News

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) announced the appointment of Jared Coller as education manager. Coller will begin the newly created position effective June 5. Coller is currently the band director of Rensselaer Middle and High Schools as well as a percussion section member of the LCSO. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University and is an endorsing artist with Artifact Percussion and Soultone Cymbals. “Jared will bring a passion for music education to this position,” stated LCSO Executive Director, Tim King. “His experience as an educator as well as his vast network of contacts in the region will

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Two of Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) graduate programs were recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best Graduate Programs rankings, released Tuesday, April 25. PNW’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, offered by the College of Nursing, was ranked No. 100 nationally in the Best Nursing Master’s Programs category. PNW’s MSN offers advanced nursing practices and clinical training to gain additional skills and qualifications for the healthcare field, such as its Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist concentrations. “Our position in the rankings represents the

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that in Lake and Porter counties, U.S. 231 will be resurfaced between I-65 and State Road 2 starting on or after Monday, May 1. U.S. 231 will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic in the area where work is occurring. The project will be ongoing through late August.

The #LCSO is investigating the theft of approximately 60 feet of guardrail from along a roadway in rural Hanna Township. During the morning of April 24th, employees from the La Porte County Highway Department discovered three sections of guardrail missing from along CR 400 West near CR 1650 South. The three sections, each 20 feet in length, have a total value of approximately $2,500. If anyone has information related to this theft investigation, please contact Detective Austin Howell (ahowell@lcso.in.gov).

On Tuesday May 2nd, most City offices, including City Hall and non-emergency City Operations will be closed for Election Day. There will be no interruption in Transit services as they will be operating their normal schedule. The Refuse Department will be closed for the day, when trash pickup will resume on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 and will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week.

The Michigan City Police Department was made aware of a telephone hoax that is currently taking place in town as well as the greater LaPorte County area. Based on what we know thus far, the caller is portraying himself to be a Michigan City Police Officer and informing the call recipient to come to the police station to obtain a subpoena that has been issued for them or to surrender themselves at the police station because a judge has ordered them held in jail. This is a complete hoax and the MCPD does not conduct business in this manner. The

April Wilson, a longtime Duneland Schools bus driver, is the 2023 Employee of the Year. The honor—which comes with a $500 stipend—is sponsored by Ellis Electric Inc. Wilson, a 1994 CHS graduate, has worked as a bus driver for the Duneland School Corporation (DSC) for 20 years. She joined DSC in 2003 as a substitute driver and in 2006 was hired as a full-time driver. In addition, Wilson has juggled several jobs outside of DSC, as a school bus driver for the Dunes Learning Center in Porter (2016-20) and as the head cook at Discovery Charter School (2010-19). April recalls

Center for Creative Solutions, Inc.® Announces A. K. Smith Career Center Scholarships and Student Innovation Awards during World Creativity and Innovation Week Keeping with tradition, the Center for Creative Solutions ushered in World Creativity and Innovation Week by honoring innovative students at the A. K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City. Last week, 15 students were recognized for their creative projects and products, academic performance, and ‘can do’ attitudes. “When we joined this international celebration 15 years ago, we wanted to highlight the places in our community where creativity was alive and well. The A. K. Smith Career Center was

During an awards ceremony held April 19, Superintendent Douglas G. Carter announced the 2022 Indiana State Police Ralph Ray Reed Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year is Motor Carrier Inspector H. Lee Wright from the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Lee Wright is a 43-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.  He began his state police career on September 14, 1979, as a motor carrier inspector (MCI) and was later appointed as a trooper on July 5, 1980.  He retired as a trooper on February 7, 2019, after 39 years, retiring as a sergeant in the aviation section.  Immediately after his

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter announced the recipient of the 2022 Indiana State Police Dispatcher of the Year Award. Julia C. Montano was presented with the award Wednesday at the Indiana State Police annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Julie is a dispatcher at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center which dispatches calls to troopers in both the Lowell and Lafayette Districts. “This award recognizes Julie’s technical expertise, calm demeanor during high-priority dispatches and non-emergency calls for service while maintaining operations support for troopers and other first responders,” ISP said. “The Dispatcher of the Year exemplifies strength of character, a

Two roadwork projects will soon begin on State Road 912 between U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue and Ridge Road resulting in alternating lane closures and changing traffic configurations through the fall. Pavement replacement will take place between U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue and U.S. 12 starting on or after Monday, April 24. Work will begin with shoulder strengthening under lane closures for future phases. Alternating lane closures and ramp closures will be needed during construction. Concrete pavement restoration and bridge deck overlay projects will take place between Ridge Road and 169th Street starting on or after Wednesday, April 26. State Road 912 will be

A 63-year-old Schererville swimming pool contractor is facing felony charges for allegedly bilking Lake County homeowners out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on Friday..  Property owners are accusing Michael Nanay of accepting “hefty” deposits to install in-ground swimming pools; but say he left dangerous, gaping holes in their yards and never finished the work, according to police. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. launched an investigation finding at least 5 property owners in Dyer, Crown Point and Schererville who say Nanay and his company, MAD Pools engaged in a

Merrillville based Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), has announced Orville Cocking as Senior Vice President of Gas Operations – effective May 8. “With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Orville brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the NIPSCO gas operations team,” said NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer, Mike Hooper. “Orville is highly respected as an energy leader and will be instrumental in shaping the future of NIPSCO in gas distribution operations, construction, regulatory policy and compliance.” Cocking most recently joins NiSource from Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) where he was Vice President of Operations with responsibility

The Chesterton Police Department is participating in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s Prescription Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The DEA launched the semiannual Takeback Day for the purpose of making it easy for folks to dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications. “Medicines that languish in homes are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse,” the DEA says. “Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as is the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses from these drugs.” Enter from North Eighth Street and simply

Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter announced the recipient of the 2022 Indiana State Police Dispatcher of the Year Award. Julia C. Montano was presented with this prestigious award Wednesday at the Indiana State Police annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Julie is a dispatcher at the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center which dispatches calls to troopers in both the Lowell and Lafayette Districts. This award recognizes Julie’s technical expertise, calm demeanor during high-priority dispatches and non-emergency calls for service while maintaining operations support for troopers and other first responders. The Dispatcher of the Year exemplifies strength of character, a strong

INDOT has announced that State Road 39 will be closed between State Road 10 and C.R. W 500 S on or after Tuesday, April 25 for a culvert replacement through mid-May. The structure is at the north junction of State Road 39 and State Road 10 so State Road 10 will have a lane closure at this location with stop lights directing traffic. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour for the State Road 39 closure will follow State Road 10, U.S. 35 and State Road 8.  

Press release by Michigan City Chamber of Commerce: The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (chamber) announced Pia Parrott as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the First Quarter of 2023. “I love being a part of the Michigan City Chamber, everyone on the team wants to see businesses grow and thrive! We are a fun group who all bring different ideas to how we can support our members” stated Parrott. 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

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 6. A total of 889 candidates have completed plans of study in PNW’s academic colleges of Business; Engineering and Sciences; Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Nursing; and Technology. Honors College graduates who have completed enriched multidisciplinary academic opportunities, leadership engagement and community service will be recognized. Graduating seniors with the highest grade point average from each academic college will be presented a Chancellor Medallion by PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon. The candidates include 755 earning their baccalaureate

Representatives from Franciscan Health, Bolt for the Heart and the Play for Jake Foundation presented a total of 40 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Michigan City Police Department, City of La Porte Police Department and the La Porte County Sheriff's Office to be placed in patrol vehicles at Franciscan Beacon Hospital Wednesday. Now all La Porte City, La Porte County, and Michigan City Police officers will have one in their patrol vehicles. The AEDs were purchased with funds generated by the Bolt for the Heart Hallowrun race this past October in Michigan City, sponsored by Franciscan health Michigan City.

In La Porte, Truesdell Avenue from McClung to Hoelocker will be closed beginning next week. The closure is for ‘critical’ road construction improvements. The City of La Porte says residents looking to enter Fox Park to visit the baseball field, skate park, etc. may do so at the North park entrance off of McClung Road. An estimated end date was not announced.