(La Porte County, IN) - Two drivers may have been racing at speeds of 100 miles per hour on Johnson Road before one was arrested for drunk driving.

Marcus Mitchell, 32, of Michigan City is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, a sheriff’s deputy at 400 North spotted two vehicles traveling at high speeds early Saturday on Johnson Road in a 45 mph zone.

Police said the deputy while traveling nearly 90 miles per hour felt he was not gaining any ground on the suspects, but he was able catch up after the drivers stopped for a red light at U.S. 20.

Police said the officer approached Mitchell, who was the lead driver, while the other vehicle fled from the traffic stop.

Mitchell, who allegedly had a glass bottle containing beer in a cup holder beside him, had an alleged .099 percent blood alcohol level.

During the apparent race, police said the vehicles drove by two pedestrians who estimated their speeds at over 100 mph.

(La Porte County, IN) - Many customers of Indiana Michigan Power Company are still without power after service was knocked out during the strong Sunday afternoon storm.

According to I & M officials, the number of outages as of 3 p.m. today dropped from about 60,000 during the peak of the storm to around 36,000.

Most I&M customers without service are in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties in Indiana and Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties in Michigan.

In La Porte County, there were still over 100 customers of the utility company still without service each in the Springville area and over 60 customers without service in the Hudson Lake areas while there were 19 customers waiting for their power to be restored in the Rolling Prairie area, according to I&M officials.

There were more than 300 I&M customers still without service in the Michiana Shores area and over 60 customers still impacted by outages in the Union Pier, Michigan area.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Public Library is closed to repair damage caused by a pick-up truck crashing through the fiberglass exterior building.

According to Michigan City Police, the late Sunday morning collision happened when the driver, Blake Skoda, was stopped at a traffic light at U.S. 12.

The 42 year old Skoda told investigators he took a drink from an energy beverage, felt tightness in his chest and blacked out.

After losing consciousness, police said it appears the Michigan City area man stomped on the gas pedal, sending his 2017 Dodge Ram straight across all four lanes of U.S. 12 and into the north side of the structure facing the highway.

Library Director Don Glossinger said the vehicle came to stop after running into multiple heavy shelves of books after damaging a study room and conference room.

Fortunately, Glossinger said the library is closed on Sundays because that area of the library is typically heavily used during regular business hours.

“There would have been people in that vicinity,” he said.

Skoda told investigators his vehicle was inside the building after regaining consciousness.

He and his 11-year old son, Evan, were transported by ambulance to Franciscan Health hospital with injuries described by police as minor.

Glossinger said the hope to reopen the library on Monday, April 7.

In addition to a general clean-up, Glossinger said the hole in the outside wall was covered with plywood but a piece of fiberglass cut to specs will be ordered and installed for a permanent repair.

Glossinger said he about one-third of the damaged rooms will have to be fixed but will be cordoned off before the library reopens to keep patrons away from those spaces until they’re  reconstructed.

Repairs will also have to be made to damaged areas of the heating and cooling system. Glossinger said he wasn’t sure how long it’ll take to fix all of the damage but feels it will be an extended period with the cost to be covered by insurance.

“It’ll take some time to get it all put back,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There was scattered storm damage and power outages throughout Northwest Indiana yesterday afternoon.

We talked to Bob Johnson of Michigan City about a heavy piece of playground equipment made of wood upended in his backyard from the high winds.

“The wind came through and just picked it up and twisted it around and flipped it on its side,” he said.

Johnson said he went for a drive after the storm and spotted numerous fallen trees in the Town of Trail Creek.

“It looked like a tornado went through there.  All of the buds from the trees were laying on the ground. It was just littered with debris,” he said.

La Porte Street Department Superintendent Mike Frase said several trees fell including on homes in the K St. area.

“We didn’t have a lot of trees down.  Just a few,” he said.

According to NIPSCO, there were more than 540 customers still without power at 8:15 this morning in its La Porte customer service territory and about 1,300 customers still without service in its Michigan City customer service area.  NIPSCO also reported 400 customers still without power in the Westville area and nearly 200 in the Hamlet area.

More than 4,000 NIPSCO customers were still without power in the utility’s Valparaiso customer service area.

(Michigan City, IN) - A vehicle crashed into the public library in Michigan City yesterday.

For some reason, the driver veered off the road and crashed into the south side of the library.

A large hole was left in the glass exterior of the building and damage was considerable on the inside where the vehicle came to rest.

It’s believed a medical issue of some sort resulted in the collision.

Fortunately, the library is closed on Sundays so nobody was inside at the time.

The library is closed definitely until the repairs are made.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte has announced a list of accomplishments by of one of its quality of life initiatives. The La Porte Urban Enterprise Association (UEA) handed out over $1.2 million last year for various projects to improve life in La Porte.

Formed in 2002, the La Porte UEA awards grants each year to local businesses and residents residing within the Urban Enterprise Zone. In 2024, the UEA was proud to award more than $110,000 to aid 13 business owners to improve the outward appearance of buildings within the zone. These grants help to alleviate the financial burden for those small business owners that take pride in the appearance of their building.

“Our board places high priority on improving La Porte’s overall quality of place,” said UEA Board President Mike Riehle. “These grants not only allow local business owners to improve their properties but also help to foster a downtown geared toward growth. Our support bridges the much-needed funding gap to bring the development of these historic buildings to fruition. Over time, this makes La Porte a more attractive place for new residents and businesses alike.”

The UEA also awarded a record $918,000 in special grants last year to benefit several projects impacting the community as a whole. This included the purchase of a downtown parking lot at the corner of State and Monroe Streets, the installation of a public art sculpture at Plaza 618, the installation of a mural on the side of Mucho Mas, and the rehab of the Carpenters’ Union Hall/Blockhead Brewing location along Lincolnway.

In an effort to help the downtown flourish, the UEA awarded upwards of $35,000 to support community events happening in the heart of La Porte, such as the Farmed & Forged Market and the Friday Night Live events. The association also committed to match the City of La Porte’s investment for safety improvements at downtown intersections through the upcoming LincolnWalk project.

The continued success of the City’s incredibly popular Dumpster Program is a testament to the need for such a service and the impact it has had on the community. As such, the UEA invested $118,000 to allow for the removal of more than 250 full dumpster loads of trash at no cost to City residents.

The association has also matched the City’s investment of $30,000 for the development of a new comprehensive plan. Dubbed Our La Porte, this project will create a land use and transportation plan to guide decision-making and support La Porte’s growth and development for the next 20 years.

For residents or businesses seeking more information on the UEA, contact Mary Ann Richards at 219-362-8260 or visit cityoflaporte.com. 

(Porter County, IN) - A Valparaiso-area man has been charged with performing lewd public acts in a fast food restaurant.

On Wednesday morning officers were called in response to a man exposing himself inside the McDonald’s on Valparaiso’s southwest side near U.S. 30. According to a statement by the Valparaiso Police Department, "the male subject was committing the indecent act alone, having exposed his genitalia to others within the play area of the restaurant." When they arrived, the man had left the restaurant but was found walking nearby, police said.

73-year-old Thomas Ehrsam of Porter Township was charged with one felony count of Performing Sexual Conduct in the Presence of a Minor and two misdemeanor counts of Public Indecency.

According to court records, Ehrsam had an initial hearing on Thursday in Porter County Superior Court 2, where a jury trial was scheduled for September 8.

Valparaiso police say they are offering the services of the department’s social worker to anyone who was impacted by the potentially traumatic event.

(Philadelphia, PA) - Former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has transitioned to the public sector by taking a position with a nationawide renewable energy company.

In a press release issued last week, Doral Renewables LLC announced that Holcomb has joined their board of directors. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Doral Renewables develops and operates utility scale renewable energy projects, particularly in the field of solar energy. Their 1.3 GW Mammoth Solar development spans 13,000 acres in Starke and Pulaski counties.

"Governor Holcomb brings decades of exceptional experience in policymaking and economic development. His vision and leadership have resulted in record-breaking investments in Indiana," stated Nick Cohen, President and CEO of Doral Renewables. "His innovative mindset aligns with our farmer community, especially as we continue to enhance our agrivoltaics deployment efforts, benefiting both the national grid by diversifying energy resources and cost reduction as well as local farmers by maximizing land use and creating additional revenue streams."

"I couldn't be more excited to join the relationship-centric team at Doral Renewables", said Holcomb. "Doral's world-class vision and mission are both critically important to meet the communities' needs and provide them with economic opportunities and increased energy demand we are going to experience in the upcoming years. I look forward to strategically assisting Doral as the months and years unfold."

Holcomb recently completed his eight-year term as Indiana’s 51st Governor, during which the state saw record-breaking investments and job creation, along with a proliferation of solar energy projects.

(Starke County, IN) - Help from the public is being sought to try and solve a Starke County burglary.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office has released images of a man and vehicle tied to the criminal investigation.

Specifics about the burglary were not disclosed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Justin McDaniel at (574) 772-3771 ext. 232, jmcdaniel@starke.in.gov, or call the anonymous tip line at (574) 772-5958.

(Michigan City, IN) - A developer has been chosen for a new residential and retail investment projected at $200 million in Michigan City’s downtown area.

DAC Development out of Chicago was awarded the contract by the city, which owns the 1.5 acre site at 5^th and Pine streets. The plans call for construction of 500 or more multi-level apartments and a grocery store.

Clarence Hulse, Director of the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, said the city insisted a grocery store be included in the development since there is no such facility right now in that area.

Hulse said the city owns the property, which was cleared a number of years ago for redevelopment. 

“The north side is considered a food desert.  We wanted to ensure that whatever happens there we have a guaranteed grocery store as part of the mix,” he said.

Michigan City native, Greg Klosowski, was assigned to be the architect for the building.

DAC Development, whose previous work includes skyscraper construction in Chicago, was chosen from four finalists described by Hulse as all “high level” developers. Initially, there were nine applicants for the job.

Hulse credited the amount of interest in the project to the potential investors now see in the community now enjoying the beginnings of a rebirth in the downtown area.

A 12 story residential tower is currently under construction at the new South Shore Commuter Line train station on Franklin St.  

Construction of two similar sized towers to contain hotel rooms and condominiums along U.S. 12 next to City Hall is expected to begin in the summer.

The catalyst for all of the new investment is considered to be the recent improvements to the South Shore Commuter line reducing one way trips to and from Chicago by about 30 minutes.

That combined with the lakefront and other existing offerings such as Blue Chip Casino, Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets Mall, nearby Indiana Dunes National Park and the Downtown Arts District seemed to tip the scale in the city’s favor.

“We have been discovered,” Hulse said.

He said it’ll take about two years to perform all of the preliminary work necessary before construction can start on the housing and grocery store development.

(La Porte County, IN) - A jury might have to decide whether a father went too far in disciplining his son.

Caleb Bingham, 34, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with child neglect and battery, both Level 5 felonies.

According to court documents, the investigation shows he used a homemade wooden paddle on his 11 year old son for not completing some of his assignments from school a few weeks ago.

Police said the boy was left with severe bruising on his buttocks and back of his thigh.

Law enforcement became involved when the boy’s mother went to child welfare authorities with pictures of what was described as red, purple and blue discoloration of his skin where he was paddled, according to court documents.

The investigation alleged this wasn’t the first time the La Porte area man had used on the paddle he carved from a tree on the boy. Bingham could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on each count.

Recently, a Michigan City area man was charged for using a belt on his nine year old granddaughter as a form of discipline.

(Michigan City, IN) - A local grocery store chain received top honors from the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce.

Lakeshore Foods, owner of Al’s Supermarkets in Michigan City and La Porte along with Barney’s Supermarket in New Buffalo, was named Large Business of the Year during the chamber’s recent annual Dinner & Awards Celebration.

Nature’s Cupboard was named Small Business of the Year.

Nest Community Shelter was the winner of the Community Impact Award while the Young Professional of the Year was Karaline Cartagena Edwards with the Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City.

Cara Jones of Centier Bank was named Ambassador of the Year.

The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Maggie Spartz, Founding President of the Unity Foundation of La Porte County.

Michigan City Chamber of Commerce President Kurt Gillins also revealed 67 new members were added to the organization.

“Through strategic growth and updated programming, we have strengthened our business community and created new opportunities for connection and collaboration,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Another new business is planned at New Porte Landing in La Porte.

Grand Heritage Federal Credit Union is going to relocate from its present location on Koomler Drive on the city’s northeast side.

The hope is to break ground on May 1.

Before that can happen, a sewer main extension has to be laid to provide sanitary service to the facility.

Approval was given Wednesday by the city’s Redevelopment Commission for Waste Water Department Superintendent Jerry Jackson to seek bids for that work.  Jackson said bids will be sought from local contractors and, potentially, the one that’s going to be constructing the new banking facility to try and save money.

He roughly estimated the cost at $50,000 to $60,000. The 1.5 acre site is near Aldi and Zhang Dental clinic.

(La Porte, IN) - The new overnight shelter in La Porte is going to remain open for another month.

Originally, the shelter was going to close at the end of this month after opening in mid-January.  A decision was just recently to keep it available for use through April 25.

The Center Township Trustee’s Office through case managemenet has been working with people using the shelter to help find them new homes and other assistance.

Trustee Lisa Pierzakowski said her office has had success.

“There have been several that we’ve been able to help get into new housing, get back to family members.  Get out of their vehicles that they were living in and we still have a few more that we’re working with,” she said.

The shelter at the old downtown train depot on Washington St. is a joint venture between the City of La Porte, the Center Township Trustee’s Office and the Nest Community Shelter in Michigan City.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Police are turning to the public for help in locating a fugitive.

Brandan Bernacchi, 32, is wanted on four active felony warrants, police said.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Sgt. Adam Jaskowiak at (219) 362-9446 extension: 2134 or ajaskowiak@lpcitypd.com.

Police said people can remain anonymous.

According to court records, Bernacchi is wanted on charges that include violating probation on a previous assisting a criminal conviction.

A warrant for his arrest on that alleged offense was issued in early February.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver who caused a motor vehicle crash Wednesday night fled then was found allegedly impaired by prescription drugs.

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who revealed the suspect hit two semi-trucks on Interstate 94 near U.S. 421 about 10 p.m.

Police said 38 year old Stephanie Crilley with the front end of her vehicle heavily damaged was followed by witnesses of the crash to nearby Love’s Travel Center where she was taken into custody.

She was impaired enough to seemingly want to fall asleep at times, police said. 

Crilley had no alcohol in her system but recovered from her vehicle was an empty prescription pill bottle of suboxone used for treating opioid dependence, police said.

Police said witnesses reported the Cedar Lake woman was driving recklessly for miles.

(Michigan City, IN) - Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City is reopening for the season this weekend.

The gates will open Saturday at 10 a.m.

According to officials, the zoo will operate from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. every day, including holidays, through Labor Day weekend. 

The zoo along the lakefront is home to over 330 animals.

For more information on upcoming activities, programs and ticket options, people can go to the Washington Park Zoo website or call (219) 873-1510.

(Indianapolis, IN) - The possibility of interstates in Indiana becoming toll roads remains alive.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation approved the measure Tuesday.  The bill, which originated in the House, advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further review.

The proposal would allow the governor to seek federal approval to charge a toll on any interstate highway in the state.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, tolling all of the interstates in Indiana could generate more than $4 billion for road and bridge projects in the first five years.

The measure was offered by republican State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie.

(La Porte, IN) - We’ve obtained more details about the child sex crime allegations filed recently against a La Porte man.

Jeremiah Manley, 31, is accused of having inappropriate relations with a young girl over about a six year period.

READ MORE: La Porte Man Charged with Child Sex Crimes

Authorities say the allegations include various sex acts and showing the girl pornography.  He’s also accused of giving her a drink that would make her fall asleep so he could violate her.

According to authorities, the alleged acts occurred at various locations, including the cab of his semi-truck when it was parked at a truck stop near Michigan City.

Manley could face an up to 40 year sentence on just one of the most serious counts filed in La Porte Circuit Court. He’s being held in the La Porte County Jail on $100,000 cash only bond.

(LaCrosse, IN) - A top agriculture official is trying to think positively about the concerns farmers have about many issues ranging from tariffs on foreign imports to mass deportations brought on by the new White House administration.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb said one of his concerns is the trade war started recently by President Trump and its potential to lower demand from other countries for U.S. made products such as farm commodities.

He said the impact in Indiana from countries retaliating with tariffs of their own on U.S. imports could be measureable given the current struggling economy in agriculture and 25 percent of farm commodities in the state are exported.

“We’re already looking at a negative cash flow going into a year of planting, especially corn and soybeans and then anything like a tariff that’s going to depress that market further.  It’s tough for a farmer to shoulder all of that himself,” he said.

Lamb said he’s keeping his fingers crossed the benefit to farmers from the type of fair trade the president is trying to bring about from the tariffs will exceed any losses producers might have to endure during what he hopes is not a long trade war.

“I’m kind of trusting somewhere along the line there will be something that might trickle back to the farmers,” he said.

Lamb said the shortage of labor in agriculture is already tightening because of the threat migrants feel about being deported from the ongoing federal crackdown on immigration. If existing rules allowing migrants to work legally in the U.S. are made stricter, “that could have a real negative effect,” he said.

Lamb called the labor issue a “big, big deal” and one leaders in agriculture are going to have to take an even more vocal stance against.

“We got to have some sort of relief for this and we need that labor force,” he said.

Lamb said a major concern for poultry producers is combating the current strain of the Avian flu, which has claimed the lives of nearly eight million chickens, ducks and turkeys in the state this year.

He said the state’s poultry industry wants a vaccine developed for the current strain of the virus, but how soon that will come about is not known.

In the meantime, Lamb said poultry producers whose contaminated flock were destroyed are trying to hang on to their workforces until the six to eight week decontamination period is completed and they’re back in business.

“The pressure these guys are under is pretty great,” he said.

Fortunately, Lamb said the worst of the bird flu spread appears to be over for now since wild birds flying over and spreading the disease are nearing the end of their annual migrating season.

Another issue he addressed is the potential impact on agriculture from the new “Make America Healthy Again” movement of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the new U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Initally, Lamb said he wasn’t excited about the appointment because of Kennedy’s desire to curb the use of oil seeds in cooking as a way to reduce the consumption of saturated fats.

“That’s kind of hard for a soybean farmer to take but the bottom line is he’s the guy now and we might as well work with him,” he said.

Lamb said his position now is for agriculture to play a role in developing healthier products like a soybean that contains less saturated fat.
 

“Let’s capitalize on that.  There’s no reason not to grasp onto that as far as I can see,” he said.

Lamb was the featured speaker March 20 during the annual chili supper hosted by La Porte County Farm Bureau in LaCrosse.

La Porte County Farm Bureau President Mark Parkman, who raises primarily grain and cattle, said it’s not usual for uncertainty to be felt within the industry during a change in the administration at the federal level.

“Mr. Trump has been relatively favorable to Ag in the past, but you never know,” he said.

Lamb is a second generation farmer raising corn, popcorn, seed soybeans and seed wheat in Boone County with help from his father, brother and nephews. He was appointed as the ISDA director in March of 2023 by then governor Eric Holcomb then reappointed to the position recently by current governor Mike Braun.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Council meetings will remain available on ZOOM but with restrictions.

People wanting to take part in meetings must now request their own link to the ZOOM telecasts in advance. Previously, there was just one link for the general public to share.

The idea is to prevent hackers from introducing extremely X-rated material into the ZOOM meetings, something that’s been done at least twice now in recent months.

Councilman Randy Novak said the move is not to restrict, whatsoever, public access to meetings.

“This is just to tighten it up so we don’t have to deal with the shenanigans anymore. If you didn’t see it, you don’t want to see it again,” he said.

Officials said individual links will also make it easier to track down any future hackers.

Requests for links by the general public with plans to participate in a ZOOM meeting must be made through the La Porte County Auditor’s office as a result of action taken Monday night by the county council.

(La Porte County, IN) - The odds of being caught using a cell phone in your hand while driving will soon go up.

La Porte County Police will be among the law enforcement agencies nationwide taking part in an upcoming blitz, which is scheduled to begin April 5. For two weeks, more patrol officers looking for cell phone violators will be on the roads.

Police said drivers should be focused entirely on driving, not distracted by a cell phone in their hands.

Distracted driving along with speeding were blamed for causing more than 17,000 motor vehicle crashes statewide last year. 230 deaths resulted from those collisions, police said.

“Speed limits exist for a reason and so does Indiana’s hands-free law.  Our priority is to keep all motorists and passengers traveling on La Porte County roadways safe and we will be enforcing the law to ensure that happens,” said La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police were part of an investigation resulting in charges that include child molesting.

Jeremiah Manley, 31, is charged with La Porte Circuit Court with Level 1 felony child molesting, Level 4 felony child molesting, Level 4 felony child exploitation and dissemination of material harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony.

According to police, the investigation by the sheriff’s office began on March 2 on a report from the Indiana Department of Child Services.  Information developed by detectives early on included allegations of sexual abuse occurring at several different locations throughout the county.

Manley was located on March 21 at Love’s Travel Center near Michigan City and taken into custody on warrants for his arrest. He’s being held in the La Porte County Jail on $100,000 cash only bond.

Further information was not revealed.

(La Porte, IN) - Charges have been filed in connection with a two year old boy struck by a car in the driveway of his home in La Porte.

Eric Levine is scheduled for an initial hearing Friday in La Porte Circuit Court.

According to court documents, the boy’s stepfather was helping Levine fix his car on Saturday in the 500 block of Grove St.  After the repairs were made, Levine was backing out when he allegedly struck the boy who was behind the vehicle.

Police said Levine then fled the scene.  The boy was airlifted to a hospital in Indianapolis.

After locating Levine, the La Porte man allegedly told officers he smoked marijuana earlier in the day and when he got home after striking the boy.

He’s charged with leaving the scene of an accident while driving impaired, a Level 3 felony, Level 5 felony operating a vehicle causing serious bodily injury while in possession of a schedule I or II substance and driving with a suspended license resulting in injury, a Level 6 felony.

Levine, 54, was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man wanted on numerous felony counts, including robbery, was arrested by La Porte County Police during a traffic stop Monday night.

Aaron Head, 61, of Michigan City was clocked at 69 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone on U.S. 20 near County Road 125 West, police said.

With help from a drug sniffing dog, police said Head was found in possession of a small amount of crack cocaine.  Two pipes typically used to smoke crack cocaine were also recovered.

A computer check revealed nine active warrants for his arrest for robbery and other crimes such as kidnapping and auto theft, police said.

Police said a passenger, Shantae Spencer, 31, also of Michigan City was taken into custody on two active warrants for her arrest on charges of failure to appear in court and failure to comply, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A two vehicle collision outside La Porte Monday night was caused by a suspected drunk driver.

La Porte County Police said the crash occurred just before 8 p.m. on Johnson Road at Jongkind Park Road.  The investigation shows a car stopped to make a left hand turn was struck in the rear by a van driven by the suspect, Vincent Crosley.

The 35 year old Michigan City man had an alleged blood alcohol level about two and a half times the legal limit. He was not injured.

Police said the other driver, Thomas Gately, 20, complained of pain to his shoulder. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - A truck driver was killed in a head on collision between two tractor trailers outside New Buffalo yesterday afternoon.

The crash happened on Interstate 94 near the Indiana state line.

Berrien County Police said 45 year old Jeffrey O’Neal veered sharply across the median into the path of an oncoming semi-truck. According to police, the impact was so great, O’Neal and the seat he was in were ejected from the cab of the semi-truck.

O’Neal, who was from Livonia, Michigan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the other truck driver was not injured.

Two of the westbound lanes were closed for several hours, which resulted in westbound traffic backed up for quite some distance.

Police said a passing motorist noticed the semi driver, who caused the crash, was under distress just prior to veering into the opposite side of the interstate.

An autopsy will be performed to determine if he was having some sort of a medical issue.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is accused of using a drone to try and smuggle drugs into Westville Correctional Facility.

Eric Patino, 29, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with seven felony counts such as dealing in methamphetamine, dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug and attempted trafficking with an inmate.

According to court documents, Warden Jason Smiley about 1:30 a.m. on Friday was notified by a security company monitoring the air space about a drone in the air around the prison.

Smiley joined by a La Porte County Police officer were walking a tree line just outside the prison when a man later identified as Patino emerged from the brush and started running through an open field, authorities said.

He refused orders to stop but the officer kept his flashlight on the man to follow his movements as he made his way toward U.S. 421.

According to court documents, the warden and officer soon heard a buzzing sound and discovered a drone flying back to where it was launched.

Other officers radioed for assistance began setting up at a nearby building to intercept the fleeing suspect, who was captured.

Authorities walking toward where the suspect ran from discovered the drone, a remote control for the drone along with other items.

According to court documents, over 200 grams of methamphetamine, more than 850 grams of marijuana, slightly more than 14 grams of fentanyl and about five grams of cocaine were also recovered.

Patino of Hammond was still being held Monday in the La Porte County Jail on $50,000 bond.

(La Porte, IN) - A new brand name chain restaurant in La Porte is now serving customers.

The doors opened at 10:45 this morning at Chipotle Mexican Grill at 150 Pine Lake Ave. just north of the U.S. 35 overpass.

Mayor Tom Dermody said La Porte residents have been eagerly awaiting the restaurant’s grand opening since the project was announced. 

“It’s wonderful to see our community so excited about a new food offering. We’re thrilled to welcome Chipotle to La Porte and are certain it will be a success.” he said.

Dermody said the new restaurant will provide about 30 jobs with competitive benefits. Hiring is ongoing.

To learn more and apply for a job, visit chipotle.com/careers.

(La Porte County, IN) - A stretch of state highway in La Porte County will soon be temporarily reduced to one lane.

Indiana 4 will have one lane open for travel in both directions between County Road 1000 East and Osborne Trail starting on or after March 31, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation. 

Lane closures will alternate at Miller Ditch with motor vehicle travel controlled by temporary traffic signals through late May.  The purpose is to allow for preventative maintenance work on a bridge deck overlay, INDOT said. 

INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and be prepared to wait for the temporary traffic signal.  Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area, slow down and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

(La Porte County, IN) - Drunk driving arrests followed two single vehicle accidents in La Porte County over the weekend.

About 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, emergency responders were called to County Line Road and 400 North outside Michigan City where a 2008 Ford Focus was found upside down on the pavement.

La Porte County Police said Pepper Bajza, 21, of Michigan City told officers he control of the vehicle from swerving to avoid a deer darting across the roadway.

He was not injured.  Police said he had a blood alcohol level of .112 percent.

The other accident involved a pick-up truck in a steep muddy ditch about 5 p.m. on Friday in the area of 800 North and 300 West.

Police said Tyler Paholski, 27, told investigators he left the road from being distracted while talking on his phone. His alleged blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Police said Paholski was not injured and damage was just minor.

(Michigan City, IN) - Firefighters limited the damage to two homes threatened by a burning shed in Michigan City yesterday.

Officials said the fire in the shed quickly spread to two residences just a short distance away in the Eastport neighborhood.

The exterior of the homes caught fire, but the flames were put out before there was too much damage on the inside.

Fortunately, there were no injuries and all of the pets inside the home, including a guinea pig, were saved.

Officials said food cooking outside with nobody present resulted in the fire.

(La Porte, IN) - This week members of La Porte’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) participated in the Active Shooter Incident Management with Complex Incidents course. The training is designed to improve coordination between law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other first responders during active shooter events.

The course focused on improving response times, advanced law enforcement techniques, and how to manage complex situations like hostage standoffs or improvised explosive devices.

"Our team is committed to staying prepared and enhancing our ability to protect and serve the community in times of crisis," The La Porte Police Department said in a Facebook statement. "We're thankful for the opportunity to learn and train with our local emergency responders to ensure the safety and well-being of all those we serve."

La Porte’s Emergency Response Team is seeking help to help fund equipment needs and further training. To make a donation or for more information, contact Corporal Ashley Adams at aadams@lpcitypd.com, or (219) 362-9446 x2007.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Hunter Education classes sponsored by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are starting all over the state. The classes cover safe firearm use, hunting ethics and responsibilities, game identification, and conservation management. A class in La Porte will take place April 8, with others scheduled around this area at other times.

Below is a list of upcoming classes available around the state:

3/29, 9am, Elkins' Taxidermy, New Carlisle, IN

4/4, 5pm, Kankakee F & W Area, North Judson, IN

4/4, 530pm, Potato Creek State Park, North Liberty, IN

4/8, 6pm, The Blue Heron Inn, LaPorte, IN

(Michigan City, IN) - Two men are charged with having a stolen handgun recovered during a traffic stop by Indiana State Police in Michigan City.

Matthew Turner and Dewain Hernandez, both 23, are each charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony possession of a stolen firearm.

According to court documents, a state trooper was traveling behind the men Tuesday night in the area of 400 North and Ohio St.

The men were in a vehicle that had already crossed the center line several times before coming to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway.

Police said the trooper detected a strong smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and found the handgun underneath the front passenger seat.

A computer check of the serial numbers revealed the gun was reported stolen in Michigan City.

According to police, both men each accepted responsibility for the gun but gave conflicting stories.  

The Michigan City men could each face anywhere from a one to six year sentence.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A farm in Starke County in the same family for over a century is the latest winner of the Hoosier Homestead Award.

The Charles E. Troike Family farm received a Centennial Award.

The award honors families who have made significant contributions to Indiana agriculture.

Instituted in 1976, the program has recognized more than 6,000 family farms that have impacted Indiana's economic, cultural and social advancement.

"Hardworking families like the Troikes are the backbone of Indiana's economy," said State Senator Mike Bohacek of Michiana Shores. "These families pass down an agricultural legacy for generations supporting Indiana's role as one of the top agricultural producers in America," he said.

"It brings me great joy to honor families that continue to instill the values in the next generation that keep these farms in operation," said State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie. 

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.

To learn more about the program or to apply for a Hoosier Homestead Award, visit www.in.gov/isda.

(Kingsbury, IN) - A $70 million plant converting primarily food and crop waste into natural gas and nutrients for soil will be constructed in LaPorte County.

The plan includes another $70 million investment on an expansion once the facility at Kingsbury Industrial Park is operating.  

Ground has broken on the Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex, which is scheduled for completion late next year.

The plant will be owned and operated by Nexus W2V, a leading waste processing solutions firm based in Greenville, South Carolina.

“This is a decisive step toward a future where waste is transformed into a valuable resource,” said CEO of the company, Roshan Vani.

The plant will be able to process up to 200 tons of organic material like expired ingredients at major food processing plants for use in converting it into natural gas.

According to company officials, the facility will produce enough natural gas to operate more than 47,000 homes while reducing the amount of waste going into landfills.

“Indiana continues to lead the nation in attracting forward thinking investments in energy and waste management solutions,” said State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie.

Vani said a lot of the organic material will come from processors of edible products in the Chicagoland area whose food and ingredients never made it to the stores due to spoilage or expiring.

He said supermarket chains in the region will also be a supplier of packaged foods like cake mixes and cereal no longer available for sale. In addition, Vani said the company working through brokers and directly with farmers, if necessary, will secure the rights to crops such as potatoes and pumpkins that never made it to market.

“We already have a network of great brokers that already are networked with haulers where we can figure out ways to come get large volumes of organic waste,” he said.

Even food related fats, oils and greases along with expired soda pop are among the other materials that will be accepted into the plant.  

Some of the projected 35 workers to be hired at the plant, initially, will remove food from packaged items for placement into a digester where all organic material will be mixed with water or some other liquid then heated.

The methane created from decomposition of the slurry will be captured and injected into existing NIPSCO natural gas pipelines for use by consumers.

“We have equipment that cleans that methane to get it to a pipeline quality gas,” he said.

The remaining nutrient rich solids will be extracted from the digester and allowed to dry before processed into a bio-char product similar to potash. He said the bio-char product will be available for sale to customers such as farmers, gardeners and landscapers for use to improve the health of their soils.

Vani doesn’t expect any shortage of supply, citing figures that indicate more than 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is discarded.

“We’ve really been thoughtful on our receiving base side on how we can slide into the market with the existing eco-system,” he said.

Right now, Vani said the plan is to bring the food waste into the plant mostly on semi-trucks with freight trains an option still being explored. An existing CSX rail line at the park can be used to move product but would require a rail extension from the plant.

He said the facility will also have an odor control system to eliminate any foul smells emitting from the plant.

Matt Reardon, who’s in charge of economic development for La Porte County government, said the facility to be in the southeast corner of the industrial park has been several years in the making.  The project followed a process that included site selection, finding a buyer for the gas along with zoning approval.

“That’s a big investment by all measures and we’re certainly happy to have that,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver was arrested last night after fleeing from a motor vehicle crash outside La Porte.

According to La Porte County Police, the driver involved in the two vehicle collision on Indiana 4 at Stillwell called 911 about the fleeing vehicle he described as a GMC pick-up truck.

The vehicle was heading toward the La Porte city limts when spotted by an officer, who activated the flashing lights and siren on his patrol vehicle. The suspect kept driving but, eventually, pulled over after turning from Indiana 4 onto County Road 150 East.

Mark Dunfee, 68, of Fish Lake was arrested with an alleged blood alcohol level about two and half times the legal limit.

According to police, Dunfee told the officer he had not consumed alcohol and was heading to the police department to report the accident.

(LaCrosse, IN) - La Porte County Police say a driver who struck a railroad crossing signal yesterday was highly impaired.

The accident happened about 4 p.m. on U.S. 421 in LaCrosse.

Amanda Yarnall, 42, was taken into custody with an alleged blood alcohol level slightly more than three times the legal limit.

Police said the LaCrosse woman was driving next to a Styrofoam cup containing a clear alcoholic beverage in a cup holder.  She was arrested for operating while intoxicated as a Class A misdemeanor.

(Kingsbury, IN) - Ground was broken Thursday on a $140 million renewable energy plant in La Porte County.

The Kingsbury Bioenergy Complex will have the capacity to process 200 tons of organic waste like food scraps daily for that material to be converted into renewable natural gas.

South Carolina-based Nexus W2V will own and operate the facility, which is projected to employ about 35 people.

“Today marks a pivotal moment for Indiana as we solidify our position as a national leader in domestic energy production and waste management,” said State Senator Mike Bohacek of Michiana Shores.

“We are pleased to see growth in the energy sector and opportunities for jobs and developed at Kingsbury Industrial Park,” said La Porte County Council President Adam Koronka.

Supporters also pointed out the food scraps processed for natural gas production will not go into landfills, extending the life of landfills while also producing sustainable soil products to support agricultural and environmental health.

Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

(La Porte County, IN) - A jury might have to decide whether a man went too far in striking his granddaughter with a belt as a form of discipline.

Marc Lewis, 58, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with two counts of Level 5 felony and Level 6 felony domestic battery.

According to court documents, Lewis at the request of his daughter on Christmas drove from his home in Michigan City to her residence outside La Porte in Center Township. 

The woman requested her father’s presence in response to her 9 year old daughter refusing to clean her bedroom, police said.

According to court documents, Lewis after the girl argued with him went up to his granddaughter’s bedroom and began striking her with a belt. The girl was left with red marks and bruises on her legs, thighs and back.

Court documents show the Indiana Department of Child Services became involved after the girl told her father, who submitted pictures of her injuries to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Lewis did not speak directly with investigators, but through his attorney defended his actions, saying the girl has been violent in the past and lesser forms of discipline in the past failed to correct her behavior.

He could face anywhere from one to six year sentence on the most serious count.  Lewis, who was arrested Sunday, is scheduled for his initial court hearing on Friday.

(La Porte County, IN) - Additional safety measures are sought at a dangerous curve on a La Porte County highway following the most recent motor vehicle crash there.

Local businessman Dean White made the request at this morning’s La Porte County Commissioners meeting.

The difficult to see curve beside a woods is on U.S. 35 near the Indiana Toll Road overpass a few miles north of La Porte.

White said the installation of a sign warning drivers about the upcoming curve seems to have helped improve safety to a certain degree but more needs to be done.

He asked the commissioners to discuss taking additional measures with the Indiana Department of Transportation.

“Put, perhaps, a guard rail with reflectors to save lives and property,” he said.

His request was taken under advisement.

The latest crash there happened Sunday afternoon.  According to La Porte County Police, it appears 19 year old Edward Roman completely missed the curve and wound up striking a tree.

The Michigan City man was taken to the hospital complaining of pain to his leg and minor bleeding on one of his hands, police said.

Police said the crash was causing by Roman driving too fast for weather conditions.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police are investigating separate acts of vandalism at a business in Wanatah.

According to La Porte County Police, the glass on an entry door appeared to have been cracked possibly with a B.B. gun at Handy Spot Liquors along U.S. 30.

Police were contacted when the owner showed up Monday morning and spotted the damage.  The glass on the exit door beside it was also cracked possibly with a B.B. gun late last week, police said.

So far, police said a review of surveillance video captured from outside the store has not provided any strong leads in the case. 

(Michigan City, IN) - An arrest was made following a collision between an Amtrak train and the trailer of a landscaping truck in Michigan City.

According to police, the crash happened Tuesday afternoon at U.S 12 and Old Grand Beach Road on the city’s far northeast side.

The driver was at a stop sign waiting to turn on U.S. 12, but the trailer he was pulling came to rest on the tracks.  Police said the crossing arms came down and the fast moving train plowed into the trailer.

Fortunately, there were no injuries.

Police said the driver of the landscaping truck, Rodolfo Sanchez-Pacheco, 48, of New Buffalo, was arrested for not receiving a driver’s license.

The train was temporarily disabled from the crash.  

Police said flying debris from the crash damaged a second vehicle at the crossing.

(LaCrosse, IN) - A top state official on Thursday will be in southern La Porte County addressing uncertainty farmers might be feeling about the recent changes at the White House.

Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, will speak during the annual La Porte County Farm Bureau chili supper in LaCrosse.

His focus will be on whether agriculture will be impacted by the new administration and its new “Make America Healthy Again” mission.

The event is free and open to the public.

La Porte County Farm Bureau President Mark Parkman said it’s natural for farmers to feel uncertainty whenever there’s a new president and new administration.

“Mr. Trump has been relatively favorable to Ag in the past, but you never know,” he said.

The doors will open for the chili supper at 6 p.m. at The Center at 100 S. Washington St. in LaCrosse.  People coming are asked to bring a dish to go along with the chili and drinks that will be provided.

(Westville, IN) - A major intersection in Westville will be temporarily closed in the coming days.

Town officials said the intersection of E. Valparaiso Street and Flynn Road will close to local traffic beginning next Monday for water line maintenance.

The intersection should reopen on April 4.  Detour signs will be posted, officials said. 

(La Porte, IN) - Power was still out late Wednesday morning for more than 200 customers of NIPSCO on La Porte’s southwest side.

According to NIPSCO, a pole in the area of 18^th and I streets caught fire, somehow, causing the outage about 1 a.m.

NIPSCO spokesperson Jessica Cantarelli said the pole will have to be replaced and crews were out trying to restore power.

NIPSCO estimated power was restored just before 2 p.m.

Customers can go to NIPSCO.com/out for updates on the number of customers without power. 

(Satellite Beach, FL.) - A former elected official locally watched SpaceX go up to bring home the two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station for nine months.

Rich Mrozinski of Rolling Prairie viewed the launch from his second home in Florida about 15 miles from Cape Canaveral where SpaceX went up on Friday, March 14.

The two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, splashed down Tuesday evening in the Gulf America near Tallahassee on the opposite side of Florida from where Mrozinski lives during the winter.

Mrozinski said he witnessed SpaceX race toward the heavens with practically a bird’s eye view from the balcony of his condominium along the Atlantic Ocean.

“We watched them leave to go bring those astronauts back. Thank God they finally got back home,” he said.

Mrozinski served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War.

After returning from the war in the early 1970’s, Mrozinski said he was assigned to what’s now called Patrick Space Force base near Cape Canaveral as a staff sergeant whose job was connected to the Apollo 16 mission to the moon.

He was responsible for getting confidential information on paperwork coming in on teletype machines into the hands of the proper authorities.

“A lot of complicated, confidential stuff.  It was all pretty exciting,” he said.  

Mrozinski said he met the Apollo 16 astronauts John W. Young, Charles M. Duke, Jr. and Thomas K. Mattingly, II, while they were in training and was on the beach about a mile away when they launched from Cape Canaveral into orbit.

A few months later, Mrozinski came home as a civilian and went to work for NIPSCO as a high voltage electrician until retiring over a decade ago.

Given his military experience and connections to the space program, Mrozinski said he was emotional watching the once stranded astronauts emerge from their space capsule after returning to earth. He described his feelings as both proud and happy.

“It’s an experience of a lifetime they’ll never forget and they’ll be heroes for now on.  It’s very cool. Very cool, indeed,” he said.

Mrozinski said he has also watched from the balcony of his condominium dozens of other launches during the day and night for different missions like sending satellites into orbit in recent months.

“I’ve been up at one o’clock in the morning to watch them.  I just never get enough of it,” he said.

Mrozinski after serving two terms as a La Porte County Commissioner decided not to run for reelection in November. He also previously served two terms on the La Porte County Council.

(Michigan City, IN) - A suspected Michigan City drug dealer could face a potential lengthy prison sentence.

Quinton Golden, 32, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony and dealing in a controlled substance, a Level 6 felony.

According to court documents, Golden is accused of selling 59 methamphetamine pills weighing more than 30 grams along with five oxycodone pills from his residence in the 100 block of E. William St.

The alleged transactions occurred in the fall.

Police said the investigation revealed Golden was also possibly involved in the sale of other drugs such as ecstasy. 

The alleged sale of methamphetamine could result in Golden receiving anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence. 

Golden, who has a prior robbery conviction, is being held in the La Porte County Jail on $50,000 bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - Franciscan Health will provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index screenings on April 19 at three Michigan City barbershops.

The effort is part of the 13^th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative.

The events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sharper’s Image inside Meijer at 5150 Franklin St.; N & Out Barbershop at 4327 Franklin St. and Platinum Designs at 1801 Franklin St.

Health education and giveaways will also be part of the events.

The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males along with hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, local commissions and community partners, coordinate the Annual Black Barbershop Health Initiative events.

“Our goal is to educate on the potential risk factors of prostate cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes,” said Nila Williams, community health improvement coordinator for Franciscan Health Michigan City.

“We want to screen as many African American men as possible. African American men have the highest mortality rate than any other group in the state of Indiana and if we go to places where there is trust, like the barbershops, maybe we can make a difference,” she said.

Co-sponsors of the event include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the Michigan City Police Department, the Indiana Black Expo Michigan City Chapter, LifeChanges, LLC and MDwise.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is scheduled for an initial court hearing Wednesday on allegations stemming from the firing of gunshots.

Kaleb Gray, 24, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony criminal recklessness along with unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.

La Porte Police responded Sunday night to the 900 block of Park St. on multiple complaints of shots fired in the neighborhood. Shots could still be heard in the background while on the phone with one of the 911 callers.

Upon arrival, several neighbors reported hearing the shots but they didn’t know where they were fired, police said. 

Police said spent shell casings found in back of a home led officers to Gray, who explained at the front door he was watching television.

However, once a handcuff was placed on one of his wrists, he attempted to pull one of the officers into the house, police said. Two other officers assisted in bringing him under control.

(Michigan City, IN) - Approval has been granted to further the renovation of a century old house of worship in Michigan City.

It’s happening at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Parish on the city’s north end.

The upcoming work includes restoring the twin bell towers on the historic church building at 1506 Washington St.

The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety on Monday granted a request from the contractor, Ziolkowski Construction of South Bend, for a street closure to start restoring the badly deteriorated columns in each of the bell towers.

A crane will be placed in the street to reach the columns with a boom and bring down one of the columns beyond restoring to replace it.     

The board approved closing Ann St. from Washington to Franklin streets beginning April 7. The street will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday for two weeks.

According to the church website, the project is mostly about restoring the bell towers and brick façade of the landmark building that took 10 years to construct beginning in 1916.

The labor was provided by members of the congregation, who also put in the foundation believed to have been done by hand.

The plan related to the masonry includes tuck pointing the bricks of the bell towers with mortar of the original color to preserve the integrity and historical beauty of the structures.

An ongoing fund raising drive by the church is paying for the restoration.

(La Porte, IN) -A drug and alcohol related arrest was made in downtown La Porte after police stopped a moving car without headlights on.

According to La Porte County Police, it nearly 3 a.m. Sunday when a vehicle was traveling Washington St. with the headlights not activated.

Police said the driver, Michelle Cygan, 48, had a blood alcohol level of close to two times the legal limit. She was also allegedly found with a small amount of cocaine.

The La Porte woman could face up to a 30 month sentence on the cocaine related charge and up to a year in jail for operating while intoxicated.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A La Porte County sheriff’s deputy has been recognized for her work in Indianapolis.

Micah Dokmanovic received the First Responder Advocate for Mental Health Justice Award during the 22^nd annual NAMI Indiana Mental Health and Criminal Justice Summit in Indianapolis earlier this month. 

During the La Porte County Sheriff Merit Commission meeting last week, Sheriff Ron Heeg credited her and Sgt. James Lear for their work on the new Crisis Interventional Training program.

She and Lear are coordinators for the program offering mental health treatment as the first option in many cases.

“It teaches the officers how to differently handle individuals who are having some mental health episodes versus bringing them to jail,” he said.

Dokmanovic has been with the sheriff’s office for about four years working the afternoon patrol shift.

(La Porte County, IN) - A prison guard at Westville Correctional Facility is accused of taking $100 from an inmate to bring him marijuana.

Deandre Champion, 28, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with Level 5 felony bribery and Level 6 felony official misconduct.

According to court documents, prison authorities in early March began investigating when information developed that Champion was heard discussing with other individuals that he received money to bring a bag of marijuana into the facility and give it to an inmate.

He was also overheard saying he received the money on a CashApp, authorities said.

According to court documents, Champion after confronted denied the allegations but, eventually, admitted receiving the money but claimed he never brought in the marijuana.

He also told prison authorities he threatened the inmate with a conduct report if he lashed out at him for not living up to his end of the deal, authorities said. 

The Portage man was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 pending his initial court hearing on the charges on Tuesday.

(La Porte County, IN) - The cause of a house fire resulting in substantial damage near Hanna is under investigation.

Emergency responders from multiple agencies were called to the 2600 block of W. 1500 South early in the afternoon on Friday.

According to La Porte County Police, a woman had just returned to her bi-level home with her children then soon one of the kids spotted a large amount of smoke billowing from the attached garage.

Hanna Township Fire Chief Tony Wallace said the 30 to 40 mile per hour winds blew the flames toward the residence.

“It just started working its way across the ceiling and into the walls of the main level,” he said.

Wallace said the fire was stopped before it reached the upper level of the structure but the first floor of the home was significantly damaged by the fire.  Mulitple cats along with a bird perished in the blaze.

It’s believed the fire started somewhere in the attached garage but the cause is not known and remains under investigation, he said. The gusty winds also caused a nearby field to catch on fire.

Wallace said about two acres burned before the flames in the field were put out.

(La Porte County, IN) - We’ve obtained more details in the recent stabbing of a man in the chest at a motel outside Michigan City.

Heather Kist, 30, of La Porte is charged in the stabbing on March 6 at Dunes Inn near Franklin St. and Interstate 94.

According to court documents, the man and woman after a night drinking got into an argument over her alleged use of drugs. At one point, Kist allegedly grabbed a knife from the man’s boot and began waving it around until stabbing him in the chest.

According to court documents, she drove him to nearby Franciscan Health and left.

Police said the victim, Vincent Crowsley, had an artery close to his heart punctured and, despite internal bleeding, managed to speak to police while nurses applied pressure to the wound to slow the bleeding prior to surgery.

Kist was arrested two days later at a motel in Knox.  She could face an up to 16 year sentence on a Level 3 felony charge of aggravated battery. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A large tree fell on a moving vehicle near Michigan City during the high winds Friday night.

About 9 p.m., emergency responders were called to the 4300 block of N. 630 West in Coolspring Township, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said Michael Brennan, 82, was northbound when the tree came down on his 2020 Cadillac, causing significant damage to the roof and rear driver’s side of the vehicle.

Fortunately, police said Brennan and a passenger were not injured.

The La Porte County Highway Department was called to remove the tree from the roadway.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte YMCA is teaming up with the city and Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) to build a new Y facility in the near future.

The announcement was posted Friday afternoon to the YMCA website, confirming plans to build a new community recreation center. No details have been determined, but according to the statement, the process has been in the works for years, “emerging from extensive research, including learning from other communities, to identify how to best serve the community.”

Now the table is set for community partners to make it happen.

“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to providing accessible, high-quality programs and services that promote health, wellness, and community connection,” said YMCA CEO Scott Helmkamp. “As the center of our community, the YMCA is excited to create a welcoming space where individuals and families can come together, grow, and thrive for years to come.”

Once building plans and costs are determined, the Y will be launching a capital campaign to support the project. HFL will provide funding support and, along with the city, logistical assistance.

“HFL is dedicated to investing in initiatives that lead to improved health outcomes for La Porte County residents,” said HFL CEO Eric DeWald. “This community center will serve as a gathering space, helping to promote physical activity, social connectedness, and improved mental well-being, ultimately contributing to a healthier La Porte County.”

The new community recreation center will serve as the Y’s center of operations in La Porte. As part of the planning process, officials will work with the community to develop comprehensive programs and services. There promises to be something for everyone.

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody hopes to make the new Y a positive asset to a growing community. “This project is about more than just a new building—it’s about creating a space that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community,” he said. “We look forward to this new facility continuing to be a cornerstone for health, wellness, and community engagement.”

The construction timeline includes an anticipated groundbreaking in the fall of 2026, with completion expected by mid-2028.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte High School will be offering a new course of study for students interested in careers in criminal justice.

At this week’s school board meeting, school leaders announced a new Criminal Justice Pathway in which students will explore fascinating criminal justice and law enforcement career opportunities that count towards their diploma requirements. They say there has already been overwhelming student interest in the new program.

Aspyn Beaty, who aspires to be a lawyer, is one of the La Porte High School students looking forward to taking part. “I was really hoping when I got to high school there would be a pathway that I could follow,” she said. “I’m really excited because it aligns with my goals.”

The new program will begin next school year.

(Michigan City, IN) - On Thursday night about 70 Michigan City motel guests were evacuated due to a fire set in a second-floor room. One of those guests allegedly wasn’t interested in leaving, and he was arrested.

According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, Calvin Kinney (50), for unknown reasons, set fire to some bedding material in his room at the Microtel Inn. Kinney, who was later charged with arson, was taken into custody, as other motel guests were ushered to safety.

READ MORE: Man Inexplicably Sets Fire to Bedding, Forcing Evacuation of La Porte Microtel

One guest, however, Robert R. Butkus (60), refused to vacate his first-floor room despite commands from Sheriff’s deputies. With the room door slightly ajar, officers reported they could see Butkus using the bathroom, then crawling back into bed. Deputies gained entrance through a window and, according to reports, gave Butkus further opportunities to comply, before extricating him from the room and placing him into custody.

Butkus was charged with trespass and refusing to leave an emergency area, both misdemeanors.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is accused of setting a fire last night inside his Michigan City area motel room.

Calvin Kinney, 50, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 4 felony arson.

The fire happened at Microtel Inn on 400 North near U.S. 421.

La Porte County Police said smoke was coming from his second floor room but Kinney refused to open the door and used a mattress to try and keep it shut.  Eventually, he was taken into custody.

Coolspring Township Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith said fire damage was contained to the room but many other rooms suffered smoke and water damage.

Smith said the motel with roughly 70 guests was evacuated, forcing those people to go elsewhere for lodging.

Police said some bedding material was bunched together and set on fire.

Smith said he wasn’t sure when the motel will be able to reopen.

Kinney was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 cash only bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - A La Porte area man wanted for several months is now in custody on allegations ranging from shoplifting to fleeing police on a bicycle.

Jeffrey Utpatel, 51, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 4 with resisting law enforcement and theft.

According to court documents, Utpatel in October was riding a bicycle in the Holliday St. area with no lights or reflectors and being watched by an officer in his patrol vehicle when he began pedaling faster.

Police said the officer yelled for him to stop but he kept going, forcing the officer to activate his overhead lights and siren. Urpatel continued on, though, riding between residences in his bid to escape before hit with the probes of a taser gun fired by the officer, court documents revealed.

He fell off the bicycle and was briefly knocked unconscious before taken to a hospital with a laceration to his forehead.

In early February, he allegedly walked into Lowe’s and quickly filled a shopping cart with more than $800 in merchandise and left without paying. The stolen items included tools, caulk, paper towels, hand wipes and tape, police said.

He was identified from surveillance video at the store because of his face being familiar to store security and police from prior encounters.

Utpatel was taken into custody the following month.

(La Porte, IN) - Fire hydrants over the next four to five weeks will start being flushed in La Porte beginning Sunday.

According to the mayor’s office, crews will be flushing the hydrants every Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Water Department Superintendent Tim Werner said the flushing is a critical part of maintaining water quality and the system.

“It happens every year.   Still, we like to take the opportunity each time to remind our community just how important this system maintenance is as we work to continue high quality water service to our residents for years to come,” he said.

Werner also advised hydrant flushing could cause water in some areas to become discolored or rusty looking but, if that happens, it’s still safe to drink. However, he said discolored water in washing machines may stain clothing so residents should check their water before doing laundry.

Residents with stained clothing should contact the water department for a free rust removing solution before drying.

The La Porte Water Department can be reached at 219-326-9540.

(La Porte County, IN) - Motor vehicle drivers are urged to play closer attention for motorcycles hitting the roads now since the weather is becoming more like spring.

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said drivers should be certain there are no oncoming motorcycles before venturing out and crossing intersections.

He said the same applies for making sure there are no motorcycles behind drivers or in their blind spots prior to turning or changing lanes.

“Look once, look twice and also a third time,” he said.

Allen said drivers should also slow down as an extra safety precaution.

Earlier this week, police said Alec Tucker, 30, of Kingsford Heights was killed when an SUV on the opposite side of U.S. 35 pulled out in front of him while trying to cross the four lane highway at 400 South in Kingsbury.

(La Porte County, IN) - There were lane restrictions this morning on a stretch of highway where multiple vehicles, including a semi-truck, were involved in an accident near Rolling Prairie.

The accident happened about 8 a.m. in the 1500 block of E. U.S. 20.

According to emergency responders, there was a van on its side along with nails and screws on the highway.

Fortunately, there were no major injuries.

Both westbound lanes were shut down to allow crews to investigate and clean-up the scene.  The leaking fluid was mostly anti-freeze.

No timeframe was given on when the lane restrictions will be lifted.

(La Porte County, IN) - About 800 grade school kids from La Porte County now know that an average dairy cow produces about 100 pounds of milk per day.

They also learned much more about food production by attending the annual Ag Days at the La Porte County Fairgrounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

La Porte County Farm Bureau members were the instructors at more than a dozen portable classrooms inside and outside the Community Building.

Dairy Farmer Frank Minich told kids from various schools like Hailmann Elementary in La Porte that a typical cow begins producing milk about two years after they’re born and drink a “bathtub full of water” every day.

Minich’s farm near Door Village has about 800 dairy cows.

Paul Herrold, a grain farmer near Westville, taught kids about corn, soybeans and wheat. He also demonstrated in a question and answer session with a miniature grinder how wheat turns into flour.

“What am I going to get when I grind this wheat? Flour. Exactly,” he said.

Retired dairy farmer, Luann Troxel, showed the children two newborn calves and explained things such as why drinking milk is good for the body.

“That’s why milk is a great product because it gives you protein and calcium naturally,” she said.

Tim Bauer, a teacher at the Renaissance Academy, seemed just an interested as his students, if not, more from what he was learning.

“It’s great we got to see cows at two days old. I didn’t know cows were so big after two days. I think this is wonderful,” he said.

La Porte County Farm Bureau President Mark Parkman said Ag Days dates back to 1984 when it was hosted by the La Porte Row Crop Food Producers organization.  He said it was held annually until the COVID-19 pandemic but has since resumed as a yearly event teaching children about food production and the work involved in getting it to their dinner tables.

Parkman, who raises corn, soybeans, hay, wheat and cattle, said La Porte County Farm Bureau with help from the row crop group now puts on the event.

“It’s a pretty good way for kids to learn about where they’re food comes from,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Wednesday afternoon motor vehicle pursuit in La Porte County ended with the fleeing driver being killed in a collision with a tree.

Robert Bartels, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just before 4 p.m., La Porte County Police said a traffic stop was attempted on Bartels, who fled from officers in the area of 250 North and 500 West.

The chase veered onto 250 North where Bartels behind the wheel of a pick-up truck crashed into a tree just over a mile west from where the pursuit began. Bartels of rural La Porte was pronounced dead after extricated from his vehicle.

At the time, police said he was wanted on a warrant for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in La Porte.

Police said investigators are waiting for the results of a toxicology test to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man on a motorcycle was killed in a collision with a passenger vehicle Wednesday in La Porte County.

The victim was identified as Alec Tucker, 30, of Kingsford Heights.

La Porte County Police said Tucker was traveling U.S. 35 when an oncoming 2023 Ford Explorer turned left into the path of his 1993 Yamaha at 400 South in Kingsbury.

Tucker was transported by ambulance to a local hospital where he died from injuries sustained in the crash, police said.

Police said the other driver, Amy Kollar of La Porte, was not injured.

So far, investigators have not obtained the results of a standard toxicology test given to Kollar to determine if alcohol or drugs may have been a factor in her not yielding to the motorcyclist.

Police did not release any further information.

(La Porte County, IN) - Local republicans have reelected the leader of their party.

La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Allen Stevens was unopposed during a caucus of voting precinct committee chairpersons from throughout the county.

Going in, there was much speculation that he would be challenged given the multiple fractions within the party. Stevens said he was definitely surprised by not having opposition.

“I’m going to take it as a victory that people were comfortable enough and confident enough with my leadership that they were willing to give me another four years,” he said.

Tim Stabosz, chairman of the local 463GOP Republican Breakfast Club, said he feels there were people interested who backed away, though, when realizing they didn’t have enough support from within the party.

"I think Al has been a good leader. I support him," he said. 

Stevens of Hanna is now in his second term. He said his priorities include continuing to reach out to conservatives from a variety of backgrounds to grow party membership.

La Porte County, which used to lean slightly toward the Democratic Party, has become more solid republican in recent years with most elected seats in county government and the City of La Porte now held by GOP members.

(La Porte County, IN) - A teenager from La Porte is accused of leading Indiana State Police on a dangerous high speed motor vehicle chase.

Caleb Christensen, 19, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with resisting law enforcement, criminal recklessness and driving on a suspended license.

According to court documents, Christensen was pulled over on the night of March 6 because his vehicle had one working headlight in the area of Indiana 2 and 300 East near Rolling Prairie. 

The trooper was walking up to his car when Christensen took off at high speeds northbound on 300 East, police said.

He kept turning off and on his one working headlight and taillights during the pursuit, causing the officer to totally lose sight of the vehicle when the lights were out.

At one point, Christensen entered U.S. 20 without his lights on after disregarding a stop sign, causing eastbound vehicles to come to a sudden stop, according to court documents.  The chase was then terminated.

According to police, officers were led to Christensen, eventually, by the license plate number from his vehicle revealing his address and suspended driver’s license.

(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver causing a multiple vehicle crash with injuries just before Christmas in La Porte County is now facing charges.

Rogeilo Huerta-Tomas, 19, of La Porte is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.

According to court documents, Tomas on December 22 veered into the opposite lane on Indiana 39 to pass a vehicle from behind, but wound up colliding with an oncoming vehicle at 800 North.

The vehicle he struck was then hit in the rear by a vehicle traveling behind it.

According to court documents, the investigation showed the vehicle driven by Tomas, who had an alleged blood alcohol level of .111-percent, was operating without the headlights on.

The most seriously injured driver had three plates and six screws placed inside his fractured left hip.

Tomas could face an up to six year sentence on the level 5 felony charge. He’s also charged with never receiving a driver’s license, a Class C misdemeanor. According to court documents, he was heading back to his home in La Porte after visiting a friend in Michigan.

The charges were just recently filed because it took about two months for authorities to receive the results of a blood alcohol  test.

(La Porte County, IN) - A collision involving a car and motorcycle near Kingsbury late Wednesday morning is under investigation.

Emergency responders about 11:30 a.m. were called to U.S. 35 and 400 South.

It appears the driver of the motorcycle may have been seriously hurt because of medics requesting a medical helicopter.  The northbound lanes of U.S. 35 were closed as a result of the crash.

We’ll provide more details once they’re released by local authorities.

(La Porte, IN) - A man suspected in the theft of nearly $2,000 in cash from a business at gunpoint in La Porte last year is now in custody.

Xavier Cooper, 23, of Elkhart is in the La Porte County Jail on multiple charges including armed robbery. He’s scheduled for an initial hearing Friday in La Porte Circuit Court.

According to court documents, Cooper and one other man stormed inside Advance America in the 1100 block of W. Indiana 2 in March of 2024 and jumped over the counter. Guns were held to a female worker manning the register at the short term cash loan company.

She retrieved the money from two different locations as ordered by the suspects wearing masks and gloves, police said.

The men fled in a vehicle located abandoned and still running in an alley a short distance away on L St.

Investigators were led several months later to a third man, who’s now facing homicide charges in Allen County,  who said he picked up the suspects right away the robbery and drove them to South Bend, court records disclosed.

Police believe they have identified the other suspect, who has not been charged yet.

Cooper could face an up to 16 year sentence along with additional time on the remaining counts.

(La Porte, IN) - Construction is set to begin on INDOT's U.S. 35/Indiana Ave pavement replacement and utilities project in La Porte.

According to INDOT, the work beginning on or after tomorrow will occur from Boyd Blvd to Indiana 2/Lincolnway.

INDOT said U.S. 35 northbound will be reduced to one lane between Crescent Dr and Kingsbury Ave through late April for storm sewer installation.

Motorists should also expect single lane traffic with flaggers directing traffic on U.S. 35 between Indiana 2 and Kingsbury Ave on an intermittent/as needed basis through late November. 

The first main phase of construction will begin with reconstruction of the intersection of Kingsbury Ave, Woodlawn Dr and U.S. 35 later this spring. Work will then continue with pavement replacement on U.S. 35 between Woodlawn Dr and South Ave, according to INDOT.

Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully.   INDOT advises motorists should also slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

(La Porte, IN) -  The interim police chief in La Porte was officially appointed to the job on a permanent basis just eight days after the former chief resigned.

Matthew Drangmeister, a 17-year member of the department, was sworn-in Wednesday at City Hall by Mayor Tom Dermody, who cited his dedication and experience in many levels at the department as among the reasons for the quick decision.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Matt will greet each new challenge with the tenacity and the commitment that the chief’s position requires,” Dermody said.

Detective Jim Ferguson, a 20 year member of the department, was chosen to be the assistant chief.

Drangmeister, 41, was assistant chief under Dick Buell, who came out of retirement just over a year ago to lead the young department.

After the ceremony, Drangmeister said among his top priorities is for him and Ferguson, 51, to work the streets several times a month to eliminate a natural bridge that can exist between patrol officers and the administration.

He also felt working patrols will lead to better decision making by him and his second in command.

“It’s important so you don’t lose touch with what’s important, our front line,” he said.

Drangmeister began his law enforcement career as a jail officer at the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office when Buell was the jail commander. 

The appointment of Buell was not popular, initally, with the La Porte Fraternal Order of Police, because the new chief, historically, was chosen from within the department. 

Drangmeister said he was excited, though, when Buell was appointed because of the time he worked for him as a jail officer.

"I knew when I found out that he was going to be the chief of police that I would stand behind him and support him.  I learned a lot from him," he said.

(La Porte, IN) - The Pax Center in La Porte invites community members to the upcoming Pax Gardens Call-Out Meeting.

It’s scheduled Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Education Resource Center, which is at the Brighton Street Green Space at 210 Brighton St.

According to Pax Center officials, the gathering will provide an opportunity to learn about garden updates and exciting announcements, meet fellow gardeners, and sign up for a garden plot for the upcoming season.

Digital signups will be available at Pax Center social media pages following the meeting, and paper signups will be accessible at The Pax Center during program hours for the remainder of March, officials said. 

Gardening is completely free. The Pax Center provides all of the supplies and instruction.

“You simply get to enjoy the fruits of your labor and the fellowship of others,” officials said.

The Pax Center is dedicated to combating food insecurity in La Porte County through food pantries, community meals, and an extensive network of community gardens.

Learn more at thepaxcenter.com.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is facing potential time in prison for allegedly firing several gunshots at his home.

Justin Jamieson, 36, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with criminal recklessness and unlawful carrying of a handgun, both Level 5 felonies.

According to court documents, officers on March 5 were called to his home in the 200 block of Noble St. on numerous calls about shots fired.

Police said the investigation shows Jamieson and his wife after a night of drinking and playing games went to their bedroom where a verbal argument erupted.

At one point, police said Jamieson grabbed a handgun from his nightstand and went downstairs where he started firing the weapon.  A neighbor also witnessed him smashing through the glass of his front porch door with his forearms, according to court documents.

Police said two of the rounds were found in a tree in front of his residence. Five spent shell cases were located inside the front porch area of the home and at the bottom of the stairway.

Authorities said it was illegal for Jamieson to possess a firearm because of a prior felony conviction, which was for operating while intoxicated in Porter County.

According to police, five other guns were found inside the home along with several boxes of ammunition.

(Michigan City, IN) - Construction could start in the coming months on the much anticipated 14 story hotel and 12 story condominium tower announced for Michigan City more than a year ago.

During her recent state of the city speech, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said fencing was going up around the site along U.S. 12 across from City Hall.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a true groundbreaking sometime soon,” she said.

A formal groundbreaking was held in the fall of 2023 but not much has happened at the site.

Now, Inside Indiana Business is reporting the leasing out of units has begun for the over $300 million planned development with the start of construction possibly this summer.

Inside Indiana Business also quoted Scott Goodman, founding principal Farpoint Development, as saying he’s excited to play a role in the changes coming to Michigan City.

What’s called the SoLa project is projected to cover 628,000 square feet of space that includes 130 condominiums and 230 hotel rooms along with other amenities like a parking garage with space for up to 400 vehicles.

(Michigan City, IN) - Pride Fest in Michigan City has been approved again for this year despite concerns expressed over drag queen shows.

Such entertainment has been part of Pride Fest in previous years. However, during the Michigan City Park Board meeting last week, some board members, like Diane Sperling felt children in an open venue where Pride Fest is held should not be exposed to men dressed as women.

Sperling, while speaking to organizers of the event, said drag queen shows began in bars roughly a century ago and returned to bars when they became popular again in more recent years.

“So, I just don’t understand why it’s important to have that at your Pride Fest for children to see.  I have a problem with that,” she said.

City Councilman Bryant Dabney said he hasn’t received any complaints about the drag shows at Pride Fest and, personally, doesn’t have a problem with them.

“I’ve been down there and it’s been harmless to me,” he said.

Pride Fest is scheduled June 14^th at the Guy Foreman Amphitheatre at Washington Park.

(Michigan City, IN) - Five people were arrested Monday at three Michigan City massage parlors allegedly offering sexual favors for extra money.

Lihong Zhu, 45, is charged with Level 6 felony maintaining a common nuisance.  Juan Xiao, 39, is charged with Class A misdemeanor prostitution. Both women are from Chicago and were taken into custody at 2707 Franklin Street where more than $1,800 in cash was seized, according to written findings in the case submitted in La Porte Superior Court 4.

Also from Chicago, Zhangping Chen, 53, along with Xiaozhi Zeng, 51, are each charged in the same court with Class A misdemeanor prostitution. More than $2,900 in cash was seized where they were arrested at 1416 Franklin Street, according to court documents.

Yiqun Chen, 52, also of Chicago, is charged in the same court with Class A misdemeanor prostitution for her alleged conduct at Ruby Massage at 1706 E. U.S. 20 where just over $1,700 in cash was confiscated, court records show.

According to court documents filed in each of the cases, the investigation began late last year in response to complaints of standard massages offered for a fee as well as sexual favors, including intercourse, for an additional price. 

Rates for sex acts ranged from whatever tips customers wanted to leave up to a specific fee of as much as $200, police said.

The investigation included surveillance operations in January and February by the La Porte County Drug Task Force at each location along with undercover officers recently posing as customers.

The undercover officers started receiving standard massages then left after receiving offers for sexual favors at an additional cost. 

At one of the locations, after exchanging money for intercourse, an officer was told “here’s the girl for the $100.”  The officer then walked out, according to court documents.

Another officer was alledgely informed by one of the suspects giving him a massage that “we have a full list of services.”  When he asked if they offered sex, the woman replied “sex was $200,” court documents revealed.

After obtaining search warrants, police said cash was found on countertops, inside desk drawers and other places like inside the pages of notebooks.  Bank statements along with receipts for transactions were also confiscated.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte woman is now the leader of local democrats.

Julie Sinclair is the new chairman of the La Porte County Democratic Party following a vote from precinct committeepersons from throughout the county on March 1.

Sinclair, who was narrowly defeated when she ran for party chairman four years ago, is a former program specialist for the La Porte Community School Corporation.

She later held a management position with Mindful Nutrition and now is semi-retired, running a small property management company with her husband, Bill.

Sinclair said the party is now in a rare moment in time where the focus must be on “unity, structure and growth.” She also called for the party to come together with “renewed clarity of purpose.”

“The fight for democracy I real and we will wage it from the local level up,” she said.

Greg Coulter, a member of the Michigan City Common Council, was elected vice-chairman of the party.

Democratic candidates in La Porte County have struggled badly in recent years from La Porte County voters becoming more republican dominated.

(La Porte County, IN) - A flock camera led to two arrests from one vehicle allegedly containing various marijuana products near Michigan City.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer received a flock camera alert Friday about a Dodge Charger registered to a woman with a suspended driver’s license. The registration on the vehicle was also expired.

Police said the officer stopped the vehicle after spotting it on U.S. 421 at 400 North.

The officer detected a “strong and distinct” odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and during a search multiple chocolate products infused with THC were recovered along with THC gummies and THC wax, police said.

Police said a small amount of leafy marijuana along with used smoking pipes and other paraphernalia were found in the trunk.

The driver, Charissa Schmidt, 41, of Michigan City was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

A passenger, Harley Hatchel, 35, also of Michigan City was taken into custody for identity deception and an outstanding arrest warrant on a felony battery charge.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County Police officer disagreeing with a teenager driver’s definition of an emergency was ordered in court for traveling almost twice the speed limit on a stretch of Indiana 2.

According to police, a 2019 Honda Civic was clocked at 93 miles per hour late Saturday morning near Rolling Prairie.

After turning around, police said it took the officer four miles to catch up to the car still traveling similar speeds heading into La Porte. The driver pulled over on E. Lincolnway at Burson St.

Police said the driver when questioned about her speed claimed “there was an emergency at home.”  When asked to clarify, the driver said she was on her way to the La Porte County Jail to post bond for the boyfriend of her roommate.

The officer disagreeing that was emergency or any justification for traveling at such speeds issued 18 year old Savanna Hughart of Westville a summons to appear in court on a charge of reckless driving, police said.

(Michigan City, IN) - La Porte trailing 11-0 early in the first quarter lost to a very good South Bend Riley team for the sectional title Saturday night.

The Slicers were able to get within six points to start the second quarter but the speed, shooting ability and execution of the Wildcats, who have just four losses on the season, were too difficult to overcome.

The final score was 55-39 before a good sized crowd at Michigan City High School.  Griffin Ott-Large led the Slicers with 14 points while Sawyer Tonagel chipped in nine points.

The Slicers finished the season at 16-10.

Assistant Coach Matt Miller said the young Slicers squad after losing in the opening round of the sectionals last year were determined to make more of a run in the tournament this year by starting off season workouts quickly after last season ended.

“This group works extremely hard.  They’re a dedicated bunch.  Super competitive and they expect to win,” he said.

Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman is now facing potential time in prison in connection with the beating death of her five year old son allegedly at the hands of her live-in boyfriend.

Haile Lewis, 23, was charged Friday afternoon in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 1 felony neglect of a dependent.  The charge alleges Lewis knew her son was being abused but failed to seek help or remove him from the situation that resulted in his death.

Brice Bainum, 32, was previously charged with murder.

READ MORE: Michigan City Man Charged with Murder of 5-year-old(

After witnessing some of the abuse, Lewis found the boy unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom at Normandy Village Apartments on the morning of March 2nd,  according to court documents.

Police said Lewis told investigators while they were eating dinner the previous evening, Bainum felt the boy was being disrespectful and proceeded to use a blanket to bound the boy to his kitchen chair while demanding he apologize, which he did.  Lewis said Bainum then kept pouring cold water over the boy’s head for about one hour, according to police.

Court documents show Lewis told police she did not come to the aid of her son, not even when Bainum left the room to fill up the bottle again with water, because he made her sit down.

According to court documents, Lewis told police she later found the boy looking scared and crying in the bathroom after he was instructed to take a cold shower with Bainum yelling at her son, who appeared to have been struck “really hard.”

She said Bainum explained the child bit him on the arm hard enough to leave a bite mark and responded defiantly when she told him to stop hitting her son, according to court documents.

Court documents also revealed that Lewis said the boy was ordered back to his bedroom at one point and the child was complying when he was struck on the back of the head by Bainum.

Police said Lewis also told investigators she was later in the bathroom when she heard  a “thump” but she was not sure if the noise came from her son’s bedroom or if Bainum was in the room with the child, according to police.

Court documents also revealed a neighbor living above the apartment told police she heard the voice of a “little boy” saying “no, please stop.  I will be a good boy” then silence before an ambulance showed up about one hour later.

Police said Lewis told investigators she found the boy unresponsive after going into his bedroom to check on him and went to call 911, but Bainum grabbed the phone out of her hand.  More than one hour passed before he allowed her to call for help, according to court documents.  Police said the boy was airlifted from Franciscan Health to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he was pronounced dead that evening.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the boy’s cause of death was listed as multiple injuries such as bleeding on the brain due to assault.

Lewis told police Brainum had been abusing her son for about six months and her for roughly two months.  According to police, Lewis admitted there were times she could have sought help for her son but didn’t because she was scared of Bainum, who she accused of abusing her and her son for months.

Bainum was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $1 million bond. He could face a 45 to 65 year sentence.  Lewis is looking at the possibility of a 20 to 40 year sentence.

(Michigan City, IN) - A woman is accused of stabbing her husband at a Michigan City motel.

Heather Kist, 30, is charged with aggravated battery.

Just before 5 a.m. Thursday, La Porte County Police were called to Franciscan Health on a report of a man arriving there with a stab wound to his upper torso.

The investigation shows he was allegedly stabbed by his wife during an argument at the nearby Dunes Inn.

Police said Kist was located the next day at a hotel in Knox and taken into custody.  She could face anywhere from a three year to 16 year sentence on the Level 3 felony count.

(La Porte, IN) - On Wednesday, La Porte residents will meet their new Chief of Police.

The Mayor’s office announced Friday that Tom Dermody will hold a press conference on March 12 to introduce his pick to take over for Dick Buell, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Buell came out of retirement following a long law enforcement career to take the position last February.

Mayor Dermody will introduce his picks for Chief and Assistant Chief in the City Council Chambers of City Hall at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. A swearing-in ceremony will immediately follow.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is bringing back its Leadership Program for college students.

The program, launched last year, offers paid internships for undergraduates and grad students. Opportunities are ideal for students majoring in Public Administration and Affairs, Engineering, Political Science, Finance, Event Planning, Communications, Social Sciences, and Business.

Internships involve 20-35 hours per week in various municipal work, positions which pay between $17 and $19 an hour. The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Applications are due April 18. Internships begin June 2. For details, contact Kila Ward, Director of Education and Workforce Development: kward@emichigancity.com.

(Michigan City, IN) - A murder charge has been filed in what turned out to be a beating death of a five year Michigan City boy found unresponsive in his home.

Brice Bainum, 32, is being held in the La Porte County Jail on $1 million bond pending his March 11th arraignment in La Porte Superior Court 1 on charges of Murder and Class A misdemeanor Interference with Reporting a Crime.

The boy’s mother, Haile Lewis, 23, was being held in the La Porte County Jail on a 48 hour hold while prosecutors decide potential charges against her for the death.

According to court documents, Bainum was the live-in boyfriend of Lewis, who found the boy unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom on the morning of March 2nd at Normandy Village Apartments.  Police said Lewis told investigators Bainum, who felt the boy was being disrespectful, made him take a cold shower for about 15 minutes the previous night and keep apologizing, which he was made to do for about one hour.

According to court documents, Lewis told police she later found the boy looking scared and crying in the bathroom with Bainum yelling at the child. She said the boy appeared to have been struck “really hard” and Bainum told her the child bit him on the arm hard enough to leave a bite mark, according to court documents.  Lewis informed police she told Bainum to stop hitting the child and he responded defiantly, saying “he is not going to bite me,” court records disclosed.

According to police, Lewis said she was in the bathroom later when she heard a noise that seemed to come from her son's bedroom.  Court documents also revealed a neighbor living above the apartment told police she heard a faucet running inside their home and the voice of a “little boy” saying “no, please stop.  I will be a good boy.”

The woman said she also heard what sounded like someone “thrashing in the water” then silence until an ambulance arrived roughly one hour later, according to police.

Police said the woman told investigators she found the boy unresponsive after going into his bedroom to check on him and went to call 911, but Bainum grabbed the phone out of her hand. More than one hour passed before he allowed her to call for help, according to court documents.

Police said the boy was airlifted from Franciscan Health to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he was pronounced dead that evening.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the boy’s cause of death was listed as multiple injuries such as bleeding on the brain due to assault, a homicide. The autopsy also found contusions on the child’s scalp from multiple impacts on the head along with bruises and abrasions on his upper and lower extremities, court documents showed.

Lewis told police Brainum gave the child hot sauce at times when he cried and became jealous whenever she showed too much affection toward her son. She also described him as abusive in their relationship together and accused him of isolating her from her family, police said.

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

He could face a 45 to 65 year sentence.

(Michgian City, IN) - A murder charge has been filed in the recent death of a five year old boy in Michigan City.

Brice Bainum, 32, is accused in the beating death.

According to authorities, Bainum was the boyfriend of the boy’s mother, who found him badly hurt in his bedroom Sunday at Normandy Village Apartments. An autopsy revealed his injuries included bleeding on the brain and bruising on various areas including the scalp.

The boy was flown to a hospital in Chicago where he passed away that night.

The investigation shows there was a history of the boy being badly punished and Bainum possibly becoming jealous if the woman showed too much affection toward her son, according to court documents. 

Bainum is being held in the La Porte County Jail on $1 million bond.

He could face a 45 to 65 year sentence.

(Michigan City, IN) - An SUV wound up on its side after striking a utility pole in Michigan City.

Fortunately, there were no major injuries.

This happened Wednesday afternoon at Cleveland Avenue and Elmer St.

Official said it appears districted driving was the cause of the vehicle going up on a curb and guide wire of the pole.  Whatever injuries were suffered appeared to be only minor.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Local communities were included in the Indiana Department of Transportation’s announcement today of recipients for the spring 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant Program.

More than $200 million was awarded through the program and will go towards improving roads and bridges throughout the state.

Several communities in House District 9 represented by State Rep. Pat Boy (D-Michigan City) received grants for Spring 2025. 

The matching grant winners and amounts include:

Porter County - $1,500,000.00

Michigan City - $1,500,000.00

Trail Creek - $751,278.06

Porter - $541,331.25

Town of Pines - $159,817.50

Michiana Shores - $324,985.01

Boy said the funding is critical for maintaining local infrastructure.

“I’m thrilled to share that House District 9 will receive approximately $4.7 million in state funding this year through the Community Crossings Matching Grant. From the moment I began serving in the Statehouse, I’ve worked tirelessly to secure the resources and support needed for infrastructure improvements, ensuring that our communities have the necessary tools to thrive and stay connected,” Boy said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Once again, a hacker was able to show pornography during a La Porte County government meeting on ZOOM.

Last week, X-rated images wound up on the ZOOM screens during the La Porte County Planning Commission meeting. It happened previously late last year during a La Porte County Council meeting.

During Wednesday's La Porte County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Steve Holifield raised the idea of prohibiting ZOOM meetings for any La Porte County governing body as a result of the repeat side show happenings.

“It was bizarre, weird, perverse.  I think we can look seriously at whether we keep ZOOM, period, for anybody,” he said.

La Porte County Attorney Guy DiMartino felt better cyber security measures can be taken to prevent such happenings again and suggested talks be held with the county government Information Technology Department.

County government’s contract with ZOOM to provide such service runs until the end of the year.

The La Porte County Commissioners decided in early January to no longer offer their meetings on ZOOM, which allows people to watch and participate in the live sessions.

(Michigan City, IN) - A certified therapy dog is now working at the hospital just outside Michigan City.

The one year old chocolate lab is at Franciscan Health to provide comfort to patients, visitors and staff. The dog is also there for security purposes, if necessary.

Hospital security officer Doug Samuelson, was once a K-9 handler for Michigan City Police, said therapy dogs are also proven to be a morale booster.

“We’re bringing something to the community that’s going to enrich our community, make our community better, safer and just a better place to come,” he said.

The hospital brought in the therapy dog at the recommendation of Samuelson, who knows first- hand the proven benefits of such animals during his 14 years as a dog handler before retiring from the police department.

Samuelson is the handler of the dog, Oaken.

Jill Nygren, vice president of clinical support services for Franciscan Health Michigan City, backed the project from its inception. Nygren said Oaken is “part of our care team.”

“He’ll help support patients who are going through stressful, difficult, challenging times in their lives and bring another level of comfort and support and caring to help with the healing process,” Nygren said.

Oaken will live with Samuelson in his off hours, much like a police K9 does with its handler.

“In the end, everyone here will know his name,” Samuelson said. “They may not know mine, but they’ll know his.”

(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver was arrested by La Porte County Police last night after nearly causing several collisions.

Police said the driver from Michigan City had a blood alcohol level close to four times the legal limit.

About 9:30 p.m., two drivers calling 911 reported a vehicle speeding up and slowing down to as low as 15 miles per hour on U.S. 35 south of U.S. 20. The vehicle was also veering over the center line and nearly leaving the road to the right off the shoulder.

Jose Balderas Ambros, 27, was soon located and taken into custody.

Police said he nearly struck at least a half dozen vehicles.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm.

It will follow the traditional parade route north on Franklin St., beginning at 9^th Street and ending at 4^th Street.  Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch will be at the parade celebrating with the community.

“I’m excited to wear my green and come out to enjoy the crowd, interact with families, support what our Special Events team is doing, and thank the parade participants,” she said.

Terry Greetham, the city’s Director of Special Events said the upcoming parade is the first big event of the year.

“This parade will kick off what we believe will be an amazing event season,” he said.

The parade line-up will include bag pipe bands, dance teams, local businesses and organizations, an XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix race boat, “Crazy Rhythm.”

There will also be a food drive for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana coordinated by the Real Housewives of LaPorte County. Everyone attending the parade is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate.

More information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including parade line-up, can be found on the Michigan City Special Events Facebook page.

St. Patrick’s Day is officially March 17 but the parade in Michigan City is traditionally held just before the holiday.

(Michigan City, IN) - A major housing and retail development in the downtown area of Michigan City is moving forward.

500 housing units along with a grocery store are planned on Pine St. between 5^th and 6^th streets.  Several developers were vying for the project.

During her State of the City speech Tuesday, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said she will reveal the chosen developer at the end of the month.

“We’re exciting about this project.  We’re estimating this to be a $300 million capital investment,” she said.

The site cleared a number of years ago is where Memorial Hospital once stood.

Deuitch also said there’s been movement on the highly anticipated high rise living and hotel facility planned along U.S. 12 near City Hall. She said fencing is going up around the site and dirt could start being moved there sometime in the near future.

(La Porte, IN) - Post season boys’ basketball doesn’t get much better than a match-up between La Porte and Michigan City.

The Slicers (15-9) and Wolves play in the sectional semifinals at Michigan City High School on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

La Porte advanced by defeating Penn last night 52-37.

The Wolves, who beat La Porte 72-63 in late January, received a first round bye.

Carl Savich, the color commentator for Slicers games on 96.7 The Eagle, said the victory over Penn may have been the best season long performance by the young La Porte squad.

“They played a terrific team game both offensively and defensively.  It was a lot of fun to watch.  That’s sure sure,” he said.

The Slicers, who committed just seven turnovers, were led by Griffin Ott-Large with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.  Nic Spence had 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals while Destin Matzke added 8 points and 7 rebounds.

After a tough start to the season, Savich said the Slicers have come on strong especially since mid-season.

“It’s been a pleasant surprise,” he said.

Savich said he likes the Slicers chances against Michigan City (13-9) if they play like they did last night.

(Michigan City, IN) - The firing of gunshots during an argument in Michigan City has resulted in an arrest.

Michael Johnson, 40, is charged with felony counts of criminal recklessness, intimidation and serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.

According to police, two men were arguing Sunday afternoon when Johnson standing nearby fired several shots from a handgun into the air.  Johnson then directed verbal threats toward one of the men.

A gunshot detection system alerted officers to respond near the 500 block of E. 11^th St. where Johnson was identified as the suspect.

Police said it was against the law for Johnson to have a gun because of a prior felony conviction. There were no injuries or damage caused by the shots.

Johnson was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 cash only bond.

(La Porte, IN) - There’s a new police chief in La Porte.

Dick Buell, 71, resigned yesterday.

He came out of retirement just over a year ago with the mission of providing veteran leadership and setting a positive example at the young department.

“He is my old school type of leader, which I appreciated,” said La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

Buell is a former longtime police officer, who later was in charge of the La Porte County Jail then La Porte County Community Corrections.

He was replaced by La Porte Police Assistant Chief Matt Drangmeister, a veteran of the department who will serve as acting chief until a permanent replacement is named.

Dermody said Buell’s resignation came as a surprise but he also didn’t expect him to hold the position for a long time when hired.

“He did exactly and did everything that I could have asked of him.  I wish him well. I think the City of La Porte is in a better place because of him,” he said.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Governor Mike Braun today signed two executive orders to ensure fairness in women’s sports and rejecting extreme gender ideology in favor of the scientific reality of biological sex.

The executive order protecting opportunities for women in college sports comes ahead of International Women’s Day this Saturday, and follows Governor Braun’s executive order expanding paid parental and childbirth recovery leave for women signed Monday. 

Executive Order 25-35: Protecting Opportunities in Post-Secondary Women’s Sports 

This executive order mandates that Indiana’s state educational institutions must comply with the 2020 Title IX Rule rather than the 2024 Biden Administration reinterpretation that extended protections based on self-reported, ever-changing new idea of “gender identity.” 

The order ensures that female athletes in college sports are not forced to compete against biological males, preserving the integrity of women’s athletics and protecting opportunities for women in female-only sports leagues. 

"Women’s sports create opportunities for young women to earn scholarships and develop leadership skills. Hoosiers overwhelmingly don’t want those opportunities destroyed by allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, and today’s executive order will make sure of that,” Braun said.

Executive Order 25-36: Ensuring Indiana Law is Based on the Reality of Biological Sex Rather than Extreme New Gender Theories 

This executive order makes clear that Indiana will not go along with the extreme gender ideology that created the problem in women’s sports..

“Replacing the scientific fact of biological sex with the always-changing, self-reported idea of ‘gender identity’ has real consequences: it puts women in danger in female-only spaces like prisons, it destroys opportunities for women in sports, and it tells troubled kids that their mental health problems can be solved with sterilizing drugs and irreversible sex change operations. Indiana will not go along with this radical new idea of what gender means, and we will not allow tax dollars to be used to promote this ideology — instead, we’re going to focus on providing Freedom and Opportunity for all Hoosiers,” Braun said.

(Michigan City, IN) - A convicted drug dealer from Michigan City is back behind bars for allegedly having a large amount of narcotics.

David Smith, Jr., 44, is accused of having 10 plastic bags of methamphetamine along with eight plastic bags of cocaine and 15 small plastic bags of crack cocaine in late February at his residence in the 600 block of Monroe St.

According to court documents, two handguns were also located inside the home along with more than $6,000 in cash.

Smith is charged with dealing each of the drugs because of the sizable amounts allegedly recovered from his home and discovery of a digital scale typically used in selling narcotics, authorities said.

He’s also charged with a felony firearms crime because it was against the law for him to having a gun due to his prior cocaine dealing conviction from 2011.

Smith could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on each Level 2 felony drug dealing count along with a 2 to 12 year sentence on the Level 4 felony gun related charge.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man is facing potential time in prison for seriously injuring someone during an apparent conflict over money.

Thomas Smith, 51, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony battery.

According to court documents, a man in the 400 block of Hayes St. told police he approached Smith in December about some money he owed him. During a heated exchange, Smith allegedly struck the man with some type of blunt object.

The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he was found to have a broken arm.  Smith, who had a warrant out for his arrest the following week, was taken into custody in late February.

He just recently posted a $2,500 bond.  Smith could face an up to six year sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - USA Today newspaper has La Porte as one of the Top 20 best small towns in America.

The ranking is for cities with fewer than 25,000 residents. The national publication cites factors like the city’s lakes, historic downtown and vibrant events for La Porte making the list.

Currently, people can vote online for their favorite community among the Top 20 until March 31.  USA Today will announce the winner on April 9.

Currently, La Porte is the leading vote getter.

“I encourage everybody to vote,” said La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

Three other downstate Indiana cities Nashville, Vevay and Madison made the rankings.

(Michigan City, IN) - Police are investigating the death of a five year old boy in Michigan City.

Just after 7 a.m. on Sunday, police said emergency responders were called to the 2200 block of Normandy Drive on a report of an unresponsive child inside a residence.

The boy was taken by ambulance to the hospital then flown by helicopter to a medical facility in Chicago for advanced care, but he passed away about 12 hours later, police said.

A search was conducted of the home and evidence collected. So far, further details have not been released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan City Police.

(La Porte County, IN) - The humanitarian work by a local official is being recognized in the region.

Center Township Trustee Lisa Pierzakowski has been nominated for the Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards.

All nominees will reviewed by the organization. Finalists will receive medallions during an awards banquet in late September where the winners will also be announced.

Pierzakowski is widely known for going extra mile in many areas like finding homes and overnight shelter during the winter for the homeless and meeting other needs like food and clothing for low income individuals.

(Indianapolis, IN) - State Senator Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) welcomed Knox resident Lacey Hahn and Walkerton resident Destiny Trent to serve as Senate pages in January.

Hahn, who is a homeschooled student, and Trent, who attends Walkerton Elementary School, spent a day at the Statehouse touring the historic building, observing debates from the Senate floor and interacting with their state senator.

"I always appreciate having the opportunity to meet with local students," Bohacek said. "When you page for the Indiana Senate, you really get a feel for how our state legislature works."

Students in grades six through 12 participate in the page program on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. Groups serve on Wednesdays.

This year’s legislative session is scheduled to run four months through April. To learn more about the Senate Page Program, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Page-Program.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A desire to drastically cut federal spending could threaten a program helping farmers in Indiana and other states interested in planting cover crops.

A pause has been placed on a $500,000 grant utilized by the Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance.

Ben Wicker, Executive Director of the IANA, said a hold was placed on those dollars in mid-February as a result of the ongoing review of federal spending undertaken by the new administration at the White House.

Wicker said IANA has three years are left on the five year grant providing $100,000 annually toward the program.

“We’re waiting to see what the results of those reviews will be,” he said.

The grant funded by USDA is administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Wicker said IANA uses the grant to provide agronomists, who help farmers interested in planting cover crops decide what to grow during the offseason and navigate the process involved in getting started.

He said farmers are also lined up with potential customers in the private sector like utility companies willing to compensate them for the greenhouse gas emissions their cover crops absorb from their generators.

In addition, Wicker said the grant helps offset the operating expenses of planting cover crops by $25 per acre the first year; $15 per acre the second year and $10 per acre for the third and final year of the cost share agreement with farmers.

Wicker said federal dollars have also been paused on programs directly offered by other agriculture agencies with help from the support provided by IANA.

“There’s uncertainty right now as far as what the ultimate fate of those programs will be,” he said.

The funds provided by the cover crop incentive grant represents about one-third of the annual operating budget of IANA, which was formed as an independent agency in 2017 through a partnership with a number of major farm related organizations and funds from their check-off programs.

The groups affiliated with IANA represent producers of corn, soybeans, pork, beef, poultry and milk. Indiana Farm Bureau and the Agri-business Council of Indiana also played roles behind the founding of IANA.

Wicker said about 50 percent of their funding is from USDA and the National Resources Conservation Service under USDA.

“We’re not a government agency ourselves but we work with many of the different agency partners and the private industry folks as well,” he said.

Wicker said he’s not sure how long it will take to complete the federal spending review but expects to know more about the future of the cover crop incentive grant within the next 30 days.

Regardless of the outcome, he anticipates IANA continuing with its mission of making sure farmers have the best information possible for making decisions to help the future viability of their operations and improve water quality.

He said the group’s efforts, though, could be scaled back or shift with any reductions in federal funding.

“We’re kind of in a holding pattern of seeing where things shake out. It’s way too early at this point in my estimation for me to say what that long term outlook really looks like,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver will have to answer to a judge for traveling well above the speed limit with just one working headlight last night.

Amya Sharp, 20, of Trail Creek was given a summons to appear in court on a charge of reckless driving, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said she was first clocked at 66 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone on U.S. 20 near Fail Road with a bad headlight. The officer turned around and, while trying to catch up, estimated the speed of the accelerating eastbound vehicle at 90 or 91 mph., police said.

According to police, Sharp after pulled over admitted to her speed and claimed she was traveling to a restaurant in South Bend for dinner.

Police said there were two passengers in the vehicle, including her 16 year old brother. She was also issued a warning ticket for the headlight not working.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are trying to identify the person who shot a home with marbles fired from a paintball gun over the weekend.

It happened Saturday evening near Westville.

Police said a "barrage" of marbles struck the home and cracked a living room window while the occupants were watching television.

According to police, the suspect was possibly in a vehicle that seems to have fled into Porter County judging by data obtained from flock cameras and description of the vehicle given by the victims.

The vehicle was possibly a white or gray 2008 Audi A4, police said.

According to police, the victim reported his home beginning in May has been periodically struck with rubber bullets and paintballs but this was the first time marbles were used by whoever is responsible.

Police said the flock camera information has also given investigators the name of a possible suspect.

(Hudson Lake, IN) - Job seekers came out in droves Thursday night in Hudson Lake.

Monroe’s Crossing was the site of a hiring event put on by Amazon Web Services, or AWS. Hopeful applicants lined up out the door and along Chicago Road waiting to get in.

Once they did, Amazon offered them a drink ticket, food, and an opportunity to meet with recruiters.

Sarah Georgiades, who heads up community engagement for AWS, told HTNN that staffing needs are immediate. “We’re trying to hire, as quickly as we possibly can, 250 people right now,” she said. “So we’re really looking forward to be able to get out, meet the community, see what the skill sets are, and try to fill that gap.”

She says qualifications for the jobs are wide-ranging. “We’re looking for a variety of skills,” Georgiades said, “and we do provide training.” She added that prior work experience and a willingness to learn are the most important qualifications. Familiarity with a computer is a plus; programming skills are not necessary. People with HVAC and electrical skills are also needed.

According to Georgiades, a number of people have already been hired and are in training at the Amazon data facility east of New Carlisle.

Over 300 people showed up to Thursday’s hiring event, which is the first one that AWS has hosted. They plan to host more such events in the area, as their workforce is expected to grow to about 1,000 workers.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A public survey is being conducted for people who live and work in and around New Carlisle.

The subject is a proposed community center possibly on the outskirts of town. A steering committee consisting of representatives from the town of New Carlisle, Olive Township, and New Prairie United School Corporation has been discussing options for such a project. At the end of last year, the St. Joseph County Council approved $195,000 for Wightman Associates to conduct a feasibility study.

Land near the town’s grocery store and the Crown Event Center is a possible landing spot for the center, which could include outdoor and indoor athletic facilities and public gathering spaces. Right now, there is no commitment to build a community center, and what amenities one might include depends on public feedback.

To take part in the online survey, click this LINK.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is seeking public feedback on a new plan that outlines the future of the community.

On Wednesday, March 12, the city will host two public open house events to engage residents in the development of a comprehensive plan.

The meetings will be held at two different times and places on the 12^th:

• Noon to 3 p.m. at the Exchange Building (807 Indiana Ave)
• 5-8 p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium (1001 Ridge St)

The comprehensive plan will help city leaders as they consider growth, development, and transportation issues important for the community's future. The public will be invited to review material, make comments, and ask questions about the plan as it currently stands. Community Development & Planning Director Craig Phillips said these insights will help ensure that the city creates a plan reflecting the community’s needs and desires.

 “Participation from the public is a key part of the process, so we hope to see a great turnout at both meetings,” Phillips said.