(La Porte County, IN) - A driver who took out a NIPSCO pole with her vehicle between La Porte and Michigan City is accused of being seriously impaired and too young to drink alcohol.  Jocelyn Spooner, 20, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with operating while intoxicated and other counts like underage consumption of alcohol.

According to court documents, Spooner was the driver of a 2013 GMC Terrain that struck a NIPSCO pole Monday afternoon in the 3200 block of North 525 West.  The electrical lines came down from the pole being sheared off at the base. 

Upon arrival, police learned Spooner was the driver reported to law enforcement by another motorist for veering over the center line several times prior to the crash.

Spooner of Kalamazoo, Michigan had an alleged blood alcohol level of .266 percent or more than three times above the legal limit.   She suffered no apparent injuries despite the heavy front end damage to her vehicle, police said. 

(LaPorte, IN) - A La Porte man could face prison time on allegations involving child pornography.  John Carlisle, 51, was arrested at his home Tuesday.

According to Indiana State Police, the investigation revealed the suspect used a social media site to obtain and share the explicit images.  Further details surrounding the alleged acts were not revealed.

Carlisle was being held in the La Porte County Jail on a charge of Level 4 felony possession of child pornography, an offense that carries anywhere between a 2 to 12 year sentence.

State Police are encouraging Hoosiers to report suspected acts of online crime against children.

(Michigan City, IN) - As many as 70 or more race teams from five continents will have boats in Lake Michigan for the 15^th annual Great Lakes Grand Prix along the shoreline in Michigan City this weekend.

La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Jack Arnett said he never imagined the race would blossom into the major, award winning spectacle that it’s become for the region when the event sponsored in recent years by XINSURANCE was just an idea pursued.

“We got lucky. We got tied in with some good promoters and the thing as you know has just taken a life of its own,” he said.

In some years, the estimated total attendance for the race and related events has exceeded 200,000.vvEvents linked to the race began Tuesday with a Meet & Greet Racers Party followed by a golf outing at the Michigan City Municipal Golf Course on Wednesday.

On Thursday, there will be a VIP Party at Sunset Grille featuring the band “RockDogs” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. along with the band “AFTERMATH” performing at Washington Park Beach that same evening from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

An open to the public food court offering alcoholic beverages will operate near the water’s edge on Friday from noon until 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our list of vendors are primarily local,” Arnett said.

There will be a farmers market and retailers with merchandise available for purchase outside storefronts Friday in the Uptown Arts District on Franklin St. from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  A food court will also be set up during that event.

The classic rock band, “The Bones,” will also play that evening at the beach from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

On Saturday, the events include the Four A’s Vintage Car Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington Park; a Block Party also including a kids carnival area from noon to 10 p.m. in the Uptown Arts District and Boat Parade from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Franklin St. from 9^th to 4^th streets.

The boats capable to traveling more than 150 mph will start hitting the water for testing and racing Saturday from 10 a.m. 4 p.m.

More racing is scheduled during the same time period on Sunday followed by the band, Soul Shine, playing from the roof top at Sunset Grille beginning at 4 p.m.

Arnett said it’s hard to know exactly how many race teams will be participating because of last minute changes that can happen in the sport in areas ranging from mechanical issues and sponsors.  He believes the number will be similar to the roughly 70 teams from last year judging by the number of boats that have already showed up.

“We don’t always know ahead of time. It’s looking like we’re going to have a full contingent for sure,” he said.

Due to limited on-site parking, Arnett encouraged people to park at Blue Chip Casino and ride a free, air conditioned shuttle to get to and from the race Saturday and Sunday.

“Try not to drive into the park.  The park is going to be full,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Police say a driver was impaired when she crashed through the fence of a Michigan City graveyard.  It happened about 9 p.m. on June 22 at Greenwood Cemetery.

Michigan City Police said Debra Underwood, 35, crashed through the fence on the north side of the cemetery in her car and also damaged a grave marker.  A witness spotted her running from the car to her nearby home on Cloud Street.  Police said responding officers located her inside the enclosed patio of the home with blood on her arm and face from injuries sustained in the crash.

It’s alleged that Underwood was under the influence of drugs judging from the fentanyl and oxycodone found on her possession at the La Porte County Jail.

Underwood is charged with Level 5 felony possession of a narcotic drug; Level 5 felony cemetery mischief; Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated and Class B misdemeanor leaving the scene of an accident.

(Westville, IN) - A Westville prison inmate is accused in the beating death of another offender.  Donell Davis, 29, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with murder and aggravated battery.

Authorities said the victim, John Taylor, was beaten in the bathroom of a dormitory and his body dragged to his cell in November.   What he was beaten with, so far, has not been revealed.  However, authorities revealed despite attempts to clean up all of the blood, blood splatter and dried blood were still located where the beating occurred.

According to authorities, charges were just filed because of the time involved in obtaining statements from offenders who allegedly witnessed  the activity and waiting for other evidence to develop like test results.

Davis was serving time for crimes like arson in Marion County.

Taylor was convicted of seriously injuring a person in a beating in Greene County near Bloomington.

According to the Indiana Department of Correction, Taylor was scheduled for release possibly as soon as late September.  Now, he could face another 45 to 65 year on the murder charge alone.

(La Porte County, IN) - Charges are filed in connection with a man severely beaten in La Porte County with an ax handle.  Phillip Jones, 53, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 3 felony aggravated battery and level 5 felony domestic battery.

Terry Schultz, 52, was last reported in critical condition at Memorial Hospital in South Bend.  The beating happened Saturday in the basement of a home where both men reside at 4934 N. 325 West.

According to court documents, the investigation reveals the mother and nephew of the defendant responding to the sounds of an altercation between the men went downstairs to find Schultz on the floor and Jones walking around.  Both family members went back upstairs where a call was placed to 911.

They returned to the basement after hearing the men a second time fighting and discovered Schultz on the floor again and Jones on his feet holding an ax handle.

The defendant’s mother was trying to separate the men while her son using the ax handle delivered more blows to the victim.  Emergency responders found Schultz unresponsive.

Two days later, police said an officer attempted to question Schultz at the hospital about the case but he was having difficulty speaking. 

According to court documents, Schultz suffered a fracture extending across both sides of the bone in his nose and lacerations to his face.  Schultz was also diagnosed with fractures to vertebrae in the upper and lower portions of his back, a thoracic spine fracture along with fractures to multiple ribs.

Police said Jones told investigators he threatened Schultz earlier in the day to back off from an exchange he was having a friend.  Jones said he was later sleeping in his chair in the basement when attacked by Schultz, who he knocked to the floor with a punch, according to court documents.

Jones could face anywhere from a 3 to 16 year sentence on the aggravated battery charge and 1 to 6 years on the remaining court.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Salvation Army of Michigan City will begin another class aimed at lifting people out of poverty.

The sixth series of “Bridges Out of Poverty: Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’ By World” will begin August 14th.  Classes are every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army at 1201 Franklin Street.

Major Becky Simmons feels the program is needed in Michigan City as a way of helping residents identify and overcome barriers.

“This class is ideal for anyone who wants to make a change in their life,” said Simmons, who oversees the Salvation Army with her husband, Major Dale Simmons.

 

“It’s a great opportunity for anyone who is at a point in their life that they’re ready to do something different and finally get ahead,” Mr. Simmons said.

Hidden rules for getting ahead to be discussed in the upcoming session include building confidence in doing what it takes to get ahead, how to build resources and make connections, ways to deal with change and how to create stability.

Laptop computers provided by Comcast will be provided to each person completing the entire 12 week session.  The program is free and open to the public.

In addition, free childcare is provided during the class along with a free dinner served after class. Officials said people interested can simply plan to attend the first session on August 14.

Advance enrollment is not necessary.  More information is available by contacting The Salvation Army at (219) 874-6885.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Westville woman allegedly led police on a lengthy motor vehicle chase topping 120 miles per hour with her children riding with her on Monday.

Samantha Jo Ravenscroft, 33, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 4 with resisting law enforcement, battery to a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, criminal recklessness and two counts of neglect of a dependent.

According to court documents, Ravenscroft was behind the wheel of a car when a Trail Creek Police officer just before 4 a.m. clocked her speeding in the area of U.S. 20 and Johnson Road.

The officer attempted to make a traffic stop but Ravenscroft began accelerating, triggering a pursuit that continued westbound on Interstate 94.

Officers from the Michigan City Police Department and La Porte County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit, which several miles later veered northbound on U.S. 421 and westbound on 400 North, police said.  

At one point during the chase, police said a bag of methamphetamine was tossed out of her passenger side window.

According to court documents, the woman was still traveling at a high rate of speed on County Line Road when stop sticks placed on the pavement by another officer flattened at least one of her tires near U.S. 20.  She continued to drive until stopping on Beverly Drive near Mt. Baldy on Michigan City’s west side.

Police said the bag later recovered contained 1.2 grams of methamphetamine.

While transporting her to the La Porte County Jail, police said Ravenscroft from the back seat kicked a sheriff’s deputy operating the vehicle on the right shoulder.  He pulled over and waited for other officers, who placed shackles around her legs to prevent the deputy from being kicked again while resuming his trip to the jail.

Police said her 14 year old son and 13 year old daughter were taken to their grandmother’s home in LaCrosse.

Ravenscroft, whose record shows past convictions on lower level felonies and misdemeanors for crimes like possession of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license and violating probation, was being held without bond pending her initial court appearance.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman was allegedly caught shoplifting and in possession of methamphetamine.  Hailee McCann, 31, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with theft, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.

According to court documents, La Porte Police responded to Walmart on July 23rd after McCann was detained by a loss prevention officer at the store at 333 Boyd Boulevard.

She was being escorted in handcuffs to a police vehicle when newly developed information led officers to her vehicle where still wrapped stolen merchandise from the store along with a small amount of methamphetamine were located, according to court documents.

The value of the stolen items was estimated at more than $150.

(Michigan City, IN) - Events leading up to the 15^th annual Great Lakes Grand Prix in Michigan City begin today.

A “Meet & Greet Racers Party” is scheduled at 5 p.m. at the Phi Delta Fraternity at 401 Alfred Ave.  There will be hors d’oeuvres provided and cash bar available.

Jack Arnett, Executive Director of the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said attendance during the race and all of the race related events, combined, has exceeded 200,000 in some of the previous years.  Arnett said the power boat racing is the largest event in the region and has been recognized more than once statewide.

“A couple of those years we actually won the award for the best event in the state of Indiana and that’s twice,” he said.

Other race related events include a VIP Party with live music Thursday at Sunset Grille from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. along with live classic rock and country music at Washington Park that evening from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The racing is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

For a complete listing of all the race related events, click here to be directed to the event website.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man with a prior federal drug related conviction was arrested in Michigan City after a police officer walking up to his vehicle was greeted by a cloud of marijuana smoke.  Leonel Portes of East Chicago is charged with Level 5 felony possession of cocaine.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer monitoring traffic Friday night stopped the man after noticing his vehicle southbound on Franklin Street did not have a functioning license plate light.

While Portes was rolling down his driver’s side window, the officer reported being overwhelmed by marijuana smoke visibly emitting from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The man is charged with having 2.1 grams of cocaine contained in a plastic bag on his possession.  So far, no charges have been filed in connection with about one ounce of marijuana in three separate plastic bags found in the vehicle.

According to police, a computer check revealed Portes has at least one prior federal conviction related to the sale of cocaine.  He could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on his latest charge.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Michigan City man was found to be allegedly impaired following a single vehicle crash.

First responders were called about 6 a.m. on Friday to Johnson Road and 500 West.  The investigation revealed Romell Hickmon, 31, sideswiped a utility pole in his 2005 BMW sport utility vehicle, which came to rest about 50 yards into a bean field, according to La Porte County Police.  Police said Hickmon was not able to give a solid explanation on how the accident happened.

During a field sobriety test, police said Hickmon lost his balance then asked the officer if he was going to make him dance and started dancing.  He was transported to Northwest Health where a blood sample taken from him revealed an alleged .210 blood alcohol level.

He could receive an up to one year jail sentence on a Class A misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver was allegedly impaired while veering around a spot where a La Porte County highway was temporarily closed from a motor vehicle crash.  Felipe Alvarez, 41, of Gary is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

Police vehicles were blocking the westbound lanes of U.S. 20 near Fail Road Saturday night to allow the accident to be investigated and the wreckage cleaned up.  La Porte County Police said Alvarez drove around the police vehicles and into the eastbound lanes to get around the crash scene while other westbound travelers waited behind the blockade for the westbound lanes to reopen.

After a short chase, Alvarez pulled over and the pursuing officer detected an odor of alcohol on his breath.  Police said his alleged level of impairment was not known because Alvarez refused to take a blood alcohol test, which resulted in his automatic arrest for OWI under Indiana law.

The officer noted in his report there were several open containers of liquor and beer scattered around inside his vehicle and under the driver’s seat.

Police said Alvarez admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages while attending at Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight in South Bend.

A one mile stretch of U.S. 12 in Berrien County, Michigan will be repaved beginning later this week.

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the work near Three Oaks will include milling, resurfacing along with things like new curbs, gutters and sidewalks.  The over $600,000 project is scheduled to begin Thursday and be completed by the end of September.

Expect some travel delays since U.S 12 will be down to one lane at times during the construction, MDOT officials said. 

(La Porte, IN) - Another very successful Lakefest was held over the weekend in La Porte.  Among the events were two days of professional jetski racing on Stone Lake.

The fourth annual LakeFest started late in the afternoon on Friday at Fox Park with a lot of fun activities like wiffle ball home run derby and a golf ball hitting contest.  The objective for people swinging a golf club was to hit a floatable target on Clear Lake with the ball.

Home run derby participants were given 10 swings of the bat to hit the ball as many times as they could over the fence, which was 75 feet away from home plate.  The lights at Ron Reed Field were turned on for the well over 100 children who took part in the derby that lasted into the twilight hours.

“I think the kids had a really good time with that.  A lot of enthusiasm,” he said.

La Porte resident Jamie Bridges was among the people enjoying the almost perfect weather Saturday afternoon while sitting with friends and family at Fox Park.  They were having a picnic on the grass covered hill waiting for the live music to start playing on the stage of the amphitheatre.

“We got sub sandwiches, drinks, a cooler.  We’re comfortable here,” she said.

Karen Egolf, a lifelong resident of La Porte, was seated on a park bench with a friend eager to hear the headline musical act, Soul Asylum.

Egolf said she became a fan of the rock group, which had past hits on the charts, while she was growing up in the 80’s.

“I got some of their albums.  I like the kind of southern rock that they have and the sound.  They kind of remind me a little bit of Tom Petty and I’m a big Tom Petty fan, too,” she said.

There were also inflatables at Fox Park for children to play in during all three days of LakeFest, which included fireworks Saturday night over Clear Lake.

(La Porte County, IN) - On Thursday the National Weather Service confirmed what some locals already suspected. A tornado did indeed touchdown in La Porte County on July 15.

The storm a few weeks ago caused thousands of power outages in the area. Now weather officials have released details, saying an EF 1 tornado about 75 yards across generated winds of at least 100 mph.

The twister touched down for about six minutes just after 10:30 p.m. It developed rapidly near Snyder Road, or CR 200 North, between US 421 and Wozniak Road. Moving northeast, the tornado intensified east of Wozniak near Forrester Road. According to authorities, a 20-acre property in that area suffered extensive damage, with hundreds of hardwood and softwood trees uprooted or snapped. Between Forrester Road and Tiffany Drive, they said, many homes and outbuildings sustained minor to moderate damage from falling trees.

Jeremiah Tutwiler and his family live on Johnson Road, near Jongkind Park, near the end of the storm’s worst damage, where a microburst was reported. Tutwiler said he was outside checking weather conditions just minutes before the hard stuff hit. “There was no wind; it was really hot, really humid, and everything was so incredibly quiet,” he recalled. Then there was a sudden change as rain picked up. Since it was dark, Tutwiler said he couldn’t see much, but sensed that something bad was coming. His family took cover just in time. “Sure enough, as everybody was going down the basement stairs is when the tree came down,” he said.

Tutwiler has many trees on his property. He says he was concerned about a massive maple tree which he estimates to be about 200 years old. Instead, the sudden burst pushed over a 40-foot-tall basswood tree near the corner of his home. It landed right between his house and his truck, causing minimal damage to both. The upper branches of the tree lay gracefully along their front roofline. Tutwiler credits divine intervention. “It was as if the tree was guided by the hand of God,” he said. They immediately posted photos on social media. “Everybody who’s looked at it has said, ‘How… did this happen?’”

Tutwiler is counting his blessings. He said his home lost power for only a few minutes, while the neighborhood across the street was without electricity for several days. As for the basswood tree, Tutwiler said his wife Jennifer and their seven kids spent the following day chopping it up. Their house and truck need a few small repairs, but he acknowledged that the situation could have been much worse. “We definitely lucked out on this one,” said Tutwiler.

(Lake County, IN) - A crash on an area interstate claimed the life of a Chesterton man over the weekend.

Around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Indiana State troopers responded to a crash report in the eastbound lanes of I-80/94 near Gary.

They found a 2024 Honda Civic crashed into the back of a box truck which was parked on the shoulder. Investigators determined that the truck had pulled over due to mechanical problems and placed orange cones in the vicinity as a warning. For unknown reasons the Civic left the roadway and rear-ended the truck. First responders found the driver, 36-year-old Corey Stephen Nicholas of Chesterton, unresponsive behind the wheel. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other driver was in the cab of the box truck at the time of the crash but was not injured. Officers said he was not impaired. An autopsy and toxicology tests for Nicholas are pending.

(La Porte County, IN) - With a sudden change to the Democratic ticket in the U.S. presidential race, will there be any problem updating ballots in Indiana?

The answer, according to La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens, is no.

“When Joe Biden withdrew,” she said, “all of us clerks were kind of scrambling. One of the clerks immediately had contacted the Indiana Election Division.” Stevens said that all 92 county clerks were reassured that “yes, we can get whoever the Democratic candidate will be on the ballot, so there’s plenty of time.”

Stevens didn’t guarantee who the Democratic candidate will be, because, even though Kamala Harris has verbally secured enough delegate support, she won’t be officially named until the party’s national convention in a few weeks. Harris received no consideration in Indiana’s May primary, since Joe Biden was unopposed at the time. For presidential nominations in Indiana, party primaries are little more than a formality to involve rank-and-file members. According to state law, it’s up to the state chairman of each political party to certify the candidates for president and vice president.

Earlier this week, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales affirmed that September 10 “is the deadline for the Indiana State Party Chair of the Democratic Party to certify the names of the party’s candidates for president and vice-president of the United States.”

Of course, Republicans have already certified their candidate, Donald J. Trump. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is also expected to land on Indiana ballots, having recently submitted enough signatures for an independent bid.

September 16 is the deadline for counties to print ballots. Early voting in Indiana starts October 8.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Oasis Splash Park at Washington Park will be closed during the upcoming powerboat races in Michigan City.  The popular water feature will be closed August 3rd and 4th when the annual Great Lakes Great Prix will dominate the activity at the lakefront park.

Oasis Splash Park will resume normal operations on August 5th, according to the Michigan City Park Department.  The water feature is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

The Great Lakes Grand Prix has attracted as many as 200,000 or more people for watching boats race along the Lake Michigan shoreline and the race related events leading up to and during the two days of competition.  Jack Arnett, CEO of the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said race teams will be coming here from several continents.

A $40 special events parking fee will be charged for every vehicle entering the park without a parking sticker.  All other vehicles will not be allowed into the park due to very limited parking, officials said.

Arnett encourages people to park for free at Blue Chip Casino where an air conditioned shuttle will take spectators to and from the race at no cost.

“Try not to drive into the park.  The park is going to be full,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County (BGCLPC) will have served about 400 children through its free, full-day summer camps in Michigan City and La Porte.

BGCLPC officials said offering such a program at no cost to families isn’t easy but help was recently provided by 1st Source Foundation, an entity created by 1st Source Bank to give back to the community.  The foundation awarded the BGCLPC a $25,000 grant to help cover the cost of the summer camp in Michigan City.

Summer camps are for children in grades K-8 and offer programs that support academic success, character and citizenship along with healthy lifestyles.

This year’s highlights have included:

• Cooking classes, canvas painting, Zumba and a thrilling dance performance by the Lakeshore School of Performing Arts Dance Team;
• Life-sized Connect 4, a Jenga tournament and a variety of water games;
• Club members working together to design and build a giant three-dimensional city while learning about geometry concepts;
• An all-Club field trip to the La Porte County fair; and
• Tie-dyeing hundreds of Club shirts – an annual tradition!

BGCLPC’s summer camp program ran through July 24th in Michigan City and continues through July 31st in La Porte.

Registration for 2024/2025 after school programming in Michigan City, La Porte, Westville and Kingsford Heights will begin on July 29th.  Interested families can learn more and begin the registration process by clicking here.

(La Porte, IN) - The annual LakeFest in La Porte will kick-off today with a big splash at Fox Park.  Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said there will be fitness classes from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. along with a contest to see who can hit a floatable golf ball the longest distance over Clear Lake.

“They’ll be driving them out into the lake,” he said.

Other activities this evening at Fox Park include wiffle ball, a home run derby and “Futboleros,” nicknamed the Harlem Globetrotters of soccer, demonstrating their skills.  There will also be music from a D.J. and live musicians.

Schreiber said coming out this evening is also a chance to see the recent improvements to that area.

“We want people to come out to Fox Park and see all of the great renovations we’ve made and, really, just have a big celebration of community,” he said.

The highlights Saturday will include professional jet-ski racing that will also occur on Sunday at Stone Lake.

For a complete listing of the happenings and schedule, click here to be taken to the event website.

(La Porte County, IN) - What was thought to be a possible bomb turned out to be a false alarm at a Family Express just outside La Porte.

According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, the area around the Family Express was secured at U.S. 35 and Johnson Road Thursday afternoon.  Police said an unlabeled styrofoam package was on the ground beneath a U.S. Postal Service mailbox near the storefront.  Members of the Porter County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad responded and deemed the package safe after x-raying it.

The package was then opened and inside was a porcelain doll house, police said.  Whoever owns the doll house is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (219) 326-7700.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is facing allegations that he ran a full service bar from his home with offerings that included food and gambling.

Scott Meece, 45, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with level 6 felony maintaining a common nuisance along with two misdemeanor counts of selling alcohol beverages without a permit and unauthorized furnishing of alcoholic beverages.

According to court documents, the several month long investigation included an undercover officer purchasing beer on separate occasions at the “Iron Horse Saloon” operated from his residence in the 100 block of West McClung Road.  The price for a beer was $2 and $3 for a mixed drink.

Police said there were about 15 people wearing mostly leather jackets and “Iron Horse Saloon t-shirts inside the bar during each visit along with men and women role playing as bartenders.  The investigation also revealed each person was charged $10 to come inside and ID’s were checked to make sure everyone was at least 21, police said.

The gambling included a game involving a $20 buy in and winner choosing either the cash price or a motorcycle, police said.  Two sloppy joes and chips for $5 were also made available.

According to court documents, police became involved after Meece ignored a couple of cease and desist orders from the La Porte County Health Department for operating a business without a license.

Police said among the items seized during a June 14th search of the home were more than 200 brand name bottles that contained anything from beer and hard lemonade to whiskey, tequila, vodka and rum.

There were also plenty of various marijuana products seized, which came as no surprise to law enforcement considering the distinct odor of the drug was detected in the undercover portion of the investigation.

According to court documents, Meece told investigators the bar was a not for profit organization and no alcohol was sold.  He described the money collected for drinks as donations for a variety of worthy causes.  Meece also claimed his alleged customers were all family members and friends bringing alcohol on weekend visits.

However, police said the search turned up inventories of alcoholic beverages inside log books that also listed profit margins.

(Michigan City, IN) - The latest in crime fighting technology helped in the arrest of a Michigan City man for allegedly doing target shooting with a handgun in his densely populated residential neighborhood.  Kyle Czizek, 29, is charged with level 6 felony criminal recklessness.

According to court documents, officers responded to a report of shots fired on Sunday night and confirmed the location with technology that alerts law enforcement to the sound of gunfire and where it was detected.  Officers with their flashlights on spotted Czizek emerging from some tall weeds with his dog in the 200 block of East Barker Avenue.

Before police arrived, the investigation revealed Czizek, who had his dog on a leash, allegedly point his gun at a tree stump about 10 feet away and fired twice.  Police said there was no back stop behind the tree stump, which was just 30 feet away from the rear of some houses on Fulton Street.

Apparently, the gun shot detecting technology was especially helpful in this case because a number of people who came out of their homes were related to Czizek and all denied hearing gunfire, according to court documents.

Czizek could face anywhere from a six month to 30 month sentence.

(Westville, IN) - A man spending quite a bit of time inside a convenience store in Westville was allegedly found with drugs.  Zaden Streb, 29, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, police were called to Family Express at 11011 W. U.S. 6 on July 17th on a report of a suspicious man inside the store for about one hour.  Upon arrival, police said officers learned Streb of Kendallville was unable to find a ride. 

A few minutes later, Streb was greeted by police when he came out of the store bathroom and dropped what appeared to be a wadded up piece of toilet paper.  Police said the paper was unwrapped and inside was a plastic bag containing .7 grams of methamphetamine.

Before the discovery, police agreed to help the man find a ride but the ride they give him was to the La Porte County Jail where he was still being held on $755 bond.

He could face anywhere from a six month to 30 month sentence.

(La Porte County, IN) - Construction has begun at the La Porte County fairgrounds on a new 4-H show arena that will be about twice the size as the one it’s replacing.  The construction of this new 27,000 square foot building is another step in a long term process of transforming the fairgrounds into a year round destination.

In recent years, greater use has been made of the grounds after the fair for major events like concerts, tractor pulls and pyrotechnic shows.  The goal is filling even more open dates on the calendar with other events like trade shows and horse competitions.   

“We’re taking this to the next level,” said LaPorte County Council President Randy Novak.

Novak has formed an over 30 member committee to help sharpen the future vision for the county government owned fairgrounds along Indiana 2 just west of the La Porte city limits.

The new show arena will be at the same spot as the old facility demolished last week.  Dirt was later brought in as fill and the site leveled to prepare for construction expected to begin early next month.

Steve Mrozinski, president of the LaPorte County Agricultural Association board which operates the fair, said the need for a new show arena outweighed the fond memories of past fairs and other events like weddings in the structure dating back to the early 60’s.  

“It was time for the building to be replaced,” he said during a Wednesday groundbreaking.

An increase in La Porte County 4-H youth membership from roughly 700 to over 1,000 since last year and desire to further grow the enrollment was one of the reasons cited for building a much larger show arena.  The arena is where 4-H youth show their cows, goats and other livestock for judging and bidding from prospective buyers during the fair.

At some point, the plan is to utilize the new show arena for housing all 4-H youth animals and building a show arena even larger than the one expected to be finished in November.  Currently during the fair, animals like cows, goats and chickens are kept in separate barns reserved for each species.

Mrozinski said housing all of the livestock at one location will allow other barns dating back to the 60’s to be torn down so that space can be used for building the new permanent show arena.

Garner Construction of Hanna was hired to construct the show arena going up soon at a cost of around $400,000. 

Mrozinski said the show arena will be used for winter storage of campers, boats and other large items by the general public and the fees collected along with a percentage of profits from the fair will be used to finance the work.  Other buildings are also used for public winter storage from a decision several years ago to generate revenue from those facilities to improve and maintain the fairgrounds.

Mrozinski said space for storage in the buildings is created by removing portable pens used by 4-H youth to keep their animals during the fair. The new show arena will ease what’s become limited storage space from high demand.

“They’re full and we got people waiting in line for more,” he said.

Other improvements to the fairgrounds in recent years include new, much larger barns for cattle and hogs along with expanded seating in the grandstands, new bathrooms, improved drainage and replacement of old electrical wiring.

(Michigan City, IN) - Millions of dollars are coming to Michigan City to help with new housing construction.  Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said the $4.6 million state grant will be used for constructing sewer lines on undeveloped land so future new housing developments can start going up as soon as possible.  The grant was awarded by the Indiana Finance Authority.

“Thank you to the Indiana Finance Authority for recognizing our efforts and providing us with the resources needed to improve our community,” Deuitch said.

The money is from a new state program that supports infrastructure projects to promote residential housing developments throughout Indiana.  Communities with housing-friendly zoning are given high priority on their funding requests.

About 70 percent of the funding has gone to municipalities whose populations are less than 50,000.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver found unconscious along a major highway in La Porte County was allegedly under the influence of a deadly narcotic.  That’s the picture drawn from allegations filed in La Porte Circuit Court against David Storey.

Storey, 26, of Hobart is charged with possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, possession of paraphernalia and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  According to court documents, emergency responders discovered Storey unconscious behind the wheel of a van in the median of U.S. 30 near Hanna on Monday afternoon.  He awakened but was still disoriented after medical aid was rendered by a police officer and volunteer firefighter.

Police said Storey admitted to smoking heroin or fentanyl, which seemed to explain why a pipe containing a brown tar-like substance was found in plain view on the center console.

He was being evaluated at a hospital when an unidentified controlled substance in two plastic bags was allegedly recovered from his wallet, according to court documents.

Storey was still being held in the La Porte County Jail on $600 bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - Allowing people to leave a bar or restaurant with alcoholic beverages and walk with their drinks to places like Washington Park beach is under consideration in Michigan City.  Supporters feel the proposal would help promote tourism by enhancing the experience for visitors here especially during the summer.

“Ours is a tourist town and people do come to enjoy,” said Councilman Dr. Vidya Kora.

Designated outdoor refreshment areas would be established under an ordinance expected to come up for a vote by the Michigan City Common Council on August 6th.  One proposed zone runs along the lakefront, but those boundaries are narrow enough to prohibit restaurant customers from walking across the lines to places like nearby Washington Park Zoo with their alcoholic beverages, said Councilman Greg Coulter, who presented the measure at the council meeting on July 16th.

Coulter said the other zone on the city’s north end would not allow pedestrians to take beverages containing alcohol from a restaurant to Michigan City Public Library, but they could walk with those drinks to places such as Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets mall.

“You have to stay within those boundaries,” he said.

One of the select number of participating vendors outlined in the proposal includes Leeds Public House, a gastro pub at 4^th and Franklin streets.

Sunset Grill at Washington Park and Harbor Country Adventures, which offers food and drinks on its Lake Michigan cruise ship docked at Trail Creek, along with Bartlett’s Fish Camp near the water’s edge are referred to as potentially taking part.  Coulter said any restaurant or bar and festivals within the zones, though, would be allowed to participate.

To insure compliance, Coulter said the clear plastic 12 ounce and 16 ounce containers holding beer, wine or mixed drinks would be marked with a logo.  He said the logo would reveal they came from a participating restaurant, not from a home where a “Solo cup” was filled with an adult beverage purchased elsewhere.

Coulter said the ordinance would be in effect from 12 p.m. to midnight but that could change to reflect the business hours of the establishments.

Kora said he likes the idea but wanted feedback from police on how such a practice can be allowed safely.  Councilwoman Tracie Tillman said she felt the zones were not much different than the restricted areas beer tents and beer festivals operate under already.  There is some concern the measure could result in open partying and other forms of public disruption.  Scott Meland, a local real estate broker, encouraged the city council to support it.

“We’re not going to become New Orleans.  It took them a while to get their reputation. It’s kind of civilized to be able to order a beer and leave the establishment to go on with your festivities,” he said.

Coulter said the matter will be further discussed during a workshop session of the council on July 30th at 5 p.m. at City Hall.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Police are turning to the public for help in locating a man wanted on a felony charge.

Richard Cowgill, 29, was charged about three months ago with Level 6 felony theft and Class A misdemeanor domestic battery along with Class A misdemeanor criminal mischief.

So far, police have been unable to locate Cowgill so he can be arrested and face the allegations in court.

Anyone with knowledge of the La Porte man’s whereabouts is asked to contact Cpl. Adam Jaskowiak at (219) 362-9446 ext. 2134 or ajaskowiak@lpcitypd.com.

Police said anyone offering a tip may remain anonymous.

(Lakeside, MI) - Victory has been claimed, at least for now, in a nearly one year effort to stop new housing from going up at Lakeside Woods.

Developer Curtis McDonald, who owns the 16 acre undeveloped parcel containing wetlands, has tentatively agreed to sell the land to the group, Lakeside Neighbors Against Development (LNAD).

“We are so grateful to Curtis and his team for sharing our conservation vision,” said Barry Friedland, Communication and Marketing Officer for LNAG.

LNAD now has six months to raise $1.3 million for acquiring the property at Lakeside Road and Warren Woods Road.

“We’ve received pledges for $300,000, which already puts us at nearly a quarter of our goal,” said Tom Gold, president of the LNAD board.

Once the land has been purchased, Friedland said the intent is to donate the land to a local and respected conservation group that preserves green spaces ranging from beaches to farmland in southwest Michigan.

The effort to save Lakeside Woods was in response to plans by McDonald to construct 18 “tiny homes” on the property consisting of 12 acres of wetlands along with thousands of species, including the endangered Indiana bat, LNAD officials said.  Native species at the site include spotted turtles, tree frogs and snakes like the eastern Massasauga.

In addition, Lakeside Woods is a water source for the Great Blue Heron and migrating Sandhill Cranes, said Donna DePaolo, a founding member and vice-president of LNAD.  DePaolo said the site is also home to nesting Indiana bats, whose estimated total numbers have dropped by more than 50 percent over the past 10 years.  The mosquito eating Indiana bat is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“A 50 percent decline is staggering, making protecting and saving Lakeside Woods, its wetlands and the species that depend on them even more urgent,” DePaolo said.

Another reason cited for wanting to preserve the land is eliminating issues with population and density that occur from actions like placing homes on traditionally one home lots.  LNAD officials said such a development at Lakeside Woods would go against the “spirit” of the community and the surrounding rural area.   

“It’s also a fight against overdevelopment of green spaces,” Gold said.

People wanting to donate can do so at SaveLakesideWoods.com.

(Whiting, IN) - The Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting is closing its doors.   The three story facility, which has been visited by people from all over the nation and world, honors mascot characters from professional and college sports teams like the “Phillie Fanatic”.

Many people considered the Mascot Hall of Fame a success after opening five years ago.  ESPN and Sports Illustrated even did some coverage of the facility honoring other mascots from teams like the Utah Jazz and Ohio State.  However, the glass and steel building stands in the footprint of a development proposed by the BP refinery and some felt it relied too heavily on city tax dollars to operate.

A going away party is scheduled on September 14th for the facility founded by David Raymond, who was the original Phillie Fanatic, according to the Mascot Hall of Fame website.  

(La Porte, IN) - A traffic stop resulting in a cocaine seizure in La Porte has resulted in prison time for the driver.  Ramon Castro was given a four year prison sentence and two years on probation for possession of cocaine Friday by La Porte Circuit Court Judge Tom Alevizos.

According to court documents, the 39 year old Michigan City man was stopped for speeding at Monroe and Clayton streets in August of 2020.  During a search of his vehicle, police said an officer located a zip lock bag containing more than 20 grams of cocaine.  Suddenly, Castro grabbed the bag and held it tightly inside his fist, police said.

After ordered to drop the bag, police said Castro made several remarks about not wanting to go jail and "he didn't mean to."  He threw the bag on the hood of his vehicle a short time later before obeying commands to lay on the ground, according to court documents.

In exchange for a plea agreement, a more serious charge of dealing in cocaine was dismissed.

Police said a number of empty plastic sandwich bags typically used in selling drugs along with a scale that had cocaine residue on it were also found in his vehicle, a higher end 2015 Nissan GT-R.

(La Porte, IN) - Democrats in Indiana are in full support of Vice-President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president.  That’s according to Shaw Friedman, a La Porte attorney and one of the delegates from Indiana going to the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Friedman will be among the delegates from throughout the country deciding the Democratic Party nominee for president during the convention, scheduled to begin August 19th.

President Joe Biden, 81, recently withdrew from the race after last month’s disastrous debate performance suspected to be linked to his age or medical condition.  

Friedman said the support for Harris was shown by a unanimous vote last night by delegates and other democratic stakeholders in the state.

“All 88 delegates have said they’ll be casting a vote for Kamala Harris for president.  The Democratic State Committee voted that way as well. The party is really coming together, unifying beautifully at this point,” he said.

Friedman said he believes the energy Harris brings to the campaign is among the reasons she gives the party a better chance at defeating former president Donald Trump, who recently secured the Republican Party nomination for president.

"There’s a very different kind of enthusiasm now.  We got someone who can go toe to toe and be very competitive on the national stage,” he said.

Friedman also said he doesn’t believe anyone else will enter the race for the Democratic Party nomination given the amount of support from democrats in other states for Harris.

(La Porte County, IN) - More funding was approved last night to cover overtime costs at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Ron Heeg told the La Porte County Council the $120,000 in his budget for overtime this year is not enough to get through the end of the year.  He said a lot of overtime has been paid to fill shift openings created by a variety of reasons like officers on extended medical leave and having military related obligations.

Heeg said some of his detectives have been filling scheduling gaps on patrol shifts to help stretch money reserved for overtime pay as much as possible.

“We’ve been readjusting some personnel,” he said.   

The county council approved his request for $90,000 to cover the additional overtime costs.  

(New Buffalo, MI) - The revitalized farmers market in New Buffalo this year is experiencing a very noticeable increase in shoppers and vendors, much like the revamped market operated by the same manager in La Porte.

The market called “Farmed and Forged” is open every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Whittaker and Merchant streets until September 5th.

Market Manager Mandy Krickhahn said she was hired by the New Buffalo Business Association, which was impressed by her work in revitalizing the farmers market in La Porte last year.

Krickhahn said the number of vendors for each market this year in New Buffalo has averaged 24 or at least twice as many as 2023 since the near lakefront market set up for the first time on May 30.  The number of shoppers at each market has also substantially increased, ranging from 650 to 1,400.

“The traffic has been wonderful,” she said.

In comparison, the highest attendance for the market in downtown La Porte this year has also been about 1,400 while the number of vendors is often near 40.

The market in LaPorte at Lincolnway and Monroe Street is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. until September 30th.  

She credits new market attractions like artists demonstrating their talents with a paint brush in New Buffalo and chefs performing cooking demonstrations and offering free samples for customers to taste in La Porte for the upswing.

She said the produce offered by vendors is grown within a 100 mile radius of both communities.  The produce varies depending on what’s in season.  Currently, Krickhahn said there’s plenty of sweet corn, blueberries and other in season produce available.  Meanwhile cherries, which are ready to pick starting in May, have begun showing up in fewer numbers.  Other products available from vendors at the market include meat and homemade baked goods like bread.

There are now plans to open a Farmed and Forged market next year in Michigan City, where a comeback is also sought for a market that has been struggling there in recent years.  The location of the market in Michigan City and other details have not yet been decided.

Krickhahn is also the founder of The Collective, a group that has worked with independently owned small businesses throughout northwest Indiana since 2019 on things like networking and marketing so they become more successful.  Her members at The Collective include Burn ‘Em Brewing, which expanded into a larger facility several months ago on U.S. 12 east of Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District.

“The first year I think we had about 12 members. Now, we have around 100 and I love that our members are from all different industries. It’s been really cool to see how it’s progressed," she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Fair set an all-time attendance record this year. 

Brett Kessler, treasurer of the La Porte County Agricultural Association board that runs the fair, said attendance topped more than 100,000 people for the first time in the history of the fair based on a review of attendance records kept from previous fairs.

The fair ran for eight days through July 13th.

“All in all, it was a great week,” Kessler said.

The record attendance of 102,308 is even more impressive considering how much it’s gone up since 2017 when the number of people entering the gates was about 68,000.  Last year, attendance was 91,454.

Kessler credited good weather, except for rain on July 9th when fair attendance was still fairly strong, as the primary reason for the record turn-out.

He said the most heavily attended day was on July 12th when over 14,000 people entered the fairgrounds on Indiana 2, just west of the La Porte city limits.

Kessler also felt new attractions in recent years have factored into the rising attendance.  This includes the Curious Kids Tractor Trail, where children ride small battery powered tractors on the trail and fill baskets with various items along the way before returning.  They've also added the sand shark show, where two sand sharks are visible through a tank resting on the trailer of a semi-truck.   And the sting ray petting zoo has become popular, where more than a dozen species of sting rays in a shallow pool are available for fairgoers to pet at no cost and they could be fed by fairgoers for a minimal cost.

“Those were all very popular,” he said.

Kessler also noted the fair this year included more than 1,100 4-H youth exhibiting over 4,000 entries, including over 1,000 open class entries ranging from dairy cows and rabbits to home and family arts related entries.

An outreach also resulted in more than 700 children with organizations such as the YMCA and local Boys and Girls Club branches coming to the fair.

“Hopefully, some of those kids went home and said mom and dad let’s go back to the fair,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Two Michigan City Police officers were allegedly struck by an individual staying at a shelter for battered women.  Katrina Roberts, 42, is now facing charges including three counts of battery to a law enforcement officer.

According to court documents, on July 11th the officers responded to a request for Roberts to be removed from the property.  After collecting her belongings, authorities said Roberts continued her very disruptive behavior outside where she resisted attempts by officers to place her into a police vehicle. 

At one point, police said Roberts kicked one of the officers in the chest and damaged his department-issued laptop computer.  Police said Roberts kicked the other officer in the face with her knee and spit on him.  Eventually, the officers managed to get Roberts into the police vehicle but she continued to fight their attempts to keep her restrained, police said.

Police said one of the officers suffered abrasions near his left eyelid and left side of his forehead.

Roberts was still being held today in the La Porte County Jail on two separate bonds of $5,000 and $15,000.

(La Porte County, IN) - There were no injuries in a single vehicle crash in La Porte County by an unlicensed driver from another country.

According to La Porte County Police, the investigation shows the 24 year old man was traveling in a road construction zone on U.S. 20 near 300 West when he veered off the highway and struck a tree on Friday.  That stretch of highway is down to one lane in each direction because of the road work. 

Police said the driver told investigators, through a translator phone application, the accident happened because he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle in his lane of travel.

The driver, Lester Maradiaga-Garcia, is from Honduras.

He told officers he came to the U.S. in search of a better life and the car he was driving belonged to a friend, according to police.  The man, whose current listed address is in Elkhart, was given a summons to appear in court on a charge of driving without ever receiving a license in the U.S.  

He was identified by his identification card issued by the government in Honduras.

(East Lansing, MI) - Some winter wheat growers in Michigan are looking for more storage because of what could be record yields per bushel this year.

USDA is forecasting 89 bushels of winter wheat per acre in the state based on conditions as of July 1st.  That would tie the state record set in 2016 for the amount of winter wheat harvested per acre, said Dennis Pennington, a Michigan State University wheat systems specialist at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center.

Pennington said the USDA prediction seems right on the money based on his talks with people at elevators and producers.

“Even growers that normally store in their own bins, they got their bins full and, now, they’re looking for storage,” he said.

According to USDA, the amount of winter wheat forecast per bushel in Michigan is six percent higher than per acre yields in 2023.  This year’s crop is also in much better condition with 75 percent of the crop, as of June 30th, rated as good to excellent compared to 25 percent this time last year. 

Winter wheat yields and quality last year were hurt by a significant dry spell in June.   In comparison, Pennington said the amount of rainfall this year has been adequate and consistent throughout much of the growing season.

“We’ve had a good distribution of rainfall by month through the spring and throughout the grain fill period over the early summer which has been ideal for winter wheat,” he said.

Ironically, winter wheat production in Michigan is expected to noticeably decline from last year because the 420,000 acres planted is about 22 percent less than the 10 year average.

Pennington said some farmers in many parts of the state were not able get their winter wheat planted or complete the planting before a period of heavy precipitation in the fall made the soil too wet for placing seed into the ground.

“If you didn’t get ahead of the rain in the fall it got late,” he said.  

Pennington said the increase in the harvested amount per acre, though, could actually be enough to limit the state’s loss in winter wheat production to just five percent.  The loss could be even less if yields per acre come in higher than predicted.

“Our total production will be down even though our production per acre is looking to be pretty good,” he said.

Michigan ranked 13^th in winter wheat production with more than 46 million bushels harvested while Indiana was 19^th with just over 30 million bushels produced, according to USDA.

(La Porte, IN) - Two firefighters are credited with saving the life of a female who was threatening to jump off the U.S. 35 overpass in downtown La Porte over the weekend.

After scaling a chain link fence along the northbound lanes, the individual was found standing on the edge of the overpass about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

La Porte Fire Department Battalion Chief Doug Biernacki said a couple of police officers managed to somehow grab the female and hold on to her until firefighter Tyler Long reached her by climbing over the top of the fence.

He said firefighter A.C. Pressler set up a rope system.  Long tied the rescue rope around the woman, who was then lowered to safety and tended to by emergency medical personnel.  Biernacki said it took about 12 minutes after receiving the call to execute the rescue.

“It went as good as we could have hoped for,” he said.

A similar rescue was executed in late August of a female threatening to jump from the overpass after scaling the fence.  La Porte Police Officers Ryan Helmecy and Taylor Atkinson were among the emergency responders given life-saving awards for their heroics in that incident last year.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two people were arrested following a high speed chase from La Porte County to Lake County over the weekend.

According to state police, a trooper attempted to make a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle on U.S. 20 at Rolling Prairie on Friday night. The driver refused to pull over, triggering a chase that veered onto Interstate 94.

After several failed attempts, police said stop sticks punctured at least one of the tires on the fleeing vehicle near Portage.  The vehicle came to a stop at the Lake Station exit.

Roberto Valencuela, 19, and Angela Rodriguez, 18, both from the Chicago area were being housed in the La Porte County Jail.   

Valencuela, the alleged driver, was charged with resisting law enforcement.  He and Rodriguez were also charged in connection with an undisclosed amount of drugs and handgun converted into a rapid fire weapon recovered from the vehicle, police said.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte County now has a life-saving app that could turn ordinary people into heroes. It’s called Pulse Point.

As first responders are notified of a medical emergency, Pulse Point alerts subscribers to any nearby medical emergency as it’s happening and lets them know where the nearest AED is located. Pulse Point spokesperson Shannon Smith says the alert can help shave precious seconds off response times: “The goal is really to engage the community in cardiac arrest response.”

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 350,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac events every year—74% of them occur at home, 15% in public places. Only between 10-12% of those victims survive. A person in sudden cardiac arrest has a survival rate that decreases by 10% for every minute that goes by without help after the first three minutes.

The Pulse Point app, which is totally free to the public, increases the likelihood that someone can rush to a victim’s aid. “You could be two blocks away from someone and be the first likely resource to help someone, but not know about it,” Smith said. “They could be on the floor above you, in the shop next door.” She likened it to the old expression, “Is there a doctor in the house?” Pulse Point is the 21^st century equivalent. “The idea is to crowd source those Good Samaritans so they might be the first responders,” Smith said.

Pulse Point is operating in about 5,100 communities in North America, engaging about 1.1 million active users every month. Since 2011, the app has handled hundreds of thousands of cardiac arrest responses. The app is GPS-driven, so users can be notified wherever they happen to be.

A ceremony was held on Thursday at La Porte’s Municipal Airport to kick off the program, which is now available for everyone to use.

Dr. Gary Wheeland, a retired physician and board member of Health Foundation of La Porte, addressed the sizeable crowd gathered for the event. He reported that more people die from sudden cardiac arrest every year than colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, HIV, firearms, automobile accidents, and house fires combined. “We believe we can do better with the new technologies available,” he said, “and with aggressive effective bystander intervention.”

The Health Foundation of La Porte has helped provide over 250 AEDs throughout the community and has invested $600,000 in AED and CPR-related grants since 2017. In April, La Porte became the state’s first “HEARTSafe Community.”

HFL has funded Pulse Point’s startup, and county officials have agreed to keep funding it. You can sign up for free by visiting pulsepoint.org.

(Michigan City, IN) - There are thousands of shipwrecks off the shores of Lake Michigan. Only two in this area are designated nature preserves. The second one was dedicated on Thursday in Michigan City.

In 1910 the SS Muskegon caught fire while docked in Trail Creek. It was the end of an eventful life for the bulk freighter. Built in 1872 and christened the Peerless, the 220-foot-long ship hauled dry goods, livestock, and people all over Lake Michigan. In 1894 she was detained at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan because of smallpox. Five years later she collided with a schooner and sank. Raised and repaired, the resilient ship became a floating casino in Chicago, before becoming the Muskegon, a sand sucker deployed in the Michigan City area.

After being burned down to the waterline, the Muskegon was towed out and scuttled about a quarter of a mile off shore from Mount Baldy. Recently it has been a popular location for scuba divers.

Professor Charles Beeker from Indiana University has been influential in getting the site designated a historic landmark. Beeker, who is an archeologist and scuba dive instructor, told us why the site is worthwhile.  “If I take students out,” Beeker said, “I want a site that’s less than 33 feet [deep], that’s accessible, that’s interesting.” According to Beeker, the Muskegon’s machinery, propeller, and wooden hull have become a haven for marine life. “It’s a site that’s perfect for a beginner diver, or even on a good day a snorkeler.”

The other local shipwreck site is down the shore in Porter County, where the J.D. Marshall sank in 1911. Ironically the J.D. Marshall went down a day after being outfitted with equipment from the Muskegon, which it replaced.

Last week eight IU students spent a few days doing dives at the sites twice a day to hone their diving skills and learn about underwater archeology.

Leo Visser, of Bloomington, was one of the students. He talked about what he observed in the wreckage. “The impressive boilers are still really cool looking,” he said. “They’re really quite nice sites; they’re the coolest shipwrecks I’ve ever been on.”

Jenna Baelz is a diving instructor and Marine Conservation major at IU. She explained the significance of the sites for the Hoosier State. “A lot of people don’t know about the shipwrecks in Indiana,” said Baelz. “A lot of people go somewhere coastal, to the oceans, to learn about shipwrecks, but we’re trying to bring attention to the two that we have right here outside the Dunes State Park.”

Information on the shipwrecks is displayed at Michigan City’s Old Lighthouse Museum. On Thursday afternoon, outside the museum, near where the Muskegon caught fire, a plaque was unveiled commemorating its final resting place. According to Professor Beeker, wreck sites like the Muskegon and J.D. Marshall were identified and surveyed back in the 1980s and placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.  Indiana University has worked with the state’s Department of Natural Resources and the National Parks Service to get them designated as shipwreck nature preserves. “All of our shipwrecks are protected in Indiana waters,” Beeker said. “This is an extra layer of protection.”

Anyone can explore the wreck sites. As they say in the underwater archaeology community, “Take only pictures, leave only bubbles.” Both sites in this area have markers indicating their locations and mooring buoys to keep boats from dropping anchor on the wrecks.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Union Mills man died in a single vehicle crash Friday.

Shortly before noon, first responders were called to CR 300 North, west of Johnson Road. Police say a westbound 2010 Ford Explorer crossed the center line and the eastbound lane, striking a tree on the south side of the road and overturning.

The driver and lone occupant, 65-year-old Gregory W. Crites, was trapped in the vehicle, which was resting on the driver’s side. Upon extrication, Crites died at the scene.

No further information regarding the accident has been released.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Recent ILEARN standardized testing scores show that Indiana school kids have improved somewhat in math, not so much in English.

Third through eighth graders tested in the spring showed an overall statistically insignificant improvement in English Language Arts (ELA) of 0.3%. Third graders and eighth graders slightly decreased in language arts.

The pressure is on to get young readers up to speed. Lawmakers have set a goal to reach 95% reading proficiency by 2027. Recent legislation requires third graders to pass a reading test or get held back. Scores have been lackluster in recent years, since the new ILEARN format was introduced in 2019, followed by disruptions in learning caused by the pandemic. Under these circumstances, the Indiana Department of Education considers 2021 the baseline for recent statistics.

As for math, even though scores have not improved much from last year, there has been a noticeable jump over the past three years. Average math scores have risen 3.8%; sixth grade scores are up over 5%.

Overall, only about 41% of Hoosier primary level students are at or above proficiency standards in each subject. Results also show nearly 62% of students are below standards in social studies.

Below is a list of results statewide and locally:

Statewide

ELA Proficient                                 41%

Math Proficient                              40.7%

Social Studies Proficient               38.1%

Highest Districts in the State

ELA                                                   Brownsburg & Carmel (tie) 69.6%

Math                                                Brownsburg 73.5%

Local Public School District Proficiencies:

La Porte

ELA                      43.4%

Math                   44.4%

New Prairie

ELA                      54%

Math                   58.1%

Michigan City

ELA                      27.9%

Math                   27.5%

South Central

ELA                      49.2%

Math                   49.3%

MSD New Durham Township

ELA                      40.3%

Math                   39.4%

John Glenn

ELA                      48.3%

Math                   50.3%

Oregon-Davis

ELA                      31.8%

Math                   30.5%

South Bend Community School Corp

ELA                      29.1%

Math                   16.6%

Penn-Harris-Madison

ELA                      62.2%

Math                   60.4%

(St. Joseph County, IN) - In St. Joseph County, a school board candidate was kicked off the ballot for his use of the term MAGA.

Ben Dallas filed to run for a seat on the Penn-Harris-Madison School Board. On his paperwork, Dallas listed “MAGA” as a nickname.

Since school board elections are non-partisan in Indiana, Dallas thought the nickname would help signal to voters where he stands politically.

Opponents questioned what kind of precedent such a nickname would set for future ballots, if allowed.

Although Indiana Code does allow for the use of a nickname on a ballot, the Election Board on Tuesday, claimed that Dallas had already used a nickname, filing as Ben instead of Benjamin. They then voided his candidacy paperwork.

(South Bend, IN) - A Chicago man has been sentenced on a federal gun charge with ties to Michigan City.

In January of last year, 42-year-old Allory Smith of Chicago sold a rifle, a handgun, and ammunition to a buyer in the Michigan City area. According to authorities, Smith referred to the rifle as a “real license to kill” because he believed it had previously been reported stolen. With several prior felony convictions, Smith is prohibited from possessing firearms.

On Wednesday in South Bend's U.S. District Court, Smith was sentenced to six years in prison plus two years of supervised release.

The La Porte County VICE Unit (LCVICE) assisted federal ATF agents in bringing Smith to justice.

(La Porte, IN) - Criminal charges are now stemming from a violent single vehicle crash involving a mother and her three children in La Porte County.

Crystal Singleton, 39, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with operating while intoxicated and two counts of neglect of a dependent.

According to court documents, Singleton on March 19 veered off U.S. 30 into a grassy median near 1200 South.  Her 2001 Chevy Tahoe returned to the pavement and overturned several times.

Police said Singleton and her 11 month old child were ejected from the vehicle.

The infant was found by witnesses restrained in a car seat that came to rest in the westbound lanes.  Miraculously, perhaps, the infant showed no apparent signs injury, police said.

Singleton of Merrillville had staples placed into her head to close her wounds.  Her two other children, ages 5 and 2, sustained just minor injuries, according to court documents.

Police said a test revealed methadone, amphetamine and methamphetamine were in Singleton’s blood stream.

She could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on the most serious Level 5 felony charge of neglect of a dependent.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City officials are looking for a solution to vehicles parking on sidewalks.

One of the problems is damage to sidewalks, especially new ones, from the weight of the vehicles.

During a workshop session this week, Councilwoman Tracy Tillman advised citizens to park in their backyards if they have to so their vehicles are not having contact with sidewalks in their front yards.

“It’s like trying to fix one problem but now it’s going to cost the city again for the wear and tear of parking vehicles on sidewalks,” she said.

Councilman Don Przybylinski said the problems include trailers left on sidewalks, which are supposed to be used strictly for things like riding bicycles, pushing baby strollers and wheelchairs.

“These are the things that I look at,” he said.

Officials said there are laws in the books prohibiting vehicles from parking on sidewalks. 

Some of the ideas expressed during the meeting included neighbors calling police if such problems persist and getting code enforcement involved in possibly issuing tickets.

(La Porte, IN) - A Powerball ticket purchased in La Porte is worth $50,000.

According to the Hoosier Lottery, the winning ticket was bought at Virk’s Liquors at 501 State St.

So far, nobody has come forward to claim the prize.

Clerk Harold Peterson said he sold the winning ticket not long prior to the drawing but doesn’t remember exactly who bought it because of other customers purchasing tickets during the same time period.

Peterson said he was excited to learn about the winning ticket from a Hoosier Lottery representative Thursday.

“I feel pretty good about it.  It’s about time somebody in La Porte won something,” he said.

Anyone who purchased a Powerball ticket at the liquore store before the Wednesday night drawing is urged to check their numbers.

(La Porte, IN) - Public transportation in the City of La Porte was impacted this morning by the worldwide Microsoft computer glitch.

As a result, Transporte has no access on their computer system to rides scheduled recently, said Transporte dispatcher Brenda Reiser.

“The system is down.  We cannot see our current schedules,” she said.

Right now, she said the focus is on picking up regular riders Transporte personnel know need bus rides to work and at what times.

“I sent our two drivers out to pick up the regulars. They were handling that o.k.,” she said.

Reiser said attempts will be made to accommodate people, who call Transporte for rides elsewhere today, if possible.

Jessica Bruder, a spokesperson for the mayor's office, said rides will also be provided for people who call Transporte for medical related trips.

Non-emergency rides such as trips to grocery stores will not be provided for the time being, she said.

"They're only going to be making trips to work and trips to doctors' offices for residents until further notice," she said. 

 Reiser said Transporte could wind up closing later for the remainder of the day, though, if the computer system cannot be restored within a relatively short period of time.

“We don’t know yet.  We’re just playing it by ear,” she said.

The Microsoft glitch is blamed on a software update and is not believed to be linked to any cyberattacks.

(La Porte County, IN) - A ground breaking is scheduled next week for a new show arena at the La Porte County fairgrounds.

Fair Board President Steve Mrozinski said the old show arena that’s been there since the fair moved to its present location in the early 1960’s is being demolished.

The arena is where 4-H youth show their animals for scoring by judges and where the auction is held for people to bid on their livestock.

Mrozinski said the new facility will contain roughly 20,000 or more square feet of space and be at least twice the size of the old show arena.

“That’s exciting.  It’s good for the kids,” he said.

He estimated the cost at $400,000 to $500,000, which will be paid entirely by the fair board.

Mrozinski said the hope is for construction to be finished by early November so the space available for storage in the building can be used during the winter.

He said the ground breaking where details about the project will be shared publicly is slated for 5 p.m. on July 24.

(Indianapolis, IN) - La Porte County residents could be eligible for federal funding to help recover from the strong Monday night storms.

Residents are asked by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to call 866-211-9966 to report severe damage from the July 15 storm or do so on the Indiana 211 website.

Officials said collecting assessments through this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and the next course of action to take in the disaster recovery process.

Residents in Porter and Elkhart counties are also requested to provide storm damage estimates through the same process. 

According to IDHS, other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager.  Agricultural damage should be reported to Purdue Extension. 

The storm produced at least two tornadoes and a large number of power outages.

(La Porte, IN) - More new housing in La Porte will start going up soon.

Final approval has been given to plans for a 27 lot subdivision in the 400 block of W. 18^th St. on the city’s south side.

A single family house is already being constructed there, but the rest of the units in the form of duplexes can start going up now with support for the city, said City Planner Craig Phillips.

Phillips said the project consists of one single family home and 13 duplexes. Final approval was given Tuesday by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety.

The developer is Steiner Homes, which has offices in Portage and Valparaiso.

Mayor Tom Dermody and his administration are moving aggressively to bring more new housing construction to the city to primarily update an aging housing stock and to attract new residents from other communities.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man charged with a gun related crime in Michigan City shot himself in the foot, so to speak, by his self-incriminating posts on social media.

Police said the 22 year old man posted on his social media page images of himself holding a gun he was prohibited from having due to a prior felony firearms conviction in the Chicago area.

Currently, Raquan Perry of Country Club Hills, Illinois is facing a possession of a firearm by a prohibited person charge along with allegations of selling fentanyl.

According to court documents, Perry on July 11 fled on foot from a home in the 600 block of Main St. when police showed up with a search warrant.

A faster running officer, though, apprehended him in the 900 block of E. 11^th St.

Perry was allegedly found in possession of 15.3 grams of fentanyl and firearm located close to where he jumped a fence during the foot pursuit.

Police said Perry was linked to the gun discovered after the chase from his social media posts showing him holding a gun strikingly similar in appearance.

He could receive as much as a 30 year sentence on the drug related count along with another one to six years on the firearms charge.

(Michigan City, IN) - It wasn't candy a Michigan City man was making and selling like jelly beans.

It was fentanyl Tyler Wood allegedly pressed into pills and sold in what could be described as family sized bags. 

Tyler Wood, 22, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with dealing in a narcotic drug and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, he’s accused of selling 350 fentanyl pills for $1,200 on May 15 in the 200 block of Hobart St.

After the exchange, police said he went back into his home and came out with another 70 or 80 fentanyl pills for the buyer at no extra charge.

All of the pills weighed just over 42 grams, police said.

During the alleged buy, Wood also had a pistol tucked into his waistband and evidence of fentanyl in powder form on his hands from pressing the drug into pills, according to court documents.

Authorities said it was illegal for Wood to have a gun due to a prior conviction of carrying a concealed weapon in Berrien County, Michigan.

Wood could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on the Level 2 felony drug dealing charge.  The firearms charge has a potential sentencing range of one to six years.
 

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man could spend a long time in prison on allegations of selling enough fentanyl pills to fill a gum ball machine. 

Justin Hervey, 26, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with dealing in a schedule I controlled substance.

According to court documents, police officers on July 11 went to search a home in the 600 block of Main St. when they discovered Hervey and other individuals laying in the front yard.

Just over 285 grams of fentanyl pills were allegedly recovered from his back pack. 

Police said the pills weighing just over a half pound were separated into three different bags ready for distribution.

Hervey was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm for having a 9 millimeter handgun when it was illegal for him to have such a weapon due to a prior felony conviction, police said.

Hervey could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on the drug related count along with one to six years for allegedly having a gun.

He was being held in the La Porte County Jail without bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - Parking at Washington Park is going to cost more during the upcoming Greats Lakes Grand Prix.

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Department has announced a $40 special events parking fee will be charged for every vehicle entering the park without a parking sticker.

All other vehicles will not be allowed into the park due to very limited parking, officials said.

Powerboats traveling at well over 150 miles per hour are expected to hit the water on Saturday, August 3 to prepare for the annual race the following day.

La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Jack Arnett encourages people to park for free at Blue Chip Casino where an air conditioned shuttle will take spectators to the race at no cost.

“Try not to drive into the park.  The park is going to be full,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - It appears at least two people nearly drowned this afternoon in Lake Michigan at Michigan City.

Emergency responders were called about 3 p.m. to Washington Park on reports of a rescue in progress of two people struggling in the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources were among the agencies notified.

It wasn’t long before first responders were informed all three people involved in the drowning scare and rescue were out of the water and seemed not to be in any medical related danger.

We’ll provide more details as they’re made available.

Conditions on Lake Michigan are expected to become more choppy later this afternoon and tomorrow.

Waves building to three to six feet in height are expected under a beach hazards statement issued by the National Weather Service for LaPorte County and Berrien County, Michigan. 

The advisory is in effect from 4 p.m. today until 10 a.m. Thursday.

People during the advisory period are advised to stay out of Lake Michigan because of rip currents that can pull swimmers into deeper waters.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is facing drunk driving charges after his car wound up in a steep La Porte County ditch.

Ryan Byers, 32, was arrested Tuesday after discovered by a patrol officer alerted to the vehicle by a passing motorist about 2 p.m.

Byers told the officer he was heading home on 1000 North near 100 West when he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle traveling over the center line, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said he was unable to give a description of the vehicle, though.

After showing obvious signs of impairment, Byers was transported to Northwest Health where a sample of his blood revealed an alleged blood alcohol level of .25 percent or slightly more than three times the legal limit.

He was taken to the La Porte County Jail and booked on Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.  Byers could face an up to one year jail sentence.

(Kingsford Heights, IN) - A La Porte County couple tried saving their antique vehicles but the electric overhead door on their burning pole barn wouldn’t open because of a power outage from the strong Monday night storms.

“There was just no way of getting them out,” said Nerva Kraus, who lives at 0231 W. 975 South just outside Kingsford Heights.

Kraus, 70, said she and her husband, Daniel, often took the five beloved vehicles parked in the pole barn to car shows and on cruises during the summer.

They owned one of the cars, a blue 1957 Chevy Bel Air, since 1986.  Kraus said they had all of the other vehicles, including a 1966 Dodge Coronet, for close to a decade or more.

“A lot of sentiment right there.  It was quite devastating.  They’re like family,” she said.

Mr. Kraus, 72, told investigators he went inside the pole barn Tuesday afternoon and started his generator to supply power to his home during the lingering outage, according to La Porte County Police.

The generator caught fire, though, before he could wheel it out of the 50 X 80 structure.  Police said flames from the generator caught one of the inside walls of the metal sided pole barn on fire.

Kraus ran out of the structure to grab a fire extinguisher and returned to find the flames spreading too rapidly, police said.

Mrs. Kraus said they went to open the overhead door of the pole barn to start driving the vehicles out of the structure but it wouldn’t open.  It was at that moment their panicking minds realized there was no electricity to power the door.

They failed in their attempts to physically open the door and watched helplessly as the flames quickly engulfed the structure.

There was another 1957 Chevy Bel Air inside along with two 1955 Chevy Bel Airs.

Mrs. Kraus, who seemed numb in disbelief over the loss, said all of the now charred vehicles they took turns driving were in great shape.

“You just don’t expect to lose them all, all at once,” she said.

Police said the value of each car was estimated at anywhere from $20,000 to more than $100,000.

Mrs. Kraus doesn’t believe any of the fire damaged cars are restorable but she’ll leave that up to her insurance company to decide.

“They’re all looking in pretty bad shape.  I think they’re all totaled.  I don’t know,” she said.

No light was shed on what caused the generator to catch fire.
 

(Merrillville, IN) - There are still people throughout the area without power after Monday night’s storm.

According to NIPSCO, close to 2,000 customers were still without power this morning in its La Porte service area.

Nearly 900 NIPSCO customers in the Michigan City area remained without service while there were still outages in communities like Westville, Mill Creek and Walkerton.

NIPSCO Director of Communications Wendy Lussier said it could be awhile before power is restored for all of its customers.

“We don’t have an estimated restoration time that we can provide but we can say for customers it’s going to extend multiple days,” she said.

Lussier said the damage from the storm was significant enough to have service technicians come in from outside the area to bolster efforts to restore power as quickly as possible.

“Overall, we’ve identified 2,900 individual repairs that need to be completed throughout our service territory. That’s what’s extending this into a multi-day outage for some customers,” she said.

The total number of NIPSCO outages this morning had been reduced from just over 100,000 to more than 26,000.

(Kingsbury, IN) - A medical helicopter was called this afternoon because of a serious workplace injury at Kingsbury Industrial Park.

Initial reports indicate a 70 year old man suffered what was described by emergency responders as a “machinery laceration” at Industrial Maintenance Welding and Machining Co. on Second Line Road near Hupp Road.

The man was reported to be an employee of the company.

The medical helicopter was on its way when talks between a medic and dispatcher indicated the bleeding was being controlled by a tourniquet applied to the major cut somewhere on his body.

We’ll provide further details once they’re made available.

(La Porte, IN) - LaPorte officials are looking to discourage the opening of additional smoke and vape shops they feel already exist here in great enough numbers.

The city council Monday night was presented with a measure that requires any new smoke and vape shops received approval from the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals before opening.

The proposal also requires smoke and vape shops from being within 1,000 feet of a school and other places where children traditionally gather.

Currently, Mayor Tom Dermody said those establishments can set up shop anywhere in retail areas of the city without having to seek permission from a local governing body.

He said the use of such products by minors, in particular, is a problem nationwide.

“We know what’s happening with underage vaping and how accessible and available this is and we need to do our part,” he said.

Councilwoman Lauren Huffman, who submitted the proposal, cited figures from the Centers for Disease Control showing 2.1 million middle school children vape nationwide to illustrate her support for the measure.

She believes fewer children will take up smoking and vaping if they’re not influenced as much by their presence in the community.

Huffman said there have also been issues with vape products being sold locally to minors despite state law prohibiting the sale of such products to anyone under 18.

“I’m on board,” she said.

The council is expected to vote on the measure at its next meeting on August 5.

Huffman said another reason she took the lead on the proposal was to keep such establishments from opening downtown.  She said smoke and vape stores are not a good mix for the family type atmosphere preferred to attract more people into downtown.

“I want to make sure that all of the stores, shops, retailers in that area cater to families and anything unhealthy like smoking, vaping is kind of away from where families gather,” she said.

Dermody said he also believes limiting the number of such establishments could help further move the needle toward a healthier community.

For years, LaPorte has consistently ranked toward the bottom statewide for the health of its residents based on factors like smoking and obesity rates.

“Anybody that would like to debate the issue of our lack of health, which is slowly improving, can go to the Health Foundation of LaPorte to look at those numbers,” he said.

HFL contributes funding to projects like construction of trails and other forms of recreation in hopes of meeting its goal of LaPorte being among the healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030.

“We’re not stopping any vape or smoke retailers from coming and opening a business in LaPorte. It’s just giving an extra look to see if it’s an appropriate site for them to open up shop,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Firefighters this afternoon were called to a pole barn containing vehicles near Union Mills being engulfed in flames.

Firefighters about 2:40 p.m. responded to 0231 W. 975 South.  Multiple vehicles were reported to be inside the burning 50 X 80 structure.

Volunteer firefighters from Noble Township, Scipio Township, Kingsbury and other departments were called to the scene.

We’ll provide more details as they become available.

(La Porte, IN) - Another bite could be taken from the estimated $100 million in upgrades needed for LaPorte’s water and sewer systems that date back a century.

A proposal to borrow $30 million for additional improvements to municipal water and sewer infrastructure was presented Monday night to the LaPorte City Council. 

No action was taken but a vote is expected at the next city council meeting on August 5.

Currently, work like separating combined storm water and sewer lines on the letter and number streets to eliminate flooded basements and streets is nearing completion from a $25 million bond issue approved in 2020.

A near 30 percent increase in water and sewer rates is being used to finance those borrowed funds over a 20 year period.

Mayor Tom Dermody said another rate increase would be needed to finance the next series of proposed improvements but the need is too great to further ignore especially for residents that have longstanding problems with poor drainage.

“You see the back-ups.  Their basements ruined. Other issues. To kick this down the road is not fair.  Our residents deserve the best updated infrastructure available,” he said.

Waste Water Department Superintendent Jerry Jackson said how much water and sewer rates would go up has not been determined.

Jackson said a rate increase might not be needed for a couple of years, though, if interest rates drop before the borrowed funds are secured and the city is in a position to pay more toward the principal early in the financing period.

“It depends on what the interest rates are doing,” he said.

Jackson said the brunt of the work planned involves replacing what’s mostly a 24 inch diameter line carrying sewage and storm water on Indiana Ave. from Lincolnway to Kingsbury Ave. with a 78 inch diameter line for storm water and an up to 12 inch diameter line for sewage.

He said the new storm water line would be large enough to help with drainage on some of the adjacent streets feeding into the system after the combined lines in those neighborhoods are separated.

“It’s a dramatic improvement,” he said.

New water mains are also planned on Indiana Ave.

The remainder of the work planned at the waste water treatment plant involves replacing filtration and other equipment in the cleansing process used since 1987.

Jackson said the work on Indiana Ave. will take about two years to complete and comes at a significant savings for the city.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin tearing out the pavement on Indiana Ave. next spring for a state funded reconstruction of the road also known as U.S. 35.

The city would strictly pay for installing the new below ground level infrastructure before the new asphalt traveling surface is laid.

Currently, the minimum water and sewer bill for a residential customer in the city based on usage is about $73 a month.

Dermody said the rates here are still very competitive to what’s charged in other communities and will be at about the state average if raised again to fund the next round of work planned.

“This is a continuation of work that has to be done,” he said.

Jackson said the $100 million in upgrades necessary is probably much more now because of inflation since the cost was estimated several years ago.

(Lake County, IN) - At least one tornado was confirmed to have touched down in northwest Indiana last night.

The tornado touchdown was confirmed through radar in the Crown Point area.

It’s believed the tornado continued on in Porter County as part of a strong storm system that moved through the region.

A number of other tornadoes are suspected to have touched down but that remains under investigation.

Tornado warnings were issued last night throughout the northwest part of the state and southwest Michigan. 

(La Porte County, IN) - NIPSCO was dealing with more than 100,000 power outages from last night’s storm that included at least one confirmed tornado.

According to the NIPSCO website, more than 4,000 customers in its La Porte service area were without service this morning while over 600 customer outages were reported in Michigan City.

NIPSCO also reported more than 500 customer service outages this morning are in the small lakefront community of Beverly Shores and well over 1,000 outages in its Knox service area.

Other cities with power outages this morning included Chesterton with more than 7,000 and Portage, which had over 9,000 customers without service this morning.

The tornado touchdown in the Crown Point area is believed to have continued on into Porter County as part of a strong storm system that moved through the area.

A number of other tornadoes are suspected to have touched down in the region.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Salvation Army in Michigan City has a fund raising auction coming up.

The Light the Path Auction will take place on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Uptown Social at 907 Franklin Street.

The event benefits Pathway of Hope, an intense case management program that helps break the cycle of generational poverty.

“We work closely, one-on-one with families who are ready to make a change within the family unit and are ready to become more self-sufficient,” said Major Becky Simmons, who oversees The Salvation Army of Michigan City, along with her husband, Major Dale Simmons.

The focus of the program includes meeting educational goals or mental health needs along with help finding employment, child care and housing.

“The goal of this program is to help vulnerable families overcome whatever barriers are preventing them from achieving self-sufficiency and put the entire family on a path toward a more successful future,” Simmons said.
 

Individual tickets to the Light the Path Auction are $50 and are available at salarmy.us/lightthepath2024.  Sponsorship packages start at $150.

The event will include live and silent auctions, as well as a fashion show featuring local celebrities.

Auction items include two patron level tickets to the PNW Sinai Forum, South Shore Line posters, gift baskets, gift certificates, and experiences from local businesses and organizations.
 

There will also be catered food and a cash bar.

(Milwaukee, WI) - Former president Donald Trump has chosen his running mate two days after narrowly escaping assassination.

He chose U.S. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio.

Vance, 39, was selected at a time when the age of political candidates has become an issue.

Since elected to the Senate in 2022, Vance has become one of the staunchest champions of the former president’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, particularly on trade, foreign policy and immigration.

La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Alan Stevens said a bullet striking Trump in the ear during a campaign rally Pennsylvania on Saturday came as a shock to him.

“It was just unbelievable you know,” he said.

Stevens said he’s afraid many of Trump’s supporters would have taken to the streets to engage in acts of violence had the shooter killed by the U.S. Secret Service succeeded in his attempt.

“With the political temperature being so hot any more, it probably would have been pretty ugly in my opinion,” he said.

(Kingsford Heights, IN) - A Kingsford Heights woman is accused of causing damage while chasing a man in her vehicle over the weekend.

La Porte County Police were called to Kingsford Heights Saturday night about a vehicle with one headlight and a loud exhaust chasing a man on foot through several front and back yards.

The investigation shows Traci Smith allegedly struck her neighbor’s vehicle and ran over some bicycles laying in a yard.  Police said the 39 year old Smith after parking her car told investigators she believed the man was an ex-boyfriend.

Smith said she was inside her home when she heard commotion outside and saw a man running then got into her vehicle and chased him to see if he was actually a man she used to date.

She was arrested for criminal recklessness and two other misdemeanor counts.

Police said a significant amount of tire tracks were left in several yards, including those in the 500 block of Curtis Road. 

(La Porte County, IN) - Animal fat spilled from a semi-truck just outside La Porte over the weekend.

It happened Saturday about 8:30 a.m. at Severs Road and County Road 100 West.

La Porte County Police say the driver explained he picked up a load of animal fat from HRR Enterprises, a beef processing facility on Genesis Drive at the nearby Thomas Rose Industrial Park.

He was transporting the fat to Illinois when a large plastic bag containing the fat popped, allowing the fat to spill from the trailer.

Police said a patrol vehicle blocked the intersection to keep motorists from traveling over the slick substance, which covered about a 50 foot section of the pavement.

The intersection reopened once the mess was cleaned up more than an hour later.

(La Porte County, IN) - An out of state murder suspect was arrested in La Porte County over the weekend.

According to state police, information was received that a suspect in the murder of a child in Ohio may be traveling on the Indiana Toll Road.

A trooper located the suspected vehicle and began following it close to the La Porte exit until stopping the vehicle near Westville.

Fernando Alejo, 22, was taken into custody and is being held in the La Porte County Jail for authorities in Ohio. 

The Ohio man is suspected in the fatal shooting of a 17 year old boy east of Cleveland.

(La Porte, IN) - Police nabbed a thief at the La Porte County Fair Monday night.

Around 9:00 pm, county sheriff’s deputies were notified of a possible theft at Community Building 1.  Officers tailed the suspect, a woman in a motorized wheelchair.

According to reports, they observed her at a booth on the main concourse hide a stuffed toy dog under her dress. Upon confronting the woman, officers discovered that she had stolen from other booths items such as a key chain, and two sterling silver rings. The total value of all the goods was approximately $136.

The tearful 39-year-old La Porte woman retuned the items and apologized to each of the vendors, who did not press charges. The woman was kicked out of the fairgrounds

(Washington, D.C.) - New Prairie’s State Champion boys’ baseball team received a congressional shout-out.

Last month, New Prairie defeated Brebeuf Jesuit 7-2 down in Indianapolis to capture the school’s first baseball state championship.

On Thursday, from the House floor in Washington, D.C., 2^nd District Congressman Rudy Yakym acknowledged their achievements.

Last year, Yakym did the same by honoring the New Prairie girls for winning their first state championship. “And apparently the boys didn’t want to be shown up by the girls,” Yakym quipped Thursday.

Yakym singled out stellar performances by starting pitcher Tyson Greenwood and “sophomore sensation” Reed Robinson, whose 43 RBIs were second most in all of Indiana.

Yakym congratulated Coach Mark Schellinger and all the Cougars for bringing another state title back to Indiana’s 2^nd District.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Hudson Lake man has been arrested for allegedly burglarizing a neighbor’s home.

On Tuesday morning, a resident on North Orchard Lane returned home and found a man scurrying away from it. 56-year-old John Rojas told the homeowner that he was using an outside outlet to charge his cell phone. The homeowner then discovered broken entry doors and household items missing from the home and called authorities.

Police detained Rojas and determined that he had been living in a tent on nearby property belonging to his family for many years. Last year the residence on the property had burned down.

Inside the invaded home, police found opened cabinets and a bathroom that had been used, with an unflushed toilet and urine on the floor.

Rojas was charged with Burglary. Court records indicate he has previous charges of residential entry, trespass, and battery.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte public library is brainstorming ideas for a new mural in downtown.

A couple of years ago, the library expanded into the old telephone exchange building on Indiana Avenue. The south side of the building has been painted a light gray and is now a brick canvass for artistic embellishment.

The Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City helped secure a grant to pay for a mural, and an artist has been selected. Now they just need a design.

The library has already hosted one meeting, directed by the Lubeznik Center, for public input. Another is planned for this upcoming Tuesday, July 16 at the Exchange, beginning at 5 pm.

No theme for the mural has been set. The side of the building is literally a blank slate. “That is what the community input meetings are for,” said Library director Fonda Owens. “We’d love to hear from more folks about what their ideas are.”

A few years ago the city commissioned a large mural on Lincolnway that commemorates the history of La Porte.  Owens says this mural might focus more on innovation.

“We certainly want it to reflect in some way the history, but also represent the transformation of the building,” she said. “It was innovative in its time. We feel like it’s an innovative, transformative space in its current use. So I think that would really be one of the key concepts.”

The former Telephone Building represents a time when La Porte was on the cutting edge of technology. In 1892 the city was the first in the country to install a new telephone switchboard device, years before automated switching became commonplace.

Today the Exchange features meeting rooms, audio and video recording studios, 3D printers, sewing machines, design software, soldering equipment, a CNC milling machine, wood lathes, and more.

All it’s missing is a mural.

After public input for the design is gathered, there will be a final meeting to approve it. Owens says the plan is to have the mural done by this fall.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra will give a special performance this evening outside the main library branch in downtown La Porte.

It will take place in the library’s Reading Wi-Fi Garden on the south side of the library.

The orchestra will perform a mix of music ranging from classical to Lady Gaga. The program will conclude with a medley of patriotic tunes.

The concert will be from 6:00-7:00pm.  Bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket!

(La Porte, IN) - A $16,000 cash only bond has been set for a LaPorte woman accused in the drug overdose of her 18 month old child.  Lily Mae Allen, 22, is charged in LaPorte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony neglect of a dependent.

During her initial hearing Friday, Judge Tom Alevizos set the bail amount and appointed a public defender to represent her against the allegations after ruling she is not able to afford private legal counsel.

According to court documents, emergency responders Tuesday found the toddler shaking, vomiting and experiencing irregular breathing in a home in the 300 block of Oberreich Street on the city’s east side.  The child was taken to Northwest Health in LaPorte and tested positive for methamphetamine, police said.

Police said the toddler was later released from the hospital and placed into the care of an Indiana Department of Child Services case worker.  Exactly how the methamphetamine wound up in the blood stream of the child was not revealed.

Police said Allen gave conflicting stories but one she told the most involved her leaving the child alone inside the home of a cousin on Roosevelt Street to step outside and smoke marijuana.

Later, Allen went to the home of a friend expressing concern about the well-being of the child who she described as “acting strange,” according to court documents.  The investigation shows Allen left to get food thinking the child would be okay after having something to eat, police said.  However, she returned believing her child was overdosing on methamphetamine, court documents revealed.

Police said Allen called several people in an attempt to find someone to bring her a drug test for the child.  She then called 911.

The LaPorte woman could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - The LakeFest planning committee revealed on Friday a full lineup of fun to kick-off the LakeFest weekend.

On Friday, July 26th, from 4-11 p.m., LakeFest will host its first-ever Friday Night Live at Fox Park along Clear Lake.  This free, pet- and kid-friendly event will include music, food, art, fitness and entertainment for people of all ages.

La Porte Parks Superintendent Mark Schreiber said the Friday Night Live will not only bring the community together, but it will also showcase the recent renovations to Fox Park to residents and visitors alike.

"For the last three years, we've prided ourselves on providing several unique entertainment options all throughout town on the Friday night of LakeFest.  This year, we are trying something new by consolidating all the fun into one huge event for the entire community to enjoy together," he said.

The Chicago-based H.Y.P.E. Productions will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening with a combination of a DJ and live musicians.

The Futboleros, known as the "Harlem Globetrotters of Soccer," will be stationed at Ron Reed Field from 5-7 p.m. as their professional athletes showcase their freestyle soccer tricks.

The La Porte County Public Library will station a Story Walk along the newly paved Clear Lake Trail. Additionally, Purdue Northwest will be onsite with a baja racing car, Esports gaming and other fun amenities.

A wide array of local food trucks will be available throughout the park, and a beer garden will be onsite for patrons aged 21 and older. Attendees can also participate in a photo “bingo” contest for the chance to win prizes.

The evening will also feature golf driving contest (into Clear Lake with floating balls), kids art activities, group exercise classes, a wiffleball home run derby, inflatables and more.   

For the full schedule and to learn more about other Lakefest events, visit laportelakefest.com.

(Marshall County, IN) - A La Porte man was killed in a motorcycle crash Thursday.  It happened around 10 a.m. near Plymouth.

Marshall County Police said the victim was 64 year old Steven Parker, who later died, after his motorcycle collided with an SUV.  So far, no light has been shed on how the accident transpired.

According to authorities, Parker was not wearing a helmet and sustained a head injury.  Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash, police said.

The other driver, a 27 year old woman from Bremen, was not injured.

Police said prosecutors will be given the information about the crash once the investigation is completed to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

(La Porte County, IN) - A tax break has been given to a home in La Porte despite evidence of it being used as a short term rental.

A homestead exemption was granted to owner Lisa Moore by the La Porte County Board of Property Tax Appeals on Thursday.  The decision on appeal was opposed by La Porte County Auditor Tim Stabosz, who rejected Moore’s request for a homestead exemption in 2023.

Stabosz argues the home on Willow Bend Drive is not her primary residence, based on evidence such as documented vacation rental use by tenants.  He also said the home is available for short term rental use on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO.

“We have evidence that this is primarily rented,” he said.

Moore said she doesn’t live there all of the time since she has other residences in Long Beach and Colorado, but her home on Willow Bend is listed as her primary residence on tax returns and other things like her driver’s license.  She said the home she purchased from her parents is also where she grew up.

Moore said she was under the impression she was following Indiana law governing homestead exemptions.

“I don’t see anything where I can’t rent it when I am not there and I don’t see anything where I have to sleep there so many days of the year,” she said.

Stabosz said he believes her primary residence, which also serves as an office for her real estate agency business, is in Long Beach.

The board citing her address being on tax returns and her driver’s license voted unanimously to grant her the tax exemption over the auditor’s objections.

Homestead exemptions are for primary residences only and offer tax deductions not available for secondary homes.

Stabosz wanted to call neighbors to testify about Moore's lack of major presence at the home and the loud noise from parties hosted by her guests.  The board voted not to allow for witness testimony, questioning whether it would be totally accurate. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A woman is facing allegations of driving impaired after winding up in a La Porte County ditch early Friday morning.

Before 2 a.m., La Porte County Police were called to a single vehicle accident at 875 West and 2100 South.  Police said 52 year old Terri Jo Snyder veered into a ditch and called her son to help get her vehicle out.  Snyder claimed she tried to avoid striking a deer.

The Winamac woman was taken into custody with an alleged blood alcohol level of .194 percent or close to two and a half times the legal limit.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver traveling the wrong way on a major highway in La Porte County Thursday night was allegedly intoxicated.

About 9:30 p.m., La Porte County Police officers spotted a vehicle traveling the wrong way at U.S. 20 and State Road 2.  During a traffic stop, police said the driver told the officer he was trying to get back to Elkhart where he lives but got lost and he didn’t know he was traveling in the opposite lane.

Tellys Whitener, 49, had an alleged blood alcohol level of .246 percent or just over three times the legal limit.  

He was still being held this morning in the La Porte County Jail on an OWI charge. 

(La Porte County, IN) - She didn’t join 4-H right away but Eva Wilhelm is making the most out of the limited time she has in the program.

The 16 year old Wilhelm is showing two Dominique breed chickens in this year’s La Porte County Fair.  She’s already received high marks for how she takes care of the black and white speckled birds in the poultry barn.

"I love them both to death," she said. 

Wilhelm said she wanted to join 4-H after helping her sister with her chickens at the fair last year.

“I’m absolutely having fun here in 4-H.  It’s amazing.  I’m having the greatest experience,” said Wilhelm, who’s also showing rabbits.

4-H youth are eligible to take part in the program for up to 10 years once they enter third grade but they’re no longer eligible following their senior year in high school.

Wilhelm said there are 16 chickens used for eggs at her home in Union Mills along with two rabbits.

(La Porte County, IN) - On Thursday afternoon at the La Porte County Fair, two children and an adult were injured in collisions stemming from a spooked draft horse taking off.  The names of the injured people were not disclosed.

Fair Board President Steve Mrozinski said the adult was taken by medical helicopter after complaining of trouble breathing while the children were transported by ambulance to a hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.

“It was a freak accident,” he said.

The accident happened about 1:30 p.m., a short distance from the draft horse arena on the northwest side of the fairgrounds, along Indiana 2 just west of LaPorte.

Some of the children in 4-H, accompanied by adults, were in the arena showing their draft horses, which were pulling riding carts before judges who were scoring the event.

Mrozinski said a draft horse outside the arena somehow got spooked, starting running, and struck a cart pulled by another draft horse a short distance from the arena.  A second riding cart nearby was also struck.

Mrozinski said the three injured people were knocked out of their carts from the impact.  He said the most seriously injured person was run over by one of the carts.

Mrozinski said further details will be provided once the investigation of the accident is completed.

About 30 minutes after the accident, a meeting was called in the 4-H Draft Horse Club barn to discuss what happened with about 100 4-H youth and others involved in the activities.  Mrozinski said the main purpose was to ease concerns over what transpired and to resume the showing.

Jon Schultz said he was in the arena with a 4-H youth showing one of his draft horses.  Schultz, who lives just outside New Carlisle, said he didn’t see what happened at the beginning but heard the commotion toward the end.

“A lot of people were yelling whoa, which is what you’re going to say when you’re trying to stop a horse,” he said.

Aaron Coorman of South Bend was also in the arena with his draft horse being shown by a 4-H youth from La Porte County at the time of the accident.  Coorman said he heard people yelling and warning others to get out of the way of the draft horse running loose.  He said there’s always a risk when dealing with large animals like a draft horse, which can weigh as much as a ton or more.

“We’re all trying to be safe out here and we’re out here for the kids, so it’s not a good thing but accidents happen,” he said.  

(Michigan City, IN) - A shoplifting became a robbery when one of the alleged suspects displayed a gun at a store in Michigan City.  Charges are filed against Corterius Crawford, 22, and Jade Mikowski, 21.

According to court documents, they were at Family Dollar on July 3rd in the 2300 block of East Michigan Boulevard.  The investigation shows Mikowski allegedly went out the doors without paying for undisclosed merchandise.  Police said store employees were going after her but driven back when Crawford stepped in and displayed a loaded handgun.

A short time later, officers went inside a home on Del Plain Avenue and recovered the stolen merchandise and gun.

Crawford and Mikowski could face anywhere from 3 to 16 years on the Level 3 felony robbery count.  Crawford is also charged with serious violent felon in possession of firearm, a Level 4 felony that has a sentencing range of 2 to 12 years.

(La Porte, IN) - Charges have been filed against a La Porte woman whose toddler suffered a drug overdose.  Lily Mae Allen, 22, is facing allegations of child neglect in La Porte Circuit Court.

Two days ago, police responded to a home in the 300 block of Oberriech Street on the city’s east side and found the 18 month old child shaking, vomiting and having irregular breathing.  The child was taken to Northwest Health where methamphetamine was discovered in the todder's bloodstream.  The child was later placed into the care of child protective services, police said.

So far, exactly how the child came into contact with the methamphetamine has not been revealed.  Police said it could have happened when the toddler was left alone while Allen went outside to smoke marijuana.

Allen could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on the Level 5 felony count.

(Michigan City, IN) - A famous comedian, who grew up in Chesterton, is among the speakers in this year’s Sinai Forum season hosted by Purdue University Northwest.  Jim Gaffigan, a seven time Grammy nominated comedian, is scheduled to give a presentation at the Stardust Event Center at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City on November 24th.

Gaffigan grew up in a large family, which often serves as inspiration for his jokes.  His approachable everyman persona, combined with his witty insights on daily life, has endeared him to audiences worldwide.

Liz Cheney, who served as the U.S. representative for Wyoming’s at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023, opens the Sinai Forum season on September 15th.  Cheney served as Vice Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.  She also is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s prestigious Profile in Courage Award, with commendation for her “consistent and courageous voice in defense of democracy.”

Other speakers this year will include Briana Scurry, Hall of Fame U.S. Soccer Goalkeeper and two-time Olympic gold medalist; Jonathan Turley, the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University; and Joel Sartore, National Geographic Explorer, photographer and conservationist.

Program tickets, as well as dates, times and location information, are available at pnw.edu/sinai-forum.

The Sinai Forum has welcomed over 350 speakers since founded in 1953.

(Elkhart, IN) - It costs more to use the Indiana Toll Road.  A trip across the full length of the highway in a passenger vehicle is now $15.54, an increase of more than .80 cents.  A full-length trip for a Class 5 truck is now $83.86, an increase of $4.56 from last year.

The funds will be used to help maintain the privately operated toll road.
 

It was nearly 20 years ago when the state placed the toll road under a 75 year lease.  In return, the state received close to $4 billion from the private operators, ITR Concession Co. based in Elkhart.

The new rates went into effect July 1st. 

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department will be helping to remove abandoned vehicles throughout the community.  Police said the focus will be on giving registered owners a written notice to correct violations that include vehicles left on public property for at least 24 hours and private property without permission from the owner for more than 48 hours.

According to police, an abandoned vehicle is defined under city ordinance as:

(1) A vehicle located on public property illegally.

(2) A vehicle left on public property without being moved for 24 hours.

(3) A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public right-of-way.

(4) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than 48 hours.

(5) A vehicle from which the engine, transmission, or differential has been removed or that is otherwise partially dismantled or inoperable and left on public property.

(6) A vehicle that has been removed by a towing service or public agency upon request of an officer enforcing a statute or an ordinance other than this chapter if the impounded vehicle is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or the owner's agent within 20 days after the vehicle's removal.

(7) A vehicle that is at least three model years old, is mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than 20 days. For purposes of this subdivision, a vehicle covered by a tarpaulin or other plastic, vinyl, rubber, cloth, or textile covering is considered to be visible.

City officials will be looking for vehicles that have flat tires, expired license plates, missing wheels, missing engine components and vehicles not moved for whatever reason in several months or years.

Police said law enforcement will be assisting other city departments in the crackdown.

(La Porte County, IN) - More suspected drug mules have been arrested on the Indiana Toll Road in La Porte County.  According to La Porte County Police, a vehicle heading from southern California was stopped early Friday at the Toll Plaza near Rolling Prairie.

With help from a K-9 dog, police said about two pounds of fentanyl was recovered from a hidden compartment in the vehicle.  The fentanyl was pressed into the shape of a brick.

Andres Rojas and Luis Cisneros Ramirez both from Toledo, Ohio were taken into custody along with Sandra Perez Arriaga, who’s from Mexico.  Each suspect could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence.

The bust is part of an ongoing several year crackdown on drugs, often found in large quantities, passing through La Porte County on major highways to various destinations.

(Michigan City, IN) - Employees at Indiana State Prison using food to smuggle drugs and tobacco into the prision for the offenders seems to be a growing trend.

Most recently, an ISP nurse is accused of attepting to smuggle cocaine and marijuana inside a frozen bowl of lasagna.  Regina Davis, 46, of Wanatah is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with two counts of trafficking with an inmate, both Level 5 felonies.

According to court documents, Davis reported for work on July 3rd.  As standard procedure, she was was having her property scanned before entry is allowed into the prison.  Two security officers monitoring an x-ray machine felt there was something odd about the image of her bowl of lasagna.  After chipping into the frozen pasta layers, two packages containing 84 grams of cocaine and 49 grams of marijuana were discovered in the food.

Initially, Davis said she did not known the lasagna contained any contraband, according to court documents.  Her story changed, though, when shown pictures of the drug filled packages recovered from her cell phone, authorities said.

Davis said she was given instructions by unknown individuals on where to pick up the contraband and how it should be given to a person showing up to her work station using code language, according to court documents.  Davis reportedly told investigators the safety of her and a family member was threatened if she did not comply.

In late May, two correctional officers at Indiana State Prison were arrested when caught trying to enter the facility with contraband.

Janise Clark, 38, of South Bend allegedly had two vacuum sealed bags of marijuana between two slices of bread wrapped in plastic like a sandwich.

When questioned, Clark told investigators she had already made close to $20,000 bringing marijuana and tobacco to inmates over an undisclosed period of time, according to court documents.                    

Lowreatha Roberts, 56, of Michigan City is accused of reporting for work with frozen balls of tobacco she claimed were “brownies baked in peanut butter,” authorities said.

Court documents revealed all of the individually wrapped tobacco balls inside two Ziploc type baggies weighed just over 19 ounces.

It’s alleged the tobacco was intended for offenders, but Roberts denied receiving any money to deliver the contraband and claimed it was her first smuggling attempt at the Michigan City prison.

(Hammond, IN) - The search is still ongoing for two men last seen on Lake Michigan last week.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, a dozen people were on a boat near Hammond on Friday when one man jumped into the lake to swim.  He began struggling in the water, though, which led to another man jumping in from the boat to try and help, but he also began to struggle. 

Both men were not wearing life jackets, DNR officials said.

A third man on the boat put on a life jacket and jumped in but the three men drifted from each other due to the wind and waves. 

The two men without floatation devices, eventually, disappeared beneath the water's surface, authorities said.  The man wearing the life jacket was found by the U.S. Coast Guard and taken to a hospital where he was later released.  

So far, the names of the missing individuals were still being withheld.

(La Porte County, IN) - A lot of antique farm tractors are on display at the La Porte County Fair, which runs through Saturday.

One of them is a 1958 Ford Power Master owned by Justin Fogus.  His mother in-law, Lisa Mills, and her husband placed their three year old granddaughter, Adelyn, behind the wheel of her daddy’s tractor while it was parked yesterday near Pioneer Land.  They seemed to relish in taking pictures of the girl seated on the refurbished tractor.

“It’s pretty cool.  She’s our first granddaughter,” she said.

Mills said her 27 year old son in-law restored the tractor while in the 4-H youth program.

“He stripped it down and painted it and everything,” she said.

Mills said her daughter, Haley, was also in 4-H and he would help transport some of the materials to the fairgrounds along with other items she needed to illustrate the projects she worked on in the 4-H program.

“It’s kind of cool to bring kids up at the fair,” she said.

The antique tractor parade at the fair is scheduled Thursday at 6 p.m.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A stretch of a major highway in the area will be temporarily closed for maintenance.  The Indiana Department of Transportation reports maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 15. 

U.S. 421 will be closed between Indiana 8 and Indiana 10 for approximately three days.  The detour will follow Indiana 14, U.S. 35 and Indiana 8.

According to INDOT, through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route.  Local access will be maintained so motorists should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. 

The schedule could change, though, because of the project being weather dependent, INDOT said.

(La Porte County, IN) - It appears a Westville man killed in a crash this week did not make an effort to show down before impact.  That’s according to La Porte County Police still investigating the early Monday accident on Indiana 2 at 500 West.

Police said George Dobos, 62, was westbound when he veered off the right side of the highway and struck a tree.  There were no skid marks present to indicate any attempt to slow down.  Police also revealed components from the engine wound up embedded in the tree.

Dobos was pronounced dead at the scene from crushing type injuries over his entire body.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said it might take about two weeks to obtain the results of a standard blood test conducted after any fatality to determine if alcohol or drugs were in his system.

(La Porte County, IN) - This year’s La Porte County Fair queen was hatched from a farm raising mostly chickens for meat and eggs.

Samantha Wilson fell just short of her childhood dream as first runner-up in last year’s fair pageant.  Wilson said being crowned queen this year has kept her very busy from her commitment to attend many of the fair related events but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s a lot of fun.  I’m super grateful for the opportunity,” she said.

The La Porte County Fair opened on July 6th and runs through Saturday, July 13th.

Wilson said she always dreamed about being fair queen but never thought she would be able to enter the pageant because of her busy schedule, which included raising rabbits and other projects like sewing during her 10 years in 4-H as a youth.

After her eligibility in the 4-H program expired, she found just enough free time to enter the pageant.  She didn’t expect to receive such a favorable response from the judges.

“I was like, you know what, I’m not in 4-H anymore so I might as well give it a shot and I did and I surprised myself,” she said.

The 2022 graduate of New Prairie High School grew up just inside the La Porte County line, west of New Carlisle on 34 acres used mostly now for raising chickens for meat and eggs.

“We provide for ourselves there. It’s really nice.  Peaceful,” she said.

Her parents also raised corn and soybeans for a while along with a few horses but stopped because of the demands from their full time work schedules.  Wilson said there are still a few goats kept on the property.

In the fall, she will be sophomore at Indiana Wesleyan University where she is majoring in psychology.  Eventually, Wilson said she hopes to get a master’s degree in counseling psychology and become a mental health therapist.

This year’s first runner up is Kayle Dove.

The 19 year old La Porte native is going to be a sophomore at Purdue University where she’s studying business management.  She hopes to make a living in sales after receiving her degree.

Dove said she was never in 4-H but often helped friends in 4-H with their livestock.  Her interest in photography lead her to take pictures of her friend while they were showing their animals during the fair.

She said meeting new people is among the things she likes most about her role in the queen’s court.

“I’ve definitely made some lifelong friendships from this pageant,” she said.

The fair princess is Lyla Bannwart, who lives on about 3,000 acres outside Fish Lake.  Bannwart, 17, was also named Miss Congeniality in this year’s fair pageant.  Her family raises corn and soybeans along with beef.

She had difficulty containing her excitement while describing what it feels like to serve in her official capacity with the fair.

“I made so many connections and I just love talking to people and part of the job is talking to people. It’s so much fun,” she said.

Bannwart will be a senior in the fall at La Porte High School.

(Berrien County, MI) - A La Porte man has been identified as the driver killed in a Fourth of July motor vehicle crash in southwest Michigan.  According to Berrien County Police, the victim was Austin Jones.

Police said Jones, 29, failed to negotiate a curve and struck a guardrail then went into a ditch and hit several trees.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash happened just after midnight (EST) on Deans Hill Road near Berrien Springs.  Investigators were still waiting for the results of a toxicology test to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident, police said.

According to his obituary, Jones was a sales associate at an area truck stop.  He leaves behind a wife and three sons.

A celebration of life memorial service is scheduled Thursday at 6 p.m. at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in La Porte.

(Michigan City, IN) - Free airplane rides will be offered during an upcoming pancake breakfast in Michigan City.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #75 will host its annual pancake breakfast July 28th from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Michigan City Municipal Airport at 1300 Indiana 212. 

According to the mayor’s office, free airplane rides and parking will be available for all guests.   There will also be skydiving offered for an additional cost.

The Michigan City Police Department will do a K-9 demonstration and have vehicles on display while the Michigan City Fire Department will have a fire engine there and discuss safely escaping a home during a fire.,

Pancake breakfast tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police responded to a home where a mailbox was destroyed by fireworks shortly after the Fourth of July.

It was about 12:30 a.m. on July 5 when a call was placed to 911 from the 4100 block of West Spring Haven Drive.  Police said one of the residents had just went to bed when he heard two large “booms.”  He looked outside and saw what appeared to be a firework detonating near his mailbox.

His wife and son ran out and tried stopping a Dodge Dart speeding past their residence with two or three occupants possibly in the vehicle, police said. 

Investigators were also told by family members their mailbox was damaged the previous day apparently from fireworks.  No suspects were immediately developed in the case.

(La Porte County, IN) - A boy whose chicken easily outdistanced most of her flying competitors during the LaPorte County Fair on Monday apparently has an eye for talent.  Matthew Knowlton, 11, of Rolling Prairie won the Chicken Flying Competition, one of the most popular of the 4-H youth contests held annually during the fair.

His bird, “Nugget,” advanced to the finals with a flight of more than 72 feet, which was close to 10 feet longer than any other chicken in the four weight divisions.  Her winning flight was just shy of 35 feet but still over five feet longer than the second place finisher.

Knowlton, who’s in his first year in the 4-H program, said he was excited and surprised at how well Nugget performed.  He said the only time he saw her fly was after she recently escaped from her pen at home and went airborne for a short distance while he and members of his family tried catching her.

“I didn’t expect her to fly that far.  I’m glad,” he said.

His mother, Nicki, said Nugget was purchased in April at a local farm supply store just for trying to win the contest.  She and her son noticed Nugget seemed to have more spunk than the other chicks and felt such energy would translate into being a strong flyer.

“Mostly she was small and feisty.  Our goal is accomplished,” she said.

Knowlton said he plans to return to the competition with Nugget next year to give her a chance at defending her title.

Sarah Peterson, 14, of La Porte came in confident about her bird’s ability to fly judging by how often she and her other chickens “go into the trees at home.”

The distance flown by her chicken, “Regina George,” was just over five feet short of winning the title, but nearly ten feet better than the third place finisher.

Each of the chickens in the contest started flapping their wings as they attempt to stay airborne once shoved from a platform that is about 10 feet tall.

Carolyn Krause, who helps put on the event as a volunteer member of the Poultry Committee, said there were about 50 entries in this year’s contest, which is roughly a dozen more than last year.  She said chickens are much better at running, which spectators seem to enjoy the most especially when they're dodging volunteers chasing them with nets to keep them from escaping the show arena after landing.

“They’re not usually a flying bird at all but they fly some distances.  We’ve had them over 50 feet at times,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Outdoor burning is the apparent cause of a recent house fire in La Porte County. 

On July 3rd, firefighters were called to the 2400 block of S. 350 East in Pleasant Township.  According to La Porte County Police, the homeowner, Joe Eichberger, told investigators he was burning the weeds in the cracks of his driveway when a burning ember landed near a bush in front of his residence. 

Eichberger said he stomped on the ember to put it out and resumed burning the weeds in the cracks of his driveway, according to police.  He didn’t realize the ember was still burning, though, until he noticed the bush fully engulfed in flames, which began catching the outside of the residence on fire, police said.

Police said Eichberger put out the fire on the burning bush with a garden hose but it took the efforts of firefighters to save the home.

It appears fire damage was confined to the exterior on one side of the home and the attic, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man was killed in a motor vehicle accident this morning outside La Porte.  The accident happened about 5:30 a.m. on Indiana 2 at 500 West.

The victim was identified as George Dobos, 62, of Westville.

Authorities said his westbound vehicle went off the road to the right and struck a tree.  That stretch of highway was closed from 400 West to 700 West to allow for the accident to be investigated and cleaned up.

Investigators were waiting for the results of a blood test to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. 

(La Porte County, IN) - With thousands of jobs potentially coming to the area east of La Porte County near New Carlisle, the big questions are: where are these workers coming from and where are they going to live?

A possible housing shortage has economic development officials in St. Joseph County worried. It looks as if La Porte County is now in the game.

Mike Seitz addressed the issue at last week’s county commissioners meeting. Seitz is with La Porte County’s Office of Economic Development. He said his office and other county officials have formed a “joint task force” with their counterparts in St. Joseph County and New Carlisle.

According to Seitz, they have sent out 23 letters to major property owners in the area to see if they have interest in possible housing development.

“The thing that impresses me a lot is the eagerness we have from the folks at St. Joseph County and New Carlisle,” Seitz told the commission. “They really want to work with us.”

He says the group has been meeting in New Carlisle to strategize about housing. They are studying the current housing inventory and possibilities for new developments. Seitz said that County Planner Mitch Bishop has been giving input on where in the county water and sewer lines could be extended.

The group will meet again later this month.

(La Porte, IN) - Residents around Pine Lake are planning to send this year’s 4^th of July holiday out with a bang.

There’s one more fireworks show going on tonight. It’s being put on by the La Porte Lake Association.

Lake resident Steve Zawada, who came up with the idea, says he just spread the word and passed the hat, and the plan came together. "It was kind of a grassroots effort," he said. "We all got together, a small group of us, and we came up with 'Light Up the Lake.' We started advertising, and it all came together like a puzzle."

Zawada says they chose July 6 so that it wouldn’t interfere with other fireworks shows in the area. And the event is not on the taxpayer's dime. The group rasied their own money trhrough donations and sponsorships. They were able to hit their fundraising goal, and then some. Extra money will be used towards hopefully having fireworks over the lake next year.

Tonight, the fireworks orchestrated by Mad Bomber Productions will be shot off from the back yard of a resident on the north end of Pine Lake sometime after dark.

(La Porte County, IN) - More information has been released regarding an alarming drunk driving arrest in La Porte County a little over a month ago.

On May 30th, a Dodge minivan in Coolspring Township was pulled over following a reckless driving complaint.  The driver, who was allegedly found to be intoxicated, had six children in the car. On the driver’s lap was a four-month-old infant and an open bottle of tequila. According to police reports, one of the children handed officers another open tequila bottle.

33-year-old Kiara Brooks of Michigan City was charged with multiple counts of OWI and Neglect of a Dependent.

The father of the children and a family friend came to take the children home while Brooks was taken to jail. She is awaiting a final hearing in La Porte Circuit Court.

(La Porte, IN) - One of the featured attractions of this year’s parade was the iconic 1939 maroon school bus used in the movie Hoosiers.

It was brought to town by Darryll Baker of Greenfield, who says the bus had an interesting life even before the movie. “We’ve had this thing in our family for 75 years,” Baker told HTNN before the parade. “It was a school bus for ten years, before my grandfather bought it,” he said. Baker’s grandfather Jack found it in a junkyard near Crawfordsville. “Then for 36 years it was an RV for us, when I was a kid.” Baker said his grandfather outfitted the bus with a couch, bed, stove, and icebox, and the family toured the country. “My dad and grandfather went everywhere in this thing— 39 states, my grandfather said.”

The Bakers often loaded up in the bus to visit family and National Parks. “They’d shoot some varmints somewhere, legally I’m sure,” said Baker with a wink, “put them in the icebox, then drive home.”

On one of his many trips out west, Baker’s grandfather even took the 1.5-ton bus to the top of Pike’s Peak back in the ‘50s. His first attempt was unsuccessful, Baker said; the truck’s original 216 “stovebolt” engine wasn’t up to the task. So he came back home, put in a 235, and tried again.

In 1985, the Bakers were approached about using the bus in a movie about an Indiana high school basketball team. Baker joked that his grandfather didn’t exactly drive a hard bargain, accepting only $500 for use of the bus. It was featured in several scenes, as the Hickory Huskers traversed the Hoosier state en route to their improbable state championship victory.

A year later, Baker’s grandfather sold the bus. It was shown at the State Fair and in some parades, but eventually became unused and began to deteriorate. When Baker got out of the military, he tracked it down, bought it back, and restored it.

Now he travels all over with it. He’s recently been to Washington, D.C., the NBA All Star Game, the NCAA NIC Championships, and Milan, Indiana. The “Milan Miracle,” which inspired the movie, happened 70 years ago, this year. Baker has partnered with the Hoosier Gym in Knightstown, home of the Huskers in the movie, where he displays the bus for special events. He said his friend Bob Brown owns the 1951 Chevy that Gene Hackman drove in the movie, and they often display both vehicles together.

Baker was happy to share the bus with basketball fans here in La Porte. “It’s been a labor of love,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be up here. The Kiwanis Club asked me to bring it up, so here we are.” Baker had the bus parked at La Porte’s Civic Auditorium on Wednesday evening and said he will return to the Civic in January for the La Porte Invitational high school basketball tournament.

(La Porte, IN) - After being named Indiana’s “Capital of the Day” for many years, La Porte finally received a visit from the governor. Eric Holcomb was Thursday’s 4^th of July Parade’s Grand Celebration Marshal.

HTNN caught up with Holcomb as he arrived to town. He said La Porte’s historic parade was on his to-do list before he leaves office. “One of the older parades in the state of Indiana,” Holcomb said. “Everyone loves a parade, but I wanted to make sure before I move on to my next chapter, that I got this box checked.”

Of course, La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody has been promising to get Holcomb here for several years. The governor said he was happy to oblige—eventually. “Well, he asked, and he’s a pretty persuasive guy,” the governor chuckled. “And I gave him my word that I would do it.” Holcomb said he was running out of time, with less than 200 days left in office. “If ever, it was this year. No more procrastination on my part.”

A hallmark of Holcomb’s eight years as governor has been his “Next Level” agenda for advancing the Hoosier State. He told HTNN that La Porte is reaching those benchmarks recently.  “It’s three levels up, and with a lot of momentum, a lot of velocity,” Holcomb said. “The pieces of the puzzle are all fitting together, and that’s really about community involvement and community leadership.”

Holcomb has been up this way a few times in the past year. “I love to get updated on what’s going on in La Porte and in the county. It feels like things are on the move.”

As he climbed into the back of a convertible with his wife, Indiana First Lady Janet, Holcomb reflected on his reason for being here: “When you see all these families out here, this is what it’s all about— Independence Day.”

Holcomb said he and his wife were recently in Normandy for the 80^th anniversary of D-Day. “You think, this parade’s been going on just about as long,” he said. “It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t free. People signed up and stepped up, and often didn’t return home, so that we can do this. It’s not just about independence from England, but everything it’s taken along the way to the year 2024 to make sure this is the greatest nation on earth. And you can see it here in La Porte.”

(Michigan City, IN) - An Indianapolis man with warrants for murder and other crimes was picked up in Michigan City earlier this week.

On Monday Michigan City Police received a tip that the fugitive, Robert Chandler, was at a house at 230 N. Calumet. Chandler was wanted out of Gary for murder and attempted murder.

According to police, they went to the residence, and Chandler surrendered without incident.

Chandler currently faces one murder charge, two counts of attempted murder, as well as charges for aggravated battery and unlawfully carrying a handgun.

Gary Police escorted him back to Lake County, where his case is pending in Superior Court.

(La Porte, IN) - As the dust settles from last week’s defamation trial between Shaw Friedman and Tim Stabosz, each litigant has recently released a statement on the matter.

Last Friday evening, following a week-long trial, a six-member jury found Stabosz not liable for claims that Friedman said were false and damaging to his reputation.

In a press release, Stabosz called the verdict a victory for 1^st Amendment rights, saying that “public figures need to have thick skins, and not sue for defamation in order to intimidate political opponents and truth tellers.”

Stabosz said the burden was on the plaintiff to prove that he knowingly and recklessly disregarded the truth. He added that witnesses in the trial, in fact, backed up his claims of Friedman’s intimidation and coercion of county vendors and employees. Stabosz gave the example of a county consultant who testified at trial that Friedman told him he’d never work in the county again if he didn’t provide Friedman with information protected by a nondisclosure agreement.

Friedman issued his own statement, calling the matter “a marathon, not a sprint.” Friedman said he already won three rounds of legal decisions prior to the jury trial. Last week’s ruling was a setback, but, bolstered by public support, he’s ready for round five. “This is not over by a long shot,” he added.

According to Friedman, Stabosz’s repeated claims of corruption “have hurt the public’s confidence in county government.” His legal team has indicated they are evaluating options for appeal.

“Hostile, defamatory statements like these,” Friedman concluded, “add nothing to aid those governing La Porte County or those seeking to bring businesses here to create jobs."

(La Porte, IN) - When you’re running a big country music festival, it’s always handy to have a well-stocked music store just minutes away. Just ask Carey Garwood, who helped organize last weekend’s Red, Wine, and Brew.

On Saturday night, she had a problem that only La Porte’s Roxy Music Store could solve. “Somehow the sound crew had missed that they needed a couple of Telecaster guitars,” Garwood said. The performance contract with bands calls for certain equipment to be provided, and right before sound check, they realized they were a couple of guitars short.

According to Garwood, it’s not unusual for musicians to need equipment the day of a show. The guys in the Jesse Daniel Band had just flown in from Texas— and telecasters don’t exactly fit in overhead compartments.

That’s where Roxy Music Owner Ken Grace comes in.  Just last summer, Grace purchased the long-time music store at 1012 Lincolnway in downtown La Porte.  When he received a frantic call from Garwood, he rushed to help.

“The staff and I just kind of went through our shelves here,” Grace said. “We found a couple of great teles that we could pull off the wall and turn into used guitars, and we were able to get them backstage to the band.”

Grace said his store doesn’t have much used equipment for rent.  Once a new guitar is played, it becomes “used,” but he was willing to take the hit.

“Within half an hour, they had figured this out and brought some out to us,” Garwood said.

According to her, the show went on without a hitch.

“It was great to be a part of what they were doing,” said Grace. “They sent me some clips, and they were awesome; they were killer.”

Garwood said Roxy’s help is just further proof that it’s great to live in a small town.

“There’s a benefit to being in a small town and knowing the right people,” said Garwood. “We’re lucky, not a lot of towns have a Roxy Music. That is a unique thing. You can’t really get that kind of musical equipment in a lot of small towns.”

The situation turned into a win-win. After the concert, members of the band singed the guitars. Concert organizers bought the instruments and auctioned them off for the Red, Wine, and Brew first responder charity.

(La Porte, IN) - Summer is flying by.  It’s already July… and it’s blueberry season.  Dean Ott runs two blueberry farms in northern La Porte County.

He says favorable weather recently has produced a bumper crop of good berries for their opening weekend. "We're pretty blue, I mean we're blue on varieties that are not normally blue at this time of year, said Ott. "which was great for people coming this past weekend. Normally it's just our early varieties in the first weekend, and people have to hunt and peck. Well, this past weekend they were picking the poundage. It was just a banner weekend, it really was."

Ott says berries have ripened up a bit early this year. "We're about ten days ahead of our normal ripening schedule," said Ott. "But that being said, we had three days last week that were pretty chilly; we had three days this week that's been pretty chilly. So maybe we're slowing down a little bit, fingers crossed."

He’s crossing his fingers hoping some cooler weather sticks around to accommodate late-season pickers. Many people, said Ott, are just accustomed to coming out later in the summer.

Ott and his family run Stateline Blueberries on 1000 North, west of SR 39. A couple of years ago, he took over the Blueberries of Indiana farm next door. The former grows about 14 varieties of blueberries, the latter almost 100.

Ott says business has been brisk at his farms, especially since two of his competitors didn’t open this season.

(Indianapolis, IN) - One of the new state laws that went into effect this week is focused on military veterans. It's the "Green Alert."

In 2009, the Indiana General Assembly established the Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children, Missing Veterans at Risk, and Missing Endangered Adults. The Clearinghouse serves as a central information resource related to missing persons.

Special alerts were created— Amber for children, Silver for Adults— to notify law enforcement and the public about missing persons. Thanks to legislation passed this year, there is now a Green Alert which indicates that a missing person is an at-risk veteran.

The new alert is particularly important for helping vets who may be having a mental health crisis. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that Indiana's veteran suicide rate is 5% higher than the national average.

The legislation was co-sponsored in the Indiana House by local state rep Rodney Pol.

(La Porte, IN) - A woman who was allegedly caught on camera stealing a cell phone in the La Porte County Jail received a house call from local authorities.

On June 23, a woman was seen lifting an iPhone while in the jail’s public video visitation room. Police say the stolen iPhone was returned to the Sheriff’s office the following day. In the meantime, tips had come in as to the woman’s identity, and the jig was up.

On Monday officers with the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team arrived to the 800 block of Ridge Street to arrest 59-year-old Kristi Hahn.

She was taken back to jail, bypassing the visitation room, and held on a $605 cash bond. Hahn’s Class A-Misdemeanor Theft charge is now pending in La Porte’s Superior Court III.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Community School Corporation has a new superintendent. Dr. Sandra Wood has been selected to take over.

Wood comes to La Porte schools having recently been in charge in the Westville school district since 2018. Prior to that, she was a Spanish teacher, then Principal at South Central Junior-Senior High School.

She holds degrees in education from Indiana State University, including a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration.

She already has ties to La Porte schools, as her children are enrolled in the district.

The school district made the announcement on Tuesday with the following statement:

The La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Sandra Wood as the new Superintendent.

With a rich background in educational leadership and a steadfast commitment to student success, Dr. Wood has committed to leading the district toward excellence and growth.

With 19 years of experience in public education, Dr. Wood has established herself as a dedicated educator invested in the communities she serves. Her commitment to empowering others and promoting successful outcomes has been a cornerstone of her leadership philosophy.

“My children are enrolled in the district, so my connection to the La Porte Community School Corporation is deeply personal,” said Dr. Sandra Wood. “I look forward to engaging with the staff, students, and families of La Porte, working together to create an environment where every student can thrive.”

Previously serving as the Superintendent of the Metropolitan School District of New Durham Township, Dr. Wood’s hands-on involvement in all aspects of district leadership provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of school district management. Under her leadership, the district achieved several key milestones, including a 7.8% increase in K-12 enrollment over five years, the full implementation of a K-12 1:1 instructional technology program, the refinement of a virtual learning program, and the initiation of a comprehensive revision of K-12 curriculum maps.

Dr. Wood also led the district in creating a 3-5 year Learning Prioritization Plan focused on enhancing student learning outcomes through improved curriculum, instruction, and employability skills.

Dr. Wood is committed to sound financial management. She consistently works to maintain a balanced budget and increase cash balances across all funds. Her ability to listen attentively and collaborate effectively with stakeholders drives initiatives forward, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within her district. This commitment ensures the district's financial stability and growth.

“On behalf of the Board of School Trustees, we believe that Dr. Wood's proven leadership skills, curricular and instructional expertise, and extensive experience in district-level management will be invaluable to the La Porte Community School Corporation,” stated Ryan Seaburg, President of the Board of School Trustees. “We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Wood will undoubtedly bring in her new role as Superintendent.”

Additionally, the La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Peggy Hinckley. Dr. Hinckley, who stepped in as interim superintendent and skillfully led the district through the transition over the past four months, has been a beacon of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Slicer community. Her contributions have ensured a smooth transition and maintained the district’s focus.The board appreciates Dr. Hinckley’s service and positive impact during her tenure.

(La Porte County, IN) - 4th of July Festivities are planned all over the area in the next few days. Here is a list of details:

July 3

LaPorte – Independence Celebration Fireworks Show

• Where: Fox Park and Clear Lake
• When: 7 p.m.
• Details: The LaPorte City Band will perform a patriotic concert at 7 p.m. CDT at Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Memorial Park, followed by fireworks at dusk.

New Buffalo - Fireworks over Lake Michigan

• Where: Lions Park (612 Marquette Drive)
• When: 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT

Winamac - An Evening at the Bridge

• Where: Veterans’ Memorial Park at the corner of US-35 and Washington Street
• When: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. CDT
• Details: Burial and dedication of a vault and marker that will enshrine the 100-year history of Memorial Swing Bridge. Live music. Bring lawn chairs, have a picnic.

South Bend Cubs Fireworks and Concert

• Where: Four Winds Field
• When: Game begins at 4:45 p.m. CDT
• Details: Following the game, there will be a post-game concert by Seventh Day Slumber and fireworks. Tickets are $15 to $17.

July 4

La Porte - 4th of July Parade

• When: 10 a.m. CDT
• Where: Lincolnway starting at Adams St.
• Details: The 78th Annual LaPorte 4th of July Parade runs about two miles from east to west along Lincolnway. The theme this year is “Hoosiers — Calling You Home.”

Michigan City – Fireworks Spectacular

• When: Dusk
• Where: Washington Park

North Liberty - Parade and Fireworks

• Where: Downtown North Liberty and North Liberty Elementary School (400 School Drive)
• Details: “North Liberty Americana” parade at 1 p.m. in downtown. Celebrations continue at the Elementary School at 4 p.m. with games, food, and a DJ. Fireworks at dusk.

Lakeville – Concert and Fireworks

• Where: Newton Park (801 N. Michigan Street)
• When: Concert at 5 p.m. CDT, fireworks at 9 p.m. CDT
• Details: Live by Cook & Belle. Other activities for kids, food trucks. No smoking, alcohol, coolers, or pets allowed.

July 6

La Porte - Light Up the Lake!

• Where: Pine Lake
• When: Dusk
• Details: The La Porte Lake Association is sponsoring a fireworks show over Pine Lake.

Knox - Family Fun Day and Fireworks Show

• Where: Wythogan Park (101 W. Washington Street)
• When: Parade at 1 p.m. CDT, gates open at Wythogan Park at 2 p.m. CDT for a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. CDT
• Details: Activities for the whole family with games, activities, food, beer garden, and live music.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Pennsylvania man led state police on a high speed chase into Michigan City.

Around 1:30 a.m. early Saturday morning, a State Trooper patrolling I-94 near the La Porte/Porter County line spotted a gray Toyota SUV driving dangerously fast with no lights on.

Reaching speeds over 110 mph, the eastbound SUV exited the interstate at U.S. 421 and went north. The pursuit continued back west on U.S. 20, before the SUV finally gave up at a truck stop in Porter.

The driver, 26-year-old Mohamed A. Ahmad Ahrar of Mechanicsburg, PA was suspected of intoxication. He allegedly tested just over the legal limit. He was taken to La Porte County Jail and charged with three felonies and four misdemeanors.

A passenger in the vehicle, 32-year-old Joshua C. Reed, told he police he was part of the joy ride unwillingly. However, he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and also arrested.

It involved a federal clean water grant administered by the EPA, which will allow for the separation of combined sewers along Indiana Avenue.

Elected officials and community leaders gathered at the downtown library’s main branch on Indiana Avenue to hear Tom Dermody declare that just under $1 million of federal funding is now in the pipeline for improvements.  

“We’re going to be able to put in new water and sewer separation and new infrastructure below the fantastic road that INDOT is going to put together,” Dermody told the crowd.

The sewer separation project is part of a $35 million overhaul of Indiana Avenue from Lincolnway to Kingsbury. City officials were anxious to make infrastructure upgrades while the roadway is being replaced.

“The road was going to be done, but we have a 100-year-old infrastructure problem that’s going to cost $100 million to fix,” Dermody said. “And we’ve started that project to make sure that’s happening around the city.”

“Since the early days of our administration, we’ve talked about the struggles of battling a rapidly aging water and wastewater infrastructure system,” Dermody added. “Our team has made it a priority to chip away at this problem one project at a time, and over the course of last several years we’ve done exactly that. This funding is critical to the next stage of this process.”

Wastewater Superintendent Jerry Jackson told HTNN that upgrading infrastructure under the main thoroughfare of Indiana Avenue will improve nearly 30% of the city’s combined sewer areas and make future upgrades easier.

The total cost of the project will be about $3.5 million. This portion, a $959,000 federal grant, will be offset by other utility revenues.

The federal funding was secured with the help of 1^st District Congressman Frank Mrvan, who attended Monday’s announcement. He credited the tenacity of Dermody’s administration.

“His relentless pursuit in federal funding,” said Mrvan, “is what made being able to get this community-funded project eligible. I have to compete against 435 other individuals in Congress to be able to deliver on a project like this.”

$1 million may be a drop in the bucket compared to the town’s overall infrastructure needs, but Mrvan said, to downtown residents who have frequently dealt with sewer backups, it’s a big deal.  

“Those families that are going through that,” he told HTNN, “that’s life-altering when people’s basements fill up with sewage water.”

Mrvan also stressed that better infrastructure will draw business to town.

“It doesn’t have the sizzle of a billion-dollar cloud data center,” he said, “but it makes sure the world knows that La Porte is a world of limitless possibilities.”

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is cracking down on illegal dumping at a public access site.

The city currently has dumpsters outside its Central Services location on 1801 Kentucky St. The bins are designated receptacles for clean, empty recyclable materials only, such as glass bottles and jars; various forms of paper; flattened cardboard; and aluminum, tin and steel cans.

Cameras have been installed to catch people using the site to dump building debris, furniture, clothing, food waste and other trash illegally. Dumping unauthorized materials may result in criminal charges and fines of up to $15,000.

In a recent press release, Michigan City Vector Control Director Brett Kelley and Street Department Director Shong Smith said they’ve had to redirect precious human resources to clean up after people. Instead of sprucing up Franklin Street in preparation for this weekend’s Patriotic Pride Parade, which took place on Saturday, crews last week had to address the excessive trash that had been dumped illegally.

“We hauled away 21 tons of household items that day, costing the City a lot of resources and valuable manpower,” Smith said.

Kelley said, “We’re trying to clean our city up. We cannot allow this to continue. It makes us look bad, both to visitors and our residents.”

Smith said trash that doesn’t belong at the public access recycling site can be taken to Able Disposal in Chesterton or Waste Management in Kingsbury.

The receptacles are located partially on City property at Central Services, and partially on private property owned by McKinley Design. However, the site is managed by the Solid Waste District of La Porte County.

“There are other outlets for this kind of stuff,” Solid Waste District Executive Director Clay Turner said, motioning to the overturned couches, piles of clothing and other debris present at the site on Monday. “We have an electronics trailer here for anything that has a cord on it. We also do special collections at the La Porte County Fairgrounds twice a year for things like tires, chemicals, books. You can see the schedule for those at www.solidwastedistrict.com.”

(Porter County, IN) - State Police had to deal with an unruly reckless driver in Porter County over the weekend.

While patrolling I-94 near the truck weighing station on Saturday night, a trooper paced a silver Hyundai doing about 105 miles an hour.

Upon pulling over the vehicle, its driver reportedly became combative, claiming that she was a relative of a Chicago police officer. The trooper had his doubts when he discovered fake Illinois ID cards in the driver’s possession.

22-year-old Shelby Foster of Chicago was promptly placed in custody. While en route to jail, police say Foster wriggled out of handcuffs. She then bit the officer on the arm as he tried to refasten them. They say she later spit on a jail officer at the Porter County Jail.

For her trouble, Foster was charged with three felonies and six misdemeanors.

(Michigan City, IN)  - The hospital in Michigan City is offering a program to get sick people to eat their vegetables. 

The new Produce Prescription Program through Franciscan Health Michigan City is for those dealing with chronic disease, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

“Our focus is whole-person care,” Franciscan Alliance Community Health Improvement Director Danielle Crowder said. “When you think about chronic disease management, the challenges are often the result of many other social factors. Management of chronic diseases can be exacerbated by living in a food desert, not being able to afford quality fruits and vegetables, a lack of transportation and personal mobility issues.”

Participants need not be patients within the Franciscan Health system.

Upon successful completion of the free, four-week program, participants will receive produce vouchers for fresh fruit every month for six months.

The program is funded by a grant from the Indiana Department of Health.

The program will meet on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning July 9 and concluding July 30.

To register and for more information, contact Selena Tinoco at Selena.Tinoco@FranciscanAlliance.org or call (219) 221-4153.

(New Carlisle, IN) - It took only a few hours Friday morning for an excavator to erase a piece of history from a New Carlisle street corner.

The town’s original First Methodist Church was constructed in 1858. Locals speculate that the town’s founder lived at the address before the church was built, and there are rumors that it might have even been a hideout for the Underground Railroad.

The old church stood tall longer than most, even surviving a lightning strike in 1886 which demolished its steeple. The Methodists built a new church on Timothy Road in the mid-60s.

Tim Creason and his wife have lived across the street from the church since 2001. He said a Pentecostal congregation last occupied it about twenty years ago, and offered lively services. Then the Gothic Revival building went silent.  “We have, very sadly, watched it deteriorate over the last two decades,” Creason said.

Creason said multiple efforts were made by the previous owner and others to repurpose the structure at the corner of Front and Cherry Streets. None of that came to fruition and the building was condemned recently after the roof collapsed. “It’s sad because we tried to work with the owner and find some way to save this facility,” he said, “and it just didn’t happen, so it was both frustrating and sad to see it go down.”

Now all that’s left of the historic church are the eight concrete steps that led up to the front door. How many newly-weds, Sunday school children, and caskets processed through? “The place was the community’s gathering spot for many years,” said Creason.

According to Creason, the recent owner could not afford to demolish the church, so the town has taken over the property. Discussions are going on now about what to do with the empty lot. He hopes it can be turned into a park.