State Road 49 between I-94 and U.S. 20 beginning on or after Monday, May 19. State Road 49 will have alternating lane closures for bridge painting and bridge deck overlay activities over the Amtrak railway just north of I-94 through mid-October. Work will begin with the left lane and shoulder of northbound State Road 49 closed through late May. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area and delays during peak times. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health Michigan City’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is back and open for registration. The unique, six-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 8 and 15. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures. Veronica Martin of Mindful Minds will help participants explore healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health. Attendees will also learn the seven Cs of family resilience, including control, competence, coping, confidence, connection, character and contribution. Individual and family-centered physical activities and

The South Shore Line has given an advisory for a depot switch at Millennium Station effective Sunday, May 18, 2025: Between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 18, all South Shore Line passengers utilizing Millennium Station will temporarily board/detrain from the Metra Depot (Tracks 5 and 6), located northwest of the SSL platform. Passengers on the following weekend trains will utilize the Metra depot on May 18: Westbound Tr 600, Tr 502, Tr 504, Tr 506, & Tr 608; Eastbound Tr 503 & Tr 505. During this time, Metra will be performing wire work in the SSL depot. After

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close the ramp from eastbound I-94 to northbound State Road 152/Indianapolis Boulevard on or after Monday, May 19. The ramp will be closed for terminal joint work on the ramp bridge over U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard. This operation is weather sensitive so crews will wait until the weather is favorable to close the ramp, and the closure is expected to be in place from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. All work will be completed in one evening if conditions allow. This is punch list work for the bridge deck

The City of Michigan City has announced that effective immediately, two motels in Michigan City—Ramada by Wyndham, located at 5820 Franklin Street, and Comfort Inn & Suites, located at 100 W. Kieffer Road—have been ordered closed indefinitely due to multiple unresolved city and fire code violations. "The business licenses for both properties have expired, and the City will not consider renewal until all cited violations are fully addressed by licensed contractors," the city said in a press release. "Due to the severity of the violations—several of which pose significant life, health, and safety hazards—no staff or guests are permitted on

The Michiana Humane Society is hosting their biggest pet-friendly and family-friendly event of the year this Sunday. Pets & Pours 2025, will be on Sunday, May 18, from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Central Time at Friendship Botanic Gardens. This laid-back gathering brings four-legged fun together—all to support the homeless pets at the Michiana Humane Society. Food vendors: House of Garlic, Social Que BBQ and an MHS volunteer bake sale Live entertainment: music by Pablo's Great Revenge with host Joey D Drink vendors: Burn 'em Brewing, Shady Creek Winery, Twisted Sugar Soda Bar, and Zorn Brew Works Pet-friendly vendors: Creekside

Michigan City, IN – The LaPorte County Career and Technical Education program at the A. K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City held its 2025 Awards Night on Wednesday, May 7, at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center. Prior to the ceremony, students hosted a showcase to share an overview of their programs, highlight recent projects, and reflect on events they had attended. As they received their awards, seniors of the Technical Honor Society received a cord to be worn at their high school graduations, and new students were inducted. Several students were also honored with scholarships and awards. The purpose

A 6-year-old was rescued by two good Samaritans from the water at Porter Beach on Thursday. Just before 1 p.m., Porter Police and Fire were dispatched to Porter Beach in reference to a water rescue. It was reported that a 6 year old child on a kayak had drifted about 200 yards from shore and the kayak was continuing to float away. During the response, it was reported the child fell off the kayak and was in the water with no life jacket. Porter Fire Chief Jay Craig arrived on scene along with a Town of Porter Police Officer. Chief

GARY, Ind. – Northwestern Indiana Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) and lead agency Franciscan Health are teaming up with local healthcare and community organizations to host a free Grandparents Tea for expectant mothers and grandparents. The event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central on Saturday, June 7 at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. 5th Ave. in Gary. The Grandparents Tea will feature information on safe sleep practices, car seat safety and postpartum maternal warning signs to help support growing families. Attendees can also connect with other expectant parents and grandparents

Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano gave an overnight update on the city’s response to Thursday night’s storms. “Portions of the city were hit pretty hard by tonight’s storm,” Candiano stated.  “We have responded to reports of 10-15 trees down and blocking intersections.   We’ve also responded to multiple calls of power lines down, resulting in widespread outages across the city. "The Portage Street Dept is currently out addressing the fallen trees and we are working with Porter County 911 to notify Nipsco of the downed lines as we encounter them. "If you journey out tonight, use caution as there is

Press release, Activity Center for Older Adults: La Porte, IN — The Activity Center for Older Adults (ACOA), a vibrant hub serving the senior population of La Porte, is proud to announce the launch of its newly designed sponsorship program, effective June 1. This initiative gives local businesses and organizations a unique opportunity to connect with La Porte’s older adult community in a meaningful way while supporting the Center’s mission to promote active, healthy and engaged living. With our new partnership opportunities, sponsors are able to receive priority scheduling for hosting programs and increased visibility through signage, digital platforms, monthly

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) 2025 graduates have poured countless hours into their persistent journeys to earn their degrees. On May 10, the culmination of over 850 candidates’ hard work was celebrated during PNW’s 2025 Commencement. To outside observers, the highlights and wins may make success look easy. But remembering the dedication and sacrifices required to achieve your dreams is a key reminder to take into the future, noted PNW alumnus Joe Dudy (BS’92), the president and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods and the 2025 keynote speaker at PNW’s Commencement. “Working

The following statement is from the Chesterton Police Department: Two juvenile boys, both Duneland residents, were transported to the Porter County Juvenile Detention Center on Monday, May 12, in connection with the battery of an older man at the Dairy Queen, 1249 Broadway, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. According to the CPD, the incident occurred at 9:47 p.m., when a 64-year-old man, traveling westbound on Broadway, observed a juvenile on a bicycle riding in the middle of the road in his direction, weaving back and forth across both lanes of travel, finally forcing the man to stop his vehicle

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Mike Braun, through Executive Order 25-31, has officially established Indiana’s Working Group on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy. This initiative aims to develop evidence-based recommendations to contain the rapidly increasing Medicaid costs associated with ABA therapy while ensuring continued high-quality care for thousands of Hoosier children and young adults. Indiana’s Medicaid expenditures for ABA therapy have grown significantly, from $14.4 million in 2017 to $120 million in 2019. Projections indicate costs could reach $645 million by 2026, serving approximately 8,000 Hoosier children. A recent audit by the U.S. Office of Inspector General identified $39 million in improper

Local health departments are required by statute (IC 13-23-16) to inform the public of the discovery of released regulated substances at an underground storage tank site or aboveground storage tank, in the surrounding area or a spill or overfill. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was notified on May 13. 2025 of such an incident from the owner or operator of the Speedway #6675 facility located at 6370 Central Avenue in or near Portage, Indiana in Porter-Portage County. For further information on the Petroleum Remediation Program, please go to https://www.in.gov/idem/tanks/. Or contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at

Michigan City Area Schools released the MCHS Distinguished Graduates in the Class of 2025: GRADUATING WITH HIGH DISTINCTION Bailey Chavis Parents: Chris and Shannon Chavis Activities: Student Government President, Cross Country Captain, Dive Team Captain, Tennis Team Captain, Lilly Endowment Community Scholar College Attending: University of Notre Dame Major: Political Science Keegan Cowgill Parents: Brad and Jessica Cowgill Activities: Baseball, Basketball, 2024 All Duneland Athletic Conference, Channel 46 Student Athlete of the Week College Attending: Trine University Major: Exercise Science Nathan Groszek Parents: Michael and Mandy Groszek Activities: Japanese Club, National Honor Society, Academic All-State (Tennis), Rising Star of Indiana

Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. Free meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children. Children must be present to receive their meals.  There will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Free meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows: