News

Final FlexRoad environmental document available for review Construction to start spring 2026   The environmental document for 80/94 FlexRoad is final and available for review on the project website. A Categorical Exclusion Level 4 (CE-4) document was prepared. It includes all environmental documentation and preliminary design information for the project.   The final document also includes responses to comments received during the formal comment period. Two public hearings, one in Hammond, IN and one in Homewood, IL, were held in July and the comment period ran through Aug. 8, 2025.   Construction to Begin This Spring 80/94 FlexRoad is an

Captain - Jail Commander Andrew Hahn announces the recent promotions of three Jail Division Deputies. Maggie Williams began her employment with the Sheriff’s Office in May of 2023. On September 12, 2024, she was promoted to the rank of corporal. On January 1, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Sergeant Williams will now command the Afternoon Shift for the division. Mathew Ballman was hired by the agency in April of 2024. On January 1, he was promoted to the rank of corporal. Corporal Ballman will now assist the other supervisors on the Afternoon Shift for the division. James

The Latest from OTT Haverstock and Funeral Chapel in Michigan City   Russell Caddo, Sr., 79, Three Rivers, Michigan, passed away Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 8:20 am in La Porte, IN.   Private family services will be conducted. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.   Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.   To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com.

Indiana Department of Education Encourages Participation in Summer Meal Program   The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) encourages schools and qualified community organizations to participate in the 2026 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In addition, IDOE is looking to expand access to free meals in eligible rural areas that have no congregate summer meal service sites and could benefit from the provision of non-congregate meal service as well as service to areas with a concentration of migrant farm workers.   The SFSP reimburses local eligible sponsors that serve healthy free meals and snacks to children 18 years old and younger.

La Porte—Sixty-six La Porte High School students demonstrated exceptional musical talent at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Vocal and Piano Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Portage High School, earning an impressive 109 Gold Division medals. Eleven solos and four ensembles will advance to represent La Porte High School at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Indianapolis on February 21, 2026. "Watching these students pour their hearts into their performances and seeing that hard work recognized is truly humbling," said Tom Coe, La Porte High School Choir Director. "Each one of these young

Secretary of State Diego Morales Reminds Candidates: One Week Left to File for Office INDIANAPOLIS-  With just one week remaining before the candidate filing deadline, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is urging individuals seeking public office to submit their paperwork as soon as possible. The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy is Friday, February 6th, at noon. Under Indiana law, election officials are prohibited from accepting filings after the deadline. “Time is running out for Hoosiers who wish to place their name on the ballot.  Filing early helps avoid last-minute issues and ensures candidates are fully prepared for the

PNW’s online RN-to-BSN program earns top 50 national ranking from U.S. News and World Report HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) College of Nursing online programs received top national recognitions through U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs rankings, including a No. 38 placement for its RN-to-BSN program. U.S. News & World Report’s rankings were released Tuesday, Jan. 27. PNW’s nationally recognized RN-to-BSN online program was included among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the 2026 rankings, placing 38 among 359 surveyed online bachelor’s programs. The ranking was an increase from No. 51 on the 2025 listing. PNW’s program offers an avenue for

Duneland Chamber of Commerce Invites Candidates to Participate in 2026 Candidate Forum (Chesterton, IN – January 29, 2026) The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is inviting candidates who are seeking elected office in the 2026 election cycle to participate in its upcoming Candidate Forum, designed to provide an opportunity to share their priorities and perspectives directly with the community. The Candidate Forum will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Porter County Expo Center, located at 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. This forum is open to candidates who have filed or plan to file for open positions

Sheriff Balon with The Porter County Sheriff's Office announces college scholarships   Sheriff Balon announcedy that the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. There will be approximately 40 -$1,000 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state.   The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field.   To qualify

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is kicking off Black History Month with an Artist Talk featuring exhibiting artist Antonia Ruppert during their First Friday programming in LCA's NIPSCO Art Education Studios on Friday, February 6, 2026. A meet and greet will take place from 5-8 p.m. (Central), and an artist talk will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free, as always. "Connected Voices" explores portraiture through painting, collage and original songs. Ruppert, an interdisciplinary artist from Chicago, paints as devotion and creates music as one might meditate or journal. These works form contemplative familial narratives centered on displacement, belonging, identity

TWO AMAZING TRIBUTES IN ONE NIGHT! Get your tickets now for a mammoth Classic Rock show as E 5 C 4 P 3 - The Journey Tribute and Best of Times - A Tribute to STYX share the Civic Auditorium stage on Friday, March 13. Formed in 1993, E5C4P3 has traveled nationwide and paid tribute to one of Rock history's most beloved bands, performing for hundreds of thousands of fans. The band covers the music with a note-for-note accuracy that is second to none and performs each show with the high-energy excitement of a real Journey concert as well as

The 2nd annual Lucky Charm 5k will return to Michigan City on Saturday, March 21st, at 9:00 am. Nearly 300 participants turned out for last year’s inaugural race, and more are anticipated to pound the pavement in 2026. Marquette Catholic High School is proud to again partner with Extra Mile Fitness Company and Race the Region to organize this all-ages event. The school will serve as headquarters for the race, with the start and finish lines designated for 10th Street, located between the main building and the Scholl Center. Early registration is open until March 4th. The entry fee is

Eighth-grade students from Michigan City and beyond are invited to attend Michigan City High School’s annual Wolfpack Roundup. This informational session will be held on Wednesday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m. in the Michigan City High School auditorium, located at 8466 W. Pahs Road. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Enter through Door P. “Wolfpack Roundup is an opportunity for students and their families to tour the school and meet school counselors and administrators. They can hear more about classes, extracurriculars, dual credit, and so much more,” said MCHS Principal Dr. Mohamed Mroueh. “The tour offers a student perspective, and

The EDCMC is seeking input from businesses in Michigan City that are marking milestones   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The EDCMC is seeking input from businesses in Michigan City that are marking milestones or continued investment in the community.   Companies that have celebrated or will be celebrating an anniversary between 2024-26 will be honored with a Milestone Award, which highlights businesses that remain in the community creating a continued impact on Michigan City. Anniversary milestones to be celebrated include: 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 75, 80, 90 or 100+ years.   Companies that have completed or

La Porte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg announced the Indiana Sheriffs' Association (ISA) will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies. There will be approximately 40 - $1000 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state. The ISA Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing, and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field. To qualify for one of these scholarships, the applicant must be an

MCHS MCJROTC Presents To 8th Graders   “Many people do not recognize opportunity, as it is often disguised as work.” Major Tom McGrath, Senior Marine Instructor for the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC), emphasized the opportunities afforded to students in the program in a presentation to 8th graders at Barker and Krueger Middle Schools. This was provided to the students prior to completing their schedule requests for their freshman year.   JROTC is an elective course where the curriculum is focused on developing leadership skills. Cadets are challenged to strive to be

Valparaiso, Ind. — Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Porter County Community Foundation to support technology upgrades, including new computers and improved connectivity. These enhancements will strengthen operations, increase efficiency, and allow staff and interns to dedicate more time to conservation projects, community engagement, and the Student Experiences in Conservation program. “Reliable technology plays an important role in how our team works together and supports our mission,” said Bridget Harrison, Deputy Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “This grant allows us to better equip our staff and interns while keeping our attention on conserving

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST SATURDAY... * WHAT...Lake effect snow expected. A period of heavy lake effect snow with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and poor visibility. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. Locally higher amounts possible, especially along the Porter County line. * WHERE...Northern La Porte and Southern La Porte Counties. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel conditions will deteriorate quickly within the lake effect snow band. Visibility of less than

Sad News in the Entertainment Industry-Catherine O'Hara, an actress best known for her roles in Home Alone, Schitt's Creek, Beetlejuice, and The Studio has sadly passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends, and fans. #catherineohara

An off-duty Lake County Sheriff’s police officer faces a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after he was arrested by Indiana State Police overnight. 33-year-old Thaddeus Bilski was booked into the Lake County Jail early this morning and was later released on bond. He has been a Lake County police officer for 2 and a half years and has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. No further details will be released at this time. -Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.