News

The City of Valparaiso announced Monday that Harry Peterson has been sworn in on the Valparaiso City Council, as an at-large member. Peterson was chosen by a unanimous Republican caucus to replace George Douglas who resigned on April 1 to accept the position of Development Director for the City of Valparaiso. Douglas was elected to the City Council in 2020 and had served as City Council President. Councilman Casey Schmidt has been named the new City Council President, elected at the council’s April 11 meeting. Peterson serves as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. He was appointed

The Duneland School Corporation on Monday announced the winners of the 2022 “Teachers of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” Recognition Program.  Elementary Teacher of the Year goes to Becky Holmen of Westchester Intermediate School. Secondary Teacher of the Year goes to Justin Martinson of Chesterton High School and Employee of the Year goes to Danny Dolph, a DSC Bus Driver.  Students, former students, parents, colleagues, administrators, or members of the community were able to nominate a DSC teacher and/or classified employee for this recognition program earlier this year. A selection committee made up of DSC administrators, teachers, students, parents,

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently released information about a multi-agency overnight enforcement targeting vehicle thefts, drugs, and violent crimes, which occurred last Thursday.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Department announced its Special Operations Unit along with more than a half dozen other police agencies conducted the overnight enforcement.  The enforcement yielded multiple arrests for various offenses. Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers arrested residents from Illinois and Wisconsin for offenses including felon in possession of a firearm, and drug charges.  Lake County officers also arrested an Indiana resident on a warrant.  Officers cited an Illinois resident for reckless driving and a

The Center for Creative Solutions, Inc. announced its sixth annual poetry showcase winners for World Creativity and Innovation Week 2022. Northwest Indiana Poetry Showcase had no official theme. Nevertheless, applying their imaginations, nearly 150 young poets and four adults submitted entries. “Our creative partner, Ester, founder and owner of The Nest in Michigan City, came up with an ‘Inspiration List’ that was designed to help jog a memory or spark an idea for an original poem,” said Bill Halliar, Co-Chair of this year’s World Creativity and Innovation Week celebration. The results were poems on animals, outer space, boxes, toys, clouds,

Franciscan Health says it recognizes the pain that families go through in perinatal loss and provides services to those seeking care and comfort. Twice a year, Franciscan Health Michigan City holds a memorial service to remember these children. The public is invited to take part in “Remembering Our Babies” at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery, 1015 Greenwood Ave. in Michigan City. “Continuing Christ’s ministry in our Franciscan tradition means respect for life through all stages. This memorial service is held in accordance with Franciscan Health Michigan City’s faith and commitment, including the unborn child, their

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.