Local News

The Indiana Department of Insurance announced that open enrollment for 2024 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace has started. The open enrollment period gives you an opportunity to enroll, re-enroll or change your health insurance plan.   Important Dates December 15, 2023: Last day to enroll in or change plans and pay the first month’s premium for coverage to start January 1, 2023. January 15, 2024: Last day to enroll in or change a 2024 health plan and pay the first month’s premium for coverage to start February 1, 2024. After January 15, 2024, you can enroll in or change

News release by Indiana Department of Agriculture: Indianapolis, IN – Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and Indiana FFA are accepting nominations for Indiana’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year. Nationwide and its state partners recently recognized 64 exceptional agricultural teachers as 2022-2023 Golden Owl Award® finalists and then honored nine grand prize winners as their state’s Ag Educator of the Year.

Press release by Office of the Indiana Treasurer of State: Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott announced today that he has authorized the largest known purchase by a State in the USA since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. “Israel is our most important ally in the world.  This investment reflects the confidence that I have in the Israeli people and the Israel economy,” said Treasurer Daniel Elliott.  “Israeli bonds have provided high rates of returns for investors, even outperforming their American counterparts.  Historical data and suggests that this is a great opportunity for Hoosier taxpayers.” As Indiana’s Chief Investment Officer,

Nationwide, November is recognized as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. NIPSCO wishes to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide in the community to help keep everyone safe. Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the "Silent Killer" because it is an odorless, tasteless, and non-corrosive gas that is produced when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, or oil) burn incompletely. Despite the fact that natural gas does not contain CO, it can be generated when there is insufficient oxygen for fuels to burn correctly. The most reliable way to determine whether you have a

The DNR released its results from the 2023 Turkey Brood Survey. Contributions surpassed the goal of 3,000 observations. Between July 1-Aug. 31, the public contributed 3,639 observations of wild turkey hens with or without poults. After DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife biologists removed duplicates and reports without exact locations, 2,203 brood observations are being factored into regional production estimates. The DNR says because of the publics’s help, it can continue to track population trends and make important management decisions to foster healthy ecosystems in Indiana.

To show their gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free November 10-13, 2023, on all weekday and weekend trains. “We hope that this celebration of active-duty military personnel and veterans (including reservists) with free rides can show the immense gratitude we have for their service,” commented Nicole Barker, Director of Capital Investment and Implementation at the SSL. "As train personnel walk through the train, please let them know that you are active military personnel or a veteran, and we will provide you a ride at no charge," the SSL said.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a compliance check of a selected group of registered Sex Offenders across La Porte County on Oct. 27.  Agency personnel from the Criminal Investigations Division, Warrants Division and Civil Division, along with the assistance of the US Marshals Service, participated in the operation. The unannounced check of the 30 Sex Offenders deemed all of them compliant with their information on the Sex and Violent Offender Registry.  Last week’s compliance check was in addition to the required checks of all registered Sex Offenders (206) residing in La Porte County. The agency, along with all

A semi rolled over on U.S. 30 west of County Road 900 causing the westbound driving lane to be intermittently closed throughout the afternoon, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday afternoon. Police said the semi was hauling a biofuel product that was not flammable or toxic. No other information was given on the update.    

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is now accepting applications for the 2024 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. On-Ramp is a program for artists and creative entrepreneurs seeking training and resources around establishing or supporting an arts-based business in Indiana. Designed by Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts, On-Ramp focuses on ten key business concepts for a successful creative career including defining value, business structure, identifying and marketing to customers, pricing strategy, marketing strategy, managing expenses and generating revenue, taxes, and planning. The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator is comprised of a three-day in-person intensive entrepreneurship and community engagement workshop and

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been confirmed in the northern Indiana counties of Elkhart, Porter, and St. Joseph next to railroad lines through Chesterton, Elkhart, and Mishawaka. This is the third region of the state in which this invasive pest has been found, joining the 2021 find in Switzerland County (southeast) and the 2022 find in Huntington County (northeast). The DNR continues to survey to determine the extent of the currently infested areas. A planthopper that originated in Asia, spotted lanternfly is of concern across most of the United States because of its adverse effect on fruit orchards, nurseries, and

Press release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso and its Art Advisory Committee seek designs from local artists to expand the utility box art program throughout the Valparaiso community. The utility box art program was created by the City’s Redevelopment Commission in 2016 to promote public art and local artists. The program has supported 12 locations to date, primarily in the downtown area. In 2024, the goal is to expand the program to wrap more boxes throughout the community. Artists are encouraged to submit existing or new work to help color more corners of our community. The deadline

Ogden Dunes Police sent out an advisory Monday that there is currently a scam involving the scammers claiming to be the United States Postal Service. “If you receive a text from someone claiming to be from the USPS stating they have a package that is undeliverable, this is a scam,” police said in the advisory. Police also said that the post office will leave a notice in your mailbox and that the post office will not call or text you. “Please do not click on any links or give out any personal information,” ODPD said in the advisory. “Again, this

The Rotary Club of Michigan City will honor seven individuals from the community with the annual Service Above Self Award on Thursday, November 9. This year’s recipients include: Officer Maximilliano Hernandez, MCPD Police Officer of the Year; Lt. Marcus Mantel, JROTC Cadet of the Year; Mercedes Trimble, Correctional Officer of the Year; Civil Deputy Tony Wallace, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year; Lt. Nick Pabon, MCFD Firefighter of the Year; Kim Noetzel, MCAS Teacher of the Year; and Tyler Pritchard, La Porte County EMT/Paramedic of the Year. Awards will be presented during an event that is open

A U-Haul van with $75,000 in stolen goods led police on a pursuit Monday through Lake County, ending in Chicago where the passenger being arrested but the driver was not found. Sometime around 2 a.m. Monday, Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were advised that Hobart police were in pursuit of a U-Haul van that fled from the scene of burglary reported at Sunbelt Rentals at 1851 Northwind Parkway in Hobart. A Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officer observed the van make an abrupt U-turn after exiting I-80/94 at Grant Street and continue fleeing northbound. The vehicle then reentered I-80-94

A man was arrested Sunday following an alleged stabbing that happened at Planet Fitness in Valparaiso. Police say at about 9:00 a.m., they responded to Planet Fitness, located at 1270 Strongbow Centre Dr., in reference to a man who had sustained a knife wound.  Police say the incident is believed to be isolated to the subjects involved and there is no ongoing threat to the public.  Police identified 24-year-old Jordan Andrade of Porter Township as the suspect. Andrade has been taken into custody on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Andrade is incarcerated at the

Bay Logistics, in partnership with affiliated firm Martin Transportation Systems (MTS), has expanded operations with the acquisition of a 190,000 square-foot facility on 15 paved acres at 923 West US 20. The third-generation family-owned transportation, logistics and warehousing provider recently purchased the land and building to provide a central location for both the trucking and warehousing sides of its businesses. “We are based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Bay Logistics owns and operates over 3 million square feet of warehouse space. Our sister company MTS runs a fleet of 1200-plus tractors and more than 3000 trailers, and recently earned another

Road Closure - 300 North East of HWY 421🚧   On Wednesday, November 1st- A Road Closure will take place at 300 North from Highway 421 to Frontage Road for the installation of Water Main. Closure will Start at 8:00 am and last until approximately 4:30 pm. Please plan accordingly.

On Monday October 23, 2023, at approximately 1733 Hours, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center dispatched Michigan City Police Department units along with Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS, to the intersection of Tremont Street and Oak Street regarding a motor vehicle and bicycle crash.   Upon arrival of emergency services, life saving measures were started on the bicyclist involved in the crash. LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to Gill Field at Elston School, where he was transported by Helicopter to a trauma center. The bicyclist was identified as David Westmorland. Due to the nature

On Friday October 27, 2023, at approximately 0328 Hours, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center dispatched the Michigan City Police Department units along with Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS, to the area State Road 212 and Tryon Road regarding a pedestrian that was struck by a motor vehicle in this area. Upon arrival of emergency services, life saving measures were started on the victim of the crash. LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to the Michigan City Airport where he was flown by Helicopter to a trauma facility. Due to the nature of the crash,

On 10/26/23, at approximately 9:12pm, the Raven Gunshot Detection system issued an alert regarding multiple gunshots being fired in the 200 block of Calumet Avenue. Moments later, the LaPorte County 911 Regional Dispatch Center began receiving calls indicating a person had been shot at 201 Calumet. Officers from Uniform Shift II and the Trail Creek Police Department immediately responded to the scene as did the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services. The responding Officers were directed to an SUV which was parked in front of the residence. It was determined two people had been shot while