News

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has identified a new scam where family members of recent arrestees are being targeted.   Scammers are accessing the public access portion of the La Porte County Jail record management system – JailTracker, via the agency’s website.  From there, scam artists identify the name of an arrestee, proceed to use another internet source to locate a number for the family member of the arrestee, and then contact said family member.   The scammers are providing bond and alternative programming information to the subjects they have called.  Just like with any other scam, a form of money

Youth Spring Sports Registration is NOW OPEN! Registration for Youth Track and Field, Soccer, Legacy Taekwondo and basketball clinics are officially open, and we can’t wait to see your athletes in action this season. We are especially excited to share something NEW this year — Diverse Abilities Soccer!  This program is designed to create an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment where every child has the opportunity to learn the game, build confidence, and be part of a team. This program focuses on skill development, teamwork, confidence-building, and physical activity while meeting each child at their individual level. Register today and join

NOW HIRING INDIANA CONSERVATION OFFICERS (ICO): The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement is hiring conservation officers who are ready to make a difference in our state. Apply now at on.IN.gov/ico-hiring.

UPDATE: Fatal House Fire on Pearson Road in Liberty Township Under Investigation   Liberty Township – This release provides an update on the house fire that occurred in the 100 block of Pearson Road (C.R. 125 West) on February 20, 2026, involving a female who perished in the fire and sent a male to receive advanced critical care in Indianapolis.   The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are actively working to investigate the cause of the fire. Investigators are carefully examining debris and fire patterns in an effort to determine the origin and

Here is your Monday forecast-WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY-have a great week WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7PM EST /6PMCST/ MONDAY... * WHAT...Lake effect snow. Additional snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Local amounts up to 6 inches are possible. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. * WHEN...Until 1 PM EST /noon CST/ Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds gusting to around 25 mph. Blowing and drifting of snowfall will be possible. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road

NIPSCO to Host Community Customer Care Centers Across Northwest Indiana Customers invited to learn about billing, financial assistance, energy efficiency, and investments NIPSCO is making to ensure safe and reliable service   MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Beginning on Monday, Feb. 23, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) will host a series of Community Customer Care Centers across its northwest Indiana service territory. These sessions are part of NIPSCO’s ongoing commitment to listen to customers, respond to recent concerns about increasing utility bills, and provide transparent, personalized information about billing, energy assistance, and investments that support safe and reliable service.  

LA PORTE, IND. – Franciscan Health is teaming up with La Porte Branch of the LaPorte County Family YMCA to offer a free Cooking Matters class. Participants are invited to prepare and taste a new recipe. The class will highlight healthy food swaps, tips for budget-friendly grocery shopping, proper cooking techniques, general nutrition tips and more. The class is scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Central on Thursday, March 12 at the La Porte Branch of the LaPorte County Family YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave. in La Porte. The class is free, but space is limited and

MCAS Seeks Nominations for Wall of Fame   Michigan City, IN – Michigan City Area Schools is seeking nominations for the 2026 Michigan City Area Schools Wall of Fame. This annual award, first presented in 1976, honors former employees who have made outstanding contributions to the children of the MCAS. Employees from every area are eligible: administrators, custodians, food service personnel, instructional assistants, maintenance personnel, paraprofessionals, teachers, transportation staff, and secretarial staff.   To qualify for nomination, the candidate must have been employed by the Michigan City Area Schools for at least 15 years. Special circumstances may be considered for

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT TO 1 PM EST /NOON CST/ MONDAY…   * WHAT…Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches with locally higher amounts possible.   * WHERE…Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.   * WHEN…NOW through noon CST/Monday.   * IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.   * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…A system will bring light snow with some lake enhancement tonight into Sunday. The greatest snowfall rates and a potential of more organized lake effect snow banding is Sunday evening into early Monday morning. Some

State Fire Marshal’s Office Called to Aid Fatal House Fire Investigation   Liberty Township – At approximately 5:11 AM on Friday February 20th, Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a residential house fire in the 1000 block of Pearson Road (C.R. 125 West) in Liberty Township.   First arriving responders reported the structure was fully engulfed. Assistant Chief Michael Wineland responding to the scene activated a First Alarm to bring additional responders to the scene to aid.   Early reports stated there was a male and female inside the home when the fire broke out. The conditions of

Kokomo Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison For Possession of Child Pornography   SOUTH BEND – Last week, Keith Hall, 27 years old, of Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.   Hall was sentenced to 188 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $250 to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Act of 2018.

Investigators seeking assistance from the public with a hit and run crash investigation On February 14th at 6:50 PM, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a bicyclist that was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of South Woodland Avenue and Pear Street. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 responded to the scene and located a 50-year-old female bicyclist suffering from multiple injuries. LaPorte County EMS transported the bicyclist to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City with life threatening injuries. The bicyclist was then transferred to a hospital in South Bend for more advanced medical

Goodwill’s Academy Automotive Program Celebrates Graduates on February 27   Goodwill Industries of Michiana will celebrate 12 graduating students from its Academy Automotive program on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. at Goodwill’s Bendix Campus, 2721 Kenwood Avenue, South Bend.   The Academy Automotive program is designed for individuals with no experience to receive free, high-quality training that will prepare them for industry careers in St. Joseph County. Participants can earn entry-level ASE certifications, Hunter Alignment certification, and S/P2 Safety Certification. Classes are held at Goodwill’s Bendix Campus in South Bend.   Since its inception in 2023, 108 students

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM EST /MIDNIGHT CST/SUNDAY TO 1 PM EST /NOON CST/ MONDAY...   * WHAT...Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches with locally higher amounts possible.   * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.   * WHEN...From 1 AM EST /midnight CST/ Sunday to 1 PM EST /noon CST/ Monday.   * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.   * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A system will bring light snow with some lake enhancement tonight into Sunday. The greatest snowfall rates and a

Lake County- Early this morning, at approximately 1:50 a.m., Indiana State Police troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 near the 256.4 mile-marker in the northbound lanes, just north of 61st Avenue. Preliminary investigation indicates the crash involved a wrong-way driver who was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-65 which resulted in a head-on crash. The investigation shows a silver 2022 Toyota was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-65 when it struck a 2016 Ford head-on. The driver of the Toyota had to be extricated by local fire personnel and, due to the severity

An off-duty Gary police officer and his family were taken to area hospitals yesterday when the police squad car the family was riding in collided with a semi.   Just after 6 pm Thursday, February 19th, Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were dispatched to a crash with several injuries near the intersection of West Ridge Road and Hendricks Place in Gary.   A preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the Gary Police SUV was traveling westbound on Ridge Road when a semi turned north in front of the SUV to enter a parking lot on Ridge Road.   The

Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Sunday Snow likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Sunday Night Snow likely. Cloudy, with a

  Michigan City – February 19, 2026 – Choral students from several Michigan City Area Schools took part in the District I Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, January 31, at Portage High School, returning with many gold ratings. Thirty students from the MCHS Choral Department participated, and seven of them will move on to the ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble Competition at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 21. Those students are Ashlynn Bright, Paige Merrill, Madi Moye, Maddy Parry, Younha Seppyes, and Jen Serrano. At the contest, several MCHS

NOVAK’S BILL SUPPORTING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK   HB 1048 increases the yearly minimum allowance for volunteer firefighters from $100 to $250   INDIANAPOLIS - Earlier this week, State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) filed for a motion to concur on the amendments added in the Senate to his House Bill 1048. HB 1048, which increases the yearly minimum allowance for volunteer fire department members from $100 to $250, helping offset the cost of essential clothing and vehicle-related expenses, now moves to the Governor’s desk for final approval.   Novak released the following statement on the bill’s

  A new, nationwide study of high school policies in all 50 states finds that Indiana is leading the way in preparing students for life after graduation. The study, released Wednesday by the XQ Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, specifically focuses on rethinking high school, ensuring it maximizes the impact for students. The Future Is High School: A Strategy for State Leaders to Accelerate Learning, Work, and American Renewal identifies 10 policy actions to make high school more rigorous, engaging, and career connected. With six of these policy actions in place and another underway, Indiana is a national model in preparing students for the