Local News

News release by Franciscan Health: MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Robert Korsch, DO, a Franciscan Physician Network urological surgeon at Franciscan Health Michigan City, has been named a Center of Excellence physician by Boston Scientific. The designation recognizes Dr. Korsch’s work with the GreenLight Laser Therapy procedure in treating patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), more commonly known as enlarged prostate. GreenLight Laser Therapy is an outpatient procedure that uses laser technology to remove overgrown prostate tissue and rapidly restore natural urine flow, often within 24 hours of the procedure. The procedure has been used successfully on more than 1 million

In a joint statement from the La Porte County Family YMCA Board of Directors and CEO, Laurie A. Halaska, an  announcement was made that shared Halaska is stepping down from her position, effective September 9th. “I have been honored to be a representative for our La Porte YMCA.  My passion for the Y’s mission combined with the legacy and support of our La Porte Y has made the past five years a true gift,” Halaska said in the release. “This was a very difficult decision for me; however, I have other pursuits which require my commitment and I believe it

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office will be having their Annual Vehicle Auction on Friday, September 29. Lestinsky Auctioneers will be the auctioneer this year. The event will begin with registration starting at 9:00 am and the auction commencing at 10am - Rain or Shine. The location of the event is 2053 Heavilin Road in Valparaiso, IN.

The Michigan City Police Department is looking for members of the community who would like to experience the inner workings of what it is like to be a police officer. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., they will be sponsoring an opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Department. The Michigan City Police Department Citizen's Police Academy (MCCPA) brings the police and the community together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant. Academy Participants will receive three hours of training,

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grant, which provides funding to support the rehabilitation of sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Indiana’s historic places represent an important part of our Hoosier identity,” said Beth McCord, director of the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology. “Through this grant, we can infuse funds to preserve more of our history for future generations.” Grants can support architectural and historical projects, archaeological projects, and acquisition and development (rehabilitation) projects. In order to be eligible for a grant, applicants must

In Portage, there will be lane closures on Swanson Road between Stone Avenue and U.S. 6 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., today, Tuesday, Sept. 5. Contractors will be taking soil borings within existing lanes of traffic. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic.  

The Center for Creative Solutions named Michigan City’s Carmen Navarro from La Lumiere School the first La Porte County Youth Poet Laureate as part of Thursday’s (August 31, 2023) La Porte Arts-in-the-Park program. The honor was funded in memory of Attorney Barbara Friedman through the La Porte County Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Photo #1: Carmen Navarro, first Youth Poet Laureate of La Porte County, reading her poem at the La Porte Arts-in-the-Park program last Thursday. Photo #2: Carmen Navarro, first Youth Poet Laureate of La Porte County (middle) with Jamie Miller of the Unity Foundation of La Porte

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Friday announced that software used by managed care entity CareSource experienced a security breach that exposed protected health information of some Indiana Medicaid members. The names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, gender, medical conditions, diagnoses, medications, allergies, health conditions, member ID and plan name of 212,193 members of Indiana Medicaid who are part of a CareSource managed care plan may have been exposed in the breach. The breach occurred in the MOVEit application used by CareSource. The MOVEit application breach affected companies and organizations worldwide and occurred in late

September is National College Savings Month, and Governor Eric Holcomb has highlighted the importance of saving for education with a Proclamation establishing September 2023 as College Savings Month in Indiana. To celebrate, one individual will be selected to win a $10,000 account deposit in the CollegeChoice 529 Education Sweepstakes. To enter the Sweepstakes, individuals 18 years of age or older must complete the entry form available at www.collegechoicedirect.com/september by 11:59 p.m. on September 30, 2023. The winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries to receive a $10,000 CollegeChoice 529 account deposit. “College Savings Month in Indiana is a

Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in August. This is the time to take advantage of opportunities available for those who purchased these recalled items.  “Starting a family can be a joyous and scary time for parents,” Attorney General Rokita said. “You shouldn’t have to worry if your new baby is safe and if the items they’re using are defective or could cause you or your family harm. If you purchased one of the recalled products, stop using it immediately and pursue resolution from the manufacturer immediately.”   According to the

The City of La Porte and 39 North Conservancy District announced' Friday that agreement had been reached on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) providing for the City to purchase and operate the district's water and sewer system as part of the city's annexation effort north of the city. Conservancy District Board President Mark Childress indicated his board approved the MOU unanimously at a meeting of the Conservancy District this morning with the City expected to follow suit at next week's City Council and Board of Works meetings. Said Childress, "Negotiations really intensified after a meeting between the city and district

A 62-year-old driver from Lowell was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries Thursday after a crash involving an SUV and a dump truck northwest of Lowell, in West Creek Township. At about 6:17 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were dispatched to U.S. 41 and 157th Avenue for a report of a traffic accident.  A preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the SUV was headed north on U.S. 41 when she attempted to turn left or make a U-turn at 157th Avenue.  The SUV turned in front of an oncoming dump truck.  The truck struck the passenger door

Calumet Avenue will close between County Road East 700 North and Meska Road on or after Tuesday, Sept. 5 through late October. The closure is for a bridge deck overlay project over State Road 49. The official detour will follow U.S. 6, Meridian Road and Burlington Beach Road.

At the request of Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter, the following press release has been issued and is being shared via the Indiana State Police Public Information Office: (Crown Point, IN – August 30, 2023) The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office has requested the Indiana State Police to investigate the recent deaths of multiple canines in Lake Station, Indiana. This case originated on July 27, 2023, when numerous canines were discovered in the back of a box truck traveling from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to a training facility in Michigan. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact

The Double Track Northwest Indiana Project (DT-NWI) is under construction. The project team has information to share about the next steps for the area. Important Dates: Final Project Completion: May 2024 (This will include 14 new weekday trains every weekday.) Completion of Segment from Michigan City to Dune Park: Estimated early autumn 2023 (At that time, our busing will change to run from Dune Park to Gary Metro until project completion.) “We look forward to welcoming everybody back to our new, massively improved railroad soon,” NICTD stated. “In the meantime, please be cautious at grade crossings and keep a safe

On Monday Sept. 4, City Hall and non-emergency City Operations will be closed for observance of Labor Day. The transit system will also be closed for the holiday. The Refuse Department will also be closed on Monday. Trash and compost pickup will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 5, and the normal pickup day will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. They will be collecting Friday’s trash pickup Saturday.  

Michigan City, IN – The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce will host its annual “Inspiring Women” luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2023, at the Westville campus of Purdue Northwest. Presented by PNC Bank, this annual event is an opportunity to recognize accomplished and successful women for their contributions to their community, the economy, and their selected career fields. Since 2011, industry leaders from various backgrounds have participated as speakers and panelists, sharing their career journeys and inspiring words with attendees. This year’s featured guest is Heather Ennis, President, and CEO of the Northwest Indiana Forum,

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the next step in building a statewide electric vehicle charging network with the release of the first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for candidate electric vehicle fast charging sites along Indiana’s Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). Through the federal program, Indiana is expected to receive nearly $100 million over five years to expand the state’s charging network. The NOFO provides the opportunity for potential owner-operators to submit applications for NEVI funds to build out EV charging stations at designated sites along Indiana’s

To show appreciation and to say thank you for their service to the community, the South Shore Line (SSL) is inviting all doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, other medical personnel, and law enforcement to ride the train free of charge Saturday, September 9, through Wednesday, September 13, 2023, on all Westbound and Eastbound weekday and weekend trains. To ride free, medical and law enforcement personnel must only present a valid work ID to SSL train personnel that shows they are employed at a hospital, doctor’s office, medical facility, fire department, police station, prison, or aforementioned related agency. Law enforcement encompasses

Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) Wednesday announced that over 40,000 students have been automatically enrolled in the 2027 cohort in the 21st Century Scholars program. Automatic enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program was a key item on the Governor’s 2023 Next Level Agenda to help increase educational attainment. Created in 1990, the 21st Century Scholars program is nationally recognized and one of Indiana’s keys to narrowing gaps in educational attainment. The scholarship covers up to full tuition and fees at Indiana colleges and universities for students from low-income backgrounds. The Commission estimates over