Local News

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Wheelchair users and guests with mobility disabilities can explore more-challenging trails at Potato Creek State Park, thanks to a new trackchair, which they can borrow from the park’s nature center. The addition brings the number of trackchairs available for outdoor use at Indiana state park properties to 15. Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Fort Harrison, Mounds, O’Bannon Woods, Pokagon, and Spring Mill state parks and Salamonie Lake have one each. Indiana Dunes has four, and McCormick’s Creek has two. Potato Creek’s chair, manufactured by Action Trackchair, is joystick-operated and equipped with a seatbelt and

To ensure the South Shore Line provides the best experience possible to riders this holiday season, the holiday train and ticket office schedule is available in advance. Please see the schedule below for more information: Kids Ride Free, all trains To say Happy Holidays and take advantage of local school breaks, SSL will expand for a limited time its Kids Ride Free program to ALL trains and train times. Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Friday, Jan. 5, up to three children 13 years of age and younger may ride any train for free — ALL weekend, holiday, off-peak or rush hour

Firefighters rescued a pair of students stuck in one of the elevators at Chesterton High School on Thursday afternoon,according to a Facebook post from the Town of Chesterton. Firefighters responded to the high school at 1:23 p.m. On their arrival at Door 31, they were met by a School Resource Officer and led to the elevator. There they “found that the elevator had stopped between floors and was not responding to call signals,” the CFD said. After trying and failing to recall the elevator to the first floor and then the second, firefighters used a hoistway door unlocking key to

The Indiana State Police Bremen Post is welcoming its newest four-legged officer, K-9 Daisy. On Wednesday, Indiana State Police Master Trooper John Wilson graduated from the Indiana State Police K-9 Training School.  Trooper Wilson was joined by his new K-9 partner, Daisy, at the ceremony held in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Police K9 School is an annual 12-week school held in Indianapolis, with over 480 hours of instruction to include obedience, tracking, locating articles of evidence, apprehension of fighting or fleeing suspects, building searches, narcotics detection, and handler protection.  K-9 handlers also receive training in K-9 legal concepts and classes

An Indiana State Police K-9 was injured after being shot in the paw during a pursuit Thursday morning in Lake County. At around 8:37 a.m., troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post observed a vehicle that had been reported stolen traveling westbound on I-80 in Lake County. Troopers attempted to make a traffic stop after the vehicle merged onto I-65 northbound from I-80. The driver failed to stop, and the troopers initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued onto the Indiana Toll Road and I-80/94 before entering local roads in Gary.  The suspect vehicle came to a stop at the

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites the public to join its annual celebration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. PNW will host community conversations and a keynote speaker on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11, as well as facilitate volunteer community service opportunities on Jan. 12 and Jan. 15. “In the spirit of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., let us strive for a society where justice, equality and compassion unite us in celebration of the shared dream for a brighter tomorrow,” said Darien Thompson, director of African American Initiatives at

This holiday season marks NIPSCO’s 11th annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, which combines donations from both the company and its employees to benefit various community-serving organizations across northern Indiana. The Hope for the Holidays campaign has become a beloved tradition at NIPSCO, with employees eagerly participating year after year. It’s a testament to the company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. As part of the effort, NIPSCO employees donated more than 1,000 toys to eight Toys for Tots organizations located throughout the NIPSCO service area. Counties supported include: Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, Noble, Steuben

VALPARAISO, IN - In partnership with the Indiana Fire & Public Safety Training Academy, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of its 13th Fire Academy. The ceremony will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023, at 6:00 PM CST at Wheeler High School. The 42 graduates represent Beverly Shores, Cass Clinton, Cedar Lake, Crown Point, Griffith, Hebron, Highland, Kouts, Lake Hills, Lakes of the Four Seasons, Liberty, Lowell, Munster, Porter, South Haven, Springfield Township, Saint John, Union Township, and Washington Township Fire Departments. These recruits have completed a rigorous 6-month training program that included instruction in fire

City of La Porte Police Chief Paul Brettin today announced his retirement, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. Brettin, who has served on the department for nearly 30 years, will step down as chief on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. He will remain on the force until May 23 in order to offer support and guidance to his replacement, as well as to use accrued time off. Dermody said Brettin leaves behind big shoes to fill. “Chief Brettin’s leadership throughout this administration has been nothing short of remarkable,” Dermody said. “Under his watch we have cracked down on drug traffickers

News release by South Shore Line: ’Tis the season for free rides! To let riders know it has been a pleasure serving them throughout 2023 and provide another opportunity for friends and family to create more memories, South Shore Line (SSL) has expanded its Kids Ride Free program to ALL trains and train times for a limited time. Tuesday, December 26, through Friday, January 5, up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride any train for free — ALL weekend, holiday, off-peak, or rush hour weekday trains — when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Quiet

Press release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso will pause the South Shore Connect service, effective January 1, 2024. The service currently provides bus transportation between the Valparaiso’s transit parking lot on Brown Street and Valparaiso University to the Dune Park South Shore train station. The service will be reviewed once the South Shore Double Track project concludes in August 2024. At that time, South Shore Connect service may reorganize and return. The South Shore Connect service was introduced in 2019 and faced significant challenges as transit ridership dramatically declined in 2020 due to the pandemic and then

Press release from La Porte County Auditor Tim Stabosz: 12/13/23 (La Porte, Indiana) -- Timothy Stabosz, La Porte County Auditor, today reminded taxpayers that the deadline day to file for property tax exemptions for the 2023 pay 2024 tax billing cycle is December 31, 2023.   Stabosz stated, “We want everyone to be aware of, and receive, the deductions that the law provides for.”   He indicated that the most commonly used exemption, by far, is the homestead exemption, which allows taxpayers a deduction for the use of property as their primary residence.  Only one homestead exemption is allowed per individual or

Press release by Michigan City Area Schools: Cyber Security is one of the fastest growing occupational fields, a career that pays well and has high job satisfaction.  The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are obtaining a head start on the requirements of being a security manager of an information systems network by participating in Cyber Patriot, the national high school cyber security competition. They competed on December 7th, defending against a mock cyber attack.  Besides the technical skills of manipulating the virtual imagery, cadets are also exercising decisiveness and

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. —Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) department of Psychology was recently awarded a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to partner with pediatric healthcare clinics in Lake, Porter and La Porte counties to support mental health services and interventions for child traumatic stress. The project, Northwest Indiana Identification and Management of Pediatric Experiences of Trauma and Underlying Stress (NWI IMPETUS), was selected as part of the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative to implement routine screenings and brief in-office and group interventions for child

On Tuesday Morning, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) announced that their department, along with the Wheatfield Police Department, are currently investigating a “potential murder” at an apartment in the Town of Wheatfield. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that a person of interest is in custody and was being interviewed. The JCSO said that public safety is not believed to be compromised, but they request the community's cooperation for an effective investigation. The JCSO said more details will be provided later.    

The Town of Porter has released the detour map for the bridge closure on North Mineral Springs Road between Planet Court and U.S. Highway 20, the Town of Chesterton posted on their Facebook page. The bridge has been closed since Dec. 1, but INDOT has only just finalized official detours for truck traffic. Traffic southbound on Mineral Springs Road from Planet Court will be directed to eastbound Beam Street, then to northbound Wagner Road, then to U.S. 20. Traffic southbound on Mineral Springs Road from U.S. 20 will be directed to eastbound U.S. 20, then to southbound Wagner Road. Traffic

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has been elevated to the First Scholars phase by the Center for First-generation Student Success in recognition of its continuous efforts to support first-generation college students. Earning First Scholars status means PNW has demonstrated sustained commitment to support its first-generation students. These practices are evidenced by intentional institutional frameworks that foster a supportive campus culture for first-generation students, student and professional leadership development and resources for student academic success. “We are honored and excited by PNW’s inclusion in the First Scholars cohort,” said Elizabeth Babcock

NIPSCO announces the completed installation of nearly 19 miles of new 24” steel gas pipeline that will service the new battery plant in the City of Kokomo with a safe, reliable source of natural gas for the future. This new gas system expansion also supports opportunity for future economic growth in Cass, Howard, and Miami Counties; the project included an additional 800 feet of 16” steel pipeline, safety enhancements to the existing Walton gas regulator station, and a new customer station in Kokomo that will serve as a dual gas supply to the battery pant as well as the Greater

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospitalist Ahmer Festok, DO, was recently presented with the St. Raphael Award from the hospital’s nursing staff. Dr. Festok received the award in recognition of his outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for the nursing staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point and for his commitment to the mission and values at Franciscan Alliance. Tisha Casey, Julie Kruzan and Mindy Palmquist, all of whom are RNs in the Progressive Care Unit, nominated Dr. Festok for the award. Casey, Kruzan and Palmquist noted Dr. Festok’s respect for the nursing staff and his compassionate care for

Chesterton Police Department Officer Nolan Mancera, a 3-year veteran of the department, graduated last week from the Indiana DECP and is now an Indiana Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). In Indiana, a DRE is an officer that is highly effective and skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DREs are trained in a systematic and standardized 12-step evaluation process that incorporates physical, mental, and medical components. The DRE certification process encompasses over 70 hours of classroom training followed by 40 hours of field certifications. There are only approximately 8,000 DREs nationwide, equating to 1.1% of