(Elkhart, IN) - An area air medical service has earned some Congressional recognition.

MedFlight out of Memorial Hospital in South Bend has been serving serious condition medical patients for twenty years now. Yesterday at Elkhart Municipal Airport 2^nd District Congressman Rudy Yakym presented the helicopter flight team a Congressional Record in recognition of their lifesaving air medical services. Yakym had previously acknowledged the team from the House floor.

MedFlight serves communities across northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan, including La Porte County.

“For 20 years, their exceptional team has demonstrated unwavering dedication, courage, and professionalism in service to our communities,” Yakym said. “Their work has saved lives, supported families in their most critical moments, and strengthened emergency care across our region. We thank them for their continued service and celebrate their remarkable legacy.”

(Northwest Indiana) - Emergency response agencies in this area were all-hands-on-deck last week with a wave of wintry weather disrupting roadway travel.

According to Indiana State Police, all personnel out of the Lowell Post were activated, including troopers who had days off, detectives, and even lab technicians to help with calls for service.

From Saturday through Wednesday, they reported over 200 car crashes involving property damage or injury. One of those was fatal. Following is a breakdown of incidents:

• Property Damage Crashes-  180
• Injury Involved Crashes-  30
• Fatal Crashes- 1
• Slide Offs (no crash report)-  54
• Assist Motorists-  106
• Interstate Checks-  64
• Traffic Hazards-  10
• Trooper Cars Struck-  2

Two trooper cars from the Lowell Post were hit. They were struck while the trooper was parked and investigating a prior, unrelated crash. ISP’s Crash Reconstruction Team also investigated a crash on S.R. 49, where a Porter County Deputy was struck by a vehicle.

Police say a significant number of the crashes investigated were the result of drivers traveling at a speed too fast for the road conditions.

Lowell Post Commander Lieutenant Terrance Weems said, “A majority of these crashes were preventable. In just four days, we saw 211 crashes. Your driving decisions matter to not only you, but they affect the drivers around you.”

(Indianapolis, IN) - Governor Mike Braun called attention to the successes of Indiana's Career and Technical Education programs in creating clear pathways to prepare students for in-demand, well-paying jobs that drive the state's economy.

He celebrated those successes while hosting a proclamation signing at the Statehouse declaring February 2026 as CTE Month in Indiana.

“Career and Technical Education prepares Hoosier students for the most in-demand careers that power our economy,” he said.

Participation in CTE programs has never been higher in the state.  During the 2025–2026 academic year, more than a 250,000 thousand Indiana students were enrolled in at least one CTE course.

Indiana currently offers 65 CTE programs of study, helping students explore high-demand fields including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, digital technology, agriculture and skilled trades. 

Over half of the 2024–2025 graduating class achieved CTE concentrator status, with many earning dual credits and credentials of value while still in high school.  Nearly 10,000 CTE students also participated in work-based learning experiences aligned to their career pathways, gaining hands-on experience with Hoosier employers.

(Michigan City, IN) - Officials in Michigan City are using salt more efficiently on the roads to stretch lower than normal supplies.

A winter salt shortage has Michigan City and some other communities in the region not spreading as much salt when temperatures are below 15 degrees since salt becomes much less effective in colder weather.

More of a focus during the bitter cold has been on plowing, traction management at key locations and targeted treatment when conditions allow, according to the mayor’s office.

Officials said the city received a fresh load of salt to replenish supplies last week.   Another load delivery soon was expected. 

The city remains in close coordination with neighboring municipalities and state partners to monitor conditions and ensure continuity of operations, officials said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A member of the La Porte School board has stepped down. 

Justin Holmquest stepped down after becoming Director of Finance for the New Prairie School Corporation.  Holmquest had been on the school board since 2023.  “We understand and support his decision to pursue this professional opportunity.  We congratulate him on his promotion and are grateful for his service to our community,” said Board President Ryan Seaburg.  Holmquest called serving on the board a “true privilege” and expressed appreciation to the community for its support during his tenure.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done for our students, staff and the LPCSC community.  I’m confident the board is in excellent hands moving forward,” he said.  Eventually, the board will name his replacement.  Whoever is chosen will serve the 11 months remaining on his term.  

(Michigan City, IN) - An inmate has been found guilty of beating another inmate to death at the prison in Westville.  Donell Davis, 31, was convicted of murder by a La Porte Superior Court 2 jury yesterday.

Authorities said he repeatedly kicked and punched 35 year old John Taylor in the bathroom of a prison dormitory in November of 2023.  Taylor’s body was then dragged into his cell.

“The jury believed the evidence as presented by the state and they took their time in examining the evidence, hearing the testimony and then rendered a verdict,” said La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.  Davis was serving time for crimes like arson in Marion County when the beating occurred.  He’s now facing anywhere from 45 to 65 years of additional prison time when sentenced on February 27.  Taylor was in prison for seriously injuring a person in a beating near Bloomington.

(New Buffalo, MI) - The New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball team cruised to victory in what was the last regular season match-up ever with arch rival River Valley High School in any sport.

The Bison defeated the Mustangs 65-20 at home on January 24.  All of the sports teams from both schools, except for boys’ basketball, have already merged to form the Red Arrow Raiders due to gradual but longstanding enrollment declines.  The boys’ basketball programs from both schools will be combined after the current season.

“I think it’s sad.  I, obviously, wish we were not in this position,” said New Buffalo Head Coach Nate Tripp.  Tripp has guided the team to multiple district titles and an appearance in the regional finals since taking over as head coach in 2018.  No decision has been made yet on who will be the head coach of the Raiders in boys’ basketball next season.

“That may not be me. I haven’t even thought about it. I’m still focused on this season,” he said.  The Bison (7-6) jumped out to a 6-0 lead on buckets from seniors Nick Haskins, Trevor James and Lucas Forker.  The Mustangs (1-11) quickly narrowed the lead to one point on buckets from sophomore Bowie Strieter, who scored all but three of River Valley’s 14 first half points.

The offense for the Bison seemed to really take off after Haskins converted a long pass from senior Sam Tripp into a driving lay-up.  Three point buckets from Haskins and James gave the Bison a 14 point lead just before the end of the first quarter.  Haskins and Tripp driving in for lay-ups early in the second quarter seemed to ignite another scoring spurt for the Bison, who went into halftime with a 30 point lead.

Forker led the Bison with 16 points followed by Tripp with 15 points.  James and Haskins finished with 11 points apiece.  The Bison defeated the Mustangs at River Valley on December 5 by exactly the same score. 

Tripp said chances are the merger will result in higher quality players on teams that will have to move up a division and face better competition because of their combined enrollments.  “It’s definitely a give and take,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two semi-truck drivers were injured in a crash Tuesday near Rolling Prairie.  La Porte County Police said the investigation shows a tractor trailer on State Road 2 began sliding on icy pavement and jackknifed near 700 East. 

The rig came to rest in the opposite lanes and was hit by an oncoming semi.  Police said both female drivers were taken to the hospital in La Porte complaining of pain from various areas.  No further light was shed on their conditions but they were both able to speak to investigators, police said.  The drivers were from Elkhart and the Chicago area.  The westbound lanes were closed for several hours after the late morning crash.  

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police are investigating the shooting of a teenager inside an apartment Wednesday.  Officers about 11:30 a.m. responded to Normandy Village, an apartment complex along Pahs Road near Michigan City High School. 

Police said the investigation shows a 19 year old individual was shot in the right arm inside of the apartments. The victim was taken by ambulance with what police described as a non-life threatening wound.  No arrests have been reported.

“This was not a random shooting and there is no known threat to the community at this time,” said Captain Kevin Urbanczyk.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan City Police.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is accused of causing a woman to lose an eye from a beating.  Michael Layton, 32, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with aggravated battery and criminal confinement, both Level 3 felonies, along with Level 5 felony domestic battery and Class A misdemeanor invasion of privacy.

La Porte Police said the beating came after he violated a protective order issued by the courts because of past acts of violence against the woman.  It’s alleged he also confined the woman to her apartment for about two weeks before she was able to escape and obtain medical care.

Police said her eye will have to be surgically removed due to the damage.  The investigation is ongoing.

(La Porte, IN) - A funeral home in La Porte for nearly 100 years has new owners who grew up in the community.

Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been acquired by Lori Greenlaw-Sheeler and David Holm.  Greenlaw-Sheeler, a 1992 La Porte High School graduate and licensed funeral director, has spent the last 10 years leading more than a dozen family-owned funeral homes across the state.

Holm, a member of the La Porte High School Class of 2007, has made a career out of helping families prearrange funeral services.

The longtime former owners, Richard and Terri Vyse, are planning to retire.  The Vyse’s committed to keeping the funeral home locally owned turned to Greenlaw-Sheeler about her interest.  She then approached Holm and together “they embraced the opportunity to plant deeper roots in their hometown, serve their community and preserve local ownership for generations to come,” according to a statement from the funeral home.

“We are deeply grateful to Richard and Terri for their trust and for their commitment to keeping Haverstock Funeral Home in local hands at a time when so many funeral homes are being sold to large corporations,” Greenlaw-Sheeler and Holm said in a joint statement.

The new owners revealed they plan to introduce over time additional programs, family support resources and community focused initiatives designed to help families heal in meaningful, individualized ways.  Greenlaw-Sheeler and Holm also intend to use the nickname of the LPHS athletic teams on their new tagline:  Slicer owned, Slicer operated.

(La Porte, IN) - Plans for a large family fun center in La Porte could start going up sometime this year.

That’s according to Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership.

There would be plenty of arcade games and pinball machines along virtual sports games, miniature golf and other things like a restaurant and bar in the over 33,000 square foot facility on a six acre site at New Porte Landing behind Kroger.

The city approved the plans about a year and a half ago.  Cook said it appears the work that’s been occurring behind the scenes ever since in areas like financing is reaching the finish line.

“We feel like we’re close to the end with them where they can get started on their construction.  They are in those kind of final days of financing and getting everything ready,” he said.

Cook said he hopes construction can begin as soon as this spring.  The estimated cost of building the facility is about 10 million dollars.  Officials believe people from outside the city would come here to take advantage of the family fun center offerings.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Rolling Prairie area man is facing drug related charges.

Matthew McCleery, 40, allegedly had a small amount of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

Police became involved early this month when a caller reported possible suspicious activity at Ohio and Woodward streets in La Porte.  Upon arrivial, officers found McCleery behind the wheel of a parked vehicle, police said.

Police said an unopened pack of syringes were also found on his possession.

McCleery is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine, both Level 6 felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

He posted $750 bond after his January 22 arrest, according to court documents.

(Michigan City, IN) - Several Michigan City natives have been in the spotlight recently because of the recent success of professional and collegiate sports programs.

Braden Fiske, a 2018 graduate of Michigan City High School, just completed his second season as a starting defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams. Fiske had two sacks for the Rams Sunday in their conference finals loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Scott Dolson, a 1984 graduate of the former Rogers High School, is Vice-President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Indiana University, which won the national championship in college football earlier this month.  Dolson is credited with hiring Head Coach Curt Cignetti, who turned around a mostly losing program into a winner in just two seasons.

Michigan City is also represented on the Hoosiers football program by Aviana Garner, a 2021 graduate and a performance nutritional assistant on the team.

Jaden Wilson and Khushi Patel, who are members of the MCHS Class of 2025, are cheerleaders on the I.U. football team.

“It’s been an exciting few weeks for Michigan City alumni,” said School Board member Michael Gresham during last night's board meeting.

Gresham said those people are examples providing hope and encouragement for current students.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - Complaints were voiced last night about the number of marijuana dispensaries outside New Buffalo.

So far, there are 29 dispensaries in the area of Interstate 94 and along U.S. 12. with about a half dozen more on their way.  The concerns were expressed during a town hall meeting before the New Buffalo Township Board.  Resident Denise Churchill feels pot has hurt the welcoming, family friendly and charming image of the area.

“New Buffalo is now known as a weed destination.  The weed capital of the Midwest or New Puffalo,” she said.

Other concerns included increased traffic and crime.  There has been an increase in traffic but police had statistics that showed no impact on crime from the dispensaries.

Board members emphasized the dispensaries have produced benefits like tax revenue used to help improve and repair roads.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Railroad commuter rail line will have a new person in charge.

David Dech is leaving as executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to become the next president of the railroad with trains running to and from South Bend and Chicago.

Dech, who will succeed Michael Noland beginning on March 16, recalled the trips he used to take from Gary to Chicago as engineer and conductor for CSX, a railroad strictly for hauling freight.

“This is really a full-circle moment for me, he said.

The South Shore commuter line is operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.  He will become just the third NICTD leader since its founding in 1977.

Noland is retiring after a decade highlighted by the Double Track project that recapitalized the line between Gary and Michigan City and the West Lake Corridor project extending service through Hammond and Munster.

"I'll have the confidence to sleep at night knowing that the railroad's in great hands, and there's exciting things that are coming," Noland said.

Dech said he's excited to join NICTD at a time when the South Shore Line is in good condition and expanding service.

(La Porte County, IN) - A crash involving three semi-trucks occurred late this morning in La Porte County.

It happened in the area of Indiana 2 and 700 East.  La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said the westbound lanes of the state highway were closed at 900 East.

"All motorists who frequently travel that stretch of roadway are encouraged to seek out an alternate route and avoid the area," he said.

Allen says the westbound lanes will be closed for an extended period.  So far, how the crash happened and whether there were any injuries are not known.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody has his eye on a third term.

There’s been a lot of speculation since Dermody took office that he might run for governor or some other elected office at the state or federal level at some point.  But, Dermody said he’ll seek a third term as mayor if that’s what the community wants.

He made the announcement on the Morning Mayhem show this morning on 96 7 The Eagle.

“That is my goal if the community still sees progress, if they still see that we’re making movement forward.  People always bring up the governor, bring up these other things and right now we have things to finish in La Porte,” he said.

Dermody, a republican, is now in the third year of his second four year term. He formerly served 10 years as a state representative and prior to that was a member of the La Porte School Board. 

(La Porte County, IN) - Another position has been created for the Jane Bernard Animal Adoption Center in La Porte County.

The La Porte County Council last night granted a request by shelter director Brooke Kegebein to hire an assistant director.  Councilman Brett Kessler expressed his support, feeling an added staff member will be good to assist the shelter in recovering from recent struggles.

“I know Brooke’s got things going on there in a good direction from where we had been but she could use another hand.  I don’t think this is a bad idea,” he said.

Kegebein is the fourth director at the county government owned shelter since 2021 when Bernard retired after being in charge of the shelter for more than 30 years.

(La Porte County, IN) - There weren’t many power outages from the recent extreme cold and snowfall.

NIPSCO and Indiana Michigan Power Company reported just a handful of outages this morning.  According to I&M, lineworkers, tree trimming experts and support staff were ready across the utility company’s 11 service centers if outages related to weather occurred.

More than 300 I&M customers in Elkhart were restored this afternoon after a vehicle slid off the road and hit a power pole causing that outage.  I&M is asking the public not to approach any crews out working with dangerous electrical equipment to restore power.

The number of outages reported by NIPSCO across its service territory was 10 at about 2:30 this afternoon.

(Westville, IN) - A 19 year old man could face significant time behind bars for the most recent drug smuggling attempt at a La Porte County prison.

Halton Maleek Duke of Michigan City is charged in La Porte Superior Court 2 with dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and Level 5 felony trafficking with an inmate.

According to court documents, a man later identified as Duke somehow entered the grounds of Westville Correctional Facility early on January 20.  A prison security officer spotted the man throw a duffel bag and backpack over an inside fence behind two prison dormitories.  The man was then spotted running toward the outer fence line, authorities said.

Authorities said he pulled on the fence line until the lower portion of the fence line lifted, allowing him to crawl out from under the barrier.  Prison security and La Porte County Sheriff’s deputies following footprints in the snow located Duke hiding behind a nearby business on U.S. 421.

According to court documents, one of the bags contained slightly more than 38 grams of methamphetamine, two 16 ounce packages of tobacco, 31 individual bags of marijuana, 14 cellular devices and a variety of other items such as THC infused gummies and six packs of rolling papers.  Other items in the bag included cell phone charger cords and adapters, vape cartridges containing nicotine, a lighter, two screw driver sets and a bottle of castor oil containing biotin and collagen.

Large amounts of tobacco, marijuana and over a dozen cell phones were among the other similar items seized from the backpack, authorities said. The backpack also contained eight tubes of super glue, a bottle of acetone and two sheets of paper that appeared with be saturated with an unknown substance, authorities said.

A number of other people were charged last year in separate incidents for trying to smuggle drugs and other contraband into WCF and the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.  Some of those attempts involved the use of drones and were foiled with help from the prison’s drone detection system.

(Porter County, IN) - A Porter County sheriff’s deputy struck by a vehicle in a weather related crash yesterday remains hospitalized.

Sgt. Josh Crane was investigating a vehicle sliding off the road when hit about 2 p.m. on State Road 49 south of Route 6.  Police said Crane is currently in stable condition.  No details were provided on the extent of his injuries.

Police said Crane has been with the Porter County sheriff’s office for close to 10 years.  The accident is being investigated by state police.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are hoping to obtain leads on who ran out of a gas station/convenience store with unpaid containers of alcoholic beverages.

Officers just before 12 p.m. on Friday responded to the Shell station on U.S. 12 near the Michigan state line.  Police said a cashier told investigators a man fled without paying for a six pack and case of alcoholic beverages he had tucked into his arms.

She also said he fled westbound on U.S. 12 in a white sport utility vehicle with Illinois plates.  According to police, the suspect was described as black and tall with a slender build.  The cashier was not able to provide a make or model and license plate number on the fleeing vehicle.

Police said investigators are waiting for the delivery of surveillance video from the store in hopes of obtaining clues on the suspect’s identity.

(La Porte County, IN) - The amount of lake effect snow from overnight ranges from a few inches to a foot or more in areas east of La Porte.

About a foot of fresh snow during the night was reported in the New Carlisle area.  Kayla Tharp said it took her about 30 minutes to drive from her home in in La Porte to where she works at The Diner in New Carlisle.  Normally, she said it’s a 15 to 20 minute trip.

“The drive was pretty ice.  At times, it was all mush and stuff until the plows went out,” she said.

La Porte Street Department Supervisor Ian Eldridge estimated about three inches of lake effect snow came down overnight in the city along with another six to eight inches of snow from a storm system that passed through the area over the weekend.

“The roads are getting cleaned off pretty good.  They’re in decent shape right now,” he said.

Michigan City resident Bob Johnson said he received about the same amount of overnight snow as La Porte.  He said there was also some drifting caused by the winds making travel a little more treacherous.

(Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana State Police is looking to expand its Chaplain Program.

The initiative is part of the department’s continued commitment to supporting the overall health, resilience, and readiness of Indiana State Police personnel, retirees, and their families.

Qualification and application details from ISP are below:

About the ISP Chaplain Program

Volunteer chaplains serve an essential role within the department by offering confidential, compassionate support to personnel of all faiths or belief systems. Chaplains may provide the following services:
 

1. Spiritual guidance and care for personnel, retirees, and their families regardless of religious affiliation.
2. Crisis intervention and emotional support during personal challenges or duty related incidents.
3. Assistance with death notifications, family emergencies, and other difficult circumstances.
4. Presence and support during critical incidents, disaster responses, and high stress events.
5. Ride along participation and regular interaction with troopers to build trust and accessibility.
6. Support for victims of crime or accidents when requested and appropriate.
7. Pluralistic religious support that respects the diverse spiritual needs of the department.

Chaplains help mitigate the effects of occupational stress, provide comfort during emotionally challenging situations, and strengthen the overall wellness of the Indiana State Police workforce.

Volunteer Chaplain Qualifications

Each volunteer chaplain must be an ordained clergy member of a recognized denomination or local church and meet one of the following requirements, subject to Superintendent approval:
 

1. A Master of Divinity or equivalent graduate degree in theology, psychology, sociology, or philosophy from an accredited institution.
2. A bachelor’s degree in theology, psychology, sociology, or philosophy with a minimum of three years of full time active ministry experience.
3. At least five years of full time active ministry experience.

Duties and Expectations

Volunteer chaplains may be asked to:
 

1. Be available for on call support during emergencies or critical incidents.
2. Provide confidential pastoral counseling to personnel and their families.
3. Assist with Critical Incident Stress Management responses and Wellness Section initiatives when appropriate.
4. Offer prayer, guidance, and spiritual resources upon request.
5. Participate in training sessions, meetings, and ride alongs to maintain readiness.
6. Support departmental ceremonies or community outreach efforts when invited.

How to Apply or Submit a Recommendation

The Indiana State Police encourages members of the public and faith community to consider pastors, clergy, or spiritual leaders who are compassionate, calm in crisis, and committed to serving first responders. Individuals interested in volunteering may apply through NeoGov under Career Opportunities by searching for Indiana State Police Volunteer Chaplain.

Recommendations, questions, or additional information may be directed to Wellness@isp.in.gov. Inquiries may also be made by contacting Matt Voorhees at 765 918 8468 or Chaplain Daniel Coffey at 317 439 3149.

Individuals interested in serving as an Indiana State Police Volunteer Chaplain may apply online at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/indianasp

(Kosciusko County) - A northern Indiana man has been arrested for a murder committed over 50 years ago in California.

Last year authorities in San Diego reached out to Indiana State Police regarding a suspect in a cold case from 1975. In February of that year, 34-year-old Edmund LaFave was found dead from multiple stab wounds in a pool of blood.

Upon further investigation, 71-year-old Johnnie Ray Salisbury of Syracuse in Kosciusko County was identified as a suspect and located. Police from San Diego flew to Indiana and arrested Salisbury in North Webster on Wednesday. He is now awaiting extradition back to California.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A bill supporting firefighters submitted by a local lawmaker is getting traction in the Indiana Legislature.  House Bill 1048 was unanimously passed Thursday by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety.  The bill increases the yearly minimum allowance volunteer fire department members each receive to spend on clothing and automobiles from $100 to $250.  The measure was authored by State Representative Randy Novak, a democrat, who once served as fire chief in Michigan City.

"I am pleased to see such bipartisan support for our first responders. Over 70 percent of fire departments in Indiana are volunteer departments, and it is crucial we make sure they have the resources they need to keep our communities safe,” he said.  Novak said he looks forward to bringing the bill up for a vote before the full House.

(La Porte County, IN) - Attorney Kurt R. Earnst has filed as a candidate for Judge of La Porte Superior Court 3.

He is running to succeed Judge Jeffrey Thorne who is retiring at the end of his term.  Earnst cites his 29 years of trial experience throughout various federal and state courts in the region for being qualified for the position. 

For over 20 years, Earnst was an attorney and partner with the law firm of Braje, Nelson, & Janes in Michigan City.  Earnst has spent the past year as a federal community defender in the Northern District of Indiana.  

Throughout his career, Earnst has primarily focused on litigation in criminal, civil and family law matters.  For 26 years, Earnst was a deputy public defender in LaPorte County representing criminal defendants on felony and misdemeanor matters. He was also counsel for the Michigan City Public Library for over 15 Years. 

“I have spent the better part of three decades actively practicing in the courts of LaPorte County, including Superior Court 3,” he said.

Earnst was also a founding and active member of the LaPorte County Veteran’s Treatment Court Program administered by Superior Court 3.   The program is designed to assist veterans that find themselves in the criminal justice system due to issues suffered as a result of their service. 

“It was my honor and privilege to be able to participate in this program and assist those who have honorably served our country,” he said.

He is a past volunteer judge with the Michigan City Teen Court Program as well as a past board member and past board president of the Michigan City Boys and Girls Club.  Earnst is also a 27 year volunteer firefighter with the Long Beach Volunteer Fire Department, currently serving as its Chief.

“My goal in seeking to be your next Judge of Superior Court 3 is to build on the strong foundation laid down by previous judges and to continue its proud tradition of service to the law.” 

Earnst said he believes that experience, temperament and civility are paramount qualities a judge must possess. 

“My philosophy in serving on the bench is a strict adherence to the law and a solemn vow that all that come before the court must be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.  Those appearing in Court are there for a fair resolution of their disputes and a judge must be mindful of applying the law and facts to the case to provide justice,” he said.  

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte area man is facing allegations that he had sex with a woman against her will.  Antonio Christensen, Jr., 22, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 3 felony rape.

According to court documents, the woman told investigators she woke up at a home in the Kingsbury area on January 6 to find some of her clothing had been removed and Christensen in bed with her.  The woman said she was not able to get him off of her despite repeated attempts, according to police.

Court documents revealed that police were scheduled to interview Christensen about a week later but he failed to show up.  His vehicle along with his cell phone were later found in Van Buren County, Michigan.  Christensen was taken into custody Wednesday on a warrant issued for his arrest the previous week.  He was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.  Christensen could face anywhere from a 3 to 16 year sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man could face prison time for allegedly pointing a loaded gun at three individuals during a dispute.  Brandon Dadlow, 38, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony intimidation and Level 6 felony pointing a firearm.

According to court documents, Dadlow got into an argument with a man over a woman early on January 17 at Monty’s Pool Hall at 1004 Lincolnway in downtown La Porte.  The conflict was taken outside where Dadlow allegedly pointed a gun near the head of the man.

Police said Dadlow then pointed the gun at the owner of the establishment, who went outside to make sure he was leaving and not causing any further problems.  He's also accused of pointing the gun at one other man before getting into his vehicle and pulling away.

Police said responding officers located him later that night at his residence where he was arrested, initially, for operating while intoxicated.   Dadlow was still being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) - The number of drug overdose deaths in La Porte County dropped noticeably last year.

According to the coroner’s office, 22 people in 2025 died from drug overdoses, which was down from the previous year by 35 percent.  There were also 33 suicides last year, an increase of 36 percent from 2024.  According to the coroner’s office, there were 11 homicides countywide in 2025 or three more than the previous year.

(La Porte County, IN) - Anyone driving a La Porte County government owned vehicle will have to take a defense driving course.  The action was taken last night by the La Porte County Commissioners.

County Attorney Guy Di Martino made the recommendation to avoid a potential increase in auto insurance rates due to a recent poor driving history involving county owned vehicles.   He said the insurance company recently mentioned the “poor history” and suggested the defensive driving course.  “I think it’s something we want to do especially because we’re going to be coming up for renewal in May,” he said.

Not just employees but elected officials with a county owned vehicle will have to take a defensive driving course.  County Commission President Steve Holifield said the insurance company frowned at two collisions involving county vehicles within about five weeks of each other by the same driver.  “There’s no charge to the county. It’s just something the insurance company wants us to take,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Arctic cold in the forecast has led to the cancellation of the events planned during the annual Winterfest in La Porte that begins tomorrow.

The cancellations include the free skating planned at the downtown ice rink Friday and Saturday.  La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said the bitter cold is too dangerous for people to be out in and would likely hurt attendance  “Sub-zero wind chills are predicted for both days,” he said.

No decisions have been made yet on plans for free skating on Sunday due to a slight warm-up that's in the forecast.  Schreiber said the ice fishing derby Saturday has also been cancelled due to the extreme cold and doubts whether the ice on the lakes is thick enough.

The snowball softball tournament Saturday has been pushed back a week. Schreiber said Ice carving by professionals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Plaza 618 on Friday will still go as originally planned.  For a full list of events during Winterfest go to laporteparkandrec.com/winterfest.

(Trail Creek, IN) - A convicted drug dealer living in Trail Creek could face more time behind bars on allegations he was selling narcotics again.

Jeffrey Harris was taken into custody last week at a home where he was staying in the 100 block of Oriole Trail.  Police said a search of the property turned up large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine stored in a lockbox found in Harris’ car, which was parked in the attached garage of the residence.  Three firearms were also discovered in the lockbox.

Permission was given to search the home by a judge who ruled the evidence of drug dealing obtained during an investigation of Harris was strong enough to issue a warrant for the search.

He could face up to 30 years on each of the two drug dealing related counts along with additional time for being a serious violent felon in possession of firearms at the residence.

The ban on him possessing firearms is related to a 2015 conviction for dealing cocaine that resulted in him receiving a six year prison sentence, according to court records.  Harris was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $50,000 bond. 

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman has admitted to allegations related to the motor vehicle related death of her husband.  Miranda Suarez, 37, pleaded guilty in La Porte Superior Court 1 to voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony. 

Authorities say she and her husband, Kyle Suarez, 24, were involved in an altercation in the parking lot of their home at Tall Timbers Apartments in October of 2023.  At point, authorities say she struck her husband with her car while fleeing and did so on purpose.  Sentencing is scheduled in March if the judge accepts the plea.  Suarez could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence.

In exchange for the plea, a murder charge against her would be dismissed.  Suarez still has charges in a separate case still pending for allegedly trying to recruit people to break into the home of her former attorney and steal money.

Her plan was for them to give her the money to post bond on the charges related to the death and keep what was left, authorities said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police have arrested a young adult for having a handgun converted into a machine gun.  Terrion Wright, 19, of Michigan City was being held on $20,000 bond on charges of Level 4 felony operating a loaded machine gun and Level 6 felony criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.

Police said officers late Sunday night responded to at least one gunshot fired in the 1100 block of W. 4^th St.  Wright and the once semi-automatic gun converted into a rapid fire weapon were soon located nearby, police said.  Wright could face anywhere from a 2 to 12 year sentence on the most serious count.

(La Porte, IN) - A driver who struck an Indiana Department of Transportation snow plow truck in La Porte’s downtown area is accused of being impaired.

Alana McVeigh, 31, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony operating while intoxicated.  La Porte Police said the investigation shows McVeigh was approaching the snow plow truck from behind when her SUV struck it Monday at E. Lincolnway and Scott St.

Police said McVeigh fled and soon was spotted driving toward another motorist in the opposite lane.  She was soon pulled over on State St.  Her alleged blood alcohol level was just under three times the .08 percent legal limit.

Police said the truck did not appear damaged but the front end of the woman’s vehicle sustained damage to the grill and a light on the right side of the front end.

The charge was upgraded to a felony because of a prior OWI conviction about two weeks prior to the collision.  She was given 60 days on probation, according to court records. 

(Michigan City, IN) - A suspected retail store burglar was caught red handed by Michigan City Police over the weekend.

Just after midnight Saturday, police said officers responding to a burglar alarm at Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets mall found a window shattered at the Columbia Outlet store. 

It wasn’t long before 59 year old Rodney Cooper was allegedly found inside hiding under a rack of clothing next to several bags of clothing, police said. 

The Michigan City man was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $15,000 bond.  Other responding agencies included the Long Beach Police Department and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.

(La Porte County, IN) - A proposal to dispose of industrial waste water deep below the ground at Kingsbury Industrial Park was shot down last night.

Before a packed house, the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously denied a request for a special exception by a company that wanted to inject up to a half million gallons of industrial waste water per day.

The liquid would have wound up at least 2,000 feet below the surface, but concerns were expressed over things like the safety of such waste disposal methods.

La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney supported the BZA’s decision.

“It’s like a liquid landfill underground.  I don’t think that benefits La Porte County nor is it the highest and best use for the property,” he said.

The request was made by Milestone Environmental Services, an industrial waste handling and disposal firm, which planned to inject what it described as non-hazardous liquids such as oily waters, light metal bearing fluids and water based paints.

According to company officials, La Porte County was chosen as the site because it’s within 50 miles of 50 million gallons of waste water annually that’s currently treated or shipped off site.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say a man had too much alcohol to drink before damaging a utility pole and crashing into a wood pile outside La Porte.

Joshua Bowman, 37, was booked into the La Porte County Jail for operating while intoxicated following the early Sunday accident.

La Porte County Police said it appears Bowman was eastbound on 450 North when he drove across U.S. 35 and struck a guide wire on a utility pole.  His vehicle then went down a logging trail and came to rest after striking a wood pile about 100 yards from the highway.

Police said he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and had trouble walking.  He allegedly refused to take a certified breathalyzer test to measure his blood alcohol content, which resulted in his automatic OWI arrest under state law. 

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man says the ticket was costly but worth the price of being in the stadium for Indiana University winning the national college football championship.

Tim Franke called his visit to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Monday a “once in a lifetime experience” he never expected for a program with a long history of mediocrity until head coach Curt Cignetti turned things around quickly in just two years.

“This is something I’ll never forget. I still get goose bumps thinking about it,” he said.  Indiana defeated the University of Miami 27-21.  Franke, an I.U. graduate, estimated more than half of the people in attendance were Hoosiers fans despite the stadium being home to the Hurricanes.

His voice was a little hoarse from so much cheering and chanting “Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers” during the game and the post-game celebrating he did with former classmates from the Bloomington campus he ran into at the stadium.  “I wouldn’t change anything,” he said.

Franke was at Notre Dame Stadium last year when the Hoosiers lost to the Irish in the first round of the college football playoffs.  He's currently in his second four-year term on the La Porte City Council. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A man who crashed into two vehicles while driving erratically on a stretch of highway in La Porte County Monday was arrested for allegedly being impaired.

Jeremy Catchings, 36, of Michigan City was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges that include operating while intoxicated.  According to La Porte County Police, Catchings about 3 p.m. was northbound on U.S. 421 at a high rate of speed near Otis when he attempted to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone.

He returned to the northbound lane and went off the right side of the roadway before returning to the pavement and striking the rear of a vehicle in front of him, police said.  Police said Catchings crossed the center line again then crashed head-on with an oncoming pick-up truck.

Catchings was placed into an ambulance where he allegedly argued and threatened a paramedic with a pair of scissors he grabbed from inside the rig, police said.

Police said he was also abusive toward nurses and a doctor at the hospital where a blood sample was taken from him due to major signs of impairment from alcohol.  The results of the test were not disclosed.  The OWI charge was elevated to a felony because of a prior impaired driving conviction, police said.  No serious injuries were reported from the collisions. 

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man who played football at Indiana University is still pinching himself over the Hoosiers national championship.

The undefeated Hoosiers last night defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27 to 21. Owen Strieter watching on TV with friends said the game still being on the line in the fourth quarter was pretty nerve wracking then came victory.

“Things were definitely getting tense. My buddies were saying they were feeling nauseous like they were going to puke right at the end.  Once they pulled it off, it just was surreal.  I just kind of stood there and watched.  I couldn’t really say anything.  It was fun,” he said.

Strieter played for I.U. in 2017 and 2018.  He says it’s still hard to believe the Hoosiers have come this far in just a short period of time.

“To see this and know how far away we were from this when I was playing there, it’s insane.  I don’t think anything like this has ever been seen. I don’t know if we’ll see anything like this again,” he said.

Indiana was 5-7 during Strieter’s final season and 3-9 before head coach Curt Cignetti took over the program in 2024. 

(La Porte, IN) - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a house in La Porte and spread to a house next door.

It was just after midnight Saturday when firefighters were called to the 200 block of Linden Dr. on the city’s southeast side.  Fire Chief Andy Snyder said it appears the fire started in the attached garage and worked its way into the residence.

Snyder said three older teenagers inside the home were either sleeping or about to go to sleep when they learned about the fire and made their way to safety.

The heat from the flames caused the house roughly 30 feet away to catch fire.

“By the time we started getting water on the first house that second house ignited and was also on fire at the same time,” he said.

Snyder said there wasn’t as much damage to that residence but it was still significant in places like the attic where the flames spread.  Three adults in that home after notified by firefighters made it out to safety.

Snyder said firefighters saved a pet snake and a cat in the second home.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police have been contacted about what local republicans believe is a threat of violence.

The La Porte County Young Republicans group recently made a social media post that included pictures from one of its meetings.  One of the responses stated “kill yourselves before a real American does the job Nazi scum.”

La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Allen Stevens said the sheriff’s office was contacted after consulting with the Republican Party Central Committee.

Stevens said the post was taken seriously given the acts of violence against republicans nationwide. 

He said the party and its various clubs will be implementing additional safety and security protocols as a precaution.

(La Porte, IN) - The door has opened for another data center in LaPorte which already has a deal with Microsoft to build one elsewhere in the city.

The LaPorte Board of Zoning Appeals on January 13 unanimously approved a zoning variance for plans to construct a data center that would consist of five buildings at the Thomas Rose Industrial Park on the city’s northeast side.

The variance allows the buildings to be up to 65 feet in height on the 110 acre site.

Currently, no structure on the site can exceed 45 feet or 60 feet in other spots without a variance under the property’s current split industrial zoning. Attorney Todd Leeth, who represents the developers, said the extra height was needed to allow for the proper movement of air needed to lower the temperatures of the air-cooled servers that would be inside the structures.

The request for the variance was from LaPorte 1, LLC, a special purpose entity created by the two developers behind the proposal.  The names of the developers were not disclosed but Leeth described them as experienced and “sophisticated” in the creation data centers.

“This is not their first rodeo,” he said.

Leeth said the buildings will have increased setbacks of 250 feet to 370 feet from other adjacent properties, a distance he felt would help make the extra height less noticeable.

“We don’t think it’s out of place in an industrial park with all of these setbacks,” he said.

Leeth also pointed out a portion of another structure housing Keystone Automotive in the industrial park is 74 feet in height.

Since the proposed development is in the very early stages, Leeth said the number of people who would work there is not known but speculated each structure having anywhere from 15 to 40 employees.

A few nearby residents like William Pierce voiced concerns about their property values.

“There are too many unanswered questions,” he said.

Jerry Schwartzman said he was worried about the impact a data center would have on wildlife and other natural beauty he enjoys from his property on Severs Road just 30 feet from the edge of the site.  Schwartzman said he purchased the property about five years ago and has made a number of improvements.

“I know there are people that look at this proposed development as progress. They see jobs and more tax revenue but all of this comes at a great cost,” he said.

Mayor Tom Dermody urged the zoning variance be approved, feeling a data center would be compatible with the look and use of companies in the industrial park.

“We’re excited,” he said.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership, said the zoning variance was just the first in a series of other hurdles that must be crossed before final approval can be given by the city to begin construction.  He said the final site plan involving matters like drainage must also be approved.

“There are a ton of details like the who, what, when, where that all have to be worked out if that project were to even move forward.  Right now, they’re in that phase of is this even a possibility.  Would we even be able to build what we’re considering there,” he said.

Microsoft and the city struck a deal in 2024 for a data center to be constructed on what’s now 500 acres of farmland in the area of U.S. 35 and Boyd Boulevard on the city’s south side.  Cook said Microsoft is still going through the required approvals process on what’s projected to be a $1 billion project.

He said construction could begin sometime late this year or in 2027.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man was at Soldier Field for the heartbreaking loss the Bears suffered in overtime during the playoffs last night.

Owen Strieter worked security at the game.  He describes how the crowd reacted to the Bears' game tying touchdown that forced overtime and when the Rams kicked the game winning field goal.

“My Apple watch kept going off, saying dangerously loud environment. It was pretty cool then you had the opposite when the Rams hit that field goal. Nobody wanted to believe it,” he said.

Strieter played football for Indiana University in 2017 and 2018.  He’ll be watching the Hoosiers play tonight for the college football national championship.

“It’s been one of the most fun football seasons I can remember in a long time,” he said.

His grandfather, Bob Strieter, played for the University of Miami, the team the Hoosiers are playing against for the title.

(Miami, FL) - A La Porte man and two friends have tickets for tonight’s college football title game between undefeated Indiana and Miami.

City Councilman Tim Franke, his business partner, Adam Konieczny and Adam Lancaster, his roommate when he was a student at I.U., arrived in Miami yesterday morning.

Franke said the sudden rise of the Hoosiers in football is still hard to believe.  “I don’t think either of us would have ever imagined being here for a national championship in football,” he said.

Franke said a lot of I.U. fans made the trip for the game judging by the number of fans on his flight from Midway Airport in Chicago and those he has already seen out and about in Miami. 

“Everywhere we go there’s certainly a lot of cream and crimson around,” he said.

The game is scheduled to begin at 6:30 tonight central time.

(Porter County, IN) - The Department of Natural Resources has raised the price of admission to an area state park for out-of-state visitors.

Daily admission to Dunes State Park jumped from $12 to $20 for non-Indiana residents. An annual pass is now $120, up from $70. New prices took effect this month.

Entrance fees have not increased for locals. It’s still just $7 per day or $50 annually for Hoosiers visiting Dunes State Park.

The DNR has calculated that the fee hikes for nonresidents across all state parks will increase revenues by more than $1.5 million. Approximately 91 percent of the operating budget for state parks comes from user fees.

(La Porte County, IN) - A shoplifting suspect from Walmart in Michigan City was on probation for a previous theft conviction.  Kaitlin Pahl, 34, was arrested Wednesday for Level 6 felony theft.

La Porte County Police said she was spotted by a security officer scanning a bar code from a less expensive item to pay a much cheaper price for two packages of meat costing more than $11 apiece. 

When stopped, police said Pahl revealed there were other stolen items like a pound of hamburger and seasoning packets along with coffee in her purse.  According to court records, she was placed on one year of probation when sentenced in June for theft.

(Michiana Shores, IN) - A garbage truck pulled down some power lines near the lakefront.  That’s according to La Porte County Police, who were called to Michiana Dr. and Hoosier Dr. just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

Police said the investigation shows the wires were hanging low across the intersection when snagged by a Lakeshore Recycling Systems garbage truck. The wires were attached to a NIPSCO pole, which broke from the tension created by the truck until it stopped.  The driver told investigators he didn’t see the wires because it was still dark and there were no street lights, police said.  

Police said the driver explained he didn’t know about the wires until he heard a loud bang and looked back to see arching from the power lines.

(La Porte, IN) - Two La Porte High School student athletes have hopes for a state title.  Aubrey Klettke and Anatasia O’Shea qualified for the state finals in girls’ wrestling.  Klettke is in the 145 pound weight class.  “It means a lot.  It’s just like a little representation of the work that we’ve put in and how much time we dedicated. It’s a lot of work and I’m really happy we get to go together,” she said.  O’Shea will compete in the 110 pound weight division.  The state finals are today in Indianapolis with the championship rounds scheduled tonight.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville man died following a single vehicle crash yesterday. 

La Porte County Police say 75 year old Terry Churchill was northbound on U.S. 421 when he left the right side of the highway and struck an embankment then a tree.  Churchill was taken to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The crash happened just before 9 a.m. between Interstate 94 and the Indiana Toll Road.  That stretch of highway was closed for about three hours to allow for an investigation of the crash site and clean-up of the wreckage.

(Indianapolis, IN) - State Senator Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) is authoring a bill that would ensure more legal protections are in place to keep children safe from sexual predators.

Currently, the legal age of consent in Indiana is 16 with specific close-in-age exemptions for certain scenarios.  Under Bohacek’s proposal, it would be a crime for anyone over the age of 24 to engage in sexual activity with a 16 year old child granting consent.  A person over 25 would be committing a crime for having sexual activity with a consenting child who is 16 or 17.

"All children deserve to be protected from predators seeking to exploit them, and our current laws simply aren't doing a good enough job at ensuring Hoosier children are protected," Bohacek said.

Violators would also be required to register as a sex offender.

"This bill becomes even more relevant when it comes to ensuring we protect our youth as we get more and more information on the situation regarding Jeffrey Epstein.  We never want a similar situation to happen in Indiana, and I think it is our duty as legislators to take whatever measures we can to prevent anything even remotely similar from happening,” he said.

The proposal is contained in Senate Bill 290, which has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law for consideration.

(La Porte, IN) - What seemed like a routine traffic stop resulted in the arrests of two La Porte residents for possession of heroin.

Nicholas Lambert and Hannah Hensell were pulled over on Pine Lake Ave. in La Porte on Sunday because the car they were in did not have a working light for the license plate, according to La Porte Police.  Police said the license plate was also expired.

All of the occupants were getting out of the vehicle when a plastic bag containing an undisclosed amount of heroin allegedly belonging to Lambert fell to the ground.

Police said Hensell was in possession of another bag of heroin recovered during the search.   Marijuana, a wooden smoking pipe and used syringe were also seized and resulted in additional charges against the suspects, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A stretch of U.S. 421 in La Porte County was closed due to a motor vehicle accident during a lake effect snow event this morning.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office reports the highway was blocked from the Indiana Toll Road to Interstate 94 because of the crash near 100 North.  Police said the Indiana Department of Transportation was assisting with keeping vehicles off that stretch of highway. 

Motorists were advised to avoid the area.  Near whiteout conditions were reported in spots, police said.  Further details, so far, have not been released.

(New Carlisle, IN) - Well over a foot of lake effect snow has fallen in the New Carlisle area while places to the west received just a few inches at the most.  New Carlisle area resident Robin Reese estimated close to 20 inches of snow was on the ground during her half mile, low visibility drive to work this morning at The Diner.

“It was pretty rough.  I had like a two foot drift in front of my garage door.   You couldn’t see the roads,” she said.  La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield said he had about five inches of snow at his home in the Mill Creek area when he woke up about 4 a.m.  About an inch or less of snow was reported further to the west in communities like La Porte, Michigan City and New Buffalo.  Westville Town Council President Mike Albert reported about three inches of snow in his community.

La Porte Street Department Supervisor Ian Eldridge said roads in the city since snowfall totals were minimal are in “pretty good shape.”  He said fallen tree limbs from the high winds were removed from Michigan Ave. and Lakeshore Dr.

(La Porte, IN) - Police say a man who crashed into parked vehicles in La Porte and fled had consumed a very large amount of alcohol.

The suspect, Bernardo Chagala Cosme, 34, also allegedly had some cocaine.

Police said he was driving a sport utility vehicle that struck two parked vehicles Monday night in the 300 block of Warren St. and fled despite heavy front end damage to the SUV.

Cosme was found a short time later beside the vehicle in the 500 block of Home St. where an undisclosed amount of cocaine was allegedly found on his possession. 

Police said the La Porte man did not have a valid driver’s license but his name was confirmed on his identification card from Mexico.  His blood alcohol level was .350 percent or more than four times the legal .08 percent legal limit.

Cosme was being held in the La Porte County Jail without bond pending his initial hearing in La Porte Circuit Court. 

(La Porte, IN) - A call to police about suspected drug activity in La Porte resulted in the arrest of man now facing charges.

Brian Wilkinson, 45, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.

According to La Porte Police, officers on January 11 responded to a report of possible drug activity involving two vehicles at Little Caesar’s in the 2400 block of Monroe St.  Upon arrival, police said officers approached Wilkinson standing outside of the vehicles.

A bag containing just under 1.5 grams of methamphetamine was allegedly found in one of his pockets.  Police said the paraphernalia was in the form of rolled up dollar bills commonly used to snort narcotics.

The La Porte man was still being held in the La Porte County Jail without bond.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A nine year old boy is asking the governor for a favor because of the Indiana Hoosiers being in the national college football championship game.

Jack Gibson wrote the governor requesting a two hour delay to the start of school the day after the Monday night game against the Miami Hurricanes.

Gibson said his parents have already agreed to let him stay up for the entire game, but a two hour delay would allow him get enough sleep to avoid possibly falling asleep in class.  The boy from the southern part of the state also added in his letter that he's praying really hard for fog or snow to force a delay.

In response, the governor while praising the Hoosiers said the boy will just have to get to school at the normal time and later catch up on his lost sleep.

(La Porte County, IN) - It took extra force to arrest a man with a gun following verbal and physical assaults last night in La Porte County.

Tradvyon Hamblin, 29, of Hamlet was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges of intimidation, domestic battery, resisting law enforcement and operating while intoxicated.

La Porte County Police said officers about 11 p.m. were called to a residence on 860 South where he and his girlfriend were arguing in a vehicle in the driveway.

Family members were trying to calm things down between the couple when Hamblin stepped out of the vehicle and physically assaulted a family member, police said.

Police said Hamblin and the woman left before officers arrived but they were found in the 5200 block of S. Wozniak Road after their vehicle had crashed. Hamblin forcibly resisted arrest and was taken to the ground where additional restraints were placed on him, police said.

A pistol he allegedly had on his possession was recovered in a field where Hamblin was initially found.  He was being held on $15,000 cash only bond.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is facing allegations that include drunk driving and battering a police officer.

Laquintae Taborn, 43, was arrested last night for battery to a public safety official, resisting law enforcement and operating while intoxicated.

La Porte County Police said Taborn about 9 p.m. was pulled over on Pine Lake Ave. in La Porte for driving over the center line, having expired plates on her vehicle and one working headlight.  Eventually, she was taken to a hospital as a precaution due to her alleged impairment.

She refused to cooperate with medical staff, though, and ran from one exam room to another where she was found hiding behind a privacy curtain, police said.

After returned to her room, police said Taborn was lying in a bed when she kicked a sheriff’s deputy in the chest and head.  In response, she was secured to her hospital bed with help from others and later transported to the La Porte County Jail.

(La Porte County, IN) - Unity Foundation of La Porte County is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year.  The deadline to apply is March 13 at 5:00 p.m. CT.

In 2025, Unity awarded a total of $325,000 to 174 local students through this scholarship program.  The Unity Foundation General Application simplifies the process by allowing students to apply for over 50 different scholarships through a single online application.  The application form, frequently asked questions, and additional details are available at uflc.net.

Applicants are encouraged to begin the process early.  “Unity Foundation is honored to support local students as they pursue their educational goals,” said CC Payne, Director of Operations at Unity Foundation.

“With more than 50 unique scholarship opportunities, there is truly something for almost every type of student—whether their strengths are academic, extracurricular or service-based. Unity scholarships are not limited to high school seniors, either. We support students during every phase of their post-secondary journey,” Payne said. 

Graduating high school seniors, continuing students, and non-traditional students seeking to obtain a professional certificate, or associate, undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree are invited to apply for the many scholarships administered by Unity Foundation.

Visit uflc.net to learn more and begin an application.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County is included in a winter storm warning from lake effect snow issued by the National Weather Service.

The warning for portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan is in effect from 6 a.m. CST Wednesday to 12 p.m. CST on Thursday.  According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulations between 6 and 8 inches are expected along with wind gusts out of the northwest at up to 40 mph.

Roads will become slick and hazardous with impacts expected for the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.  Visibilities may drop to near zero at times due to falling and blowing snow.  Whiteout conditions are likely and will make travel treacherous, according to the National Weather Service.

(La Porte, IN) - A man and his grandson from LaPorte played for the same schools vying for this year’s college football national championship.

Bob Strieter was a star lineman on offense and defense for the University of Miami Hurricanes in the early 60’s before playing one season in the Canadian Football League.

Owen Strieter played two seasons at Indiana University beginning in 2017 where he was a safety and member of the special teams.

A dislocated shoulder and receiving just limited playing time were among the reasons he cited for not continuing on with the team to focus strictly on his studies during his final two years of eligibility.

Strieter said he’s not sure if he and his grandfather will watch the game together but, if not, he expects them to call and text message each other periodically during the January 19 match-up.

“Hopefully, we’ll get the win despite what my grandpa would say,” he said.

Surprisingly, perhaps, the elder Strieter believes his alma mater might not have much of a chance because of how dominant the Hoosiers have been especially with blow out post season victories over Alabama and Oregon.

Regardless, he’ll be rooting for the Hurricanes.

“I have to do that.  That’s where I got my education and chance to play professional,” he said.

Strieter said the Hoosiers were 5-7 each year he was on the team, a typical season for a program that has the most losses in college football history.                                                      

He said it’s still hard to believe the program entered the tournament with the No. 1 ranking and its quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, became the first Heisman Trophy winner in I.U. history.                                      

Strieter said he wonders if any other head coach has ever turned around a college football program so quickly and drastically.

“What Curt Cignetti has been able to do has been pretty insane,” he said.

Strieter is now a construction teacher and volunteer football coach at LaPorte High School.

The elder Strieter also became a teacher in LaPorte after his playing days were over and later was head coach of the high school football team for eight years.
 

Strieter said one of the highlights of being on the I.U. football team was intercepting a pass from teammate, Michael Penix, Jr., during a spring scrimmage game.  Penix is now the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons.

“Pretty cool. Pretty fond memories. I enjoyed my time down there for sure,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - La Lumiere suffered its first loss of the basketball season in a nationally televised game during the 5^th annual La Porte Invitational at the historic Civic Auditorium.

The Lakers rebounded by winning their final two games of the three day competition featuring some of the best college prep teams and talent in the nation.

La Lumiere opened the competition on January 9 with a 67-60 loss to Long Island Lutheran in a game televised by FOX Sports 1. The Lakers, who were ranked No. 7 in the nation going into the competition, defeated CATS Academy 81-62 the next evening.

Junior Devin Cleveland, a transfer student from Chicago, led the way for the Lakers with 18 points while Ferlandes Wright, a junior from Louisville, added 17 points and nine rebounds.  Jonathan Sanderson, who signed to play next season at the University of Notre Dame, contributed 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

La Lumiere on Sunday beat Sunrise Christian Academy 68-49.  A 13-2 run for the Lakers during the second half was the difference maker in the game.

Senior Jacob Webber, who’s committed to play at Purdue University next season, finished with 24 points that included six three point buckets out of eight attempts.  Wright and Cleveland added 16 and 15 points apiece.

Head Coach Pat Holmes credited more effective ball movement and passing to open shooters for the two victories.

"I was proud of how our guys responded. For us to be at our best, we have to distribute the ball. In both wins we had 22 and 19 assists, respectively," he said.

(Starke County, IN) - A pet monkey died in a house fire in Knox.

A two story barn shaped home was engulfed in flames when firefighters began arriving early in the afternoon Saturday.  Officials say a pet monkey was found dead while a dog that ran away from the burning dwelling was still missing.  Firefighters were on the scene for over three hours.

(La Porte, IN) - Local officials are pleased with how things went during the 5^th annual La Porte Invitational, a three day basketball competition featuring some of the best college prep talent in the nation.

Tom Izzo, the legendary head coach of the men’s basketball team at Michigan State University and former NBA star Rasheed Wallace were among the celebrities in the sport in attendance Friday night at the Civic Auditorium.

Jack Arnett, Executive Director of the La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Izzo sat behind the steering wheel on the bus used in the basketball movie “Hoosiers” that was on display outside the facility.

Arnett said Izzo also took a moment to sign autographs. 

“I went and congratulated him for being so friendly,” he said.

La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said attendance was strong but seemed to suffer a bit while the Indiana Hoosiers played Friday night in the college football playoffs and  the Chicago Bears played Saturday night in the NFL playoffs.

“We had really good strong early attendance and steady throughout the day, so, I think we’re overall pretty happy with it,” he said.

Nationally ranked La Lumiere lost their first game of the season in the competition Friday night but came back with victories in each of the following two nights.

(La Porte, IN) - A two story house was heavily damaged in a weekend fire in La Porte.

Firefighters just after 9 p.m. on Saturday responded to 1312 Monroe St.  La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said a woman living in the home was not there when the fire broke out apparently in the walls on the first floor.  Snyder said the flames then climbed into the second floor and attic.  “Pretty substantial damage,” he said.

Firefighters managed to save a rabbit from the burning structure but a cat in the home perished.  Snyder said the fire was possibly from some type of electrical issue but the cause has not yet been officially determined.  He said it’ll be up to the insurance company to decide whether the home can be repaired.  There were no injuries.  Firefighters were on the scene for more than three hours.

(La Porte County, IN) - The deadline to file as a candidate for election to public office is less than a month away.

The La Porte County Election Board will hold a Question & Answer session regarding filing for candidacy, campaign finance, and other related matters. This is a non-partisan session for the benefit of candidates and anyone considering a campaign run. County Election Board members, the Election Deputy, and the Party Chairs will be there to answer questions and provide information.

The Q&A will be held on Thursday, January 15 at 6:00 pm. The location is the La Porte County Complex, Meeting Room 3 at 809 State Street in La Porte. Contact the County Clerk’s Office for more details at 219-326-6808 x2471.

The filing deadline is Friday, February 6 at noon. Annual campaign finance reports are due by noon on January 21. Penalties may be assessed for reports received late.

(Porter County, IN) - A semi caught fire on a Porter County highway Wednesday afternoon.

Around 3:30 pm Chesterton firefighters were called to SR 49 just south of the I-94 interchange, where a northbound semi-tractor was going up in smoke.

They were able to keep the fire from reaching the trailer, which contained recycling materials. “Contents in the trailer were checked for heat with a thermal imaging camera and none was found,” the CFD noted.

The driver of the truck was not injured and firefighters did not determine a cause.

Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana Department of Homeland Security held its first School Safety Summit earlier this week.

The two day event brought together nearly 1,000 school officials, representing 380 school corporations from across the state. 

This year's summit focused on Behavioral Threat Assessments and Management. BTAM is a proactive, team-based approach used in Indiana schools to identify and respond to behaviors that could signal harm to a student, a school or the broader community. 

By law, each school corporation must have a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team, including school administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, special education experts and law enforcement. These teams work together with parents to focus on behavior, support and prevention.

Governor Mike Braun made a commitment to keep students safe as part of his public safety agenda. In July 2025, he established the Office of School Safety under IDHS to carry out this promise. 

“Our new Office of School Safety, and this summit, are helping set Indiana apart," The Office of School Safety is focused on giving schools the tools they need to create safe environments for our students. This summit has delivered on that goal by bringing together a wealth of talent, including administrators, board members and school resource officers, to encourage innovation and thinking outside the box," he said. 

The first day included a welcome from Julie Q. Smith, IDHS' director of the Indiana Office of School Safety.

"Indiana schools now have opportunities like never before to strengthen safety practices, deepen collaboration and elevate the support available to every school community", she said.

On the second day, breakout sessions explored various topics such as special education, warning signs of school violence and legal issues.

(La Porte, IN) - A former college football star from La Porte is rooting for Indiana in tonight’s college football final four game.

Bob Strieter was a lineman on offense and defense for the Miami Hurricanes, who will play the Hoosiers for the national championship if Indiana defeats Oregon tonight.

“I’d love to see that happen.  That would be quite a treat,” he said.

In the early 60’s, Strieter played three seasons at the University of Miami then played one year in the Canadian Football League.  Ironically, his grandson, Owen, made the I.U. football team as a walk-on a few years before the sudden turnaround of the Hoosiers football program.

Strieter citing loyalty to his alma mater said he will root for Miami if the Hoosiers and Hurricanes play for the national championship.

“I have to do that.  That’s where I got my education and chance to play professional,” he said.

Later, Strieter spent over 20 years coaching the La Porte High School football team.   Eight of those years were as head coach.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville area resident mailed a check that somehow was stolen and turned into a money maker for the thief.

According to La Porte County Police, the 78 year old woman reported the check made out for $126 was a payment on a debt she owed to a retail store.  It was put in the mail in late November.

Police said it appears the check while in route to the store was taken at some point and washed but the signature of the check owner remained.  The check was then made out to an individual for over $4,800 and cashed less than a month later at a bank in Louisiana, police said.

Police said the fraudulent activity wasn’t discovered until the woman checked her bank statement and noticed the higher amount on the check had been withdrawn from her account.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is facing several felony counts following a fight outside a La Porte bar.  Daryl Rhodes, II, 24, of Michigan City is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with unlawful carrying of a handgun and intimidation, both Level 5 felonies, along with pointing a firearm, a Level 6 felony, and Class A misdemeanor battery.

According to court documents, a verbal altercation inside Mickey’s Bar early on January 3 led to Rhodes and a 24 year woman hitting a female in her early 20’s outside the tavern.  At some point, it’s alleged Rhodes pointed a gun at another woman during the physical altercation.  A gunshot was then fired from somewhere by an unknown individual.

The woman was hit and took off in a car and crashed in front of the bar into a Dodge Durango belonging to a man involved in the dispute.  It appears the owner of the vehicle crashed into along with Rhodes removed the woman from the car and began striking her, police said.

Police said the woman suffered a large contusion to her head and was bleeding from a cut to her upper lip.  Rhodes was prohibited from having a gun due to several prior felony convictions, according to authorities.  He was being held in the La Porte County Jail without bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man is behind bars on allegations he used a fake I.D. to try and collect his winnings at a casino.  Anthony Flaherty, 64, is facing charges that include fraud and cheating at gambling, both Level 6 felonies.

According to court documents, Flaherty was not allowed to collect his undisclosed amount of winnings at Blue Chip Casino from June of 2024 because he didn’t have a government issued identification card.

He returned to the casino last month to collect those winnings but since the I.D. card he presented belonged to someone else, the casino did not release the funds to him.  Flaherty is also charged with misdemeanor trespassing for being in the casino despite a ban imposed on him being there from 2023, court documents revealed.  The amount of his uncollected winnings was not revealed but it was more than $750, authorities said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There’s a new second in command at the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office.  Guy DiMartino has been named Chief Deputy Prosecutor.  He replaces Chuck Watterson, who had been chief deputy since La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan took over the office a little more than three years ago.

Watterson recently announced his candidacy for prosecutor in the republican May 5 primary.  Fagan, who has not revealed if he will seek a second term, said DiMartino is a great fit for the position.

“Guy possesses personal and professional wisdom, a mature and balanced temperament and has the extensive legal and trial experience that is necessary for the overall success of our work,” he said.

Currently, DiMartino is the lead attorney for La Porte County government. DiMartino, who is running for judge in La Porte Superior Court 3, will continue on as county attorney while serving as chief deputy, Fagan said.  He was previously the attorney for the La Porte County Council and the La Porte County Redevelopment Commission.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte firefighter has been sworn into his new position as second in command at the department.  Zach Kanney is the assistant fire chief, replacing Kelly Burke.

Kanney was sworn in by Fire Chief Andy Snyder at City Hall on Tuesday.  He then introduced several members of his family, including father, Rob, a retired La Porte firefighter, during the city’s Board of Public Works meeting.  Kanney is an 18 year member of the department.  Burke has stayed on as Battalion Chief.

(Michigan City, IN) - Charges are filed against a suspected Michigan City cocaine dealer.

In late July, Timothy Lewis, 44, allegedly sold 15 grams of cocaine at Hansen Park on the city’s north side.   Police said he pulled up in a Mercedes Benz and carried out the over $500 exchange in the vehicle of the buyer.  Lewis could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence.

According to court records, Lewis has prior convictions for dealing in cocaine and various other crimes.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte area man purchased an expensive baseball card online but when the package arrived it was empty.

La Porte County Police said the man reported buying a Bowman Chrome brand Ichiro Suzuki rookie card from 2001 for just over $4,000.  Five days before Christmas, police said the man opened the package left at his doorstep in Coolspring Township but the card was not inside.  The man told officers he noticed the seal on the package was broken when he went to open it.

He’s currently trying to seek a refund from the online store where he made the purchase, police said. 

(Northwest Indiana) - When the state of Indiana formed the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission in 2019, Commission Treasurer Bill Crase of Starke County knew that reversing a century of mounting flood risks would take time and energy.

But nearly seven years later, he said it is hard not to see the improvements.

“When I started on this Commission, the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers were not serving anyone very well, and it did not matter if you were a farmer, a nearby resident, or a canoer. Every year, more sand would fill the channel, more banks would erode, and more fallen trees would jam up the rivers. Things are changing for the better,” Crase said.

This past year, the Commission wrapped up Phase III of its Yellow River reconstructions and the restoration of nearly five miles of severely eroding river channel.  In Jasper County, the panel oversaw another two-mile long stabilization of decaying banks on the Kankakee River.  The Commission also worked to prevent logjams and remove them when identified.  Contractors also kept bridges free from heavy debris and channel obstructions.

“Indiana modified the Kankakee River over a hundred years ago, and you could easily find another hundred years of work to do. But if you look at the rivers as much as some of us, you can’t help but notice the improvements,” Crase said. 

Other projects planned for 2026 include the reconfiguration of water control structures at the Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area, a test project to repurpose a flow-blocking island in the Yellow River, smaller bank repairs, and ongoing logjam and sediment management activities.

Commission Executive Director Scott Pelath said the Indiana DNR and Department of Environmental Management have already issued permits for the State Line Bridge project.  A permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in progress.

Further information about the Commission’s mission and projects can be found at kankakeeandyellowrivers.org.

(Indianapolis, IN) - State Representative Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) has introduced his 2026 legislative priorities aimed at growing Indiana’s workforce, supporting fire responders and putting money back into the pockets of Hoosiers.

A full list of Novak’s authored legislation:

1. HB 1048: Increases the clothing and vehicle allowance for an active member of a volunteer fire department to ensure correct, safe clothing and upkeep on wear and tear on cars for safe, reliable travel.
2. HB 1162: Ensures Medicaid dollars meant for home- and community-based care are actually used to pay the caregivers providing those services. The bill requires providers to meet clear standards for how state Medicaid funds are spent on direct care staff and to file an annual cost report to show they are complying. This is critical for safeguarding against fraud and abuse while ensuring recipients get quality care.
3. HB 1189: Requires that agreements for major data center and advanced computing projects supported by the state include strong labor standards, requiring construction bids to go to labor unions or employers operating under project labor agreements to support skilled workers and good-paying Hoosier jobs.
4. HB 1190: Recognizes certain PFAS-related health conditions as job-related for firefighters, creating a presumption that those illnesses were caused in the line of duty under specific circumstances and ensuring firefighters can more easily access disability benefits.
5. HB 1244: Requires that 10% of excess property tax revenue collected in a redevelopment area be shared with local schools, libraries and public safety agencies, including police, fire, EMS and other emergency services that serve the area.

“The rising cost of living is hitting Hoosiers from every direction. We have seven weeks to pass legislation that lowers utility costs, makes housing and child care more affordable, protects our first responders and reduces property taxes while still supporting local governments and public safety,” Novak said.

Novak left his seat on the La Porte County Councilman last year to fill the remaining one year on the term of Pat Boy after she retired.

“The bills I introduced this session are common sense and put Hoosiers first. Our workforce drives Indiana’s economy, and if we don’t invest in it now, we’ll feel the consequences later. That means keeping jobs and labor here in Indiana and making sure first responders have the protections, equipment and health support they need after putting their lives on the line,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - The president of the city council in Michigan City will remain in that position for the New Year.

Tracie Tillman was unanimously reelected council president by her colleagues during the reorganization portion of last night’s regularly scheduled meeting of the governing body.

Tillman gave a verbal pat on the back to the council for choosing her after her first term as president last year.

“I would just like to take a moment and thank my fellow council members for the nomination and for trusting me to carry out my duties as council president for 2026,” she said.

Councilman Tim Bietry was reelected vice president of the council, defeating Don Przybylinski in a 6–3 vote.

(Michigan City, IN) - A 16 year old boy is being prosecuted as an adult for the recent shooting of another teenager in Michigan City.

Darrien Washington is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 2 felony attempted robbery; Level 3 felony aggravated battery and dangerous possession of a firearm by a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.

Police said Washington tried robbing another teenager Saturday then shot him at Canterbury Apartments near Pahs Rd. close to Michigan City High School.

The male victim was taken to nearby Franciscan Health with a single gunshot wound and later transferred to another hospital for further treatment, police said.

According to court documents, it appears the victim agreed to purchase a gun from Washington, who showed up with several individuals also armed.  However, the victim was tackled to the ground by Washington, whose plan could have been to actually steal the money the boy showed up with to buy the firearm and keep the gun, according to court documents.  

Police said the boy was running away from the individuals when shot in the right buttocks.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said Washington’s alleged actions were alarming enough for him decide to charge him as an adult instead of a juvenile.

“It’s the seriousness of the crime,” he said.

Washington could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on the attempted robbery charge along with two to 12 years on the aggravated battery count.

He's currently being held in the La Porte County Juvenile Services Center on $50,000 bond. 

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Commissioners have a new president for 2026.  Commissioner Steve Holfield was named president in a 3-0 vote by members of the commission during the reorganization portion at their meeting this morning.  Former president Connie Gramarossa was voted in as vice president.

Commissioner Joe Haney nominated for vice-president lost to Gramarossa in a 2 - 1 vote.  The president and vice-president are appointed annually by the commissioners.  Holifield, a farmer from the Mill Creek area, just completed his first year on the commission while Gramarossa is entering the final year of her four year term.
 

(Indianapolis, IN) - Seniors, and hoosiers who are blind and disabled should apply for property tax credits by January 15 to ensure they receive the benefits they are due.  That’s according to State Senator Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores).

Blind and disabled Hoosiers are now eligible for the more generous Blind/Disabled Credit, rather than the Blind/Disabled Deduction, and should apply even if they were previously receiving the deduction.

Hoosiers over 65 can download the one-page application for property tax credits here or contact their county auditor's office to receive an application, Bohacek said.

Due to historic property tax relief last year, Bohacek said the Over 65 Deduction was switched to a more generous Over 65 Credit of $150.

Bohacek said Hoosiers if they receive one of these credits in a particular year and become ineligible for the credit in the following year, they must notify the auditor of the county in which the homestead is located no later than 60 days after the individual becomes ineligible.

Hoosiers with questions about the application process or their eligibility should contact their county auditor's office.

(Knox, IN) - An educator at the high school in Knox is facing charges of drunk driving. Authorities say Assistant Principal Greg Estok drove recklessly in the parking lot of a Taco Bell on December 20. 

Soon, police said responding officers were following him as he crossed U.S. 35 and ran a stop sign.  Police said Estok had a child in the vehicle and was eating his food when pulled over.  His alleged blood alcohol level was close to three times the legal limit.

Estok was placed on administrative leave following his arrest.   His initial court hearing on the allegations is scheduled February 6. 

(La Porte, IN) - The door has opened for a La Porte golf course to be converted into a new housing development.

The La Porte City Council on Monday voted unanimously in favor of the developer’s request to amend the current residential zoning at the soon to be former Briar Leaf Golf Club on Indiana 39 just south of the Indiana Toll Road.

The zoning change allows the developer, Lennar Homes of Indiana, to keep moving forward on plans to build close to 300 single family homes at the 18-hole golf course on lots ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide.

Lot sizes under the former zoning had to be at least 100 feet in width.

Density seemed to be the major concern of nearby residents like Gary Metcalf, who spoke up about the project.

“I’m not against it. I’m just against that you’re stacking too many people into one little area too tight,” said

A number of residents would like the property to remain as it is, saying they moved to the neighborhood mainly because of the golf course.

Attorney Dave Ambers, who represents a homeowner close to the proposed development, suggested no decision be made by the council until after the zoning change request was further reviewed.  Ambers said much smaller lots would harm the character of existing homes on and around the golf course with lots up to 200 feet in width.

“I wish you would table this for a month or two and analyze is this something we really want,” he said.

La Porte area resident Ethan Koontz said the density of the homes will increase the amount of storm water not soaking into the ground, which could impact a wetland area beside the golf course.

City Councilwoman Lauren Huffman based on her experience as a commercial developer said there will be studies of the wetlands and involvement by the state, if necessary, to safeguard the natural resource.

“There’s a lot of reviews. It takes a lot of time to make sure that we’re putting back in what we’re getting out of it,” she said.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said smaller lot sizes are what a lot of prospective home buyers prefer nowadays.

He said the smaller lots also increase the number of homes that can go up at the golf course, allowing the developer to profit more and pay the entire cost of new streets and other infrastructure without seeking financial help from the city.

Cook also said it would be the largest new subdivision in recent memory in La Porte and make a noticeable dent in the ongoing effort to modernize the city’s aging housing stock.

He also pointed out Lennar Homes, which has an office in the Chicago area, is one of the largest housing developers in the nation.  The price of the homes are expected to range from $350,000 to $450,000 depending largely on size.

“We have a high level of confidence that this will be successful.  It will provide a new housing product that we don’t currently have,” he said.

Cook said the current property owners notified the city the golf course due to financial challenges the past several years will be closing for good before the next season.

He said attempts to find a buyer who would keep the property as a golf course had failed before the housing developer emerged as a potential buyer. 

Cook said the pending sale can now move toward closing since the zoning change opened the door for the project.

(Michigan City, IN) - A 16 year old boy is the suspect in a weekend shooting of another teenager in Michigan City.

Darrien Washington is charged as an adult with three felony counts.  Police said Washington tried robbing another teenager Saturday then shot him at Canterbury Apartments near Michigan City High School.  The victim was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the right buttocks.

Police said the investigation indicates several individuals who were with Washington also had guns but were not involved in the incident.  It appears the victim was going to purchase a gun from Washington but the suspect decided to try to take his cash and keep the gun.

The victim after tackled to the ground by the suspect was running away from the individuals when shot, police said.  Washington is charged with attempted robbery, aggravated battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor.

(Michigan City, IN) - An arrest has been made for a weekend shooting during a robbery attempt in Michigan City.

According to Michigan City Police, the victim suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound on Saturday.  The victim was at an undisclosed apartment complex during an encounter with multiple individuals that escalated into gunfire when they attempted to rob the person who was shot, police said.

One person was later taken into custody on more than one felony count as a result of the investigation. The name of the suspect was not released.  Police said the search of an undisclosed location related to the investigation led to the recovery of several firearms, including the gun believed to have been used in the shooting.

Further details were not released due to the ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information is urged to contact Michigan City Police.

(La Porte County, IN) - A report of a reckless driver resulted in the alcohol related arrest of the suspect in the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant.

Titus Williams, 61, of South Bend is charged with operating while intoxicated.  According to La Porte County Police, another driver on a cell phone Saturday night told a 911 dispatcher a vehicle was driving over the center line and off the roadway at times at inconsistent speeds on Indiana 2 near the fairgrounds.

The caller following the suspect kept the dispatcher up to date on their locations as Williams pulled into Burger King on La Porte’s west side.  Police said Williams after located in the drive-thru told officers he drank a whole bottle of champagne at a party.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .116-percent.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police would like to know who was behind the reported theft of a wallet containing $2,500 in cash.

Police said a woman told investigators her wallet was taken from the center console of her vehicle while it was parked outside her business near Hudson Lake sometime on December 30.

There were no signs of forced entry into the vehicle but the center console appeared to have been gone through, police said.  Police said the woman revealed she would file an insurance claim on the money that was in her stolen wallet.  She was able to cancel her debit and credit cards before anyone could use them.

(Washington, D.C.) - The United States is teetering on the edge of a blood shortage.  That's according to the American Red Cross, which is now asking for help. Officials say the low supplies follow the busy holiday season, which caused donations to go down.

Unless blood donations increase soon, the Red Cross says doctors may have to make decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.

People can donate blood Tuesday at Northwest Health in La Porte from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  A full list of blood donation opportunities and locations are available at redcross.org.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A La Porte County man in prison for the shooting death of his son has lost his appeal.  Jason Wetzel of Wanatah is serving a 17 year sentence.

In his appeal, Wetzel argued his claims of self-defense were not sufficiently addressed by prosecutors during the trial.  However, the Indiana Court of Appeals disagreed and upheld his conviction.  The 63 year old Wetzel was found not guilty of murder for the 2020 shooting death of his 33 year old son, Jeremiah. However, he was found guilty of aggravated battery during a retrial.

Wetzel told authorities he and his son were watching a movie and drinking when his son became aggressive and lunged at him.  He claimed feeling threatened enough to shoot his son, who suffered bullet wounds to the stomach and shoulder.

(Porter County, IN) - A local lawmaker has joined the call to improve access to Indiana Dunes State Park.

State Senator Rodney Pol Jr. (D) has signed a letter to state transportation officials supporting a request by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to add a second entrance to the park.

Pol represents parts of La Porte County, including Michigan City and Westville.

The proposed entrance would involve the extension of Tremont Rd to U.S. 12, giving both visitors and emergency responders better access.

The DNR reports that just under 2 million people visited Indiana Dunes State Park in 2024, a record number. The combined attraction of the State Park and the Indiana Dunes National Park generated $236 million in direct spending and $135 million in total economic impact to the region.

(Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has unveiled five new specialty license plate designs. As usual, they cost $40 annually, with $25 supporting the group featured on the plate.

The new plates include Purdue University campuses in Ft. Wayne and Northwest Indiana, the State Teachers Association Foundation, and the Indiana Fever Fund, which honors the state’s WNBA team and supports girls’ and women’s organizations statewide. A nature-based cause called the Pollinator Partnership promotes the health of pollinators critical to food and ecosystems.

Specialty plates can be used on all passenger vehicles, as well a light trucks, motorcycles, and RVs. They are available at BMV branches or kiosks and online.

(La Porte, IN) - The refrigerated ice skating rink in downtown La Porte is operating again following some recent repairs.

La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said mechanical problems involving the refrigerant that allows ice to form were fixed on Monday.  “We’re back up and running,” he said.

The rink at State and Monroe streets is open today from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on what’s called Free Skate Fridays sponsored by the La Porte Health Foundation. The rink will also be open during the same times on Saturday and Sunday.

People can bring their own skates or choose from more than 300 pairs of skates available to rent at the rink, which is open for the season through January 25.  Schreiber said attendance this year like last year has been very strong.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has been an Indiana University football fan since before taken to his first football game at the Bloomington campus by his season ticket holding father.

John Howes said the sudden turnaround of the program into a national contender along with yesterday’s blowout victory in the college football playoffs against Alabama feels surreal.  Howes said he never imagined the Hoosiers after decades of losing football “beating teams handily like Alabama.  It’s really quite unbelievable.”

In comparison, Howes said the Hoosiers were “crushed” by Michigan in his first game at Memorial Stadium years ago as a teenager.  “It’s definitely not like that now,” he said.

Howes, an attorney like his father, Ralph, said he’s even had thoughts about Indiana becoming the next “super power” in college football, but struggles to believe that could actually happen given the team’s mostly losing history.

La Porte City Councilman Tim Franke said his voice was a little hoarse after cheering the Hoosiers on to their 38-3 victory Thursday over the Crimson Tide in the basement of his residence.

Franke, a longtime fan and Indiana University graduate, said he’s still kind of pinching himself over the success the team has had the past two seasons.  “To play a team like Alabama and then absolutely destroy them was an amazing thing to see for sure,” he said.

Former La Porte Chamber of Commerce President Mike Seitz is another longtime Hoosiers football fan basking in what still seems like a dream.  “This is just fantastic,” he said.

Seitz, who recently moved to Florida, is considering purchasing tickets to watch the Hoosiers play for the title in Miami if the Hoosiers defeat the Oregon Ducks on January 9.  Indiana defeated Oregon during the regular season.  “It’s amazing,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte area man is facing allegations he fled from a crash with a NIPSCO pole.

He was found by police following his tire tracks on the snow covered roadways.  Edward Liverpool is charged with leaving the scene of a crash that occurred Tuesday night in the area of 175 West and 850 South.  A guard rail, utility box and NIPSCO pole were struck by a vehicle allegedly operated by Liverpool.

La Porte County Police said officers followed the tire tracks in the snow leading away from the crash site for several miles. They located the suspect at a home in the 200 block of D St. in La Porte. Liverpool was located standing in the driveway and taken into custody.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte High School boys’ basketball team begins the New Year with a nine game winning streak.

Their only loss was a blow out to a very good South Bend Riley team during the season opener.  Our very own voice of the Slicers, Ben Davis, wants to see a rematch between the Slicers and Riley in the post season tournament, feeling La Porte has improved enough to have a better chance at an upset.

The Slicers lost to Riley in last year’s sectional championship game.  “I’m a believer now.  I believe in this La Porte Slicers basketball team,” he said.  The Slicers recently won the Holiday Tournament it hosted by defeating Michigan City in the title game by three points.  La Porte plays again Tuesday night at Elkhart.

(Union Mills, IN) - A house was destroyed by fire in Union Mills on New Year’s Eve.

Firefighters were called before 6 a.m. to the area of Sand Road and County Road 450 West. La Porte County Police said a county highway department snow plow driver passed the house about 30 minutes earlier and didn’t see anything.

When he returned to make a second pass, though, the driver discovered the house to be fully engulfed by smoke and flames, police said.  He stopped and pounded on the door of the residence but nobody was home.

Police said the owner, Joshua Weinkauff, left about an hour prior to the fire and was in Westville when reached by authorities.  The cause of the fire was under investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - Organizers of the La Porte Invitational basketball tournament announced this week that at least one of the games will be broadcast to a national audience and feature a special halftime show.

Fox Sports 1 will air the final game of next Friday night’s session, featuring La Lumiere versus Long Island Lutheran. Adding to the spectacle, a performer combining fire, aerial acrobatics, and hula hoops will present a halftime show at the last two games Friday night. Modern circus performer Grace Good will display aerial acrobatics, fire stunts, and advanced multi-hoop skills in what organizers say will be a powerhouse performance.

The three-day tournament, now in its fifth year in La Porte, will feature 32 players ranked among ESPN’s top recruits in the nation. Many of them have already committed to no fewer than 17 top college programs. Eight of the teams participating are ranked in the top 20 nationally.

Tickets are still available for the La Porte Invitational, which takes place at the Civic Auditorium next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

(La Porte, IN) - Prior to next week’s 5th Annual La Porte Invitational tournament, high school basketball fans can get a sneak preview.

In preparation for the tournament, the team from La Lumiere will host an open practice. Members of the public are invited to watch the team scrimmage and will have an opportunity to engage with the coaches and players after the practice.

The practice will take place Wednesday, January 7 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium and will run from 12:30-2:30 pm.

La Lumiere, currently ranked 7^th in the country by ESPN, will be joined by 9 other blue chip squads next weekend.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City’ Lubeznik Center for the Arts will host its annual First Friday Open Mic Night tomorrow.

Hosted by emcee Tim Rounds, the open mic event will give musicians, singers, poets, and even storytellers and stand-up comics a platform for sharing their talents. Visitors can also check out two brand new exhibits by local artists.

Admission is free. There will be complimentary light refreshments and a cash bar. It will take place from 5-8 pm at the Lubeznik Center located at 101 W 2^nd St. in Michigan City.

(Lake County, IN) - Indiana State Police are investigating a fatal accident on westbound I-80/94.

It happened around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning near Gary. Police have not provided much detail on the crash, which involved a passenger car and a semi hauling 40,000 pounds of frozen food. The driver of the car, a 53-year-old woman from Roseville, Michigan, died in the accident. The truck driver was not injured. The left three lanes were closed for approximately 5 hours for scene cleanup.

Investigators are currently looking for witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information or dash-camera footage is asked to contact Trooper Hathaway with the Lowell Post at 219-696-6242.