News

A Gary man was charged with attempted murder of a Gary police officer, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Wednesday police announced that 22-year-old Kameron T. Cooks, of Gary, is facing a charge of attempted murder in the shooting of veteran Gary police officer Sgt. William Fazekas on Feb. 7. Cooks also faces one count of aggravated battery, three counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of striking a law enforcement animal.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City is offering a unique way to celebrate the “Big Game” by tackling hunger in Michigan City.  A drive-through food drive will be held this Saturday, February 12 from 9 a.m. to noon to help restock food pantry shelves. The Salvation Army is seeking donations to the food pantry to help restock the shelves after serving nearly 600 local families with Christmas assistance.  In addition, the food pantry serves approximately 500 families per month. Suggested items for donation are canned fruits and vegetables, spaghetti sauce, cereal, jelly, canned meat, paper products, dish detergent, hygiene products

Wednesday, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced that the Sanitary District of Michigan City will receive a grant award from the Nonpoint Source Runoff and Nutrient Reduction Program under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). The grant award, which is over $292,000, will be used to improve water quality and reduce stormwater runoff in Michigan City communities. Specifically, the funding will support the Adams Park Stormwater Wetland Restoration project, which will develop a 2.5 acre stormwater treatment wetland. The purpose of this area is to capture stormwater runoff and will add 413,820 square feet of green infrastructure and the planting of

A La Porte man was charged with rape and eight additional related felony counts according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. Police say on Jan. 4, Deputy Ryan Doperalski was dispatched to a residence located in rural Pleasant Township regarding a sex offense. Initial information was gathered by Deputy Doperalski from the teenage female victim and her guardians. This information identified the suspect as 35 year old John M. Doty of La Porte, a teacher for a regional area school. The matter was assigned to Detective Gabe Struss for immediate investigation. In the days and weeks that followed, Detective

A crane hoisted a yellow beam skyward in the winter sun, marking a milestone in the construction of Franciscan Health Crown Point’s new hospital at Interstate 65 and U.S. 231. The recent Topping Off Ceremony celebrated the last of the structural steel that will shape the $200 million hospital, which will open in 2024. Jason Middleton, vice president of administrative services at Franciscan Health Crown Point, said, “This is a special day. This is the final beam going up into the hospital.” Father Tony Janik, OFM, director of spiritual care at Franciscan Health Crown Point, blessed the beam with holy

Indiana State police say a life-threatening condition was discovered after a trooper made an arrest following a pursuit on I-65 in Lake County Tuesday afternoon. At around 1:42 p.m.Troopers with the All Crimes Policing Team attempted to perform a traffic stop on a 2017 Nissan Maxima for traffic violations. The driver failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated northbound on I-65 from the 240 mile-marker (Lowell exit). During the pursuit, the suspect was able to avoid stop sticks that had been placed on the roadway at different locations. However, at the 255.2 mile-marker, another trooper attempted to put stop

The Porter County COVID strike team has testing and vaccinations from noon to 8 p.m. through Saturday Feb. 12 at the Porter County Expo. Testing and vaccinations will also be from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday Feb. 17 through Saturday Feb. 19 at the Hebron Community Building at 611 N. Main St. on Wednesday Feb. 16, testing and vaccinations will open at 1 p.m. The COVID testing and vaccination team is a joint effort of the Porter County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health.

Because of recent changes to existing law, Hoosiers with disabilities are now able to save even more under the state’s INvestABLE Indiana program. Beginning January 1, 2022, the annual contribution limit for ABLE accounts increased from $15,000 to $16,000. This increase of over 6% will allow savers to deposit even more into their accounts and experience lower fees. The contribution limit is tied to the annual gift tax exclusion limit, which saw an increase this year. ABLE plans have been making headlines across the country, too. The National ABLE Alliance, of which Indiana is a proud member, recently crossed a

Michigan City Area Schools says Krueger Middle School is inviting area 6th graders and their families to attend its annual Krueger Middle School Round-Up.  Stop by Krueger (2001 Springland Ave.) on Tuesday, March 1 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to learn more about the school and learn more about what middle school has in store for you.  Those attending can meet the principal, counselor, and current students; tour the building; learn about classes, athletics, and clubs and get the scoop on the 21st Century Scholars Program.

Franciscan Health Michigan City announces a partnership with Signet Health to provide management and advisory services for its behavioral health program, demonstrating a continued commitment to meeting the community’s mental health needs. Scott Mundell, administrative director of business development at Franciscan Alliance, said that Signet Health has “a wealth of experience and an experienced team focused on behavioral health and rehab.” While Signet is serving in an advisory and management capacity, patient care will still be provided by Franciscan Health, he added. Signet Health is based in North Richland Hills, Texas, and operates in 30 states. It has become an

Drive Clean Indiana’s members and stakeholders last week were awarded $1.8 million in Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund grants for 42 sustainable non-road vehicles and pieces of equipment, the statewide nonprofit announced today. The Indiana Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee approved the eight successful grant applications, which were written and assisted by Drive Clean Indiana for its members and stakeholders, during a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3. A total of nine awards were approved by the committee. “Drive Clean Indiana was pleased to assist our members and stakeholders with yet another round of successful grant applications for the

Porter-Starke Services’ newest program will aid clients of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana as well as VNA Meals on Wheels by providing them with check-ins and social contact. Facilitating this initiative are 18 Valparaiso University nursing students participating as part of their public health nursing course. With many Meals on Wheels clients facing increased isolation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trained students will help homebound seniors better assess their mental well-being and provide them with genuine contact through phone calls and home visits. The students have been trained by Porter-Starke employees as part of the Healthy

The Michigan City Police Department recently announced a vacancy for animal control officer. The salary is $18.14 per hour. The FLSA status is non-exempt, full-time. Completed applications are to be turned in by Feb. 25. More information can be found on the Michigan City Police Department Facebook page and emichigancity.com. 

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have upcoming mobile mobile food distributions in Starke and LaPorte counties.  On Tuesday, Feb. 16, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon central time at Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield Street, in Knox. This distribution will serve 200 households, while supplies last. On Monday, Feb. 21, there will be a distribution from 10 a.m. – Noon at Last Resort Campground, 4707 W. 1300 S, in Hanna. This distribution will serve 150 households, while supplies last.  Assorted food items are offered free of charge. All items are pre-boxed and