News

The state of Indiana saw a slight decrease in the percentage of high school students who graduated last year. The Indiana Department of Education has released the 2019 state graduation rate that shows 87.29% of students graduated in 2019. In 2018, Indiana’s graduation rate was 88.1%. The non-waiver rate also declined to 76.73% last year from 80.78% a year earlier. You can connect to more about the new numbers, including statewide, district and school-level data by clicking: https://www.doe.in.gov/accountability/find-school-and-corporation-data-reports

The City of Michigan City recently said farewell to three Firefighters who have retired. The three firefighters had dedicated more than 97 years of service. Recently Fire Chief Randy Novak 33 years of service, Deputy Chief Jeff Cox 34 years of service and Public Information Officer Tony Drzewiecki 30 years of service have announced their retirement effective January 1, 2020. Retired Chief Novak commented that he along with Retired Deputy Chief Jeff Cox are especially proud to have worked alongside some of the most dedicated men and women in the fire service here, which has made our decision to retire

Attorney General Curtis Hill has released a preliminary report on his office’s investigation into 2,411 medically preserved fetal remains and thousands of medical records discovered in the fall of 2019 among the personal belongings of the late Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who performed abortions at clinics in Fort Wayne, Gary and South Bend. Amid new details in the report is the fact that, based on the poor condition of the fetal remains and unreliable nature of the accompanying records, it is not possible to make an independent verification of the identities of the individual fetal remains. Accordingly, Attorney General Hill intends

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released the 2019 state graduation rate. In 2019, Indiana’s graduation rate was 87.29 percent, and the non-waiver rate was 76.73 percent. In 2018, Indiana’s graduation rate was 88.1 percent with a non-waiver graduation rate of 80.78 percent. Due to differences between federal and state accountability calculations, IDOE also released 2019 federal graduation rates. In 2019, Indiana’s federal graduation rate was 86.46 percent. Indiana’s federal graduation rate for 2018 was 87.23 percent. To view a spreadsheet with statewide, corporation, and school-level data, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/accountability/find-school-and-corporation-data-reports

The Indiana State Police is offering a unique opportunity to accept additional applications for the 80th Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper shall utilize the following links: For a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police visit: https://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm To go directly to the application login page visit: https://myweb.in.gov/ISP/Recruitment/application/index.php/users/login

Early Wednesday morning, Trooper Carlson was stationary on I-80/94 eastbound under the Burr Street Bridge when he observed a 2016 Chrysler 200 traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was traveling at 103 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. Trp. Carlson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and stopped it near the 9 mile-marker. The driver identified himself as 26 year old Michael L. Peavy from Hammond, Indiana. There was a strong odor of raw marijuana emitting from the vehicle and Peavy appeared to be sweating profusely. Peavy was retrieving documents when Trooper Carlson observed

Monday morning at 12:15 a.m., Trooper Alaa Hamed observed a vehicle driving erratically in the area of 5th Avenue and Jefferson St. in Gary. The vehicle was driving at a very low rate of speed, weaving side to side and made several unsafe lane movements. Trooper Hamed made a traffic stop on the vehicle, and spoke with the driver. While speaking with the driver, he detected the strong odor of alcoholic beverages on the driver’s breath. Field sobriety tests were performed on the driver which lead the officer to have probable cause to place the driver into custody. When asked

In a combined effort to better serve the people of La Porte County, representatives from La Porte County Meals on Wheels and La Porte Meals on Wheels announced that the two organizations merged. Meals on Wheels’ caring community volunteers directly impact the issues of social isolation, hunger, and loneliness in our communities. They do this by nourishing and enriching the lives of homebound seniors and disabled persons with the daily support they need to remain healthy and living at home. Now combined, the organization expects to keep with the growing need by increasing the number of clients served throughout the

On Monday evening, the Indiana State Police Toll Road received 911 calls of a vehicle crash at the 40.6 mile-marker involving a tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle. The passenger vehicle was reportedly traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes prior to the crash. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nathan Littlefield showed that a white 2000 Ford Ranger was westbound in the passing lane of eastbound I-80 (Indiana Toll Road). A 2017 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by Black Horse Carriers, was eastbound in the passing lane. The two vehicles impacted head-on. The Freightliner came to a rest in the median, while the Ford Ranger

To prevent the spread of the flu, visitor restrictions have been implemented at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Franciscan Health Dyer, Franciscan Health Munster, Franciscan Health Crown Point, and Franciscan Health Hammond. Visitor restrictions include: No more than two visitors at a time; No children under the age of 16; Exceptions for parents under age 18 visiting their child on Pediatrics, fathers or significant other under age 18 visiting OB and siblings visiting in postpartum (Michigan City); Visitors to the Birth Place will be limited to two adults and siblings (Crown Point); Visitors to the NICU will be limited to parents. Grandparents may visit if they

This morning at approximately 3:00 a.m., the Indiana State Police Regional Dispatch Center received a report of a multi-vehicle crash on I-80/94 eastbound ramp to Indianapolis Blvd. (Exit 2).  Trooper Alaa Hamed responded to the scene and upon his arrival he found both vehicles to be abandoned.  Further investigation revealed that one of the vehicles, a beige, 2001 Pontiac 4 door, had bullet holes in the windshield.  The ramp was closed for approximately 2 hours due to the lane blockage and investigation.   This is an ongoing investigation as no arrests have been made.  No other information will be released at

Saturday morning at approximately 1:51 a.m., Trooper William Stancy was working on I-80/94 near the 2 mile-marker.  A vehicle was clocked traveling eastbound at 95 mph.  The speed limit on the roadway is posted 55 mph.  As Trp. Stancy activated his emergency lighting in order to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, a black 2019 Infiniti Q50, the driver attempted to elude the officer and made abrupt lane changes, eventually taking the exit to Cline Ave.  As the vehicle drove on the ramp, the driver lost control, resulting in the car leaving the roadway, rolling several times before coming

Saturday morning at approximately 1:51 a.m., Trooper William Stancy was working on I-80/94 near the 2 mile-marker.  A vehicle was clocked traveling eastbound at 95 mph.  The speed limit on the roadway is posted 55 mph.  As Trp. Stancy activated his emergency lighting in order to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, a black 2019 Infiniti Q50, the driver attempted to elude the officer and made abrupt lane changes, eventually taking the exit to Cline Ave.  As the vehicle drove on the ramp, the driver lost control, resulting in the car leaving the roadway, rolling several times before coming

Hello everyone.....It has been a fantastic career as a Police officer but now it is time to begin a new chapter.I have decided to RETIRE from the Police Department after 38 fantastic years! I was honored most recently by Mayor Duane Parry to consider joining his administrative staff, assisting him in the transition of his new office as Mayor of Michigan City! I humbly accepted and will begin my new adventure! When I reflect on the last 38 years, many moments and stories come to mind. I look back at events, presentations and interactions with members of the community that

The Salvation Army of Michigan City had a pleasant surprise over the weekend as the red kettle donations from last Friday were being counted for the day. A gold coin – a $50 American buffalo coin – was dropped into the kettle located at Hobby Lobby sometime on Friday. Major Becky Simmons, who oversees the local Salvation Army with her husband, Major Dale Simmons, is the one who discovered the coin as she was processing that day’s kettle contributions. The coin was wrapped in a sheet of paper with a handwritten note, saying: “Dear Santa, Many years ago someone told me

Millions of Americans are traveling over the Holiday period, with the majority traveling by automobile. What this means for Hoosiers is more traffic on the highways. To help ensure the safety of all motorists, the Indiana State Police is participating in Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, through January 2nd.Operation C.A.R.E. is a federally funded program that allows additional troopers to patrol Hoosier roadways looking for drivers that are driving aggressively or impaired. 

The League of Women Voters LaPorte County is pleased to present Ms. Erika C. Stallworth as their Tuesday, Jan. 14, Dinner With The League speaker. Anyone interested in the state of the juvenile justice system, whether local to state or national, and whether as an advocate, volunteer, or career, will want to meet Ms. Stallworth. She is the Executive Director of the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center. Join the LWV for this informative program on Jan. 14, at Patrick's Grille, 4125 Franklin Street, Michigan City, Indiana. The general public is invited and reservations are not required. For non-members, a donation is requested.

Hunters still have time to harvest a deer. Deer archery and special antlerless firearms seasons end Jan. 5th. Deer reduction zones are open until Jan. 31st. Fill your freezer before the season is over.Visit in.gov/dnr/fishwild for more information. 

The 2020 Department of Natural Resources special events calendar is now available. See individual events on the DNR calendar at calendar.dnr.IN.gov. Highlights on the 2020 calendar include Easter egg hunts, arts events, outdoor skills learning opportunities and fireworks are also on the schedule among other events.

One of Tom Dermody’s first priorities as LaPorte’s mayor-elect has been the selection of a team of department heads dedicated to transparent and customer-centric service in city government. To lead the future of code compliance, Dermody has named former LaPorte Slicer Jeff Batchelor as code compliance director. In this role, Batchelor will be tasked with promoting and maintaining a safe and desirable living and working environment for all residents of the city of LaPorte. “Our city codes exist to protect public health and safety,” Dermody said. “Citations are one tool that can be utilized to encourage compliance, however, sometimes the