Local News

Congressman Frank J. Mrvan announced plans to move his Northwest Indiana office to 8001 Broadway, Suite 102, in Merrillville.  Congressman Mrvan’s Northwest Indiana office will be closed on Monday, February 3, and Tuesday, February 4, to accommodate the move, and will reopen at noon on Wednesday, February 5th.  The telephone, fax, and email addresses for the Northwest Indiana office will remain unchanged. Congressman Mrvan stated, “Our office’s top priority is to serve the people of Northwest Indiana, and it is my hope that this new office location will better accommodate all constituents and facilitate our services.” The contact information for

In just two years, Indiana students have improved to sixth in the nation in reading according to results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) rankings. This is the highest Indiana has ever ranked in fourth grade reading and follows the state’s historic investments in a number of comprehensive, strategic solutions aimed at helping more students learn to read. “Over the past three years, Indiana has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to solving our literacy crisis, and today we see that without a doubt, this work is making a difference,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “This new

SOUTH BEND – Adam Motheral, 50 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay. Motheral was sentenced to 228 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release.   According to documents in the case, between October 2023 and February 2024, Motheral sold four firearms and over 400 grams of high purity methamphetamine to buyers in Elkhart. A search of his residence resulted in the recovery

NIPSCO MARKS NATIONAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE DAY ON JAN. 31 Programs available to income-eligible customers MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — In observance of National Energy Assistance Day on Jan. 31, 2025, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) wants to remind customers of energy assistance programs available to those facing financial difficulties with energy bills or paying past-due balances. “Our priority is to ensure every customer has access to the energy they need to keep their home safe and warm during the cold winter months,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are here for you and want to work

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) finished second in the small-school category during the state round of CyberPatriot. CyberPatriot is a national high school competition in which students act as security managers of an organization’s virtual information system. They must defend against and then counterattack a cyber attack. Finalists compete in an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the national championship. “With so much attention currently being paid to Artificial Intelligence, CyberPatriot offers tremendous insight into a possible high-paying career with much job satisfaction,” said Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Marine Instructor.

CROWN POINT, Indiana -- Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a doula certification workshop over two weekends in March. Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula may help communicate a woman's birth plan, create a comfortable environment during delivery or simply provide the general support a family may seek during this pivotal time. A doula does not perform clinical tasks. The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point offers doula services to families free of charge via a volunteer doula program. The doula certification

The latest from Ott Haverstock Funeral Chapel in Michigan City   Rebecca S. Turner, 65, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 10:46 am in Franciscan Health - Michigan City.   A celebration of life gathering will be from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.   Contributions may be made to Michiana Humane Society, 722 Indiana Highway, 212 Michigan City, IN 46360.   To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com.

Animal kingdom is coming to the La Porte High School Performing Arts Center on Saturday February 8th, 4:00pm The LCSO explores how the sounds of the natural world inspire classical music in a fun, family-centered program of symphonic music. Featuring Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, and Australian composer Matthew Hindson’s Dangerous Creatures and led by Dr. Carolyn Watson, this concert will take you on a journey through the animal kingdom and beyond! An instrument AND animal petting zoo, plus special activities for children before and after the concert will make this concert an extra

Michigan City, IN –The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (chamber) announced Kristy Hahn as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter of 2024.  “I am honored to be awarded Ambassador of the Quarter!” stated Hahn. “Working closely with the chamber is such an enjoyable experience. I love welcoming new members and taking advantage of the incredible networking opportunities it provides.” The Ambassador of the Quarter is given to an individual who has shown dedication to the mission of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce by regularly attending chamber events, connecting with members through emails, calls, and in-person meetings,

Chicago, IL – The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is pleased to welcome Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and Michigan City, IN to its growing coalition of more than 260 mayors and top elected local leaders working to advance the ocioeconomic and environmental health of communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.   As a member of the Cities Initiative, Mayor Nelson Deuitch will work collaboratively with member mayors across the basin in the United States and Canada to: support ecosystem and source water protection; ensure that every resident has access to clean, safe, and affordable

STATEHOUSE – The Indiana House of Representatives advanced State Rep. Jim Pressel's (R-Rolling Prairie) legislation to enable counties to use mobile integrated health care programs for Hoosiers living in areas that lack medical providers. Mobile integrated health care is used by EMS providers to offer a wider range of medical services, such as chronic disease management and basic primary care, for Hoosiers living in rural areas who struggle to find adequate health care. According to a study from the University of Southern Maine, 46 of Indiana's 92 counties meet the definition of an "EMS desert," where residents live at least 25 minutes

Richard Whipple (Whipper) Gehr, 78, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN, with Rev. Keith McClellan officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9:00AM - 10:00AM, Saturday at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sharing Meadows Foundation, P.O. Box 400, Rolling Prairie, Indiana 46371, in Richard’s remembrance. To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our

On Monday, January 27, 2025 at the NPUSC monthly board meeting, the NPUSC Board of School Trustees passed a resolution opposing HB 1136 and HB 1501 that are currently being considered in committee. These bills will take away local control of schools and as a result disband the public school board and turn those school districts into Charter schools - people who do not live in our communities will be in charge of running our schools. At this time these bills would affect five school districts within Indiana which include two that are local to us - Tri-Township Consolidated Schools

Get in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit with the Duneland Chamber at the 10th Annual Corkscrew & Brew on Saturday, March 15, from 12 PM to 4 PM, in Chesterton’s scenic Thomas Centennial Park. This highly anticipated event will feature tastings from over 20 local breweries and wineries, DJ entertainment by Arrested Sounds, and fun games for attendees to enjoy. Food will also be available for purchase from Frankie’s Bangers and Leroy’s “Hot Stuff.” Guests are encouraged to explore nearby shops and restaurants before, during, and after the event. TEAM WIMS will be LIVE as well. A large heated tent will

Valparaiso, IN – Ivy Tech Community College CyberSecurity Program students are defending data fortresses and securing the byte world across variety of program and course offerings through the School of Information Technology in Porter County. Recently the college announced new partnership with Israeli based tech firm CyberProAI to help students train with dynamic interactive software, exercises, labs and military grade cyber attack simulators. Learners can expect hands on work with beneficial gains in real-life experience through participation in coursework with the college and through this new partnership. As the cyber landscape evolves, Ivy Tech’s programmatic approach aims to help students

There is an opening for an Executive Administrative Assistant-Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association-Michigan City, IN. Resume must be in by this Friday 1/31/2025. Job Summary: We are looking for an experienced Marketing Manager to develop and oversee the marketing strategies that drive brand awareness and customer engagement. The ideal candidate will be skilled in creating impactful campaigns, managing a marketing team, and collaborating with crossfunctional departments to achieve business goals. Key Responsibilities: Lead the daily operations of the organization by effectively monitoring grant applications and providing clear responses to inquiries regarding grants and tax credits, while managing budgeting processes efficiently.

ELKHART COUNTY HOMICIDE UNIT CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO DEADLY SHOOTING AT SUPERMARKET, SUSPECT DEAD January 27, 2025, was a tragic day in Elkhart County. Benjamin S. Jeffrey (49), and Annasue Rocha (19), both of Elkhart, were killed by a lone gunman at approximately 5:45 pm in the Martin’s Supermarket on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, Indiana. Miss Rocha was an employee of Martin’s. Mr. Jeffrey was a customer at the time of the gunman’s attack. Numerous shots were fired by the gunman inside the store, and several additional people were in significant danger as a result of his actions. The gunman

After being on the endangered species list and federally protected for many years, the bald eagle is making a comeback. They are also making their presence known here in La Porte County with numerous nests throughout the area. A bald eagle and an American eagle were spotted in eastern La Porte County Saturday morning feasting on the carcass of a dead deer. (Photos and story courtesy of Michael Kellems)

Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon announced today that the Indiana Sheriff’s Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. There will be approximately 40 - $750 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state. The Indiana Sheriff’s Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field. To qualify for one of these scholarships: • the applicant must

The Center for Creative Solutions today announced Northwest Indiana’s World Creativity & Innovation Week, April 15-21, 2025. The week’s theme is “Inspire! Action!” Every is invited to join the fun. Events for the annual celebration are designed to: ∙ To INSPIRE PEOPLE, the initiators of creative innovation and drivers of impactful change.∙ To INSPIRE CONNECTION, leading collaboration and group efforts creating thriving environments founded from creativity. ∙ And to INSPIRE ACTION, propelling creatives across the world to innovate with energy and purpose. “While the Center for Creative Solutions has hosted this celebration for the last 16 years, only with community