News

The Portage Police Department said Friday that in the past nine days it has taken three reports involving the theft of catalytic converters. Each of these thefts also involved late model Mitsubishi Outlanders. Police say that nationally, hybrid vehicles are being targeted for these types of thefts more frequently due to their catalytic converters containing higher amounts of precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid may be specifically targeted because of its higher ground clearance allowing easy access to the catalytic convertor. Portage Police say if you own such a vehicle, consider parking inside your

VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana (VNA Hospice) has been awarded full accreditation for its Palliative Care program by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) today, announced VNA President & CEO Bob Franko. The program is only the second in the State of Indiana to achieve this certification. “The VNA Hospice has always been about helping people maintain their dignity, their voice in their health care decisions, and independence for as long as possible,” said Bob Franko, president and CEO of the VNA Hospice. “Our Palliative Care program fits very well in our wide continuum of care options for seniors and families and we’re extremely

The Porter County Substance Abuse Council (PCSAC) and the Council’s Drunk Driving Task Force recently presented 65 police officers from various Porter County jurisdictions with the Phoenix Award for the use of Narcan to save lives during drug overdose events. Chuck Harris, former Porter County coroner, found it fitting to establish the Phoenix Award specifically for first responders that were able to successfully curtail overdoses with Narcan when the opioid epidemic was beginning to rapidly unfold over 5 years ago. “As coroner, you see the ultimate results of the overdose, after the fact,” said Harris. “By the time I arrived

The Porter County Sheriff's Office is currently selling bracelets to support Officer Vanderpool and his family through his fight with leukemia.  The bracelets read “Vanderpool 143” on one side and “Strength in Numbers” on the other. They are for sale for a minimum donation of $1 each and all funds go directly to Ofc. Vanderpool.  They can be purchased Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 AM to 4 PM at the Sheriff’s Office.  See the Porter County Sheriff’s Office Records Department if you’d like one.

The MCHS Athletic Department held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Wednesday to officially unveil their renovated Fitness Center and Weight Room. With over $100,000 in improvements, the room offers weight and strength training equipment as well as cardio machines, to help students and staff improve their health and wellness, and help student-athletes with their on-field performance. Healthcare Foundation of La Porte contributed $75,000 toward this renovation.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department announced Thursday the passing of Lieutenant Bryan Kersey after a long illness. The LCSD released the following statement on its Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that today, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department lost Lieutenant Bryan Kersey after a long illness. As a career police officer, he dedicated his entire life to protect and serve others as a member of the United States Army. He served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for 18 years, where he’s remembered as a gentle giant; available to help his colleagues or a “brother

The Indiana State Department of Health Wednesday updated the weekly COVID county advisory levels.  All counties in the state are at a red level which is the highest score of 3. Positivity is up in Newton, Jasper, Starke and St. Joseph counties. Positivity is down in LaPorte, Porter, and Lake counties. See specific positivity levels and additional information on the Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard and Map website.  Additionally, the LaPorte County Health Department is reminding the public that the federal government is making COVID-19 tests available free to all households. The department says it takes less than a minute. The department

The South Shore Line announced that their first delivery of rail material arrived for our Double Track project this past weekend. The first delivery of rail material consisted of 50 strings of rail, each of which being 1,600 feet long. The South Shore Line says this is enough to lay 7.5 miles of track. Passengers on midday trains will be bused Thursday and possibly Friday as this rail delivery is unloaded. More information on the South Shore line can be found on their website.

Indiana State Police announced the arrest of a suspect who was being sought in connection with the carjacking of a Good Samaritan which occurred on Jan. 8. Police say that on Jan. 13, Randy Terrell Brown-Watkins was arrested on separate charges in Decatur, IL. He is being held at the Macon County Jail pending formal extradition to Lake County, Indiana.

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its 2022 inaugural awards. The Chamber of Commerce has a tradition of celebrating members during its Annual Member Dinner. In addition to the recognition of milestone members and legacy businesses, this year the Chamber will be announcing winners in several award categories including Community Impact, Small Business, Large Business, Young Professional, and Ambassador. These five award categories will recognize individual people and businesses who have made a difference in our business community during the year of 2021. Nominations will be qualified by the Chamber Awards Committee. Finalists in each category

2021 Climate Report highlights continued commitment to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions NIPSCO’s parent company, NiSource Inc. today highlights its environmental sustainability commitment in a detailed 2021 Climate Report that outlines the company’s continued trajectory of emissions reductions and initiatives aimed at a sustainable and resilient energy future that is supportive of a just transition for all stakeholders. Highlights from this year’s report, which are driven by NiSource’s environmental and sustainability performance, include the following goals: •100% coal-free by rebalancing its energy mix by 2026-2028 •90% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with a 63% reduction already accomplished •50% reduction in methane emissions from

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 44 -year-old Carie Ann Rippe. Rippe is described as around 5 feet 6 inches, 140 pounds with brown hair which may be dyed blonde on occasion, green eyes with pierced ears and pierced nose and a few tattoos. Rippe has no known employment or vehicles, however previously owned a gold-colored 2010 Ford Escape. Police added that Rippe has several ties to the north Porter County area, namely Portage and Chesterton, and is also believed to frequent area hotels. Rippe is wanted on multiple felony warrants for theft, as

In order to accommodate ongoing work for the double track project, the South Shore Line plans to bus midday passengers between Carroll Ave. and Dune Park stations, now through Thursday, Jan. 20, with Friday, Jan. 21, being a contingency date. Service to Beverly Shores is suspended during busing. Buses will arrive and depart with passengers to match the SSL’s train schedule between Carroll Ave. and Dune Park. Westbound passengers should be prepared to board buses in front of Carroll Ave. Station and re-board westbound South Shore trains at Dune Park. Eastbound passengers will detrain at Dune Park to board buses,

A class of three volunteers were the third and final group in 2021 sworn in as Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA), joining Franciscan Health Hammond’s program to represent those unable to advocate for themselves. Jada Jarrett and Jaylah Jarrett, who joined virtually, and Caitlyn Lent were sworn in at a ceremony at Lake Superior Court. They join 15 volunteers who had been sworn in earlier in the year as part of spring and fall classes. “This is a program that is sorely needed in our community,” said Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou, who performed the