News

On July 28, 2023, Pedro Burgos was sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading Guilty to Dealing Fentanyl. Deputy Prosecutors Julianne Havens and Atley Price, working with the Laporte County Drug Task Force, brought this case to a success conclusion. Mr. Burgos was arrested as part of Operation Play Pen, a years-long effort to identify and disrupt networks of fentanyl coming into Laporte County. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: “Fentanyl is a scourge in our County, and it weakens us a community.  Most people don’t realize the long hours and painstaking effort that goes into identifying suppliers and dealers.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after the body of an 18-year-old man was pulled Saturday from Lake Michigan in Lake County Saturday. At 2:55 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to Miller Beach for a missing person presumed to be in Lake Michigan. Multiple agencies with dive teams responded to the scene to search. Search efforts were hampered due to a north wind, with three to six-foot waves creating dangerous rip currents in the area. At around 6:00 p.m., a beachgoer observed a body in the water approximately three quarters of a mile from where the man was last seen. A

In Portage, there are temporary lane closures on Swanson Road between Flower Avenue and the railroad tracks through Aug. 4. The closures are for the unloading and loading of equipment and supplies by Wolverine Pipeline. Flaggers are onsite directing traffic.

Michigan City Police Department's National Night Out will take place at Pullman Park, 550 W. 4th Street, on Tuesday, Aug. 1 beginning at 5 p.m. with a bike safety demonstration followed by a Community Bike Cruise with the MCPD Bike Unit. Children and adults are invited to ride the Calumet Trail-Singing Sands Trail, starting at Pullman Park heading west toward County Line Road and returning to the Pullman Park (approximately a 2-mile ride). Afterwards, a community block party will take place at Pullman Park. This event includes a pop-up art project, free food, games, music, K-9 demonstrations, and the presence

The La Porte County Family YMCA is giving a heads up to members that the Michigan City Elston Branch will be closed on Sundays now through the end of August. The YMCA says you are welcome to join them at their La Porte branch every Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Check out the La Porte County Family YMCA Facebook page for the latest on whats going on at the YMCA.

Today, Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02) issued the following statement after sending a letter to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita urging the Attorney General’s office to investigate Landmark Recovery’s Praxis of South Bend addiction treatment facility: “The allegations leveled against the Praxis facility are disturbing. They demand a thorough investigation along with complete accountability for those who may have violated the law along with the public’s trust. “I applaud the actions Indiana has taken thus far to prioritize patient and worker safety. I will continue to ensure that justice is ultimately served so those who need treatment can get the care

Road closures planned for this weekend’s City of La Porte LakeFest Road closures and parking availability have been announced as The City of La Porte gears up for its third annual LakeFest this weekend, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. Through Sunday, July 30, a wide array of festivities will be held at La Porte’s Pine, Stone and Clear lakes. Featured events will include P1 AquaX races, live music, fireworks, sand volleyball tournaments, kids activities, an artisan market by The Collective and more. With events spread throughout the city, Schreiber said residents should be aware of road closures. “The LakeFest

On July 27, 2023, a jury took less than 30 minutes to convict Thessalonica Allen for the murder of her husband, Randy Allen.  Over the course of a 4 day trial, Deputy Prosecutors Julianne Havens and Atley Price presented evidence to a jury.  The jury quickly returned a Guilty verdict on all charges. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: "Julianne and Atley have decades of experience working complex and challenging cases.  Their dedication to Laporte County and its people shows.  They spent a lot of time working the case.  Their hard work got results." Prosecutor Fagan continued, "Good police work is

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana announced it will have mobile food distributions at the following locations in the month of August:   Wednesday, August 2, 2023- Elkhart County 10 a.m. - Noon ET *While supplies last. WHERE: Jefferson Elementary School, 18565 Co Rd 20, Goshen, IN 46528 *This distribution is sponsored by Kroger with added USDA product and will serve 200 households.   Friday, August 4, 2023- St. Joseph County 1p.m. – 3p.m. ET *While supplies last. WHERE: Twin Branch Bible Church, 3807 Vistula Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46544 *This distribution is sponsored by United Way of St. Joseph County

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has extended the Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) forecast through Friday, July 28, for all of Indiana. Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level. IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions: Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area. North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox,

The Valparaiso Police Department has named a new assistant chief. Detective Sergeant Mark LaMotte was named as the next Assistant Chief of Police for the Valparaiso Police Department. LaMotte will officially assume his new responsibilities on October 2, when current Assistant Chief Michael DeHaven retires. “We’re grateful to have someone with Mark LaMotte’s qualifications and commitment to serve our community. We are confident that he is an excellent choice for our next assistant chief,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. LaMotte's law enforcement career began as a certified police officer after having graduated from the Indiana University Police Academy while enrolled as

News release by Franciscan Health: MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health Michigan City’s free FIT-Together program, a family-centered approach to health and wellness, is back and open for registration. The unique, 10-week fitness program is intended for households with children between the ages of 8 and 14. FIT-Together addresses the well-being of every participating family member, including children, siblings, parents and parental figures. Session topics focus on the importance of making healthy choices in activities, relationships and emotional health as well as with nutrition and exercise. Individual and family-centered physical activities to improve stress management, effective communication, problem solving and

On Wednesday July 26, 2023, at approximately 2200 Hours, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center dispatched Michigan City Police Department units along with Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS, to the area of Woodlawn Avenue and Hitchcock Street regarding a male subject that crashed his motorcycle and was unresponsive. Upon arrival of emergency services, a male subject was found deceased next to his motorcycle that was crashed. A preliminary investigation revealed that the operator of the motorcycle was traveling westbound on Woodlawn Avenue at a high rate of speed approaching the curve to the west of Hitchcock Street.

CROWN POINT, Ind. — A crash that pushed concrete barriers into traffic caused major delays for drivers on I-65 Wednesday afternoon. At around 12:20 p.m., troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on I-65 at the 248 mile-marker, which is one mile north of the Crown Point exit. A preliminary investigation shows that a tractor trailer was northbound when for unknown reasons the truck veered into the center divider wall. The impact pushed the concrete barriers into the southbound lanes of travel. A tanker semi traveling southbound then struck the concrete that was now in its lane. The impact resulted in

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Thursday, July 27, for all of Indiana. Air quality is expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (Orange) level. IDEM is forecasting high ozone levels due to a significant increase in temperatures across the state and a continued air mass from Canadian wildfires in the following regions: Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area. North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South

The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana has issued a heat advisory along with a dense fog advisory for portions of northern Indiana, southwest Michigan and northwest Ohio. Additionally, the National Weather Service of Chicago has issued a heat advisory for parts of the Chicago area along with Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.   Heat Advisory URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Northern Indiana 326 AM EDT Thu Jul 27 2023 Elkhart-Lagrange-Steuben-Noble-De Kalb-Northern La Porte- Eastern St. Joseph IN-Southern La Porte-Western St. Joseph IN- Cass MI-St. Joseph MI-Branch-Hillsdale-Northern Berrien- Southern Berrien-Williams-Fulton OH- Including the cities of Elkhart, Goshen,

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: According to a recent conservation survey, Indiana farmers have set a conservation record this year by planting an estimated 1.6 million acres of overwinter living covers. “Protecting our most vital natural resources is top of mind for our Indiana farmers and this year’s record breaking cover crop acreage is a testament to that,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana's Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Through the implementation of cover crops and other conservation efforts, farmers are ensuring our land and water resources remain healthy and productive.” Overwintering living covers (i.e. - cover

In Porter, 23rd Street between West Porter Avenue and Union Avenue will be closed all day Thursday, July 27—beginning at 7 a.m.—for the removal of a hazard tree damaged in a recent storm, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page. The tree is located on the west side of 23rd Street, just south of the Prairie Duneland Trail, in the Town of Porter’s jurisdiction, according to the Town of Chesterton. The Town of Chesterton stated, “Motorists should be able to avoid the area easily enough, by shooting south on 20th, 21st, or 22nd streets to Union Ave.”

The Valparaiso Police Department, in conjunction with the Valparaiso Community Schools and the Valparaiso Fire Department, are informing the public of training that will be taking place at Flint Lake Elementary School (4106 Calumet Avenue) on July 26, 27, and 28. The safety drills will be conducted on each of these days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  There will be an abundance of police vehicles and fire apparatus in the area throughout the day, with police and fire training activities occurring within the school. “Please do not be alarmed, as emergency services are aware of the drills taking place,”