(St. Joseph County, IN) - A beloved K9 member of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has passed away.

Passersby may have noticed an increased police presence at Oak Knoll Veterinary Clinic in Rolling Prairie Thursday. It was a show of last respects for a four-legged, big-hearted member of law enforcement known as Sheriff Bruno.

Just one day before, the 12-year-old American bulldog received a heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal cancer. He took his last breath Thursday in the arms of his handler, Special Deputy Joe Hamer.

Bruno was adopted from an animal shelter by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, where he began his career, earning the honorary title Sheriff. He even joined the Fraternal Order of Police.

Sheriff Bruno joined the St. Joseph County police force in 2019. Since then, serving as a comfort dog, he made countless appearances at schools, graduations, 4-H Fairs, parades, career days, and memorial services. Bruno also traveled to Washington, D.C. multiple times to honor fallen officers and even attended a presidential inauguration. He was a good boy, who made thousands of people happy.

According to those who knew him best, Bruno had a special gift for consoling grief. His specialty was comforting the families of officers killed in the line of duty. It’s a mission he travelled the state and the country to carry out.

On Thursday officers suddenly were left to comfort each other, with Sheriff Bruno’s passing. A procession of police comrades escorted Bruno to the South Lawn Cemetery for cremation. Details for a memorial service will be released soon.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two Michigan men and a large stash of prescription drugs were taken in by police following a chase that ended in La Porte County.

According to the Chesterton Police Department, the multi-agency pursuit started with Crown Point police identifying a stolen out-of-state SUV eastbound on I-94 sometime after 11:00 Thursday morning.

A Chesterton police officer picket up pursuit just west of State Road 49. After reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph and driving recklessly through a construction zone, the SUV exited onto southbound U.S. 421. Eventually the driver lost control and flipped the SUV into a ditch near La Porte County Road 50 N.

The two male occupants immediately fled into nearby woods. The lone officer, identified as Sgt. Eric Lisoski, was able to find and subdue them both, using a Taser one of them in the process.

Inside their vehicle, police allegedly found over 200 bottles of prescription drugs, including narcotics, along with items believed to be from recent burglaries in Minnesota.

Chesterton Assistant Police Chief Cisco Rodriguez commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the agencies involved. “The recovery of a large quantity of suspected stolen prescription narcotics highlights the vital importance of multi-agency interdiction efforts and reaffirmed the department’s ongoing commitment to working across jurisdictions to hold offenders accountable,” Rodriguez said. “While these medications are safe when used as prescribed by a physician, they can be extremely dangerous—and potentially fatal—when distributed illegally on the street or other black-market channels.”

The two suspects, both in their late 20s from the Detroit area, face a series of charges related to the drugs and their evasion of police. They are being held at the La Porte County Jail for authorities in Minnesota, pending the burglary investigation there.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police made a sizable drug bust this week on an area interstate.

A Lake County Sheriff’s deputy made a routine traffic stop on eastbound I-90 near Westville late Wednesday morning. According to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez, the officer was on a highway patrol detail.

The driver of the out-of-state Chevy Tahoe, Yohan Ponce Riera (39), of Ocala, Florida, was found to have an active warrant out of Florida for sexual battery of a minor and child molestation.

In his SUV, police allegedly uncovered 16 kilograms of cocaine and 50 pounds of methamphetemine.

“I commend the outstanding work of our officers for the quick and decisive arrest of a dangerous suspect traveling through our area,” said Sheriff Martinez. “These police officers also seized a significant amount of narcotics that will never threaten our communities now.”

Riera is being held without bond at the La Porte County Jail, facing federal charges which are pending through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man from Michigan was arrested for allegedly leading police on a high speed chase in a stolen sports car in La Porte County.

About 5 p.m. on Thursday, police said a sheriff’s deputy spotted a Porsche tailgating then passing a commercial motor vehicle from behind at high speeds on the Indiana Toll Road near Rolling Prairie.

A traffic stop was attempted but the driver refused to pull over.

The pursuit entered a construction zone where the suspect passed a line of vehicles and struck a van near the Indiana 39 exit.  The fleeing car wound up in a ditch.

Police said Shay Palmer, 31, of Muskegon fled uphill on foot through a meadow and into a tree line but after officers formed a perimeter he was captured.

His charges include auto theft and resisting law enforcement.

La Porte County, IN) - The hospital just outside Michigan City was damaged when struck by a motor vehicle for the second time in less than six weeks.

The latest crash happened about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday on the southeast side of the Franciscan Health building along U.S. 421 and Interstate 94.

According to La Porte County Police, Judith Brown, 79, told investigators she pulled up for her weekly appointment but has no memory of what happened next.

Police said her van took out a handicapped parking sign and drove through some landscaping before the front end struck the building, which was left with two shattered windows.

The Michigan City woman was taken to the emergency room complaining of pain to her neck, police said.

Police said a skid mark leading to the damaged building was left in the parking lot. Her van was damaged enough to require a tow.

Another van in mid-April struck a side wall close to where the latest accident happened and wound up partially inside the structure.

According to hospital officials, there was no disruption in service or injuries to staff or patients from either of the collisions.

(La Porte, IN) - There’s a free open to the public picnic in La Porte tomorrow.

The La Porte Kiwanis Club is hosting the community picnic at the Charles Lindewald Park. Hot dogs, chips, snow cones and cookies will be served along with water at the facility on Park St.

There will also be inflatable games, a police vehicle, fire truck and discussion about bicycle safety along with a minion.

The picnic Saturday is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man struck a vehicle in Michigan City and fled but was soon located badly impaired.

Those are the allegations faced by Daniel Childers.

Childers, 45, is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated and Class B misdemeanor leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

Police said his blood alcohol level was .302 percent or nearly four times the legal limit.

It’s alleged Childers Wednesday night struck the back end of a car stopped for a red light at U.S. 20 and Cleveland Ave. and fled. He was followed by the victim to a residence on Wozniak Road where police located him a short time later.

According to police, Childers denied being the driver but his physical appearance matched the description given by the victim and the hood of his vehicle parked outside the residence was warm to the touch. 

There was also fresh damage on the front end of his vehicle, police said.

Childers could face an up to one year jail sentence on the Class A misdemeanor count and an up to six month jail sentence on the lesser charge.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is facing charges in connection with a high speed chase ending with a crash and injuries.

Scott McRobert, 27, was still being held in the La Porte County Jail on allegations that included impaired driving.

Early last Friday, La Porte Police said he was caught traveling 47 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone on Lincolnway but refused to pull over.

Police said he ran stop signs, traffic lights and even traveled in the opposite side of Indiana 2 at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour before crashing into a tree near Rolling Prairie.

McRobert took off running but was soon captured, police said.

There were two passengers with one taken to the hospital complaining of serious pain.

Police said a blood test revealed alcohol and drugs were in his system.

The investigation shows his passengers kept urging McRobert to pull over but he refused, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) -A Michigan City police officer was justified in fatally shooting a man fleeing on foot nearly two months ago.

That’s the ruling by a special prosecutor appointed to the case.

According to investigators, the victim, Jorge Meza was a passenger in a car stopped for a traffic violation on April 4. During a foot chase, Meza pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at officers involved in the pursuit.

Investigators say Meza took off running again, stopped and with two hands pointed the firearm at one of the officers, Michael Oberle.  Oberle fired multiple times, striking Meza, who fell and dropped the gun.

Investigators say Meza began to reach for the gun when shot two more times by the officer.

In addition, the suspect’s gun was loaded and evidence shows he tried firing the gun multiple times but a malfunction with the gun prevented it from firing, according to investigators

Jasper County Prosecutor Jacob Taulman decided not to file charges after reviewing the evidence gathered by Indiana State Police.

Oberle is a 15 year member of the force.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police made a drug bust after stopping a vehicle traveling without its headlights on last night.

Armani Jeanes, 19, and Kentrell Hatton, 28, both of Michigan City were still being held in the La Porte County Jail today.

Police said an officer spotted a car leave a gas station on Michigan Boulevard without headlights on for an extended period.

During a traffic stop, the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, police said.

Jeanes was allegedly found with more 20 grams of the prescription painkiller, oxycodone, while Hatton is accused of having more than three ounces of marijuana.

Currently, they’re being held on preliminary counts until prosecutors decide whether to file formal charges in the case.

(La Porte, IN) - The LakeFest planning committee today released the festival's schedule of events for its fifth annual season.

According to Park Superintendent and Committee Chair Mark Schreiber, new this year are weekend steamboat rides on Pine Lake, a family beach bash along Stone Lake, free fitness classes at Unity Park and a Sunday brew fest on Stone Lake Beach.

Schreiber said live music returns to the parks, including a free concert by global pop sensation Jesse McCartney, as well as an artisan market, car show, outdoor recreational activities and more.

Held at La Porte's Pine, Stone and Clear lakes July 25-27, LakeFest will also feature food trucks and a wide array of family-friendly activities.

“The festival offers more variety than ever before,” he said.

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

(La Porte County, IN) - A motor vehicle crash possibly linked to a high speed pursuit happened late this morning between Michigan City and Westville.

Emergency responders were called to Coolspring Inn on U.S. 421 at Snyder Road.  There was a crash along with a foot pursuit.

At least one person was injured with what was described as a two inch long laceration to the elbow.

Just minutes before the crash, there was a high speed chase eastbound on Interstate 94 that veered in that direction on U.S. 421. The chase began in Crown Point.  

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

(La Porte, IN) - A sewer line extension to serve a new building should be happening soon at New Porte Landing.

The line will serve Grand Heritage Federal Credit Union, which will relocate from its present location on Koomler Drive.

The building cannot be constructed, though, until the line is installed and connected to an existing sewer.

Waste Water Department Superintendent Jerry Jackson recommended the contract be approved during yesterday’s La Porte Redevelopment Commission meeting since the cost was close to the original estimate and eliminate further delays.

“This is holding up the project, I understand.  Now, we can move forward,” he said.,

The contract for just over $58,000 is contingent upon review by the city’s Office of Engineering, which estimated the job at $50,000 before the job went out for bids.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two suspected burglars were caught by the property owner who fired a gun when he spotted one of them fleeing from his Michigan City area home.

Gregory Novak, 37, and Kari Kohn, 39, are charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 4 felony burglary.

According to court documents, the victim returned home Monday afternoon to see Novak running out of the residence and jumping over the railing on his deck.

Novak stopped, though, after the victim fired his gun into the ground, police said.

Police said the victim then spotted Kohn running out of the side door of his residence toward the driveway.

The victim discovered his stereo in the back of Kohn’s vehicle, police said.

Court documents revealed entry into the home in the 6900 block of N. 525 West was gained by forcing open a sliding glass door. Novak and Kohn were being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 bond.

(La Porte, IN) - A speeding driver in La Porte with two prior drunk driving convictions was pulled over and arrested again for allegedly driving impaired.

Shawn Stidham, 37, of La Porte is charged with operating while intoxicated as a Level 6 felony due to having at least one prior OWI conviction.

La Porte Police said an officer pulled him over for traveling 47 in a 25 mile per hour zone in the 1200 block of Lincolnway during the early morning hours on Sunday.

After turning down the volume on the loud music he was playing, Stidham when asked to show his hands stuck them out his open sunroof, police said.

He explained the window on the driver’s side door of his 2008 Volvo doesn’t roll down.

Police said a computer records check showed he had a valid driver’s license but a warrant turned up for his arrest on a probation violation in Michigan.

His allegedly blood alcohol level was .168 percent or just over two times the legal limit.

Police said his prior OWI convictions were in 2017 in Michigan and 2021 in La Porte County.

(La Porte County, IN) - Lane closures are planned for a stretch of U.S. 6 in La Porte County.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, the lane closures will occur between Range Rd. and Meadowbrook Blvd. near Kingsford Heights  beginning on or after Wednesday, June 4.

U.S. 6 will be reduced to one lane through mid-July for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project over Tracy Rd and CSX Railroad.

Temporary traffic signals will be installed to direct traffic.

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 and should slow down and drive distraction-free through all work.

(La Porte County, IN) - Expect lane closures on a stretch of Indiana 2 near Rolling Prairie in the coming days.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, the lane closures will occur between county roads 600 E and 700 E/Cougar Rd. beginning on or after Tuesday, June 3. 

That means one lane travel in each direction for about a week to allow for pipe and inlet replacement.  The lane closures will alternate while the work is in progress, INDOT said.

INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully.  Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver is the 34^th person booked into the La Porte County Jail and ordered held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for potentially being in the country illegally.

Victor Choc Cruz, 29, now faces possible deportation.

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said 25 of those individuals have already been picked up by authorities from the ICE regional office in Chicago. The nine others remaining in the jail are waiting to be taken into custody by ICE.

Allen said just two of the inmates released to ICE were booked into the jail last year. 

In comparison, Allen said ICE placed holds on just two suspected illegal alien inmates from the jail in 2024.

ICE has been more aggressively enforcing U.S. immigration laws under the direction of President Donald Trump, who’s following through on his promise of mass deportations since taking office on January 20.

In following standard procedure, Allen said the sheriff’s office notifies ICE whenever an arrest is made of an individual believed to be “undocumented and possibly been in the country not legally.”

He said it’s then up to ICE to decide whether to place a hold on and later pick up each individual inmate to investigate their legal status in the country.

“ICE makes that determination,” Allen said.

Cruz was living in South Bend when stopped Sunday afternoon for traveling 74 in a 55 mile per hour zone in a 2008 Dodge Charger on Indiana 2 just west of Rolling Prairie, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said Cruz handed the officer an international driver’s license along with an identification card from the Guatemalan consulate.

His alleged blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit was .185 percent, police said.,

Cruz is charged in La Porte Superior Court 3 with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated and Class C misdemeanor never obtaining a valid driver’s license.

Allen said there was one hold placed by ICE on a jail offender in 2023 and 2022 and none in 2021.

(La Porte, IN) - Thinking he got away with stealing record albums, the suspect’s day with help from La Porte Police ended on a sour note.

Lyndon Veinot, 51, is facing a Level 6 felony theft charge.

According to police, Veinot walked out of Walmart on La Porte’s east side on May 24 without paying for a dozen vinyl albums.

Police were notified and given a description of the fleeing vehicle.

Within minutes, an officer spotted the vehicle southbound on J Street on the city's west side then after doing a U-turn saw it parked in front of a nearby business.

Not only were the stolen albums recovered from the vehicle, it was discovered the Mishawaka man had a warrant out for his arrest for violating probation on a previous theft conviction, according to court documents.

The stolen albums containing songs from popular rock, country and other major artists were valued at $300, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on a man from Guatemala arrested by La Porte County for operating while intoxicated.

Victor Choc Cruz, 29, was pulled over Sunday afternoon when clocked at 74 miles per hour in a 55 mph. zone in a 2008 Dodge Charger on Indiana 2 just west of Rolling Prairie, according to the La Porte County Police.

Police said Cruz handed the officer an international driver’s license along with an identification card from the Guatemalan consulate.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .185 percent.

According to La Porte County Jail records, he was booked on Class A misdemeanor OWI and other offenses like never obtaining a valid license to drive in the U.S.

Jail records also revealed a hold has been placed on him for ICE.  The hold means ICE could come and take custody of the man while deciding whether he’s meets the requirements for possible deportation.

(La Porte County, IN) - Lane closures will be conducted on a stretch of U.S. 20 in La Porte County this week.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, the lane closures will occur for two days on or after Wednesday between Indiana 39 and Fail Rd.

The right outside lanes will be closed in each direction, and no left turns will be permitted within the work zone, INDOT said.  The lane closures are for utility work ahead of road reconstruction.

The reconstruction will add center turn lanes and shoulders on U.S. 20 between Indiana 39 and Fail Rd, between U.S. 35 and C.R. 400 W, and between C.R. 250 E and Oak Knoll Rd.

Work will be ongoing with alternating lane closures in these areas through late November. Motorists should be alert for changing traffic patterns, according to INDOT.

INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

(Michigan City, IN) - A sober driver in Michigan City was apparently to blame for striking the vehicle of a suspected drunk driver whose passenger wound up in the hospital last night.

The collision happened about 9 p.m. at Decatur and Oak streets.

Police said Samantha Lanier of Michigan City told investigators she did not see the other vehicle while passing through the intersection.

Lanier was given a portable breathalyzer test as standard procedure in a serious injury crash and had no alcohol in her system, police said.

According to police, Jada Green also of Michigan City when asked to blow into a portable breathalyzer yelled “she did nothing wrong and that the other driver was at fault.”

A search warrant had to be obtained to draw a sample of blood from Green, who exhibited signs of possible impairment, police said.

Investigators were still waiting for the test results but arrested her for operating while intoxicated based on evidence that included an odor of alcohol on her breath and bottles of tequila along with a can of beer found in her vehicle, police said.

Green’s passenger, Amaryah Flowers, suffered a possible non-life threatening head injury. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A Mill Creek man is accused of driving home while leading police on a high speed chase and refusing orders to come out of the residence.

Jason Humberger, 41, is charged with resisting law enforcement.

According to La Porte County Police, Humberger ran a stop sign Friday night at 600 East and 150 North and refused to pull over.

Police said he traveled more than 90 miles per hour on several county roads before pulling onto his property on E. Division Road and going into his pole barn despite orders to stop. 

After refusing to come out for a  few hours, police said officers after receiving a court approved search warrant forced their way in and arrested him without incident.

Police said he had an odor of alcohol on his breath along with beer cans in his vehicle.  Whether he was impaired is not known but under investigation.

(La Porte County, IN) - Authorities are investigating what appears to be a double murder/suicide outside La Porte.

Emergency responders were called late Sunday night to a home at 5687 W. 250 North near the Jongkind Park subdivision.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson identified the victims as Leonard Ciastko, 75, his wife Linda Ciastko, 73, and her mother, Harriet Kowalski, 102.

Swanson said all of the individuals suffered gunshot wounds to the head and were pronounced dead inside the residence.

Swanson said it appears the man shot the two women before shooting himself.

She said she was still waiting for the results of autopsies and toxicology tests.

According to La Porte County Police, officers responded to the home for a welfare check and soon discovered the bodies.

Police did not shed further light on what transpired, saying the early stages of the investigation have determined "this was an isolated incident."

(St. Joseph, MI) - Berrien County Police are giving businesses a heads up about a scammer.

Police said the woman showing up in person identifies herself as “Ms. Alex” and claims to be a staff member from the Boys and Girls Clubs.  She then requests donations for children of single mothers and other similar causes.

Police believe the woman is from outside the county, possibly Indiana or as far north as Kalamazoo.

If you recognize this individual or have any information, contact the Berrien County Detective Bureau at 269-983-7141 extension 7141.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody is asking people to give real thought to the people who died serving the country on this Memorial Day.

“Let’s not forget why it is a holiday,” he said.

President Donald Trump will take part in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this morning and speak at what’s been a somber occasion for U.S. presidents in the past.

Ceremonies are also being held locally in places like La Porte, Michigan City and Rolling Prairie and throughout the nation to honor fallen soldiers.

(La Porte County, IN) - On Monday, the following Memorial Day events will take place throughout the area:

La Porte

La Porte will host its annual Memorial Day concert by the City Band at Fox Park Amphitheater. That will start at 10:30 Monday morning. In the event of poor weather, the ceremony will be moved the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

Michigan City

Michigan City will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade. That will start Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Ames Field and end in Greenwood Cemetery with a memorial service. Over two dozen parade entries are scheduled to take part.

Rolling Prairie

In Rolling Prairie a parade will start at the Elementary School at 10:00 am CST. It will end at the town cemetery for a ceremony honoring our fallen. Hotdogs and chips will be served at the VFW Post 9423 following the ceremony.

New Carlisle

American Legion Post 297 will also host a parade Monday morning in New Carlisle.
The parade starts at the New Carlisle Fire Station at 9:00 a.m. CST and ends at the New Carlisle Cemetery. A short ceremony will be held directly after the parade in the cemetery at the veterans' memorial monument. A picnic will follow at the American Legion.

(La Porte County, IN) - A parade of motorcycles made its way through La Porte County this week paying tribute to military veterans.

The 21st Annual National Veterans Awareness Ride (NVAR) began in Auburn, California on May 13 and ended Saturday in Washington, D.C. The group organizes a ride every year to remember, honor and support veterans and those currently serving in all branches of the military. Along the way, they accomplish three goals: visiting veterans’ homes and hospitals, participating in memorial services, and visiting schools to promote patriotism.

According to the NVAR itinerary, they rolled into Michigan City on Tuesday afternoon, enjoying dinner at the Wall Gang headquarters. Early Wednesday morning, the bikers made brief stops at Westville and West Central schools, before heading for the Indiana Veterans’ Home in West Lafayette, then east into Ohio.

As the riders travelled south through La Porte County, 12 members of the Sheriff’s Department staffed and cleared major intersections along US 421.
For more information about the ride, visit https://nvao.us/sitrepblogs/theride.php.

(Adams County, Indiana) - The murder of an elderly war veteran in northern Indiana nearly 50 years ago has been solved.

On August 19, 1977, 84-year-old Everett Armstrong was found dead in his humble two-room mobile home in Geneva, Indiana about 45 minutes south of Ft. Wayne. Armstrong was a World War I veteran and well-known local banjo player. According to a news report at the time, Armstrong’s death was first presumed to be the result of natural causes, and an investigation—which eventually spanned 48 years—almost never happened.

A fuel oil delivery driver, suspicious that Armstrong didn’t answer his door, notified authorities. This is recorded in an August 21, 1977 story published by the Indianapolis Star. Armstrong’s body was found inside his front door with a puppy standing lone vigil, said the article. The body was routinely transferred to a local funeral home. Only then did someone notice hundreds of shotgun pellet wounds to Armstrong’s face and neck. According to the Star, the Adams County Coroner later admitted that he mistakenly released the body before examining the scene.

At the time, police had no suspect, no motive, and little evidence. Armstrong’s son told the Star that his father owned nothing of value, except a television and his banjo. Armstrong had apparently been shot at close range through his screen door; no entry had been made. Nearby residents only reported hearing a single gunshot.

A potential suspect was identified two months later, but it took three years for the Adams County Sheriff’s Department to make an arrest of three people. However, those suspects were soon cleared, and the case went cold… for decades.

In 2013 State Police reopened the case and started following up on an alleged confession made within 24 hours of the shooting to four different people by one James A. McBride II of Decatur. According to police, those witnesses reported McBride’s extremely erratic behavior at the time and his knowledge of crime scene details that had not been released to the public.

Fast forward to this year. After relentless detective work, the Indiana State Police Cold Case Team presented their findings to the Adams County Prosecutor, who found probable cause for McBride’s arrest. Unfortunately, McBride, who was just shy of his 23rd birthday at the time of the killing, passed away last June at the age of 69. So the case is now considered closed.

(La Porte County, IN) - The farmers’ market season in La Porte and Michigan City begins this Memorial Day weekend.

The Farmed & Forged Market opens for the first time in Michigan City tomorrow from 8 a.m. to noon at 8 00 Washington St.

In La Porte, the market opens for its third season on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lincolnway and Monroe St.  Both markets will feature a wide variety of locally grown produce throughout the season along with handmade goods, fresh foods and live entertainment.

SNAP vouchers will again be accepted.  Recipients of those vouchers can purchase $20 of food and receive $60 in spending in return each week.

In addition to fresh produce, eggs, meats, baked good and more will be offered.

This year’s market season launches with a spotlight on Curious Chefs, a new youth program created to encourage food confidence, nutrition education, and hands-on learning, said Mandy Krickhahn, Founder/CEO of The Collective and operator of the markets.

Funds raised during Opening Weekend will support the launch of this initiative, with a goal of kicking off the program in July.

Once active, she said Curious Chefs will provide children with $2 produce vouchers to spend at the market on fresh produce, creating opportunities for kids to explore healthy eating while supporting local farmers.

“Curious Chefs is more than a kids program, it’s a gateway to lifelong skills in nutrition, cooking, and confidence,” Krickhahn said.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte Police officer had to jump out of the way of a speeding vehicle driven by a man rushing to the hospital May 22nd to help a drug overdosing friend.

The officer got into his police vehicle and during search located the vehicle containing roughly 20 dogs outside the emergency room at Northwest Health.

Jose Pulido is now charged in La Porte Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine, aggressive driving and disorderly conduct.

According to court documents, the officer was on foot outside the La Porte County Complex when he had to jump out of the way of what sounded like an accelerating van to prevent from being hit.

The officer soon located the van parked a few blocks away at the hospital’s emergency room entrance.  He explained his female friend was overdosing, which was soon confirmed by a hospital staff member, police said.

After placed in handcuffs, police said animal control was called because of roughly 20 dogs in the van.  Two of three of the dogs managed to get away while they were being transferred into an animal control vehicle.

Pulido was also cited for driving left of center, passing in a no passing zone, disregarding a stop sign and other violations such as driving without a valid driver’s license.

A warrant was also sought for the arrest of the female who allegedly also was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Pulido and the female lived in the 300 block of Grove St. in a home recently condemned by the city.

(La Porte County, IN) - The state has filed a lawsuit against the owner of a La Porte County mobile home park on allegations of deplorable living conditions.

The legal action was taken against the owner of Deerfield Estates near Kingsford Heights.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said the deplorable living conditions include brown and yellow water, low water pressure and extended service disruptions.

He said there’s also been a lack of proper oversight at the mobile home community along U.S. 35 and Route 6 and residents reported flooding from leaks.

“My office will not stand by while vulnerable residents, including seniors, are exploited by landlords who shirk their legal responsibilities,” Rokita said.

The lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount of restitution, civil penalties and costs on behalf of residents.

The owner of the property is Nelson Communities, a New York based company and owner of a half dozen other mobile home parks in Indiana, according to the lawsuit. 

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City native and NFL superstar Braden Fiske will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2025 Michigan City Patriotic Parade.

The parade is scheduled June 28. 

After the parade, Fiske will also host a Family Fun Day at Ames Field.

“It’s an honor to be named Grand Marshal of the Michigan City Patriotic Parade.  This city means everything to me. It’s where I grew up, where I learned the value of community, and where I first learned how to dream big,” he said.

Fiske became a star defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Ram during his first season last year.

“Braden’s tenacity and commitment to giving back to his hometown are truly inspiring. He continues to show our young people that you can reach great heights and still stay rooted in where you came from,” said Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch.

This year’s parade line-up will include high school bands, bagpipe bands, dance teams, local businesses and organizations, the XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix race boat, “Crazy Rythm,” and so much more.

There will also be a flyover by the Hooligan Flight Team to kick off the parade.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two LaPorte County high school seniors with goals to work in healthcare have received Franciscan Health Michigan City Medical Staff Memorial Scholarships to assist with their post-secondary educations.

Tri-Township High School senior Caloe Peretti, 17, of Wanatah and Michigan City High School senior Naomi Williams, 18, of Michigan City were both selected by the Franciscan Health Michigan City Medical Staff Scholarship Committee as the 2025 scholarship recipients.

Williams, who has family members in the medical industry, will attend the University of Indianapolis this fall to study biology, with the goal of becoming an emergency medical technician.

“I’ve always wanted to do it,” she said.

Peretti will attend St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame this fall to study nursing.

“I’ve always felt a passion for helping others.  This is a job where you’re really making an impact,” she said.

The medical staff at Franciscan Health Michigan City voted unanimously in 2021 to establish and fund a scholarship honoring the memories and continuing legacies of physicians who served the community as members of the medical staff.

The annual scholarships are funded by physicians on the Franciscan Health Michigan City medical staff in partnership with the Franciscan Health Foundation and may be split among recipients as the committee deems appropriate.  

“The goal of the scholarship was to encourage people from our county who are interested in pursuing higher education in service to others,” said Matthew Troy, a Franciscan Physician Network general surgeon at Franciscan Health Michigan City.
 

Troy is also chairman of the scholarship committee.

The scholarships are needs-based and place an emphasis on students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made online by selecting “Northern Indiana” and “Medical Staff Memorial Scholarship Fund” from the drop-down menus.

Those who donate $500 or more may name a late medical staff physician to be honored with a name plate on the memorial plaque in the hospital’s main hallway.

(Michigan City, IN) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected the City of Michigan City to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant.

It’s part of a nationwide $267 million investment to help communities assess and safely redevelop properties with environmental challenges.

The funds will be used to identify and evaluate targeted brownfield sites on the north side of Michigan City, laying the groundwork for future cleanup and revitalization projects that benefit residents and attract economic investment.

Grant funding will support up to 10 Phase I and 12 Phase II environmental site assessments, development of cleanup plans, community engagement, and the updating of an existing brownfield site inventory.

Priority sites include the 7.7-acre former Memorial Hospital property, the 6.4-acre McKay Printing site, a 5.4-acre industrial facility, the 62-acre former Marquette Mall and a 2.1-acre former furniture factory.

“This grant represents a major step forward in our efforts to transform long-neglected properties into productive spaces that enhance our city’s health, environment, and economic opportunity,” said Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch.

The grant was awarded through EPA’s Brownfields Program, which empowers communities to assess and remediate sites where redevelopment has been complicated by the presence of hazardous substances or pollutants.

Since 1995, the program has helped communities nationwide create over 220,000 jobs and leverage more than $42 billion in redevelopment investment.

(La Porte County, IN) - Plans for a gas station convenience store near Michigan City have been rejected.

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously turned down a request for a land use variance at the former La Porte County Public Library branch in Coolspring Township at Johnson Road and 400 North.

The structure has been vacant for nearly a decade since the library relocated to a nearby location.

Among the surrounding residents speaking out against the proposal was Edward Lake, who expressed concerns about gasoline finding its way into the ground water relied on for drinking purposes in the neighborhood using wells. 

“Gasoline stations will certainly have spills and leakage from tanks,” he said.

Anthony Novak, an attorney representing the developer, said his client has a solid reputation at other similar establishments he operates.

“He’s going to make sure this is done right,” he said.

The decision was made during Tuesday night’s BZA meeting.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver traveling the wrong way at 100 miles per hour on a four lane La Porte County highway was not impaired.

The aging driver may be contacted, though, by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to determine if she remains capable to operating a motor vehicle safely.  

La Porte County Police said the 83 year old woman at high speeds Tuesday night was westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 30.  She then headed northbound on Indiana 39 and had trouble staying in her lane.

During a traffic stop, the woman said she was tired after driving here from South Carolina and has trouble seeing at night. 

She also said she has permanent contact lenses but she needs lasik surgery to improve her vision, police said. 

Police said the officer concerned about her ability to drive gave her a ride to her second home in Michigan City.  He also alerted the BMV about the situation.

(Lansing, MI) - Farmers in Michigan can now shoot deer throughout the growing season to protect their crops and choose anyone they want to join them in hunts.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission have teamed up to loosen the state’s crop protection restrictions because of growing widespread complaints about yield losses from an exploding deer population.

According to the MDNR’s Wildlife Division, crop protection permits to kill female deer are now valid during the entire growing season instead of just one or two week intervals.

In addition, permits can be applied for in advance and activated once the crop is in the ground.  Crops eligible for protection permits were also expanded to include alfalfa, winter wheat and, in some cases, overwintered cover crops.

Farmers can also have family members, friends or anyone else who wants to take part join them in hunts to protect their crops. Previously, farmers were restricted to choosing from a state designated list of shooters on who they could invite to take part in hunts.

For several years now, deer in Michigan especially in the southern parts have been considered the most costly pest for farmers whose losses, depending on the size and location of each farm, can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman is facing allegations in connection with injuries to her malnourished toddler.

Sacha Lewis, 26. is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 3 felony neglect of a dependent.

According to authorities, the two year old boy was about nine pounds underweight for an average child that age and had a broken arm when taken to the hospital by Lewis on February 2.

There were also bruises over different areas of his body.

Once at the hospital, police said the boy started gaining weight quickly after being properly fed. 

So far, police said investigators have not been able to figure out exactly how the boy wound up in that condition due to conflicting stories, but the investigation is ongoing.

Lewis was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond following her arrest on May 19.

She could face anywhere from a 3 to 16 year sentence.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Franciscan Health Breast Care Center at Michigan City for breast cancer patients will have additional support thanks to a generous donation from the Michigan City United States Bowling Congress Bowling Association.

The organization raised $17,251, a record for the event, at its February Bowl for the Cure fundraiser at Olympia Lanes II in Michigan City.

The money is going to the Franciscan Health Foundation’s Michigan City Mammography Department/Breast Cancer Fund to help local patients.

The organization has raised more than $134,500 for Franciscan Health Michigan City since 2008.

Olympia Lanes II owner Nick Loxas donated the use of the bowling alley for the 2025 Bowl For the Cure event at the request of employee Cheryl Hale, who serves as chairwoman of the Bowl for the Cure committee.

Donations to the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Michigan City assist breast cancer patients in need with educational materials, comfort bags, gas cards, grocery cards, utility bills and more.

“Our Michigan City Bowl for the Cure friends work tirelessly to host this event each February, both in honor of those who have passed and to help those who continue to fight breast cancer in our area,” said Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development Debbie Tatum.

(La Porte, IN) - Two juveniles have been charged as adults for the armed robbery of a teenage boy in La Porte.

Ella Smith and Evanthn Huffman are charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 3 felony armed robbery and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement.

Both suspects, ages 17 and 16, are from La Porte.

According to court documents, La Porte Police about 6 p.m. on Saturday were called to the 500 block of L St. about an armed robbery.

A 15 year old boy told investigators he was approached by Smith and Huffman along with a third juvenile, police said.

It’s alleged Smith pulled out a loaded 9 millimeter handgun and pointed it at the face of the victim then demanded his money while Huffman pressured her to do it.

Police said the boy handed her the $220 he had in his pocket and the suspects fled on foot toward K St.  The boy, who knew at least two of the juveniles, ran home to call the police.

According to court documents, the suspects were located and detained several minutes after the robbery.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said juveniles of a certain age are allowed under state law to be charged as adults depending on the crimes they allegedly committed.

“They have to be a certain level of seriousness,” he said.

Smith and Huffman could face anywhere from a 3 to 16 sentence on the felony count and up to one year in jail on the misdemeanor offense.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A New Carlisle man is accused of shooting a teenager riding a dirt bike over the weekend.

It happened on U.S. 20 in New Carlisle.

John Singleton, 54, allegedly fired a shotgun more than once and the boy was struck on the foot.  According to authorities, the 16 year old boy required surgery to repair his broken foot.

Singleton claims he fired warning shots to keep the boy off his property but the teenager says Singleton pointed the gun at him, according to authorities.

The man is charged with battery and criminal recklessness.

(La Porte, IN) - A juvenile was badly injured in an accident involving an off road vehicle in La Porte.

It happened Sunday afternoon along North Kuchar Drive just east of Indiana 39 North.

La Porte Police said it appears the off road vehicle was traveling through a pasture when the driver made a sharp turn causing the UTV to wind up on its side.

Police said there were four juveniles involved and none were wearing helmets.

One of the juveniles was taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend in what police described as critical condition.  No information was given on the injuries sustained by the other juveniles but multiple ambulances responded to the scene.

The names and ages of the juveniles were also not released.

(La Porte, IN) - An alleged impaired driver pulled over this morning in La Porte is finding out the hard way life is not a two way street when it comes to the law.

According to La Porte Police, a patrol officer about 2:30 a.m. spotted a van turn westbound on Harrison St. which is one way for eastbound traffic only.

The vehicle was still traveling the wrong way on Harrison as it passed Perry St., police said.

During a traffic stop, the driver, Brooke West, 26, of La Porte told the officer she was heading home and thought it was “o.k. by law” to travel in the wrong direction on a one way street “as long as it was only for a half block,” according to the police report.

West explained she used to travel the wrong way on a one way street “all the time” for a half block when she lived in another area of the city, according to the police report. 

Police said West admitted to consuming alcohol with her last drink being “a few hours ago.”  She was arrested with an alleged blood alcohol level of .186 percent.

(La Porte, IN) - A large domestic turkey is now in good hands after roaming around the city of La Porte.

He’s known as “Frank the Turkey.”

About a week ago, La Porte Animal Control Officer Paula Stokes was called to a home in the area of Monroe and Scott streets.

A more than 30 pound domestic turkey was on top of a woman’s shrubs.

Stokes said the woman looked sort of puzzled was holding the bird when she got there and handed it right to her. 

The turkey was placed into Stokes' work van and she made arrangements for Frank’s safe keeping.

“We got him a foster home and Frank is doing well,” she said.

Stokes says an animal rescue group took in the bird, who became sort of a celebrity on Facebook with his picture posted and people commenting on how they had seen the domestic bird in other areas of the city.

Where the turkey came from was not known but he doesn’t have to worry about winding up on anyone’s Thanksgiving dinner table.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman more than a week after sentenced for operating while intoxicated allegedly backed into a police car while impaired.

Sarah Ferris, 42, was still being held this morning in the La Porte County Jail on $1,055 bond.

She was arrested about 5 p.m. on Sunday in the parking lot of Al’s Supermarket on E. Lincolnway in La Porte.

According to La Porte Police, Ferris was in her vehicle when an officer pulled behind her to investigate a report she had been drinking and driving.

Police said the officer tried to avoid a collision after noticing Ferris had placed her vehicle in reverse and started backing up but he wasn’t able to get out of the way fast enough.

There was just minor damage in the collision. 

Her alleged blood alcohol level was .195 percent.  The OWI charge against Ferris was upgraded to a Level 6 felony due to her prior conviction.

According to court documents, she was placed on one year probation when sentenced on May 7.

In that case, police said her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit when stopped with an eight year old child in the back seat of the vehicle.

(Michigan City, IN) - An Indiana State Prison inmate was put to death early today.

Benjamin Ritchie was given a lethal injection for the murder of a police officer downstate nearly 25 years ago.

Governor Mike Braun, who decided not to stop the execution, said the case was reviewed numerous times by the state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme County.

It was the second execution in Indiana in 15 years, but the second since December when the state resumed carrying out the death penalty.

After the execution, his attorney Richard Schutte said described how Ritchie reacted once given the lethal injection after midnight. 

“He sat up and violently twitched for about three seconds.  Laid back down and then about two or three minutes later they closed the blinds,” he said.

Prior to the execution, the defense argued Ritchie should not be put to death due to brain damage from his mother abusing alcohol during her pregnancy.

(La Porte, IN) - Smoking and drinking alcohol are now prohibited in a section of downtown La Porte.

The ban approved by the city council last night is for Plaza 618 at Lincolnway and Monroe St.

According to city officials, such activity has been going on even in front of children using the splash pad there.

Charity Hlavsa, owner of the nearby Hot Spot Café, said it’s become such a problem that some people no longer want to have lunch or simply hang out there.

“It’s not pleasant to be around, to walk by.  It’s not a good look for our city,” she said.

The ban does allow for the use of alcohol at Plaza 618 during special events approved in advance by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety.

Violators can be fined $100.

Mayor Tom Dermody is hoping the ban will reduce problems with sexual comments directed toward women at the plaza.

(Fish Lake, IN) - A lengthy police stand-off in Fish Lake last night ended with the arrest of a man suspected of battering two family members.

Davion Dunkins, 27, is being held in the La Porte County Jail on preliminary charges of intimidation, domestic battery and resisting law enforcement.

According to La Porte County Police, officers about 8:30 p.m. responded to a report of a disturbance in the 100 block of Holly Drive.

Dunkins had barricaded himself inside the residence and had a knife, police said.

Officers were also informed he was using the knife to threaten two family members he allegedly battered. 

Police said crisis negotiators communicated with Dunkins for an extended period but he failed to cooperate until a K-9 was released into the home. That’s when he began calling out to deputies and agreed to surrender.

Currently, he’s being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond pending the possible filing of formal charges in the case.

(La Porte, IN) - Three suspects in the armed robbery of a juvenile in La Porte were taken into custody in short order.

La Porte Police said officers Saturday evening responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at an undisclosed location on the city’s west side.

The victim told officers he complied with their requests for money and he knew the suspects, police said.  Officers quickly located the suspect and took them into custody.

Police said the victim was not physically harmed.

No further details were released due to the ongoing investigation.

Police said officers from Westville, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan City Police assisted with the apprehension of the suspects.

(La Porte, IN) - Police cited one of two drivers traveling 100 miles per hour in a construction zone on a stretch of U.S. 20 near Rolling Prairie yesterday.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer about 2:30 p.m. observed a Chevy Silverado and pick-up truck beside each other doing more than twice the 45 mph. work zone speed limit.

During a traffic stop, the owner and passenger of the Silverado told the officer the other driver was “taunting and egging them on for about the past mile and a half.”

So, he told the woman driving his vehicle to “get into it.”

Ember Edwards, 20, who lives in Michigan was allowed to go but not until cited for reckless driving and given a court date to appear on the Class C misdemeanor charge.

(La Porte, IN) - Fire heavily damaged a commercial structure in La Porte over the weekend.

Just after 6 p.m. on Friday, firefighters were called to Harborside Manufacturing at 120 East Shore Parkway on the city’s north side.

La Porte Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Burke said the middle bay of the three bay structure was burning and firefighters kept the flames pretty much within that part of the pole type building.  Metal sheeting separated each of the bays from each other.

“We were working hard to keep it contained to where it started,” he said.

Burke said the business, which makes wooden docks, had closed for the day about one hour before the call for a response.

Upon arrival, smoke was coming from the eaves in the middle of the still relatively new building.

Burke said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Despite minimal fire damage to the other bays, he said the roof above the middle bay collapsed and damage might be extensive enough to make the structure not worth salvaging.

“They’re going to need to have a structural engineer come in and look at that to decide what course of action to take,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Prosecutors in La Porte County are busy with yet another attempt to smuggle drugs into a prison with a drone.

Unlike the other failed efforts, the most recent case happened at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

Daron Mitchell, 29, of East Chicago and Juwan Mitchell, 25, of Chicago are charged with dealing in a schedule III controlled substance and trafficking with an inmate, both Level 5 felonies; Level 6 felony dealing in marijuana along with misdemeanor counts of resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana.

According to court documents, a drone was detected in the area of the prison on May 14. A prison employee tracking the flight pattern of the drone learned it had taken off from a nearby wooded area.  

Officers entered the woods and soon discovered the flying object had just landed close to the area being searched.  The sounds of walking through brush were also heard just before two men dressed in all black clothing were spotted emerging from the woods and running across some nearby railroad tracks, police said.

They were taken into custody a few blocks from the prison.

Police said a backpack one of the suspects had on was found on the ground near a fence they jumped in the 200 block of Columbia St.

The backpack allegedly contained just over 225 grams of marijuana and over 200 packages of buprenorphine and naloxone film, which are prescription drugs commonly used to ease withdrawals related addiction to heroin and other opioids.

Also recovered from the backpack were other items of contraband like a cell phone, a plastic bag containing cigars and cigarettes, lighter and a vape, authorities said.

Police said a remote control for a drone, two drone batteries, other drone equipment and a power cord were also seized from the backpack.

Both men have since been released from the La Porte County Jail.

Juwan Mitchell, who’s scheduled for an initial hearing on the allegations in La Porte Superior 2 on May 23, posted $15,000 cash bond the next day, according to jail records.  

Court records show Daron Mitchell posted $1,500 bail after his request for a reduction in his $15,000 cash bond was granted by the court during his initial hearing on May 16.

As a condition of the bond reduction, he must wear a GPS monitor for authorities to track his whereabouts.

Two other previous cases of attempted smuggling with drones resulting in arrests happened on April 3 and March 2 at Westville Correctional Facility.

(St. Joseph County, IN) - More construction seems to be on the near horizon at the Indiana Enterprise Center east of New Carlisle. Work began last summer on the GM battery plant, but slowed due to market conditions. Developers have recently been working on site plans and foundations. Now St. Joseph County Economic Development Director Bill Schalliol tells HTNN that construction will soon resume.

“They’ve pulled all the building permits now, and so steel will be starting to arrive onsite,” he said, “so you’ll start to see the site go vertical here pretty soon.”

Schalliol says neither Trump tariffs nor lagging EV sales have deterred GM’s plan. “They’re full steam ahead,” he said, adding, “They still plan to have the building substantially complete by the end of 2027.” However, according to Schalliol, the factory might not reach full production until 2028, depending on when AEP can deliver enough power to the site.

The $3.5 billion project on 680 acres is expected to bring in up to 1,800 workers—a combination of GM, Samsung, and joint venture employees.

(Marshall County, IN) - This week authorities in Marshall County apprehended the reputed head of a local biker gang on drug charges.

On Tuesday, May 13th, a team of officers from various law enforcement agencies, including the federal  Drug Enforcement Administration, picked up 46-year-old Norman Tackett at his home in Bourbon, which is between Plymouth and Warsaw. Tackett is allegedly the President of the South Bend chapter of the Hell’s Angels.

He was being held at the Marshall County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond for three felony charges related to possessing and dealing methamphetamine.

(La Porte County, IN) - There were still over 4,000 NIPSCO customers in the Michigan City area and close to 1,400 customers in the La Porte area without power this afternoon following a storm last night.

The storm didn’t last long or seem to produce much rain but packed winds estimated at close to 60 miles per hour.

“It was a quick storm.  Came and went,” said Bob Johnson of Michigan City.

The damage included the upper level at Amish Structures being ripped away and carried across all four lanes U.S. 20 in Trail Creek.

Johnson, who lives nearby on Pahs Road, said large up to 20 foot sections of the roof landed in an empty lot across the four lane highway about 200 feet away from the property.

“There are pretty big chunks laying all over there,” he said.

Amish Structures at 8555 W. U.S. 20 in Trail Creek is now out of business until owner Donnie Pawlik rebuilds his main two story showroom and workshop.

Pawlik said he’s already been in touch with contractors about rebuilding the upper level he used for storage.

“It’s looking like, hopefully, in two to three weeks I should be back up and running,” he said.

Pawlik said seven display model wooden sheds with some destroyed from being knocked over or blown around over by strong winds were among his other losses that included “dozens of pieces of outdoor furniture.”

“I’m not done assessing everything,” he said.

Pawlik, who’s been in business there for nine-years, is also a provider of gazebos, horse shelters, tiny log cabins along with pole barns and other metal structures.  All of his products are made by the Amish in northern Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“They build and I sell it,” he said.

Pawlik said he’ll order new sheds for recent buyers of the ones damaged or destroyed.

“They were recently sold to customers waiting for delivery,” he said

(La Porte, IN) - A man accused of critically injuring a New Prairie High School student in a school bus collision on May 8 was arraigned on the criminal allegations Friday in La Porte Circuit Court.

Shawn Akison, 41, of Romeoville, Illinois is charged with Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

He appeared on a courtroom monitor from inside the La Porte County Jail while communicating with Judge Julianne Havens on a speaker system.

Currently, Akison is being held on $15,000 bond. He asked the court to lower his bail to 10 percent of the amount.

Havens ordered a background check for her to review and scheduled a hearing for May 30 to decide whether to grant his request.

The court also gave him additional time to decide whether he can afford to hire private legal counsel instead of accepting a court appointed public defender.

“It just depends on my financial situation,” he said.

Akison was scheduled for trial beginning October 14 if the case is not resolved through a plea agreement.

Daisy King was in the courtroom with her son, Lucas Halderman, 15, who was one of the students involved in the collision.

Halderman was on the same bus as Lucas Bradshaw, 16, who remained in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital in South Bend with a head injury.

King, who was the only parent at the hearing, said her son suffered only minor bruises and scrapes but she attended the hearing out of curiosity and for peace of mind.

Despite her son coming out practically unscathed, King said it’s still been a “super emotional” time for her since the accident, knowing how things could have been much different.

Immediately after the crash, King said she went to the scene and saw the wreckage.

“It was hard to sleep at night.  It shook me,” she said.

There were seven members of the junior varsity baseball team and two coaches on two minis buses traveling to a game in Hobart that were hurt in the crash on U.S. 20 at Fail Road north of La Porte.

Except for Bradshaw, everyone taken to hospitals has since been released, including volunteer coach and school board member Rich Shail, who returned home Wednesday evening.

His wife, Nancy, said he is wearing a back brace to stabilize a broken vertebrae so, hopefully, it can heal without having surgery.  She said her husband, who also suffered broken ribs along with lacerations and bruises, is also using a walker.

”We’re hopeful he will start to gain strength back day by day,” she said.

Authorities said Akison was driving a box truck recklessly when he fled from a St. Joseph County Police officer, who terminated the pursuit just minutes before the crash.

La Porte County Police have not released exactly how the crash unfolded or the results of a blood test given to Akison due to the investigation still being ongoing. 

Mrs. Shail said her husband was on the same bus as Bradshaw that was stopped at a red light when struck in the rear by the box truck and pushed forward into the lead bus.

(La Porte County, IN) - A business in the Michigan City area had the upper half of its main building completely ripped off during last night’s storm.

This happened at Amish Structures along U.S. 20 across from Evergreen Plaza.

A number of out buildings outside the main structure there were also destroyed.

Some of the wind-blown debris wound up on U.S. 20 and in the power lines.

“It was a pretty big mess,” said Coolspring Township Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith, who was among the firefighters who responded to the scene just after 9 p.m.

Smith said there were also fallen trees firefighters from his department had to veer around to and from Amish Structures in places such as Wozniak Rd., Johnson Rd., 350 North and 300 North.

“We had to find alternate routes to get around,” he said.

A few mobile homes also had trees fall on them at Green Acres Manufactured Home Community along Indiana 212 on Michigan City’s far east side.

Michigan City Fire Department spokesperson Tia Free said nobody was hurt but a few families at the manufactured home community were displaced because of damage to their homes caused by the fallen trees.

The La Porte Street Department reported several large tree branches came down during the storm.

NIPSCO reported over 1,400 customers in its La Porte service territory and over 80 customers in the Westville area were without power this morning. Service had been restored for the most part for customers in the Michigan City area. 

(La Porte County, IN) - Westbound traffic is moving again on the Indiana Toll Road following a fatal Thursday morning collision in La Porte County.

According to Indiana State Police, a semi-truck rolled over blocking both westbound lanes near the 50 mile marker just before 12 p.m.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The truck pulling a box trailer containing frozen food slid on its side for more than 200 feet before coming to rest, police said.

Police said the rollover happened when the semi for unknown reasons veered into the median.  The name and age of the driver, so far, have not been revealed.

(La Porte, IN) - Eight truckloads of sand were spread on the beach Wednesday at Stone Lake in La Porte with summer fast approaching.

La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said his maintenance crew spread the sand to replenish what is blown away or eroded by the wind and rain.

“With the weather warming up and Memorial Day right around the corner, we’re steadily preparing for that beach crowd,” he said.

Schreiber said the La Porte Park Foundation like it has for several years or more purchased the sand for $5,000.

He said new sand is placed on the beach practically every year, depending on need, and helps highlight the family and community friendly improvements at the beach in recent years that include upgrades to the playground and the addition of gourmet-style food at the concession stand.

Schreiber said lifeguards will start manning the beach during Memorial Day weekend.

“We’re exciting for another year out there,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - An elderly Michigan City man was found guilty by a jury last night of molesting his granddaughter over a several year period.

John Hupertz, 84, faces up to 40 years on each of three counts of Level 1 felony child molesting.

According to prosecutors, the sexual contact with the girl happened over a several year period in Michigan City beginning in 2005.

The La Porte Superior Court 1 jury also was found him guilty on two counts of Level 5 felony possession of child pornography.  Prosecutors say there were over 7,000 sexual images of children on his computers.

A sentencing hearing for Hupertz is scheduled for July 10.

(Michigan City, IN) - A mural will be created in Michigan City to mark the 60^th anniversary of Sullair.

The mural will be painted in the 900 block of Michigan Boulevard, according to the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, which facilitated the painting donated by Hitachi Global Air Power, the current owners of Sullair.

(Indianapolis, IN) - An Indiana State Prison inmate is scheduled to be executed next week as planned. 

Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday chose to uphold a recommendation from the state parole board to execute Benjamin Ritchie.

He’s scheduled for a lethal injection on Tuesday.

The governor overlooked the appeal from defense attorneys, who argued Ritchie he was diagnosed with brain damage related to partial fetal alcohol syndrome and there were legal errors in the case.

Ritchie was convicted in the fatal shooting of a police officer downstate over 20 years ago.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is launching a new program to give businesses and organizations a chance to connect with local senior citizens.

Sponsorships at the Activity Center for Older Adults will be offered, beginning June 1.

According to the mayor’s office, sponsors will receive priority scheduling for hosting programs at the facility along with increased visibility through signage, digital platforms, monthly calendars and social media outreach.

“Sponsors are not just donors, they’re partners in delivering engaging experiences and learning opportunities that benefit our older adults,” said La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber.

Sponsorship levels include:

• Gold ($5,000): Large logo on year-round banner, exclusive display space, clickable web link, logo on monthly calendar, priority scheduling for up to 18 programs per year and quarterly social media posts.
• Silver ($2,500): Medium logo, clickable web link, logo on monthly calendar and up to 12 programs per year and two social media posts.
• Bronze ($1,000): Name on signage, website and calendar plus up to six bi-monthly programs per year.

Businesses interested in supporting the ACOA through a 2025 sponsorship can contact Emily Archambault at (219) 326-9600 or earchambault@cityoflaportein.gov for more information.

Individual donations are also welcome.

Nonprofits and appropriate businesses are also welcome to submit programming and support proposals for the ACOA by contacting Cindy Polito at 219-326-5354.

(La Porte, IN) - A major natural gas leak today is under control in La Porte’s downtown area.

The fire department and other emergency responders were called about 10:45 a.m. when a crew boring into the ground to install high speed fiber struck and broke a natural gas line at Madison and Washington St.

La Porte Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Burke said a municipal storm sewer line was also ruptured, which allowed the natural gas to filter into the storm sewer system.

He said manhole covers were lifted off multiple storm sewers to alleviate pressure and to keep the natural gas from filtering through the lines into any nearby structures like Northwest Health.

NIPSCO crews were also dispatched to the scene to shut off the gas.

“Everything is under control now.  We’re just monitoring it, waiting for them to get the gas shut off and patch the break,” Burke said.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Scam emails and texts hit Indiana residents statewide yesterday.

The messages seem to be from various state government departments asking people to pay unpaid tolls.

However, state officials said it’s a scam because of a hacker.

Officials said the state will never send unpaid toll notifications through email or text and urge people to delete those messages as they receive them.

Hometownnewsnow.com was among the recipients of those scam e-mails and text messages. 

(La Porte, IN) - A local company is expanding.

Maple City Packaging on Indiana 39 North was granted a zoning variance Tuesday by the La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals.

The company relocated here in 2022 from Illinois.

“Now that the city has annexed the property, my client has the need to expand his business,” said La Porte Attorney Dave Ambers, who represented the company with its zoning variance request.

The firm packages baby powder.

Currently, 18 people work there but another seven employees could be added from the expansion.

According to company officials, the existing building will be added on to primarily to increase space for keeping a higher volume of inventory to possibly add a second shift packing line.

(La Porte, IN) - The front doors are temporarily closed to the public at a La Porte County government office building to finish up some recent construction work.

However, the public can still enter through the doors to the La Porte County Treasurer’s Office on the west side of the structure at 555 Michigan Ave in

downtown La Porte.

La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield said the sidewalk and street were recently dug up to repair a sewage leak in the building.  During the dig, two old fuel tanks were discovered beneath the pavement and had to be removed.

Holifield said the main entrance doors are closed to allow for a new sidewalk to be created and should reopen to the public by no later than Friday.

“Sorry for any inconvenience but we had to get the sidewalk poured,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Two pit bulls have been ordered euthanized for the bloody attack of two dogs in La Porte but they’re nowhere to be found.

La Porte Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor said one dog was killed, another dog was seriously injured when the pit bulls somehow escaped from their fenced in yard on Stone Lake Drive.

Batchelor said the dog owner claims to have placed the pit bulls with an animal rescue group downstate.

“The last thing we want to do is euthanize a dog.  He says you’re killing my dogs for no reason.  Well, I have a reason,” he said.

Batchelor said the dog that survived received 11 sutures to the head.

He said the dog owner has already been fined $3,500 for the attack and could face further action by the city for not turning his dogs over.

“I’m going to talk to the police to see what we can do.  What our options are,” he said.

He said the dog owner is also liable for the surviving dog’s medical expenses.

Batchelor’s recommendation to euthanize the dogs based on city ordinance was approved on May 6 by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety.  He said both dogs and the three other pit bulls from the same home were not registered with the city as required.

(Michigan City, IN) - A longtime funeral home owner has been named Humanitarian of the Year in Michigan City.

Lynn Haverstock was chosen by the Michigan City Human Rights Commission.

Haverstock will be presented with the award during a reception on June 12 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. at Michigan City Senior center. 

He has been president of Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services since 1977 and now serves as CEO.

Haverstock attended Rolling Prairie High School and the Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He is active in many professional and civic organizations, including St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Moose Lodge 980 and St. Joseph Young Men's Society

He’s also past president and board member for the Michigan City Exchange Club and former charter member of the board for the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association.

He also serves on the board of the Share Foundation for the Handicapped.

“We’re excited this year to continue recognizing individuals who are making a positive impact in Michigan City,” said Derald Borton, chairman of the Michigan City Human Rights Commission.

(La Porte County, IN) - There’s been a request to build a gas station/convenience store in Coolspring Township.

The site is the former Coolspring Township Library property along Johnson Road at 400 North.

A zoning variance is being sought from the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals, which is scheduled to hear the request at its meeting next Tuesday.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the La Porte County Complex.

(La Porte County, IN) - The band at New Prairie High School will play in this year’s parade for the Indianapolis 500.

The parade is expected to have as many as 200,000 spectators along the streets in downtown Indianapolis.

The parade is scheduled May 24 the day before the race.

High school bands from Goshen, Jimtown, and Northwood will join the Cougars in the parade to be televised on Peacock.

(La Porte County, IN) - A candlelight prayer vigil was held Friday evening for a New Prairie High School junior varsity baseball player and others injured in last week’s school bus collision.

“All you can do is pray, really. Pray and hope,” said Emma Deutscher, who like Bradshaw is a sophomore and student in the school’s chapter of Future Farmers of America.

Her twin sister, Chloe, who’s also in FFA, described Bradshaw as always a hard worker in the classroom, who likes to talk about his activities on his family farm in the New Carlisle area.

“Ever since we were younger, I just remember him always talking about farming.  That’s his passion,” she said.

Bradshaw is the secretary of the school’s FFA chapter this year.  In addition, he was among the members of an FFA small engines team at the school that placed seventh out of 34 teams in a recent state competition.

His FFA instructor, Madison Coates, said Bradshaw is involved in other FFA projects at the school but he seems to have a real knack for small engines and what it takes to make them run properly.

“It takes time. Patience.  He has all of those qualities,” she said.

Bradshaw is also in 4-H showing livestock during the St. Joseph County Fair.

Principal Justin Heinold told the crowd his attitude is one of hope.

“I know I’m going to be amazed at the return of those who aren’t with us today,” he said.

A three piece church band played gospel songs between prayer sessions led by Pastor Don Bayne of New Carlisle Wesleyan Church and Pastor Nick Bello of Journey Church outside Rolling Prairie.

Bradshaw and Shail remained at Memorial Hospital in South Bend on Monday.

The latest social media posts from loved ones of Bradshaw indicate he remains in critical condition with positive signs, though, in his bid to recover from a head injury.

Nancy Shail said her husband has been out of bed with help from a walker and is wearing a brace from his neck to his hips to stabilize a fractured vertebrae in his back.

Mrs. Shail said a decision on surgery to help repair the fracture will not be made until after he removes the brace in six to eight weeks.  He also suffered broken ribs along with cuts and lacerations over much of his body.

“It’s quite awful to see because then you realize how badly you were beaten around,” she said.

Shail and Bradshaw were in one of two mini-buses traveling to a game in Hobart on May 8 when the crash happened on U.S. 20 at Fail Road north of La Porte.

Shawn Akison, 41, of Romeoville, Illinois was still being held Monday in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond for Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

Police said he caused the collision in a box truck minutes after St. Joseph County Police terminated a pursuit at the La Porte County line.

Akison refused to stop when an officer in the area of Indiana 2 and Timothy Toad tried pulling him over for driving recklessly, police said.

He was given a blood test, which is standard procedure in any serious injury accident to determine impairment.  No additional information about test results or the crash were released Monday due to the investigation still being ongoing, said La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

According to court records, Akison has a Level 6 felony charge of possession of a narcotic drug from January still undecided in Lake County, Ind.

Six other players and one additional coach were hurt in the crash with several taken to hospitals and later released.

Mrs. Shail said the bus carrying her husband and Bradshaw was stopped at a traffic light behind the other bus when struck in the rear by the box truck.

Bradshaw was also described by his twin classmates since pre-school as kind and fun to be around.

Chloe said they were recently in an FFA plants and soil science class when they went at each other as they often do for laughs.

“We’d spray each other with spray bottles that we were supposed to use for the soil.  That’s one of my good memories with Lucas,” she said.

“He’s been a joy and a very respectful gentleman,” Coates said.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police went through the luggage on a commercial bus stopped for traffic violations after a drug sniffing dog alerted to the presence of potential narcotics and arrested a passenger for having a small amount of dispensary marijuana.

Martinez Lake, 25, was also in possession of a fully loaded gun reported stolen in 1987.

According to police, the Barons bus contracted through Greyhound was clocked traveling 72 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone on the Indiana Toll Road on Thursday, May 8.

The officer followed the bus for a few miles but pulled it over near Rolling Prairie after the driver veered over the white fog line.

Another officer who stopped to assist had a K-9 dog that detected the presence of narcotics on the bus containing 12 passengers.

After finding no drugs in any of the luggage in the storage compartment, officers boarded the bus to search any carry-on bags in the passenger area.

Police said Lake’s duffel bag contained six grams of dispensary marijuana along with a .32 caliber gun reported stolen nearly 40 years ago during a burglary in New York.

Lake told investigators he was traveling from his home in Mississippi to Elkhart to be with his fiancée, according to court documents. 

He was booked into the La Porte County Jail on Level 5 felony theft and Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Bond was set at $15,000.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman could face prison time for allegedly causing injuries to her baby boy and not giving him enough to eat.

Celina Fondenberger, 25, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with two counts of child neglect.

According to authorities, the investigation began four months ago after the 14 month old boy was taken to a local hospital with severe burns to his hands and face along with bruises on different parts of his body.

Police said the investigation shows the burns were caused by him given a heated mixture of milk, water and food in a bottle that wasn’t allowed to cool long enough.

It’s also alleged the bruises were from him struggling and being held down while bathed in a bathtub containing cold water

Police said it appears the mother’s financial situation might be why the boy was not given enough food.

Fondenberger was being held on $15,000 bond.

(Beverly Shores, IN) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating after a fisherman discovered a body in Lake Michigan Saturday morning about 2 miles offshore from Central Beach in Beverly Shores.

Shortly after 8 a.m., the body of an unidentified person was found, according to DNR.

Due to the condition of the body, the person appears to have been missing for an extended period of time, DNR said.  The person was wearing red and black plaid pajama pants, black socks, and there was a unique ring on the right index finger.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Indiana Conservation Officers Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

(Knox, IN) - A Knox man was struck by a train in Knox Friday and died from his injuries.

Around 12:45 p.m. Knox Police Officers responded to a report of a male subject who had been struck by a train in downtown Knox.

First responders began life-saving efforts, then the victim was taken by ambulance to a landing zone, where he was airlifted to a regional hospital. 39-year-old Raymond Campbell of Knox was later pronounced dead.

The incident remains under investigation. Further details will be released as they become available.

(La Porte, IN) - A new K9 partner has joined the La Porte City Police Department.

Rocco is a 13-month-old Dutch Shepherd who was recruited all the way from Germany. According to the La Porte Police Department, Rocco is a dual-purpose K9, trained in both patrol and detection work. He accompanies Officer Rico Simpson.

Donations from the community to the department’s K9 fund helped bring Rocco on board.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County residents will have a chance to dispose of a variety of unwanted items such as appliances and household hazardous waste.

Another 7-in-1 collection by the La Porte County Solid Waste District is scheduled May 17 at the La Porte County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also accepted will be tires, electronics, shredded documents, Styrofoam and cardboard.

“Bring us all of your different items,” said LCSWD Environmental Education and Public Outreach Coordinator Sacha Gee Burns.

Everything can be disposed of at no cost, including the first four standard sized car or truck tires, she said

There is a $1 charge for any additional standard sized motor vehicle tire. The cost is $5 for every tire from 21” to 53” in size. The fee climbs to $75 for every tire larger than that because they require special recycling and handling, she said.

Burns said the twice a year event usually draws around 1,000 vehicles.

“We get tons of people all day long,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A prayer vigil is scheduled this evening for those injured in Thursday’s crash involving two New Prairie High School mini-buses.

It’ll be at the New Prairie High School baseball field starting at 6:30 p.m. central time.

The junior varsity team was heading to Hobart for a game when a suspected reckless driver caused the collision just after 3 p.m. at U.S. 20 and Fail Road.

One of the players and a volunteer coach remain hospitalized.

Seven others taken to a hospital with various injuries that included broken bones and lacerations requiring stitches were later released.

(La Porte County, IN) - The most seriously injured student from New Prairie High School involved in the school bus collision Thursday is a member of the school’s Future Farmers of America branch.

In contrast, the driver, Shawn Akison, 41, of Romeoville, Illinois has a drug charge filed in January in Lake County that remains undecided, according to court records.

Lucas Bradshaw was on the New Prairie FFA Small Engines team that finished 7th out of 34 teams at the State Competition  Bradshaw is also in 4-H, showing livestock at the St. Joseph County Fair.

He was in one of two school mini buses traveling to Hobart for a junior varsity baseball game when the collision at U.S. 20 and Fail Road was caused by a box truck.

Police said the box truck failed to pull over for a St. Joseph County Police Officer for reckless driving.  The pursuit was terminated just minutes prior to the crash.

In a statement, New Prairie High School Baseball stated “while there were many injuries, Lucas Bradshaw has the longest road to healing in front of him.”

“His entire family is extremely special to us for all they have given of themselves to the community and the sport. Please surround them with the love they deserve,” NPHS Baseball said.

NPHS Baseball also stated "our players, coaches, and families went through a lot yesterday. We ask that you continue to hold our team in positive hope and healing...we need it.”

Gratitude was also expressed for the help of all first responders, including bystanders and “many others.”

Akison was arrested for Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

According to court records, the pending charge again him is possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 6 felony, filed in January.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man driving a box truck was chased by police in St. Joseph County prior to causing a collision Thursday afternoon involving two mini school buses transporting the New Prairie High School JV baseball team.

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who arrested Shawn Akison, 41, of Romeoville, a Chicago suburb in Illinois.  Akison was booked into the La Porte County Jail and held on $15,000 bond for Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

Police said two coaches and seven players were injured.  The most seriously injured appear to be student athlete, Lucas Bradshaw, along with volunteer coach and school board member, Rich Shail.  A social media post asked the community to lift up Bradshaw and his family with prayer.

Nancy Shail said her husband suffered a fractured vertebrae and broken ribs along with other injuries.  Shail said the hope is the vertebrae will heal with her husband wearing a brace without having to undergo surgery because “it didn’t crack all the way through.”

Police said the St. Joseph County Police Department responded to a report of a box truck traveling westbound on Indiana 2 in a recklessness manner.  A sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle in the area of Indiana 2 and Timothy Road and attempted a traffic stop but Akison failed to stop, police said.

The pursuit was soon terminated after reaching the La Porte County line, police said.  Police said a La Porte County sheriff’s deputy was soon dispatched to the area of Indiana 2 and U.S. 20 regarding the reckless driving box truck.  The deputy had not located the vehicle yet when the crash happened about three minutes later.

Shail said the bus occupied by her husband was stopped for a traffic light when struck in the rear by the box truck, which pushed it into the second bus.

“The coaches and kids on the bus, I mean, nobody saw this coming,” Shail said.

According to Shail and posts on social media, Bradshaw was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend and admitted into the intensive care unit.

Shail said the junior varsity baseball team was traveling to Hobart for a game when the crash happened.  Police said investigators are waiting for the results of a blood test to determine if Akison was impaired. 

(La Porte County, IN) - Citing a projected loss in tax revenue from statewide property tax reform, the La Porte County Commissioners on Wednesday denied a travel request by the La Porte County Recorder.

Recorder Ela Bilderback believes the heat directed toward her and the decision that followed was nothing short of a personal attack driven by politics.

“Thank you for your personal vendetta,” she said while mixing words with Commissioner Connie Gramarossa.

Commissioner Joe Haney motioned to support her request but a vote could not be taken because neither Commissioner Steve Holifield nor Gramarossa offered to support the motion, which is required for a vote to be taken.

Bilderback requested travel expenses to attend a three day symposium from a software provider for her office in Iowa.  She said the purpose was to learn about some upcoming changes in the software to stay up to date on the computer programs used in her office.

Holifield said travel expense requests have started to be scrutinized more because of the revenue cuts local governments are projected to face from the recently adopted statewide property tax relief legislation.

Holifield also told her the trip was not state mandated or required.

“How are we supposed to stay up to date and be able to do our jobs correctly,” she responded.

Bilderback is associated with former La Porte County Auditor Tim Stabosz, who with Haney played a leading role in the butting of heads with Gramarossa and other figures on her side of the political fence until leaving office at the end of last year.

(La Porte, IN) - The popular Friday Night Live event series will return to downtown La Porte later this month.

Kicking things off will be the first-ever Country & ’Que on Friday, May 30, said Gregory Pietsch, the city’s Civic Auditorium and Events Director.

Pietsch said the event will feature local barbecue food vendors, a beer garden and a live musical performance by up-and-coming country artist Mark Taylor.

“This is the perfect start to a jam-packed summer,” he said.

Taylor, 24, of Nashville is known for his feel good ’90s country sound.  He has opened for major acts like Big & Rich, Bryan White and many others including 

The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan.

Pietsch said the event is made possible by Mofield Property Services and the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association.  For more information on this event and others, visit livinthelakelife.org.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Salvation Army of Michigan City and The Salvation Army of La Porte will operate under one leadership.

Majors Dale and Becky Simmons, who have served as Corps Officers at the Michigan City branch since 2018, will assume leadership of both locations beginning September 1.

Majors Charles and Katie Pinkston of La Porte will relocate within the Salvation Army to the eastern part of Indiana serving Muncie and Richmond.

In some cases, Mrs. Simmons said not every Salvation Army branch can have its own leaders anymore due to manpower shortages.

"We don't have as many people who are officers as there used to be and you just need to streamline those that we have," she said.  

The Michigan City Salvation Army serves Michigan City while the La Porte branch serves La Porte and the rest of the county.

Mr. Simmons said they will take time in the coming weeks getting to know the La Porte operation to better position themselves for serving all county residents in need.

"We don't want to say we're coming in and changing things because that is not what we're doing.  We're just overseeing the boat and seeing what we can do to cover the needs of the whole county," he said. 

He also said they're going to be transparent in the coming weeks and months.

"We recognize that there are still many unanswered questions, and we are committed to keeping the community informed by sharing updates throughout the transition process,” Mr. Simmons said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is accused of driving drunk after found unconscious behind the wheel of a vehicle stopped in a La Porte County Road for as long as one hour.

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who arrested Shane Olivier, 34, for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

Police said a responding officer about 4:30 p.m. found the vehicle in the northbound lane of Willow Lane in Hudson Township.

There was an open half empty bottle of vodka between the legs of Olivier, whose BMW was still running with the gear shift in park.  The South Bend man woke up when the officer began shaking his shoulder.

He was taken into custody after exhibiting obvious signs of impairment and allegedly refusing a certified breathalyzer test, police said. 

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Community School Corporation has named its 2025 Teachers of the Year and Employee of the Year.

The honorees include Martin Briggs (Elementary Teacher of the Year), Christine Rosenbaum (Secondary Teacher of the Year), and Jenny Hartson (Employee of the Year).

Briggs is a teacher at Crichfield Elementary School while Rosenbaum teaches at the high school and Kesling campus. Hartson serves at the front desk at the high school.

All of them will represent the school corporation for their respective categories in the Indiana Department of Education’s recognition program and be recognized during the next school board meeting on May 12.

They will also be recognized during the La Porte Education Foundation’s Evening of the Stars event on May 15.

“These exceptional educators exemplify the dedication and passion that make our school corporation a nurturing place for students to learn and grow,” said Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Kingsford Heights man could be learning that honesty is the best policy considering video cameras nowadays seem to be everywhere.

Rodney Wood is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

According to court documents, Wood on April 23 reached down and picked up a wallet off the floor at Dollar General in Kingsford Heights and left the store with it.

The owner of the wallet later called the store to see if it happened to be there.

A store clerk reviewed surveillance camera footage that showed the wallet on the floor and Wood leaving the store with it, according to court documents.

Police said the owner claimed his wallet contained about $1,000 in cash.

According to court documents, Wood when contacted by police claimed there was nothing in the wallet and he placed into it into a garbage can at a nearby gas station.

Police said an officer went there and searched the garbage cans but didn’t find the billfold. Later, Wood came out of his house and gave the officer the wallet still with no money it.

Police said another review of the surveillance video from the store revealed what appeared to be money in the wallet while the owner was paying for his items with cash and accepting his change.

(Michigan City, IN) - Recent complaints ranging from loud parties to nudity at short term rentals in a neighborhood close to the lakefront have triggered officials in Michigan City to look for possible answers.

The city council has scheduled public workshops for May 13 and June 10 at City Hall to define the scale of the problem and examine potential solutions.

Councilman Greg Coulter said finding answers might be more difficult in Indiana than Michigan due to differences in state law.

“It’s difficult living in Michigan City and looking at New Buffalo where in Michigan they have rights to limit these things,” he said.

During the city council meeting on Tuesday, a number of residents from the Sheridan Beach neighborhood requested teeth be added to an ordinance that only requires short term rentals be registered with the city.

Resident Diane Vough said some of the larger short term rentals appear to be at overcapacity with 30 or more guests doing things like getting in and out of outdoor hot tubs naked.

She said some of the guests appear to be underage drinkers.

Vough said other problems include people vomiting and urinating outside even at daylight.

“It’s a routine amount of behaviors.  It’s just like party central,” she said.

Vough said there are also problems with litter and trash bins overfilled for extended periods at some of the short term rentals.

Resident Vivian Ott said the request for more restrictions came after seeing no let-up in the problems four years since short term rentals were required to be registered with the city.

“This has become more problematic for our neighborhood and for the quality of life for those of us who live in that neighborhood,” she said.

Coulter said the problems appear mostly rooted with high school students and their activities after prom.

“Every year it seems to be post-prom,” he said.

In 2021, the city council in New Buffalo adopted a measure prohibiting new short term rentals from opening in residential neighborhoods in response to similar complaints from full time citizens.

Another reason for the decision was to try and restore the number of homes available for purchase in the city especially for young families with children.

The legal options used by other Indiana communities to get a handle on the problems with short term rentals will be one of the focuses in Michigan City during the June workshop.

(La Porte, IN) - A man sought by the La Porte Police Department was arrested in short order after the public was turned to for help in locating the suspect.

Darrin Charlson was arrested today around 12 p.m.

"In just under two hours after posting our "Wanted Wednesday," Charlson was taken into custody by the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team, La Porte County Community Corrections, and La Porte Police Department's day shift," police said on a social media post.

Charlson was wanted on allegations he violated probation.

He was on probation after serving a five year prison sentence on an arson conviction.

According to court records, Charlson set fire to a vehicle in an alley behind the 400 block of Lincolnway in an act of revenge connected to a fight. 

(La Porte County, IN) - The cause of a barn fire that claimed the lives of farm animals in Mill Creek this week may never be known.

Pleasant Township Fire Chief Kevin Bluhm said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office came out to help his department and other agencies investigate the site, which consisted of two barns next to each other.

However, Bluhm said there was too much destruction to be able to find a potential source of the flames so the cause was ruled undetermined.

The Sunday evening blaze claimed the lives of five pigs and four goats the Tuholski family was raising for use in 4-H. Over ten cats also perished.

Owner Larry Tuholski said three sheep are recovering from smoke inhalation and having some of their wool scorched by the fire.

He said the sheep would have died if not for La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Dylan Hisick removing them from their pens next to blaze and placing them over a fence away a safe distance away.

The Tuholski family raises corn, soybeans and popcorn on more than 5,000 acres.  

(Michigan City, IN) - A man pushing a grocery cart in a Michigan City commercial district is accused of striking a woman and placing a knife against her throat.

Edi Jaric, 28, of Michigan City is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony intimidation and Class A misdemeanor battery.

According to court documents, the investigation shows the man and woman got into argument on May 1.

During the argument, police said he rammed her legs with the shopping cart and slapped her in the face multiple times before placing a knife to the right side of her throat.

He then threatened to kill her, court documents showed.

Upon arrival, officers made contact with the woman who pointed at Jaric now pushing the shopping cart along Franklin St. north of U.S. 20 as the suspect in the alleged attack, police said.

Police said a knife was recovered from Jaric, who denied there was any physical contact during the argument. 

What led up to the argument was not disclosed.

(La Porte County, IN) - The farmers’ market season in La Porte and Michigan City begins this year on Memorial Day weekend.

The Farmed and Forged market in Michigan City kicks off on May 24 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at 800 Washington St.

In La Porte, opening day is May 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Monroe St. and Lincolnway.

“We are getting the final touches on everything for opening day,” said Mandy Krickhahn, Founder of The Collective, a group dedicated to helping small businesses that runs both markets.

Krickhahn said the hours this year in La Porte were moved back one hour because the crowds were larger last year after opening than they were toward the end of the market's business day.
 

Since coming to La Porte two years ago, Krickhahn said the Farmed and Forged market has resulted in a near 50 percent increase in shoppers and 33 percent growth in the number of vendors than what was achieved at markets under different leadership at the same location. 

They’re hoping to have similar success in their first year in Michigan City.

“We’re just really excited to go over there and do our thing,” she said.

The Farmed and Forged Market has additional offerings than what traditional markets had in the past such as live music and cooking demonstrations.

(La Porte, IN) - The new chief executive officer at Northwest Health introduced himself to the La Porte City Council last night.

Mark Casanova, who’s been at the local health care provider for nearly three months, comes here from another medical organization in downstate Terre Haute.

Casanova said he’s been in the health care industry for about 20 years as both a CEO and clinician.

“I’m just excited to relocate here to this great town,” he said.

Casanova said one of his goals is to bring in more doctors to expand the services currently offered.

He also expressed high marks for what’s happening in health care locally.

“The hospital’s got a fantastic culture that really aligns with my personal vision and values of kindness, teamwork and wisdom and I saw it from day one,” he said.

Casanova officially began on February 10. He’s the CEO of the Northwest Health hospitals in La Porte and Starke County.

(Goshen, IN) - A northern Indiana man is still racking up wins on the popular TV games show Jeopardy.

Ben Ganger won his fifth game in a row last night. He’s also racked up nearly $106,000 in prize money.

Ganger’s winning streak now qualifies him for the upcoming Tournament of Champions.  He’ll back defending his title tonight.

The Goshen man is a data analyst and opera singer.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Republican Party Chairman is calling for an apology from an elected official for behavior during a public meeting last week.

Allen Stevens said La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield ran for election last year on a platform that included restoring civility to county government.

However, Stevens said Holifield was anything but civil in a brief verbal exchange with La Porte County Councilman Justin Kiel.

Kiel was questioning Holifield over a no bid contract awarded by the commissioners to an alleged “preferential vendor” to fix a sewage leak in a county government office building when Holifield stood up from his seat in the audience.

“Why don't you come and shovel the g**damn sewage out of the building the next time we have an issue like this, boy.  How does that sound to you,” he said.

In response, Kiel, who is in his late 20’s, quickly fired back.

“That seems not very professional,” he said.

Stevens said Holifield should apologize to Kiel for his behavior that occurred in front of an executive from a company investing $70 million in a food waste to methane gas conversion plant at Kingsbury Industrial Park.

"Commissioner Holifield needs to reflect on his platform to the voters of La Porte county of returning civility to County Government.  Outbursts like this in front of executives investing 70 million in our county undermine our economic development efforts," he said.

Holifield said there was no time to put the job out for bid due to the need to stop sewage from leaking into the building as quickly as possible and to keep the building open for county business.

Holifield and Kiel are republicans but on opposite ends of a party divide. 

(La Porte, IN) - A quick response in La Porte kept fire on an outside wall of a house from spreading to the inside.

Firefighters after 12 p.m. on Saturday responded to 706 Lawrence St.

An upstairs tenant told investigators he was watching TV with his grandmother when she smelled smoke and he looked out a back window to see flames, said La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder.

Snyder said it appears the outside wall caught fire when household goods of some type left beside the house by a previous tenant somehow ignited.

One of the tenants tried putting out the fire with a garden hose but was not successful.

“We were able to extinguish it pretty quickly,” Snyder said.

Snyder said firefighters were on the scene for about 45 minutes. Investigators were trying to determine how the rubbish next to the house caught fire.

(La Porte County, IN) - Nine farm animals a family kept for use in 4-H perished in a La Porte County barn fire but more could have died if not for police helping with the evacuation.

Larry Tuholski, one of the owners of the family farm along County Road 100 South in Mill Creek, said five pigs and four goats were lost in the Sunday evening blaze.

The fire destroyed two barns that had separate walls adjacent to each other and a common metal roof.

Tuholski said one of the barns now used for storage was a milking parlor until the family decided to get out of the dairy business in 2000.

The family now raises strictly corn, soybeans and popcorn on more than 5,000 acres while a neighbor keeps about 350 head of steer on the property.

The other barn was like a workshop area used also for storage.

Tuholski said his son, Joe, put some parts back up in the facility and left for his house nearby then spotted smoke a short time later.

He and other family members started getting as many things out of the barns as they could, including some pick-up trucks and tractors.

Tuholski said a number of sheep were also spared from the flames, including several ones a La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy placed over a fence for safe keeping.

They were not able to save a lot of equipment, including a small tractor attached to a tiller, because of the rapidly spreading flames.

“When the fire got in that ceiling area, it took off like gangbusters,” he said.

Pleasant Township Fire Chief Kevin Bluhm said flames were shooting from the roof in one building and spreading to the other structure when firefighters first pulled up.

He said they attacked the fire by first driving the flames away from an area containing herbicides and other chemicals to prevent a potential breathing hazard.

Bluhm said an aerial truck from the La Porte Fire Department was brought in to get more water onto the flames from up above once the metal roof started being torn from one of the structures with block walls.

The siding of the other structure was made of tin, which was ripped away to get water inside from ground level.

Bluhm said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office will assist in trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Tuholski said he doesn’t have a clue.

“I’ve been picking my brain since the fire trying to figure out what could have happened,” he said.

Other responding firefighters were from Lincoln, Kankakee and Scipio townships, Kingsford-Union, Kingsbury and North Liberty.

“We had a large amount of tankers shuttling water in,” Bluhm said.

Governor Mike Braun today issued a proclamation declaring May 5-9 Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the impact Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses have on the state’s economy and communities.

Indiana is home to more than 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million Hoosier jobs.

“As a long-time entrepreneur and business owner, recognizing this week as Small Business Week in Indiana is a celebration I value firsthand,” said Braun.

The state was ranked No. 2 in the nation for starting a business by Forbes last year and was ranked as the No. 11 emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report from Startup Genome.

In June, Indiana will host the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress, serving as only the second U.S. destination to host the event since the inaugural convention in 2009.

“Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City school officials held a ribbon cutting this week for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center.

The $13.5 million-dollar facility repurposes the former Brown Mackie College location at the corner of U.S. 20 and S. Woodland Ave. The CTE South Campus complements the A.K. Smith Career Center (North Campus), which offers other vocational programs. The new center is now home to career readiness programs ranging from automotive and construction trades to healthcare and criminal justice studies.

“This state-of-the-art facility provides students with skills which prepare them for employment in today’s workplace,” said CTE Director Dr. David Notary. The new campus features advanced facilities such as simulation medical bed stations in the Health Academy lab. The Automotive Technology lab includes a secure transaction area where students can gain practical experience interacting with customers who bring vehicles to the facility for service.

The CTE program allows students to earn high school and college credits (through partnerships with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University), as well as professional certifications. It serves about 350 juniors and seniors from seven high schools all over La Porte County and New Buffalo.

The new facility also houses the new Little Wolves Early Learning Center preschool, bringing services to a wider range of students.

“This new facility is a testament to our commitment to preparing students who are truly college- and career-ready,” said Dr. Wendel McCollum, Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools. “There’s been a lot of conversation across the state and nation about the importance of Pre-K through Grade 14 education. At Michigan City Area Schools, we’re proud to demonstrate what that truly means by supporting students from their earliest years, all the way through high school and into college or career pathways.”

Michigan City School Board President Marty Corley called the project a roadmap for collaboration, involving local government and industry partners. “Importantly, this project was completed in a way that is tax-neutral,” he said, “with no additional impact to our taxpayers. That’s something we are very proud of, insuring we are making smart, sustainable investments in the future.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed student-led tours of the facility and light refreshments prepared by Culinary Arts students.

At a prior meeting, Michigan City School Board members voted to name the center after recently-retired superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins.

(Michigan City, IN) - Ben Bachmann is taking his talents from New Prairie to Michigan City. Bachmann was introduced as the Wolves’ new athletic director at a Michigan City school board meeting this week.

It’s a homecoming for Bachmann, who was born and raised in Michigan City, graduating from Elston High School, where he was a three-sport athlete.

Bachmann issued this statement at Tuesday’s school board meeting:

“Education-based athletics is a tool that can teach numerous life skills, which can transcend sports and help prepare student athletes for life. I’m excited about the future of Michigan City area schools and the vision that is in place. I look forward to working with everyone and being part of a team that will make MCAS the best it can be. I thank you again for this opportunity. Let’s go City!”

(Starke County, IN) - Two people were extricated from an SUV that collided with a semi in Starke County on Thursday.

According to the Knox-Center Township Fire Department, the accident occurred at the intersection of State Road 8 and Range Road. That’s between Knox and the Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area.

First responders say they had to remove the driver’s side of the SUV to free the passengers, who were taken to a hospital for treatment. No other details were provided. The accident is under investigation by the Starke County Sheriff's Office.

(South Bend, IN) - A La Porte man has been convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child pornography.

On Tuesday 38-year-old Ron Deming was found guilty following a two-day jury trial in South Bend’s U.S. District Court.

Sentencing for Deming is scheduled for August 14.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

(La Porte, IN) - A local elected official received a high honor this morning.

Center Township Trustee Lisa Pierzkowski received the Liberty Bell Award during a ceremony in La Porte Circuit Court.

The award is given annually by the La Porte County Bar Association.

Pierzakowski was recognized for going beyond the call of duty at times to help in areas like housing for people going through the court system.

She’s received other past awards for her work but said this one stands out.

“This is really an honor because it’s right here in La Porte County and it’s between the judges and the prosecutors and the professional staff here that are awarding me with it so it means a little more,” she said.

La Porte County Bar Association President Barbara Stooksbury said her group looks for certain qualities in a person, not usually an attorney, to give the award to.

“It’s people who promote a better understanding of the rule of law and encourage a great respect for the law in the courts and do a civic duty and responsibility and contribute not only to our community but also the government,” she said.

Pierzakowski is involved with La Porte County Problem Solving Court doing things like helping offenders addressing matters like substance abuse find housing.

The La Porte County Bar Association also credited Pierzakowski with making the trustee’s office more than just a place to get emergency help but turning it into a launching pad for getting people back on their feet and staying there.

Pierzakowski attended the ceremony with her husband, Mike.

(La Porte, IN) - A man caught during a foot pursuit in La Porte this week was allegedly found with a good sized amount of methamphetamine.

Patrick Sebring, 36, is charged with multiple counts including possession of methamphetamine and resisting law enforcement in La Porte Circuit Court.

On Monday, police said Sebring was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at Lincolnway and Boston St. for having a false license plate when he fled on foot.

The La Porte man was allegedly captured a few blocks away at Brighton St. and Glover Court.

Police said more than 11 grams of methamphetamine along with a scale were found in the vehicle. Sebring was still being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 bond.

(La Porte, IN) - Plans for a retail center in La Porte have taken a step forward.

A 90 day extension to purchase over 10 acres of land at New Porte Landing has been granted to the developer by the city.

La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook said the extension shows the developer is still interested in building there, but like with any proposed project from the private sector there are no guarantees yet.

“Typically, when the private party closes on the land that’s what really signals there’s a strong likelihood that they are going to move forward and build it there,” he said.

Plans for a retail center were revealed over a year ago when the city approved a letter on interest with the developer, who later entered into a purchase agreement that expired in late April.

The extension was needed for the developer to retain sole rights to buy the ground from the city while working toward closing.  

Cook said the developer is the same one involved in the recent opening of Chipotle.

Since that is finished, Cook said the developer has more time now to try and finish the process involved in building the proposed multi-unit retail center and work toward closing on purchasing the ground for the agreed to price of about $500,000.

(La Porte, IN) - The last La Porte team to win a state title in high school baseball will be honored this evening.

It was 25 years ago that team brought home the championship.

The starting catcher, Dee McDonald will be one of the players recognized before the game at Schreiber Field.

“I don’t know how 25 years went so quickly.  That’s my first thought,” he said.

McDonald said he’s looking forward to seeing his former teammates and reminiscing about the season still clearly embedded in his memory.

“The biggest thing about life, in general, is the people.   So, I’m excited to see my teammates. My teammates were the biggest part of that championship,” he said.

That team will be honored before the game against New Prairie, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte has taken another step toward updating the infrastructure along a stretch of Indiana 39 annexed last year.

The city’s Redevelopment Commission yesterday voted to reach out to a financial consulting group, Baker Tilley & Associates, to lead them through the process of financing the improvements.

The upgrades promised by the city prior to annexation of the 39 North Conservancy District are aimed at increasing water capacity to allow for additional development and improve fire protection.  

City Planner Craig Phillips said hiring experts is a standard procedure when financing any major work because of the complicated nature of taking on and retiring debt.  

“It’s the same engagement we’ve had with other projects in the past for similar financing assistance,” he said.

In this case, the cost of the work is expected to be above $10 million.

A site beside the Indiana Toll Road has already been chosen for the water tower expected to go up next year.

(Starke County, IN) - Indiana State Police are asking for help from the public in their investigation of a fatal motor vehicle crash in Starke County.

Police said the single vehicle crash happened near Hamlet this past Saturday night on 600 East and 700 North.

The vehicle involved in the fatality was a Ford Escape, police said. 

So far, authorities have not released any further details about the crash or identified the victim.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or any driving behavior prior to it is asked to contact Indiana State Police.

(La Porte, IN) - The next president of a college in the area was the starting catcher on the last La Porte High School baseball team to win a state title.

In two months, Dee McDonald will take over the reins at Bethel University, a Christian based school in Mishawaka.

McDonald was chosen to be the ninth president in the history of the university after the former president decided to retire.

He attended Olivet Nazarene College then became a faculty member at the school about 90 minutes away in Illinois until 2016 when he went to serve a Christian college in Minnesota for two years then again since 2022.

McDonald said becoming the president of a Christian based university has been a longtime goal.

He couldn’t think of a better place to answer what he believes is his calling since Bethel is a university he has long admired and it’s close to his hometown.

McDonald said things just seemed to naturally fall into place after he and decision makers at the university crossed paths about two months ago when the job opened up.

“I’ve had an appreciation and love for them from afar.  It was pretty clear that this was our next stop and our next assignment so we’re excited to get back close to home,” he said.

McDonald has been a vice-president at the university in Minnesota for the past few years and held positions in executive leadership for several years prior to that.

He graduated from high school one year after the baseball team won its last state title in 2000. 

McDonald said being a catcher from youth leagues to high school probably helped him climb from teacher to positions of school leadership because of the field general-like responsibilities of being behind home plate. 

“I think that serves me well in leadership, too. I kind of take a coaching approach in a lot of ways,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating a large sum of money taken by forcing open a safe.

According to police, the victim from Fish Lake reported on Wednesday that she discovered the safe in her bedroom was not exactly where she usually keeps it and had been forced open.

She said close to $1,000 in cash was missing but not the medication she also keeps in the metal lock box, according to police.

Police said whoever did it, somehow, ripped a hole in the top of the safe.

There were cameras where the safe was kept but they were disconnected recently to have them repaired but the victim had not sent them out yet to be fixed, according to police.

(La Porte County, IN) - Alternating lane closures will be occurring soon on a stretch of U.S. 20 in the Rolling Prairie area.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, roughly one week of alternating lane closures will begin Monday to start converting the eastbound lanes to two way traffic between 250 East and Oak Knoll Road.

The purpose is to begin road reconstruction in the westbound lanes, INDOT said.  The work through the end of November will include the addition of center turn lanes and shoulders.

In late July, the same work on U.S. 20 is projected to start between Indiana 39 and Fail Road and from U.S. 35 and 400 West, INDOT said.

According to INDOT, left turns will be permitted only at county road intersections through the work zone.  Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.