News

Effective July 1, 2021, schools will no longer issue work permits for minor employees (under age 18). Instead, employers who employ five or more minor employees will now be responsible for tracking and reporting minor-employee information via the state's Youth Employment System (YES). YES is live now, and employers can begin using the system today. Indiana employers are encouraged to test-drive and become familiar with YES before the new reporting requirement goes into effect on July 1. This change in Indiana law will help make tracking and reporting Indiana's youth-employment information more efficient and streamlined. The new YES requirement will not

The full schedule of events for the City of La Porte's inaugural LakeFest was announced today, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. Running July 30 through August 1 at La Porte's Stone, Pine and Clear lakes, the festival will feature watersports, music, art and food while showcasing the city's abundant natural resources. With a full lineup of attractions for each day, Schreiber said there will be no shortage of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. "Our team has worked hard to ensure that LakeFest will include something special for everyone," Schreiber said. "Thanks to the support of our incredible

On June 6th , 2021 at approximately 0100hrs, Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift Three were dispatched to the 3900 Block of Franklin St in reference to a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle. Officer Ortega arrived on scene and observed a subject lying in the roadway and appeared to be suffering from head trauma. The subject was immediately transported to Franciscan Health by LaPorte County EMS for medical attention. Witnesses indicated that the pedestrian was crossing Franklin St near Kintzele Rd when a silver SUV struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. Additional information pertaining to this incident will not be released at this time

Horizon Bank has partnered with the Michigan City High School to provide a “Making Your Dreams Come True” financial literacy workshop to students. This valuable financial education course is a six-week workshop that includes an overview of the banking world, money-saving tips, financial planning and a business creation project at the end. Students also get to meet Horizon Bank Advisors from several departments of the bank who give overviews of day-to-day operations in their respective departments. Departments represented were Consumer, Commercial and Mortgage Lending, Finance, Marketing and Operations. The class was divided into groups and the students were tasked with

A semi-tractor trailer rollover in Burns Harbor blocked both lanes of eastbound U.S. Highway 20 late Tuesday morning and afternoon, the Town of Chesterton is reporting. The semi operator was exiting eastbound I-94, apparently at too high a speed, when his rig overturned and came to rest across both lanes of eastbound U.S. 20. For around an hour, eastbound U.S. 20 was impassable. Eventually, first-responders opened the shoulder and motorists were able to “creep by.” Eastbound U.S. 20 was fully re-opened nearly three hours after the accident .

La Porte Park and Recreation Department held a dedication Tuesday night for the renovated tennis courts and new pickleball courts at the Bill Reed Tennis Complex in Kesling Park. The renovations are part of the Tennis Renaissance initiative, with the goal of creating a resurgence in racquet sport participation in the community in order to deliver better health and wellness for residents. Five of the courts in Kesling Park were renovated for tennis, while one court was converted into four dedicated pickleball courts. Additionally, the initiative included renovating the tennis court in Rumely Park and constructing a new court in Allesee to bring the sport back

The La Porte Community Schools Summer Feeding Program is taking place Monday through Thursday June 14 through July 15. Meals will be offered in the school cafeterias from 12:15- 12:45 with an option to pick up a breakfast bag to-go. Locations include Riley, Kingsbury, Hailmann, LPHS, Kesling/La Porte Middle School, ESC (formerly Boston), and Kingsford Heights. In addition, the program will run July 19 through July 29, 11am-12am. Meals will be offered in cafeterias with an option to pick up a breakfast bag to-go. Locations for this time frame are ESC (formerly Boston) and Hailmann. You can find a flyer with more information on the La

A Michigan City man has been charged with OWI causing death and reckless homicide after a March crash. On March 12, just before 3:30 PM, deputies were dispatched to a personal injury crash at US 35 and Nicomas Path,. The initial investigation determined 24 year old Eric A. Adair of Michigan City was operating a passenger vehicle traveling northwest on US 35. Adair’s vehicle drove left of center, into the southbound lane and crashed head-on with another passenger vehicle. That vehicle was being operated by 32 year old Nathan Blount of La Porte. Adair and Blount were both injured and

The public is invited to blood drives scheduled from 7AM to 1PM on Tuesday, June 15, and 1 to 7PM on Wednesday, June 16, at Franciscan Health Michigan City. The blood drive will be held on Versiti’s Mobile Blood Bus outside the entrance of the hospital at 3500 Franciscan Way. Donors must bring identification. All Versiti donation locations are practicing social distancing and closely adhering to CDC recommendations on facemasks and cleaning protocols. Those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine should wait 48 hours after their shot before donating. Appointments are encouraged and can be scheduled by going online at versiti.org/IL or

The LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a kickoff celebration of Naomi Bowman Talbert Anderson, noted 19th century African American suffragist, civil rights activist and writer. Born in 1843 and raised in Michigan City, she was known as a dynamic speaker, appearing with founders of the women’s suffragist movement, resulting in the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. She died in 1899. The event will be held on Juneteenth, Saturday June 19 at the visitors bureau, 4073 Franklin Street, Michigan City. Doors open at 5 p.m. with remarks to begin at 5:30 p.m. Mix and Mingle

Mayor Duane Parry announced that The Michigan City Summer Parade will be held on Saturday June 19th at 11:00am. The Parade will begin at 10th and Franklin south to Ames Field. This year’s theme is “Hometown Heroes” in which the city will be honoring all of our hometown heroes who have worked so hard over the last year’s pandemic. The city has chosen the parade to be on June 19th due to the Soul Steppers 14th Annual Performance Competition “Show Up & Show Out 3D” that will be held that weekend here in Michigan City. This opportunity allows us to

As Independence Day approaches, City of La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder is reminding residents to be mindful of the city's fireworks code. The City of La Porte's municipal code states that consumer fireworks may be discharged within the city limits on the following dates and times: June 28 through July 3, 5 to 11 p.m.; July 4, 10 a.m. to midnight; and July 5 through July 9, 5 to 11 p.m. Snyder said violators could be penalized with a fine of up to $300.

Women struggled to formally serve their country in the American Revolutionary War. They were forbidden to serve, but did so against the law. The existence of women was even suppressed by General Washington himself. However, as women followed the Army for shelter and other basic necessities they were equally important to the army. During the Civil War women once again served. Like the American Revolutionary War they served in support roles and served in combat even though both the Union and the Confederate armies prohibited it. Women in combat had to dress like men and change their names. The Spanish-American

The Department of Natural Resources, the Town of Burns Harbor and the City of Portage announced the opening of a newly completed segment of the Marquette Greenway in Burns Harbor. An upcoming Portage project will extend the trail west through a portion of Indiana Dunes National Park. The 1.5-mile asphalt multi-use trail in Burns Harbor was made possible with funding from a Next Level Trails (NLT) grant, covering approximately 70 percent of the total cost. The project helps close a gap in the Marquette Greenway system, a planned 50-mile multi-state trail that would connect Chicago to New Buffalo, Michigan along

Director of Community Development and Planning Tom Casey announced his resignation today, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.   Casey, who was hired at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, will end his time with the city on June 17.   "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the city, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Mayor Dermody and the rest of the leadership team," Casey said. "It was extremely rewarding to have a role in implementing the city's rebranding program and get to work with partners like the Healthcare Foundation to