News

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host its annual Day of Giving fundraiser this Wednesday, April 27. The 24-hour event is consistently the university’s most successful campaign for growing student scholarships, supporting existing scholarships and enhancing support to programs that benefit students and the community. Donors are encouraged to mark their calendars and visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 27 to contribute to PNW and help the Pride expand the many resources available to earn a high-quality college education. “This is an important day for donors, alumni, faculty, staff and students to come together and demonstrate just how much they value the university’s

Angie Nelson Deuitch announced her intention to become the next Mayor of Michigan City at a rally Friday in Michigan City. Surrounded by family and supporters, Nelson Deuitch said, “The foundation of Michigan City is built on our people. We have a diverse population of community members and leaders with a love for our great city. It’s important to prepare and strengthen our families, students, businesses, and government employees for the opportunities ahead.” Nelson Deuitch’s campaign tagline, “Reimage Michigan City: Our People, Our Place, and Our Future,” represents her goal of making Michigan City the premier place to live, work,

Two people died after a police pursuit in East Chicago early Saturday, according to police.  At approximately 3:00 a.m.  officers attempted to stop an “older model” Toyota Corolla, in the area of 138th / Euclid Avenue. According to police, the vehicle refused to stop and officers pursued the vehicle.  A preliminary investigation indicated that the Corolla lost control during the pursuit, in the area of Columbus Drive and Butternut Street. The vehicle then struck a cement planter and came to an abrupt stop. Both the driver and passenger had to be extricated from the vehicle by the East Chicago Fire

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced that LakeFest is coming back July 29-31. The event is three days of music, art, food and fun on La Porte’s Pine, Stone and Clear lakes. The department says to look for more details coming soon.

Despite inclement weather, Indiana Dunes National Park says their annual Earth Day park-wide cleanup on Friday was a huge success. Over 150 volunteers came out to collect litter on the park’s beaches, trails, and roadsides.  The event wrapped up National Volunteer Week at the park.

The Indiana State Police are reminding the public that planting season is approaching for Indiana’s 94,000 farmers. Police say with the warm weather and sunshine, Hoosier motorists will also see more large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana’s rural roads and highways. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police and Hoosier Ag Today want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient on rural roadways this spring. While the term “farm equipment” encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types motorists will encounter during planting

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeffrey Balon on Friday announced that retired Assistant Chief William “Buddy” Collins lost his life in a motor vehicle crash Thursday at 325 East and U.S. Highway 30. Assistant Chief Collins served the citizens of Valparaiso for 35 years, from 1969 to 2005. Balon said of Collins, "He was beyond proud to be a VPD Officer, and he exemplified that pride by wearing his trademark gold necklace with a miniature Valparaiso Police Department badge charm. Even after his retirement, it was clear that he loved, and continued to love, each and every member of the VPD family.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Friday released information about a police pursuit that occurred on April 19, in which a man was arrested after a pursuit that went from Indiana into Illinois. Just before 12:40 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Department officer observed a Dodge Charger exceeding the posted 30 mph speed limit near Georgia Street and East 40th Avenue in Gary. The vehicle also had an expired Illinois license plate. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated in an attempt to flee. The driver disregarded several stop signs, then headed eastbound on Ridge

Citing increasing numbers of incidents involving coaches, players and parents abusing game officials, the City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced Thursday that the Park Board has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on umpire abuse. The department says this is in an effort to create a positive experience for participants, volunteers and staff. The policy calls out penalties for actions that make an umpire feel physically threatened, verbally intimidated or emotionally humiliated. For more information on the policy, visit www.laporteparkandrec.com.

Bridge preventative maintenance work will result in alternating lane closures at two locations in LaPorte and Starke Counties on U.S. 30 on or after Monday, April 25.  U.S. 30 will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Thompson Street and County Road 1350 South over Hunsley Ditch in LaPorte County and between County Road 750 East and County Road 500 North over Jain Ditch in Starke County. The right lanes and shoulders will be closed during phase one, which will be in place for around two weeks. Work will be ongoing through late May.

A Michigan City man was sentenced to 7 years in prison for a firearm offense according to the U.S. Department of Justice.  Sentenced was 33-year-old Colton Crawford, on his plea of guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Crawford was sentenced to 7 years (84 months) in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. During a traffic stop in August 2020, police discovered a handgun, magazines, and a holster, which DNA verified Crawford possessed according to documents in this case.  Crawford has a June 2015 felony conviction in LaPorte County Superior Court which prohibits him from

NIPSCO announced Thursday the recipients of its 2022 environmental action grant program, which awarded $69,100 to 17 local organizations that applied earlier in the year. In its seventh year, NIPSCO’s Environmental Grant program has donated more than $392,000 to date, helping 109 projects across northern Indiana. This year’s projects focus on pollinators including monarch butterflies, bluebirds and bees, use of native plants for sustainable food sources and habitats, as well as corresponding education programs for communities and citizens of all ages. Additionally, funding is provided to support the airing of an environmental documentary on public media, and for special environmental-related

Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner on Wednesday announced that 38 communities and non-profit organizations will receive a combined $65 million for 77 miles of new trail development as a part of the third round of the Next Level Trails program. With matching funds from applicants, this round is expected to generate a total investment of more than $102 million. The grants awarded in the third round include 17 regional projects and 21 local projects. The list of awards, project descriptions, and a map are posted at on.IN.gov/NLT-round-3. The third-round grant recipients are contributing

A bridge project in Kingsbury will cause alternating lane closures on U.S. 35 between U.S. 6 and C.R. 500 S on or after Monday, April 25. Lane closures will be in place through late July for bridge rehabilitation work. The work includes a bridge deck overlay and approach replacement.   

Governor Eric Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith on Tuesday awarded over $107M in Community Crossings matching funds for local road projects in Indiana. Thirty-seven communities in northwest Indiana that received awards. More details can be found at bit.ly/INDOTCommunityCrossings.

The silver alert out of Elkhart County for a missing woman and her baby has been canceled as the mother was found dead and the baby was found safe. South Bend Police announced that on Tuesday evening, police were called to the 400 block of South Kaley to investigate possible sightings of a vehicle connected to a recent Silver Alert issued out of Elkhart County. Officers located an adult female and a small baby inside the vehicle. Twenty-seven-year-old Alexis Morales was pronounced deceased at the scene. Five-month-old Messiah Morales was not injured but was transported to the hospital for observation.

Franciscan Health announced Wednesday that the medical staff at Franciscan Health Michigan City voted unanimously to establish and fund a scholarship to honor the memories and continue the legacies of doctors who gave years of service to the community as a member of the medical staff. The scholarship of up to $5,000 is for a LaPorte County high school senior interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. It is the hope of the scholarship committee that the recipient will someday return to work alongside the medical staff in serving the health care needs of the city and county. Scholarship applications

NIPSCO on Wednesday announced that work to close its five coal ash ponds at the company’s Michigan City Generating Station has begun. Coal ash is the material that remains when coal is burned to generate electricity. NIPSCO says this is similar to the leftover material when wood is burned in a fire. The work that has been outlined will meet the 2023 deadline required by the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule and it is another step forward in the company’s previously announced plans to retire the Michigan City Generating Station. The project work is expected to last through December of

The Salvation Army of Michigan City recently announced that it is recruiting this year's competitors for its Donut Day, Donut Eating Competition on June 3 at Blue Chip Casino. Amateurs and professionals are allowed to enter this year's Donut Day.  The final day to sign up is Friday, April 29.  Respond to the post regarding this event on the Salvation Army of Michigan City Facebook page or tag someone you think should be in it.