Local News

Friendship Botanic Gardens Secures $10,000 Matching Grant to Double the Impact of Emergency Fundraiser   Michigan City, IN - Friendship Botanic Gardens is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $10,000 matching grant from the Barker Welfare Foundation in support of the Emergency Fundraising Campaign. This generous grant will match every public donation dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000, doubling the impact of each contribution.   The Emergency Fundraising Campaign ensures the Gardens remain safe, welcoming, and accessible for years to come. Proceeds will support vital improvements to garden structures and grounds, directly advancing Friendship Botanic Gardens’ mission to connect people

South Bend Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison For Controlled Substance Offense   SOUTH BEND – Last week, Elijah Suggs, 31 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.   Suggs was sentenced to 180 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.   According to documents in the case, over the course of four transactions, Suggs sold a total of about two pounds of methamphetamine to another

Franciscan Physician Network adds board-certified internal medicine, weight management physician in Munster   MUNSTER, Ind. – Board-certified internal medicine and weight management physician Leonid Kats, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Munster.   Dr. Kats earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Rutgers University Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, N.J. and he completed his residency in obesity medicine at Columbia-Cornell in New York.   His clinical interests include effective, evidence-based care; general internal

Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ Spring Education Offerings Open for Registration in January   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Registration will be opening on January 14, at noon CT, for spring classes and workshops for children, teens and adults at Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA).   LCA's spring 2026 education lineup includes a wide variety of engaging classes for every age and skill level:   Abstract Painting I & II Coffee and Creativity Contemporary Art: Art as Social Conscience Digital Illustration Figure Drawing Mini Masterpieces: Art History for Tots Mixed Media for Young Artists Sandcastle Writers Three Styles of Acrylic

Purdue University Northwest earns national recognition for cybersecurity education, career preparation HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest has once again received the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consults’ (EC-Council) Academia Circle of Excellence Award in recognition of high-quality teaching that effectively prepares both students and professionals for entering needed areas of the national cybersecurity workforce. This marks the third consecutive year PNW has earned the award. Since 2019, PNW’s College of Technology has partnered with the EC-Council in offering two of the council’s accredited certifications, Certified Ethical Hacker and Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator, within program curricula. PNW undergraduate students pursuing

The La Porte Civic Auditorium stage has a new name after the generous support by a local family, according to La Porte Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. At the recent Holiday at the Pops concert, the La Porte City Park Foundation announced the creation of the Bowers Family Fund, established to support the Civic Auditorium for generations to come. Edwin and Karen Bowers made a lead gift of $500,000, with additional contributions pledged for the future. In recognition of their incredible support, the Civic stage now carries their name: The Bowers Family Stage. Schreiber said a contribution like this one has

INDOT: Be safe, plan ahead, and drive sober for holiday travel AAA predicts the heaviest travel during the weekends before and after Christmas INDIANA — AAA predicts at least 109 million travelers will hit the road across the U.S. this year for the Christmas holiday, more than 2.5 million of those from Indiana. As Hoosiers drive to their holiday destinations, INDOT urges motorists to plan ahead, travel safely, and drive sober as increased traffic is expected starting this weekend. “Motorists should expect increased traffic and potential delays as early as this weekend for holiday travel,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “While the

WIMS will be doing a SUNDAY ENCORE PRESENTATION of "One City, One Sound" with 600 students from Michigan City Area Schools Encore Weekend on WIMS! Michigan City’s voices are back by popular demand! Don’t miss the Encore Playing of One City One Sound — the program that brought our community together in harmony. You can listen on AM 1420, 95.1FM and 106.7FM in Valparaiso plus we stream on wimsradio.com. Tune in to WIMS Radio:  Sunday 12/21 at Noon Relive the pride. Feel the unity. Celebrate the sound of our city. Because when Michigan City sings as one, the whole community

Ralph E. Piechocki, 70, La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, November 21, 2025 at 11:53 am in Northwest Health-La Porte. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, December 22, 2025 at New Creation Vineyard Church, 9009 W. Pahs Rd, Michigan City, IN. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements. To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com.

The Salvation Army of La Porte Announces $12,000 Red Kettle Match All donations in La Porte will be matched by anonymous donor through Christmas Eve LA PORTE, IN - Bells may be ringing a little louder in this final week of fundraising for The Salvation Army of La Porte thanks to an anonymous local donor. Now through Christmas Eve all gifts made to Red Kettles at local businesses will be doubled up to $12,000 thanks to this generous gift. "This final week of kettles is so vital to our fundraising efforts this Christmas," said Major Becky Simmons of The Salvation Army La Porte Corps. "Thanks to this

LA PORTE, INDIANA, DECEMBER 16, 2025: Family Advocates is grateful to La Lumiere School’s Parent Association and student leaders for their generosity and compassion through a recent holiday gift drive.   The gift drive, organized by the La Lumiere Parent Association members Joanne Fitzsimmons-Abele and Jessica Mace, provided meaningful holiday gifts to teens in need, helping ensure they could experience the joy and magic of the season. The effort was supported by La Lumiere seniors who serve as prefects; student leaders who model service, advocacy, and community responsibility.   Christian Lake, Head Prefect, shared that service is an important part

Announcing Local Partnership for the Elston Opportunity Hub   Michigan City, IN – The Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) school board announced last evening the repurposing of the former Elston High School into the new “Elston Opportunity Hub.” This transformation is the result of a partnership between the MCAS school board and NWI Works, which aims to make effective use of the previously underutilized 320,000-square-foot facility. The City of Michigan City has supported and partially funded the startup phases of this development.   NWI Works Inc. is a collaborative organization representing various regional not-for-profit institutions in Northwest Indiana. These entities

MAAC Foundation Celebrates Graduation of 11 Firefighters from Career Fire Academy   VALPARAISO, IN - In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of the Summer 2025 Career Fire Academy. The ceremony was held on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus. Students of this academy have been working hard and honing their skills as firefighters since the beginning of October.   The 11 graduates representing the Portage, Michigan City, Ogden Dunes, Whiting, and Liberty Township Fire Departments have completed a rigorous 11-week

WIMS will be doing an ENCORE PRESENTATION of "One City, One Sound" with 600 students from Michigan City Area Schools   🎶✨ Encore Weekend on WIMS! ✨🎶 Michigan City’s voices are back by popular demand! Don’t miss the Encore Playing of One City One Sound — the program that brought our community together in harmony.   You can listen on AM 1420, 95.1FM and 106.7FM in Valparaiso plus we stream on wimsradio.com. 📻 Tune in to WIMS Radio: 📅 Saturday 12/20 at 10 AM 📅 Sunday 12/21 at Noon 🎤 Relive the pride. Feel the unity. Celebrate the sound of

Goodwill Seeking Clothing Donations to Support Community During Challenging Winter   As the holiday season begins and winter weather continues to impact the region, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. is encouraging community members to share the spirit of giving by donating gently used winter clothing to support neighbors in need and fund critical local programs.   “It’s been a rough winter so far, and the need is high right now—especially with the early cold weather and more Goodwill shoppers than ever,” said Debie Coble, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana.   “During this season of giving, a simple act like

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN—Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for La Porte County: Lupita Osornio-Luna of Tri Township Jr./Sr. High School and Madeleine McCarther of Marquette High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Osornio-Luna is deeply involved in service and student leadership. After volunteering with her local Leos Club, she was inspired to create "Learn with Leos,” a mentor-based tutoring program at her school. She also founded the “Happy Hands Project,” a toy collection initiative that provides

HAMMOND, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) leaders look forward to opportunities for innovation and workforce development enterprises to begin in 2026 at the university’s highly anticipated Roberts Impact Lab. PNW’s Roberts Impact Lab, located at 5454 Hohman Ave. in downtown Hammond, Indiana, is undergoing phased renovations to prepare state-of-the-art workspaces that will advance quantum technology and transformational applied research initiatives. The Lab will positively impact economic and workforce development in Northwest Indiana and will serve as the centerpiece of Hammond’s developing innovation district. “We are excited to open the doors for truly groundbreaking innovation right here in Northwest Indiana,” said

La PORTE, IN – City of La Porte Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber and the Park Board today announced the hiring of Rhonda Ashcraft as the new director of the La Porte Civic Auditorium. A Ball State University alum with a Bachelor’s in sales and marketing, Ashcraft’s resume includes more than 20 years of managerial experience, most recently with BlueSky Restoration as their Business Development Manager. Before that, she oversaw the day-to-day operations, personnel and sales for Sterno Delivery. Schreiber said Ashcraft’s attention to detail and leadership skills make her a great fit for this role. “Between its catalogue of events and

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – After nearly five years of negotiations, amendments, and extensions, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission (RDC) has voted to deny any further extensions of the SOLA development agreement and allow the agreement to expire as of December 31, 2025, should all remaining milestones not be met. The SOLA project, proposed for the former You Are Beautiful site, has been under an exclusive development agreement since 2020. Throughout that period, the City and RDC worked collaboratively and in good faith with the development team through multiple agreements and extensions in an effort to support the project’s advancement and

We are excited to announce the 4th Annual EDCMC Power Breakfast, taking place on March 25, 2026, from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel, Spa. This year’s theme, “Beyond the Station – The Power of TOD’s,” will feature valuable insights on Double Track, Transit Oriented District projects, and investment opportunities featuring Mayor Tom McDermott and Mayor Angie. This event brings together community leaders, business professionals, and stakeholders to discuss transformative projects shaping our region’s future. We invite you to partner with us as a sponsor and showcase your organization’s commitment to economic development and education. Your sponsorship serves as a fundraiser for