News

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Franciscan Health is hosting a free, educational heart screening event during American Heart Month aimed at helping Region residents better understand and manage their cardiac risk. The Heart to Heart event is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St. in Merrillville. Cardiothoracic Surgeon J. Michael Tuchek, DO, FACS, will share information about the importance of patients knowing their blood pressure readings as well as their cholesterol and blood sugar levels and how they can all impact heart health. Dr. Tuchek will also explain the

LaDonna Mae Siegmund December 3, 1941 - February 2, 2025 LaDonna Mae Siegmund, 83, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 10:27 a.m. in Ernestine M. Raclin House, Mishawaka, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with Rev. Walter Ciesla officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, Indiana. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the funeral chapel. Contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation, 215 W. Illinois Street, Suite 1C,

This year, Porter-Starke Services celebrates 50 years of meeting the health and wellness needs in Northwest Indiana! Collaboration, partnerships, and relationships are what make a milestone like this possible. Celebrate with us at the 2025 Living Health•Balance•Hope Symposium featuring Zach Brittle, Certified Gottman Therapist and best-selling author, and explore the power of relationships and how we all can nurture and strengthen them! For more information visit www.porterstarke.org.

A Michigan man was arrested and another suspect still has yet to be located after a vehicle pursuit Thursday night, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Thursday night at 11:50 PM, a Flock Safety camera captured an image of a stolen vehicle in the area of S.R. 39 and the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90).  The vehicle was a gray Mazda CX-5 and reported to Benton Harbor, Michigan authorities as recently being stolen. A deputy located the stolen vehicle traveling southbound on Indiana Avenue (U.S. 35).  Upon the deputy activating his emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated and

The La Porte County Family YMCA will be hosting an Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Class on Monday, Feb. 10 from 4-9 p.m at its La Porte Branch. Participants will learn essential skills to provide first aid and CPR for adults and pediatrics (children and infants) through the American Red Cross. They will also learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) safely, effectively, and in a timely manner. “With a half-million cardiac arrests each year, CPR can help save a life if a person's breathing or heart stops, the YMCA of La Porte County said on its Facebook

The Duneland School Corporation is announcing that online enrollment is now open for incoming kindergarten students for academic year 2025-26, according to the Town of Chesterton. Families are asked to complete the online enrollment prior to attending Kindergarten Round-Up on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. To get started, go to https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/.../kindergarten... After the Kindergarten Round-Up on Feb. 27, families should view the website for a chance to visit their new elementary school. Registration for that elementary school will begin on Tuesday, April 15.  

The Valparaiso Police Department said Friday night they will remain in the area of Calumet Ave. and the Canadian National railroad crossing near Bush Street due to a police investigation. Police reported the investigation at 7:42 p.m. “The investigation will have the crossing closed for an unknown amount of time,” police said. “There is no threat to the public and we ask that the area be avoided if possible, using alternate travel routes to the east and west of Calumet Avenue”

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) Thursday heard from representatives from Ivy Tech Community College and the Indiana National Guard about a new opportunity they have collaboratively designed for Indiana high school students interested in the military or public service. The Ivy Tech Public Service Pilot will be available beginning in summer 2025 and will help interested students earn the newly-developed enlistment and service diploma seals, while also earning college credit. “Better connecting students to their future path is essential to their success after high school,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “The new initiative outlined today

News release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Financial aid professionals will be on site at Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Hammond and Westville campuses during the statewide College Goal Sunday programs on Feb. 23. The free event will take place from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. CST and will help college-bound students and their families apply for financial aid. College Goal Sunday programs provide assistance to students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and federal loans at most colleges,

MICHIGAN CITY, IN —Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the addition of Katie Eaton and Dr. Sandra Wood to its Board of Directors. Katie Eaton is the Public Affairs & Economic Development Manager at NIPSCO. She currently serves as a board member for the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation, the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Salvation Army Corps of Michigan City. She has also served on numerous Unity committees and on the Vibrant Communities of La Porte County Steering Committee. On joining the Unity Board, Eaton said, “I’m excited to continue giving back to

Press release, Michigan City Area Schools: The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) conducted a presentation at Kreuger Middle School on February 5th to familiarize the 8th graders with the program prior to scheduling their courses for the 2025-2026 school year. The cadets demonstrated regulation and exhibition military drills, along with various Raider meet events. They will be doing the same presentation at Barker Middle School on February 12th. Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath stated that one of the objectives of the presentation was to clarify some misconceptions about the JROTC. “Since the Covid shut-downs,

MUNSTER, Ind. -- Registration is now open for the Franciscan Health Produce Prescription Program in Munster, which aims to assist with chronic disease management. Upon successful completion of the free, four-week program, participants will receive produce vouchers for fresh produce every month for six months. Participants must have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, heart disease or cancer; meet other criteria as determined by a screening process and complete a four-week Cooking Matters course. Attendees need not be patients within the Franciscan Health system to participate. The course is presented in part through a formal relationship between Franciscan Health and

The Portage Police Department have launched an investigation after the remains of a missing Hobart woman have been found. Portage Detectives began investigating the cold-case disappearance of Shannon Orton in the summer of 2023 after being contacted by the Hobart Police Department with new information. Orton disappeared from Cressmoor Mobile Home Park located in Hobart, IN in the summer of 2020. Recently, the remains of Shannon Orton were discovered in Portage, IN. Portage Police are asking for assistance with any information citizens may have regarding the disappearance and death of Orton. The investigation is ongoing with multiple suspects, the Portage

The City of Valparaiso invites the community to attend the first-ever Community Conference on April 17 at Valparaiso University.  “Whether you’re new in town or you’ve lived here for a while, it is our goal that every participant finds one or more meaningful ways to engage in our community, offering pathways to build connections and contribute to the community’s growth,” said Maggie Clifton, Community Engagement Director.  Visit the event brite link to register https://www.eventbrite.com/.../valparaiso-community...

The first gathering in Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch’s town hall series “Let’s Talk Solutions” will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 13 at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd, the City of Michigan City announced on its Facebook page. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with opening remarks and general updates set for 5:45 p.m. The open-house style event invites the public to interact with representatives from various city departments, including refuse, code enforcement, education and workforce development, police, fire and more. The event will be in the Emergency Operations Center and Council Chambers on the lower level at City Hall,

The City of La Porte has announced that due to office-wide illness, the Utility Billing Office will be open by drive-thru only this week. Their front window in City Hall will be closed. The Drive-Thru is located behind City Hall and can be accessed off of Michigan and Monroe. They can also be reached by phone at 219-362-3175 or by email at utilitybilling@cityoflaportein.gov.

The National Weather service of Northern Indiana and Chicago have issued Winter Weather Advisories which remain in effect through early Thursday. For portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio: ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST /9 AM CST/ THURSDAY... * WHAT...Freezing rain expected. Total ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ this evening to 10 AM EST /9 AM CST/ Thursday. * IMPACTS...Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions

Here is the latest from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office regarding a motor vehicle pursuit whihc resulted in two arrests.  Yesterday at 9:50 AM, a Highway Interdiction Deputy was monitoring eastbound traffic on the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) at the 56-mile marker. A white Jaguar was found to be traveling in excess of the posted speed limit. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the area of the 62-mile marker. The driver failed to stop the vehicle resulting in a motor vehicle pursuit (MVP). The MVP continued to the 72-mile marker where it was terminated. Several minutes

Valpo Parks announced that in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they will be restoring vital habitat at Rogers Lakewood Park by controlling and managing invasive woody plants that threaten the park’s ecosystem. For safety, the park will be closed Feb. 9-12 as crews remove invasive brush from approximately 30 acres of woodland. This project will enhance forest structure, diversity, and overall park health. The restoration of Rogers Lakewood Park aligns with the City of Valparaiso's commitment to environmental stewardship. The city is also a designated "Tree City" by the Arbor Day Foundation and a "Monarch City" by

Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers launched a rescue Tuesday to save a dog that made its way to the roof of a three-story house. Sheriff Oscar Martinez says that someone in the area flagged Officer Vicari down after spotting the dog on top of a home near 18th and Malcolm X Drive in Gary sometime around 1 p.m. “The Gary Fire Department was contacted but refused to respond citing that they did not want to risk the safety of their fire personnel,” Martinez stated on the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page. “As a result, Lake County Sheriff’s Department