News

Press Release, Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb: Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed an executive order to support the anticipated needs of Indiana’s emergency response, transportation, communication and critical infrastructure systems due to the expected high-number of visitors traveling to the state to view the total solar eclipse. The executive order will allow Indiana to utilize resources from other states who are members of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Once a governor issues an order, EMAC members can and will share equipment and communications systems to help support state resources to ensure the safety, care and welfare of residents

The South Shore Line announced the end of temporary busing between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations to be effective Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Long-term temporary busing substitution between stations has been in effect since February 2022 in order to accommodate the Double Track NWI Project. The culmination of this work and completion of this segment allows for full train service to return to all SSL stations on April 9. Train service will operate using the current schedule implemented in October 2023. All previously relocated station pick-up areas will be returned to their permanent locations, including the newly built

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a bridge replacement project on U.S. 30 over Crooked Creek, east of Valparaiso on or after Monday, April 1. Motorists should be prepared for alternating lane closures and changing traffic patterns on U.S. 30 between County Road 450 East and County Road 575 East through late October. Work will start with the outside shoulders closed to strengthen the shoulders for future phases of the project. On or near April 11, the inside lanes will be closed to traffic. Work will switch to the outside lanes around early August. INDOT encourages drivers to

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort this April to deter distracted driving. "Distractions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences,” said Devon McDonald, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director. “We urge all motorists to focus on the road and avoid any activity that takes their attention away from driving safely." Law enforcement officers nationwide will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws and remind people to put away distractions while on the road. “People know using their phone while driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they

Lake County Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating a complaint of a possible home invasion Tuesday in the Lake Dalecarlia area in the southern portion of Lake County. A resident tells police two male subjects posing as NIPSCO employees forced their way into her home and restrained her then “ransacked” the home. The resident has been evaluated at a local hospital. The suspects are described as: -White male, stocky with a large stomach. Wearing a yellow and orange reflective vest, a white mask and tan work boots. -Black male, slender. Wearing dark, loose blue jeans and white medical mask. His hair

There will be lane closures on U.S. 20 between County Road North 400 West and Springville Road in LaPorte County beginning on or after Tuesday, April 2. During phase one, the westbound lanes of U.S. 20 will be closed for construction, and the eastbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic. Traffic will shift to the westbound lanes during phase two, with the eastbound lanes closed for construction. Traffic on County Road North 300 West will not be able to access U.S. 20, and a local detour will be posted. Lane closures will be in place through July. Work will

The driver of a stolen vehicle led police on a pursuit through multiple counties in northwest Indiana, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Shortly before noon Tuesday a police officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department received an alert about a possibly stolen vehicle on their License Plate Reader Network. The vehicle was eastbound on the Borman Expressway. After locating the vehicle, the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, resulting in a high-speed pursuit. The fleeing driver traveled through Gary, and Lake Station, then continued into Porter County.  The driver headed south on State

An INDOT contractor will reduce State Road 55/Taft Street to one lane between 65th Avenue and 73rd Avenue on or after Monday, April 1. State Road 55 will be reduced to one lane at Turkey Creek, with traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals through mid-May. Crews will be conducting a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal. INDOT says motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The La Porte County Election Board will hold a Public Test of the Microvote Voting Machines for the 2024 Primary Election. The Public Test will place on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Elections Room of the La Porte Courthouse located at: 813 Lincolnway La Porte, IN 46350.

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on State Road 49 between County Road 1100 North and Porter Avenue beginning on or after Monday, April 1. Motorists should expect alternating lane closures through late October for a bridge superstructure replacement over Coffee Creek. During phase one, the inside passing lanes will be closed for work, and the outside driving lanes will be open for traffic. Traffic will switch to the inside passing lanes in phase two around mid-July, with the outside driving lanes closed. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and

Press release, Porter County Community Foundation: The Porter County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of six new board members: Dean Cobble with GW Berkheimer, Jung Lee with Indiana Beverage, Lauren Kroeger with Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans, John Montgomery with Blox Digital, Rachel Stoner with East Porter County School District and Kari Zehner with Kittredge & Zehner CPA. "We are incredibly fortunate to have attracted such talented and passionate individuals to our Board," said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of PCCF. "Their diverse backgrounds and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to work toward strengthening Porter County

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 20 between Salt Creek Road and State Road 149 beginning on or after Monday, April 1. U.S. 20 will have alternating lane closures through early May for a box culvert replacement. A detour utilizing I-94 will be in place for wide loads. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

Press release, Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health Michigan City is presenting its free, faith-based church diabetes initiative, Fan Out Diabetes, beginning in April. Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Fan Out Diabetes program is a faith-based diabetes initiative that pairs minority LaPorte County church congregations with the healthcare system and community organizations to bring two-day diabetes education, prevention and detection mini workshops – free of charge – to the church after Sunday services. The events feature education, screenings, insurance enrollment assistance and more. April is National Minority Health Month, which aims to raise awareness about the health disparities that continue to impact racial

Press Release, City of La Porte: Residents and business owners of 39 North can expect to see City service vehicles in and around the neighborhood very soon, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. The city’s annexation of the 39 North Conservancy District took effect on Monday, March 11, 2024, following several years of studies and negotiations. Per state statute, the City has one year from the effective date to provide non-capital services. However, Dermody said services such as police and fire coverage, street maintenance, TransPorte pick-ups/drop-offs and code enforcement will begin for these new residents on Monday, Apr. 1.

The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) Board of Trustees announced Monday they have opened their search for a new superintendent. "The Trustees are committed to working together to identify and hire the best candidate to lead and serve the students, staff, and community," La Porte Community School Corporation said in a press release. Accompanying this search is a community engagement survey designed to gain input from the La Porte community. Applications are being accepted through May 15, 2024, by William Kaminski of Newby, Lewis, Kaminski & Jones, LLP. The Board anticipates naming the next superintendent this summer, with the

Two people that are suspected of being a part of a nationwide fraud organization were arrested in Michigan City on Saturday, according to Michigan City police. On Saturday at about 1:50 p.m. an officer received a notification from the city’s Flock Falcon Camera System that a 2015 white Toyota Sienna with a California license plate had entered the city limits of Michigan City that was suspected in multiple out of state felony financial crimes. The officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on it near the intersection of East U.S. Highway 12 and East Michigan Boulevard. Police say

The public is invited to attend the annual State of the City address, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch’s first since taking office, on April 10 at Holdcraft Performing Arts Center, 1200 Spring St. The mayor will share some of the highlights from her first hundred days in office, from the internal workings of various city departments to new programs and projects on the horizon. “The goal of the State of the City is to get buy-in from the residents, to earn their support for new initiatives and to get new ideas from them,” Nelson Deuitch said. “This is really a way

Franciscan Health’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is back and open for registration. The unique, six-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 7 and 13. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures. The program includes a free six-week family membership to the Y, family fitness activities, family nutrition education, hands-on cooking demos, budget-friendly healthy recipes and tastings, meal kits for recreating recipes at home, family mindfulness and resilience strategies, giveaways and more. FIT-Together takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30

In order to accommodate work related to the West Lake Corridor Project, the South Shore Line will temporarily bus Saturday and Sunday evening train passengers between 9:30pm-3am to stations between Hegewisch and Dune Park. The temporary busing will take place March 23-24, and March 30-31, 2024, and will also include Hammond Station, East Chicago Station, and Gary/Chicago Airport Station. The busing is in addition to ongoing temporary busing between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park. Busing between Hegewisch and Dune Park includes the following evening/overnight trains 3/23-3/24 and 3/30-3/31: Weekend WB Train 510 Weekend EB Trains 511, 613, 601 Buses

Chesterton Fire Department’s C- crew were heroes after they saved a kitten from a storm drain recently. A resident in the area of Pinehurst Avenue and Quicksilver Drive heard the cries of a kitten coming from a storm drain. Fire department personnel were able to climb into the storm drain and rescue the kitten. The CFD said on their Facebook Friday that the concerned resident is taking care of the kitten.