Local News

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:

The project will address numerous roads around the Town of Ogden Dunes and will include crack sealing, pavement marking, and pothole repair. The goal of the project aims at safer streets for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Expect intermittent traffic delays through May 16.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin bridge work on I-65 between Ridge Road and I-94 on or after Thursday, May 15. Bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance projects will take place at three locations on I-65: over 35th Avenue, over the ramp from I-65 to westbound I-94, and over the Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE Railroad). I-65 will have overnight lane closures to set up phase one of the project. Northbound I-65 lane closures are currently schedule for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15 to 6 a.m. Friday, May 16, and southbound I-65 lane

Press release, Indiana Secretary of State: INDIANAPOLIS – Secretary of State Diego Morales is urging Hoosiers to remain vigilant of phishing attempts currently circulating via email reported across the state. These phishing emails may appear official but are designed to mislead recipients into clicking on malicious links or sharing sensitive information. These messages are not legitimate and appear to come from a sender impersonating a state-affiliated source, such as “txtag” or other entities. Please be advised: Do not click on any links or attachments within these suspicious emails. Delete the message immediately. We are working diligently with the State Office

BEVERLY SHORES, Ind., -- Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a fisherman discovered a body in the water Saturday morning approximately 2 miles offshore from Central Beach on Lake Michigan. Shortly after 8 a.m., officers arrived on the scene and found the body of an unidentified person. Due to the condition of the body, the person appears to have been missing for an extended period of time. The person was wearing red and black plaid pajama pants, black socks, and there was a unique ring on the right index finger. Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body with assistance from the

La Porte—Kingsford Heights Elementary School and the Kesling Campus, made up of Kesling Intermediate and La Porte Middle School, have successfully completed their Project ADAM heart-safe certification process and have become officially designated as Heart-Safe Schools. The certification process culminated today with comprehensive heart-safe drills conducted at both locations in cooperation with local emergency services. These certifications significantly advance the district's commitment to student, staff, and visitor safety. Project ADAM certification ensures schools can respond effectively to cardiac emergencies through comprehensive emergency response programs, staff training, and the proper placement and maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The Heart Safe

The traffic configuration schedule for U.S. 20 between C.R. 250 E and Oak Knoll Rd has been updated. Starting today, the right outside lane is closed in each direction. No left turns are permitted through the work zone, including at county road intersections and driveways. Around early July (if not sooner), the eastbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic and the westbound lanes closed for the next phase of construction. This project will be ongoing through late November.

Chesterton, IN – On Friday, May 9, the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Duneland School Corporation, hosted its annual 8th Grade Reality Check at Liberty Middle School—an impactful and interactive event that prepares local students for real-world financial decision-making. Over 480 8th graders from Liberty Middle School, Westchester Middle School, Discovery Charter School, and St. Patrick’s Catholic School participated in the program. Students experienced a hands-on simulation designed to show how their performance in school today will directly affect their quality of life in the future. The event was made possible thanks to the support of more

MONTICELLO, Ind. – Gov. Mike Braun and Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor Thursday joined local officials from across northwest Indiana in Monticello to present awards for INDOT’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program. More than $200 million in state matching funds were announced for 245 Indiana cities, towns, and counties in March. “Ensuring Indiana’s infrastructure is consistently improved and maintained is crucial for Hoosiers in every part of our state,” said Gov. Braun. “Investment in local communities is critical to enhancing quality of life and public safety.” Communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects

This past Friday Valpo Parks celebrated the opening of the Byron Smith III Sports Complex at Fairgrounds Park.  The new highlight is part of the rePLAY initiative which is investing $10 million in 10 Valpo parks citywide, enhancing accessibility, safety and infrastructure while adding sustainability.  To learn more about all the rePLAY upgrades, visit bit.ly/ValpoParksrePLAY.

The Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department says there are two Park Parties going on Saturday May 31st. From 11-1 the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated playground at Water Tower Park will kick off first on the East Side of town. This event is combined with Mayor Angie’s last Move with the Mayor program. Then on the West Side of town at Pullman field there will be a Summer Kick Off for the kids from 1-4pm. See more details on the flyers for the events.

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer travel, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is preparing to step up patrols to crack down on seat belt usage. From May 17 through May 31, deputies will participate in a national campaign to promote safe driving habits, including seat belt usage. “To kick off the summer travel season, it’s critical to remind all motorists that wearing a seat belt is not just the law; it’s something that can save your life,” said Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Our goal is simple – we want everyone

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN—As part of a planned leadership transition, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has officially begun the search for the next President & CEO. The position is now publicly posted by Kittleman & Associates, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit CEO and Executive Director searches. This follows Unity’s January announcement that founding President Maggi Spartz will retire at the end of 2025. Unity committed to keeping the community informed throughout the leadership transition, and this update marks the next step in that process. The incoming President & CEO will lead a well-established, respected organization with

This past Tuesday the Chesterton Park Board held the last municipal meeting ever in a town hall. The remodel of both the meeting room and the fire station is expected to be completed in early 2026. The Town of Chesterton says at the moment, it would appear that most municipal meetings will be held in the Baugher Center (the former Library Service Center), 100 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. "But already there will be two notable exceptions," the Town of Chesterton said on its Facebook page. *The Town Council will hold a special meeting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, in

Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City made the BIG TIME NEWS by earning the 2025 U.S. News & World Report "Best in Senior Living" rankings with "Best Independent Living" and "Best Assisted Living" awards. Rittenhouse is honored for this prestigious recognition based entirely on feedback from the people who matter most, our residents and their families. The survey asked residents and family members about their satisfaction on the following categories of Community safety, care services, activities, management, staff, food, and more! Plus, Rittenhouse has earned the Reader's Choice Award as Best Retirement Community for 15 consecutive years! Experience the excellence firsthand at

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor LaPorte Construction Co., Inc. will close State Road 49 between C.R. 1050 S and C.R. 1125 S on or after Monday, May 12. State Road 49 will be closed through late June for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Reeves Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 8, U.S. 231 and State Road 10. This contract also includes three bridge projects on State Road 8 at Bessler Ditch in La Porte County and Cobb Ditch and Crooked Creek in Porter County that are

Check out Mayor Angie’s message on the power of movement and connection for mental health, and join them at any and all of the remaining Move with the Mayor events they have planned for Michigan City. ➤• Saturday, May 24 - Pullman Field - Stroke Prevention - Zumba with Gael ➤• Saturday, May 31 - Water Tower Park - Diabetes & High Blood Pressure - Taekwondo with Joe Lanning ➤• Saturday, June 14 - Michigan City Police Department Park - Mental Health, Diabetes medicines and testing supplies - Yoga and walking with Yolonda Ferrari All Move with the Mayor events