(Indianapolis, IN) – Coinciding with Internet Safety Month, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is offering a free webinar on video games and the dangers they may pose to children.

The free live webinar, called “Video Games and Your Child: Spotting Red Flags and Staying Safe Online,” will address the following topics:

• Common online gaming risks
• Warning signs that may indicate concerning online activity
• How predators and offenders use gaming platforms to communicate with children
• Practical tips to help keep children safe while gaming
• Strategies for having productive conversations about online safety

Video games are a huge part of many children's lives, but, says the ICAC, online gaming can also expose them to risks that aren't always obvious. It’s important for parents to know what warning signs to watch for.

The webinar will take place Tuesday, June 23 from 1-2:15 Central time. You can register at the ICAC website: https://www.icactaskforce.org/internetsafety.

(La Porte, IN) - The Kiwanis Club of La Porte is inviting the public to take part in a fund raising fitness event on July 4.

The organization is hosting the annual Run for Riley 5K Run and Walk in addition to the Fourth of July parade.  The 5K raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to support pediatric care and services. 

Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., with the race starting at 8 a.m.  The start and finish line will be in the Biggby Coffee and Dollar Tree parking lot at the corner of Andrew Avenue and Indiana 2 on the city’s west side.

The registration fee is $30.

Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, guaranteed for those who register by June 21.

TJ Hague of the Kiwanis Club of La Porte said the event continues to be a community tradition.

“The Run for Riley is more than just a race. It brings our community together on one of the most meaningful days of the year, and every step supports the important work being done at Riley Children’s Hospital,” Hague said.

Registration is available at RunSignUp.com.  More information about the Kiwanis Club of La Porte and its programs is available at KiwanisClubofLaPorte.org and Kiwanis4thofJulyParade.org.

(La Porte, IN) - The annual dumpster program in La Porte is on borrowed time.

The dumpsters will no longer be available for use by the public at the end of this month, said La Porte Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor.

Batchelor said there were ongoing problems with residents placing their unwanted items on the ground when the dumpsters at the street department were full but cost was the main factor.  The city’s Urban Enterprise Association paid to have the dumpsters emptied on a yearly basis.

Batchelor said the $90,000 the UEA allocated this year for the program has already been spent due to the increased amount of users.  The cost is now considered prohibitive to continue the program in future years.

“We just can’t afford to do it anymore,” he said.

Batchelor said residents can still get rid of their unwanted items by making arrangements with the city’s trash hauler, Waste Management.  He also said the city is continuing with the annual fall clean-up where unwanted items can be placed at the curb for pick-up.

A spring clean-up, a long tradition until discontinued several years ago, could return as a result of the dumpster program ending.

“That’s something we’re looking at,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There could be an effort to keep dogs from being on the courthouse lawn in La Porte.

La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield raised the issue during the commissioners’ meeting Wednesday night.  He cited a woman living nearby who allows her dog to answer nature’s call in the grass outside the courthouse on a regular basis.

Holifield also said she doesn’t always clean-up after the dog.

Initially, he expressed a desire to enforce an ordinance that’s been in the books for decades prohibiting dogs from being on the courthouse lawn.

“She can walk downtown somewhere and find a place for her dog to dump since she lives in the city,” he said.

La Porte County Attorney Guy DiMartino said he wasn’t sure if dogs can be prohibited from being on the grass and felt it might be best to require pet owners to pick-up after their animals.

“I can see you saying you have to pick up your waste but I don’t think you can stop the act,” he said.

Regardless, DiMartino said he would look at the existing ordinance before drafting another ordinance for the commissioners to possibly consider at some point, if instructed to do it.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Railroad commuter line will offer more seats for kids to ride free to help encourage families to travel together during summer break.

The Kids Ride Free program will include all trains from June 29 through July 3. 

The program allows up to three children ages 13 and under to ride free with a paying adult during weekday off-peak hours along with weekend and holiday trains.

“Whether it’s a day in downtown Chicago, a visit to the Indiana Dunes or a trip to South Bend, we want to make it easy for families to explore and create memories together,” said Amber Kettring, Manager of Customer Service and Communications for the railroad.

The promotion is part of the rail line’s ongoing effort to provide affordable, convenient and family-friendly transportation.

(La Porte County, IN) - Lane switches on a stretch of U.S. 20 under reconstruction in La Porte County are upcoming.

The Indiana Department of Transportation said the inside left passing lanes will close in each direction between Fail Road and County Road 250 East on or after June 22.  The left passing lanes will also close from Indiana 39 to Fail Road on or after June 25, according to INDOT.

According to INDOT, the configuration will be in place until on or after June 29 when the westbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic from Indiana 39 to County Road 250 East and the eastbound lanes will be closed for widening work.

Work is nearing completion between U.S. 35 and C.R. 400 W and between C.R. 250 E and C.R. 500 E on the east and west ends of the U.S. 20 with alternating lane closures for final cleanup and miscellaneous work, INDOT said.

INDOT said the extensive project has encountered numerous utility conflicts and delays but continues to progress toward its end of November completion timeline. 

(La Porte, IN) - A LaPorte man pulled from his home by firefighters Thursday was taken by a medical helicopter to a trauma center.

The fire caused significant damage to the small single-story structure at 1604 K St. LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said firefighters responding about 11 a.m. encountered heavy smoke and flames.  They were also told by neighbors the man still might be inside the house.

Water had just started being applied to the structure when firefighters went in and quickly located the victim.

“We were able to get the individual out within minutes of our arrival,” Snyder said.

Snyder would not disclose the name of the man, his condition or whether he was conscious.

“We will hope for the best for him,” he said.

The man while treated by paramedics was taken by ambulance to nearby La Porte High School and loaded into the helicopter after it landed in the parking lot.  Most of the fire damage appeared to be to a carport attached to the home where the fire possibly started.

Brenda Del Real, 21, said her parents had just stepped into the backyard to check on their chickens when they spotted what seemed to be a small, controlled fire in the carport, which was open on both ends.  It wasn’t long before they spotted smoke and told her to call 911.

Del Real said she was dialing the number when she heard what sounded like an explosion loud enough to be heard by all of her neighbors.  She went outside to see the flames at the house spreading quickly.

“We were all panicking,” said Griselta Montanez-Serrano, 30, who lives across the street in the neighborhood where the homes are close together.

Del Real said she was still outside when firefighters brought the man not moving out of the home.

“It looked like he had ash all over his face. My mom said his leg looked like it was pretty burnt,” she said.

Snyder said it was too early to know what caused the fire.  Due to the nature of the blaze, though, Snyder said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has been asked to assist with the investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - A LaPorte man was pulled from his burning home Thursday and taken to a hospital by medical helicopter.

The late morning fire caused significant damage to the single-story ranch structure at 1604 K St.

LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said there was heavy smoke and flames when firefighters went inside and quickly located the victim, who was helped out of the residence.

The condition of the man was not disclosed.

He was taken by ambulance to the medical helicopter which landed in the parking lot of nearby La Porte High School.   

(La Porte County, IN) - An arrest has been made for the fatal shooting of a man inside his La Porte area home.

John Jackson, II, 35, of Westville is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with murder.

He allegedly shot 64 year old James Williams twice in the chest at close range last week at the victim’s home on U.S. 20 in Springfield Township.

La Porte County Police said the investigation shows Jackson after the shooting left after taking a cell phone, tablet and over $3,000 in cash from the home.  The body was found several hours later by the victim’s son.

According to police, Jackson was at the residence earlier that day and left to pay his rent but showed up with the payment looking nervous and sweating profusely. Jackson later confessed, telling investigators Williams said something that made him mad, so, he left and got a gun then came back and shoved the victim to the floor where he shot him twice, according to police.

Jackson was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $1 million bond.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of LaPorte is preparing for a major long-term influx of construction workers that will start building a Microsoft data center next month.

A groundbreaking on the over $1 billion investment was held Wednesday at the 500 acre site on Boyd Boulevard where grading of what’s been farmland has been occurring for several weeks to prepare for the upcoming construction.

Bo Wallace, a Microsoft corporate vice-president, said the goal is begin operating out of three buildings in 2029 followed by three additional structures on the site “as fast as we can build them.” 

Wallace said it’s going to take over 600 full-time employees to operate and maintain all six of the facilities.  Plans call for another 11 data center structures to start going up later on 1,300 acres of farmland Microsoft is purchasing adjacent to the site.  It’s going to take up to 10-years to complete the construction at both locations.

Eventually, Wallace said more than 2,000 construction workers will be at the site daily once the job fully ramps up.

LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook said building construction will begin in less than 30 days.  He said local hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations are among the businesses given notice already about the upcoming work so they can prepare for the potential of more customers.

“We want to be prepared as we possibly can be for that,” he said.

Microsoft decided earlier this year not to seek tax abatement on any of its data center projects nationwide.

For LaPorte, the full payout on the first completed site will mean tens of millions of dollars annually for the city and several million dollars a year for the school corporation under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft.

The city, school corporation and county government will receive property tax dollars from the other site under a separate agreement.  The exact amounts will not be known until the properties as they’re being developed have their current values reassessed for tax billing purposes.

Mayor Tom Dermody said the amount of new tax dollars locally from the project is unprecedented.

“Microsoft’s historic investment in LaPorte surpasses all private investment ever made in our city’s history, combined,” he said.  

Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President of Microsoft, said the company and school corporation will partner on offering classes at the high school that prepare students for the high-tech jobs offered at the data center complex for years to come.  Smith said the jobs are well-paying and give students looking elsewhere for opportunity a reason to stay.

“That, in some ways, may be the longest-lasting and most important thing we do here.  If so, we’ll be proud to be a part of it,” he said.

The city is also collecting another $17 million from Microsoft because over 100 acres of municipally owned land is part of the 1,300 acres the tech giant is purchasing.  The city used the land for spreading manure from its nearby waste water treatment plant and to contract with a farmer to grow crops.

Dermody and many other leaders in the community believe the data center complex will transform the city, which has been pushing aggressively for new growth and seeing positive results in areas like new housing over the past several years.

He called the groundbreaking one of those moments that define the future of a community.

“This is a day when generations of LaPorte residents will look back and remember a day when a global leader chose to invest in our city, our people and our future,” Dermody said.

La Porte Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood said the money from Microsoft will mean financial stability again for the corporation which has been dealing with revenue losses from gradual enrollment declines over roughly the past decade.  The school board considered asking voters to approve a property tax increase to help with cash flow but dropped the idea because of the revenue coming from Microsoft.

“That’s going to be a game changer for us,” said LaPorte School Board member Jim Arnold.

(Michigan City, IN) - Another shooting has occurred in Michigan City.

Police said officers about 8 p.m. Monday responded to Franciscan Health hospital on a report of a person being treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

So far, further details have not been released but police say the shooting is under active investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan City Police.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Michigan City woman is accused of having a good-sized amount of methamphetamine.

Jeannie Sanders, 36, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine as a Level 4 felony along with resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

According to the charging information, Sanders was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on June 9 for speeding on Indiana 2 in Rolling Prairie.  The officer discovered Sanders had a warrant for her arrest on an undisclosed offense in Michigan.

According to court records, she also has a prior drug related conviction and past convictions on multiple counts of operating while intoxicated.

During the traffic stop, police said Sanders was found with a plastic bag containing methamphetamine beneath her clothing and struggled with officers until taken to the ground where she was placed in handcuffs.  The methamphetamine in that bag and another bag allegedly found on her possession later weighed a combined 23 grams.

Sanders could face anywhere from two to 12 years on the most serious count.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the position of Merit (Patrol) Deputy.  An applicant who successfully completes and passes the various stages of the process will immediately fill a vacancy within the Merit Division. 

The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division panel interview, Merit Commission interview and psychological examination. 

Applicants who have successfully graduated from a certified law enforcement academy will be “fast-tracked” through an abbreviated hiring process.     

Applications can be found online by accessing www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office.  Individuals who apply and meet the required standards will be notified with further instructions.  Completed applications will be accepted through July 24.   

The starting salary for a Merit Deputy is $57,680.  Following one (1) year of service, the salary increases to $66,950.  Those with current or prior law enforcement experience are strongly encouraged to apply as the LCSO offers a variety of specialty divisions, incentives, and benefits package, and a financially sound pension.    

Completed applications can be dropped off at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office, sent via standard mail, or as a scanned attachment and sent via email.  Completed applications may be mailed to the following:

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen

809 State Street

La Porte, Indiana 46350

All completed applications sent via email shall be sent to the following:  dallen@lcso.in.gov.  Any questions should be directed to Captain Allen at the aforementioned email address. 

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is preparing for a major influx of workers that will soon begin constructing the buildings at the Microsoft data center facility.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, told the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety this morning an average of 2,000 to 4,000 workers will be at the site each day during the up to 10 year construction period.

He said the city has already reached out to businesses like restaurants and hotels to let them know what to expect since a percentage of those workers will likely be coming from outside the area.

“We want to be as prepared as we can possibly be for that,” he said.

The data center will consist of well over a dozen buildings on about 1,800 acres of what used to be farmland annexed by the city at the request of the property owners in the area of Boyd Boulevard and U.S. 35.

Cook expects construction of the buildings to begin at some point in the very near future.

(La Porte, IN) - With heavy rain and potential for severe weather in the forecast for Wednesday, events that night at Fox Park in La Porte will be relocated.

The Maria Fruth Plaza dedication and subsequent LaPorte City Band concert have been moved to the La Porte High School Performing Arts Center.  The dedication of the plaza will be at 6 p.m. in the PAC lobby.

Following the plaza dedication, the community is invited to join the LaPorte City Band for a concert honoring Fruth and her years of contributions to the community.

Fruth served as the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Health Foundation of La Porte from March of 2016 until her retirement in April of 2024.  Previously, she was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation for over 20 years.

Under Fruth, HFL supported hundreds of local health and wellness initiatives with planning and funding, including significant investments in park improvements and recreation programming.  The plaza was part of the Fox Park renovations funded by HFL in 2023.

The Park Board voted to rename the structure after Fruth in 2024.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is reminding residents about Indiana’s current laws regarding electric motorized devices now that summer-like weather has arrived.

Police say electric motorized devices are becoming increasingly popular as a form of transportation, especially among young riders.   These devices are categorized as electric foot scooters (e-scooters), e-bicycles (e-bikes), or e-moto devices.

The most common electric motorized device being operated in Michigan City is called an electric bicycle or “e-bike.

Electric bicycles are regulated similarly to traditional bicycles and are not considered motorized vehicles. Therefore, no license, registration or insurance are required to operate an electric bicycle.  A person must be 15 years of age or older to operate an e-bike, police said.

Helmets are required for anyone less than 18 years of age to operate or ride an e-bike.  

“E-moto” devices are defined as a device that is powered by an electric or mechanical motor that typically exceeds 750 watts and is capable of generating speeds that exceed 28 mph when powered by the motor.

All operators and riders of electric foot scooters, traditional bicycles, e-bikes or e-moto devices are encouraged to wear helmets.

“Ride responsibility, obey the law and share the road,” police said.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has continued his long tradition of putting up the American flags for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities.

Jim Roy has done it now in La Porte for 25 years.  Mayor Tom Dermody thanked Roy during last night’s city council meeting.  Dermody said he hopes Roy comes to a city council meeting very soon to be recognized for “his commitment to our community.”

Roy pays the thousands of dollars it takes every year to purchase and hang the flags throughout the city. 

This year, Roy also donated flags and poles to other surrounding communities like Rolling Prairie, Westville, LaCrosse, Union Mills, Michigan City and Long Beach.  In addition, he purchased flags this year dedicated to the nation’s 250^th birthday and six branches of the military.

Inspired by the terrorist attacks at home in September of 2001, Roy became involved when the La Porte Jaycees no longer could afford the cost of the flags.  In a previous interview, Roy said he’s willing to pay for the flags to show support for the nation and freedoms veterans like his father helped achieve and defend.

(La Porte County, IN) - Another local restaurant will raise money for a La Porte County Police officer recovering from a shooting last month.

Hacienda in Long Beach on June 23 will give a percentage of the proceeds from each order to officer Jon Samuelson and his wife, Quinn.

“Feel free to go to Hacienda and let them know you’re there for the give back day,” said La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg.

Culver’s in La Porte had a give back day for the officer last week and drew enough customers for police to have to go out and direct traffic because of vehicles backed up on Pine Lake Ave. waiting to turn into the restaurant.  

“It was amazing to see.  It warms my heart to see that,” he said.

Police said the 33 year old Samuelson was shot three times by 22-year old Sharod Grafton, Jr., who drove here in a vehicle he allegedly took from his mother in Chicago at gunpoint.  Samuelson stopped to assist Grafton, who he thought was a stranded motorist who asked to be taken to a hospital.

Police said Samuelson gave him a ride to Franciscan Health and left but soon returned when informed Grafton was a suspect in a crime.  The shooting happened during a scuffle between the two men.

Grafton is being held on a charge of attempted murder and one other count.

Samuelson is now undergoing therapy at a rehabilitation center in Chicago in what looks to be a long recovery.

(Merrillville, IN) - About 10,000 NIPSCO customers remained without power Monday after tornado packed storms Thursday night left well over 80,000 customers without power.

According to NIPSCO, the only community in La Porte County still with outages is in Long Beach with power estimated to return there by 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The utility company estimated power will be totally restored by 6 p.m. Tuesday in other places like Hobart, Lake Station and Nappanee.  NIPSCO said power will not be restored to everyone in Merrillville and Portage until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Indiana Michigan Power Company reports no remaining customer outages. 

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Community School Corporation has named Shaun Pluta as its new Director of Human Resources.

Pluta will replace Gina Teets, who is retiring after 19 years with the district.

According to school officials, Pluta brings more than a decade of human resources leadership in large, complex organizations paired with a career in public education as a teacher and school counselor.

"Shaun stood out because he understands both sides of this work," said Dr. Sandra Wood, Superintendent of the La Porte Community School Corporation.

Most recently, Pluta served in operations leadership at Five Star Sheets in New Carlisle and over four years as Human Resources Manager at Monogram Comfort Foods in Bristol where he led a five-person HR department supporting about 450 employees across three shifts.

Before his career in human resources, Pluta worked in public education for seven years. He  served as a school counselor for South Newton School Corporation, where he supported students through individual and group counseling and coached track and cross country. He began his career as an elementary teacher with the South Bend Community School Corporation, teaching kindergarten through fourth grade.

"Returning to public education feels like coming home," Pluta said. "I started my career in schools because I believe in the difference educators make every day. I'm excited to bring everything I've learned about building strong teams, healthy workplace cultures, and meaningful employee support back to a school community,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Tornadoes caused extensive damage throughout parts of northern Indiana last week but a home at a farm was left practically unscathed despite a twister passing within a stone’s throw from the residence.

Ed Malecki along with his wife and three children were huddled together in the basement of their home near LaCrosse during the Thursday night storms.

Malecki, who raises corn and soybeans, said he was at his door step for about five minutes watching the tornado coming in his direction from Kouts before he and his family went downstairs.

“It just kept coming directly toward us,” he said.

About two minutes later, they could tell the tornado was very close by the popping in their ears from the change in air pressure caused by the twister.  Malecki said things were pretty quiet except for a “little whistling of the wind” and sound of the house “creaking” just a bit as the tornado passed by.

Once their ears stopped popping, Malecki said he went upstairs and looked out a window to watch the departing tornado continue on to the east.

“It was pretty crazy,” he said.

An aerial photo clearly shows the tornado cut a path across Malecki’s farm field before passing within about 100 feet from the residence.  He said the only structure damage was from a board picked up by the winds impaling the side of the house.

There was extensive damage outside the home to his solar panels, irrigation system and a garage door along with his young corn and soybeans plants traveled over by the tornado.

A farming couple on the other side of his field, Alan and Majella Werner, were not so lucky.

“It took their whole farm.  Everything is gone,” Malecki said.

Malecki said he went over and assisted the man and woman out of their basement after receiving their text messages to come help.  Much of their house, grain silos and outbuildings like debris were blown into nearby fields.

“The whole house was just completely gone.  It was gone,” said La Porte County Emergency Management Coordinator Rob Sabie.

He said the Werners were not injured.

Aaron Hanna along with his wife and five children had their nearby house heavily damaged and farm animals killed by the same tornado.  Hanna said all but one of his 19 chickens along with a duck perished.

Three sheep and a steer his 10 year old son, Derek, shows in 4-H survived.

Hanna, a full-time truck driver, said they all took cover in the utility room of their basement as the tornado approached from the west.  He went back outside one more time to see where the tornado was and since it was still heading in their direction he returned to the basement as the twister passed seemingly between his house and shop, which are about 100 feet from each other.

“It just looked huge,” he said.

His semi-truck was moved about 25 feet from where he had parked it and was on its side.

Cass-Clinton Township Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner said well over a dozen homes were heavily damaged or destroyed by falling trees in the Wanatah area.  He didn’t see a tornado actually touch down but spotted multiple funnel clouds emerge from the sky at the same time while outside his home.

“We could see the tails coming down.  Up and down,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two suspected impaired drivers were arrested following near collisions with La Porte County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Johnson Road.

Kyle Antos, 43, was taken into custody Sunday night after pulling out from a stop sign at Country Club Dr. in front of an oncoming police vehicle.  Police said the officer had to abruptly hit his brakes to avoid a potential collision.

Antos had an alleged blood alcohol level of .195-percent or more than twice the legal .08-percent limit.

Police said Curtis Lindsley, 43, was in the Waterford area early Saturday traveling over the center line at 62 miles per hour, which was above the 45 mph. limit.  An oncoming officer had to make an evasive right turn to avoid being struck by the sport utility vehicle, which nearly hit a large tree while pulling over.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .196-percent.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte man was allegedly found with a large quantity of drugs, including psychedelic mushrooms, during a traffic stop near Michigan City.

Eugene Wallace, 42, was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $50,000 bond.

According to La Porte County Police, Wallace was pulled over Friday afternoon for crossing the center line multiple times on Meer Road.  Police said a search of the vehicle produced a black bag containing 98 grams of amphetamine pills, 72 grams of the hallucinogenic mushrooms and 4.6 grams of another hallucinogenic drug, MDMA.

Wallace was at the La Porte County Jail when spotted with an object later identified as cocaine in his mouth.  Jail officers were able to remove the cocaine from his mouth during a struggle but he was taken to the hospital as a precaution after swallowing a portion of the drug.

What was left of the cocaine weighed over nine grams, police said.

Wallace told investigators he just obtained the drugs and was in the process of making deliveries when stopped, police said.   He was booked on five counts, including Level 2 felony dealing cocaine.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A public meeting regarding a stretch of highway in eastern La Porte County will take place this week.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is hosting the meeting to share information and get feedback on the highway corridor on State Road 2 between U.S. 20 and the U.S. 31 bypass. That’s the 13-mile, highly-trafficked area from Rolling Prairie past the Amazon data center site.

A study team is already working to understand corridor needs, identify opportunities for safety and mobility improvements, and help determine a set of recommendations for transportation improvements. Planners are looking to talk to residents and local stakeholders to gather input on current needs and future vision for the corridor.

An initial public meeting will take place Tuesday, June 16 at the New Prairie High School Auditorium, 5333 N. Cougar Rd., New Carlisle. Enter through Door S. Doors will open at 5:30 pm Central, with a presentation at 6:00.

Results of the fact-finding will be released in the fall, with a final report due out in early 2028. Additional public meetings will be held at key milestones throughout the study, INDOT says.

Tuesday’s meeting will be livestreamed for people who cannot attend in person. To participate in the livestream, you must register at the following link: bit.ly/ProPELSR2June16. A recording of the livestream will be posted to the INDOT YouTube page after the hearing and will also be linked to the project webpage where project materials are available. The recording will be available online for at least 90 days.

(Michigan City, IN) - With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, the Michigan City Police Department is reminding everyone that fireworks can only be discharged by a person 18 years of age or older and only during set dates and times outlined in city ordinance 54-231.

Fireworks can only be discharged within the corporate limits of Michigan City on the following dates and times:

June 29-July 3 from 5:00 P.M. until 2 hours after sunset.   July 4 from 10:00 A.M. until midnight. July 5 from 5:00 P.M. until 2 hours after sunset.  December 31st from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 A.M. and January 1.

Police said anyone discharging fireworks outside of the set dates and times is subject to being cited.  The fines for firework related offenses are: $50 for the 1st offense.. $100 for the 2nd offense and $250 for the 3rd or additional offenses.

“Fireworks are fun to watch and a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July. However, they can also be dangerous and a nuisance to your neighbors and their pets. Please be considerate to others and abide by the ordinance regulating the use of fireworks,” police said.