News

Mayor of Portage Austin Bonta gave the following update on the Portage Trails System on his Facebook page: "At this point, the Prairie Duneland Trail has been cleared of poison hemlock and is now open again. After the last two storms, if possible that trees may go down over the next couple days. We'll be looking out to handle them, but please be careful if traveling through. Regarding the bigger topic of trails, we've had time to go over it as a team and we have made the decision to complete a project to clear the trails of all overgrowth

Porter County Emergency Management released the following statement regarding the surveying of June 11 storm damage today: The Porter County Emergency Management Agency has requested the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s (IDHS) assistance in conducting damage assessments of properties throughout Porter County, resulting from the storm on June 11, 2026. IDHS & Porter County EMA teams will be in Porter County on Thursday, June 18th to survey damage. Personnel will be wearing IDHS and Porter County EMA clothing and also carry government credentials to identify themselves. Collecting assessment data using this process will help IDHS and Porter County determine if

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...High wave action and dangerous currents expected at Lake Michigan beaches. Waves 4 to 7 ft expected. * WHERE...Porter County. * WHEN...Until 3 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures. Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.   Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 59.   Juneteenth Sunny, with a high near

In Lake County, the ramp from southbound State Road 152/Indianapolis Boulevard to eastbound I-80/94 is scheduled to close beginning at midnight on Monday, June 22 and reopen by midnight on Thursday, July 2. A signed detour will direct drivers east on U.S. 20/Michigan Avenue to southbound State Road 912/Cline Avenue, providing access to eastbound I-80/94.During the closure, crews will complete drainage improvements. Shoulder closures are in place through July at select ramps along the corridor as crews prepare for FlexRoad construction. Locations include ramps at Richard Gordon Hatcher Blvd./Grant St., Ridge Rd., and State Road 53/Broadway. All ramps remain open

Michigan City, IN — The Rotary Club of Michigan City invites the community to participate in an impactful new event, “Quarters for Change,” taking place on Thursday, June 25 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Gill Field at Elston. This unique fundraiser aims to create a “quarter mile of quarters” by lining the entire track with donated quarters. The event is designed to bring the community together in support of the Rotary Club’s service initiatives, particularly those focused on youth in Michigan City. A portion of the proceeds will also directly benefit the Michigan City High School Marching Band, with

Michigan City Police say one person was treated at the hospital for a gunshot wound on Tuesday. Officers responded to Franciscan Health Hospital on June 16 at approximately 8:10 p.m. after learning of a person being treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. This incident is under active investigation. Anyone with information about this shooting is requested to contact Lt. Painter at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1077 or via email at apainter@emichigancity.com. At this time, there is no known threat to public safety. Additional updates will be provided as available.

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced  the arrest of 35-year-old John T. Jackson in connection with the shooting death of 64-year-old James D. Williams. During the evening of June 8, deputies responded to a residence in the 2900 west block of US 20 regarding a report of a subject suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputies arrived a short time later, located the subject, and secured the scene. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division responded and assumed control of the investigation. Since then, detectives have been gathering evidence and interviewing subjects who provided

This summer, Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County (BGCLPC) invites the community to invest in the future of local youth through its Summer Campaign, "We're Opening Doors to What's Possible." The campaign highlights the countless opportunities the Club provides for children across the county.   BGCLPC currently operates afterschool Clubs at 8 locations across Michigan City, La Porte, Westville, Kingsford Heights and Rolling Prairie, plus two summer camps. Every day at the Club, young people build skills that will shape their futures.   ● Growing crystals during STEM enrichment gives tomorrow’s scientist a head start. ● Learning badminton

Today A slight chance of showers, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. High near 76. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.   Tonight Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 100%.   Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.   Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59.   Juneteenth Sunny, with a high near 75.   Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

The Portage Police Department has shared locations of severe weather shelters in Portage: Northwest Health building 3630 Willowcreek Road Woodland Park 2100 Willowcreek Road Portage Recovery Association 6040 Lute Road 10am-8pm (if storm is still going and people are at the building they will remain open past 8pm) YMCA 3100 Willowcreek Road Will remain open as long as they have power as they do not have a generator

With the potential of severe weather today (Wednesday) Starke County Emergency management has shared the following message about severe weather shelter locations: "Due to the potential for severe weather on Wednesday, 6/17, the following locations will be OPEN as public shelter locations beginning at 3:00 PM CST. If you live in a mobile home, manufactured home, RV, or another structure that may not provide adequate protection during severe weather, please consider relocating to one of these locations before storms arrive. Washington Township Fire Department 9020 E Division Rd Knox, IN 46534 Bass Lake Fire Department 7225 US-35 Knox, IN 46534

The City of La Porte stated the following information Tuesday night regarding the move indoors for the Maria Fruth Plaza dedication and LaPorte City Band concert: With heavy rain and the potential for severe weather forecast for Wednesday, the Maria Fruth Plaza dedication and subsequent LaPorte City Band concert have been moved to the La Porte High School Performing Arts Center. We will dedicate the Maria Fruth Plaza at 6 p.m. in the PAC lobby. Following the plaza dedication, the community is invited to join the LaPorte City Band for a concert honoring Maria Fruth and her years of contributions

The Town of Ogden Dunes and Ogden Dunes Police Department gave the following update on Tuesday regarding storm cleanup: Good Afternoon, We would like to provide an update regarding the recent storm and the ongoing recovery efforts throughout our community. The Street Department is actively working to remove debris and restore safe conditions across town. Due to the extent of the storm impact, cleanup operations are expected to continue for several weeks. To meet this demand, the Town has hired additional personnel and secured the necessary resources to complete the work efficiently. Cleanup efforts will be prioritized based on public

Indiana Dunes National Park reopened the Mount Baldy access site to the public on Monday. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed work to move approximately 27,000 tons of sand at Mount Baldy as part of ongoing shoreline management efforts. The work helped address sand accumulation near visitor infrastructure while returning sand to the beach system along Lake Michigan. Visitors should be aware that the reopening applies to the Mount Baldy access site, including the parking area and beach access route. The Mount Baldy summit and dune face remain closed due to ongoing safety concerns, including unstable sand conditions

LA PORTE/ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind  – As a reminder, a public information meeting is scheduled Tuesday, June 16 to introduce an Indiana Department of Transportation Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study that will examine corridor needs on State Road 2 between U.S. 20 in La Porte County and U.S. 20/31 in St. Joseph County. The ProPEL S.R. 2 Study Team is seeking input from residents and local stakeholders to help identify current needs and define the vision for the future of the corridor. Tuesday, June 16 New Prairie High School 5333 N. Cougar Rd., New Carlisle, IN The meeting starts

A La Porte man is facing several charges including battery against a public office and drug possession, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. On June 12, at 3:43 p.m., Deputy Julian Sanchez was traveling south on CR 600 West. He observed a black passenger vehicle also traveling on CR 600 West drive left of center on two separate occasions. The vehicle then abruptly turned into the driveway of a residence located in the 7000 north block of CR 600 West. Deputy Sanchez pulled in behind the vehicle and was met by the homeowner. The homeowner advised she did

Today A slight chance of showers before 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.   Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a slight chance of showers between 10pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.   Wednesday

The Michigan City Police Department and the ALICE Training® Institute have teamed up to bring ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter & Evacuate) Instructor Certification Training to Michigan City, Indiana, on July 23rd and July 24th . The course will be held at Barker Middle School, located at 319 Barker Road, Michigan City, IN, 46360.   This two-day instructor course teaches proactive response option survival strategies for violent critical incidents ensuring a trauma-informed approach to civilian active threat response training. The age and ability appropriate training and robust resources make it the best training in the market to bring to our

News Release by Duneland Chamber of Commerce:  On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the most important milestone in our country’s history—250 years of American Independence. With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club and the Porter Parks Department invite you to join us for our annual 4th of

Poetry may be an ancient form of expression. Nevertheless, it still give meaning to poets and inspiration to others. This April, northwest Indiana poets proved just that during World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month.   "We are at a decade of offering the Poetry Showcase to our region. It has been a reflective moment for us. Our first kindergarten poets are now in high school! It feels like family, especially when we see familiar names each year and observe their growth of expression. We are also thrilled as new schools enthusiastically participate each year. Each year our