News

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration today announced that its Be Well Crisis Helpline has surpassed 25,000 calls, a milestone in its ongoing efforts to provide Hoosiers with free, confidential mental health counseling and resources. The support line is available through Indiana 211 and enables Indiana residents to speak with trained, compassionate counselors 24/7. Approximately 59% of callers have received a referral for additional mental health or substance use services or requested additional crisis counseling. FSSA also announced that federal funding will allow the agency to operate the Be Well Crisis Helpline through at least March of 2023. “FSSA

Almost 43,000 fall fingerling walleyes were stocked at eight locations in northern Indiana in early October, the DNR announced on Tuesday. Additionally over 26,700 fall fingerlings were stocked at five more locations in late October to mid-November. The fish stocked in the second round were grown at Fawn River State Fish Hatchery to supplement the earlier stockings that were purchased from a private commercial fish supplier, the DNR said.  Locally stocked lakes include Bass Lake in Starke County, Pine and Stone Lakes in La Porte, the St. Joseph River, and Wolf Lake in Lake County.  The DNR said most of

The annual Love Lights Tree Blessing scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5, at Franciscan Health Michigan City has been canceled due to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community. The annual event allows community members to honor loved ones during the holiday season. Families make $3 donations, which benefit Franciscan Health Michigan City’s mission and community outreach activities. All names that have been submitted will still be published in The LaPorte County Herald-Dispatch and remembered in prayer.        

Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) announced their last First Friday event of 2021 on Dec. 3, 2021 from 4 – 7 p.m.. Enjoy the Fall/Winter exhibition Nature Now, shop the Holiday Artisan Market and have a snack while enjoying some holiday cheer. LCA is proud to showcase the talents of the Krueger Middle School 7/8 Chorus led by director, Shirley Allen at 5:45 p.m. as part of the First Friday celebration. The chorus will present a variety of holiday music – don’t miss it. A special trunk show of wearable art by Rita Cochran will also be featured. Rita’s

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the recent retirement of Captain Dave Richardson and the appointment of Andrew McIntyre as the Captain of Investigations. Captain Dave Richardson has served the City of Valparaiso for 25 years, accepting his first appointment as a Probationary Patrolman on November 18, 1996. Dave attained his first promotion, to Sergeant in 2005 and was again promoted in 2010, to Lieutenant. During his career, Dave remained a valuable member of the Patrol Division, heading the largest division of the department since August 19, 2017. Captain Andrew McIntyre is a 2009 graduate of the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement

Hammond Police are looking to identify a suspect in a motel robbery.  On Nov. 5, a robbery occurred at the Motel 6, in Hammond. Hammond Police are attempting to identify a male suspect shown on their Facebook page. Police say if you recognize the man, or have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Sgt. Michael Elkmann 219-852-2982.

The Michigan City High School Student Council is once again coordinating a “drive through” collection of non-perishable food items at Ames Field. The food drive will take place Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. The community is encouraged to help by “driving through” the Ames Field parking lot with a donation. All items collected will go to The Salvation Army of Michigan City food pantry. Every year, right before the holidays, the high school – along with Michigan City Area Schools elementary and middle schools – participate in a districtwide food drive that benefits The Salvation Army. For several years running, the

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) says it will host its fall commencement ceremonies in-person, with appropriate health and safety protocols, on Saturday, Dec. 11, at its Westville campus. A total of 995 candidates are eligible to receive degrees during the two commencement ceremonies, including one doctorate degree candidate, 218 master’s degree recipients and 776 earning undergraduate degrees. Purdue Northwest will hold ceremonies on its Westville campus on Dec. 11 in the H.D. Kesling Gymnasium inside the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex. Graduates in the College of Business, College of Engineering and Sciences, and College of Technology will participate

A Hobart man has been arrested in connection to a bank robbery that occurred in Michigan City.  Monday morning at around 10:00 a.m., police responded to a bank alarm at Horizon Bank located on 515 Franklin St.  Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had received an undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot. Officers searched the area and located a subject matching the description of the suspect near 6th Street and Washington Street. The man was detained and evidence from the robbery was discovered. Probable cause was established and 52-year-old Paul Farkas of Hobart, was taken into custody and

Saturday morning at 6:43 AM, deputies were summoned to the area of US 35 and CR 400 North, rural Center Township, reference a crash.  Sergeant James Lear was the first to arrive on scene and confirmed the driver of the vehicle was deceased.  The initial crash investigation completed by Deputy Bobby Greer and assisting deputies determined the following had occurred.   A red 2002 Ford Focus had been traveling southbound on US 35.  For an unknown reason, the vehicle crossed the double yellow line, traveled into the northbound lane, began to lose control and drove back into and across both of the southbound lanes

The National Park Service has created an audio version of Indiana Dunes National Park’s official map and guide, making it accessible to visitors who have visual impairments and cannot read the printed version. The audio description can be accessed by visiting the Audio Described Brochure webpage on the park’s website, or by downloading the UniDescription mobile app on both Apple and Android devices. Audio files of the park’s brochure are available for download as well. The apps provide park brochures in acoustic media, designed for people who are blind, visually impaired, print dyslexic, or who prefer learning through sound. The

The Valparaiso Police Department and the Porter County Sheriff's Office have partnered together and invite the public to a 'Cover the Cruiser' event benefiting Indiana Special Olympics on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. They will be on the south side of the Valparaiso Courthouse on Indiana Avenue.  By making a donation, (cash or via QR code), participants will receive an icon to personalize and tape to one of the two cruisers.  All proceeds go to support Special Olympics sports, health, and community programs right here in Indiana. Special Olympics Indiana has grown to more than 18,000

The Indiana State Department of health updated their weekly COVID county advisory level map last Wednesday.  La Porte and Porter counties remain with a score of 2.5, in the orange level.  Lake County has moved up from a score of 1.5, in the yellow level to a score of 2, in the orange level. St. Joseph, Starke, Jasper and Newton counties all moved up from a score of 2, in the orange level to a score of 2.5 in the orange level.  In the past week positivity has risen in all of the counties mentioned.

The City of Valparaiso is reminding residents that due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday’s trash and recycle will be picked up on Friday, Nov. 26 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Valparaiso City Services offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26, resuming regular hours on Monday, Nov. 29. You may call 1-844-296-6810 in the event of an emergency.

The Michigan City Festival of Lights Celebration will take place on Dec. 4 from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Senior Center in Washington Park. There will be a cash bar, live music by Pointing Fingers Band , and a chili challenge where Michigan City Police and Fire Departments will face off, as well as a “Service Club Showdown.” A five dollar donation to Meals on Wheels is needed to sample the chili and vote. The admission fee to enter the celebration at the Senior center is one unwrapped toy donation. Also on Dec. 4 will be the Snowflake Parade at