Local News

Press release, Duneland Exchange Club: Chesterton, IN – Chesterton High School senior Sam Macker has been named the Duneland Exchange Club’s Youth of the Month. He is the son of Ann and Nicholas Macker. Sam has had a diverse and well-rounded experience at CHS. Athletically, he was a varsity goalkeeper for the Trojans' soccer team, earning the Mental Attitude Award this past season. He has also dedicated his time as a volunteer coach at the CHS Youth Soccer Camps for the past four summers. Additionally, Sam is a member of Chesterton’s Unified Track and Field team. Beyond athletics, Sam is

‘The group helps you remember we’re not alone’ Franciscan Health offering cancer support groups in multiple Northwest Indiana locations CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Thomas Elliott knows some men don’t like to share their feelings, but when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer, he knew he needed a compassionate ear. “You have to talk about it, especially if you get depressed” the 73-year-old Crown Point man said. “We all go through our moments, but having someone to talk to makes a big difference.” That’s when the Vietnam War-era U.S. Air Force veteran started attending the free monthly Cancer Support

The DNR Division of Law Enforcement is welcoming their newest K-9 recruits. The 2025 Indiana Conservation Officers K-9 School started this week with two return handlers and three new handlers. For the next several weeks, they will hone their skills in tracking, wildlife detection, and article/evidence search. The DNR Division of Law Enforcement Facebook page will update their progress. (Group photo pictured from L to R) Jake Carlisle and K-9 Susie, Jon Cook and K-9 K.T., Draven Browning and K-9 Sadie, Keith Wildeman and K-9 Teddy, Connor Christman and K-9 Gunny

On Tuesday at around 10:24 a.m., Deputies Ken Etchison and Josh Smith responded to the area of Wozniak Road and Surrey Lane regarding a verbal altercation between a motorist and a  27-year-old flagger of a service company performing work in the area.  The vehicle left the area following the altercation. A Flock Safety camera captured an image of the suspect vehicle traveling within the city limits of La Porte.  Sergeant L. Scott Boswell located the vehicle in downtown La Porte.  A traffic stop was initiated a short time later and the vehicle stopped in the parking lot of McDonald’s on

Yesterday at approximately 1:52 PM, a Highway Interdiction Deputy was monitoring westbound traffic on the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) near the 52-mile marker. The deputy observed a black Jeep sport utility vehicle (SUV) pass by him traveling less than one (1) car length behind a commercial motor vehicle in the westbound driving lane. In the area of the 42-mile marker, the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the SUV. The SUV began to yield to the right but suddenly accelerated and continued westbound. As a result of the driver’s actions, a motor vehicle pursuit (MVP) was initiated. The

The Town of Chesterton announced on its Facebook page Tuesday that the LaPorte District of the Indiana Department of Transportation acceded to the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s request to conduct a safety study of U.S. 20. Council Member Jim Ton, R-1st—who sits on NIRPC’s Executive Board —made the announcement at the Chesterton Town Council Monday night. “We were able to prevail upon the Indiana Department of Transportation, LaPorte District Commissioner, to approve our request for a safety study of U.S. 20 and initiate it immediately,” Ton reported. “That was last Thursday. That safety study will extend in Chesterton on

La Porte County Health Department (LPCHD) has announced funding opportunities to the community thanks to the Health First Indiana Funds. This funding allows the LPCHD to annually award contracts to an individual, employer, employer association, nonprofit organization, for-profit organization, institutions of higher education, health ministry, or any combination thereof for the purpose of providing core public health services to La Porte County residents. Financial assistance is allocated to protect and promote the health of all people in communities within the jurisdiction of the LPCHD to support identified gaps in core public health service delivery. Visit their website for more information

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) competed in a military drill and shooting competition at Concordia High School in Fort Wayne on Saturday, February 22. The cadets represented Michigan City well in a very competitive meet, with top schools from the Indianapolis and Chicago metropolitan areas in attendance. “We drilled the best we have this year,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “With the top quality schools that were here today, there was not much room for error. Still, our cadets showed the type of top-quality students we have at MCHS.”

The City of Michigan City announced on Tuesday afternoon that a water main break had occurred at Barker and York, and the Water Department was working to fix it. The City also announced that White Oak Drive will be closed today (Wednesday, Feb. 26) while the Sanitary District works to fix a sewer issue.

CROWN POINT,  Ind. – Board-certified gastroenterologist Muhammad Kudaimi, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Kudaimi attended medical school at Damascus University in Damascus, Syria and completed his residency and fellowship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Kudaimi’s clinical interests include biliary pancreatic diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease and screening and therapeutic colonoscopies. In addition to English, Dr. Kudaimi is fluent in Arabic, French and Spanish. He is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Specialty Center, 12750 Saint Francis Drive, Suite 410 in Crown Point. To make an appointment,

At approximately 1:05 this morning, police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched two a two-vehicle crash in the 11400 block of Wicker Avenue in unincorporated Lake County just south of St. John. The crash involved a Dodge Ram pickup truck and a semi. When officers arrived, it was determined the driver of the pickup was deceased. He was identified as 31-year-old Ryan Perez, a police officer with the Munster Police Department for approximately 3 to 4 months after transferring from a police department in Illinois. Officer Perez was off duty; driving his personal vehicle at the time

The City of Portage announced temporary lane closures on Crisman Road between Rt. 20 and Houston Avenue beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26 through Friday, Feb 28 from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Manhole replacements will be taking place. Refer to the maps for details.

News release, Ninth Coast Guard District Public Affairs: The Coast Guard urges the public to exercise caution around icy waters as temperatures fluctuate across the Great Lakes region. Temperature fluctuations have impacts on the structural integrity of the ice and could pose safety concerns for those planning to recreate on or near ice and cold water. Warmer air temperatures will cause frozen waters to melt at an alarming rate and may cause misperceptions about Great Lakes water temperatures, which will remain dangerously cold, posing safety concerns for anyone venturing onto the lakes. Ice is unpredictable and the thickness can vary,

La Porte, IN – The La Porte City Park Foundation is excited to announce the inaugural Earth Day 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, taking place on Saturday, April 26. This exciting new event will benefit the La Porte City Park Foundation and help support park improvements and environmental initiatives in the community. The race will feature a beautiful 5K course, looping around Clear Lake with an out-and-back section on the Chessie Trail, offering participants stunning views of La Porte's natural landscape. The start and finish will be located at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater, providing a perfect setting for the event.

Hoosiers are reminded that when they see, hear or learn about someone illegally stealing wildlife, known as poaching, there’s an easy way to alert authorities – the Turn in a Poacher (TIP) program. DNR manages wildlife for everyone, and every person can help TIP support DNR efforts by reporting potential violations at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or tip.IN.gov. Doing so will help conserve wildlife for future generations. If your “TIP” leads to an arrest, you may receive as much as a $500 reward, or you can remain anonymous if you choose. In 2024, TIP received nearly 1,025 tips and paid thousands of

A motorist lost his life this morning, Monday, Feb. 24, in a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 20 and North Brummitt Road, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police is reporting. “Identification of the deceased driver will be made at a later time pending notification of next of kin,” the PCSP said. According to the PCSP, at 8:58 a.m. the motorist was westbound on U.S. 20 in a pickup truck when he passed a slower moving vehicle. For an unknown reason, while passing in the left lane, he crossed the center line and struck head on a semi-tractor trailing eastbound

Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Dyer both ranked in the top 10% of qualified inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the Netsmart Technologies, Inc. UDSMR® database. The database tracked patients discharged between October 2023 and September 2024 from 886 inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The goal of the ranking is to recognize high-performing facilities for their delivery of effective, efficient, timely, quality, patient-centered care. “I’m proud of the work of the inpatient rehabilitation staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Dyer for achieving this distinction,” said Nancy Cutler RN, MS, director of rehabilitation services and program development for Franciscan Health’s

MICHIGAN CITY – Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch invites the public to attend her 2025 State of the City address on March 4 at the Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St, where she’ll discuss what’s happened since she took office just over a year ago – and what’s coming up next for Michigan City. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The address will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 10 a.m. Coffee will be available, and there is no cost to attend. “As the city grows, this administration continues to evolve with it,” the mayor said. “We’ve worked hard

In Portage, Samuelson Road between Central Avenue and Robbins Road will be closed to all traffic on Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00pm (weather permitting) for a sanitary tie-in. The City of Portage is asking the public to use alternate routes.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Tryon Meadow would mix townhomes, single-family homes and rentals in one workforce housing community on 39 acres with frontage on Tryon Road. The proposed development, a joint venture between Sloane Avenue Group and Redstone Group, has been approved by the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission. “The economic development agreement paves the way for site work to begin this summer with 218 total units that are near Shady Creek Winery and allow for easy access to downtown Michigan City and the Interstate,” said Managing Member John Kavchak. The proposed project blends rentals and for-sale units. Development plans include eight buildings on