(La Porte County, IN) - New details have been revealed regarding the police shooting that took place in La Porte County Friday morning.

A state police trooper, now identified as 40-year-old Sgt. Justin Heflin, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of the Speedway gas station on U.S. 421 south of I-94 in Michigan City around 7 a.m. Friday.

The shootout was the culmination of a police chase from Berrien County, Michigan of a reportedly stolen vehicle. Reports indicate the suspect, now identified as 54-year-old Kevin Meyers of La Porte, was driving a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup and allegedly pointed and fired a rifle at officers in pursuit.

More gunfire broke out at the Speedway when the truck was brought to a stop. According to ISP, Meyers opened fire from inside his truck, striking Sgt. Heflin  and his squad car multiple times. A fellow trooper drove Heflin to nearby Franciscan Hospital, from which he was transferred to South Bend Memorial.

Meanwhile, Myers took off in his truck. With more than 100 officers and a Lake County Sheriff’s helicopter involved in a manhunt, Myers’ pickup was located along a tree line near Westville in the area of Joliet Road and Wozniak Road.  According to ISP, more shots rang out during the search before the suspect was found deceased by a tactical unit a few hours later in a cornfield in that same area.

Police said Myers suffered gunshot wounds. They don’t know right now if they were self-inflicted or from shots fired by officers. An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday morning.

Heflin, a Michigan City High School graduate, was an active-duty Marine for eight years prior to becoming a state trooper 12 years ago. Police said he underwent successful surgery and is in stable condition surrounded by family.

(La Porte, IN) - Plans to develop a La Porte golf course into new housing has stalled.

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said it became clear about two weeks ago the housing developer, Lennar, and the Briar Leaf Golf Course property owners were not going to reach an agreement without some level of investment and participation from the city.

He said this came several months after representatives from the city worked diligently to help bring the project along.

“After much deliberation, I have made the decision to walk away from this project. If Lennar and Briar Leaf are able to reach an agreement on their own, we would be more than happy to resume our work to assist in the project,” he said.  

"Though housing is a top priority for this administration – like it is for many administrations across the region and state – we have a responsibility to the tax paying citizens of La Porte to be good stewards with their money. We will continue our efforts to improve the availability of housing in our community without doing so at the expense of our residents," he said.

The golf course has been closed, so far, this season because of the plans to convert the 18 hole course into new housing.

(La Porte County, IN) - An Indiana State Police trooper was shot multiple times Friday near Michigan City by a man later found dead from gunshots during a manhunt.

The shooting happened about 7 a.m. outside a Speedway station on U.S. 421 just south of Interstate 94.

ISP Sgt. Glen Fifield said the suspect was chased on Interstate 94 from somewhere in Berrien County, Michigan after he failed to pull over for driving a pick-up truck reported stolen.  The trooper joined the chase after it crossed into Indiana.

Several minutes later, Fifield said the chase veered onto U.S. 421 where soon there was a collision between the trooper and suspect.  Fifield said numerous shots rang out, including some by the officer returning fire.

The officer was rushed to nearby Franciscan Health hospital and later airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend where he was listed in stable condition prior to surgery.

“I can report he is in good spirits at the moment,” he said.

Fifield said whether the suspect and officer were out of their vehicles during the gunfire exchange was still under investigation.

More than 20 yellow evidence markers were placed mostly in the Speedway parking lot close to the highway.  Police said many of those markers represented the spot where empty shell casings were found.

Following the gunfire exchange, Fifield said more than 100 officers were involved in a manhunt for the suspect whose pick-up truck was located along a tree line with help from a police helicopter near Westville in the area of Joliet Road and Wozniak Road.  Fifield said more shots rang out during the search before the suspect was found deceased a few hours later in a cornfield in that same area.

The manhunt included the use of drones with cameras along with K-9 dogs.

“All of the resources were being used during the search for him,” he said.

Fifield said who fired the shots suffered by the suspect will be left up to the La Porte County Coroner’s Office to decide after reviewing evidence from the autopsy and police investigation.

The suspected stolen vehicle was discovered by a police officer in the New Buffalo area who tried stopping the driver, who fled a short distance into Indiana on some side roads before winding up on Interstate 94, said Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit.

Heit said the suspect early in the pursuit fired a shot from what was described as a rifle he stuck out the window of the vehicle before leaving Michigan.  He said officers from Michigan discontinued the pursuit once law enforcement from multiple agencies in Indiana took over.

“We were involved for a short period at the beginning then stayed available just in case it came back,” he said. 

Fifield said the name of the wounded officer will be released at some point but wasn’t right away out of respect for him and his family.  The name of the suspect and where he is from was also not immediately disclosed.

(La Porte County, IN)  A state police trooper was shot this morning in La Porte County.

It happened about 7 a.m. at the Speedway station just south of Interstate 94 outside Michigan City.  Police say the trooper was rushed to a local hospital.

The condition of the officer was not released.

So far, authorities have not revealed any further details.

However, judging by police radio traffic, it appears there is an active search for the suspect with drones and a police helicopter involved.  The vehicle driven by the suspect seems to have been found in the area of Wozniak Road and Joliet

Road.

There are published reports that a witness heard seven shots.  We’ll provide more details as they’re made available.

(New Buffalo, MI) - Lights are now up at a baseball field where high-ranking college players hoping to make the major leagues will play in New Buffalo beginning next summer.

There are still a lot of things to do before the first pitch such as choosing the nickname of the team, which hasn’t been easy to avoid potential federal copyright infringements, said Brian Williams, a primary owner of the team and scout for the Texas Rangers.

Many people locally want the nickname to be Bison.

Bison was the beloved nickname of the middle school and high school athletic teams until the New Buffalo and River Valley school districts merged their sports programs in recent years and chose Red Arrow Raiders as the full name of their squads.

The first name of the college summer league team with nearly 40 home games planned from late May to mid-August is Dune Coast.

The nickname is down to four finalists, not including Bison, though.

Williams said there could be a potential copyright violation if the nickname was the same as other sports teams like the AAA minor league baseball team, Buffalo Bison.

In addition, Williams said the goal from the beginning has been to trademark the nickname and logo for using them exclusively on team jerseys and other merchandise planned to be offered commercially.

Another objective has been to have a nickname that reflects Lake Michigan and the surrounding area for marketing the team to a more regional audience in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana since New Buffalo is close to the state line.

“We wanted something that depicted the beach and the recreation all of us enjoy but you also have to find something that’s not used currently,” he said.

He said more than 150 nicknames were suggested from La Porte to Valparaiso and St. Joseph during a recent online contest, but many of those were ruled out due to a concern about potential lawsuits.  

One of the nicknames still in the running is Breakers, featuring a character resembling a Bison on a surfboard.  Breakers are waves toppling over after reaching a certain height similar to whitecaps.  Whitecaps was ruled out since that is the nickname of a minor league baseball team in Grand Rapids and so was Waverunners, which is copyrighted by Yamaha for their personal watercrafts.

The remaining nicknames still under consideration are Lightning, Phantoms and Quillbacks.

Williams said Phantoms represents the shipwrecks on Lake Michigan, including one from the 1800’s near the Galien River.  Quillbacks are like porcupines Native Americans in the area once used for their pointed quills they placed in headdresses and other merchandise.

Williams said he hopes the nickname is chosen by no later than early August.

“We’re going to pick one we feel is best suited for going forward,” he said.

The games will be played at the new high school baseball park featuring the latest in artificial turf in the infield and the type of natural grass in the outfield used in several major league stadiums.

There’s also a built-in sprinkler system used every morning to provide water to the still young grass, which held up very well during the recent high school baseball season.

Electrical wiring must still be run to the lights put up in late June.  Once that is done,  Williams said the lighting will be top quality and stay on the field without drifting over to nearby residences.  He said extra money was spent on the lights “to make sure we’re being good neighbors to the people that live around there.”

One of the next steps likely in the fall will be constructing grandstand seating with fold-back chairs for 500 or more people with have stadium access to food and beverages, including alcohol, for those 21 and over.

Williams said fund raising is also occurring in hopes of obtaining a matching $75,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help cover the costs of the seating.

The team will be in the Northwoods League, which has had over 400 players make it to the major leagues since established in the early 1990’s.  The league has teams from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and other states from as far away as North Dakota.

The lights and the golf course looking playing surface seem to have already provided a Field of Dreams look to what’s being converted into a small minor league stadium.

“It looks great.  We’re really excited about where it is,” Williams said.

(Chicago, IL) - A rare earthquake in Lake Michigan was recorded yesterday afternoon.

The earthquake happened about 13 miles northeast of Evanston, Illinois.   It measured just 2.9 on the Richter scale but many Chicago residents reported feeling the quake.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injury or major damage.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman is out to cancel the memory of a former official serving practically a life sentence for child molesting.

John Rudisell, who was the Michigan City harbormaster, has been in prison for 25 years.  Authorities said the molestations occurred after he lured numerous boys to his home over an extended period of time.

Rudisell was also heavily involved as a volunteer with the La Porte County 4-H program.

His name remains on a few plaques like the one at the public bath house at Washington Park beach marking the role of Rudisell and others in its construction in 1995. 

Resident Carlie Dunn, 33, said she just learned last week about the plaques and what Rudisell was convicted of doing.  Dunn said she will ask the Michigan City Park Department and the Port Authority to remove his name.

“I think this is something the community can get behind,” she said.

Dunn said she’s mostly concerned about the impact on Rudisell’s many victims if they still live around here and see his name if they go to the beach along with the negative message about continuing to honor such a man if it were to continue.

“I wouldn’t want that person to be reminded of the horrific abuse they’ve had to endure,” she said.

Rudisell, now 64, is serving his time at the state-run correctional facility in Pendleton.  His earliest release date is in February of 2050, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.

(La Porte, IN) - Drug charges have been filed in connection with a vehicle stopped by La Porte Police for having a shattered windshield.

Taylor Brown, 29, is charged in La Porte Circuit with Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine and Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

According to the charging information, a police officer on July 2 stopped the vehicle for having a shattered windshield obstructing the driver’s view in the area of Erie and Park streets.

A K-9 dog conducting an air sniff outside the vehicle detected the presence of drugs, which led to a search of the vehicle and discovery of a plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine next to where Brown was in the front passenger seat.

Police said a plastic bag of marijuana along with a marijuana product were recovered from her purse.

(Lake County, IN) - A teenager was allegedly drunk while leading police on a high speed chase exceeding 130 miles per hour this morning in Northwest Indiana.

Osvaldo Saavedra Facundo, 18, of Rensselaer was being held on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, resisting law enforcement and minor consumption of alcohol.

Police said a trooper suspecting he was intoxicated tried pulling him over but Facundo fled, shutting his headlights off and on, periodically, to try and avoid capture.  There were other unsafe maneuvers, including passing on the right shoulder, that nearly caused collisions with a trooper and at least one other motorist.

The pursuit was in Jasper County when a trooper executed a technique that caused the fleeing vehicle to spin and roll over in the median.  The suspect’s alleged blood alcohol level was not revealed.

Police said Facundo did not have a driver’s license, only a learner’s permit.

(Michigan City, IN) - The efforts of a pro football player to help people in his hometown of Michigan City are not going unrecognized.

Braden Fiske recently held his second annual Family Fun Day at Ames Field.   The activities included bounce houses, a dunk tank, food trucks and live music along with raffles to raise money for the school sports programs.

During last night’s city council meeting, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch responded to his work in the community, including a recent fund raiser for the local branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs.

“I think that’s a testament to the kids and the young people we build in the community,” she said.

Fiske, a former football star at Michigan City High School, is a starting defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams.

(La Porte, IN) - Three nurses buried in La Porte after serving in the Civil War will be recognized in the coming weeks.

A ceremony of remembrance and dedication is scheduled at 11 a.m. on July 25 at Pine Lake Cemetery.  The nurses to be honored are Mary Jane Andrew, Mary L. Robinson and Viola H. Andrew Cochran, according to the La Porte County Historical Society.

The event will be hosted by the John Auten Camp #8 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore commuter line has announced an official partnership with the Pullman National Historic Park and the Friends of Pullman National Historic Park to participate in this year’s highly anticipated Pullman Railroad Days event, taking place on July 25th and 26th.

This year’s celebration holds special historical significance, focusing on the 100th anniversary of the electrification of the Illinois Central Railroad (now known as the Metra Electric District).

Prior to the electrification of the Illinois Central, South Shore Line passengers were required to transfer trains at 111th Street to reach downtown Chicago. Following the historic electrification project, the South Shore Line ordered new Interurban cars from the Pullman company and was able to offer direct service into downtown, marking a vital milestone in the railroad’s operational history and regional economic growth. At the time, the railroad also converted its electrical distribution system from 6,600 AC to 1,500 DC to be compatible with the Illinois Central’s system. 

To celebrate this milestone, The South Shore Line has partnered with Metra, Hesston Steam Museum, and Cedar Lake Historical Associated to display a newly-refurbished passenger car fitted with interactive historical exhibits for the event.

"We are thrilled to partner with these organizations to celebrate a century of electrification," said Nicole Barker, Chief Experience and Engagement Officer at the South Shore line.

"This event is a fantastic opportunity for families, rail enthusiasts, and history buffs to step inside a piece of living history and see firsthand how our rail system shaped the communities we serve today," she said.  

The Pullman Railroad Days event is open to the public. While there is no charge to tour the South Shore Line passenger car, attendees are encouraged to explore the full array of activities offered throughout the historic Pullman neighborhood.

For more information regarding the Pullman Railroad Days event, scheduling, and ticketing for other festival activities, please visit friendsofpullman.com/special-events/. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County woman was scammed by a phone caller pretending to be with the sheriff’s office.

According to police, the call was about her having warrants for her arrest for not appearing for jury duty but she would not be arrested if she sent a $3,000 payment.

Police said she wound up sending $1,000 in two separate payments using Apple Pay and a gift card.  She then called to confirm the payment was received but received no answer.

Police said people receiving such calls should not send money because the sheriff’s office does not operate in such a fashion.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is recovering from serious injuries from crashing on his dirt bike in the Michigan City area.

Imre Falatovics, 36, was airlifted on July 3 to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with two broken legs and other possible injuries, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said it appears Falatovics was traveling on 400 West in Springfield Township when he failed to negotiate a curve and wound up in a ditch containing heavy vegetation.  Emergency responders located him on his back in the ditch near his 2001 Suzuki dirt bike.

He complained of pain in both of his swollen legs along with pain to the head and neck. 

According to police, the case has been presented to prosecutors for possible filing of charges of operating a motor vehicle as a habitual traffic violator, a Level 6 felony.

(La Porte County, IN) - A lightning strike is among the possible causes of a house fire that claimed the life of a La Porte County government worker early on the Fourth of July.

Kathryn Zabel, 23, was found deceased in her upstairs bedroom in the 2700 block of W. 1650 South near Hanna.

She was employed by the La Porte County Clerk’s office as a clerical worker the past five years in La Porte Superior Court 3.  La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens described her as more of a “beautiful friend” than a co-worker to many people in her office.

“To say that everyone is heartbroken would be an understatement,” she said.

Hanna Township Fire Chief Tony Wallace said the only other person in the over century old two story farmhouse at the time was her father, Bill Zabel, who managed to escape the burning structure.  The man was looked over by paramedics at the scene but did not require further medical attention.

According to La Porte County Police, a responding officer just after midnight was not able to safely enter the structure due to heavy smoke.

Wallace said the east end of the house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters from multiple departments began arriving.

He said the victim was located after the blaze was extinguished.

Wallace said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire with help from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.  Those agencies were brought in as standard procedure whenever a death is involved in a fire.

Wallace said investigators are focused on ruling out potential causes so whatever possibilities remain such as a lightning strike can be further explored since there were storms containing lightning passing through the area before the fire.

He said the National Weather Service was contacted to determine if there were any lightning strikes in the area while investigators look for any physical evidence of a lightning strike on the property.

“They’re just looking to eliminate all possible ways the fire could have started,” he said.

Wallace said the house was renovated at some point with new electrical wiring installed.

La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney said he knew the victim and her family very well since Zabel was a friend of his 19-year old daughter.

“She had a huge heart.  She was so sweet and caring.  She was just an amazing, wonderful young lady,” he said.

Parts of the house were still standing until a rekindling of the flames about 24 hours later destroyed what was left of the structure.

“The Zabel’s have nothing left except for the clothing they were wearing and their cars.  That’s it,” Haney said.

The victim’s mother, Christen, is co-director of the La Porte County Voters Registration Office.

Stevens said anyone interested in donating to help the family financially can do so at Venmo@Christen-Zabel.  Monetary donations are also being accepted at the voters registration office at 555 Michigan Ave. just a short walk from the downtown La Porte courthouse.

“Katie will be forever missed but she will forever be loved,” Stevens said.

(La Porte, IN) - A woman with a Powerball ticket purchased in La Porte has claimed her millions of dollars in winnings.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed a one-half share of the $143 million dollar prize split with another ticket holder with all of the required numbers from the April 29 drawing.

According to the Hoosier Lottery, the longtime player bought the winning ticket while grocery shopping at Al's Supermarket on East Lincolnway.  A few days after the drawing, she remembered to check her collection of tickets. She was sitting in the car in her driveway and pulled the pile out of her purse when one of the tickets flew out of the open window.

As she reached for the car door to grab it, the numbers on another ticket caught her eye by containing all of the winning numbers.

"I was numb.  I was just speechless, in disbelief," she told the Hoosier Lottery.

While she hasn't yet decided whether she'll keep working or retire, she's a big Chicago Bears fan and plans on attending some football games next season. At the top of her bucket list is taking a dream trip to Alaska.

For selling the winning ticket, the retailer receives a $100,000 bonus from the Lottery.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is calling for a ban on the use of fireworks in the city.

Linda Dilks, 79, said the use of fireworks leading up to and after Independence Day not only disturbed the peace in her neighborhood on E. Jefferson Ave. near Scott St. but it was dangerous with embers landing on the roofs of homes.

Dilks voiced her concerns during last night’s La Porte City Council meeting.

“It was a like a war zone where I live.  Something has to happen,” she said.

Dilks also said her calls to the police did not receive a response from an officer to make sure restrictions on the use of fireworks were being followed.

“In my neighborhood where it’s happening, it’s the same people every year. Every year.  Something needs to be done,” she said.

Currently, fireworks are legal to use in the city during set time periods in the days leading up to and after the Fourth of July.

Mayor Tom Dermody expressed support for the police officers, saying they're also busy with other duties ranging from traffic enforcement to catching drug dealers and other violators of the law.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership has lost a key member of the organization.

Business Development Manager, Erik Nelson, has left to accept the position of Operations Director at the Northwest Indiana Forum.

During his tenure at LEAP, Nelson worked directly with the La Porte Community School Corporation to connect graduating seniors with local jobs, and coordinating key projects in the City of La Porte.

In his new role, Nelson will help drive execution of key organizational priorities while supporting alignment and accountability across the Northwest Indiana Forum’s leadership team.  The Forum serves as the regional voice for the business community and is a premier resource providing a comprehensive suite of services to promote economic development and the retention of quality jobs throughout Northwest Indiana.

“Erik has been a vital member of our team, and while we are sad to see him go, we are extremely proud of this next step in his career,” said Bert Cook, Executive Director of LEAP.

Nelson gave thanks to Cook and others, including Mayor Tom Dermody, before leaving late last week.

“The last four and a half years at LEAP have been some of the most impactful years of my life.  I’m grateful to have worked for such an incredible organization alongside some really incredible people,” he said.

(New Carlisle, IN) - Schuyler Colfax may not be the most famous name in American history, but he’s a big deal in New Carlisle, where the former congressman and U.S. vice president once lived. There’s now a park there named in his honor.

On June 13 over 100 people gathered for a ceremony to dedicate a pocket park at the corner of Cherry and Front Streets. The event captured the best of small-town life: flag-raising, bell-ringing, residents young and old, first responders, veterans, even an ice cream social. And what is a park dedication without speeches by history experts and state and local dignitaries? The unifying theme of all who spoke was building for the future, enjoying the present, and remembering the past.

Two years ago, the ravages of time caught up with the town’s original First Methodist Church building, constructed in 1858. When the roof finally caved in, the building was condemned by the town and torn down.

In its place has cropped up a public park, thanks to the benefaction of residents Tim and Melanie Creason, who live across the street. For 25 years they stared at a dilapidated church, then a vacant lot. Then they decided to do something about it.

“Due to the various setbacks, there’s really no way to build much of a house there,” Tim said, “so the town was kind of stuck with this vacant lot. They weren’t really sure what to do with it. That’s when the idea sprung into our heads to develop it as a pocket park.”

Creason was inspired by his mother, who, as president of the Bluffton, Indiana Park Board, did something very similar with a burned-out vacant lot in his hometown about 40 years ago. The two parks look remarkably similar.

Creason is proud of the fact that this project came together without draining tax dollars. “It wasn’t a municipal enterprise,” he said. “I don’t know how much that ever happens anymore.” He said the Olive Township Board contributed a flag pole and the town provided an electricity pole. He and his wife took care of the rest. “As far as the actual construction, I knew the right people, and we got some really good help from some really good contractors, and they put together a really nice product,” Creason said.

The park’s design is pure, simple Americana— beautiful grass, comfortable benches, a gazebo, and brick walkways suitable for baby buggies and a quiet evening stroll.

The Creasons have named their contribution to the community Colfax Park, in honor of Schuyler Colfax— onetime resident of New Carlisle, journalist, speaker of the house, vice president under Ulysses Grant, and champion of the 13^th Amendment which abolished slavery.

From the old Methodist church, the Creasons were able to save the bell, which is now the centerpiece of the new park. This 4^th of July they’re ringing that bell for freedom.

(La Porte County, IN) - A woman died in a southern La Porte County house fire overnight.

Just after midnight Saturday, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a residential structure fire in the 2700 west block of CR 1650 South. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy was unable to make entry due to heavy smoke.

After firefighters from multiple responding departments extinguished the fire, 23-year-old Kathryn M. Zabel was found dead inside the home.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is now investigating the cause of the fire.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Your 4^th of July cookout may take a smaller bite out of your family budget this year.

According to Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual summer cookout market basket survey, the average cost to feed 10 people at a holiday cookout is $66.73, or about $6.67 per person. That’s a 7% decrease from last year. It’s also 10% better than the national average, which is $7.38 per person.

To compare to your holiday spread, this survey takes into account menu items such as ground beef and burger buns, pork chops, chicken, cheese, pork and beans, potato salad, strawberries, chips, ice cream, cookies and lemonade.

Potato salad is reportedly down 56% this year, largely due to lower egg prices. Remember how expensive they were last year?

Even though chicken breast is a bit more expensive this year, lower pork chop and ground beef prices are helping the affordability factor.

Overall this is good news for consumers, but farmers aren’t exactly cashing in. According to the USDA, farmers receive less than 12 cents of every retail food dollar, with the rest going to processing, packaging, transportation, distribution and retail costs.

“Farmers are price takers, not price makers – just like consumers,” said Randy Kron, Indiana Farm Bureau president. “Margins are still tight for farmers due to high supply costs because the amount farmers are being paid isn’t covering that increase in expenses.”

(La Porte, IN) - Visitors from foreign lands have flocked to the U.S. for the World Cup. A German man recently visited La Porte County for reasons other than soccer.

Dr. Christian Wöhner is an emergency physician from central Germany. He spent the better part of last week riding around with La Porte County EMTs, trading insights and experiencing American pre-hospital care firsthand.

Late last year Wöhner reached out to La Porte County EMS Director Eric Fenstermaker about the possibility of visiting. Fenstermaker jumped at the chance, saying, “It’s always an incredible opportunity to share knowledge, compare systems, and build bonds across the global medical community.”

While Wöhner’s son participated in a camp at La Lumiere School, Dr. Chris, as he prefers to be called, took in some professional development and Hoosier hospitality with La Porte County EMTs.

Comparing notes with Dr. Chris, Fenstermaker said he picked up on some key differences between emergency procedures here and in Germany.

“The biggest thing is on a critical call, it’s [the doctor’s] job to go to the scene and stabilize the patient for the paramedics to transport,” he said, “whereas here, our paramedics do the stabilization and transport all on their own.”

Another difference, Fensteramaker said, is that the emergency physician in Germany, before transporting a patient, has to make arrangements with a hospital or care center. “It may not necessarily be the closest facility, and they may be going quite some distance away,” Fenstermaker said.

Dr. Chris started as an EMT over 30 years ago, then worked his way up to physician. During his visit last week, he was able to talk shop with a top state emergency official, as well. Dr. Eric Yazel, who is originally from Michigan City, just took over as Indiana’s Chief EMS Medical Director. He visited La Porte last Wednesday to visit with Dr. Chris.

Following his visit, Wöhner now intends to write about his findings in La Porte. According to Fenstermaker, “He has every intention of going back to Germany and publishing an article on the differences between German EMS and American EMS.”

Dr. Chris extended an invitation for La Porte EMS staff to visit Germany. “We fully intend on taking him up on that,” Fenstermaker said.

(Walkerton, IN) - Residents and now town officials in Walkerton are keeping a close eye on their splash pad.

The Parks Department in Walkerton has notified the public that security cameras have been installed in the playground and splash pad area.

“The safety and well-being of children and families using our parks remains our top priority,” they said in a statement.

The Parks Department did not offer examples of illegal or inappropriate behavior, but said concerns have been shared with them regarding certain activities in the recreation area just south of John Glenn High School.

“We ask everyone to avoid speculation or making assumptions,” they said, “as it is important that any concerns be handled appropriately and respectfully.” Walkerton officials are reminding the public to say something if they see something out of line.

The cameras will hopefully deter or catch any suspicious behavior in the future.

Walkerton’s splash pad was just repaired a couple of weeks ago after an equipment issue.

(La Porte County) - An Indiana State Police officer rescued a young deer from a dangerous interstate situation.

On Thursday morning Trooper Tim McCormick responded to a call on the Indiana Toll Road in La Porte County involving a deer in distress along the roadway.

McCormick found that the fawn was not injured but could not make it up the steep roadside embankment by itself. According to an ISP Facebook post, the officer carried the little deer to safety so its mother could find it.

“While it’s best to leave wildlife alone,” police explained, “the decision was made to help this fawn up the embankment so that it would not take the easier path and become the cause for a crash report when it got hit on the interstate.”

They added that, as a longtime police veteran, McCormick is not one to “buck” a challenge. Oh deer!

(La Porte, IN) - Just in time for Saturday's parade, a portion of Indiana Avenue in downtown La Porte is back open.

INDOT announced Thursday that the road has reopened between SR 2 and Maple Avenue after a full road reconstruction in that section.

Indiana remains closed farther south between Kingsbury and South Avenues, so through traffic should continue to use the detour of US 6, SR 39 and SR 2.