News

The Indiana Supreme Court handed down an Order Suspending Jury Trials statewide until March 1, 2021, citing the need for drastic measures as COVID-19 continues to surge. In-person jury trials pose an exceptional risk to everyone involved—even if every precaution is taken.“We have hope that 2021 will bring improved conditions. But hoping is not enough. There is more we must do, and we must act now,” Chief Justice Loretta Rush said about the Court’s latest action to address the pandemic. “Since March, we have been balancing the requirement to keep courts open with the need for public health. The worsening pandemic creates

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to frontline healthcare workers in Indiana, after the state’s first allotment of vaccine arrived Monday morning. The first doses were administered to a physician, nurse, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, patient care tech and environmental services tech at Parkview Health in Fort Wayne shortly after noon today. Parkview and Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville both received initial doses of vaccine Monday morning. The two are among the five pilot hospitals slated to receive vaccine first. Additional vaccine is expected to arrive at Deaconess Hospital in

This international recognition program was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by members of his family. In late 1999, Patrick died at the age of 33 from complications of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon autoimmune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique way of thanking those professionals for making a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families. Patients, families and employees are able to nominate nurses from any Northwest Health hospital, urgent care, occupational medicine clinic or Northwest Health Medical Group

As cases of COVID-19 surge, convalescent plasma can provide a vital lifeline to help critically ill patients fight off the virus. That’s why Franciscan Health is joining with Versiti Blood Centers in seeking donations of blood plasma from people who have already recovered from the virus. “Convalescent plasma has been used since the 1800s to help people infected with different viruses and bacteria. The idea behind convalescent plasma is that if we take the antibodies from a patient who has recovered from an infection, and give them to a patient who is sick from that same infection, those antibodies may

Winter will not stand in the way of fixing potholes as it has in years past, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.  The City of La Porte Street Department, under the leadership of Superintendent Mike Fraze, recently purchased a new storage total tank, which uses technology to heat the oil and tar used to fill potholes. Dermody said this heating process will allow the department to fix roads well into the winter months. "It's no secret that the snow and cold temperatures wreak havoc on our city streets," Dermody said. "In previous years, once the weather was too cold,

Congratulations to the Portage Indians on their Championship win in Florida. We are so proud of you. Thank you Derrick Wayne Arnett, coaches, crew, families and all of this along the way that made this team effort possible."These 21 boys from Northern Indiana got together back in August. When they got together they set a goal to dominate their season and get to Florida and beat the best in the country. Well well well... They started out the pre season with dominating wins over Missouri, Central Indiana, and Ohio. They continued through the regular season dominating every team in Northern

Michigan City High School Student Council is spearheading a “drive-through” collection of nonperishable food items on Saturday, December 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Ames Field. All items collected will be donated to the food pantry at the The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center.Each December, the high school – along with Michigan City Area Schools elementary and middle schools – has participated in a districtwide food drive that benefits the Salvation Army. For several years running, the drive has generated more than 2 tons of canned goods and other nonperishable items for those in need.In

After reviewing an extensive investigative report submitted by the Indiana State Police District 13 Criminal Investigations Division, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office has filed charges against two unlicensed security guards and the Lakes of the Four Seasons Property Owner’s Association for impersonation of law enforcement, level 6 felonies. This is the culmination of a two-year investigation into the Lakes of the Four Seasons public safety department, in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.In September 2018, INDOT revoked the emergency vehicle authorization from the LOFS POA for operating vehicles with prohibited lighting combination of

On December 12th at 10AM, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office will host the 57th Annual Children’s Christmas Show. The event, normally held at a LaPorte Community School Corporation Building, will take place this year outside the Sheriff’s Office Training Building located within the La Porte County Fairgrounds. This year’s even will be drive-thru style only. Tickets have already been distributed to those who were identified as in need to insure those children receive gifts. Each child will receive gifts as they pass by the Training Building. Santa, Mrs. Claus, Sheriff John T. Boyd and several deputies will be present

The Utility Billing Office in La Porte City Hall will be closed until further notice following a positive COVID-19 case. Employees are being sent for testing, resulting in office closure until personnel can return. Clerk Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Parthun said this means the drive thru will be closed and phones will be forwarded to voicemail for the time being. However, Parthun said residents can still call and email their questions, and make payments online, through the mail or by using the dropbox in front of City Hall. December utility payments are still due Dec. 28. Residents with questions can contact the

Valparaiso Police are investigating the theft of a tip jar, containing an unknown amount of funds, from the Valparaiso Dunkin Donuts, located at 1651 Morthland Dr. The theft occurred on November 18th, at approximately 9:00 p.m.  The male subject in the photographs posted to the Valparaiso Police Facebook page, removed the jar from the side of the drive-thru area and walked away.  It is believed he walked to a dark colored Jeep Liberty that was parked nearby and can be seen in the far-right hand corner of the last photo (past the dumpsters). If you have information regarding the subjects

Comcast announced today that it will extend its commitments to help people connect to the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic as millions continue to stay home while many workplaces and schools operate virtually. Comcast will continue to provide free Internet service for the first 60 days for new Internet Essentials customers, and free access to more than 1.5 million public Xfinity WiFi hotspots, the largest network of its kind in the country, through June 30, 2021. Today’s announcement marks the third time Comcast has extended these commitments.Comcast has repeatedly committed to keeping its customers connected, and to make its services

A Franciscan Health physical therapist who specializes in treating cancer patients is one of the first professionals in the country to earn board certification as a specialist in oncologic physical therapy. Paula Stout, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, who treats patients at Franciscan Point Rehabilitation in Crown Point, was part of the first class of certified oncology specialists in 2019. Today, just over 100 nationwide have the board certification, which was approved by the American Physical Therapy Association in 2016. Dr. Stout received her Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri in Columbia, and her Doctorate in

We received a call from Michigan City Animal Hospital about a Chihuahua named Miracle. She had a severe eye injury and needed help that the owner could not afford. We were asked if we could we take her in, care for her, and find her a home.Miracle was very frightened after her surgery. She needed a lot of love and patience to help her adjust to losing her eye, and her home. Luckily, we had a foster family with Chihuahua experience to care for her. It only took a few days before they fell in love and decided to adopted her. She has recovered extremely

The local Knights of Columbus Council # 5929 (of St Patrick’s Parish, Chesterton, IN) is hosting a free fish fry in Gary, IN on Friday, Dec 18th from 5pm to 8pm. (donations are being accepted)This will be a PICK UP only event, you drive up…They bring the food to your car. Dinner will be served until they run out of fish.It will be held at 6004 Miller Ave in Gary, IN (Parking lot of St Mary of the Lake Church). More information can be found in the flier that is on wims facebook.If you have any questions, you can email

Thursday afternoon, a LaPorte County Deputy responded to a personal injury crash at the intersection of SR 2 and Fail Road. The crash investigation revealed that a 2021 Lincoln, driven by 56 year old Bertina K. Sleppy of La Porte, was stopped in the westbound SR 2 driving lane waiting for the traffic control device to cycle at the aforementioned intersection.  Sleppy reported her vehicle was suddenly rear-ended by another motor vehicle traveling westbound on SR 2.A 2001 Ford, driven by 57 year old Kiven L. Francis of La Porte, was traveling westbound on SR 2.  Francis stated there was

The Indiana State Police has the following information to release in regard to the officer involved shooting that took place on November 26, 2020 in LaPorte County.  Charges have been filed against Siad H. Berry II, 42, from Knox, IN.  The charges include the following: Attempted Murder- Level 1 Felony (3 counts)Aggravated Battery- Level 3 Felony (2 counts)Criminal Recklessness- Level 5 Felony Mr. Berry is being held at the LaPorte County Jail where his bond was set at $100,000 cash. The LaPorte County Sheriff has asked for the names of the officers involved to be released.  The officers that were

On November 29th , at 11:43 AM, officers from the Michigan City Police Department initiated a motor vehicle pursuit with suspects from a theft from Meijer (5150 Franklin Street). The pursuit of the Nissan sport utility vehicle traveled on various streets in Michigan City, before eventually traveling eastbound on Michigan Boulevard and onto US 20.Deputies Wade Wallace and Jon Samuelson, while out working the Domestic Highway Enforcement initiative/project, became involved in the pursuit as it traveled east on I-94 from US 20. Deputies pursued the vehicle into Michigan on I-94. The vehicle exited I-94 at Exit 1 and began to

Michigan City High School Student Council President Reese Attar (right) and Student Council Advisor Mrs. Elaine Rivich presented a $1,200 donation to Major Becky Simmons of the Salvation Army of Michigan City on Thursday, December 3. Funds were raised last year through several special events and projects organized by the group. The MCHS Student Council invites families from all Michigan City schools and the larger community to join them in supporting the Salvation Army's food pantry by bringing a canned good or other nonperishable food item to Ames Field on Saturday, December 19 from 9:00am to Noon for a "drive

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19, providing two options for shortening the standard 14-day quarantine period. A person who has been exposed to and is identified as a close contact of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to quarantine, which involves staying home and away from other people, for a designated period in order to prevent further spread of disease. The CDC guidance, which is posted here, retains the option of a 14-day quarantine but allows people who do not have symptoms to reduce their quarantine