News

The Board of Directors of the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) voted (March 25, 2020) to approve a plan that allows the HFL to provide emergency grants to qualifying organizations who are working in La Porte County communities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the HFL’s mission, the board took swift action to respond to community needs. Phase 1 of the plan addresses immediate needs. It runs from March 25, 2020 to May 30, 2020 but can be flexible to follow the progression of the crisis and government orders. Phase 2 of the plan is designed to

Michigan City, IN -- March 25, 2020 -- Joie Nichols, a student at Krueger Middle School, has been selected for the 2020 Middle School Honors Performance Series in late June with the Honors Junior Choir. Participation in one of the Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated middle school performers from across North America and select schools internationally. Nichols is a member of Krueger's 8th Grade Chorus. She auditioned this winter for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted by the Honors Selection Board after a review of her application and audition recording. “Selection for the Honors Series is something

These classes on Sat., March 28, 9 am-5 pm ET and Sun., March 29, 1 pm-6 pm ET will be offered virtually through Zoom. Please register by 3 pm on Friday, March 27, at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZeroToHeroIndiana "Zero to Hero” is a free weekend training program for new and existing volunteers, preparing them to be a Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) member. DAT members respond to community crises such as home fires or natural disasters. They assist and guide the victims and provide them with resources for recovery. Examples of course content include Psychological First Aid and Mass Care. For more information, contact kristina.chapman@redcross.org or

The Valparaiso Police Department responded to the 1300 block of Forest Park Ave. Tuesday evening at approximately 8:40 p.m. to investigate the report of a disturbance. The reported disturbance had occurred earlier in the day and police arrived to speak with the male subject involved in the incident. Upon arrival, the male initially declined to speak with officers; however, eventually was called to the front of the home by police. The investigation resulted in the male subject being taken into custody on charges of Domestic Battery and Intimidation. The male was identified as 43 year old Barry Smith of Valparaiso.

A press release on Tuesday from the La Porte City Police Dept. explained the following guidelines. In response to Governor Holcomb’s shelter at home order, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the La Porte Police Department procedures are as follows. Records personnel will be down to one clerk per business day. All records/accident requests should be either emailed or phoned in. We ask that you provide an email address or fax number to send those to you if you are cleared to receive them. Contact LPPD records via email _Records@lpcitypd.com or by phone 219-362-9446. Records will be available M-F 7a-3p. Handgun permits will

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Tuesday reported 107 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 365 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. Twelve Hoosiers have died. A total of 2,931 tests have been reported to ISDH to date, up from 1,960 on Monday. Marion County had the most new cases, at 51. The complete list of counties with cases is included in the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard at www.coronavirus.in.gov, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence. Private lab reporting may

Advisory: Ogden Dunes virtual Town Hall meeting on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Dear Mike Paine,March 24, 2020 To: Ogden Dunes Community RE: Ogden Dunes virtual Town Hall meeting on Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19) Pandemic The Ogden Dunes Town Council, Ogden Dunes Police Department, and Ogden Dunes Fire Department will host a virtual Town Hall online meeting at 6:00 pm tomorrow evening, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. Join virtual Town Hall online via Zoom meeting at:https://niesc.zoom.us/j/359459438Meeting ID: 359 459 438 One tap on mobile phone:+13126266799,,359459438# US (Chicago) Telephone dial-in:+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)Meeting ID: 359 459 438 Join by Skype for Businesshttps://niesc.zoom.us/skype/359459438 Watch

La Porte County Family YMCA’s Childcare Center, located at 2510 Monroe Street, La Porte, IN is now able to enroll children up to the age of 12 years old in its Level 4, Paths to Quality, licensed childcare program. 30 new spots have been approved to open immediately by the State of Indiana. The Level 4, Paths to Quality designation is a National Accreditation, which provides the “highest rated programs and have demonstrated a commitment to the highest level of professionalism in quality early care and education — achievement of a nationally recognized accreditation” as described by the State of Indiana.

The Michigan City Park Department, in compliance with Governor's Executive Order No. 20-08, item 5 "Prohibited Activities," will be closing all city playgrounds effective immediately and until further notice. Closures also include the Michigan City Golf Course, Washington Park Zoo, Michigan City Senior Center, Krueger Memorial Hall, the Oasis Splash Park, the Guy Foreman Amphitheater, the Old Bandstand, all park programs, and all city picnic shelters.

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City Coronavirus Update In light of COVID-19, and the order by our Governor Eric Holcomb, Mayor Duane Parry is introducing a “SAFER AT HOME” plan for all businesses and residents in Michigan City perform only essential services for the next 14 days. With the number of cases of COVID-19 rising, we need to take every step now to slow the spread of the virus, and to preserve precious healthcare resources to care for those who may soon need them. WHAT DOES “SAFER AT HOME” MEAN? Residents of Michigan City are required to

Current unprecedented times call for changes and adjustments to help ensure the well-being of the county and our deputies. Therefore, the following precautionary measures are being taken by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). Citizens are asked to only come to the front desk for necessary business and jail related matters. If you are unsure of the importance of your situation, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 219-326-7700, ext. 2324. Calls for Service: Deputies will respond to ALL emergency and in-progress calls for service as in the past. Non-emergency calls that do not require the physical presence of a

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced on Monday that it will close to the public its office at the Indiana Government Center downtown as well as all WorkOne centers statewide until further notice. DWD and WorkOne leadership made the decision in the interest of taking every possible measure to protect Hoosier health and safety, and to promote social distancing, to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Individuals must apply for unemployment benefits online using a computer, tablet or smart phone. For all questions related to unemployment insurance, please visit www.unemployment.in.gov, which includes an updated FAQ, tutorial and other

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Monday reported 58 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 259 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. Seven Hoosiers have died, including an Allen County adult over age 60 whose death was announced Sunday by the Allen County Health Department. A total of 1,960 tests have been reported to ISDH to date, including 466 in the last 24 hours

Re: Governor Holcomb Issues Stay at Home Order Good Afternoon, This morning at 11:00 A.M. (CST) Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a statement in reference to the update of the COVID-19 statistics and protocols. During this statement to Hoosiers across the state, Governor Holcomb issued a Stay at Home Order that is in effect from March 25th -April 7th, 2020. This is a crucial step in assuring that Hoosiers everywhere limit their contact with other people and drastically slow down and stop the spread of COVID-19. What does this Stay at Home Order mean to Michigan City residents? The Stay

Meals on Wheels La Porte County is an essential service and at this time will continue to deliver meals Monday-Friday. Modified delivery procedures have been implemented. No touch delivery with gloves and bags. Clients have been provided 7 meal blizzard boxes—shelf stable meals for winter weather closings, 5 meals remain after 2 snow days in the event we are not able to deliver. Other alternative service options are under development and will be implemented when necessary. Please check on your elderly neighbors and family. Stay safe!

In statewide address, Governor also limits state government services Governor Eric J. Holcomb delivered a statewide address today to order that Hoosiers remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety. The order is in effect from March 25 to April 7. “The next two weeks are critical if we are to slow the spread of COVID-19, and we must slow the spread. You must be part of the solution, not the problem,” said Gov. Holcomb. The first positive case of

During the late evening hours of Saturday March 21st, 2020; Michigan City Police Department Shift II Patrol Units were dispatched to the area of 11th Street and Lafayette Street for a report of shots being fired. While patrol units were in the area checking on this complaint, officers were then dispatched to Franciscan St. Anthony Hospital for a subject that arrived in the ER with a gunshot wound. Off-duty Michigan City Police Department officers that were working security for Franciscan St. Anthony advised responding units that the vehicle that had dropped off the gunshot victim was leaving the parking lot.

Early Sunday morning, just after midnight, Senior Trooper Anthony Potesta was patrolling I-80/94 near Broadway. A black Dodge Challenger passed the officer at an extremely high rate of speed. Trooper Potesta was able to catch up to the Challenger and checked the vehicle's speed at 145 m.p.h.. The speed limit on I-80/94 is posted 55 mph. A traffic stop was initiated on the Dodge near Ripley St. Further investigation lead the trooper to believe that the driver was impaired. The driver voluntarily performed field sobriety tests and submitted to a certified breath test. That certified test showed his blood alcohol

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the South Shore Line will be implementing a temporary modified weekday train schedule to be in effect today, MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020, until further notice. Please click here to view the full schedule of revised weekday train times. Our weekend train schedules will not be changed at this time. Although SSL ridership has been impacted by COVID-19-required closures, our trains provide an essential public service. This service is relied upon by healthcare professionals for travel to their essential assignments, and by citizens with previously scheduled medical appointments. The SSL intends to operate unless our public health

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration called on Hoosiers to help keep the state’s network of food pantries open. FSSA is tracking the number of food pantries operating across the state as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). “Now is the time for us as Hoosiers to double down on our best quality -- serving each other,” said Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H., FSSA Secretary. “Food pantries are critical harbors of hope in many local communities, and with them facing difficulties operating and possibly reducing the food supply to our neighbors in need, it’s time to sound