News

Application Available Through PCCF VALPARAISO, IND. — The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is available in Porter County through the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF). Three students will receive the scholarship beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) awards may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program, administered statewide by Independent

Join the La Porte County Family YMCA at their Andrew Avenue Outdoor Complex for a fun and FREE Back to School Bash for children ages 5 to 12 in our community! The Y says this special event will include school supply giveaways to help kids start the year off strong. Space is limited and pre-registration is required—each child must be registered separately to attend. 5:30PM-7:30PM Friday August 7th Andrew Ave Outdoor Complex 1400 Andrew Ave La Porte, IN 46350 This is a FREE event open to the community! https://bit.ly/3SnUJ9o  

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Life-threatening waves and currents expected. - High wave action: Waves 3 to 4 feet Tuesday morning, increasing to 6 to 8 feet Tuesday afternoon and evening. - Life threatening rip, longshore, and structural currents are expected. Structural currents may be especially strong on the north sides of piers or breakwalls Tuesday afternoon and evening. * WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties. * WHEN...From late tonight through Wednesday morning. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high

July 27th-August 2nd, 2026 in Washington Park, Michigan City-check out www.greatlakesgrandprix.com Each August, the award-winning XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix roars into action, showcasing the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore boats. Watch these high-speed vessels race along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, with stunning views from Washington Park Beach and shoreline. Get up close with boat owners, racers, and teams stationed throughout Washington Park. This free, adrenaline-filled week offers more than just racing—kick off the excitement with community celebrations, enjoy exclusive meet-and-greet and VIP events, and take in breathtaking flyovers. Festivities include a boat parade, a lively block

In St. Joseph County there will be alternating lane closures on U.S. 31 between U.S. 20/31 and Kern Road on or after Tuesday, July 28. U.S. 31 will maintain at least one lane in each direction for overhead box truss installations. The ramp from Kern Rd to U.S. 31 northbound will also have lane closures. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when traveling through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

Students at 72 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2026-27 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties. The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for all K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR. Grants of up to $500 are awarded to fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to the field trips. Generous donations to the program have also allowed the program to increase the total dollars distributed.

The City of Portage will have a blood drive at the Council Chambers July 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Emergency blood shortage: The Red Cross blood supply fell nearly 25% in June. Blood donors — especially those with types O+ & B- blood — and platelet donors are urgently needed to help ensure lifesaving medical care isn't delayed for patients. Book now by using the attached QR Code. See more information on the flyer.

In La Porte, starting Monday, July 27, Boyd Boulevard will be closed just south of the State Road 2 intersection for utility work. Walmart and nearby businesses will remain open and accessible. During this phase of construction, motorists can access the area from: • All three Boyd Blvd entrances when coming from the south • The east entrances on State Road 2 This first phase of work is expected to last approximately three weeks. Once completed, construction will shift to the section of Boyd Blvd north of State Road 2 for an additional three weeks. This critical project will improve

Today A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.   Tonight A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.   Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.   Monday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.   Tuesday A slight chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

On the Indiana Toll Road this Monday, NIPSCO, in partnership with the Indiana State Police, will implement a rolling slowdown on both directions of the Indiana Toll Road between mile markers (MM) 17–27. • Times: 10 p.m.–4 a.m. CT (11 p.m.–5 a.m. ET) • Eastbound Location: MM 17 • Westbound Location: MM 27 The Portage Toll Plaza will have lane restrictions in place to help ensure safety during operations. Motorists should plan accordingly and expect brief, intermittent delays.

This October, you’re invited to a night of elegance, celebration, and community impact. Join Franciscan Health as we honor 150 years of healthcare ministry from the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration at the Spirited Celebration Gala! It all happens Friday, October 9th at 6 PM at the Center for Visual & Performing Arts in Munster. Enjoy a cocktail hour, plated dinner, live music, DJ, dancing, photo booth, plus silent and live auctions, wine and whiskey pulls, and incredible entertainment — including Ric Federighi and WIMS Radio, Chris Florek & Ever After Entertainment, and more. Tickets are $250, with

News Release, Franciscan Health: New 3D uterine imaging provides hope for families facing fertility issues CROWN POINT, Ind. – Taylor Gorecki had no problems getting pregnant, but carrying her pregnancies to term was a challenge. The Valparaiso woman and her husband, Patrick, suffered two miscarriages before seeing Franciscan Physician Network OB/GYN Sharmilee Thota, MD in Michigan City. “The previous OB/GYN basically said, ‘Oh well, this just happens sometimes,’” Taylor said. “Dr. Thota was different because she wanted to help us figure out why and if there was anything we could do about it.” After running a battery of tests that

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has awarded $308,300 to 23 Solid Waste Management Districts and eight additional waste and recycling organizations to support waste tire cleanup projects across Indiana.   The funding will help communities collect and recycle waste tires, which pose significant health and environmental risks when improperly stored or dumped. Stockpiled or illegally discarded tires can catch fire, harbor disease-carrying mosquitoes and rodents, and contribute to other public health concerns.   “Improperly stored or discarded tires are not only an eyesore, they can also create environmental and health challenges for our communities," said IDEM Commissioner Clint

  PORTER & PULASKI COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coat operations on State Road 8 and State Road 39 beginning on or after Monday, July 27. These maintenance operations will be conducted on State Road 8 between U.S. 231 and State Road 49 in Porter County for approximately two days and on State Road 39 between State Road 14 and State Road 16 in Pulaski County for approximately four days Work will occur during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes while seal coat operations are underway,

Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.   Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 70.   Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.   Sunday Night A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.   Monday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.   Monday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 68.

Lovers of stain glass, mark your calendars for the 18th Annual Fall Innovation Forum. This year’s event, “Touring Creativity through Stain Glass,” is scheduled for September 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sponsored by the Center for Creative Solutions, the free tour will highlight some of Michigan City’s finest stain glass windows. For more information, check out CenterforCreativeSolutions.com. To register, telephone 219-326-7259, or email creativity52@comcast.net. Participants may sign up to ride a provided bus, though space is limited. They may chose drive their own vehicle as well. Center for Creative Solutions, Inc. - RTM #wims #whfb

In Lake County, the ramp from southbound State Road 912/Cline Avenue to westbound I-80/94 has been rescheduled to begin Tuesday, July 28 around 6:00 p.m. and is expected to reopen on Friday, August 14 by noon. During the closure, crews will complete pavement improvements. A signed detour will direct drivers to eastbound I-80/94 and utilize the interchange at Burr Street to turn around and access westbound I-80/94. Drivers should note that the northbound S.R. 912/Cline Avenue ramp to westbound I-80/94 is scheduled to close July 28 as well but remain closed through mid-September for an unrelated project. Actual dates and

The Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) announced its 2025 conservation accomplishments. The ICP works with Hoosier landowners to provide technical or financial assistance for the implementation of conservation projects. In 2025, landowners supported by the ICP installed more than 44,800 new conservation practices. The Indiana Conservation Partnership report showed that over the last year landowners helped prevent over 2.1 million tons of sediment, over 4.5 million pounds of nitrogen and over 2.2 million pounds of phosphorus from entering Indiana waterways. In 2025, Hoosier farmers, with ICP assistance, planted more than 242,000 acres of cover crops, and implemented over 217,000 acres of

 SOUTH BEND – On July 7, 2026, Kayden Bell, 20 years old, of Wabash, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to making an interstate communication with a threat to injure, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Bell was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. “The Defendant’s threats to people of Jewish heritage and law enforcement were illegal and stood in direct opposition to our community’s core values.  He sought to intimidate them, and his words have earned him a trip to prison and

The Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement a statewide provider certification and enrollment moratorium on home- and community-based services (HCBS) 1915(c) waiver providers. This will encompass services falling under the Indiana PathWays for Aging (PathWays), Health and Wellness (H&W), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) and Family Supports (FS) waivers. The effective date for the moratorium is Aug. 1, 2026. This moratorium will be in place for an initial period of six months. The IHCP may continue to extend the moratorium in six-month increments.