News

The nation’s top basketball prospects will once again gather to play at the historic La Porte Civic Auditorium this January, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. The La Porte Invitational returns for its third year Thursday, Jan. 4 through Saturday, Jan. 6 at the Civic. This three-day, nationally televised basketball showcase will feature 11 of the best high school programs in the nation, with over 20 of ESPN’s top-ranked recruits. With its old-school charm and classic “Hoosiers” feel, Dermody said there’s no better stage than the Civic to watch the NCAA and NBA talent of tomorrow. “The La Porte

News release by Indiana Department of Health: The Indiana Department of Health encourages Hoosiers to get vaccinated against influenza (flu) after confirming the first two flu-related deaths of the 2023-24 season. No additional information about the patients will be released due to privacy laws. Hundreds of Hoosiers become sick from influenza, and some cases are fatal. More than 270 Hoosiers died after contracting influenza during the 2022-23 flu season, which typically runs from October through May. “Influenza can quickly become a serious, even life-threatening illness for some Hoosiers,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “While no two flu

A single-vehicle crash Thursday night left County Road 200 West in Liberty Township temporarily closed while firefighters worked on extricating a driver from the vehicle. The crash, which occurred around 6:12 p.m. shut down 200 West between 900 North and 1000 North for approximately one hour while firefighters were working the scene. Arriving firefighters found the vehicle upright and perpendicular in the middle of the road just south of the CSX railroad tracks with significant damage to the vehicle, which was later towed. It is currently unknown what caused the driver – who was headed south on 200 West to

Press release by City of Michigan City: On Tuesday November 7th and Friday November 10th, most City offices, including City Hall and non-emergency City Operations will be closed for Election Day and on Friday to observe Veteran’s Day. There will be no interruption in Transit services as they will be operating their normal schedules. Our Refuse Department will be operating a normal schedule on Tuesday and will be closed on Friday to observe Veterans Day. Refuse pickup will only be delayed on Friday and Friday’s pickup will take place on Saturday November 11th. PLEASE take a moment to remember all

The Indiana Department of Insurance announced that open enrollment for 2024 coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace has started. The open enrollment period gives you an opportunity to enroll, re-enroll or change your health insurance plan.   Important Dates December 15, 2023: Last day to enroll in or change plans and pay the first month’s premium for coverage to start January 1, 2023. January 15, 2024: Last day to enroll in or change a 2024 health plan and pay the first month’s premium for coverage to start February 1, 2024. After January 15, 2024, you can enroll in or change

News release by Indiana Department of Agriculture: Indianapolis, IN – Agriculture educators play a vital role within their communities by investing countless hours to prepare and empower students for successful careers in the industry. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources, Nationwide and Indiana FFA are accepting nominations for Indiana’s leading agricultural teachers for a chance to be named as the 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year. Nationwide and its state partners recently recognized 64 exceptional agricultural teachers as 2022-2023 Golden Owl Award® finalists and then honored nine grand prize winners as their state’s Ag Educator of the Year.

Press release by Office of the Indiana Treasurer of State: Indiana State Treasurer Daniel Elliott announced today that he has authorized the largest known purchase by a State in the USA since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. “Israel is our most important ally in the world.  This investment reflects the confidence that I have in the Israeli people and the Israel economy,” said Treasurer Daniel Elliott.  “Israeli bonds have provided high rates of returns for investors, even outperforming their American counterparts.  Historical data and suggests that this is a great opportunity for Hoosier taxpayers.” As Indiana’s Chief Investment Officer,

Nationwide, November is recognized as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. NIPSCO wishes to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide in the community to help keep everyone safe. Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the "Silent Killer" because it is an odorless, tasteless, and non-corrosive gas that is produced when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, natural gas, propane, or oil) burn incompletely. Despite the fact that natural gas does not contain CO, it can be generated when there is insufficient oxygen for fuels to burn correctly. The most reliable way to determine whether you have a

The DNR released its results from the 2023 Turkey Brood Survey. Contributions surpassed the goal of 3,000 observations. Between July 1-Aug. 31, the public contributed 3,639 observations of wild turkey hens with or without poults. After DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife biologists removed duplicates and reports without exact locations, 2,203 brood observations are being factored into regional production estimates. The DNR says because of the publics’s help, it can continue to track population trends and make important management decisions to foster healthy ecosystems in Indiana.

To show their gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free November 10-13, 2023, on all weekday and weekend trains. “We hope that this celebration of active-duty military personnel and veterans (including reservists) with free rides can show the immense gratitude we have for their service,” commented Nicole Barker, Director of Capital Investment and Implementation at the SSL. "As train personnel walk through the train, please let them know that you are active military personnel or a veteran, and we will provide you a ride at no charge," the SSL said.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office coordinated a compliance check of a selected group of registered Sex Offenders across La Porte County on Oct. 27.  Agency personnel from the Criminal Investigations Division, Warrants Division and Civil Division, along with the assistance of the US Marshals Service, participated in the operation. The unannounced check of the 30 Sex Offenders deemed all of them compliant with their information on the Sex and Violent Offender Registry.  Last week’s compliance check was in addition to the required checks of all registered Sex Offenders (206) residing in La Porte County. The agency, along with all

A semi rolled over on U.S. 30 west of County Road 900 causing the westbound driving lane to be intermittently closed throughout the afternoon, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday afternoon. Police said the semi was hauling a biofuel product that was not flammable or toxic. No other information was given on the update.    

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is now accepting applications for the 2024 On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. On-Ramp is a program for artists and creative entrepreneurs seeking training and resources around establishing or supporting an arts-based business in Indiana. Designed by Elaine Grogan Luttrull of Minerva Financial Arts, On-Ramp focuses on ten key business concepts for a successful creative career including defining value, business structure, identifying and marketing to customers, pricing strategy, marketing strategy, managing expenses and generating revenue, taxes, and planning. The On-Ramp Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator is comprised of a three-day in-person intensive entrepreneurship and community engagement workshop and

The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been confirmed in the northern Indiana counties of Elkhart, Porter, and St. Joseph next to railroad lines through Chesterton, Elkhart, and Mishawaka. This is the third region of the state in which this invasive pest has been found, joining the 2021 find in Switzerland County (southeast) and the 2022 find in Huntington County (northeast). The DNR continues to survey to determine the extent of the currently infested areas. A planthopper that originated in Asia, spotted lanternfly is of concern across most of the United States because of its adverse effect on fruit orchards, nurseries, and

Press release by City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso and its Art Advisory Committee seek designs from local artists to expand the utility box art program throughout the Valparaiso community. The utility box art program was created by the City’s Redevelopment Commission in 2016 to promote public art and local artists. The program has supported 12 locations to date, primarily in the downtown area. In 2024, the goal is to expand the program to wrap more boxes throughout the community. Artists are encouraged to submit existing or new work to help color more corners of our community. The deadline

Ogden Dunes Police sent out an advisory Monday that there is currently a scam involving the scammers claiming to be the United States Postal Service. “If you receive a text from someone claiming to be from the USPS stating they have a package that is undeliverable, this is a scam,” police said in the advisory. Police also said that the post office will leave a notice in your mailbox and that the post office will not call or text you. “Please do not click on any links or give out any personal information,” ODPD said in the advisory. “Again, this

The Rotary Club of Michigan City will honor seven individuals from the community with the annual Service Above Self Award on Thursday, November 9. This year’s recipients include: Officer Maximilliano Hernandez, MCPD Police Officer of the Year; Lt. Marcus Mantel, JROTC Cadet of the Year; Mercedes Trimble, Correctional Officer of the Year; Civil Deputy Tony Wallace, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy of the Year; Lt. Nick Pabon, MCFD Firefighter of the Year; Kim Noetzel, MCAS Teacher of the Year; and Tyler Pritchard, La Porte County EMT/Paramedic of the Year. Awards will be presented during an event that is open

A U-Haul van with $75,000 in stolen goods led police on a pursuit Monday through Lake County, ending in Chicago where the passenger being arrested but the driver was not found. Sometime around 2 a.m. Monday, Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were advised that Hobart police were in pursuit of a U-Haul van that fled from the scene of burglary reported at Sunbelt Rentals at 1851 Northwind Parkway in Hobart. A Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officer observed the van make an abrupt U-turn after exiting I-80/94 at Grant Street and continue fleeing northbound. The vehicle then reentered I-80-94

A man was arrested Sunday following an alleged stabbing that happened at Planet Fitness in Valparaiso. Police say at about 9:00 a.m., they responded to Planet Fitness, located at 1270 Strongbow Centre Dr., in reference to a man who had sustained a knife wound.  Police say the incident is believed to be isolated to the subjects involved and there is no ongoing threat to the public.  Police identified 24-year-old Jordan Andrade of Porter Township as the suspect. Andrade has been taken into custody on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Andrade is incarcerated at the

Bay Logistics, in partnership with affiliated firm Martin Transportation Systems (MTS), has expanded operations with the acquisition of a 190,000 square-foot facility on 15 paved acres at 923 West US 20. The third-generation family-owned transportation, logistics and warehousing provider recently purchased the land and building to provide a central location for both the trucking and warehousing sides of its businesses. “We are based in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Bay Logistics owns and operates over 3 million square feet of warehouse space. Our sister company MTS runs a fleet of 1200-plus tractors and more than 3000 trailers, and recently earned another