News

With Memorial Day weekend nearly upon us, Indiana Conservation Officers remind Hoosiers to make water safety a priority then and throughout the summer. “We urge all Hoosiers recreating around our waterways to recognize the danger water poses, even to strong swimmers or experienced boaters,” said Capt. Jet Quillen of DNR Law Enforcement.  The DNR says that when recreating around water, follow these basic safety tips: -Discuss the dangers of water with your family and loved ones before going out. -Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. -Go with a buddy. -Do not venture around flooded or

Michigan City’s City Hall and City Departments will be closed for observing Memorial Day.  The Refuse Department will be operating a regular schedule on Monday, May 30. There will be no delays in trash or compost pick up.

A project to straighten a beam that was previously hit on the I-94 bridge over U.S. 20 will begin on or after Tuesday, May 31 and continue through late July. There will be alternating lane closures and lane shifts on U.S. 20 eastbound, with three phases of work. The Indiana Department of Transportation says that motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. The ramp from westbound I-94 to eastbound U.S. 20 will be closed through the duration of the project.

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced the annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park. The program will begin with a performance by the La Porte City Band. In the event of poor weather, the ceremony will be moved to the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

The Washington Park Zoo announced it will open for an extended hour later on Saturdays and Sundays starting Saturday May 28 until September 4.  Monday through Friday hours will remain 10:00 a.m until 4:00 p.m with the last admission being sold at 3:00 p.m Extended summer hours are Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m with the last admission being sold at 4:00 p.m. Check out their website for more information.

The Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday the establishment of the Next Level Conservation Trust, a program which will acquire property that will become part of the public trust and be protected for future generations of Hoosiers to use and enjoy.  The state will initially invest $25 million in the program, which is an extension of the Bicentennial Nature Trust program and will incorporate elements from the President Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust. “The Next Level Conservation Trust will continue the DNR’s legacy of preserving Indiana’s rich natural heritage,” said DNR Director Dan Bortner. “Outstanding natural features, unique habitats, significant historical

From the Town of Chesterton:  "The Duneland School Corporation will serve free summer student meals to all children in the community, beginning Tuesday, June 7 and ending Thursday, June 30, at Chesterton High School, 2125 S. 11th St., Chesterton.   This Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally-funded, state-administered program which reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens. All children 18 and under are welcome to participate. Meals will be served in the CHS Cafeteria (enter through Door 20). Meals must be eaten on site (indoor seating provided). Elementary age children must be

The Lake County Metro Homicide Unit is asking for the public’s help to identify a deceased white male in his 20s.  His remains were discovered in an abandoned home in the 1200 block of E. 35th Place in Gary Tuesday, at about 6:40 p.m. The deceased is described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 204 pounds.  He was believed to have been wearing white high-top Fila sneakers.  The cause of death is under investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Metro Homicide Unit at 219-755-3855 or the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Report-A-Crime Hotline

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced that 35-year-old Adrian Romero Antunez, a Mexican national in the United States on a tourist visa, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Romero Antunez was the final defendant to plead guilty in a transnational and interstate cocaine ring that centered around New Buffalo, Michigan resident 33-year-old Ivan Huerta Hernandez. Through conduits in Mexico, Huerta Hernandez was supplied by sources located in Chicago, including Romero Antunez. Huerta Hernandez then distributed cocaine to dealers in West Michigan and Northern Indiana. On the morning of November 3, 2021, approximately 90 federal, state,

The Town of Chesterton is reporting that the Town Council has pledged a donation of police and fire protection for the annual “Fireworks on the Lakefront” event.  The Town of Chesterton said that, “in the past the Duneland Chamber of Commerce has asked each of the Tri-Towns to contribute $2,500 in cash toward the expense of holding the annual Fireworks on the Lakefront event, as well as $2,500 in in-kind service, that is, police and fire protection. The Town said that "this year, however, the Chamber has no need for cash, as its president, Maura Mundell, told the Chesterton Town

A Portage man was arrested Tuesday for child pornography possession, Indiana State Police announced.  Members of the Indiana State Police Cyber Crimes Unit and the Lowell Post All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) served a search warrant in the 2400 block of Monnier Street in Portage.  As a result, 24 year-old Patrick J. O. Alaniz, of Portage was arrested.  Police say the arrest was the result of an extensive investigation conducted by detectives from the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The investigation began after a cyber tip was received in September 2021 from the National Center for

Michigan City Area Schools has updated sites for the Summer Food Service. Knapp Elementary was added. Lake Hills breakfast time was changed to 8:00 - 8:45 am Under the Enrolled Sites: Madeline Smrt Center breakfast times were changed to: Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. (8:45 – 9:15 a.m. June 13-June 17). Those changes have been made to the information below. Michigan City Area Schools has announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free meals will be made available to all children 18 years of age and under and to persons over 18 years who are enrolled

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction Co. will begin a roundabout project in Westville at the intersection of U.S. 6 and State Road 2 on or after Tuesday, May 31. Construction will be conducted in three phases, with the intersection of U.S. 6 and State Road 2 partially closed during the first two phases. The project will be ongoing through late October. Phase one will be in place through early August, with the north and west portions of the intersection closed. U.S. 6 will be closed between State Road 2 and Lowman Lane, with an official detour following State

The 13th Annual Award-Winning Great Lakes Grand Prix, featuring some of the world’s fastest and most exciting powerboat racing, will be back August 3-7 at Michigan City’s Washington Park, it was announced earlier this week by Jack L. Arnett, CEO of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event will again present teams from all seven continents racing across the waters of Lake Michigan in some of the world’s fastest powerboats, reaching speeds nearing 175 miles per hour. Along with the boat races, Arnett announced other weekend highlights – the downtown Boat Parade and Block Party on Saturday night

Michigan City Area Schools announced the Multisensory Environment (MSE) room at Pine Elementary was officially dedicated Monday.  Pine says the room features special equipment such as a crash pad, swing, bubble tubes, and much more. A video for more information about the MSE at Pine and similar rooms across the district can be found here.  

Four people were arrested Tuesday morning during a narcotics search warrant in Cedar Lake, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office. At around 9:15 a.m., officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Drug Task Force and SWAT Team and Cedar Lake Police Department executed a narcotics search warrant at a home in the 7200 block of W. 129th Lane in Cedar Lake. Officers had received information that methamphetamine was dealt from the home. Seven individuals were detained during the search of the home. Officers arrested 30-year-old Ty Pozza and 20-year-old Jordan Fletcher, both of the residence in Cedar Lake. Police

A Silver Alert that had been issued for a missing 17-year-old was canceled on Tuesday. The original Silver alert was declared this past Friday for Amari McDade out of Merrillville. The Indiana State Police did not provide any further details.  

The following is an update from NICTD on the South Shore Line (NICTD) Double Track NWI Project construction that is ongoing: INFORMATION UPDATED 5/24/2022 GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work has begun in both the west and east parking lots. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, and the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City announced Monday the release of a new website for the zoo.  The Zoo said on its Facebook page, “Washingtonparkzoo.com is designed to provide an excellent user experience with even more features to come that will continue to enhance the site's educational value and make planning your next visit simpler than ever.” See more zoo updates on the Washington Park Zoo Facebook page.  

INDOT has provided an update on work being done on U.S. 41 near St. John. "Work continues on U.S. 41 after several conflicts with local utilities pushed project completion into this year", INDOT stated. INDOT says road resurfacing should be complete by the end of this week, with work on a box culvert across from Target continuing through possibly July.