Local News

One person has died and two others were injured after a three vehicle crash Sunday morning on U.S. 421, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. On Sunday just before 11:15 a.m., deputies were dispatched to U.S. 421 and County Road 125 South, in reference to a three-vehicle personal injury crash. The initial on-scene investigation completed by Deputy Sawyer Laffoon and assisting deputies determined that a 2016 Jeep, driven by 34-year-old from South Bend, was traveling north on U.S. 421 when a 1996 Kenworth tractor, driven by 50-year-old from Knox, was traveling south on U.S. 421. The commercial motor

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Norfolk Southern Railway plans to close U.S. 231 at their railroad crossing between 7th Street and 9th Street in De Motte beginning on or after Wednesday, November 15. U.S. 231 will be closed for approximately three days in this location while they replace their at-grade crossing. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 10, State Road 49 and State Road 8.

Valparaiso City Services has announced two additional weeks of recycling will be added during the holidays to encourage recycling. The additional weeks include the week following Thanksgiving and the week of Christmas, which would typically be trash-only collection weeks. For the updated calendar, visit tinyurl.com/ValpoTrashNov-Dec .

(Porter County, IN) – In celebration of the American Cancer Society’s 48th Great American Smokeout on Nov. 16, Hoosiers across Indiana are encouraged to “make the commitment and quit smoking today”. “With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time for people to give the ‘gift’ of a better life to themselves and to their family and friends by quitting. With fewer places to smoke in Indiana, now is the perfect time to quit,” said Carrie Higgins, Program Director of The Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County. Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of

The Salvation Army of Michigan City will host its annual Thanksgiving Community Meal on Thursday, Nov. 23 from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Majors Dale and Becky Simmons, who oversee the local Salvation Army, remind the public that this meal is free and open to anyone in the community that needs a place to spend Thanksgiving Day. “To us, Thanksgiving is about people being together,” Major Becky Simmons said. “We serve this meal so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal with turkey, ham, and all the sides. But the most important part is spending time with family, friends,

NIPSCO has become aware of a scam where our customers are being contacted directly or finding through online searches an imposter web site for an entity calling itself “NIPSCO Energy.”  The phone numbers they are currently operating under are 888 or 877 numbers, and these are not a NIPSCO utility number or affiliated in any way with NIPSCO. NIPSCO’s official web address is NIPSCO.com, and our customer care center phone number is 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464- 7726). And NIPSCO will never call you directly to ask for account or payment information, or demand payment through a pre-paid card.  Please do not share your account

Norfolk Southern on Thursday informed the Chesterton Police Dispatch Center that its railroad crossing at South Calumet Road is closed for repairs. Motorists needing to cross the tracks are advised to use the North Fourth Street, North Eighth Street, North 15th Street, or North Jackson Blvd. grade-crossings. Also on Thursday, Norfolk Southern was also preparing to close its North Eighth Street grade-crossing for repairs, in addition to its closure of the South Calumet Road grade-crossing. The Town of Chesterton says that both the North Eighth Street and the South Calumet Road grade-crossings are currently expected to be closed—to all traffic,

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced on its Facebook page that Sheriff Heeg was recently asked to nominate an employee for this year's The Rotary Club of Michigan City, IN "Service Above Self Award." After consulting with members of the administration, a 34-year veteran of the agency stood out amongst his peers, the LCSO said. Civil Deputy Tony Wallace was nominated and received this year's award Thursday for his lengthy service, specifically to the citizens of southern La Porte County, the LCSO said. The LCSO listed some of Tony's accomplishments and steadfast commitment to serving others: LCSO employee since

Two people were arrested early Thursday after a robbery in Jasper County lead to a pursuit that ended in Lake County. At around 3:36 a.m. the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a robbery that had just taken place at the Loves Travel Stop located at 11207 W. State Rd. 10. Jasper County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the location. While enroute to the scene, the caller provided additional details, stating that two men, donning ski masks, had brandished a firearm and demanded money from the store clerk. Prior to the Deputies' arrival, the suspects had fled in a

The Michigan City Police Department announced Officer Maximiliano Hernandez was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Rotary Club of Michigan City Service Above Self Police Officer of the Year Award. Hernandez was nominated by the Uniform Patrol Shift II Commander and Supervisors and Detective Corporal Mark Galetti. “The Michigan City Police Department Administration is proud to have Ofc. Hernandez as a member of this department,” MCPD stated on their Facebook page.  “He demonstrates the values of dedication, integrity and professionalism.”

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Norfolk Southern Railway plans to close State Road 55 at their railroad crossing between 237th Avenue and 233rd Avenue beginning on or after Monday, November 13. State Road 55 will be closed for approximately three days in this location while they replace their at-grade crossing. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 10, I-65 and State Road 2.

Indiana State Police are investigating an inmate death at the Westville Correctional Facility. The ISP says on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post was contacted by the Westville Correctional Facility to investigate an inmate death that had been discovered at 8:00 a.m. Preliminary investigation shows that 35-year-old John R. Taylor, from Greene County, Indiana, died from blunt force trauma as determined through an autopsy by the LaPorte County Coroner. The investigation is ongoing and once completed, the case will be turned over to the LaPorte County Prosecutor for consideration of charges.

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana State Police is requesting the public’s assistance to gather information on an interstate shooting that took place on the Indiana Toll Road (I80/90) in Elkhart County on the Tuesday evening. At about 6:00 p.m. Indiana State Police Dispatch received a 911 call from the driver of a white Freightliner semi that believed he was shot at by the driver of an unknown make passenger car. State Police investigators believe that the driver of the semi and the driver of the passenger car got into a road rage incident at approximately the 94.5 mile marker,

A Valparaiso University student has died as a result of injuries in a stabbing that occurred Oct. 29, the City of Valparaiso announced Wednesday. The City of Valparaiso released the following statement: The City of Valparaiso joins Valparaiso University in mourning the loss of VU student Varun Raj Pucha. “Our hearts go out to Varun’s family and friends in this heartbreaking loss. The Valparaiso community has been shocked by this senseless tragedy and is united in support for this young man and his family,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. “I ask all of Valparaiso to continue to keep Varun and his

Press release by office of U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan: Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced federal grant awards in Northwest Indiana, including for the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Hobart, Lake Station Community Schools, and Valparaiso Community Schools under the Department of Justice’s COPS Office. According to the Department of Justice, the Porter County Sheriff’s Office will receive $125,000 from the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to hire additional law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Additionally, the City of Hobart will receive $500,000, Lake Station Community

On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced that multiple municipalities will receive Community Crossings Matching Grants to fund road and infrastructure improvements throughout the region. Rep. Pat Boy’s (D-Michigan City) district received the following funding: $41,430.90 for Beverly Shores $545,062.77 for Chesterton $998,930.75 for Michigan City $1 million for LaPorte County $561,310.11 for Porter $125,876.48 for Porter County Boy issued the following statement regarding the grant allocation: “The ability to build and maintain roads and infrastructure is a key component to a thriving community and public safety. I’d like to thank INDOT for this generous grant which will

Press release by Healthcare Foundation of La Porte: Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) announces that 33 grants totaling $1,416,149 have been awarded in cycle 2 of 2023. Each year, HFL makes grants during two grant cycles to advance the strategic priorities of Healthy Children, Healthy Living, and Healthy Minds. Additionally, HFL makes Healthy La Porte grants to respond to community needs outside of the strategic priorities that demonstrate a connection to HFL’s mission and vision: empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well so that La Porte can be one of the top 10 healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030.

Press release by United Way of LaPorte County: Attention All Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves! United Way and Al’s LaPorte/ Michigan City will distribute $20 gift certificates to the first 100 Veterans in the store on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023 from 9am-11am CT or until supplies last. On this special day, any active or retired military personnel are invited to come into the store near the customer service desk and receive their gift certificate. You must show valid Military Identification or DD Form 2. One gift certificate per guest, and you must be present to receive the

PORTER COUNTY, Ind — The Indiana State Police said Tuesday its Crash Reconstruction Team was contacted by Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon to investigate a fatal crash on U.S. 12 in Porter County. Preliminary information is the Porter County Sheriff's Department was in pursuit of a stolen 2022 Toyota Rav4, westbound on U.S. 12 from the area of the Pines. The pursuit continued on U.S. 12 when just west of S.R 49, the suspect vehicle crossed the center of the roadway and struck a 2003 Pontiac Vibe that was traveling eastbound.  The driver of the Pontiac sustained fatal injuries as

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) hosted a military drill competition on Saturday, November 4th.  The Wolves earned 3rd place trophies for Color Guard and Exhibition, and a 2nd place for Regulation in the Armed Division.  They also earned a second place for Color Guard in the Unarmed Division.  The University of Notre Dame Navy/Marine Corps ROTC provided the judges. “For being this early in the year, our cadets drilled very well,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath.  “Particularly since most of our Drill Team are also on our Raider Team,