Local News

Attorney General Todd Rokita invites Hoosiers to head on over to IndianaUnclaimed.gov and see what “egg-cellent” surprises you might find. You never know what the Easter bunny might bring to spice up your holiday. “My office is committed to returning unclaimed property to Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This Easter holiday is a perfect time to hop online and start searching for something every bunny will love.” While all states administer unclaimed property programs, Indiana is the only one where the attorney general oversees this function. Last year, Attorney General Rokita’s Unclaimed Property Division returned $48 million to Hoosiers, and you

A driver was arrested for OWI Friday morning after being over 5 times the legal limit. Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Friday morning, 911 callers contacted the post to report an erratic driver traveling northbound on I-65. Trooper Stancy and Trooper Runyon located the vehicle and were able to get the driver to stop near the 243 mile-marker (north of the Lowell exit). Police say that during the investigation, the driver could barely stand without falling over. Out of an abundance of caution, an ambulance was called and the driver was transported to a hospital for an evaluation.

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeff Balon announced Friday another graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command. Balon stated , “As Chief of Police, I consider it a vital part of my role to create and facilitate a viable succession plan for the Valparaiso Police Department (VPD).  This includes developing and mentoring future leaders of the department.   One of the ways the department does this is by sending potential leaders to Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command. This is a 10-week training course that teaches police officers, holding

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department recently welcomed the Steady Stitchers Sewing Group to its new “home” in the park facility at 1640 First St. The group, which is part of Purdue Extension Homemakers, takes in donations and makes items to donate to the less fortunate in the community. As part of the transition to operating the Activity Center for Older Adults, the department collaborated with other community partners to move the Steady Stitchers from the basement. The group celebrated the new location with its Lend-A-Hand Day Thursday, drawing dozens of volunteers to help with sewing projects.

LAPORTE COUNTY- The State Road 8 bridge over the Kankakee River, four miles east of La Crosse, will be closed for maintenance starting Monday at 7 a.m. State Road 8 will be closed between County Road South 600 West and State Road 39, at South 600 West., until June 22 at about 5:00 p.m. The Indiana Department of Transportation says motorists should use the official detour of U.S. 421 north to U.S. 30 east to State Road 39 south.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced it received approval on Friday from the Purdue University Board of Trustees to offer a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree. PNW plans to transition current undergraduates and welcome new students into the program during the 2022-23 academic year, pending approval by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. PNW students currently enrolled in the bachelor’s of Computer Information Technology degree, with a concentration in Cybersecurity, would be eligible to transition to the new Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Since 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) have jointly designated PNW

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said on a Facebook post Thursday that concerned citizens are reporting the arrival of "suspicious subjects" at their residences.   Police say, the unidentified males are telling homeowners they are affiliated with ADT Security Services. Police advise the public that “this bad acting duo” are not representatives of ADT and to not allow them inside your residence. 

To accommodate passengers attending Star Trek: Mission Chicago Thursday through Sunday (April 8-10), the South Shore Line will be offering select weekday train stops at McCormick Place Station on Friday, in addition to regular service to McCormick Place during the weekend. The following weekday trains will make special flag stops at McCormick Place on Friday, April 8: Note: Eastbound Trains 109, 113, 119, 121, 123 terminate at Carroll Ave.; Train 209 terminates at Gary Metro Center; Trains 9, 17 & 19 terminate in South Bend. * For other specific station stop times, please view the attached special timetables. All weekend trains

The Valparaiso Police Department is seeking the assistance in locating missing teen, Julian Rebeles, of Valparaiso. Julian is described as a 14-year-old male, 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair, and brown eyes. Rebeles was last seen at his home in Valparaiso by his family on March 12. Police say they “have indicators that he has left Valparaiso; however, may be with friends in the northwest Indiana or Chicagoland region.” Police are looking for any assistance that may lead to Julian’s location, past or present. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Melanie Sheets at 219-462-2135. Information

Vermont Oxford Network (VON) has awarded a “Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome” designation to Franciscan Health Crown Point. The award recognizes that at least 85 percent of the multidisciplinary care teams participating in “Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Collaborative: Improving Care to Improve Outcomes” completed universal training for care of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Infants born with NAS, a drug withdrawal syndrome caused by exposure to opioids while in utero, are more likely to have respiratory complications, feeding difficulty, low birthweights and extended hospital stays. Carrie Renschen, MSN, RNC-NIC, director of

Chesterton Fire Chief Eric Camel accepted a no-match Fire Safety Grant in the amount of $1,250 from Indiana American Water Company (IAWC) on Tuesday, according to the Town of Chesterton. Camel said that the department will dedicate the funds to its Community Risk Reduction Program. The program is an outreach focusing on the usage and upkeep of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as on slip and fall protection, particularly for seniors in Chesterton. More information on this story can be found on the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.

Update: Police have provided an update regarding the two suspects from Gary who are wanted in connection to a fatal shooting in Indianapolis: "Indiana State Police Detectives believe one of the suspects, Briean Brown Jr., drives a black 2006 Mercedes. The photo of Brown's vehicle from a traffic camera was provided to ISP by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Anyone with information about about either Briean Brown Jr. or Dawan Glenn Jr. is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS or online at www.crimetips.org."     Original story: Gary man arrested in connection fatal shooting, 2 others wanted Jasinto

Do you eat while you drive? Maybe you apply your makeup while behind the wheel? Be careful, Police will be looking for you during this one day crackdown event.   The La Porte County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is joining other law enforcement agencies across the country for a one-day targeted enforcement campaign to combat texting and other forms of distracted driving. On April 7, motorists can expect to see increased roving and high-visibility patrols by deputies on high-alert for hands-free violations.    According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 people, or more than 8%

Voters for a Green Indiana (VGI) released its Green Voters Guide for the 2022 primary election. The non-partisan guide is for Hoosiers who want to vote for candidates who accept climate science and will help Indiana transition to clean energy. Recent polls, including one in the Indy Star, show Republican, Independent and Democratic voters support climate action, clean energy and net metering over the economy. Reports show the impacts of climate change are accelerating and getting worse. In February, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its latest report, highlighting the causes, impacts, and possible solutions to climate change. It is a call to governments and the private sector to take action against

Indiana’s first free fishing day of the year is May 1. Indiana residents do not need a fishing license to cast a line and get out on the water on these special days.  There are many free, publicly accessible fishing spots throughout Indiana. Check out the “Where to Fish” page on the DNR’s website to find your next fishing spot.

A Gary man has been arrested and two other men are wanted in connection to a fatal shooting that occured in on I-465 in Indianapolis back in December. On December 13, 2021 at 3:30 a.m. Troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to a shooting that occurred on I-465 southbound at the 15.3 mile maker, near Crawfordsville Road. The victim, 28-year-old Miguel Emery was shot and killed while driving a car on I-465, another adult male in his vehicle was wounded. Since the incident, detectives from the Indiana State Police have been examining evidence and following leads. Earlier in the

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter is hosting a free, in-person Research Updates program at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Michigan City Tuesday, April 19 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The program will include information about the latest facts and figures regarding Alzheimer's and other dementias, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors and why early detection and diagnosis are important. Attendees will learn about biomarkers, why they are needed and some of the ways biomarkers are used in dementia research. Those attending will also hear about the latest advances in clinical trials, treatments and lifestyle interventions. Registration for the Research Updates

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Education today announced the four members of the 2022 Governor’s STEM Team, which honors outstanding high school students for their exceptional efforts and accomplishments in science, technology, engineering or math.  “Just as careers in science, technology, engineering and math are continuing to grow rapidly across Indiana, so is the innovation led in Indiana classrooms,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The students selected this year for our STEM Team represent the next generation of Hoosier innovators, as they’re each already using their scientific and technical knowledge to make an incredible impact in their communities.”