News

Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Center of Hope will further its mission to provide trauma care to survivors of abuse, thanks to a $10,000 grant from CAPTRUST Community Foundation. Kelly Shikany, CAPTRUST vice president and financial advisor, presented the gift to Franciscan Health Michigan City, noting that the CAPTRUST office in Chesterton applied for the grant during the CAPTRUST Community Foundation’s second annual Day of Giving. Franciscan Health Michigan City’s Center of Hope is a designated space where SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurses create a safe environment for victims of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. SANE nurses are also trained

The National Park Service has temporarily closed the waters of Portage Lakefront in Indiana Dunes National Park due to the sighting of an “oily sheen” in the waters Thursday. The National Park Service said on Thursday that an investigation is under way to determine the nature and extent of the discharge. Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is the lead agency on this incident. Questions on local drinking water quality should be referred to the individual water provider. Information on closures within Indiana Dunes National Park should be directed to the national park’s information desk line at 219-395-1882.

La Porte County Park and Recreation Department has announced Downtown Spooktacular, sponsored by the La Porte Small Business Coalition. Downtown businesses will be handing out candy to children from 1-3 p.m. this Saturday. Be sure to stop by Plaza 618 to receive a treat from the park department’s mascot, Parker the Fox.

Visit Michigan City LaPorte has announced “Magic of Lights”, a holiday lights drive-thru, taking place at The LaPorte County Fairgrounds and Event Center from Nov 19-Jan 2. An exclusive 10%-off pre-sale offer for La Porte residents is happening now through Friday, Oct 8, at 10am. Take advantage of this limited-time offer by visiting MagicOfLights.com/laporte and use code MAGICINLAPORTE to unlock your ability to add 10%-off tickets to your shopping cart before checking out.  

Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence  Hulse recently received the honor of Fellow Member status by the International Economic Development Council. The status is given to IEDC members who have displayed unusual stature in the field of economic development or related disciplines. This level of stature emerges through significant contributions to the profession by serving through the IEDC as well as academic endeavors. Hulse was recognized at the IEDC annual conference held Oct. 3 through 6 in Nashville, Tenn. Hulse’s journey in the field has included stops in Florida and North Carolina before landing in Michigan City. He

The Indiana State Department of health updated their weekly COVID county advisory level map on Wednesday. LaPorte County has moved down from a score of 2 with an orange level to a score of 1.5 with a yellow level. Porter County has moved down from a score of 2.5 with an orange level to a score of 1.5 with a yellow level . Lake County remains at a score of 1.5 with a yellow level. St. Joseph and Jasper counties remain at a score of 2 with an orange level. Starke County has moved down from a score of 3

Michigan City Police have released pictures of the suspect involved in the attempted robbery of Members Advantage Credit Union, which occurred Sept. 29, at around 1:50 p.m. Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect entered the bank and requested money. Police say the suspect left prior to obtaining any currency from employees. Officers determined that the suspect had fled north on foot towards St. John Road. If you know the suspect pictured or have any additional information about the incident, contact Lieutenant Anna Painter at (219) 874-3221; Extension 1077 or email at apainter@emichigancity.com .

The La Porte County Health Department announced Tuesday that the Indiana Department of Health/Gravity COVID-19 testing site located in the Rural King Plaza parking lot, will be closed until further notice.  The health department says that in the meantime visit one of the La Porte COVID testing sites including: CVS Location:    1407 Lincolnway, La Porte Location Availability:   Appointment Required.   Visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to schedule. Cost:   Free Test:    Diagnostic Lab    Health Linc Location: La Porte Civic Auditorium, La Porte Location Availability: Mondays, 7am-2pm Other Notes: Appointment Required.  Call 219-326-0043 ext 3100   Northwest Health Urgent Care Location:

The following is a statement from Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry to the City Council, which was released on Tuesday and signed by Parry:   Good Evening Mr. President and Council Members,   I am here tonight to talk about a very serious matter. Last week, the 2nd of 5 scheduled Finance Committee 2022 Budget Hearings was suddenly adjourned, and all remaining meetings suspended, without completing any of the 13 budget reviews scheduled. Department Heads on the schedule were present and prepared to discuss their proposed Budgets. The meeting adjournment, and suspension of future meetings was conducted abruptly, by unanimous

Franciscan Health says the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point continues to offer the most advanced treatment options to breast cancer patients by adopting the Savi Scout® Wire-Free Radar Localization System to provide easier, more compassionate care with less discomfort. The Scout system is a zero-radiation, wire-free solution for marking tumors, lymph nodes and biopsy sites. The traditional process to mark tumors is wire localization, placing a wire inside the breast tissue immediately before surgery. Because the wire sticks out of the breast, patients must restrict their movement. The Scout system, however, places a tiny “reflector” into the tumor

The Porter County Sheriff’s Department says it has again been receiving reports that citizens have been getting telephone calls in which people were fraudulently claiming to be Law Enforcement Officials recently. Sometimes callers can mask the caller ID information to make it appear as if the call is coming from a police department or other government entity, police say. The Sheriff's Department says if you receive a call from a person claiming to be one of their Officers and are concerned they are not who they say they are, hang up and call 219-477-3000 to verify their identity. Police say

The Portage Police Department is seeking information on a hit and run. Police are asking for anyone who was at the Rusty Nail Sports Bar and Grill, located at 2420 Dombey Road, on the night of  Friday, Oct. 1 into Saturday Oct. 2, to contact Detective Heuberger at 219-764-5707 or email at nheuberger@portage-in.com .

Michigan City Police are investigating the robbery of a bank and attempted robbery of a bank. The incidents occurred two days apart.  On Wednesday Sept. 29, at around 1:50pm, Michigan City Police were dispatched to a bank alarm at Members Advantage Credit Union, located at 3064 Ohio St. Officers immediately spoke to witnesses involved. A preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect entered the bank and requested money.  The suspect left prior to obtaining any US Currency from employees.  Officers canvassed the area and determined that the suspect had fled north on foot towards St. John Road, but were unable to

Art Barn School of Art, located in the Valparaiso area, is partnering with Opportunity Enterprises (OE), whose organization is well established in the community for providing programs that serve adults with disabilities. The specialized art education program brings OE clients to Art Barn for weekly art education programs. OE offers five different educational curriculum-based programs for small groups of 4-10 people with a variety of educational modules including art, music, technology, cooking, science, reading, exercise, and opportunities to be social with friends. Art Barn provides art instruction for one of these modules. The course includes individual and group projects and

The Chesterton European Market has been voted the number 1 farmers market in Indiana by the public. The vote was put on by the American Farmland Trust. The market placed fifth in the Midwest and 21st nationwide.   Chesterton’s European Market every Saturday through the end of October in downtown Chesterton from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The market is at Broadway and Third Street, next to Thomas Centennial Park.

The Michigan City Police Department announced Friday that  an arrest was made in the case of two armed robberies that recently occurred at Wendy’s and Burger King in Michigan City.   On Sept. 28, an officer located a dark SUV matching the suspect vehicle used in the Burger King robbery, near the old Marquette theatre.  A traffic stop was performed, and the driver was identified as 59-year-old Michigan City resident Vincer Lee Mitchell. Detectives from the Investigative Division were in the area and came to assist. A search was conducted of the SUV and officers “located evidence connected with both robberies.” 

The Valparaiso Police Department and Chesterton Police Department are advising that the DEA has issued a rare Public Safety Alert warning of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.  The DEA’s Public Safety Alert, the first in six years, seeks to raise public awareness of a significant nationwide surge in counterfeit pills that are mass-produced by criminal drug networks in labs, deceptively marketed as legitimate prescription pills, and are killing unsuspecting Americans at an unprecedented rate. Police say to please be safe and continue to use prescription medication in the proper

A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for two Mishawaka girls.  The Mishawaka Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Lilli Davis, described as a 14-year-old black female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 125 pounds, brown hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing blue jeans with a hole in the knee and gray Nike Jordans, and Ashley Taulbee, described as a 16-year-old white female, 5 feet 4 inches tall, 140 pounds, blond hair with green eyes, last seen wearing a blue tie-dye shirt, black and gray jogger pants and black tennis shoes. Lilli and Ashley were last seen on Tuesday,

In Lake County, there will be overnight lane closures between mile marker 2 and 5 (Kennedy Ave).  The schedule is subject to change but is currently as follows: On the evenings of October 1 and October 2, one left lane of westbound I-80/94 will be closed and two left lanes of eastbound I-80/94 will be closed (one lane after 8 p.m., two lanes after 10 p.m.).  On the evening of October 4, three left lanes of eastbound I-80/94 will be closed (one lane after 8 p.m., two lanes after 10 p.m. and three lanes after 3 a.m.). On the evenings