News

The decision to expand Michigan City’s 2021 Great Lakes Grand Prix by continuing with the two races this year really paid off in a big way for the community, by setting all-time records for both attendance and earnings, according to Visit Michigan City LaPorte Visitors Bureau. A total of 249,400 people visited the 12th annual event held August 4 - August 8, generating $17.7 million for LaPorte County’s economy. “We were expecting good attendance and we didn’t get disappointed” said Jack Arnett Executive Director of Visit Michigan City LaPorte “adding the AquaX events again was a big success and we plan on

The Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District Office is hosting a vaccine clinic today from 1-5 p.m. at 315 Boyd Boulevard in La Porte.  This free clinic, put on by Indiana State Department of Health is open to everyone and features the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Residents in all Indiana counties can now resume feeding birds, DNR announced Monday. The DNR had recommended a statewide moratorium on bird feeding earlier this summer to slow the spread of a still-undetermined illness that is killing birds across the state. Biologists identified more than 750 possible cases in 76 counties that involved a specific set of clinical signs, including crusty eyes, eye discharge, and neurological issues.  The DNR says the actions of many Hoosiers significantly helped the DNR’s work related to the disease outbreak.  The DNR stated, “By taking down their feeders and submitting more than 4,300 reports, residents

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says that deputies are receiving a number of complaints from bus drivers, who are out on their routes, regarding motorists who are disregarding extended stop-arms. The Sheriff's Office says that on Monday morning along US 35, a vehicle traveling ahead of a bus had blown through this extended stop-arm, while posting a picture of the incident to their Facebook page.  The Sheriff’s Office said that since this portion of US 35 is a multi-lane undivided roadway with no median or barrier, all lanes of traffic must stop for buses as they load or unload

A traffic closure in the area of Evans Avenue and Silhavy Road. The closure is allowing for the improvement of the area, to include additional traffic lanes, a new signal, as well as updated curbs, drains and underground pipes. The closure is scheduled to end on Oct. 15.   Valparaiso Police said, “During this time, the traffic pattern will change, causing a need for alternate routes to be taken and necessary travel in the area to be done with caution.”   Police say westbound traffic on Evans Avenue from Silhavy Road will not be changed at this time.   Local businesses will remain

Anish Chopra, M.D., an interventional gastroenterologist with Northwest Medical Group, has introduced advanced gastroenterology services to benefit higher acuity patients who have challenging gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Dr. Chopra completed an advanced interventional endoscopy fellowship at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine where he gained experience performing procedures such as diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) including non-surgical endoscopic biliary access. Procedures like this have revolutionized the management of many gastroenterology diseases and are now available at Northwest Health.   Some examples of Dr. Chopra’s expertise include his utilization of a cholangioscope during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to visually inspect

Purdue University’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) undergraduate program has earned the No. 1 ranking in its category in the annual U.S. News & World Report undergraduate program rankings for the 11th consecutive year. U.S. News also ranked Purdue’s ABE graduate program No. 1 earlier this year. The department includes 382 undergraduate and 191 graduate students. “The College of Agriculture community is extremely proud of the No. 1 ranking our undergraduate agricultural and biological engineering program has earned. I thank the dedicated faculty and staff members, led by Nate Mosier, for their commitment to undergraduate education and for their advancement

There will be a mobile food distribution Wednesday Sept. 15 from 10am-Noon at Fedder's Alley in Michigan City. The United Way, through a partnership with Food Bank and CCH, is providing both non-perishable and produce offered free of charge. All items will be pre-boxed. This is first come, first served, for up to 300 households, while supplies lasts. This event is for those in need of food assistance. There will be one box per household.  This will be a drive-through distribution. They ask to have your ID ready.  

A Covid testing and vaccination clinic is available in Wanatah through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The location is Hunt Park, 401 Cross St.  Rapid antigen and PCR tests are available. This is a free vaccine. You can choose either Pfizer (two vaccines) or Johnson & Johnson (one dose).

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) earned notable accolades among the best regional universities in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges rankings, released Monday, Sept. 13. PNW’s School of Engineering ranks 53rd nationally among engineering schools whose highest awarded degrees are bachelor’s and master’s. PNW moved up from 60th in the 2021 rankings. PNW’s College of Nursing is included in the first-ever rankings by U.S. News & World Report of undergraduate nursing programs. PNW’s computer science program in the College of Engineering and Sciences was also included in the rankings by U.S. News & World Report of undergraduate computer science programs. This is only the second time U.S. News has rated computer science programs. PNW

The Porter County Health Department is reopening its Covid-19 testing facility on Monday in the 4-H Building at the Porter County Fairgrounds. To schedule a test go to: scheduling.coronavirus.in.gov To schedule a vaccine go to: vaccine.coronavirus.in.gov You can call (219) 465-3525 for further information.  A video with more information was posted on the Porter County Health Department Facebook page.

On Wednesday a new Probationary Officer was sworn in at the Michigan City Police Department. Rachel Ewart has undergone an extensive hiring process which began with over 30 potential candidates. Ewart will endure 6 weeks of in-house training with the Division of Professional Standards. Upon completion of this training, she will begin the Field Training Officer Program where she will be working within the community with their respective training officers until spaces are available for her to attend the 15-week Indiana Law Enforcement Academy Basic Course.  Ewart is a graduate from South Central High School and received her Bachelors degree

The Portage Township YMCA will host it’s 21st Annual Turkey Trot on November 25. The Turkey Trot is a competitive and professionally timed 5K walk or run with a Free Kids 1K Fun Run. Races begin at 8:00 AM Thanksgiving morning and typically wrap-up with race awards by 11:00 AM. Registration for the race can be found online only, at www.runsignup.com. Race registrations through November 7, 2021, will be guaranteed a long-sleeve commemorative shirt and finisher medal. Despite the ongoing pandemic, in 2020, the Portage Township YMCA was able to host its annual event, but it looked quite different than

The City of Valparaiso has awarded 50 Valparaiso businesses with Valparaiso Invests in Business (VIB) grants in an innovative program to support businesses with the added expenses they have incurred to maintain their workforce during the pandemic.  The Valpo Invests in Business (VIB) grant was designed to help businesses maintain operations and retain their workforce, with a priority for low- to moderate-income jobs. The City worked to create this program by securing a grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) with additional support from the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission. The City received more than 60 applications for