News

Deadline for physical damage loans approaching WASHINGTON—The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, homeowners, and renters in Indiana of the June 8 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset losses from physical damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes occurring March 10 – 11. The declaration covers the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, and White, as well as the Illinois counties of Iroquois and Kankakee which are eligible for both Physical Damage Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM CDT THURSDAY TO 1 AM CDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Waves will quickly build from 1 to 2 feet tonight to 3 to 4 feet Thursday. Dangerous swimming conditions are expected with northeast winds creating strong structural and longshore currents, especially on the north side of piers. * WHERE...Northern La Porte county. * WHEN...From 1 AM CDT Thursday 1 AM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions. Do not

La PORTE, IN – The Independence Celebration Fireworks Show returns to Fox Park on Friday, July 3, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. With the La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau providing the Exclusive Fireworks Sponsorship, the City of La Porte will once again kick off the 4th of July holiday with free fireworks over Clear Lake after dusk (approximately 9 p.m.). "We are excited to kick off what will undoubtedly be an amazing July 4 celebration,” Schreiber said. “Thank you to the CVB for their generous support to once again help make this happen.” Adding to the festivities, The 1985

The Grand Finale Hoosier Star will take place on September 12, 2026 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium La Porte - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2026 Hoosier Star Grand Finale Finalists! These individuals will compete, in their respective divisions, for the title of HOOSIER STAR! Each finalist will sing a song of their choosing accompanied by the LCSO. Audience members and a panel of celebrity judges will decide the winner! First place Adult and Youth Winners will receive a $1,000 prize. Second place Adult and Youth Winners will receive a $500 prize. This

Michigan City, IN — The Rotary Club of Michigan City invites the community to participate in an impactful new event, “Quarters for Change,” taking place on Thursday, June 25 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Gill Field at Elston. This unique fundraiser aims to create a “quarter mile of quarters” by lining the entire track with donated quarters. The event is designed to bring the community together in support of the Rotary Club’s service initiatives, particularly those focused on youth in Michigan City. A portion of the proceeds will also directly benefit the Michigan City High School Marching Band, with 25

The Porter County Health Department is hosting an ongoing diaper drive to support local families in need, and they're asking the community to come together to help keep supplies stocked. What they provide to WIC families (while supplies last): *2 packs of diapers and wipes per family, per month "These supplies are essential for families—and demand continues to grow, the Health Department said on their Facebook page. "Your donations help ensure we can keep supporting parents and caregivers in our community. Every donation, big or small, makes a direct impact for local families. Thank you for helping us take care

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 #𝟐 – 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍-From the La Porte County Sheriff's FACEBOOK PAGE. Deputy Jon Samuelson remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. His status is stable, and he remains in critical condition. Since last Saturday’s initial update, Deputy Samuelson has made significant strides in his recovery. He is communicating with family, friends, and colleagues and remains in good spirits. Yesterday marked an especially meaningful moment as Deputy Samuelson was reunited with his K-9 partner, Bosco. The two were able to spend quality time together inside his ICU room. The incredible medical professionals at Memorial

Big news for La Porte! Today, the La Porte County Family YMCA is excited to publicly share an important milestone regarding the future YMCA project in La Porte — the future branch location adjacent to Fox Memorial Park. This announcement represents an exciting step forward in a long-term vision focused on strengthening health, wellness, youth development, family connection, and community impact throughout our community. The future YMCA branch is envisioned as a welcoming space where individuals and families of all ages can connect, grow, and thrive together — featuring expanded wellness opportunities, spaces for youth programs and recreation, and areas

Save the Dunes: DUNES DASH 5K is happening Saturday May 30th from 9:00 am - 11:00 am at West Beach 376 North County Line Rd located in Gary. This annual event invites participants to explore one of Northwest Indiana’s most iconic landscapes while supporting the ongoing protection and advocacy of the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding natural areas. The 5K course winds through sandy, hilly trails with stairs and elevation changes, making it a rewarding challenge for runners and walkers alike. While the course is considered moderate to strenuous, it’s designed to be approachable for anyone ready to take on a fun,

Last Friday’s Slide Away festival at the Aragon Ballroom brought together an incredible lineup of shoegaze, dream pop, and grunge with sets from Hum, She's Green, Nothing, and Chapterhouse among others, turning the venue into a packed wall of sound all night. Going in, I expected Hum to be my favorite set of the evening, especially with their long-awaited return to the stage, but She’s Green completely stole the show for me. Their set was slow, dreamy, and intimate in a way that made the massive Aragon feel small. By the end of the night Hum still delivered the huge,

Most Americans think of Memorial Day as the start of summer, a time to barbecue and socialize. The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) know the true meaning of Memorial Day: to honor the men and women who died in the service of our nation. The MCHS Color Guard led the Michigan City Memorial Day Parade from Ames Field to the Greenwood Cemetery. They also posted and retrieved the Colors as part of the Memorial Ceremony at the cemetery. Before Memorial Day, the cadets placed flags on veterans’ graves on

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27TH. BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT  for May 28th The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect for Wednesday May 27th for LaPorte County. An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued. Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. * Avoid

Downtown Hammond Welcomes New Thursday Tradition with Launch of Farmed & Forged Market-Weekly information included for Michigan City and La Porte The Hammond Development Corporation and The Collective are proud to announce an addition to the city’s summer lineup, the launch of the Farmed & Forged Market in Downtown Hammond. Beginning May 28, Dan Rabin Plaza will transform every Thursday evening into a community hub featuring local farmers, food producers, high-quality artisans, and live entertainment. The introduction of the Thursday evening market marks an exciting expansion for the Farmed & Forged market, joining its established weekend markets in La Porte

Hobart Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison For Controlled Substance and Firearm Offenses  SOUTH BEND –Justin Ring, 37 years old, of Hobart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and possessing a firearm as convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred. Ring was sentenced to168 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to

The Starke County Sheriff's Office last week released the following statement about the F.A.R.M. program transitioning to G.R.O.V.E.: "Today marks a significant turning point in how we approach rehabilitation and community integration within our facility. For years, the F.A.R.M program has served as a cornerstone of our efforts to provide individuals with purpose, discipline, and a connection to the land. However, as our mission evolves, so must our vision. "It is our privilege to announce that we are officially transitioning the F.A.R.M. program into the Starke County G.R.O.V.E. "By renaming this initiative, we are refining our focus. The G.R.O.V.E. now

The Indiana State Police gave the following update Tuesday night regarding the State Trooper being shot during a traffic stop: Third Update:  Following the incident, detectives continued to gather additional information and evidence related to the investigation. As a result of new information obtained, the female passenger was subsequently released from custody pending further investigation.  Again, this investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional details will be released in the upcoming days that will continue to answer many of the questions that have been asked and speculated by a few media outlets.

The latest from the Lake County Sheriff's Department on this mornings shooting. The Trooper involved this morning underwent successful surgery. See attached picture for details. More details in previous FACEBOOK POSTS from earlier today. Check the Lake County Sheriff's FACEBOOK Page for the latest.

The Barker family and the Directors of The Barker Welfare Foundation extend their sincere gratitude to everyone who joined them on Friday, May 15, 2026, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Barker Depot in Michigan City, IN. The family was deeply appreciative of the tremendous support shown by the community, project partners, board members, and guests as they marked this exciting milestone. It was especially meaningful to welcome members of the Barker family back to Michigan City to share in this special occasion and celebrate an important step in preserving the city’s rich history and railroad heritage. A special thank you

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27TH... The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect for Wednesday May 27th for LaPorte County. An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been issued. Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exposure. Here are some recommended actions that the public can take: * Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation. * Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands

On July 1, the Duneland School Corporation will implement a Phone-Free Policy for students, per Indiana Public Law 107-2026: A student “bell-to-bell” cellphone and device ban in all public and charter schools, according to a Facebook post from the Town of Chesterton. "Public Law 107-2026 includes all personal wireless devices, including smartwatches (some schools may have additional requirements), the Town of Chesterton stated.  "The ban will be in effect during classroom time, passing periods, and lunch: *All devices are to be powered off and stored in student lockers at the start of the day. *Devices will remain in student lockers