Local News

Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) has announced changes in its board leadership. HFL is a nonprofit, independent, private foundation dedicated to empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well. Founded in 2016, HFL’s Board of Directors is comprised of 11 community members, who bring their varied expertise and skills to guide HFL’s mission. HFL has invested more than $36 million in health and wellness projects and programs in the La Porte County community since 2017. During the foundation’s holiday celebration event, Kathleen Lang was recognized and celebrated by the HFL Board of Directors and staff for her

The Indiana DNR is holding two public meetings in January to discuss the current Lake Michigan Chinook salmon stocking plan. The first meeting will be held on Friday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Michigan City Fish and Game Club, at 3091 E Michigan Blvd. in Trail Creek. The second is Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Indiana Harbor Yacht Club, 3301 Aldis Ave., in East Chicago. Indiana DNR recently announced that 275,000 Chinook salmon will be stocked in Lake Michigan annually starting in 2023, an increase from 225,000. During the meetings, Indiana DNR will also announce

The South Shore Line announced that all eastbound weekend trips will be free on Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18. Passengers should board weekend eastbound trains with no ticket purchase necessary Dec. 17-18. The SSL is asking riders to not activate mobile tickets for eastbound weekend trips. Passengers will be responsible for paying all applicable fares on weekend westbound trips on these days. Temporary busing to stations between Gary and Michigan City remains in effect. Click here for more information.

Andrew McIntyre will become Valparaiso’s next Chief of Police, announced Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy. “I’m pleased to have someone of Andrew McIntyre’s qualifications, experience and character to lead our Police Department. Public safety is top priority in Valparaiso and we’re confident that Andrew will uphold and advance the standards that have distinguished the Valparaiso Police Department,” said Murphy. McIntyre joined the VPD in 2009 and has served in every sworn division, including investigations and patrol, currently serving as Captain of Investigations where he oversees the detective bureau, information and technology division, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group detectives and school resource officers.

The Inspiration Wood Wellness Center in Pine Township was destroyed by fire Tuesday morning, the Town of Chesterton announced via a report from the Chesterton Fire Department. The CFD was one of nearly a dozen departments which assisted the Pines FD at the scene, located at 642 Inspiration Road, according to a Facebook posting from the Town of Chesterton. The fire was discovered at 9:29 a.m. by an aircraft pilot checking pipeline for Enbridge Inc., who saw “flames and smoke showing” and on circling the scene reported that the building appeared to be unoccupied, CFD Chief Eric Camel said. The

Valentin Drezaliu, MD, a board-certified obstetrics and gynecology physician, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Michigan City and is accepting new patients. Dr. Drezaliu completed his training at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania. His residency in obstetrics and gynecology was at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Va. His clinical interests are high-risk obstetrics, urogyn surgery, robotic surgery, healthy living and preventative medicine. Dr. Drezaliu also speaks Romanian and Spanish. The Franciscan Medical Pavilion is located at 3500 Franciscan Way, Suite 3C in Michigan City. For more information or to make an appointment, call (219) 861-8785.

Michigan City Police are investigating a report of a bank robbery that was found to be false. On Monday at around 4:30 p.m. officers were dispatched to Horizon Bank at 3631 Franklin Street for an armed robbery. Police converged to the location and were on scene in less than a minute. Officers set up a perimeter and made entry into the bank. Bank employees told police that “there was no robbery or anything of the sorts.” Officers on scene relayed the information that there was no robbery and started to investigate the false report. The incident is under investigation. The

The City of La Porte was recently honored for its efforts to make bicycling throughout the community safer and easier, according to Assistant City Planner David Heinold. The League of American Bicyclists designated La Porte as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community. Heinold said this recognition is a testament to the city’s commitment to offer resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. “The City of La Porte strives to create a welcoming environment for all people where bicycling is a major part of living an active and healthy lifestyle,” Heinold said.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW)  has announced that Rachel Clapp-Smith will serve as the Teddy Jacobi Dean of the College of Business, effective Jan. 3, 2023. Clapp-Smith was selected through a national search process. Clapp-Smith has served as interim dean of the PNW College of Business since February 2022. She oversees academic programs, faculty and operations in Managerial Studies, Quantitative Business Studies, the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the White Lodging Professional Selling Center, the Center for Business and Economic Development, and hosts the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center. “Dr. Clapp-Smith is a recognized authority in leadership

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana health and hospital officials are encouraging eligible Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) as soon as possible, as high levels of transmission are significantly impacting hospitals across the state. As of the week ending Dec. 3, Indiana has recorded 24 influenza deaths this season. In addition, the state’s first pediatric flu death of the season was recorded last week and will be reflected on the flu report posted on Dec. 16. No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws. “Like many states, Indiana is experiencing very high levels of flu activity right

Michigan City Area Schools students collected more than 3.5 tons of nonperishable food items during their district-wide food drive for The Salvation Army food pantry. In addition 917 books for Operation Bookworm. Knapp Elementary School took home the giant trophy again this year. Knapp collected 2,621 pounds of food, almost 7 pounds per student. Marsh, Coolspring, Krueger, MCHS, and Springfield all collected more than 1 pound per student. Coolspring Elementary School collected the most books for Operation Bookworm and will receive service hours from the MCHS National Honor Society as a prize. The MCHS Student Council organized the drive.

In Valparaiso, a portion of Washington Street will be closed for NIPSCO work to replace decorative light poles. The closure will include Washington Street from Monroe Street south to West Street on Dec. 14-15 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. Detours will be marked, and flaggers will be stationed at each end to allow local traffic to access the area.

The Valparaiso Police issued a community alert on Monday regarding financial scams. VPD stated the following: "Over the last few weeks, the Valparaiso Police have received several complaints of financial scams being utilized in the area. In multiple incidents, citizens are being asked to pay large sums of money to third parties in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, and mailed check payments, to protect themselves against hacked computer accounts or alleged illegal activities.  Often, the initial contact is made through computer applications that prompt a need for software services that provide false contact numbers to aid in correcting

A Domino’s delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday in Michigan City. Two suspects were arrested, Michigan City Police said. Just before 12:30 a.m., a 911 reported an armed robbery. Officers were dispatched to Domino’s Pizza to speak to the delivery driver who was reportedly robbed at gunpoint. The victim reported that he was delivering an order to the 700 block of Washington Street. He then encountered two males and began interacting with them. During the course of the interaction one of the males displayed a firearm and pointed it at the victim. The same suspect then removed property

The Board of Directors of Bolt for the Heart, the organization is thanking the cities of Michigan City and La Porte, Franciscan Health, The Play for Jake Foundation, ACME Communication, Horizon Bank and Peepers and all the walkers and runners for making the 4th annual Bolt for the Heart 5K and 10K walk / run on Oct. 29 a great success. “The turnout, venue, weather and enthusiasm was fantastic, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) stated. “Law enforcement teams from La Porte County were represented and led by La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd, Chief Steve Forker of

The following is a list of upcoming mobile food distributions by the Food Bank of Northern Indiana:   Tuesday, December 13, 2022 – Starke County 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. CT *While supplies last. WHERE: Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield St., Knox, IN 46534 *This is a USDA distribution and will serve 250 households.   Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – LaPorte County – Turkey Distribution Noon – 2 p.m. CT *While supplies last. WHERE: Kingsford Heights Community Center, 515 Wayland Rd., Kingsford Heights, IN 46346 *This distribution is provided by Beacon Health System and will provide turkeys for

A man with multiple warrants on charges was arrested after a police pursuit, according to Michigan City police. Thursday night around 11 p.m. officers were working a special Street Hawk patrol for gun violence and firearm offenses. An officer observed a GMC Sonoma had committed traffic infractions while following behind it, along the west side of the city.  The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Sonoma but the vehicle failed to stop and fled from police south out of the city limits, police said.  Officers continued to pursue the fleeing vehicle and notified surrounding agencies of the

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Michigan City were among five Franciscan Health hospitals to be recognized by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, for their commitment to infant and maternal health through the INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program. The recognition was announced Thursday at the IHA Labor of Love Summit in Indianapolis. INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals

Tickets are on sale now for the NIBC LaPorte Invitational on Jan. 5-7 at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. This three-day event features 10 of the best high school basketball programs in the nation, featuring 30 of ESPN’s top-ranked recruits. This is your chance to see the future all-stars of the NCAA and NBA, right here in the City of La Porte. Buy tickets at: www.viewstub.com/LaPorte-NIBC.

The Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife, Indiana DNR Law Enforcement and Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry are jointly encouraging hunters to donate deer to help feed those in need. Hunters donated  879 deer to help stop hunger in 2021. The organizations are hoping to make it to 900 donations this year. You can help reach this goal by donating your harvested deer to the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund to help hungry Hoosiers during the upcoming seasons. Last year’s donations provided 181,304 meals. That averages to 206 meals per donation. The Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund provides grants to Hoosiers Feeding the