News

With temperatures dropping for the first time this winter, and chilly temperatures expected for the next week, Fire Chief Randy Novak is advising caution with space heaters and other forms of alternative heating, as well as a review of smoke alarms. Space heaters should always be kept away from loose or flammable objects such as clothing, curtains, bedding and furniture. There should be at least a three-foot perimeter around space heaters at all times. Avoid using candles or appliances, such as a stove or oven, to heat the home. Fireplaces should be regularly cleaned and inspected by a certified professional,

Michigan City will feel the brunt of a historically cold outbreak this week. In an effort to remove the already fallen snow and in preparation for more heavy snow forecast to hit the area starting tonight, Mayor Ron Meer has declared the following: Sec. 94-254-Parking restrictions during a snow removal condition. Snow removal conditions have been declared by the Mayor, the following traffic regulations shall be in effect immediately. (1) No vehicle shall be parked on a designated “snow route.” (2) On even numbered days, no parking shall be permitted on that side of the street with even numbered addresses

The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust has awarded $59,380 in grants to support Franciscan Alliance programs that provide screenings and post-diagnostic services. The grants assist lower-income, medically underserved Hoosier women who have had a breast cancer diagnosis, with food, transportation, rent and utilities.* A $24,880 grant will go to providing breast cancer screenings for women whose household income is at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level and lack sufficient insurance. Enrollment and screenings for this program are available at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Franciscan Health Women’s Center Chesterton, Franciscan Health Munster Cancer Center and Franciscan Health Crown

Due to the extreme cold approaching with current forecasts calling for temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero, the Ogden Dunes Water Department is reminding residents to allow a small stream of water to run from your faucet to prevent your pipes from freezing. The Ogden Dunes Fire Department would also like to ask residents to make sure that your local fire hydrant is clear of snow 3 feet in all directions as this will save firefighters valuable time during an emergency. Additionally, do not park vehicles within 15 feet of fire hydrants. The Ogden Dunes Police Department advises

South Bend - Closed (Tuesday and Wednesday) La Porte Community Schools - Closed New Prairie - Closed Michigan City Schools - Closed (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) Valparaiso Schools - Closed (Tuesday and Wednesday) Westville - Closed (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) Crown Point - Closed Hammond - Closed (Tuesday - Thursday) Hobart - Closed (Tuesday - Thursday) River Forest - Closed Portage - Closed (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) Duneland Schools - Closed (Tuesday and Wednesday) Marquette Catholic - Closed (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) Griffith - Closed (Tuesday and Wednesday) Imagination Station - Limited Hours of 8am-5pm. Social and Learning Institute -

...WIND CHILL WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM EST /NOON CST/ TUESDAY TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ THURSDAY... * WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills dropping to 15 below to 25 below Tuesday morning, and to 45 below zero at times Tuesday evening through Thursday midday. In additional a period of snow will affect northwest Indiana and portions of north central Indiana this evening with an additional inch or two of snow accumulation. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 1 PM EST /noon CST/ Tuesday to 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/

The South Shore Line plans to provide substitute bus service between South Bend and Michigan City Carroll Ave. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, until EB Train 7 on Friday, Feb. 1, in response to a frigid temperatures forecast. Weather conditions will be re-evaluated prior to Train 7 on Feb. 1 to determine if service will resume between South Bend/Carroll Ave.The South Shore Line is in the process of revising the operating schedule for Wednesday/Thursday, Jan. 30-31. More information on modified train service will be released when it is finalized.Service is suspended to and from Hudson Lake while substitute bus service is

As part of ongoing improvements at the Gary Metro Center station, the South Shore Line platform elevator will be closed beginning today, as final tasks are completed. Passengers may continue to access the SSL platform through the main Metro entrance stairwell and via the Broadway St. entrance. Due to the elevator closure, the recommended alternative Accessible station location is East Chicago. The closure is expected to last through Wednesday, Jan. 30th.

The shelter is asking residents to please, focus on your pets and be aware of the dangers. They stated, “Frostbite can happen in a matter of minutes with the extreme temperatures headed our way. If anyone needs assistance with their pets like food, short term shelter etc, please call 219-326-1637. Animal Control Officers will be impounding animals left outside as County Ordinance prohibits this”.

This past Thursday, around 9:30 am, the Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG), responded to an anonymous “Submit a Tip” for a residence in Chesterton on 10th Street. PCMEG was assisted by Porter County Adult Probation at the 10th Street residence as Probation was also looking for a subject that had been non-compliant with the terms of their probation and lived at the same residence. Information obtained at the residence led PCMEG Detectives to another, larger source, which was also in Chesterton, in the 800 south block of 2nd Street. Detectives made contact with the homeowner, who refused a consent to

On Tuesday, January 22nd, at around 2:00 PM, La Porte County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to US Highway 20 east of Range Road, in rural Kankakee Township, reference a two vehicle crash with injuries. The crash investigation revealed a GMC pickup truck, driven by 25 year old Zachary Lane, of Texas was traveling west on US 20. While doing so, Lane drove left of center into the eastbound lanes of US 20. The pickup truck Lane was operating collided with a Dodge van. The van was being operated by 44 year old Ryan Wireman, of South Bend. At the

With temperatures dropping for the first time this winter, and chilly temperatures expected for the next week, Fire Chief Randy Novak is advising caution with space heaters and other forms of alternative heating, as well as a review of smoke alarms. Space heaters should always be kept away from loose or flammable objects such as clothing, curtains, bedding and furniture. There should be at least a three-foot perimeter around space heaters at all times. Avoid using candles or appliances, such as a stove or oven, to heat the home. Fireplaces should be regularly cleaned and inspected by a certified professional,

Applications are now available online for the 2019 Unity Foundation of La Porte County cycle of scholarships and awards. Deadline for submission is March 22. Scholarships and awards ranging from $250 - $2,500 each are awarded through more than 50 funds at Unity, which is the community foundation serving La Porte County. Scholarship opportunities are available for both graduating seniors and students who already are in college. To make the application process easier for students and school officials, all applicants can simply log into www.uflc.net to complete and submit applications and documentation online. The Unity Foundation General Scholarship application was designed to

PNW - Opening late at 12:00pm Paladin, inc - Closed Opportunity Enterprises - Closed Ivy Tech Michigan City and La Porte Campuses - ClosedDuneland Schools - ClosedHebron - 2 HoursMarquette Catholic - ClosedMichigan City - ClosedLa Porte - ClosedNew Prairie - ClosedValparaiso - ClosedImagination Station - 2 Hours - Open at 8amLowell - 2 HoursLake Station - 2 HoursRiver Forest - 2 Hours **There will be no Meals on Wheels service for La Porte County today. Customers are asked to use their blizzard boxes. **Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets will be closed today.

With extreme cold weather in our area, Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer would like to remind the citizens of Michigan City that several warming centers will be open.Warming centers will be available at the following locations: Michigan City Police Station (24 hours)1201 E. Michigan Blvd. Michigan City Fire Administration Building (8am-4pm, Monday-Friday)2510 E. Michigan Blvd. Michigan City Senior Center (8:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday)2 on the Lake Michigan City City Hall (8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday)100 E. Michigan Blvd. Michigan City Public Library (during regular business hours)100 E. 4 th Street Keys to Hope Community Resource Center (8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday,8:00am-12pm, Sunday-Saturday)1802 Franklin Street Mayor Meer urges the

The Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law heard Sen. Young’s SB 488 on public defenders authorizing the Indiana Public Defender Commission to create a system for and guidelines governing multi-county public defender offices. The bill also specifies term limits, member appointments, and meeting requirements for the joint board of a multi-county public defender’s office.Representatives of the Indiana Public Defender Council and Public Defender Commission testified in support of this bill. The bill passed 7-0.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM CST TO 6 PM CST MONDAY. Snow expected throughout the day with total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches expected.

Michigan City will feel the brunt of a historically cold outbreak beginning this week. In an effort to remove the already fallen snow and in preparation for more heavy snow forecast to hit the area starting tonight, Mayor Ron Meer has declared the following: Sec. 94-254-Parking restrictions during a snow removal condition. Snow removal conditions have been declared by the Mayor, the following traffic regulations shall be in effect: Immediately on January 27, 2019 (1) No vehicle shall be parked on a designated “snow route.” (2) On even numbered days, no parking shall be permitted on that side of the

The shelter is asking residents to please, focus on your pets and be aware of the dangers. They stated, “Frostbite can happen in a matter of minutes with the extreme temperatures headed our way. If anyone needs assistance with their pets like food, short term shelter etc, please call 219-326-1637. Animal Control Officers will be impounding animals left outside as County Ordinance prohibits this”.

This past Thursday, just after 12:30 P.M. La Porte County Sheriff's Office Deputies were dispatched to the 7000 north block of State Road (SR) 39, for a crash. Upon arrival, deputies learned one of the involved drivers was deceased. SR 39 was immediately closed for investigative purposes, the cleanup of the large debris field and for the removal of the involved vehicles. The crash investigation revealed a Toyota passenger vehicle, driven by 27 year old Ric Henriott of Walkerton, was traveling south on SR 39. Information was provided that Henriott was overtaking/passing other southbound SR 39 vehicles in the northbound