News

The City of Valparaiso has reached the mid-way point in its seasonal paving for streets and sidewalks, according to the City’s Engineering Department. “We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made, in arterial areas as well as in neighborhoods,” said Max Rehlander, Engineering Director. The City will pave approximately 7.8 lane miles of roadway this season and replace approximately 2.8 miles of sidewalk. The 2023 infrastructure improvement plan includes highly visible roadways, such as Vale Park Road (paved from Calumet Avenue east to Sturdy Road), portions of Yellowstone Road, and Franklin Street, which also included significant underground work in separating storm

The City of Portage announced on social media that Portage Avenue between Crisman Road and McCool Road is closed to through traffic for curb installation. The City of Portage said in another post “Starting Friday, August 11 and continuing for the next three weeks (weather permitting), Portage Avenue will be closed to through traffic for road reconstruction. Detour routes will be marked. One-way traffic (west bound only) will be provided for residents living off Portage Avenue to access their homes. Please plan accordingly and thank you for your patience.”

Press release from Indiana Department of Education: The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today announced the expansion of Indiana Learns, a statewide grant program providing qualifying parents and families with $1,000 to spend on math and English/language arts high-dosage tutoring and approved out-of-school academic programs for their students. To date, more than 10,000 students are enrolled in Indiana Learns. “We know from our 2023 ILEARN proficiency results, and the ongoing academic impact/recovery analysis, that our middle school students in particular need strategic learning support and interventions,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “This newly released data was the

Staff members in Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) office of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs distributed backpacks and other school supplies in early August to families in need. PNW hosted two “Roaring Back to School” community backpack giveaways at its campuses for area families. Approximately 1,300 people benefitted from the events by receiving backpacks, notebooks, folders, writing utensils and more. Beyond providing high-quality college education, PNW strives to serve its neighboring communities through various outreach initiatives. As a metropolitan university, PNW employees seek ways to make an impact, deliver positive outcomes and support Northwest Indiana.

The Michigan City Police Department announced the passing of retired officer, Edward Wojasinski. MCPD stated the following on their Facebook page: It is with great sadness that we recognize the recent passing of Edward Wojasinski. Ed began his law enforcement career at the Michigan City Police Department on March 3rd, 1969 and retired after 36 years of service in 2005. We want to thank the Wojasinski family for Ed's dedicated service to the Michigan City Police Department and for serving our community. We would also like to send our deepest condolences to the Wojasinski family during this difficult time. Rest

News release from Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Students at 44 Indiana K-12 schools will experience the outdoors this academic year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Park properties. The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is available for all K-12 schools. It is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The grants, up to $250 per school, fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to preparation or follow-up for the field trips. An estimated 3,432 students will

To accommodate passengers attending Chicago Bears home football games, 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 St. Station is not a regularly scheduled stop, SSL passengers utilizing 18th St. for these events should purchase tickets for Museum Campus/11th Street. Passengers are reminded that busing is ongoing to stations between Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center. In addition to their regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th St., the following trains will also serve 18th St. Station for Bears games:

A motorcyclist is facing OWI charges after a crash according to the Porter Police Department. On Tuesday at about 8:24 p.m., Porter Police responded to a single vehicle motorcycle crash at Mineral Springs and Old Porter Road. At the scene, an officer located the motorcycle rider who was ambulatory and refused medical care. The rider had minor injuries and claimed he was struck by a vehicle in the intersection, however multiple witness statements refuted that claim. The rider was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed just before the crash and a witness stated the rider “spun out and

The Indiana Department of Transportation provided the following update on concrete restoration work on I-94 in Lake County: UPDATE: the new traffic configuration on eastbound I-94 will be set up this week but may be delayed one or two evenings due to weather. Motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures and for EB traffic to be split with the work zone in the middle and two lanes on either side by the end of the week.   The original information has been posted below: OVERNIGHT LANE CLOSURES/NEW TRAFFIC CONFIGURATIONS - I-94 in Lake County Concrete restoration work will move

The New Buffalo Police Depart is reporting a water rescue took place Monday afternoon at Lake Michigan. At about 2 p.m. multiple 911 calls were received reporting as many as four swimmers in danger in Lake Michigan at New Buffalo Beach near the breakwall. When rescuers arrived the found two people still in the water and one that had made it to the breakwall but needed medical attention. Officers from the New Buffalo Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police and New Buffalo City Fire were able to throw life rings to the individuals that were still in the water, pulling them

Michigan City Police Officer Daniel Revoir was recognized as an Indiana Traffic Safety All Star through a program put together by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. The Traffic Safety All-Star awards program was created by ICJI as a way to recognize law enforcement officers who are going above and beyond to keep road users and their communities safe by working to combat impaired driving.  To qualify for the award, an officer must have made at least 20 operating while intoxicated arrests and participated in one of the state’s enhanced enforcement campaigns in the previous year. “Officer Revoir exceeded the expectations

At about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers were dispatched to an altercation between numerous people inside Trendsetters Bar & Grill, 4450 Cleveland St. in Gary. The disturbance turned into a physical altercation and spilled outside.  At that time, an unknown individual fired multiple shots striking a 25-year-old male who later died from his injuries. The investigation is being conducted by the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Detective Bureau at (219) 755-3346.

Press release by Franciscan Health: CROWN POINT, Ind. – Jeff Carpenter of Lowell won Monday’s 2023 apple peeling contest at the Lake County Fair’s Senior Day, sponsored by Franciscan Health. Carpenter, 69, beat out 10 competitors with the longest peel, measuring 48 1/8 inches. Senior Day featured free admission for seniors 62 and older with free health screenings and information on a variety of Franciscan Health programs and services for seniors. Snacks, entertainment and giveaways were included. The annual event aims to educate seniors and their caregivers on a variety of healthcare topics and services provided by Franciscan Health. This

Press release by NIPSCO: Merrillville, Ind. – August 7, 2023 – With August 11 quickly approaching, NIPSCO is acknowledging the 8/11 date as a natural reminder for anyone planning a digging project to contact 811 to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811. A yard project can quickly turn into an emergency without advance planning and contacting 811. Underground lines are often “out of sight, out of mind” which can pose a risk to contractors and home owners. The depth of utility lines can

The Dirty Money Racing team had an unfortunate accident at the XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix, on Sunday, August 6th. Both of the racers aboard were unharmed, however, their boat was not. The accident was explained as follows via their Facebook page, "they hit a flyer and the boat stuffed then the stern came over the bow and broke it in half."

The La Porte County Election Board will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, August 9, at the La Porte County Complex in Meeting Room 3 at 3:00pm. The address is 809 State St. La Porte, IN 46350. The agenda of the meeting is posted below: Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Approval of Minutes Public Comment Old Business Approval of finalized Vote Center Plan New Business Board Member Comments Adjournment

August 4, 2023 - Michigan City, Indiana – The Indiana Department of Corrections announced today the closure of the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City. This closure marks the beginning of a new chapter for Northwest Indiana, as it presents a tremendous opportunity for positive economic development and growth. The Northwest Indiana Forum, alongside many partners, released the Region’s first economic development plan, IGNITE the Region- Northwest Indiana’s Strategy for Economic Transformation, in 2018.  This plan included the redevelopment and reimagination of the Michigan City State Prison location and has been awarded READI funds to plan what could be next

The Chesterton Police Department posted the following on its social media about an upcoming enforcement blitz towards school-bus stop-arm scofflaws: As students head back to the classroom this month, the Porter County Traffic Safety Partnership (TSP) is reminding motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences. Porter County TSP is now increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding, and other forms of reckless driving around school buses and in school zones. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “When a school bus’s red

On the Indiana Toll Road, the Exit 10 eastbound exit ramp is open to traffic. The Exit 10 westbound entry and westbound exit ramps remain closed. The westbound exit ramp will reopen on Aug. 31 and the westbound entry ramp will reopen Sept. 23.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. -- An investigation conducted by members of the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) resulted in the arrest of 32-year-old Michael Anthony Prestamer of Munster. Investigators received more than twenty Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to a specific online account that had been used for child exploitation, police said.  After months of investigation, search warrants for a residence in Munster and a business in Hammond were requested and granted by a judge with the assistance of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. Prestamer was arrested without