News

Mayor Tom Dermody and the Board of Public Works & Safety Tuesday announced the hiring of Roscoe Hoffman as the first-ever IT Director for the City of La Porte. Hoffman’s resume includes 12 years of IT experience, most recently with La Porte County E-911 and Sheriff’s Office. Before that, Hoffman worked at Dunebrook as both a Family Support Manager and IT Manager. Dermody said Hoffman’s focus will be to improve efficiencies among departments and bolster the city’s cybersecurity against potential hazards. “Roscoe will be a fantastic addition to our City of La Porte leadership team,” Dermody said. “In this ever-changing

Press release by Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a two-day trauma symposium aimed at helping attendees understand trauma in its various forms. “Understanding the connections between physical trauma and psychological trauma and how the two impact one another can lead to better outcomes for patients, families, healthcare professionals, first responders and the entire community,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point Manager of Trauma and Injury Prevention Jennifer Homan, RN MSN CPSTI. “Franciscan Health Crown Point is proud to bring these professionals together to address and discuss these issues.” The symposium is designed for healthcare

A Michigan City woman has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death after striking her husband with a vehicle Monday at the Tall Timbers Apartment complex. Just before 3 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call indicating that a Chrysler 200 had struck a pedestrian, and another vehicle, in the parking lot of the Tall Timbers apartment complex at the 3000 block of Springland Avenue. The driver fled the area after the crash. Officers responded to the scene as did the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS. The pedestrian was identified as 24-year-old Kyle

The Water Department's biannual water system flushing will take place in two weeks, according to La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 15 and continuing for three to four weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Thursday between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Werner said this process is a critical part of maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. "Twice a year, our crews spend several weeks working through the night to help ensure the integrity of our water system for decades to come," Werner said. "While we know that this

Press release via Chesterton Police Department Facebook page: A former instructional assistant and teacher at Chesterton High School was arrested today, Monday, Oct. 2, on a charge of child seduction, three counts; and obstruction of justice, one count, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. Dakota McCoy, 30, of Valparaiso, was taken into custody without incident by the Porter County Sheriff’s Police, who served a warrant issued this morning. Child seduction is a Level 5 felony, punishable by a term of one to six years. Obstruction of justice is a Level 6 felony, punishable by a term of six to 30

Press release by Duneland Chamber of Commerce: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is proud to present an essential seminar on active threat preparedness. In today's world, safety is paramount, and this seminar will provide you with invaluable skills and strategies to navigate emergency situations. Date: Tuesday, October 17th Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM Location: Hawthorne Park Community Center 500 Ackerman Drive Porter, IN 46304 Certified Active Threat Response Instructor, Lieutenant Dan Dickey from the Porter Police Department will lead this seminar, along with dedicated professionals from the Chesterton Police Department. Learn how to safeguard yourself, your team, and your

Press release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Prospective students and their families are invited to Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) Preview PNW on Oct. 14 to learn more information about attending the region’s premier metropolitan university. Located just 30 miles from Chicago, PNW is where academic excellence meets real-world experience. Preview PNW allows prospective students to explore campus and discover how a PNW experience will help build hands-on skills, create connections with professors who care and Power Onward to their career goals. PNW offers more than 70 areas of study, over 80 student organizations and 20 athletic teams on

Press release by Franciscan Health: MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Newly released results for the 2022 Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) show Franciscan ACO (Accountable Care Organization) far outperforming the national average. In 2022, the first year under the Enhanced MSSP model, Franciscan ACO achieved a quality score of 86.36% and saved the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services $31.4 million, earning Franciscan ACO $23.1 million in shared savings. As a participant in the MSSP, Franciscan ACO is responsible for the total cost and quality of care for approximately 41,000 patients. Franciscan partners with physician groups, hospitals and other advance practice providers

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) gave an update Friday about the ongoing construction taking place at its administrative offices. Since the flood that occurred on Christmas Day last year, the administrative offices of the LCSO have been under construction, the LCSO said.  Work is progressing and is now scheduled to move into the lobby area of the agency. A tunnel from the south entry / exit doors of the La Porte County Complex extending to the main lobby of the Sheriff’s Office was erected Friday for the next phase of the project.  The tunnel will allow normal operations

With the deer reduction zone season underway and the statewide archery deer season starting Oct. 1, Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters to stay safe. According to the DNR, more than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various deer hunting seasons that run through Jan. 31, 2024, and the overwhelming majority typically do so safely. The DNR says when injuries occur, the most common are from accidents involving hunting from tree stands and elevated platforms. The DNR says to avoid such injuries, hunters should follow the safety tips listed below when

Michigan City High School inducted 13 students into its inaugural Computer Science Honor Society chapter Wednesday night. To qualify for induction, students must have been enrolled at MCHS for at least one semester, receiving a B or better in a Computer Science Course. MCHS now offers eight courses in Computer Science, with pathways in both Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Michigan City High School students Trevor Ackerman, Gavin Baldwin, Jess Buetow, Ethan David, Isaac LaFrance, Meshank Lunchsford, Aeden Phillips, O'mar Reyes, Levi Scoville, Carlos Serrano, Kourtnie Stockley, James Symons, and Jayden Wilson were inducted.

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Friday, the launch of Shatterproof Treatment Atlas, a free, confidential, first-of-its-kind tool to connect Hoosiers in need with appropriate addiction treatment and deliver user-friendly information about the quality of available programs. “Hoosiers with substance use disorder deserve timely access to quality care as soon as they’re ready to accept help,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Treatment Atlas puts recovery within immediate reach, giving Hoosiers and their loved ones a trusted resource to find evidence-based, high-quality treatment that meets their unique needs, anywhere in the state.” Indiana is one of 13 states to partner with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced temporary lane closures on I-80/94. Crews will close three lanes on westbound I-80/94 between mile markers 8.5 and 6.5 to repair joint sealing. The lane closures are scheduled to start at 8 p.m. on October 2, and be complete by 5 a.m. on October 3. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. INDOT says motorists should watch for slowed traffic in the area during the work and consider seeking an alternate route. INDOT encourages drivers to consider worker safety by slowing down, using extra caution and

Press release by Michigan City Area Schools: MICHIGAN CITY, IND.,  – Do you truly love what you do for a living? What are you passionate about? High-ability elementary school students from Michigan City Area Schools went beyond a traditional career fair to ask pressing questions such as these during a small-group interview session with members of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce recently, part of a project titled “Living on Purpose: Finding Your Passion and Making an Impact.” Fifteen members of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce took part in the interview session with the students, who are in multiage

MICHIGAN CITY, IN - If you are looking to replace a bed in your home, now is the time. Michigan City High School Band Program is excited to announce it will be hosting the 1st Annual one-day Mattress Fundraiser on Sunday, October 29th, from 11am-6pm. For one day only, the High School will be transformed into a mattress showroom. For information about the sale, go to bit.ly/beds4michigancity23. There will be 30 mattress styles on display in all sizes in styles for customers to try, priced below retail. Adjustable power bases, premium pillows, bed frames, and mattress protectors will be available as well.

Westville, Ind. – Governor Eric  Holcomb broke ground Thursday on the new correctional facility in Westville. The 1.4 million square foot facility will provide a modern and efficient space for both incarcerated individuals and Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) staff who work in the facility. Gov. Holcomb announced the new correctional facility as part of his 2021 NextLevel Agenda and recommitted to the $1.2 billion project in his 2023 agenda. “Now more than ever it is crucial that we upgrade, modernize and expand our facilities that provide essential government services,” said Gov. Holcomb. “We are consolidating and building the largest

Friday, October 6, 2023- Elkhart County 10 a.m. – Noon ET *While supplies last. Where: Wakarusa Missionary Church, 202 W. Waterford St., Wakarusa, IN 46573 *This is a USDA distribution and will serve 200 households.   Monday, October 9, 2023- Marshall County 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET *While supplies last. Where: Argos United Methodist Church, 570 N. Michigan St., Argos, IN 46501 *This distribution is sponsored by Kroger with added USDA product and will serve 200 households.   Wednesday, October 11, 2023- LaPorte County 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. CT *While supplies last. Where: Kingsford Heights Community Center, 515 Wayland

Valparaiso, IN – Gabis Arboretum at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is celebrating the Halloween spirit with its second annual Hallo-Weekend on Oct. 6 and 7. The festivities include two nights of outdoor movies; one for adults with an add-on ghost hunting tour and one night for families with trick or treating. Gates open at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 for a film screening of “The Conjuring.” The screening starts at dusk, which will be approximately 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults. Visitors must be 18 years or older. Northwest Indiana Paranormal and the PNW Paranormal Club will lead a 45-minute

Chesterton, IN – The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for LEAP Solutions, LLC on Friday, October 13 at 4:30 pm.  LEAP Solutions, LLC is located at 751 E. Porter Ave, Suite 1, Chesterton, IN. The public is invited to the grand opening and ribbon cutting of LEAP Solutions, LLC. Lakeshore Educational Assessments & Psychological (LEAP) Solutions offers psychoeducational evaluations and family consultation to help you find the right solutions for your child’s success at home and at school. Please join us for a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, October 13 at 4:30 pm,

Press release by Franciscan Health: MUNSTER, Ind. – Cardiologist Roland Njei, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Munster. Dr. Njei completed his training at the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating magna cum laude and with distinction. He completed his residency and fellowship in cardiology-oncology at Washington University School of Medicine’s Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. His clinical interests are general cardiology, cardiology-oncology, preventative cardiology, heart failure and cardiac imaging. Dr. Njei is fluent in French and is accepting patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Munster, 701 Superior Ave., Suite J