Local News

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have overnight lane closures on I-94 between U.S. 421 and U.S. 20/35 on or after Monday, March 31. Restrictions will begin with overnight left lane closures during the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., as well as day and night left shoulder closures. This will be ongoing for approximately one week for inlet cleaning, edge line removal and other pre-work for future work in this area. Construction work this year will include concrete patching along this stretch of I-94 and a bridge deck overlay on I-94 over

Put the Phone Away or Pay-LaPorte Police on the lookout for speeding and distracted driving Officers with the LaPorte Police Department are on high alert as they participate in an annual traffic safety campaign looking for people speeding or driving while distracted. Distracted driving and speeding caused over 17,000 thousand crashes across Indiana in 2024, resulting in 230 deaths. To help save lives, the LaPorte Police Department is participating in a traffic safety campaign from April 5 through April 19. During the campaign, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal

Consumers should check their eligibility for settlement money at AGGenericDrugs.com Attorney General Todd Rokita is calling on all Hoosiers to check their eligibility for compensation for certain generic drug purchases as Indiana joins 50 states and territories in seeking preliminary approval for a $39.1 million settlement with Apotex over conspiracy to inflate prices and limit competition. Attorney General Rokita and the multistate coalition previously announced the settlement in principle with Apotex last fall along with a $10 million settlement with Heritage Pharmaceuticals. At the time of that announcement, the settlement with Apotex was conditioned on the signatures of all necessary

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC will close the ramp from eastbound I-94 to southbound U.S. 6/State Road 51 on or after Monday, March 31. The ramp will be closed through the end of April as part of the U.S. 6/State Road 51 bridge replacement project over I-94. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will utilize the ramps at State Road 249.

Michigan City, IN  – The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) hosted its Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration on March 14th in the Stardust Room at Blue Chip Casino. This prestigious event recognized the accomplishments of chamber members, honoring legacy-owned businesses, milestone anniversaries, and outstanding contributions to the business community. The evening also featured the announcement of award winners in several distinguished categories: Large Business of the Year: Lakeshore Foods (Al’s Supermarkets) Small Business of the Year: Nature’s Cupboard Community Impact Award: Nest Community Shelter Young Professional of the Year: Karaline Cartagena Edwards, Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City Ambassador

The Town of Chesterton announced on their Facebook page that the intersection of West Porter Ave. and South Fifth Street will be completely closed  to traffic on Monday, March 31. In the course of repairing the sanitary sewer lateral serving the Trojan Learning Center Annex, 411 S. Fifth St., on Thursday a contractor discovered a failure in the actual sewer line itself at the northwest corner of the intersection, Chesterton Assistant Street Commissioner Dan Moy said. Repairing that failure will force the closure of the entire intersection on Monday. The following detours—one for each of the four directions of traffic—are

Maggi Spartz of Unity Foundation selected as the 2024 Paul J. Alinsky Award recipient Michigan City, Indiana March 27, 2025– Maggi Spartz, President of Unity Foundation of La Porte County, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Paul J. Alinsky Excellence Award, presented by the Rotary Club of Michigan City. This award is presented annually in honor of Paul Alinsky, a past Rotarian who passed away in 1997. It honors Alinsky’s commitment to innovation and leadership by recognizing those in the Michigan City community who demonstrate these traits through “Service Above Self.” Spartz was nominated by Marti Swanson,

The City of La Porte announced that a man suspected of armed robbery in La Porte has been arrested. This past Friday, members of the US Marshals located and arrested Lucas Conner in South Bend, Indiana on charges of armed robbery and criminal confinement. The charges are the result of a nearly year-long investigation following an armed robbery that occurred on La Porte’s west side. After an arrest warrant was secured law enforcement began actively searching for Conner. Police say Conner was taken into custody without incident. This marks the second arrest in connection to this case, with all suspects

Michigan City, IN – A large amount of stolen property has been recovered, and two Michigan City residents have been arrested following an investigation led by the La Porte County Drug Task Force, an Indiana-HIDTA Initiative. The arrests are a result of an ongoing investigation into Dealing in a Controlled Substance. On March 12 at around noon hours, the La Porte County Drug Task Force, Michigan City SWAT, and the Michigan City Detective Bureau executed a search warrant at 422 Hoyt St in Michigan City, Indiana. During the search of the residence, detectives observed miscellaneous tools that matched the description

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will reduce State Road 4 to one lane between C.R. 1000 E and Osborne Trail on or after Monday, March 31. Lane closures will alternate on State Road 4 at Miller Ditch, with traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals through late May. Crews will be conducting a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and

A suspected drug dealer fled from police, speeding through neighborhoods with a 1-year-old boy in his van Thursday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Police say 40-year-old Jarrell Ford was the subject of an investigation for the second time this year by the Lake County Sheriff’s Drug Task Force – Regional Enforcement Team. According to the LCSD, at around noon Thursday, police officers attempted to stop him for a traffic violation near his residence in the 7000 block of Polk Street in Merrillville, but he refused to stop. Police say Ford drove at a high rate of speed

News Release, Indiana DNR: The Great Lakes Park Training Institute (GLPTI) awarded its 2025 Richard Lawson Award to Carl Lindell, central region manager for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of State Parks. The award honors individuals who exemplify continued and significant contributions to the parks and recreation profession in the Great Lakes region. Lindell began his career in natural resources as a seasonal employee at Harmonie State Park while in college. After graduating, he became the park’s assistant manager. He has since served as Michigan DNR’s regional director, before returning to the Indiana DNR and his current

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- An 18-year-old from Illinois died in a one-vehicle crash in unincorporated Lowell, Indiana early Thursday morning, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to 231st Avenue & Colfax Street to respond to the crash at approximately 3:00 a.m. It’s believed the 18-year-old was driving a pickup west on 231st Avenue when his truck veered off the roadway.  The truck hit a culvert, went airborne, landed and rolled over.  The driver was ejected. The identity of the driver is being withheld until his family is notified. The

La PORTE, IN – The past year held many successes for the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association, according to Board President Mike Riehle. Formed in 2002, the La Porte UEA awards grants each year to local businesses and residents residing within the Urban Enterprise Zone. In 2024, the UEA was proud to award more than $110,000 to aid 13 business owners to improve the outward appearance of buildings within the zone. Riehle said these grants help to alleviate the financial burden for those small business owners that take pride in the appearance of their building. “Our board places high priority

The Starke County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a burglary and requesting the public's assistance in identifying the male and/or vehicle in photos the department has shared. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Justin McDaniel at (574) 772-3771 ext. 232, via email to jmcdaniel@starke.in.gov, or by calling the anonymous tip line at (574) 772-5958.

A man who allegedly used a baby as a “shield” during a standoff was arrested in unincorporated Gary. Police say what began as an armed domestic incident escalated into a tense hostage situation for a woman with three young children early Wednesday morning.  Police say the woman’s ex-boyfriend used her 15 month old as a human shield while barricading himself in her restroom. Just before 5 a.m., a 25-year-old woman called 9-1-1 to report her ex was armed with a handgun inside her apartment and had threatened to shoot her and police.  The woman stated she had a protective order

A Porter Township man was arrested on Wednesday morning on charges of sexual conduct in the presence of a minor and indecent exposure, the Valparaiso Police Department said. On March 26, at around 10:50 a.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the McDonald’s Restaurant, located at 2150 W. Morthland Dr., in reference to the report of a man committing a lewd act in a public place.  Upon arrival, police were advised the male subject was committing the indecent act alone, having exposed his genitalia to others within the play area of the restaurant.  The man had left the business prior to police

On Wednesday March 26 at approximately just before 2:45 a.m. a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a red SUV traveling in the wrong lane on Front Street in the City of Buchanan. The Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle by activating his emergency lights as the vehicle was turning southbound on South Redbud Trail. The vehicle failed to stop and continued south on Redbud Trail at a high rate of speed pulling away from the deputy. The driver lost control and went airborne as the vehicle crossed the railroad tracks causing him to strike a tree and then colliding with

The Ogden Dunes Police, along with other agencies helped rescue a stranded boater Tuesday on the shores of Lake Michigan. The boater became stranded on the beach due to windy conditions and rough waters, Ogden Dunes Police said. With help from the Burns Harbor Police Department, the Ogden Dunes Fire Department, and the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement, they were able to assist the boater and help them on their way.

La Porte Police are looking for 32-year-old Brandon Bernacchi is currently wanted by the La Porte Police Department on four active felony warrants. If you know the whereabouts of Bernacchi you are encouraged to provide tips(s) to the La Porte Police Department. Police are asking the public to contact Sgt. Adam Jaskowiak at (219-362-9446 ext: 2134) or ajaskowiak@lpcitypd.com. Police say you may remain anonymous.