(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun has directed flags across the state to be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for the victims of Wednesday’s tragic mass shooting in Minneapolis.

This directive follows President Donald Trump’s order for flags to be lowered at all U.S. federal buildings. Flags at state facilities should remain at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.

Governor Braun encourages Hoosiers to help show respect for the victims and their families by lowering flags to half-staff at homes and businesses across the state.

(Michigan City, IN) - The mayor of Michigan City is defending the actions of officers during a traffic stop captured on a video that has gone viral on social media.

In a written statement, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said strong language was used but there were no violations of rights or policy.  She also pointed out the driver was issued only a warning ticket and no complaints were ever filed.

“Outside groups are now circulating the video and misrepresenting the situation,” she said.

According to a statement released by the police department, the matter is being looked into with a commitment to “transparency and professionalism.”

“As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to provide any further comment until a thorough review has been completed.   We appreciate your understanding,” police said.

The 20 minute video with more than 150,000 hits on YouTube since its recent posting depicts a traffic stop in February of 2024.

The male driver videotaping the stop from the beginning was accused of running a stop sign and having a license plate with a bracket partially obstructing its view.

The driver repeatedly denied committing any traffic violations while asking for the badge numbers of the officers.

One of the officers verbally gave out his badge number while another officer informed the driver his badge number will be on the written report of the traffic stop that would be available to him at the police station.

In the video, the driver continued to question the reason for the stop and make other statements during what was somewhat of a calm exchange but things started heating up when another officer showed up with a K-9 dog.

The driver kept ignoring orders to get out and step away from the vehicle to allow the dog to conduct a free air sniff around the outside of his car to detect any odors of drugs that might be inside.               

He also accused the officers of verbally threatening him several times, which they strongly denied on each occasion. 

The man was still seated in his vehicle when one of the officers seemingly weary out of frustration told him “you are making this so much more complicated.”

Eventually, he stepped out after officers threatened to release the dog to force him from the car.

He was instructed to step away but he refused, telling officers “I can be where I want, man. You stopped me for bullshit. I can be where I want,” the driver said.

At one point, the man was placed in handcuffs after warned he would be if he continued to not cooperate.

“This is my property.  You wrongfully stopped me,” the driver told the officers.

The mood later seemed to lighten up.

In a friendly tone of voice, one of the officers advised the driver he would allowed to go home without a ticket if no drugs were found but if he kept “acting up,” he would be arrested for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct or “something stupid that you don’t need.”

The driver insisting there were no drugs in the car objected to the search, alleging there was no probable cause to legally substantiate it.  In response, one of the officers told him a K-9 search for drugs is routine in many traffic stops.

“What kind of cops would we be if we didn’t do our due diligence,” the officer said.

After finding no drugs, the driver was given a warning ticket and the video ends with the man politely telling officers while they’re beginning to leave “you fellas be safe.”

Nelson Deuitch also said she supports the officers of her department who face difficult and often stressful situations.

“Nevertheless, we will continue to use incidents like this as part of our ongoing efforts to train, improve communication and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the community we serve,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - An elderly man died after a possible health related motor vehicle crash outside the hospital near Michigan City yesterday.

According to La Porte County Police, the investigation shows Frederick Woods, 82, was traveling on Franciscan Way after 11 a.m. when he became unconscious.

A 78 year old female passenger grabbed the steering wheel and managed to avoid striking several vehicles before hitting a light pole and overturning, police said.

Police said she told investigators Woods regained consciousness for a few seconds before closing his eyes again.  CPR was performed but he later died.

The crash occurred near Franciscan Health hospital at U.S. 421 and Interstate 94.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said an autopsy is scheduled to try and determine cause of death. 

The female who grabbed the wheel complained of pain to her upper arm and shoulder area, police said.

(Michigan City, IN) - A state lawmaker representing parts of La Porte and surrounding counties has been sentenced for drunk driving.

Under a plea agreement, State Senator Mike Bohacek, a republican from Michiana Shores, must serve one year on probation for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

A 20 day suspension of his driver’s license was also imposed under terms of the guilty plea accepted Wednesday in La Porte Superior Court 4 by Jeffrey Thode, a special judge from Porter County.

Thode agreed to preside over the case after all judges in LaPorte County recused themselves to avoid any appearance of impropriety since Bohacek’s district includes parts of La Porte as well as St. Joseph, Starke and Marshall counties.

Bohacek must also complete a substance abuse evaluation and take part in any recommended therapy.

On January 24, police said officers were notified about a man later identified as Bohacek stumbling out of his 2023 Dodge Charger with an Indiana State Senator license plate on it outside Panda Express in Michigan City.

Officers were also told the man appeared intoxicated while ordering food inside the restaurant.

Police said Bohacek left before responding officers arrived but his car was soon located turning onto U.S. 20 and stopped when clocked at 62 mph. in a 45 mph. zone.

Bohacek denied consuming alcohol, telling an officer in slurred speech that he was short on sleep after driving from Indianapolis.  He began heading home after the state legislature in session at the time convened for the weekend.

Police said Bohacek was still seated in his car when he began eating food and consuming a beverage but stopped at the request of the officer.  He later spilled some of his food and drink over his shirt and pants before refusing a certified breathalyzer test to measure his blood alcohol content.

He was transported to a hospital where he agreed to take the breath test but the officer chose, instead, to have a sample of blood taken from his arm.

His alleged blood alcohol level was over three times the .08 percent legal limit.

Bohacek, who was given a ride home, was not arrested right away because the Indiana constitution prohibits state lawmakers from being taken into custody while the legislature is in session except for treason, a felony or breach of peace.

After this year’s legislative session ended in late April, a warrant was sought for his arrest but he was allowed to turn himself in the next month on a summons ordering him into court to answer to the allegations.

Bohacek, who has not spoken publicly about the allegations, did not respond again when asked to comment on his sentencing.

He’s been a state senator since November of 2016.

Until sentencing, Bohacek was allowed to keep driving as long as he used an ignition interlock device ordered installed on his car.  Drivers must blow into the device, which allows a vehicle to start only if alcohol is not detected in the breath.

(La Porte County, IN) - Another large marijuana bust has occurred on the Indiana Toll Road in La Porte County.

Two men from out of state are now facing charges.

Last week, a La Porte County sheriff’s deputy stopped an SUV for traveling over the speed limit near Rolling Prairie. 

During the traffic stop, the officer spotted four large suitcases and learned the SUV was rented on the west coast.

Feeling the driver wasn’t being totally truthful with his answers during questioning, a K-9 dog came out and detected the presence the drugs.

Inside the suitcases were vacuum sealed packages of marijuana weighing a total of 120 pounds, police said. 

Tony Green, Jr. from Georgia and his passenger, Rovell Thomas of Mississippi were charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony dealing in marijuana.

They could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence.

Last week, arrests were made during a traffic stop on the Toll Road west of La Porte after 1,400 pounds of marijuana were discovered inside a rented box truck.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Railroad will provide free commuter train rides to emergency responders next month.

All doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, other medical personnel and law enforcement can ride at no cost from September 6-11.

Medical and law enforcement personnel must only present a valid work ID to verify their employment.

“The South Shore Line is honored to serve the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and caring for our communities,” said Amber Kettring, Manager of Customer Service and Communication for the railroad.

 “This is our way of saying thank you and showing appreciation for their service,” she said.

Throughout the year, the SSL welcomes various groups to take advantage of free transportation on designated days.

In the near future, the train will be offering free transportation for military personnel, including active-duty, reserves, and veterans, in honor of Veterans Day.

The railroad operates trains daily from South Bend to Chicago with stops in between in places like Michigan City.

(La Porte County, IN) - A semi-truck crash and fire entirely shutdown Interstate 94 in the Michigan City area last night.

The truck hauling strawberries, blueberries and raspberries struck the concrete median about 9:30 p.m.  As a result, the trailer separated from the truck and wound up in the opposite lanes.

Coolspring Township Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith said the trailer and cab of the semi also caught fire and were a total loss.

“It had blocked all lanes, east and westbound traffic.

Smith said Interstate 94 was completely shut down for several hours.

Reports indicate traffic was backed up for miles with some drivers and their passengers stepping out to walk around.

Further information, so far, has not been made available by Indiana State Police.

(Chesterton, IN) - A local lawmaker is expressing opposition to a recent decision to delay the closure of Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

The Indiana Department of Correction has announced it will not close the prison in 2027 as originally planned.

 “Hoosier taxpayers have already invested more than $1.2 billion in construction and upgrades at the new Northwest Correctional Facility and were given a clear promise that the outdated Michigan City Prison would close,” said State Senator Rodney Pol, Jr. (D-Chesterton).

“Now, instead of following through, the state is backtracking on that

commitment,” he said.

The new prison in Westville once completed was supposed to house the current Westville Correctional Facility and the state prison.  

Pol said the state prison is old, costly to maintain and sits in the middle of a residential area that was slated for redevelopment once the facility shut down.

“Keeping it open not only wastes taxpayer dollars but also stalls critical opportunities to bring new housing, new businesses and much-needed growth to a community that borders our National Park,” he said.

Pol also emphasized that state taxpayers should not be asked to foot the bill for federal responsibilities in response to speculation the prison will remain open indefinitely to house illegal immigrants waiting for deportation.

Pol represents Senate District 4 which encompasses portions of northern Porter County and La Porte County including Michigan City and Westville.

(La Porte, IN) - A suspected drunk driver was taken into custody again for posing a threat to other motorists in La Porte.

Ramon Wallen, 41, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with operating while intoxicated.  The charge was upgraded to a Level 6 felony for having two previous OWI convictions since 2018.

La Porte County Police said an officer was behind a Jeep Cherokee traveling and forth across the center line and the white line near the edge of the grassy median Tuesday night on E. Lincolnway.

After conducting a U- turn, police said the vehicle continued to badly weave and nearly wound up in a four foot ditch multiple times.

Police said the officer activated his flashing lights and siren before Wallen pulled in the driveway of his home.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .31 percent or nearly four times the legal limit.

According to court records, Wallen spent six days in the La Porte County Jail and nearly a year on probation for an OWI conviction in 2018 along with a similar sentence for an OWI conviction in 2021, according to court records.

(La Porte, IN) - Two people on foot were taken by ambulance after struck by a motor vehicle in downtown La Porte last evening.

Emergency responders were called just after 5:30 p.m. to Lincolnway and Jackson St.  Upon arrival, a female and child were lying down on the pavement next to a cross walk.

According to La Porte Police, the driver of a sport utility vehicle, Larry Ballard,  told investigators he did not see the individuals while turning to head west on LIncolnway.

A witness told officers the pedestrians had permission to cross the four lane highway because the symbol for people to walk was illuminated, police said.

Police said the female complained of pain coming from her lower back to the back of her legs along with no feeling below her knees.

The boy complained of pain to his left ankle and knee.  They were transported to nearby Northwest Health in separate ambulance.

Police did not release the names of the victims.

(La Porte County, IN) - Unity Foundation of La Porte County invites Michigan City area educators to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful.

Unity Foundation manages three grant programs for Michigan City teachers, each established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning.

Together, the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators at Michigan City public and private schools for projects of their own design since the mid-1990s.

These grants of $400 to $500 each aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students.

Teachers are invited to complete an application at uflc.net/grants/teacher-grants for projects to be implemented during the 2025-2026 academic year.

The application deadline is October 15, 2025.

Two of the three programs are for teachers at K-8 public and parochial schools serving Michigan City:

                  The Michigan City Education Foundation (MCEF) makes grants of up to $500 for hands-on or virtual activities in any academic area or life skills. In 1994 the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, Mary Lou Linnen and Bud and June Ruby founded MCEF to empower educators.

•           The Barbara A. Carmen Memorial Endowment Fund makes grants of up to $400 for items that will enrich curriculum or enhance a teacher’s ability to meet student needs. The Carmen Fund is dedicated to the memory of Barbara A. Carmen, a former Michigan City kindergarten and first grade teacher in both the public and parochial schools.

Both programs accept proposals from educators at the following schools: Barker Middle School, Coolspring Elementary, Edgewood Elementary, Joy Elementary, Knapp Elementary, Krueger Middle School, Lake Hills STEM Magnet Elementary, Marsh Elementary, Notre Dame Catholic School, Pine Fine Arts Magnet Elementary, Queen of All Saints Catholic School, Springfield Elementary and St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic School.

The third program is for Michigan City High School and La Porte County Career and Technical Education/A.K. Smith Career Center teachers and professionals:

• The Teacher Innovation Fund makes grants of up to $400 for equipment, supplies, tools for special programs or for ideas to enrich curriculum and enhance each professional’s ability to meet his or her students’ needs. It is designed to support educational professionals as they strive to reach their students. Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins and former Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie provided the idea and the seed money for the Teacher Innovation Fund from their own personal funds.

“I am forever thankful and appreciative of the opportunities the Unity Foundation has provided not only for me, but also for the young scholars I am entrusted with every day.” said Sharon Arndt, Kindergarten Teacher at Edgewood Elementary and 2024-2025 MCEF grant recipient.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man and woman from out of state are accused of transporting 1,400 pounds of marijuana in a box truck stopped by police in La Porte County.

Jacob Pasquale, 35, and Tamy Brennan, 57, are charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony dealing marijuana.

According to court documents, an Indiana State Police trooper on August 19 stopped the eastbound box truck after it twice drove partially on the shoulder of the Indiana Toll Road a few miles west of the La Porte exit.

Both suspects from Ohio on August 9 flew to Oregon where the box truck was rented for two weeks with a scheduled return to Buffalo, New York, police said.

Pasquale told the officer he was helping his sister-in-law move and the truck contained her belongings such as a washer, dryer and kitchen table.

Suspecting he wasn’t telling the truth, the officer expressed a desire to search the back end of the truck but Pasquale claimed he didn’t have the key to the padlock on the door.

Both suspects also shook their heads when asked if there was anything illegal in the truck.

Another officer came with a K-9 dog, which detected the presence of drugs. The padlock was then cut off the truck by the officers, who discovered nearly 50 cardboard boxes strapped to the inside wall.

Police said all but one of the boxes contained vacuum sealed packages of marijuana weighing slightly more than pound.  The other box contained 56 pounds of marijuana wax.

Just over $2,500 in cash was also seized from both suspects, police said.

Initially, police said Pasquale claimed the woman was his mother but later described her as his mother-in-law.  Both suspects could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - A motor vehicle accident with at least one injury yesterday tied up traffic in downtown La Porte yesterday afternoon.

The crash happened about 3:30 p.m. on Lincolnway near Indiana Ave.

Details about the accident from police were not available due to the ongoing investigation.  A report from the fire department, though, reveals one of the drivers was treated for a laceration to a leg.

Both vehicles sustained enough damage to require a tow.

Police officers restricted and directed traffic  at the busy intersection to allow emergency responders to safely work the scene of the crash.

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

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver who collided with a piece of heavy machinery in a construction zone on U.S. 20 in La Porte County then fled was later taken into custody.

Chad Renfro, 37, of North Liberty is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with leaving the scene of an accident as a Level 6 felony.

According to La Porte County Police, Renfro on August 21 passed a vehicle at what appeared to be full highway speed before hitting his brakes and skidding into an excavator.  

The investigation shows Renfro was last seen limping away from the scene, police said.

Police said the driver of the excavator, William Stayback, suffered a possible broken kneecap.

Renfro, who arrested the following day, posted bond two days before appearing for his initial court hearing on Monday.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 16.

(La Porte, IN) - Charges have been filed in connection with police officers in La Porte injured during a scuffle with a middle finger using bicyclist.

Danielle Faulkenburg, 35, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts including resisting law enforcement.

According to La Porte Police, the woman on August 21 was riding a bicycle on Greenway St. when she began yelling profanities and flipped off an officer behind her in his patrol vehicle.

She was then pulled over for disregarding a stop sign.

Police said Faulkenburg started to argue with the officer and began to resist when informed she was going to be arrested. 

With help from two additional officers, police said the woman was taken to the ground and continued to resist until placed in handcuffs.

Two officers suffered minor injuries to the hand and elbow while taking her into custody, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A request to restore the over 80 stained glass windows at the historic county courthouse in La Porte appears to have regained some momentum.

The La Porte County Council last night voted to encourage the La Porte County Commissioners to reconsider their recent 2 to 1 decision against providing money to cover the estimated $5,000 to $14,000 cost of creating an inventory for the windows.

The motion also included a committment by the council to find the money if the commissioners reconsider. 

The motion was made by Justin Kiel and seconded by Randy Novak after they announced their support for the request.

“We’ll find a way to find the funding if the commissioners reconsider it,” Kiel said.

The commissioners turned down the request at a time when county government will be losing two million or more dollars annually due to statewide property tax reform signed into law by the governor in the spring.

Leigh Morris, a former La Porte mayor, is asking for the money to create an inventory of the windows that includes a report on their condition and where each one ranks as a priority for restoring over a 10 year period.

Morris said the condition of the windows is not alarming but they are getting to the point of needing restoration.  An expert review of the windows showed things like cracks, missing pieces of glass and rotting in some of the frames.

“There’s nothing absolutely drastic or threatening at the moment but it’s on the way to that,” he said.

Kiel said he agrees with Morris the windows are important to preserve.

“Those stained glass windows in that courthouse are part of our collective heritage.  There’s never going to be another courthouse like that built ever again.  That’s the only one we got so it’s worth making sure we maintain those things,” he said.

(La Porte-Starke Counties) - The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has announced their September distribution dates and sites for their Mobile Food Bank, including dates in La Porte and Starke counties.

In La Porte County, the Mobile Food Bank will be available: 

At Kingsford Heights Community Center at 515 Wayland Drive on September 3 from 9-10:30 a.m; and H.O.P.E. Community Center at 222 McClelland Avenue in Michigan City, also on September 3 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The distribution will serve 150 households at each location. .

In Starke County, the Mobile Food Bank serving 150 and 200 households will be available:

Starke County Fairgrounds at 400 Division Street in Hamlet on September 11 from 10am to noon.

Knox United Methodist Church at 201 Shield Street in Knox, on September 15 from 9 a.m. to 10:30am

Tierney Park at 7520 S. US Highway 421 in San Pierre on September 25 from 10am to 12 p.m.

The drive-through distribution times are while supplies last.  Every location will offer assorted food items at no cost.

(Michigan City, IN) - Two adults were taken into custody at Michigan City High School yesterday for entering the building without authorization.

Erica Cooper, 33, and Anika Cooper, 28, were charged with Level 6 felony criminal trespass.

According to police, the women entered through a door held open for them by a student at the start of a late morning lunch period.

They made their way to the cafeteria where they were approached by school resource officers, who informed them permission must be granted to enter the school building and entry has to be made through designated locations.

One of the women responded that she was there to pick up her daughter due to some troubles she was having and never had been to the school.

Police noted there is signage throughout the building about the need for visitors to register at the main office and obtain a visitor badge prior to entering.  The signage also states violators are subject to arrest, police said.

Police said there’s another sign posted before entering the main area of the school that states “Stop. No unescorted visitors beyond this point.”

Each women could face anywhere from a six month to 30 month sentence.

(Michigan City, IN) - Police say a woman was naked from the waist down when her vehicle was found parked in the middle of a Michigan City street at night with no headlights on.

Samantha Jenner, 32, of Michigan City was arrested for operating while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license.

Police said the vehicle was discovered Saturday night parked in the travel portion of the pavement in the area of Earl Road and Ohio St.

No lights were activated on the SUV, which was not running.  Police said Jenner was lying down in the rear of the vehicle without pants or underwear on.

Her alleged blood alcohol level of nearly four times the legal limit.

According to police, Jenner did not know where her pants were but, eventually, they were found and given to her to cover up before taken to the La Porte County Jail.

(Michigan City, IN) - A woman is accused of throwing a bag containing drugs and other contraband over the wall at Indiana State Prison.

Wendy Hughes, 46, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with Level 5 felony trafficking with an inmate.

According to court documents, Hughes in November drove from her home in north central Indiana in a Dodge Charger to the prison on Michigan City’s west side.

Two bags were thrown with one containing methamphetamine, marijuana and cell phones making it over the prison wall to an offender in the recreation yard waiting to grab it on the other side, authorities said.

Another bag containing cell phones, chargers, earbud covers and other items such as sewing needles and vape pens fell just short of clearing the wall, according to court documents.

Police said the offender attached the bag he retrieved to a string.

Another offender was given the other end of the string and pulled the bag inside the prison through an open second floor window.  The offender then placed the bag into a trash can where it was recovered by prison security, authorities said. 

According to court documents, investigators discovered the smuggling was planned between Hughes and another offender by listening to a recorded telephone conversation they had earlier in the day where payment for the contraband was discussed.

Hughes, who was taken into custody about a month ago, was still being held in La Porte County Jail waiting for the case to be decided on $1,500 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) - The driver of a Jeep Wrangler with his young children riding with him crashed and was arrested for impaired driving last evening.

Shawn O’Brien is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, the investigation shows he was doing a donut when his vehicle on lifts wound up on its side in a field in the area of 1000 South and 125 East.

Police said his two children, ages 5 and 3, suffered just minor scratches and abrasions.  One of the children also complained of pain to the rib cage area.

Police said O’Brien had a blood alcohol level nearly two times the legal limit.

The mother came to the accident scene and took the children looked over by medics who decided they did not require further treatment.

(West Lafayette, IN) - Safety tips are being offered to prevent death and injury on farms during the upcoming harvest season.

Advice from the National Grain and Feed Foundation focuses heavily on safety around moving vehicles like tractors, semi-trucks, pay loaders, skid steers, forklifts and yard carts to prevent hitting or running over someone working or helping on the farm.

The NGFF suggests having a spotter to help avoid striking an individual that might be near or underneath a machine while it’s parked or in the path of a driver operating the vehicle.

Spotters can also help notify the driver to stop if a person happens to be in the blind spot of the driver.

“These are generally caused by the driver not being able to see a worker in their blind spot,” NGFF officials said.

Other causes of people being struck include workers not hearing back-up alarms on farm machines and employees retrieving equipment or tools underneath vehicles.

Farmers should also give undivided attention to the area they’re driving in or working around and make sure trucks and trailers are on level ground when parking to prevent shifting and rolling, according to the NGFF.

Other advice includes hands on training and discussing potential hazards with all operators, not allowing drivers to use cellphones and wearing high visibility clothing to improve the odds of being seen by a machine operator or spotter.

According to the NGFF, there should also be a traffic control plan containing things like clearly marked designated areas of travel for all equipment, vehicles and people on foot.

Easily visible signage should also be posted to mark places like entry and exit points along with unloading areas.

The NGFF also suggests keeping people not involved in the receiving process out of the area and making sure nobody is smoking in dusty environments to prevent a flash fire.

Other tips include having a dump grade no wider than 2.5 inches to lower the risk of trips, twists and falls and cleaning up spilled grain to prevent slips.

Bill Field, a veteran farm safety expert at Purdue University said he’s most concerned about the risk from having large farm vehicles and other equipment traveling on roads during harvest and spring planting.

Field, who’s also a farmer with heavy machinery on the roads during harvest, said there’s been a rise in the number of farm related deaths on highways and more drivers passing heavy machinery and equipment heading to and from the fields.

He urged drivers to be patient and share the road with farm machinery.

“It just seems like there’s so much more aggression.  It just ends up in problems,” he said.

He also cautioned about the use of corn pickers, which have been largely replaced over the years by combines, but are still used especially on small farms due to their much cheaper purchase price.

Field said corn pickers have rolls moving with enough power to remove ears from the stalks and husks from the ears.

He said injuries often happen, though, when drivers fail to shut off corn pickers to remove stalks stuck in the rolls that prevent them from turning properly.  That’s when an arm by the hand or a leg by a foot can be pulled into the machine.

“That’s part of the problem with pickers.  They try to fix things with it running,” he said.

Typically, Field said accidents involving corn pickers aren’t fatal but result in amputations.

Field said the number of fatalities on the farm in Indiana has risen from 15 last year to 28, so far, this year.  He said many of the deaths occurred in Amish communities where older, less safe equipment and age old farming practices are still used.

Fortunately, Field said skid steers are starting to be made with video cameras and monitors for drivers to see what’s behind them while backing up.

Without the cameras, drivers looking back aren’t able to see much, if anything, because of how skid steers are designed.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man checking on the victims of a motor vehicle accident last evening was arrested by La Porte County Police for impaired driving.

About 6:30 p.m., police said a Jeep Wrangler was on its side in a corn field in the area of 1000 South and 125 East.

There were no serious injuries reported. 

Broc Jurkowski, 31, told officers he happened to drive up to the overturned Jeep on a dirt/gravel road and stopped to make sure everyone involved in the accident was o.k., police said.

Police said the officer detected an odor of alcohol on his breath along with symptoms of impairment such as slurred speech.  Jurkowski was taken into custody with an alleged blood alcohol level of .236 percent, well above the .08 percent legal limit.

According to police, the use of alcohol is suspected in the accident with the Jeep.

(Michigan City, IN) - Charges have been dismissed in a recent Michigan City shooting death.

Cevin Crawford, 27, of Michigan City is no longer charged with murder.

Initially, Crawford was charged because it appeared he fired the weapon based on eyewitness testimony and video footage, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said additional video footage obtained later from a different angle revealed the trigger was pulled by another person, who was standing near Crawford at the time.

The La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office filed the motion which was granted last week by Judge Jamie Oss at the courthouse in Michigan City.

25 year old Dante Sellers of La Porte was shot outside Matey’s restaurant near the lakefront just over three weeks ago after an exchange of heated words inside the establishment.  Sellers passed away at a Chicago area hospital later in the day.

So far, authorities have not revealed if the person firing the weapon has been taken into custody because of the ongoing investigation.

(Hammond and Westville, IN) - Purdue Northwest has received renewed federal funding to support first-generation and low-income students, as well as those with disabilities.

The school announced this week that $1.8 million is going to their TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. The money will help provide one-to-one mentorship and tutoring, financial assistance and planning, counseling, career exploration, and more. Eligible students also benefit from group learning and professional development opportunities at conferences and other universities around the country.

“This grant allows Purdue University Northwest to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students—regardless of background—can thrive academically and personally,” said Jorge Lopez, Program Director. “Student Support Services helps level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead.”

The SSS program serves approximately 200 PNW students at the campuses in Hammond and Westville. The funding renewal is for the next five years.

PNW is well-recognized for its wide-ranging support of first-generation students and their families. The university is designated as a FirstGen Forward Network Leader and is named by U.S. News & World Report as a top university for social mobility.

For more information, visit pnw.edu/eop.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana State Prison is now staying where it’s been for over 160 years.

Two years ago, authorities decided to relocate the prison to the new correctional facility going up in Westville.

Now, officials say the prison on Michigan City’s west side will be there for some time but how long was not known.

Recently, the state announced up to 1,000 empty prison beds would be leased to the federal government to house illegal immigrants.

Officials did not reveal if the state prison is staying there for that purpose.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are taking another look at the deaths of two teenage girls nearly 40 years ago.

The bodies of Tamara Gifford, 16, and Christina Hillis, 17, both of Florida were found in March of 1989 about three months after their estimated time of deaths.

Gifford, who had relatives in Starke County, was found dead in a water filled ditch along Indiana 8 about a mile west of Indiana 39 while the body of Hillis was located in that general area, police said.

Police said the girls were reported as runaways and believed to have been in Starke County prior to their passing.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the cause of death for Gifford was ruled a homicide as a result of a violent act that was undetermined.

The ruling in the death of Hillis was she probably died from a broken neck resulting from an unspecified act of “homicidal violence.” 

As time passed, no additional information was developed and the case grew cold, police said.

La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said cold cases, in general, are occasionally given a fresh look to try and come up with new leads.

Several weeks ago, police said detectives began reviewing the cause and manner of both deaths and, recently, investigators visited the area where the bodies were found.

Contact was also made with family members of both victims, police said.

Anyone with information that might be helpful to the case is encouraged to contact Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 extension 241 or ahynek@lcso.in.gov.

(La Porte, IN) - A man accused of causing a serious injury collision involving two school buses from New Prairie High School made his initial court appearance Friday on new allegations that include driving while impaired on fentanyl.

The additional charges against Shawn Akison include operating while intoxicated as a Level 4 felony for the catastrophic injuries suffered by junior varsity baseball player Lucas Bradshaw and operating while intoxicated as a Level 5 felony for the serious injuries sustained by assistant coach Richard Shail.

The new counts were filed after test results from the blood taken from Akison after the May 8 crash showed he was allegedly under the influence of fentanyl. 

Shail, who attended the hearing in La Porte Circuit Court, seemed at a loss for words about the impaired driving allegations but not about the work of law enforcement.

“I guess I really don’t know what to say about it.  I’m just happy that the courts have reacted aggressively towards what needs to be done.  He’s being held accountable and that’s all I look forward to,” he said.

Initially, Akison was charged with Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

The remainder of the new charges are two counts of Level 5 felony criminal recklessness and two counts of Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated all related to the injuries of Bradshaw and Shail.

Akison, 41, of Romeoville, Illinois appeared live on a courtroom screen through a video camera from the La Porte County Jail where he’s being held to await the outcome of the case on $20,000 bond.

He only responded to yes or no questions from Judge Julianne Havens to make sure he understood his rights and the new charges against him during the brief proceedings.

According to La Porte County Police, Akison was driving a box truck at high speeds and using a cell phone when he struck the back end of a mini-school bus stopped at a traffic light on U.S. 20 just north of LaPorte.  The accident also involved a second mini-bus carrying the rest of the team and a semi-truck.

Akison had just fled from police in St. Joseph County who called off the pursuit after trying to stop him for reckless driving minutes before the crash, police said. 

When asked for his identification after the collision, police said Akison seemed to have trouble focusing and offered slow lethargic responses to questions from law enforcement.

Akison told investigators he did not recall the crash but explained he had been on a long trip in the truck before taking a nap during a seven hour break in South Bend and was heading back to Illinois with a load of Amazon goods, police said.

Bradshaw, who suffered a brain injury, is now recovering at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, a long term care facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he continues to show gradual improvement.

According to his family’s most recent social media post, the once comatose Bradshaw is walking now with just minimal assistance and speaking in longer sentences but struggles at times with short term memory.

Other improvements in Bradshaw cited by the family include the beginning of facial expressions and improved attention span.

Shail is recovering at home now from a broken vertebrae in his back, eight broken ribs and other injuries.  He’s no longer using a walker and started undergoing therapy last week after having his back brace removed.

He plans to be in the press box for the first New Prairie High School football game at home next week to run the 25 second and 40 second play clock.

Shail, who’s also a school board member, has operated the clock for about the past five years after being part of the chain crew on the field for close to 20 years.

“I enjoy it,” he said.

He was accompanied in the courtroom by his wife, Nancy, and Nick Otis, his attorney in a civil lawsuit he plans to file against Akison and other potential responsible parties.

“We anticipate that will happen relatively soon,” Otis said.

Otis said Akison was a delivery driver at the time of the crash as a subcontractor for Amazon.

In June, his request for a bond reduction was denied by Havens, who said her decision was based on the defendant having nine prior mostly drug related felony convictions and 12 prior misdemeanor convictions.

According to court records, Akison is also waiting for the outcome of a Level 6 felony drug related possession charge filed against him in January in Lake County, Ind.

(La Porte, IN) - A Saturday night concert in La Porte has been cancelled.

Country music star David Nail was supposed to perform at the Civic Auditorium.  However, a decision was made locally to cancel the show.

La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said one of the reasons for the cancellation was lower than expected ticket sales.

“David was looking forward to coming to La Porte but this particular date just didn’t work in the end,” he said.

Schreiber said those who paid to be at the concert will receive refunds.

(La Porte, IN) - A driver has been sentenced for fatally striking a pedestrian with his vehicle in La Porte County.

Troy Slack was given a five year prison sentence yesterday in La Porte Circuit Court. 

Keith Eastwood, 67, was homeless and on foot when struck nearly 18 months ago during the early morning hours on U.S. 6 near Westville.  His body was discovered about five hours later.

Authorities say the 49 year old Slack fled the scene but with help from Flock cameras his vehicle was located near Portage where was taken into custody at his residence.

His sentence was just one year short of the six year maximum under the charge he pleaded guilty to in June.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is getting ready to host a grand finale to summer.

Oktoberfest is returning to Washington Park over the Labor Day weekend.

The four day event featuring over 45 music and entertainment groups is scheduled to begin August 29.

According to the mayor’s office, there will also be numerous local and regional vendors offering food, art, crafts and other merchandise.

Michigan City Special Events Director Terry Greetham said the return of Oktoberfest reflects local demand for the event, which he described as the most requested.

“Bringing back Oktoberfest was one of my biggest priorities, and now our goal is to continue to grow it into the best Labor Day festival in the region” he said.

A variety of musical entertainment will be spread over three stages at the Oktoberfest Tent, the Sunset Grille Pavilion and the upper deck at Sunset Grille.  Each area will have a full bar and a number of food vendors.

“We have a great mix of bands returning from last year, including the Together Band and Dr. Duke Tumatoe, as well as some new bands and genres,” he said.

Other happenings will include a car show sponsored by the Great Lakers Auto Club on August 31 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

(Michigan City, IN) - Volunteers are sought to ring the bell at a kettle for the Salvation Army of Michigan City during Oktoberfest at Washington Park over the Labor Day weekend.

With the demand for services up 60% in recent years, the organization will place a Red Kettle at the festival.

Volunteer bell ringers to cover shifts from noon to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 29 through Sunday, August 31, and noon to 6:00 pm on Monday, September 1. 

Volunteers can sign up at www.RegisterToRing.com or by calling (219) 874-6885 ext. 1003. Individuals, families, civic groups, churches, and businesses are all welcome to help.

“This is the first time we’ve ever placed a Red Kettle at Oktoberfest, but the need is greater than ever,” said Major Becky Simmons, of The Salvation Army of Michigan City.

“Families are paying more for groceries, gas, and utilities, and so are we. These rising costs stretch our resources thin at a time when our community needs us most,” she said.

Funds raised during Oktoberfest will support vital Salvation Army programs including the food pantry, diaper bank, clothing closet, weekend backpack feeding program, summer camp, spiritual care, and long-term assistance through Pathway of Hope and Bridges Out of Poverty case management.

While Red Kettle bells are usually associated with the holiday season, this early effort is part of a broader strategy to stay ahead of the growing demand.

Those unable to volunteer but wishing to make a financial contribution can donate online at donate.salvationarmyindiana.org/michigancity or in person/via mail at The Salvation Army of Michigan City, 1201 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 46360.

(La Porte County, IN) - It appears an old fire station outside La Porte is going to become a repair shop for things like automobiles and heavy equipment.

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a request for a special land use variance by RJ’s Boosted Performance, LLC and TK’s Repairs, LLC.

The owners of both shops plan on relocating from their existing separate locations into the former Center Township Volunteer Fire Department at 305 W. Johnson Road.

The building vacant since 2017 has features like five bays that will be used by both of the operations.

“The building is just ideal for what we’re using it for,” said Aubrey Gierke, whose spoke to the BZA on behalf of the shop owners.

Kathleen Kelly and other nearby residents in the area of Legacy Hills Golf Course opposed the request fearing things like noise from the shop disrupting their peaceful neighborhood.

Kelly said such an operation will “completely uproot the family friendly atmosphere that I and my other neighbors enjoy.”

“This is an industrial or manufacturing use in a predominantly residential area,” said Anthony Novak, an attorney representing the owners of Legacy Hills Golf Course and nearby Legacy Lane Business Park.

Novak said the fire department being government owned had a right to occupy the structure under its present residential zoning but no such rights exist for a privately owned operation such as a repair shop without a special land use variance.

Supporters from the audience cited things like noise that already exists from the road being heavily traveled for being in favor of the request.

(Michigan City, IN) - Officials are going to look into the possibility of selling a La Porte County government building.

The La Porte County Commissioners last night voted to examine the possibility of selling a former county government office building in Michigan City on 8^th street near Lighthouse Premium Outlets mall.

Commissioner Steve Holifield said the building on the city’s north side is just being used for storage right now.

He said putting up a smaller out building somewhere else for storage might be more cost effective than keeping and maintaining that structure.

Holifield speculated there could be a few hundred thousand dollars left from proceeds of a sale after a new storage facility is built to help county government financially during a time when tax revenue is being lost to the recent statewide property tax reform.

“We’re going to be needing something in the future to help this county,” he said.

Commissioner Joe Haney agreed, saying just the land from being close to the lake and mall is likely worth a pretty good penny.

He said the land could then be used for something more suitable for what appears to be an area positioned for major economic growth with new investments being made since travel to and from Chicago by train is now faster due to upgrades to the South Shore Railroad commuter line.

“That property as far as I’m concerned is fairly prime property,” he said.

Commission President Connie Gramarossa said the building does serve as a safety net whenever offices must be temporarily relocated there to allow for major repairs or improvements to their permanent locations.

The property will be appraised as the first step in considering what to do with that parcel.

(La Porte, IN) - The historic high school football stadium in La Porte is among the ten most endangered places in the state.

The list is from the not for profit Indiana Landmarks’ organization, which placed Kiwanis Field sixth on their most endangered list.

The 75 year old stadium is endangered because it needs some costly renovation while the school board considers whether to invest money into the facility or build a new stadium elsewhere.

More than 750 people have signed a petition calling for the field to be restored and maintained as the high school’s football stadium and host of other school related events.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte family was driven from their home by fire last evening.

Firefighters just before 7:30 p.m. were called to the 500 block of Virginia St. where flames and smoke were showing from one of the windows.

La Porte Assistant Fire Chief Kelly Burke said all of the occupants and most of their pets made it safely out of the two story structure, but two cats perished.

Burke said the flames were mostly contained to one room but there was heat and smoke damage throughout the residence.

He said the residents won’t be able to move back in until the repairs are made.

“The heat and smoke damage alone makes that so that you can’t occupy it,” he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  Burke estimated the loss in the tens of thousands of dollars.

(Michigan City, IN) - All school buildings in Michigan City will be open again for classes Thursday and Friday after 21 school buses were vandalized.

The return to a regular in-person schedule in all of the buildings was made possible from borrowing buses from other school corporations.

Buses from the New Prairie School Corporation and Warsaw made it possible for all of the elementary schools to reopen for classes Wednesday while the remaining grades took part in e-Learning.

Additional buses were later obtained on a temporary basis from La Porte, South Central, Merrillville and Elkhart, school officials said.

Police said 21 buses had their catalytic converters removed sometime Monday night or Tuesday morning.  The discovery was made after an early route driver started the engine on a bus, which sounded loud from having its catalytic converter removed from the exhaust system.

Copper inside catalytic converters attract thieves because of how the metal can be sold as scrap.

All students were switched to entirely eLearning on Tuesday shortly after the thefts were discovered.  So far, no arrests have been reported but the case remains under investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - An artist from Chicago painted the latest in a growing number of murals in downtown La Porte.

Cheri Lee Charlton is a muralist whose clients include The Girl Scouts of America, Gino’s Pizza and the Chicago Fire professional soccer team.

In 2021, Charlton was selected to design and paint a large-scale mural in Morocco to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of relations between that country and the United States.

The new mural depicting the ecosystem of an inland lake with images such as a large frog, turtle, lily pads and dragon flies is on the outside wall at Hotspot Café at 602 Lincolnway.

Owner Charity Hlavsa said she couldn’t be happier about how the mural turned out.

“The public response has been amazing.   Everybody loves it,” she said.

It’s the fourth mural to go up in downtown La Porte in recent years from a partnership between the city and Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City to promote culture and quality of life in the area.

“I’m grateful for the LaPorte community.  They really come together to embrace the arts,” said Janet Bloch, Executive Director of the LCA.

The Health Foundation of LaPorte and the city’s Urban Enterprise Association awarded grants to pay for the mural.

Hlavsa said her building was chosen for the mural after she expressed an interest in having one at a time locations were being sought for them.

After ideas were exchanged on what the huge painting should look like, Charlton came back with conceptual drawings of three murals.  The drawing of the mural that just went up was overwhelmingly chosen as a symbol of the city’s inland lakes.

“It was a good fit,” she said.

Mayor Tom Dermody described the mural as “a perfect example of what can happen when the community embraces such efforts.”

A ribbon cutting for the new mural is scheduled Friday at 12 p.m.  Another mural is planned in the downtown sometime this summer or fall.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman looked more like an ultimate fighter, perhaps, from the flurry of punches she landed before repeatedly kicking a police officer.

That is the picture drawn from the allegations 22 year old Hailey Murphy is facing in La Porte Circuit Court.

According to La Porte Police, the investigation shows Murphy on August 15 jumped on the hood of her car and began kicking the windshield following an argument with her boyfriend inside their apartment on Carriage Court.

Her hood was badly dented and her windshield cracked when she jumped down and began landing blows to the upper body of her boyfriend, police said.

Police said she was resisting efforts by officers to place her in handcuffs when she kicked the man in his mid-section.

Eventually, officers managed to place her in the back seat of a squad car but she began kicking the back passenger side window of the vehicle. 

Police said the noise drew the attention of an officer, who after opening the car door was kicked by her in the chest multiple times hard enough to cause some of the gear on his tactical vest to fall to the ground.

She was placed in leg restraints and taken to the La Porte County Jail on charges of battery against a public safety officer, resisting law enforcement, domestic battery, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County man is being held for authorities in Michigan on charges related to the same drug he was allegedly driving impaired on.

Jacob Prawat, 52, of Hudson Lake was arrested last night during a traffic stop on 1000 North near Range Road in Springfield Township.

La Porte County Police said Prawat drove past an officer who recognized him and knew he had a warrant for his arrest in Berrien County, Michigan.

Police said he seemed impaired while speaking to the officer and when he stepped out of the vehicle a pipe with burnt residue used to smoke methamphetamine dropped to the pavement from his lap.

Prawat admitted smoking methamphetamine about one hour prior to the traffic stop, police said.

After refusing a blood test, Prawat was booked into the La Porte County Jail for operating while intoxicated.  

Police said he was also placed on hold for authorities in Berrien County to pick-up and have him answer to felony allegations of methamphetamine possession in their jurisdiction.

Prawat told investigators he was returning home after dropping off a co-worker prior to his arrest.

(Michigan City, IN) - School buildings in Michigan City will start reopening Wednesday after catalytic converters were taken from 21 school buses overnight.

All elementary schools along with the Little Wolves Early Learning Center and the morning developmental Pre-K will operate on a regular in-person schedule, according to school officials.

Students in the remaining grades will again take part in eLearning.

All students were switched to eLearning today after it was discovered that 21 buses had catalytic converters stolen at the school corporation’s transportation garage on Woodland Ave.

No arrests have been reported but the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Buses from other schools were brought in to replace the temporarily disabled buses.

“We extend our sincere thanks to New Prairie United School Corporation and Warsaw Community Schools for generously providing additional buses to support our students,” school officials said.

(La Porte, IN) - A man accused of causing a May 8 school bus collision that injured seven junior varsity baseball players from New Prairie High School and some of their coaches was allegedly under the influence of fentanyl.

That’s according to the allegations contained in five additional charges filed in LaPorte Circuit Court against Shawn Akison, 41, of Romeoville, Illinois.

The new charges include operating while intoxicated as a Level 4 felony for the catastrophic injuries suffered by then 16 year old Lucas Bradshaw and operating while intoxicated as a Level 5 felony for the serious injuries sustained by assistant coach Richard Shail, who’s also a member of the school board.

Bradshaw, who suffered a brain injury, has since been transferred from Memorial Hospital in South Bend to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he continues to show gradual improvement at the long term care facility.

Shail is recovering at home from a broken vertebrae in his back and other injuries.

The additional charges were filed Monday in response to blood test results showing Akison was allegedly under the influence of fentanyl when the box truck he was driving struck the back end of a mini-school bus stopped at a traffic light on U.S. 20 just north of LaPorte.

According to court documents, new details from the crash investigation show Akison was traveling at a high rate of speed and using a cell phone when he struck the back end of the mini-bus, causing it to flip over.

He then struck the rear of a semi-trailer before hitting the side of a second mini-bus stopped at the light.   Both mini-buses were carrying members of the team traveling to a game in Hobart.

Bradshaw ejected from the first bus was in a coma with a brain bleed when airlifted from the crash site, according to court documents. 

LaPorte County Police said Bradshaw continues to suffer from “limited cognitive ability.”

Akison had just fled from police in St. Joseph County who tried stopping him for reckless driving minutes before the crash.

According to court documents, Akison when asked for his identification after the collision seemed to have trouble focusing and offered slow lethargic responses to questions asked by law enforcement.

Police said he also refused to submit to any testing.

As a result, a search warrant was obtained to draw a blood sample from his arm at the hospital for testing before taken to the LaPorte County Jail.

Akison told investigators he did not recall the crash but explained he had been on a long trip in the truck before taking a nap during a seven hour break in South Bend and was heading back to Illinois with a load of Amazon goods, according to court documents.

He was initially charged with Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

The remainder of the new charges are two additional counts of Level 5 felony criminal recklessness and Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

Akison continues to be held in the La Porte County Jail where his bond as a result of the additional counts was increased from $15,000 to $20,000.

In June, a request from Akison for a lower bond was denied by Judge Julianne Havens, who cited his nine prior mostly drug related felony convictions and 12 prior misdemeanor convictions for her decision.

Bradshaw is walking now with just minimal assistance and is speaking in longer sentences but struggles at times with short term memory, according to the most recent social media post from his family.  Other improvements in Bradshaw cited by the family include the start of facial expressions and improved attention span.

His stay at the long term recovery facility has been extended until mid-September.

“Lucas is making great progress and his medical team thinks they can get a lot more out of him,” the family stated in their post.

Nancy Shail said her husband recently had his back brace removed after his fractured vertebrae healed and is starting eight weeks of physical therapy to try and regain some of his strength and mobility lost since the crash.

He’s also been attending school board meetings and plans to return soon as a volunteer helping in the press box during home football games.

“He’s getting around pretty good,” she said.

Shail said her husband is still bothered with occasional pain, though, from his eight ribs that were broken in the accident.

She expressed shock and sadness at the impaired driving allegations.

“This guy driving under the influence like that just changed a whole lot of people’s lives and it was senseless,” she said.

Akision is scheduled for an initial court hearing on the new charges Friday.

(La Porte County, IN) - A lot of rain has fallen throughout the area over the past 24 hours.

In La Porte, the city’s water department reported just over three and a half inches of rain from early yesterday afternoon until about 5 o’clock this morning with a majority of the precipitation falling overnight.

Michigan City resident Bob Johnson reported similar amounts in his rain gauge at home near the high school.

Johnson said about a half inch of the rain came down during a 15 minute period yesterday.

“I had to slow down going down the road because it was like a river going down the roads.  You were hydroplaning all over,” he said.

Westville area farmer Mark Parkman said the more than three and a half inches of rain he received should be enough to last for his corn and soybeans during the remainder of the growing season.

“This rain definitely ought to finish it off,” he said.

More than four inches of rain over the past 24 hours was reported in places like Rolling Prairie and New Carlisle with amounts closer to two inches reported from the New Buffalo and Three Oaks areas. 

(Michigan City, IN) - School buildings in Michigan City were closed Tuesday after catalytic converters were stolen from more than 20 school buses.

According to the school corporation, students will take part in eLearning today instead of physically attending their classes due to the vandalism.

The Little Wolves Early Learning Center was also closed.

All of the thefts happened overnight at the school corporation’s transportation garage at 1100 S. Woodland Ave.

A transportation department employee said the discovery was made this morning when a driver on one of the early routes started a bus, which was loud from the catalytic converter missing from the exhaust system.

Michigan City Police Lt. Steve Westphal said the catalytic converters were cut off likely with a Sawz-All, an electric powered hand held device with a blade.

Thieves are attracted to catalytic converters because of the copper inside that can be sold as scrap.

According to the school corporation:

• Secondary students will receive assignments online from their teachers.
• Elementary students without devices should complete homework previously sent home. Additional assignments will be provided once students return in person.                                                                            

 "We are working closely with the Michigan City Police Department as they investigate this incident. We will provide an update later when we have more information on how it may affect operations for the remainder of the week,” said Megan Daurer, Director of Communications for the school corporation.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families, staff, and community as we work through this unexpected situation,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Corn yields in northern Indiana and southern Michigan could vary greatly due to precipitation ranging from plentiful to scarce.

It’s been dry enough in places like Wanatah and LaCrosse that some corn plants have cobs with just 20 to 30 percent of the kernels.

Yield projections are much better just 10 to 15 miles to the north toward Westville where rainfall totals were enough for corn plants to completely fill out their cobs.

Farmer Matt Schafer of LaCrosse said it’s still too early to say with certainty what yields are going to be in his fields come harvest time but some of his corn right now is “less than stellar in spots.”

“It’s going to depend what rain clouds you were fortunate enough to be under especially with corn,” he said.

Jeff Mitzner of Wanatah is expecting a 50 percent yield reduction in some of his corn plants from a year ago.  He said the losses will be greater in his non-irrigated fields in sandier soil but even some of his irrigated corn is showing signs of struggle.

Mitzner said he wouldn’t be surprised to see corn yields ranging from as high as 250 to as low as 100 bushels per acre.

He placed much of the blame in his area on a severe lack of rainfall and extreme heat during a six week period beginning in early June. 

He said the dryness and hot temperatures during that period killed some of the pollen in the tassels of corn that plants use to self-pollinate and generate kernels on the cobs.

There’s been some major rain events in recent weeks but some areas like southern La Porte County seemed to receive much lower amounts of precipitation from the same storms moving across the region.

Mitzner said it’s still dry enough in his area for the water table to be low enough to make it difficult for irrigation systems to draw enough water from their wells.

“There’s still places that are plenty dry,” he said.

Mark Parkman said the corn and soybeans in his fields in the Westville area seem to be in good shape from receiving adequate precipitation just as conditions were becoming dry throughout the growing season.

“I really have nothing to complain about.  It looks like we’re doing o.k. right now,” he said.

It’s almost too late for the recent rains to help fill out the ears since the grain fill period in corn ends soon.    Soybeans will benefit more from rain with several weeks remaining for those plants to finish filling their pods.

“It won’t be as good of a crop as we’ve had in the past few years,” Mitzner said.

(Union Mills, IN) - A South Central High School football player is home after taken by a medical helicopter during a Friday night preseason scrimmage game.

Superintendent Ben Anderson said the boy seems to be doing very well now after experiencing some tingling in his hands and other parts of his body.

Anderson said the boy suffered what was described as a stinger to the spinal cord on a hard hit delivered on the home field.  The boy ran off the field to the sidelines before much of the tingling began to set in.

He said the boy, a sophomore, was taken to Memorial Hospital as a precaution and released the following day.

“Sounds like it was more of a scare than anything, thankfully,” he said.

Anderson said he hopes the boy returns to school this week but it might be a few weeks before he returns to the football field.

(Berrien County and La Porte County) - A suspected impaired driver struck a moving police vehicle in southwest Michigan over the weekend.

There was a similar scare involving a patrol officer for the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office that same morning. 

Berrien County Police said the early morning collision happened Sunday outside Benton Harbor when a Dodge Charger veering over the center line struck an oncoming police vehicle.

Kevin Morales-Castro, 28, of Benton Harbor was arrested for operating while intoxicated and being an unlicensed driver.

The officer taken to a hospital for treatment was later released.

Also during the early morning hours on Sunday, a La Porte County Police officer traveling Johnson Road had to take evasive action to avoid a collision when an oncoming car veered over the center line in the Waterford area.

The officer did a U-turn and followed the driver, who police say crossed the center line two more times and was speeding before pulling over.

Aniya Dabney, 21, of La Porte was arrested with an alleged blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police said a suspected drunk driver traveling twice the speed limit tried but failed to evade the officer.

Police said the driver Friday afternoon was clocked at 92 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone on 400 South.

The officer activated his lights and siren but the driver continued at a high rate of speed on 300 South then Indiana 4.  At one point, police said the driver veered onto the right shoulder, kicking up dust before turning onto 500 East where he, eventually, stopped.

Oscar Ruiz after admitting he was trying to evade the officer was taken into custody for operating while intoxicated when he allegedly refused to take a blood alcohol test, police said.

Police said there were multiple beer bottles and caps inside his vehicle.

He was also arrested for resisting law enforcement. 

(Union Mills, IN) – A South Central High School football player is recovering in a South Bend hospital following an injury.

On Friday night, school superintendent Ben Anderson shared news that a South Central player had sustained a serious injury on the field. According to La Porte County 911, first responders were notified shortly before 7 pm.

The player was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital. He was responsive and in stable condition, according to Anderson. “We are grateful for the swift action of our trainer, first responders, and medical staff, as well as the support and concern shown by our community,” Anderson said.

On Saturday morning Anderson provided an update that the player is off spinal precautions and is sitting upright. A cervical collar remains in place as a precaution while further scans are conducted. Anderson said the school will provide further updates as appropriate.

(La Porte, IN) - Grab some lunch Saturday or Sunday, or both, at Pine Lake to support a good cause.

People who enjoy the waters of La Porte’s largest lake may take for granted that there’s a lot of maintenance required to keep it in shape. That’s where the La Porte Lake Association comes in. They help pay for regular removal of invasive aquatic plants, particularly Eurasian milfoil. Lake Association vice president Scott Borrowdale says fighting the weeds is a constant battle.

“I mean, five years ago, the lake was pretty much closed down because the weeds just grow so much,” he told HTNN. “They clog all the propellers and the waverunners.”

Borrowdale said that state grant money covers some of the maintenance, but his group has chipped in over $350,000 over the past seven years. This weekend the Lake Association is hosting a fundraiser to refill their coffers and continue the battle.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday they’re serving lunch at the Huber Annex South boat launch on Waverly Rd. A $5 donation will get you a hot dog, chips, and water.

Every hot dog basket purchase will enter you a drawing for tickets to see David Nail at the La Porte Civic Auditorium on August 23^rd. All the proceeds will go toward weed control efforts.

They plan to have another cookout fundraiser around Labor Day.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has been convicted of attempting to hire a hit man to murder the mother of his children and her boyfriend.

Daniel Shaffer, 47, was found guilty Thursday by a La Porte Circuit Court jury on two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

The jury also ruled him to be not guilty on two counts of attempted murder.

Authorities said Shaffer was in the La Porte County Jail in 2023 on auto theft related allegations when he tried to hire a hitman to murder the mother of his children and her boyfriend.

His alleged plan was exposed before it could be carried out, though, with help from undercover officers inside the jail acting on a tip.

“While the jury did not convict on all charges presented at trial, the State of Indiana presented the evidence and met our burden of proof at trial,” said La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.

County prosecutors in Indiana are employees of the state.

Shaffer faces 10 to 30 years on each of the Level 2 felony counts.  A sentencing date has not been set.

(Indianapolis, IN) - 95 farms statewide, including two in La Porte County, have been recognized by the state for being in the same family for at least the past 100 years.

Locally, the Harder/Patek family farm established in 1871 and the Gillham family farm founded in 1861 were among the recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award.

Since 1976, over 6,200 family farms in Indiana have received the designation.

“Indiana’s economy and heritage is built upon agriculture,” said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, who’s also Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development for the state.  “It is an honor to be able to recognize these farming family and celebrate their enduring legacy,” he said.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres.

If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year.

“I personally know the amount of commitment and dedication needed to keep a farm in the family for 100 years or more. I thank each one for their devotion to the agriculture industry and their loyalty to the state of Indiana,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture

(La Porte County, IN) - An out of state man forced his way into a home and attacked a woman living there in La Porte County.

Those are the allegations faced by Matthew Mayer, 48, of Elmira, New York.

Mayer is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 3 felony burglary along with battery, residential entry and strangulation, all Level 6 felonies.

According to La Porte County Police, officers late in the morning on August 9 responded to the area of 600 West and 400 North.

A 63 year old woman reported seeing a vehicle in her driveway then having her front door forced open by a man later identified as Mayer, who began attacking her.

Police said several juveniles riding in the vehicle with him entered the home and convinced Mayer to stop.

Officers encountered Mayer outside the residence and took him into custody.

Police said the investigation shows there was no connection between Mayer and the victim, who was evaluated by medics at the scene for upper body injuries.

No further light was shed on the case.  Mayer was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

(Gary, IN) - The death of a man in Lake Michigan is under investigation.

Joseph Davis, 57, was spotted alone and struggling in chest high water before disappearing beneath the surface about 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Marquette Park Beach in Gary, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

He was unresponsive when two people entering the water pulled him to the shoreline.  The Gary man was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to DNR, the investigation is ongoing but foul play is not suspected.

(South Bend, IN) - A La Porte man is off to a federal prison for having over 30,000 images of child pornography.

Ron Deming, 38, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court at South Bend. He was given a 19 year prison sentence following by 10 years of supervised release.

In addition, he was ordered to pay nearly $150,000 in restitution to the victims.

Authorities said Deming also had more than 400 videos of children engaged in sexual abuse.

(La Porte County, IN) - Three recent high school graduates from La Porte County have been awarded scholarships in honor of a police officer killed in the line of duty.

The scholarship winners are Faith Spain, Savannah Swanson and Michael Walker.

Spain is a La Porte High School graduate.

Swanson graduated from South Central High School.

Walker received his diploma from Michigan City High School.

Spain undecided on her major will attend Grace College and be a member of that school’s cross country and track and field teams.

Swanson plans to major in speech, language and hearing sciences at Purdue University while Walker intends to major in speech pathology and be a member of the baseball team at Indiana University in South Bend.

La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Neil Thompson was killed in 1980 while chasing a stolen ambulance.

After his death, a scholarship in his honor was established for the sons and daughters of Sheriff’s Office employees who go on to a university or college.

(Michigan City, IN) - A mistrial was declared today in connection with the beating death of an inmate at Westville Correctional Facility allegedly at the hands of another offender.

Donell Davis, 30, was standing trial for murder and aggravated battery in the death of John Taylor.

Authorities said the 35 year old Taylor was beaten in the bathroom of a dormitory and his body dragged to his cell in November of 2023.

A request by the defense for a mistrial was granted by La Porte Superior Court 2 Judge Richard Stalbrink, Jr. in response to testimony from a witness.

In general, La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said witnesses, occasionally, make statements that result in mistrials if something in their testimony is found to have a potential unfair influence on a jury.

“The judge is being the umpire making sure everything is going according to the rules,” he said.

A new trial is scheduled to begin January 26.

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

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

(La Porte, IN) - A ribbon cutting is scheduled August 22 for a new mural in La Porte’s downtown.

The ribbon cutting will begin at 12 p.m. at Hotspot Café at 602 Lincolnway where the mural recently went up on one of the outside walls of the building.

The first 50 people showing up will receive prints of the mural signed by the muralist, Cheri Lee Charlton of Chicago along with a chance to meet her. There will also be gift card giveaways to local businesses, mural themed merchandise, light refreshments and cash bar.

The winner of the mural naming contest will also be announced.

“We are grateful to all the partners who helped make this amazing project a reality,” said Mayor Tom Dermody.

Charlton will also be one of the speakers during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new mural is the fourth one in downtown with another one planned this summer.

(La Porte, IN) - Police had their hands full arresting a suspected drug user beside the pumps at a La Porte gas station for an extended period.

Bernie Wright, 38, was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

La Porte Police said an officer after 4 p.m. Wednesday approached Wright at the Conoco station at 104 E. Lincolnway because he was acting fidgety inside a vehicle at the pumps.

He was also found with a B.B. gun in his lap.

The officer left but returned about 90 minutes later to find Wright still in the same spot and moving rapidly in the vehicle.

Police said Wright was ordered out of the vehicle this time and during a verbal tirade and physical struggle placed in handcuffs.

With help from a K-9 dog, a small amount of methamphetamine was recovered from the vehicle, police said.

Police said Wright suffered abrasions to his forehead and both shoulders after forced to the concrete surface and struggling with officers.

(La Porte County, IN) - A car fire in La Porte County last evening was started by the driver trying to light a cigarette.

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who were dispatched about 8 p.m. to the fire at U.S. 20 and 700 East.

Police said the driver told investigators he was traveling to South Bend with a push mower and a one gallon gas can containing fuel inside of his 2015 Mercedes Benz.

The driver said as soon as he flicked his lighter to light a cigarette, “an explosion occurred in his face,” according to police.  He pulled to the side of the road and stepped out of the vehicle unharmed.

A passing semi-truck driver stopped and put out the flames with an extinguisher.  Police said the damage consisted of burn marks throughout the inside of the vehicle.

La Porte County Haz-Mat Coordinator Jeff Hamilton said gasoline is even more flammable in hot weather and produces additional fumes, which increases the risk for ignition from a nearby spark or flame.

“The vapors is what lit it up,” he said.

Hamilton said the man was fortunate to have escaped without burns.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Salvation Army of Michigan City is appealing for more donations to meet a sharp increase in demand for their services.

The number of households served by the organization has increased from about 3,300 in 2018/19 to nearly 4,800 in 2024/25, according to the Michigan City Salvation Army.

In addition, the number of individuals served annually has risen from 8,753 to 13,916 during the same time period.

“Now, more than ever, our community’s support is vital to ensure no one is turned away during these challenging times,” said Major Becky Simmons, who oversees the organization with help from her husband, Dale.

The problem is enhanced by funding cuts along with inflation growing the organization’s costs of meeting the higher need in areas like food, diapers and assistance during the Christmas season.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are encouraged to consider making a gift or becoming an ongoing contributor to help preserve services throughout the rest of the year.

Donations can be made online, by mail or in person at the Salvation Army at 1201 S. Franklin St.

(East Lansing, MI) - Michigan wheat growers can get a glimpse of the varieties they might want to plant this year to achieve the best results in terms of disease resistance, quality and yields.

The Michigan State University 2025 Wheat Performance Trial results contained in a 13 page report are now available at miwheat.org.

The results are from the commercial and experimental varieties of wheat tested in 2024-25 at seven sites across the state under the direction of MSU wheat breeder Dr. Eric Olson and MSU wheat systems specialist Dennis Pennington.

This year’s trials included 100 wheat varieties comprised of 55 commercially available and 45 experimental lines supplied from 11 seed companies and MSU’s wheat breeding program.

“Bringing new wheat varieties to market and giving our producers a sense of confidence in new seed lines has been a consistent top priority for Michigan’s wheat farmers,” said Jeffrey Krohn, Chairman of the Michigan Wheat Program.

The wheat performance trials have been conducted by MSU for over 30 years.

For over a dozen years, the Michigan Wheat Program, a not-for-profit organization using check-off dollars to promote the state’s wheat industry, has contributed funding and other resources for the trials.

The organization provided $44,000 to the program last year, said Michigan Wheat Program Executive Director Jody Pollok-Newsom.

She said her office receives a lot of calls each year from producers wanting to know when the trial results will be posted so they can begin deciding the varieties to plant in September and October.

In Michigan, a vast majority of wheat is planted during those two months for harvest during the following summer.

“I think this is a huge help for growers as they’re trying to make those variety decisions,” she said.

Before the Michigan Wheat Program became involved, trial results were based on varieties grown without much, if anything, added to the soil.

Nowadays, the trial results also reflect how seed varieties respond to extra nitrogen and other applications or practices typically used by farmers in their own fields to achieve the best results with the dollars provided by the Michigan Wheat Program.

“You can see what the baseline is and what it would do under high management conditions,” she said.

Check off money is derived from fees every grower pays based on yields when selling their crops.

“Investing in this research helps our wheat growers keep advancing in yield and grain quality, which were founding principles for our check-off program, Newsom said.

The MWP, whose priorities include research on wheat production practices and grower education, is funded by about 8,000 farmers growing wheat in at least 78 Michigan counties.

According to USDA, Michigan is forecast to be the tenth leading producer of wheat in the nation this year at 43 million bushels.  Kansas is projected to be the top wheat producer in 2025 at 351 million bushels.

Washington and Oklahoma are predicted to be next in wheat production at more than 100 million bushels this year, according to USDA.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City area man is accused of engaging in sex with a 14 year old girl and having naked images of children.

Craig McCray, 22, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony sexual misconduct with a minor and Level 6 felony possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, chatting on social media between McCray and the girl led up to the alleged sexual activity in 2022 about month prior to the victim’s 15^th birthday.

Police said the investigation also resulted in the discovery of child pornography on a social media account belonging to McCray and numerous online conservations he allegedly had with other females under 16.

McCray arrested Tuesday was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond.  

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police will beef up patrols looking for impaired drivers beginning on Saturday.

Police say the effort through August 30 is part of the nationwide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.

La Porte County Police Captain Derek Allen is asking drivers to partner with law enforcement by not taking the wheel while impaired.

“Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior,” he said.

According to statistics, nearly 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in Indiana in 2024 involved alcohol while 35 percent of the motor vehicle related deaths in the state that year were tied to drug impairment.

Police said drivers planning to celebrate should secure a designated sober driver beforehand or call a taxi or some other form of rideshare. 

“As we head into the final stretch of summer, we’re urging Hoosiers to make the responsible choice and plan ahead for a safe, sober ride,” said Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The ICJI is partnering with law enforcement agencies statewide on the upcoming effort.

(La Porte, IN) - An alleged alcohol impaired driver fleeing police in La Porte’s downtown area is looking at possible time in prison.

Carlos Mendoza is charged with operating while intoxicated and other counts like reckless driving.

Police said a patrol officer on Friday spotted a minivan traveling at high speeds in the area of Jefferson Ave. and Monroe St.  The officer turned around and was pursuing the vehicle, which ran stop signs at two intersections before coming to a stop.

Police said there was a bottle of tequila and other partially consumed alcoholic beverages in cup holders in the vehicle. .

Mendoza was arrested after refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test, police said.

(Porter County, IN) - Chesterton Police officers acted in self-defense during an exchange of gunfire with a man shot multiple times nearly two months ago.

That’s the ruling of Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann after he reviewed the findings of the Indiana State Police investigation. 

After shot, the suspect, 45 year old Joseph Gerber, died when he turned the gun on himself, authorities said.

Germann ruled the officers acted in self-defense by returning fire after one of the officers was shot by the suspect, who also had a lot of methamphetamine in his system.

Officers were called to a hotel where Gerber was reported to be an “unwanted guest.”

Germann said Gerber was asked to leave then while fleeing on foot shot the officer, Nolan Mancera, who is now home and expected to recover.

At the time, Gerber had a warrant out for his arrest for allegedly violating the terms of his home detention for a previous offense.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police say a driver who snapped a utility pole with his vehicle was badly impaired.

Zachary Lenze is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

The crash happened Friday night in the area of 1500 South and 750 West.

After leaving the road, police said he traveled about 1,500 feet across a field then went airborne and snapped the pole about three to four feet off the ground.

Police said the Hanna area man was taken into custody with an alleged blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is standing trial for an alleged murder for hire plot.

Daniel Shaffer, 47, is charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

Authorities said Shaffer was in the La Porte County Jail in 2023 on auto theft related allegations when he tried to hire a hitman to murder the mother of his children and her new boyfriend.

His alleged plan was exposed before it could be carried out with help from undercover officers inside the jail acting on a tip.

Shaffer is standing trial in La Porte Circuit Court.

If convicted on all counts, he would face anywhere from a 20 to 40 year sentence on each of the attempted murder counts and 10 to 30 years on each conspiracy to commit murder counts.

(La Porte, IN) - A former mayor of La Porte wound up in the hospital last evening after struck by a motor vehicle on her bicycle.

Blair Milo was crossing D St. on her bicycle just before 6 p.m. when struck by a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta that was turning left onto D St. from 1^st St., according to La Porte Police.

According to family members, the 42 year old Milo wound up on the hood of the vehicle operated by Cheyenne Hester, 26, also of La Porte.

Police said Milo was taken by ambulance to Northwest Health with swelling to her left knee and injuries to her left shoulder and arm. 

According to family members, she was released a few hours later with her arm in a sling but no broken bones.

Police said Hester failing to yield the right of way was a factor in the collision. Hester was also cited for not having insurance on her vehicle.

Milo became the youngest mayor in the city’s history when elected in 2011.

After reelected in 2015, she was more than a year into her second term when she left to become the state’s first Secretary for Career Connections and Talent under then Governor Eric Holcomb.

She also served as a member of Holcomb’s cabinet working to shape education and workforce training for a 21^st Century workforce.

Milo, a U.S. Navy veteran, later stepped down from that position and ran for Congress in 2022 but lost in the republican primary.

(Michigan City, IN) - An elderly Michigan City man has received a virtual life sentence for child molesting.

John Hupertz was given a 96 year sentence late last week in La Porte Superior Court 1.

The 84 year old Hupertz was found guilty by a jury in May of molesting his granddaughter over a several year period beginning in 2005.

Hupertz was also found guilty of possessing more than 7,000 sexual images of children on his computers.

(La Porte, IN) - Another mural is going up in La Porte’s downtown.

The mural is being painted by Chicago muralist Cheri Lee Charlton on a 3,000 square foot exterior wall at Hot Spot Café at 602 Lincolnway.

“We are coloring our downtown,” said Mayor Tom Dermody.

Hotspot Café Owner Charity Hlavsa said the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and other local organizations contributed to the painting, which is nearly completed.

Grants were provided by the Health Foundation of La Porte and the city’s Urban Enterprise Association.

“We are very, very fortunate,” she said.

A ribbon cutting for the mural is scheduled August 22.

The contest is also being held on Facebook to name the image of a large frog included in the mural with prizes to be given to the winner. 

Murals were painted last year on the outside of Mucho Mas restaurant on Lincolnway and an exterior wall at La Porte County Public Library Exchange building on Indiana Ave.

A mural reflecting the history of La Porte has existed for several years at Plaza 618.

(La Porte County, IN) - Charges are filed in connection with a man injured during an attack by several individuals at a La Porte County park.

Brad Novak is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 3 felony robbery.

The crime was upgraded to a higher level felony due to the injuries inflicting during the crime, according to authorities.

According to court documents, the victim was repeatedly punched and kicked by about a dozen individuals just over two months ago at Luhr County Park near Kingsbury.

The attack happened after Novak of La Porte started a verbal exchange with the victim, who suffered visible cuts and abrasions to his face along with steady bleeding from his nose, police said.

In addition, the visor on the victim’s motorcycle helmet and Bluetooth intercom system were stolen during the attack.

Novak, who posted bond last week, is scheduled for an initial court hearing on Friday.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is accused of having hundreds of digital images of children engaged in sexual activity.

Keith Wilson is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with five felony counts of possession of child pornography.

According to court documents, the state police investigation began on a tip about his alleged activity from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Police said the images were downloaded over a near two month period beginning in December from his home on Ohio St.  The alleged evidence includes videos of children appearing to be anywhere from six to 12 years of age.

Wilson could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on each of the four most serious counts.

Currently, he’s out on $15,000 bond waiting his initial court hearing scheduled Friday.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man arrested for a fatal shooting outside a bar and grill near Michigan City’s lakefront has been granted a speedy trial.

Cevin Crawford, 27, of Michigan City is scheduled to stand trial for murder beginning October 14.

He exercised the right of offenders to a fast and speedy trial by requesting it during his initial hearing on August 7 in La Porte Superior Court 1.

Crawford is accused in the fatal shooting of Dante Sellers, 25, outside Matey’s Restaurant on August 3 at 110 Franklin St.

According to court documents, the two men were kicked out of the establishment for exchanging heated words before closing time.

About 10 to 15 minutes later, police said employees and patrons on the rooftop bar witnessed Sellers getting shot across the street by a man later identified as Crawford.

Sellers of La Porte passed away at a Chicago area hospital later in the day from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Police said cellphone video shows Crawford and Sellers were beside separate vehicles when gunshots started ringing out.  The video also shows Crawford had moved closer to Sellers when he shot him, police said.

The fatal shooting happened within a month after a 20 year old man died from a gunshot wound during a large gathering outside the BP gas station on E. Michigan Boulevard and bullets several days later struck the police department.

In response, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said solutions to the gun violence are being sought from law enforcement, clergy, educators, business owners and youth advocates.

She also said such acts of violence have become a nationwide problem with arguments once settled with fists being addressed with gunfire.

“Right now, it feels like everybody just pulls out their gun and shoots.  That’s the part that’s difficult,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - An ambulance attempting a U-turn caused a collision with a fire truck just outside La Porte.

The crash happened before 8 a.m. Sunday on U.S. 35 about 800 feet north of Johnson Road, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said the investigation shows both vehicles were responding to a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries when both drivers while on their way were informed to disregard the request for services.

In response, police said the ambulance began conducting a U-Turn on U.S 35 but failed to see the oncoming Center Township fire truck.  The fire truck driver tried but was unable to avoid a collision.

A member of the ambulance crew was taken to the hospital complaining of pain to his left arm

The driver of the fire truck did not require immediate medical attention but later sought treatment for a possible injury, police said.

The ambulance was towed from the scene.

La Porte County Emergency Medical Service Administrator Eric Fenstermaker would not comment on the alleged U-turn, citing the ongoing investigation.

Once the investigation is completed, Fenstermaker said the matter will be “handled accordingly.”

(La Porte County, IN) - Just when you think you have a good excuse to stay in your comfort zone and not push your limits… you meet a guy like Dave.

David Ralston is 80 years old. He survived two tours of duty in Vietnam and 40 years of teaching in Hammond public schools. These days, he gets around with the help of a walker with wheels. But, boy, does he get around.

Ralston started doing 5K races when he was 70. He does as many as he can, especially for a good cause.  In fact, Crown Point has named an award after Dave, given to anyone who competes in eight or more races. Ralston stresses that he doesn’t really compete, but he always finishes, no matter what. Meeting people along the way, he says, is the best part.

“It’s just a great experience— that’s the only way I can put it,” he told HTNN. “Actually one of the biggest things about racing, for me, is the people I’ve been able to meet and what they’ve done for me by what they’ve brought into my life.”

Ralston did La Porte’s Earth Day 5K back in April, where he met Julie West, whose Play for Jake Foundation hosted its own 5K in July.  “She brought up Play for Jake and told me about her son and his passing,” said Ralston. “I remember when it happened. And I said, ‘well, if I’m alive and kicking, I’ll be back.’”

Ralston said a heart procedure that he was supposed to have in July was cancelled, so he was able to make the race. Two other participants, John Claussen and Tim Walsh, kept him company along the way.

“I came across the finish line with these two book-end bodyguards that I’d take against the Packers,” Ralston joked. “Normally, I’m always by myself at the end, moving slow— not competing, only finishing.”

West was moved by his determination. “What an inspiration and what a joy that was for all of us to cheer him on when he crossed the finish line,” she said. “It was a moment that I will never forget. He was just so happy, and I know it just made his day. And that’s what it’s all about.”

Ralston said during his years of teaching, he always wondered if he ever made a difference. Now, doing charity races gives him purpose and satisfaction.

“It seems really strange, but I’m happier now than I ever could imagine I would have been at this point in my life. And, again, that’s what other people have done for me, and I get to pay it forward in a few other little ways of my own.”

Unfortunately, within 24 hours of finishing the Play for Jake race, Dave suffered a nasty fall in his home. He says it took him about seven hours to crawl across the floor and get to a phone. He’s in rehab now in Valparaiso. But there’s no quit in this ex-Marine.

"Things may change now, but only in small degrees,” says Dave. “As long as I’m upright and I’m breathing, man, I’ll do something. Have smile on my face, one step at a time. It’s funny how God takes care of us all.”

(La Porte, IN) - Area Congressman Rudy Yakym has made several stops in La Porte as part of his district-wide summer tour.

He calls it the "One Big Beautiful Hoosier" tour, playing off of President Trump’s recently-passed tax and spending legislation. Yakym is visiting places in all 11 counties of his 2^nd Congressional District.

On Tuesday he visited New York Blower’s new facility on the city’s east side. Friday, he made two more stops in La Porte.

First he met with members of La Porte’s Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) to discuss the Made in America provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill and how it positions Indiana for job creation and increased domestic investment. He also B&B Manufacturing on Fail Rd., which produces belts, pulleys, and other transmission and drive components.

“What a tremendous start to the One Big Beautiful Hoosier Tour,” Yakym said. “This first week allowed me to travel across Indiana’s Second District, meet with innovative manufacturers, business leaders, and community members, and witness firsthand how the One Big Beautiful Bill is already delivering results. From manufacturers to innovators to main street businesses, the enthusiasm and optimism has been unmistakable.”

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana 1^st District Congressman Frank Mrvan has seemingly conceded that some of the state’s Congressional lines will be redrawn.

Vice President JD Vance had a meeting with Hoosier GOP leaders on Thursday. During a brief visit Vance met with Governor Mike Braun and the House and Senate leaders. The governor confirmed that the topic of redistricting was discussed, but did not elaborate.

Congressional redistricting, also known as gerrymandering, is being considered in other states, especially Texas, where the legislature is currently gridlocked on the issue. Speculation has been growing that Indiana Republicans may remap the state's only two Democrat-controlled districts: Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana.

The Democrat currently representing Northwest Indiana, including part of La Porte County, is Mrvan. He gave a fiery speech at a press conference in the Indiana Statehouse on Thursday.

He opened by referring to Vance’s visit. “Today JD Vance and Donald Trump brought the circus to Indianapolis,” he said, “because they are afraid of checks and balances.”

Mrvan said the Trump administration is putting pressure on states to realign certain districts. “They’ve tried to do everything they can to intimidate,” he said. “I ask the state legislatures and the moderates of Indiana and those who believe in checks and balances and our government to stand up to them and not to bend the knee,” Mrvan continued, “and no matter what district they put me in, I will fight for working class people.”

Indiana's 1st Congressional seat has been occupied by a Democrat for nearly 100 years, but Republicans have closed the gap in recent elections.

GOP leaders have downplayed possible redistricting, but Mrvan suggested that it’s going to happen. “I believe, humbly, that this is a done deal,” he told the crowd.

Mrvan concluded with some tongue-in-cheek advice for Indiana’s governor. “No matter if Governor Braun bends a knee to Vance and Trump, it isn’t going to increase his prospect of becoming President of the United States,” Mrvan said.

He also reiterated his support for union labor, Hoosier manufacturing, Medicare, and access to healthcare in general, particularly abortion.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will be La Porte County at two different locations this upcoming Wednesday.

• The La Porte Salvation Army on Monroe St. from 9-10:30 a.m. That distribution is sponsored by Indiana OCRA and will serve 150 households.

• The Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church on U.S. 20 from 10-noon. That distribution is sponsored by Citizens Concerned for the Homeless and Indiana OCRA and will serve 150 households.

Again, that’s this upcoming Wednesday, August 13.

If you miss one of those events, the food bank will return to La Porte County the following Wednesday, August 20. That event will take place at La Porte’s First Church of God on E. Lincolnway from 10-11:30 a.m.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte High School’s Marching Band is ready to kick off a new season.

They’re unveiling an exciting new show called “Off the Rails.” Arranged by John Fannin, the production features a dynamic and captivating musical and visual journey. It includes some original music as well as familiar tunes ranging from “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” to “Crazy Train.”

Under the direction of Joe Clark, the La Porte Marching Band continues its tradition of excellence, combining challenging music, innovative drill, and strong school spirit. Over 79 students, 51 returning and 28 new, will take the field this fall, representing La Porte High School in competitions, football games, and community events.

"It's always exciting to start a new season and see how all the students work together," said band director Joe Clark. "We had a great parade camp and performance, and I think we really have a great show to put together and share with the community this year."

The band invites family, friends, and fans to support them at their upcoming performances, beginning with Arts in the Park at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, at Fox Park.

The Slicer Marching Band will also take the field at La Porte's first home football game against New Prairie High School on Friday, August 22nd, performing a spirited pre-game show and debuting a portion of their halftime production for the hometown crowd.

(La Porte, IN) - Get out your best Hawaiian shirt and flip flops. Cheeseburger in Paradise returns Friday from 6-10 pm in downtown La Porte.

Live entertainment will be provided by the Yacht Rock-ettes, female-led yacht rock cover band. The highlight of the evening, of course, is a beer garden and the best cheeseburger competition.

“We’ve had a great summer with all our downtown events, but the fun isn’t over yet,” said Civic & Events Director Gregory Pietsch. “Our Cheeseburger in Paradise event will be the perfect ending to a fantastic season of Friday Night Lives, and we hope to pack our downtown for an evening full of live music and delicious food.”

Cheeseburger in Paradise takes place near Lincolnway and Monroe. This event has been made possible by La Porte Seamless Gutter. For more information on this event and others, visit livinthelakelife.org.

And if you’re a hardcore Parrot-head—or if you just want to get one more use out of the Hawaiian shirt and flip flops—a Jimmy Buffett tribune band will play at La Porte’s Civic Auditorium Saturday night. Gone 2 Paradise - The Ultimate Jimmy Buffett Experience takes the Civic stage at 7 pm, recreating the laid-back, electric atmosphere of a live Buffett show.

Concert organizers say the band's performances transport audiences to a tropical oasis, where they can escape the daily grind and embrace the laid-back "Margaritaville" state of mind.

For ticket information, visit laportecivicauditorium.com.

(La Porte County, IN) - County police arrested an out-of-state man for illegally carrying a gun.

Late Sunday night a Sheriff’s deputy pulled over a Chrysler 300 for speeding. When the driver, 24-year-old Javon Holloway of Georgia, admitted to having consumed alcohol, a field sobriety test was conducted.

In the meantime, police noticed a handgun on the floor of the vehicle.

Holloway passed the sobriety test, but was found to have a warrant against him out of Florida for a weapons charge.

His .45 caliber generation five Glock 21 was confiscated, and Holloway was taken to La Porte County Jail, where he posted bond on Tuesday. He is scheduled for a hearing in La Porte Superior Court 4 in October.

(Michigan City, IN) - An arrest has been made in the shooting death of 25-year-old Dante Sellers last weekend in Michigan City.

Early Sunday morning, Michigan City Police say Sellers, of La Porte, was leaving Matey’s Bar and Restaurant on Franklin St. following a fight inside. While walking to his car, Sellers was struck in the chest by gunfire and later died.

After collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, MCPD detectives identified 27-year-old Cevin Crawford of Michigan City as the shooter.

According to police, on Tuesday night members of the La Porte County Drug Task Force spotted Crawford in a car at a gas station on the city’s south side. Following the car to a nearby residential neighborhood, officers made a traffic stop and took Crawford into custody.

The county’s Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) and Michigan City’s Crime Suppression Unit aided in the apprehension.

Crawford has been charged in La Porte Superior Court I with Murder and is being held without bond, pending an initial hearing Thursday morning.

Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing, and additional criminal charges are expected. According to court records, Crawford has a history of violent crimes, including two recent cases still pending against him in another La Porte County court.

(La Porte, IN) – La Porte’s City Band plays this evening at Fox Park in its final performance of the summer.

Tonight’s show will feature a special world premiere of a piece called “The Gunness Mystery” arranged by Joe Clark and written by local historian and Belle Gunness expert Bruce Johnson.

There will also be a special tribute to Richard Watson, who played tuba in the band for 33 years, before passing away in June.

The band plays on tonight starting at 7 p.m.

(Westville, IN) - Another back-to-school event is planned in La Porte County. On Thursday night Purdue Northwest will host a “Roaring Back to School” giveaway is for area K-12 students.

Attendees will be able to visit various supply stations to pick up essential items. Students must be present to receive supplies and are encouraged to bring a backpack or bag to collect their goods.

The event will also feature family-friendly activities, including face painting, arts and crafts, interactive games, music, and snacks. Many community service organizations will also be set up, including Adapt for Life Autism Services, Coates, Inc., a college readiness organization, Geminus Child Care Resource and Referral, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Ivy Tech Community College, local libraries, NorthShore Health Centers and more.

 “We are excited to welcome students and families to our campuses, many for the first time, in a fun and welcoming way,” says Christina Maldonado, director of admissions for parents, community and early education at PNW. “This event is more than just school supplies – it is an opportunity for PNW to give back to the community and provide access to resources that help families support their students’ education.”

PNW’s “Roaring Back to School” giveaway will be held Thursday at the Westville campus in the Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex from 4 to 6 p.m.

(La Porte County, IN) - Unity Foundation of La Porte County recently announced that it has awarded nearly $325,000 in scholarships for the upcoming school year. 173 local students are receiving financial help to attend 51 colleges and universities across the country, and one in the United Kingdom.

For a list of the recipients and a virtual presentation recognizing their accomplishments, follow this LINK.

“Receiving a Unity scholarship is more than just financial help. It’s a vote of confidence,” said CC Payne, Director of Operations at Unity Foundation. “It shows students that their community believes in their future.”

Since 1992, Unity Foundation has awarded approximately $5 million from more than 60 scholarship funds to help La Porte County students advance their futures. The scholarship funds were established by community-minded donors who believed in the transformative power of education.

“Unity loves investing in local students,” said Unity Foundation President Maggi Spartz. “We’re grateful for the visionary individuals and families who created permanent funds to support them. This generosity helps our students shoulder the burden of tuition and student debt, all while creating a legacy of opportunity. Our hope is that one day, the recipients will be inspired to support future generations of La Porte County students.”

This week the foundation began accepting applications for their most prestigious award, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, which offers a full ride for two La Porte County students to any Indiana institution of higher education.

(Michigan City, IN) - Two people were taken into custody while allegedly attempting to deliver methamphetamine.

Last Friday evening police pulled over a 2010 Infinity on Michigan City’s east side for doing 50 in a 35 mph zone. The driver, 40-year-old Justen Michael Buckley of New Buffalo, told an officer that he and his passenger, Anna Lee of Michigan City, were travelling from South Bend to meet someone in Michigan City.

During the traffic stop, a police K-9 alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, and a search of the vehicle turned up 61 grams of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Police also confiscated a black and gold Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun. According to court records, Buckley has prior felony convictions in La Porte and Lake Counties.

Both Buckley and Lee had initial hearings in La Porte’s Superior Court I on Wednesday.

(South Bend, IN) – Police in South Bend took into custody a group of juveniles on gun charges.

On Monday their Strategic Force Unit served a search warrant at a residence on the city’s southwest side. Police say some individuals fled, while others stayed on-scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Authorities ultimately detained six juveniles, 16 and 17 years of age, and recovered four firearms, one of which was equipped with a machine gun conversion device (switch).

Four of the juveniles were taken to the St. Joseph County Jail, while the other two were detained at the Juvenile Justice Center. All face preliminary charges related to firearm possession.

(La Porte County, IN) - The application window for next year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is now open.

It’s one of the most prestigious scholarships around, offering reimbursement of full tuition and required fees, as well as a special allocation of up to $900 per year for books and expenses.

The scholarship is awarded every year to two students by the Unity Foundation of La Porte County. You can visit their website, uflc.net, for application information.

To be eligible, a student must be a La Porte County resident graduating from a local accredited school, who intends to enroll full-time in a college or university in Indiana. Applications will be accepted through September 10.

Since 1998, 76 La Porte County students and their families have benefited from this generous scholarship program, totaling more than $6 million.

(La Porte County, IN) - An Air Quality Action Day has been declared for this area by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

That means levels of fine particulate matter in the air are expected to be unhealthy for certain people with respiratory sensitivities.

IDEM officials have issued the warning for Tuesday for most areas in Northern Indiana.

The cause is Canadian wildfire smoke which is expected to circulate throughout the region.

You can check air quality conditions at IDEM’s website.

(Michigan City, IN) – Authorities have confirmed that 25-year-old Dante Sellers of La Porte has died from a gunshot wound suffered outside Matey’s Bar on Franklin St. early Sunday morning.

According to police, Sellers was struck in the chest by gunfire as he was walking back to his car, following a fight in the bar that spilled outside.

Police are still investigating another shooting in Michigan City last Thursday morning involving a dispute between coworkers near the intersection of Michigan Boulevard and 5th Street.

31-year-old Michigan City resident, Tamares Harris, was the victim in that shooting. He was last known to be in serious condition at a South Bend hospital.

No arrests have been made in either shooting.

Last month, in two separate incidents, a man was shot and killed at a gas station on Michigan City’s east side, and the police station was riddled with bullets.

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch says she has seen enough. On Monday she released the following statement on recent gun violence in the city:

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ANGIE NELSON DEUITCH ON GUN VIOLENCE IN MICHIGAN CITY

I am heartbroken and disturbed by the recent surge in gun violence that continues to shake Michigan City. In the past few months, we’ve seen accidental shootings inside homes—tragedies that should never happen. But in recent weeks, the violence has escalated. These are not accidents. These are conflicts, retaliations, and reckless decisions—often involving young adults with access to firearms.

As recently as early this morning, we lost another young life. Another mother is grieving. Another family shattered. And again, I find myself asking: how many more young people must we bury before we wake up as a community?

This violence is out of control. And it cannot be normalized.

As your Mayor—and as a mother—I am grieving. I see the faces of these young men and think of my own son, brothers, nephews, and godson. The lives we are losing are not strangers; they are our future. Talented, promising, and unfinished. Their deaths should not become routine.

Let me be clear: gun violence affects us all. It spills into our neighborhoods, our schools, our hospitals, our peace of mind. No parent should fear a knock on the door. No child should grow up believing that violence is their only option or fate.

I take my role as Mayor seriously. But I must speak honestly: we cannot police our way out of this crisis. These tragedies reflect more than just policy failures—they reveal social wounds, easy access to guns, and unresolved trauma. They show what happens when conflict is met with bullets instead of conversation.

Indiana’s gun laws have made this harder. Permitless carry and loose regulations allow firearms to flow freely, including into the hands of those not ready—or legally allowed—to possess them. Law enforcement is doing its part, but we need the tools and the laws to match the urgency of the crisis.

Some of these recent shootings have taken place late at night—outside bars, after large unsupervised gatherings. But it’s not just the setting—it’s the mindset. We have to change the culture of how conflict is handled, how weapons are stored, and how we pour into our youth before the streets do.

I feel the pain, I hear the anger—but I also know we cannot heal through blame alone. It’s easy to point fingers at City Hall or the police. But we also have to hold accountable those who are choosing violence, those who are silent witnesses, those who enable the chaos and those who have their finger on the trigger.

In the days and weeks ahead, I will meet with law enforcement, clergy, educators, business owners, and youth advocates to strengthen our Safe Streets initiative, expand community outreach, and restore safety in our neighborhoods. But I need the entire village to stand up with me—not after the next funeral, but now.

To every mother and father who has lost a son or daughter, I grieve with you. To every parent raising boys in this city, I stand with you. And to every young person who thinks violence is the only way—I beg you to choose differently. Your life matters. Your future matters. And we are fighting for it.

(Michigan City, IN) - Detectives are investigating a shooting that happened just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning in Michigan City. Authorities responded to 110 Franklin St. outside Matey’s Bar and Restaurant, where a person had been struck in the chest by gunfire.

Multiple units from Uniform Patrol Shift III responded to the scene, assisted by members of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, Long Beach Police Department and Trail Creek Police Department.

An initial investigation revealed that fighting had broken out inside and outside the bar. One of the individuals involved was Dante Sellers (25) of La Porte. Police say Sellers was shot while walking across the street to his car.

Officers performed lifesaving measured at the scene. Sellers was transported to Franciscan Hospital, then to the University of Chicago Hospital for advanced care.

No other details have been released to protect the integrity of the investigation, police say, but they stress that this was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Det./Sgt. Lendell Hood of the Investigative Division at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1074 or by email at lhood@emichigancity.com. Information can also be conveyed via Facebook Messenger, through MCPD’s crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or via the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME. All WeTip call information is sent anonymously to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has added a new deputy to the ranks.

Matthew Buell is a 2005 graduate of Michigan City High School, and he joins the department with loads of experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in organizational leadership and management, both from Ashford University. He served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years, and is currently a member of the United States Army Reserve.

Prior to returning home to La Porte County, Deputy Buell was an air traffic controller in Florida.

He is a recent graduate of the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Following successful completion of LCSO’s Field Training Program, Deputy Buell will be assigned to solo patrol duties on the Afternoon Shift.

“I publicly thank Deputy Buell for his years of military service and dedication to our country,” said Sheriff Ron Heeg. “We are very excited about the hiring of Deputy Buell and look forward to his contributions.”

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City Police officer was caught in the act… of kindness.

During the recent heat wave, a Michigan City resident noticed an elderly woman walking home from the store carrying her items. An MCPD officer noticed her too and took time to help.

Stopping her police cruiser, the officer offered a ride to the woman, who was pushing a walker while carrying groceries, and made sure she got into her home safely.

The alert neighbor caputured some photos of the interaction and reported it to authorities.

"I’m not sure who this resource officer is,” the resident said to Chief Marty Corley, “but I’d like to commend her for helping this elderly lady out that was walking in this heat."

The kind cop was identified as Detective Taylor Tillman, who is a School Resource Officer at Michigan City High School.

In June Tillman won an award for leadership and community service. It’s not hard to see why.

(Southwest Michigan) - Thursday was a busy day for first responders and some Good Samaritans in lake waters of southwest Michigan.

On Thursday afternoon, the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety responded to a distress call just over half a mile off shore. A rescue boat arrived to find an adult and a child stranded on a catamaran with no sail, but no injuries. First responders towed the vessel to safety.

Later that evening, just up the shore in South Haven, a Zodiac inflatable boat capsized. The two occupants, who were wearing life jackets, clung to the overturned boat’s hull. According to South Haven Emergency Services, others boaters and some surfers in the area came to their rescue. A water rescue drone was also dispatched to assist.

(South Bend, IN) - A South Bend man has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing alcohol from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

According to court records, 26-year-old Dillan Hafer walked into South Bend’s Four Winds Casino and stole six bottles of liquor from an unattended bar. Pokagon Band tribal police identified and arrested Hafer, who has a significant criminal history, including convictions for drug possession, auto theft, and robbery.

“The Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department is grateful for the strong collaborative relationship with our federal and local law enforcement partners," said Pokagon Band Tribal Police Chief Douglas Callahan. 

"Safeguarding Pokagon Band Tribal lands and holding individuals accountable for crimes committed on them remains a top priority of the Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department.”

Hafer was sentenced to 6 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

(Michigan City, IN) - Police in Michigan City are investigating a shooting Thursday morning. The incident took place around 11:37 a.m. near the intersection of Michigan Boulevard and 5th Street.

The initial investigation determined that 31-year-old Michigan City resident, Tamares Harris, was on break from his employment at a local business. During this time, he and another employee had an argument which culminated in Mr. Harris being shot. Harris was taken to Franciscan Hospital and from there was transferred to a hospital in South Bend for advanced treatment. He is listed in serious condition.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Cpl. Deshone Harris at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1017 or by email at dharris@emichigancity.com. Information can also be conveyed via Facebook Messenger, through MCPD’s crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or via the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME. All WeTip call information is sent anonymously to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office.