News

Michigan City community organizations have again joined forces to host the “Citywide Back to School Rally,” providing school supplies and an end-of-summer celebration for Michigan City families. The rally will take place on Saturday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elston’s Gill Field, 317 Detroit St. in Michigan City. Approximately 2,000 students and their families are expected to attend this year, and each student will receive a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies. Also available at the Back to School Rally will be free food, exhibits, and activities, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. To attend,

The City of La Porte announced the intersection of 3rd and F Streets will be closed all of next week as the Water Department makes necessary infrastructure improvements. The city says the work is part of the infrastructure plan that was proposed a couple of years ago to bring their water and wastewater systems into the 21st century. The city asks the public to seek an alternative route during this time.

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to participate in its strategic planning process. The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce recently held its first Breakfast with the Board at Agave Mansion. Board Members and key stakeholders gathered to hear about recent successes and look to the future of the Chamber. Dr. Cynthia Roberts, Dean of the School of Business and Economics at Indiana University Northwest, was also in attendance to lend her expertise as she assists the Chamber in their strategic planning efforts.  “As we emerge from the pandemic, and the resulting changes in the economic climate,

Mayor Duane Parry, on Thursday announced appointments to the Michigan City Housing Authority Board, replacing the recently removed members. The Mayor’s Office says, “Ms. Virginia Keeting is a well-respected Michigan City Attorney, and past member of the Housing Authority Board and current President of the Michigan City Board of Public Works. Ms. Keating will bring not only experience to this board but also her expertise in law and city management.”  “Mr. Michael Vinson is a current member of the Board of Works and is very thorough in his thinking and objective outlook for the community of Michigan City. He is

A Michigan City man has been charged in the fatal shooting of Kylie McKee, police said. On Wednesday, the case investigation was presented to the Honorable Judge Jamie Oss in Superior Court #1 and probable cause was found to affect the arrest of 25-year-old Robert Dervate Curry of Michigan City for murder. On Sunday at around 1:50 a.m. officers were called to the area of Springland Avenue and Roeske Avenue for a call of shots fired. They were further notified that a subject was believed to have been struck by gunfire. Upon their arrival, Officers located an unresponsive woman in

Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. has announced the appointment of Chris Alber, PhD as the new vice president of the organization’s Excel Center, a tuition-free school that provides the Indiana CORE 40 high school degree to Hoosier adults. In his new role, Alber will be helping students earn a high school diploma and will be connecting them to certifications and training for local employment through Goodwill Industries of Michiana. Alber’s initial goals are to increase enrollment at the four Excel Campuses (South Bend, Elkhart, Gary, and Hammond) and to connect with local stakeholders to communicate the mission of Goodwill Industries.

Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) cadets Marcus Mantel and Matthew Wilson attended the National Military Drill Camp at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, which was held July 6-12.  The objective of the camp was to prepare cadets to command units in military drill competitions and provide them with drill skills that are specific to the JROTC (“armed and unarmed exhibition” drill).  The camp, like all MCJROTC activities, was conducted at no expense to MCHS or the cadets.  The Marine Corps paid for the camp and transportation to and from Texas. MCHS is

Several rule changes that affect DNR properties took effect Wednesday, with the Natural Resources Commission, Attorney General’s Office, and Governor’s Office having recently approved them. Changes include the following: -Stands or blinds (including portable ground blinds) are allowed to be left overnight on DNR properties if the blind or stand is legibly marked with the name, address and phone number of the owner or the owner's customer identification number issued by the DNR. -Trail/game cameras can be placed on properties managed by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, as well as on state forests, and state recreation areas as long

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. Work is underway at the new east lot.. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy. Construction of the

Washington Park Zoo announced the birth of twin Common Marmosets. The babies weigh around 30 grams each. The zoo doesn’t yet know their genders, but says the twins will grow strong under the care of their parents and older siblings who will all share in their care. The marmoset family can be found in the Engineers Castle daily.    

To accommodate passengers attending The Weeknd concert taking place at 6:30 p.m. July 24, at Soldier Field, the South Shore Line plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway. As 18th Street Station is not a regularly scheduled stop, passengers utilizing 18th Street for this event should purchase tickets for Museum Campus/11th Street. In addition to regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th Street, the following trains will also serve 18th Street Station on Sunday, July 24:

PORTER, LAPORTE and STARKE COUNTIES -- Maintenance crews will be conducting seal coating operations resulting in road closures on State Road 8 and State Road 10 over the next several weeks. State Road 8 will be closed between State Road 49 and U.S. 421 for approximately three days on or after Monday, July 25. The official detour for this closure will follow State Road 49, State Road 10 and U.S. 421. State Road 10 will be closed between State Road 39 and U.S. 35 for approximately five days on or after Monday, Aug. 1. The detour will follow State Road

Northwest Medical Group cardiologist, Maya Kommineni, M.D., MPH, recently added a new office at Northwest Health – Michigan City located at 3777 N. Frontage Road in Michigan City. She will continue to see patients at her offices in Valparaiso and Portage as well. Dr. Kommineni uses a multidisciplinary approach to cardiovascular disease management. She has specific interests in preventive cardiology, cardiovascular nutrition, women’s cardiac health and cardio-oncology, the cardiac care of patients undergoing both chemo and radiation therapy. She is accepting new patients and accepts most insurance including Medicine and Medicaid. To make an appointment with Dr. Kommineni at her

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce announced Michele Gustin as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the Second Quarter of 2022. “As a new Michigan City Chamber Ambassador, I have enjoyed the great networking opportunities and many benefits the Chamber offers its members,” stated Gustin. “It’s been a great way to be more involved in the city and a wonderful way to meet business owners.” The Ambassador of the Quarter is given to an individual who has shown dedication to the mission of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce by regularly attending Chamber events, connecting with members through emails, calls,

PORTER COUNTY– An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will reduce the State Road 249 bridge to the Port of Indiana to one lane on or after Monday, August 1. State Road 249 will be reduced to one lane for bridge rehabilitation work through late September. A temporary traffic signal will be installed to direct traffic through this work zone. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal in this location. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will move into phase two of a bridge deck overlay project on Burr Street over I-80/94 on or after Thursday, July 21. During phase two, the outside right lanes of Burr Street will be closed in each direction from 25th Avenue to 29th Avenue. The ramp from eastbound I-80/94 to northbound Burr St will also be closed due to the location of the work zone. The detour for the ramp closure will have motorists continue to Grant Street and then use the ramps at the Grant Street and I-80/94 interchange to

The City of La Porte says it was informed by the railroad on Monday that several tracks will close for repairs through the end of this week. The following crossings are closed: - Boston Street - Pulaski Street - Tipton Street - Detroit Street The city says to please plan ahead and seek an alternative route on these days.

In the City of Portage the intersection of Oglethorpe Avenue and Macon Street will be completely closed to traffic until 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 20. The City of Portage says that this is due to the replacement of stormwater structures. The city says finding alternate routes will be necessary.

Mayor of Michigan City Duane Parry’s charges to remove several Michigan City Housing Authority Commissioners was upheld, according to a statement Monday. Parry, who is the Appointing Authority of the Michigan City Housing Authority, served four MCHA Commissioners, Carla Mock, Willie Lee, Doretha Sanders-Malone, and Milton Malone, on April 26, 2022, with charges for their removal as Commissioners on the MCHA Board. The statement from Parry’s office states the following: “As this was contested by the Board members and their attorney, a Hearing Officer, The Honorable Gerald M. Bishop was appointed by the Michigan City Common Council to hear the

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office is sharing the results of its recent U.S. 20 Traffic Safety Project. Last Wednesday, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office participated in a multi-state traffic safety project along U.S. 20. Agencies from five states – Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana partnered to raise awareness and reduce crashes on U.S. 20. The LCSO was included in the project due to the high volume of crashes on U.S. 20 in La Porte County. Deputies worked the project throughout the day, with a primary focus occurring during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon hours. A total of 42