News

In August, NIPSCO employees were honored to participate at volunteer events across northern Indiana and make a difference through the company’s 12th annual Charity of Choice campaign. Charity of Choice is NIPSCO's annual employee-driven, company-wide effort focused on meeting the needs of a variety of nonprofit groups throughout NIPSCO’s service area. In partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation and Besa, an organization that helps connect people and companies with nonprofits, 126 NIPSCO team members volunteered nearly 500 service hours across 26 projects for local organizations. Organizations NIPSCO supported in the month of August include: • Family Services Association of Howard

This past week, the Valparaiso Police Department hosted a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Physical Security Assessment Training. The 3-day program helps train officers in how to conduct physical security assessments of schools, houses of worship, and other critical infrastructure. Nine communities joined the Valparaiso Police Department in learning more to keep their cities safer.  

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is informing the public about light pollution disrupting songbird migration. The DNR says that, "As the sun sets, songbirds are lifting off and flying over us, navigating by the moon and stars on their south-bound migration. They need your help." Artificial lights disorient the birds, and the DNR says millions of birds that get trapped in the bright lights around urban areas each year won’t make it out alive. You can help by turning out unnecessary lights at night and by encouraging local government and building managers to follow proven methods of reducing light

There will be lane closures on U.S. 41 in Highland for bridge construction next week. Crews will be working on the bridge by the water tower over the railroad tracks starting on or after September 13, with work expected to be complete by the end of the week. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. During the work, crews will first shut down the east side of the bridge and one lane of traffic in each direction will use the west side. Once the east side is complete, traffic will then have one lane open in each

Michigan City High School students recently learned about digital safety at a presentation with Cathie Bledsoe of the Indiana State Police. During the presentation at MCHS, Bledsoe told students, “When I look around this room, I see potential victims, and potential predators.” Bledsoe is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force of the Indiana State Police, and was visiting MCHS as part of a proactive approach to discuss digital safety. She is a former computer teacher who now uses her tech knowledge to fight against online solicitation, human trafficking, and other crimes targeting children. To demonstrate how

Two La Porte County Sheriff's office deputies are being praised for performing life saving actions recently. On Sept. 1, at 10:51 PM, Deputy Austin Wells responded to a motor vehicle crash located in the 3100 block of Monroe Street. He arrived to find that a single vehicle had crashed into the front of the residence. The vehicle had completely entered the residence. Deputy Wells entered the residence to check the welfare of the occupants and the status of the driver. He learned the residents had already exited, but the driver was trapped inside the vehicle. As Deputy Wells approached the

A La Porte County fugitive was arrested in Florida after being wanted since March of last year. On October 7, 2019, an arrest warrant was issued for 55-year-old Timothy Bailey for a Security Fraud offense that occurred in November of 2018. The warrant was served on March 24, 2020. Bailey was released from the La Porte County Jail (LCJ) and placed on GPS monitoring on May 14, 2020. On March 11, 2021, Bailey was sentenced to five years in the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) for two counts of Security Fraud. Bailey was ordered by the court to surrender himself

Charges have been filed against a man in connection with the Sept. 1, stabbing death of Denis J. Earley and the injuries to John P. Earley. With the assistance of the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Kyle K. Earley of Michiana Shores, was charged with murder and attempted murder. Earley is the son of John Earley and the nephew of Denis Earley. Earley remains housed in the La Porte County Jail. He is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information associated with the incident is encouraged to contact lead Detective

Franciscan Health has updated information on an upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinic taking place Sept. 9. The following is the the updated information: Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in an effort to increase education and vaccination rates in underserved communities. The clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 9 at Pleasant Hill Ministries, 715 E. 10th St. Pfizer first and second vaccines will be available for ages 5 and older. Per updated U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines issued Aug. 31, the new Pfizer bivalent booster shot, which targets the prevalent

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced lane and ramp closures for I-80/94 as the ongoing construction moves into a new phase. Lane closures are scheduled to take place in the eastbound lanes of I-80/94 on September 9 to allow for crews to get those lanes into the new construction phase. Those lane closures are all scheduled to be wrapped up by Sept. 11. The north and southbound Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard on-ramps to eastbound I-80/94 are scheduled to close on September 9. Construction is expected to wrap up by September 23. The north and southbound Kennedy Avenue on-ramps

Franciscan Health Michigan City behavioral health professionals are urging people to talk to those potentially in crisis and to utilize available resources in an effort to help prevent suicides. “You’re never alone,” said Heidi Darrah, director of behavioral health at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Legacy Campus. “Help is always available.” The issue is being highlighted ahead of National Suicide Prevention Week. The Sept. 4-10 event, organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, aims to create awareness and help people learn how they can play a role in saving lives. Experts encourage anyone who thinks a friend or loved

One person is dead and another person is injured after a stabbing in rural Michiana Shores, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Just before 9:30 a.m. Friday, a La Porte County Sheriff’s deputy was called to a residence in the 300 block of Groveland Trail to assist Long Beach Police with an unknown problem. The deputy met with Long Beach Police Chief Marshal Mark Swistek who advised two subjects had been stabbed. A person associated with the incident had already been detained by Chief Marshal Swistek. One of the victims was identified as 64 year-old Denis J. Earley.

A Portage man led police on a pursuit Wednesday, going airborne and crashing a stolen vehicle before being arrested. Portage police say that at around 10:16 p.m. the dispatch center Center received a call from a citizen reporting that a possible auto theft had just occurred at the Car-X Tire and Auto on U.S. Highway 6. The caller told the dispatch center that the suspect vehicle was a red pickup truck last seen traveling eastbound on US Highway 6. A Portage Police Officer observed a vehicle matching the description traveling northbound on McCool Road near Squirrel Creek Avenue a few

The Ogden Dunes Police Department has issued a phone scam alert to the public. Police say that currently someone claiming to be from the Sheriff's Department is calling residents and telling them that they have a warrant for their arrest. Chief Ogden of the ODPD has spoken with the Sheriff’s Department, and confirmed that this is a scam. Police say if you receive one of these calls, do not do what they are asking. The Ogden Dunes Police Department is telling the public, “Do not go to the bank, do not give them money, do not give out any information.

A La Porte Community School Corporation bus driver beat the odds after needing his leg amputated due to complications of COVID-19 last fall. “Don’t ever give up,” was the message delivered by Jim Hines, at the Aug. 15 staff opening day event. Superintendent Dr. Mark Francesconi introduced Hines and asked him to share his story. Last Fall, Jim contracted COVID-19 and suffered symptoms so severe that his friends and family prepared for the worst. Against all odds, he recovered, but not before having his lower right leg amputated due to complications. Within two months of his amputation, Jim was fully

The Indiana Secured School Safety Board has approved more than $22.9 million in matching state grants, marking the fourth consecutive year of record-breaking school safety investments. The grants will be allocated to 425 schools, which is the largest number of schools to ever apply. Governor Holcomb stated, “We continue to prioritize investments in school safety to help students and staff succeed without the worry of violence in Hoosier schools. This funding allow [sic] schools to address their specific safety needs through additional personnel and programs designed to prepare for and prevent school violence.” With the addition of $3.9 million in

The Michigan City Department of Water Works will begin the semi-annual fire hydrant flushing on Tuesday Sept. 6. The flushing is done to insure the hydrants are in proper working order for the fall and winter months. The program is expected to take around 8 weeks to complete. The department says that if anyone should experience any discoloration in their water, they should let the water run for a short time and the water will clear.

The City of Valparaiso is presenting funds to support local nonprofit organizations serving the Valparaiso community, as provided in the adopted plan under the American Rescue Plan Act. Organizations receiving ARPA funding through the City of Valparaiso include Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana, The Caring Place, Dressed for School, Hilltop Neighborhood House, MAAC Foundation, Opportunity Enterprises, Respite House, and both the Valparaiso Police and Valparaiso Fire departments. Earlier this year, organizations were invited to share their thoughts for use of the ARPA funds at a City Council meeting, highlighting many positive initiatives. The Boys & Girls Club

A semi truck that was stolen Wednesday morning in Jasper county was later recovered on I-65, Indiana State Police said. Officers from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post were dispatched to a theft of a tractor-trailer from the Love’s Truck Stop located on S.R. 10 east of I-65. Officers spoke with the victim who had been inside the truck stop and determined when the driver went outside, his truck was missing. During the investigation, officers were able to determine that the vehicle was at another truck stop located in Remington. That truck

Portage police made two arrests Tuesday afternoon after a robbery and pursuit, which left one officer injured. Police say at around 1:01 p.m. officers were called to the area of the Port Crossing Apartments in reference to an armed robbery, which had just occurred. The victim stated he had met with two individuals, later identified as 20-year-old Keshawn McLaurin of Chicago and 24 year-old Keyante Hayes of Portage to sell two firearms to the men. During the attempted sale, McLaurin was inspecting one of the firearms being sold, which was loaded. McLaurin then pointed the weapon at the victim and