News

Update from the La Porte County Prosecutor's office: On July 19th, the Laporte County Prosecutor’s Office secured two Guilty verdicts against Kyle Earley for Murder. Over the course of a 3 day trial, Deputy Prosecutors Sarah Konieczny and Doug Shaw presented the evidence to a jury, and secured Guilty verdicts for the murders of John and Denis Earley. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said, ‘When you have great people, you get great results. Doug and Sarah, along with Chief Deputy Chuck Watterson, worked this case tirelessly, and thanks to their dedication, they secured justice on behalf of the State of Indiana

Duneland Chamber Community Awards Luncheon 2023 was a success! Team WIMS had a great time getting to meet these incredible individuals, and hearing about all of their hard work! Here is a list of your winners: Volunteer of the Year - Brian Bolin Volunteer of the Year - Scott Palla Humanitarian of the Year - Duneland Exchange Club Business Renovation - Glacial Sands Business Renovation - Heartland Business Renovation - Lia's Bella Cucina Putting Duneland on the Map - Aidan Torres New Construction - Allen Law Group Serviceperson of the Year - Officer William Reshkin Serviceperson of the Year -

The Michigan City Police Department is congratulating Officer Dylon Travis on participating in Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride. Officer Travis rode from Merrillville to South Bend with the group. The group rides the whole state of Indiana bringing awareness of fallen officers who are killed in the line of duty and their survivors. Officers and staff from the Michigan City Police Department met the group at their stop at Westville Correctional Facility to pay tribute and support Officer Travis. The MCPD Traffic Division helped with the escort of the riders while they were in LaPorte County.

The City of Portage announced that through Aug. 1, the roads listed below will have rolling lane closures as their crack sealing contractor will be filling cracks in the asphalt pavement. Expect delays periodically, flaggers will be present. They also ask that residents in these areas not park on the streets between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.   Affected streets: Carol Street – Ruth Avenue to Danube Avenue Fern Street – Glenrose Street to Danube Avenue Sunset Street – Glenrose Street to Ruth Avenue Glenrose Street – Stone Avenue to Sunset Street Mulberry Avenue – Willowcreek Road to Monnier Street

Three roadwork projects begin Friday in Portage. Samuelson Road between U.S. 20 and Portage Avenue will experience intermittent land restrictions between Friday, July 21 and Friday, July 28 for milling and paving. A flag person will be on-site directing traffic. Central Avenue between Scott Street and Samuelson Road will be closed to through traffic between Scott Street and Samuelson Road on Friday, July 21 for milling out existing asphalt, subgrade treatment, and installation of binder Prairie Duneland Trail at Central Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 21 for the milling and paving of Central

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: This year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has stocked Indiana waterways with walleye and saugeye – fish that are known for being excellent table fare and for the skill it takes to catch them. Because there is no natural reproduction of walleye and saugeye in most of Indiana, the DNR runs a program to spawn and stock these fish every spring across multiple waterways for anglers to catch. Spawning operations in late March to early April, which are organized at Brookville Lake, resulted in 35.7 million fertilized walleye eggs. The eggs

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the closure of U.S. 30 eastbound between U.S. 421 and County Road South 900 West for approximately three to five days on or after Wednesday, July 19. This closure is for repairs following permitted work near the intersection of U.S. 30 and U.S. 421. Traffic going eastbound on U.S. 30 toward U.S. 421 will be split into a left turn lane and right turn lane so motorists should approach the signal with caution and follow traffic directions carefully. The official detour for this closure will follow U.S. 421, U.S.

Assistant Chief of Police, Michael J. DeHaven, has announced his retirement, effective October 2, 2023, according to a news release from the Valparaiso Police Department. “Assistant Chief DeHaven is a respected leader in our community, having served in several key roles during his 27-year career with the Valparaiso Police Department,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. “We thank him for his extraordinary service and wish him well in his retirement.” Assistant Chief DeHaven began his law enforcement career with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department in 1995, where he spent a year and a half before joining the Valparaiso Police Department in 1996.

LAPORTE & ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in road closures on State Road 4 and State Road 104 beginning on or after Monday, July 24. State Road 4 will close between State Road 104 and State Road 23 first, and once open, State Road 104 will close between State Road 4 and U.S. 6. Each closure is expected to take approximately one day. The official detours will follow State Road 4, State Road 104, U.S. 6 and State Road 23. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek

Press release from Unity Foundation of La Porte County: LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce it is awarding $310,000 in scholarships to 171 students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The recipients are attending 50 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Since 1992, Unity has awarded more than $3.5 million from sixty scholarship funds to help area students advance their education. Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President, said, “We are honored to award scholarships each year. Beyond providing financial assistance, receiving these awards is proof that their community believes

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 23 between County Road East 300 North and County Road East 400 North on or after Monday, July 24. State Road 23 will be closed through early September for a small structure replacement. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, U.S. 35, and State Road 8.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – Charges have been filed by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office following the pursuit that took place on July 12 on I-65, according to the Indiana State Police. Thomas J. Sanhamel, 45, from West Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with attempted murder, attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, four counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, attempt to commit battery against public safety official, four counts of battery to public safety official and two counts of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle. The original story can be found here.  

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred early Saturday. Just after 2 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of State Road 2 and Old State Road 2, in reference a single vehicle personal injury crash.  The initial on-scene investigation determined a 2014 GMC Sierra pickup truck had been traveling along State Road 2.  The vehicle left the roadway, traveled into a deep ditch, and came to rest in a field. Two subjects identified at the scene were determined to be occupants of the vehicle.  One of the subjects, 55-year-old Allan M. Vanblaircom of

Michigan City police are investigating after one person was shot in the shoulder on Friday. According to police the dispatch center received a 911 call at approximately 10:35 a.m. regarding a person who was shot in the 500 block of Pleasant Avenue. Officers responded to the scene and located a 37-year-old male from Gary, Indiana who had a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. An officer provided first aid to the victim before he was transported by EMS to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City for a non-life-threatening injury. The victim was eventually transported from Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 20 between State Road 520 and County Line Rd starting on or after Friday, July 21. U.S. 20 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately three weeks while crews perform maintenance on the bridge deck and approaches over Amtrak/Chandler Road. There will be changing traffic patterns in the area. 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

To thank local educators for their hard work, the South Shore Line is inviting teachers to ride the SSL for free beginning Monday, July 24, through Sunday, July 30, 2023, on all off-peak weekday and all weekend trains (off-peak weekday trains arrive at Millennium Station after 9:30 am CST, and depart Millennium Station before 3:30 pm and after 6:30 pm CST). To ride, educators will need to present a valid school ID. Passengers can also take advantage of the Kids Ride Free Program, allowing up to three children 13 years of age and under to ride free with each parent

La Porte County Circuit Court Clerk issues public notice and letter to citizens    The La Porte County Clerk will hold a Public Meeting regarding Vote Centers on July 20th, 2023 at 6:00pm at City Hall in Michigan City, Indiana. (100 E Michigan Blvd Michigan City, IN 46360)   The Final Public Meeting on Vote Centers will be held at 6:00pm on August 3, 2023 in Meeting Room 3 at the La Porte County Complex (809 State St La Porte IN, 46350)   Below is a letter by La Porte County Circuit Court Clerk Heather Stevens:   MESSAGE FROM LA

Chesterton police are seeking a hit and run driver. On Tuesday morning in the area of Railroad and Kelle Drive, a blue Tesla sedan was involved in a property damage crash. Police say the driver of the blue Tesla was described as an Asian male, 50-60 years of age. He also mentioned that he was a doctor, according to the Chesterton Police Department. Anyone with information that could assist in identifying the driver of the blue Tesla, are asked to call Cpl. LaMotte at 219-926-1136.

A Gary Police K-9 was killed during a pursuit Thursday. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.made the following statement: “It is with great sadness that I share the passing of beloved Gary Police Department K-9 Falco. He was shot and killed this afternoon during a police foot pursuit near 35th Place and Martin Luther King Drive in Gary. A 29-year-old male is in police custody. He was wanted for aggravated battery and criminal recklessness. The officer involved in the foot pursuit was not injured. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is handling the investigation. “Falco served as a police K-9 for