News

Education, Family Birth Center tours and giveaways featured DYER, Ind. – Franciscan Health Dyer is hosting a free baby expo for expectant families and new parents. The Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Expo is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Franciscan Health Dyer, 24 Joliet St. in the first floor conference rooms. Attendees should enter through the main entrance. Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep and breastfeeding will be offered along with information from health vendors, clinical staff, healthcare providers and community resources. Tours of the

In Ogden Dunes, the railroad tracks leaving town toward Highway 12 will be closed on Monday, August 25. The closure is expected to begin sometime after noon and will last at least five days.The dates are subject to change depending on project progress and weather conditions. During the closure, drivers will need to enter and exit the area using the frontage road.

TEAM WIMS was at HotSpot Cafe in La Porte on Friday for the unveiling of their brand new mural at 602 Lincolnway. Created by artist, Cheri Lee Charlton, the mural was made possible by grants from the Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association and the City of La Porte. Janet Bloch, executive director of LCA states, “I’m grateful for the La Porte community. They really come together to embrace the arts! So many local businesses pitched in to complete this work of art and add excitement. In addition to the major funders, I would

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reopening a cold case from over 35 years ago and are seeking the public's help. On March 11, 1989, deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office responded to State Road 8 approximately one mile west of State Road 39 for a body located in a water-filled ditch. The body was identified as 16-year-old Tamara Gifford of Florida but had relatives who resided in Starke County. Two days later, agency detectives located 17-year-old Christina Hillis, also from Florida, in the general area where Gifford’s body had been located. The deaths of Gifford and

In Lake County, an Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 41/State Road 152/Indianapolis Boulevard between 175th Street and Ridge Road beginning on or after Monday, August 25 for a road resurfacing project. Alternating lane closures and changing traffic patterns are scheduled through late October. Work will begin with lane closures in place for approximately five days for daytime center island work on the north and south ends of the project area, as well as overnight lane closures during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. between Ridge Rd and 175th St for milling operations.

The Chesterton Police Department is now accepting applications for its first annual Citizen Police Academy this fall. This free six-week program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 9 through Nov. 13 (NOTE: Week 5 will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5). Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at CPD operations with both classroom and hands-on activities. Topics include K-9, Drone, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Investigations, Crime Scene, Patrol Operations, SWAT, and many more! Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Applicants must be 18 or older and live, work, or worship in Chesterton. NOTE: Class size is limited

The Valparaiso Police Department on Friday welcomed Rachel Carden as their new Investigations Administrative Assistant. Rachel is a graduate of Indiana University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. She brings with her three years of experience as a Police Records Specialist with the Scottsdale Police Department in Arizona.  

(Porter County, Indiana) - The Porter County Health Department, in partnership with Valparaiso Parks, Valparaiso Fire Department, and the Zac Mago Foundation, has begun placing publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This initiative marks a significant step toward Porter County's goal of becoming a "HEARTSafe community" by enhancing AED accessibility. The first of five new AED machines was installed on Friday, August 15. The installation took place at Central Park Plaza, near the Northwest Health Amphitheater, specifically in the area adjacent to the public restroom facilities. The remaining four SaveHeart stations will be strategically placed in areas with high foot

Community support needed as “Meeting a Growing Need” campaign continues: MICHIGAN CITY – The Salvation Army of Michigan City is inviting community members to step up and serve during this year’s Oktoberfest, held at Washington Park over Labor Day Weekend, as part of its ongoing “Meeting a Growing Need” campaign. With the demand for services up 60% in recent years, the organization will place a Red Kettle at the festival and is urgently seeking volunteer bell ringers to cover shifts from noon to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31, and noon to 6:00 pm on Monday,

The La Porte Police Department is pleased to announce the upcoming Citizens Police Academy, set to begin on Wednesday, September 24, and run through October 29. Classes will be held Wednesday evenings from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the La Porte Police Department. The Citizens Police Academy is designed to strengthen the relationship between the police and the community by providing residents with insight into the operations, procedures, and challenges of modern law enforcement. Upon completion, participants will gain a deeper understanding of police work and the department’s role in public safety. Application Information: Applications are available on the

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Facebook page issued a scam notice regarding a document a resident received. A La Porte County resident visited the LCSO  this week and produced this document. The “Notice of Lien” recently arrived in the mail. Growing suspicious, the citizen brought it to the Sheriff’s Office where it was confirmed to be scam related material. For more information related to property lien scams, visit https://www.irs.gov/.../taxpayers-should-beware-of...

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction will move to phase four of pavement patching work on I-65 between 93rd Ave and Central Ave next week. Overnight lane closures will occur on I-65 northbound during the hours of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for approximately four nights beginning on or around Sunday, August 24. During this overnight work, traffic will be moved from the left inside lanes to the right outside lanes. All lanes of northbound I-65 will be shifted to the right of the work zone, and there will no longer be a counterflow lane

Press Release, Michigan City Police Department: The Michigan City Police Department is proud to announce that they are the newest “SAFE PLACE” location in LaPorte County. Safe Place is a program of the Youth Service Bureau of LaPorte County which provides a network of locations throughout the community where youth in need of immediate help and safety can receive assistance. According to MCPD Lt. Mike King, “Having the designation of Safe Place is more than a title – it’s a promise. It reflects our unwavering commitment to the youth of our community. It means that any child in crisis who

On Tuesday La Porte Police Chief Drangmeister proudly swore in the newest member of the La Porte Police Department, Officer Stephen Bateman of Knox. Officer Bateman has served as a Military Police Officer with the Army National Guard. He will begin his next chapter of training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on September 2nd.

The Michigan City Police Department is looking for members of the community who would like to experience the inner workings of what it is like to be a police officer. Beginning Thursday, October 16th, through November 20th, 2025, from 6pm-9pm, we will be sponsoring an opportunity for members of the community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Department. The Michigan City Police Department Citizen's Police Academy (MCCPA) brings the police and the community together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant. Academy Participants will receive three hours of

Michiana Humane Society's fundraiser, Dollars 4 Doodles, taking place from Aug. 22 - Sept. 6, will turn your pet into a one-of-a-kind “Meow-sterpiece”. Donate $25 to Michiana Humane Society, send the Michiana Humane Society your pet’s photo, and get a one-of-a-kind portrait drawn by their staff and volunteers—from professional artists to kids. Proceeds help Michiana Humane Society give second chances to pets and the people who love them. To join in on the fun, click here: https://bit.ly/4fi8huy Photo credit: Michiana Humane Society Facebook page

Michigan City Area Schools will return to a regular in-person schedule on Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22. "We are grateful for the support of our neighboring districts during this challenging time, Michigan City Area Schools said in a statement. "Our sincere thanks go to Elkhart Community Schools, LaPorte Community School Corporation, Merrillville Community School Corporation, New Prairie United School Corporation, South Central Community School Corporation, and Warsaw Community Schools for generously providing additional buses to support our students."

Press Release, City of Valparaiso:  The City of Valparaiso is inviting neighborhoods to submit applications for the annual Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, announced Maggie Clifton, Valparaiso’s Community Engagement Director. Guidelines have been updated for 2026, setting the maximum amount at $20,000 per neighborhood. Applications for the upcoming grant cycle will be due on March 1, 2026, with grant recipients announced by March 15, 2026. “The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program has succeeded in funding 139 projects since we introduced the program in 2018,” said Clifton. “The City is pleased to lead this program which brings neighbors together for a common project

The Indiana Toll Road has issued a Travel Advisory for I-94 road work to impact ITR's Lake Station, EXIT 21. The Indiana Toll Road gave the following info:

The #LCSO announces amended/additional charges being filed against 41-year-old Shawn Wesly Russell AKISON in connection with the May 8, 2025, serious bodily injury crash (SBI) that occurred at the intersection of US 20 and Fail Road. Agency detectives and crash reconstructionists have continued to investigate the circumstances of the crash, along with analyzing evidence. Investigators recently received the toxicology test results prompting amended/additional charges being filed through the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and La Porte County Circuit Court against AKISON. The amended/additional charges are as follows: • OWI Causing Catastrophic Injury, L4 Felony • OWI Causing SBI, L5