(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte woman clocked at 95 miles per hour is facing felony drunk driving allegations after convicted of OWI earlier this year.

Alexis Smith, 22, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony operating while intoxicated and Class B misdemeanor reckless driving.

La Porte County Police said an officer clocked her traveling 40 miles per hour above the 55 mph speed limit in the 2200 block of E. Indiana 2.  The officer did a U-turn and caught up to the vehicle, which pulled over at Indiana 2 and 400 East.

Her alleged blood alcohol level was nearly two times the legal .08 percent limit.

According to authorities, the charge was elevated to a felony due to her having a prior OWI conviction in February in St. Joseph County.

(La Porte, IN) - Police say a man who ran a red light with an officer behind him in downtown La Porte is facing an operating while intoxicated charge.

Joshua Montemayor, 44, was booked into the La Porte County Jail early Sunday on allegations of operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer was stopped for a red light in front of the suspect, who was also stopped for the traffic light at Lincolnway and Indiana Ave.  Suddenly, police said the suspect proceeded through the light while it was still red.  During a traffic stop, police said Montemayor when asked if he had anything to drink replied he just had a shot at a bar he claimed to own. 

Police said the results of a portable breathalyzer test given to Montemayor showed impairment.  He refused to take a certified blood alcohol test, resulting in his automatic arrest under state law.

Police said Montemayor was argumentative throughout the duration of the traffic stop.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man convicted of drunk driving just over a week ago was arrested over the weekend for allegedly being impaired outside La Porte.

About 1 a.m. on Sunday, La Porte County Police said the man was pulled over for traveling 71 miles per hour in the 4500 block of N. Fail Road and making an illegal right turn on a red light a short time later.

Police said the driver, 49 year old Michael Jenkins, refused to take a breathalyzer test, which resulted in his automatic arrest for OWI under state law.

On April 10, Jenkins was sentenced to 180 days probation for Class C misdemeanor OWI, according to court records.  The OWI charge he’s now facing was upgraded to a Level 6 felony due to his prior conviction.

During his latest arrest, police said Jenkins exhibited various physical symptoms of impairment and had several empty and partially consumed alcoholic beverage containers in his vehicle.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - People are expected to flock to the marijuana dispensaries today in greater numbers outside New Buffalo

Today is 420 Day, an unofficial national holiday celebrating the consumption of marijuana. 

Last year, there were enough people going to the dispensaries on 420 Day that vehicles were backed up on Interstate 94 at Exit 1 where many of the dispensaries in New Buffalo Township are located.  Vehicles were also parked in the grass and along roadsides due to parking lots outside the dispensaries being totally full.

No parking and U-turn signs were added along with other measures aimed at handling the 420 influx more effectively were taken.

Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit, who was out this morning patrolling the area near the dispensaries, said there were people waiting in lines at the dispensaries before they opened at 9 a.m. but traffic at the time was manageable.

“We’ll be out throughout the day monitoring traffic and taking the necessary enforcement as needed,” he said.

(South Bend, IN) - A La Porte woman has been sentenced in federal prison on drug-related charges.

Just over a year ago, 26-year-old Monica Del Real was stopped in the area of Interstate 94 and U.S. 421 and found to have active warrants for arrest. Prompted by a K9 alert, police discovered 136 grams of pure methamphetamine and 12 grams of fentanyl hidden in a compartment near the gas pedal. Nearly $5,000 in cash was also found in her purse lying on the floorboard of the vehicle.

Following a guilty plea, Real was recently sentenced in U.S. District Court in South Bend to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

“Monica Del Real thought that she could freely traffic in dangerous narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.  “State and local law enforcement, and their K9 partner, proved her wrong.  Thanks to their excellent work, both the drugs and Del Real are off the streets.  I thank DEA, Michigan City Police Department, the La Porte County Drug Task Force, and the La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan and his office for their partnership.”

(La Porte County, IN) - New Prairie High School has been recognized statewide for its work in preparing students for the future.

The Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education announced New Prairie High School as Indiana’s American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award winner.

According to school corporation officials, New Prairie High School earned the award for building an increased awareness of the opportunities and benefits of going to college for all grade levels.  In addition to daily trivia contests and a spirit week, the school launched the College Bound Cougars program, which offers grade-specific lessons on college exploration, financial aid, admissions, career planning, and test preparation for all students in grades nine through 12.

Every student completed multiple career interest inventories, as well as preparation sessions for the PSAT and SAT.  During College Application Week, New Prairie’s seniors submitted 376 college applications.

“New Prairie High School has shown a strong commitment to ensuring every student, including those who may be the first in their families to attend college, receives the support and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their future,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education.

“Through the College Bound Cougars program, students begin planning for the college application process as early as their freshman year, helping them prepare for colleges and careers. Whether a student chooses to enroll in college, go straight into a career, or serve in our nation’s military, understanding the range of possibilities for their future is essential to being prepared for their unique next step,” she said.

Each year, ACAC partners with coordinators in nearly every state and the District of Columbia to host college application events that encourage students to apply to college. As Indiana’s coordinator, the Commission selects one school to receive ACAC’s School of Excellence Award on behalf of the state.

“We are so excited and honored to receive this award for our state! Our student support services staff at New Prairie United School Corporation has spent a great deal of time preparing and executing an extensive and purposeful K-12 Career Exploration Plan, and this work culminates with our campaign to encourage and support students as they navigate the college application process,” said Tara White, New Prairie High School’s Director of College & Career Readiness.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte area man is accused of having inappropriate contact with a girl over a four year period.

Jacob Nekvasil is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with child molesting, rape and other counts involving a girl beginning when she was 11.  He’s also charged with battery for alleged physical contact that resulted in injuries to two other children.

According to court documents, police began investigating in early March after the girl told family members about her alleged sexual encounters with Nekvasil. 

The 43 year old Nekvasil arrested a week ago was still being held in the La Porte County Jail.

(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO and United Steelworkers leadership have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

According to NIPSCO, the agreement is not official because it still has to be ratified by union employees of the company.  A two week lockout of 1,600 employees will remain in effect unless the deal is ratified.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing since January 20.  The prior contract expired March 31.

Details of the tentative settlement have not been disclosed. 

Among the major issues in the contract negotiations were the union’s request for double-time pay for hours beyond a regular work shift and settling on the number of continuous hours employees could be expected to work.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has been honored for his many years of work in trying to improve the quality of life in northwest Indiana.

Leigh Morris was given the Norman E. Tufford Award by the Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission yesterday at its meeting near Chesterton.   Tufford was the first executive director of NIRPC and served in that position for 19 years until 1985.

The award is given to individuals who display expert leadership, patience, persistence and honesty in their pursuit of improving the quality of lives in their communities and throughout the region.  Morris has held several leadership positions with organizations like NIRPC over the years and once was the NIRPC board chairman.

He was also mayor of La Porte for four years beginning in 2004.  Morris said Tuffard was an influence for others to begin thinking more regionally in terms of economic development.

“Those of us who have followed in his footsteps, if you will, have been able to capitalize on his regional thinking,” he said.

Morris said he was also humbled by an award that reflects such great personal qualities.

“I’ve had some wonderful opportunities.  I really have enjoyed and appreciated the ability maybe to have some positive impact with my leadership roles,” he said.

Morris, 91, was also president and chief executive officer at La Porte Hospital for over 20 years.  

(La Porte, IN) - A rifle was used to fire gunshots from a vehicle moments before a collision that critically injured a woman in another vehicle in La Porte.

Scott Gembala, 18, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with intimidation and criminal recklessness, both Level 5 felonies, and second count of criminal recklessness as a Level 6 felony.

Police said the investigation shows he was a passenger in a parked vehicle wearing a ski mask when he fired a shot at four juveniles on foot Sunday on Ridgeway St.  One of the juveniles was dating Gembala’s ex-girlfriend, police said.

Police said the vehicle occupied by Gembala fled and was being followed by another motorist concerned about the reckless manner in which the vehicle was being driven.  Gembala allegedly fired several rounds at the vehicle behind him, damaging the windshield and hood on the vehicle following him.

A short time later, the vehicle Gembala was in broadsided a Ford Fusion at Scott and Ohio streets.  Gembala fled on foot but was later captured at Maple Tree Apartments on the city’s west side, police said.

Police said a rifle was recovered from where Gembala was seated in the vehicle, which was driven by a 17 year old boy.  The seriously injured woman was taken to the hospital for treatment.

So far, the names of both drivers have not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - Eating breakfast at a La Porte restaurant without paying for it has brought the alleged offender more than just heartburn.

Payton Moisan, 27, has been in the La Porte County Jail since her arrest on Sunday.  The Walkerton area woman is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

Police said Moisan on April 12 ordered eggs, toast and coffee at Mama T’s restaurant in the 600 block of Lincolnway.  After eating the food, police said Moisan walked out without paying for her $7.39 tab. 

Police said responding officers located her about a block away on State St. and took her into custody.  According to authorities, the misdemeanor charge was elevated to a felony due to her having a prior conviction for theft in 2010.  She could face an up to 30 month sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - An initial hearing was held Wednesday in La Porte Circuit Court for a man accused of taking a large sum of money from a gas station.

Timothy Petersen, 42, of La Porte is charged with Level 6 felony theft.  Police said Petersen in late January was in an office with an employee at the BP station at Lincolnway and Tyler St. in La Porte.  He allegedly removed a leather bag containing over $3,000 in cash from a desk drawer before the two days' worth of receipts could be deposited into the bank.

Police said investigators were later contacted when representatives at the corporate office learned the money was never placed into the account.

Petersen, who is out of the La Porte County Jail on $750 bond, appeared for the hearing with his public defender.  The next hearing in the case was scheduled for June 24.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police have made an arrest in connection with a badly injured pedestrian struck by a hit and run driver last year.

Gerral Smith, 31, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license.

The collision happened in September in the area of Grand and Fairfield avenues. Police said the 26 year old man hit by the vehicle suffered life threatening injuries. Smith was charged two months later after his vehicle was located and other evidence gathered that identified him as the suspect, police said.

He was arrested Monday on a warrant when located in the 200 block of Hopkins St.  The Michigan City man was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) - A candidate for La Porte County Council says he would not welcome data centers with open arms.

Tim Stabosz said data centers belong in the Kingsbury Industrial Park and other heavily industrialized zones so they don’t have a negative impact on the lives of people by locating close to neighborhoods. Stabosz also said he doesn’t want data centers to spoil the beauty of the county and way of life here, while acknowledging the tax money data centers can bring local municipalities.

“Under my leadership, if elected to the county council, we will not compromise the soul of La Porte County,” he said.

Stabosz, the former La Porte County Auditor, said his position is similar with solar farms or any other kind of development.  He also said residents whose lives would be impacted by data centers and solar farms must have a say.

“No secret deals and no non-disclosure agreements which seek to explicitly squelch public input,” he said.

Stabosz also said residents in places like Hudson Lake, Fish Lake and Saugany Lake should not have to tie-in to any water or sewer extensions if their wells and septic systems are in good working order.

“From a planning perspective, if the majority of folks in those communities do not want intensive "Chicago style" development to happen, they should be listened to, and the county, through zoning, should facilitate these communities in preserving their essential character, as it exists now, for generations to come,” he said.

Stabosz is seeking the Republican nomination for La Porte County Council District 4 in the May 5th primary.  He's opposed by Jimmy Pressel, who defeated him by two votes for the seat in a Republican caucus last year when the seat became open prior to the expiration of the four-year term.  

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say a Michigan City man admitted to being “a little high” after causing a head-on collision that caused an 8-year old boy to lose most of the vision in his left eye.

The boy also suffered a broken leg that required surgery to repair. 

Those are among the new details obtained from the case against 21 year old Shallun Culp.  Culp is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 4 felony operating while intoxicated causing catastrophic injury along with criminal recklessness and driving on a suspended license, both Level 5 felonies.

According to the charging information filed with the court, Culp was passing a semi-truck from behind in a no-passing zone at well over 80 miles per hour in October of 2025 on U.S. 421 south of Michigan City.  He was still in the opposite lane of the two-lane highway when he struck an oncoming mini-van operated by Tiffany Robertson.

According to police, Culp apologized for the crash, saying he was “kinda, a little high.”

Court documents also revealed Culp told investigators he had “nodded off” just prior to the crash and consumed a drink mixed with cough syrup.  He allegedly tested positive for marijuana and ecstasy in his system.

The boy in the Robertson vehicle was airlifted to a Chicago children’s hospital where a rod was surgically placed into his broken leg to help it heal, police said.  According to court documents, the woman and one other passenger were taken by ambulance for treatment of their undisclosed injuries.  Culp complaining of a possible broken leg was taken to a South Bend hospital for more specialized care.

Just over two weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest in March, police said Culp was taken into custody at Walmart in Michigan City where he had just recently landed a job.

(Michigan City, IN) - Washington Park Zoo is mourning the loss of their 16-year-old resident cougar, Willow.

The zoo announced her death Tuesday afternoon.

According to zoo officials, Willow was battling a brief illness forcing the animal care staff to make the difficult decision to euthanize her when it became clear that recovery was no longer possible.

Willow came to the zoo in 2009 as a cub.  She spent most of her life with another female cougar, Baby, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 19.

Cougars, typically, live 8 to 13 years in the wild but they can live over 20 years in captivity.

(La Porte, IN) - A woman was critically injured in a motor vehicle crash stemming from the firing of gunshots in La Porte.

An arrest has also been made.

Prior to the Monday afternoon crash, La Porte Police said an individual fired gun shots at a group of people on the city’s east side and fled in a vehicle.  More shots were then fired at a vehicle following the suspect.  

According to police, it wasn’t long before the suspected vehicle struck another vehicle at Scott and Ohio streets.  The victim's injuries were described by police as life-threatening.  The suspect then fled on foot but was soon apprehended near Maple Tree Apartments.

So far, the names of the suspect and victim have not been released.  Anyone with information is asked to contact La Porte Police.

(La Porte, IN) - Microsoft has revealed plans for a second data center on 1,200 acres of farmland beside the data center the technology giant has just started building in La Porte.

The future expansion hinges on the city council approving a request from the landowners to annex the property so it can be sold to Microsoft for the development.  The council following a heavily attended public hearing Monday night decided to take a vote on the annexation request at its May 18 meeting.

Councilman Tim Franke said the city will likely never be in such a favorable position again given the tens of millions of dollars already projected to be received in property tax revenue annually under a 20 year agreement with Microsoft on the first data center.  Several millions of dollars a year are also projected for the school corporation from the initial agreement.

How much additional money would come from the proposed expansion was not disclosed, but Franke said the amount pledged from the first data center is already a life-changing amount for the community.  “I strongly believe that we will never have an opportunity in front of us like this again,” he said.

La Porte County government left out of the revenue sharing in the first agreement will receive some of the funding from the expansion under an agreement with the city being finalized.  Mayor Tom Dermody urged council members for their support.  “Let’s continue the momentum we have and say yes,” he said.

The data center now going up is on close to 500 acres of what used to be farmland along Boyd Boulevard just east of U.S. 35.  Mike Stockwell, a land development and permitting program manager for Microsoft, said six data center buildings are planned for that site while 11 more data center facilities would go on the other parcel if everything goes as planned.  “All of this is subject to change as we get into detail design,” he said.

Stockwell said tree clearing and other ground work is occurring at the first data center site with building construction to begin in the fall.  According to Microsoft, the data centers through a closed loop system will recycle water brought in on trucks to cool the servers.  At some point, the water will be hauled away for proper disposal and replaced with more water hauled to the site. The only municipal water to be consumed will be for things like restrooms and making coffee for the employees.

Rick Kalinski, Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for Northern Indiana Public Service Company, said the cost of meeting the huge demand for energy to operate the data centers will not be passed on to existing customers. Instead, Kalinski said Microsoft will bear the entire expense of meeting their energy needs.

“There is no cost shifting. No hidden burdens on current customers.  The businesses that drive the energy demand pay for it,” he said.  According to Microsoft, noise levels from diesel-powered generators running about 15 hours a year will also be minimal.  Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, compared the noise at the property lines to that of a “household refrigerator.”

Cook said an estimated 200 people in good paying high-tech positions will work at the first data center with expansion meaning another up to 50 employees per building.  He said there will also be “thousands” of union workers at the site for the duration of the construction expected to take five to seven years to complete.  “I feel like the impact of that cannot be overlooked,” he said.

A majority of the people in the audience were supporters like La Porte Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood, who felt the new jobs from the data centers can reverse more than a decade of gradual student enrollment declines.

“We have seen students and families leave our community in search of opportunities that simply did not exist here.  This project represents the first real opportunity to shift that trajectory,” she said.  Resident James Baum said the project is another form of urban sprawl not welcomed in what’s still an unincorporated area unless the city annexes.  “You’re taking country land.  People.  They have dreams there. It’s not fair,” he said.

Microsoft announced a public open house of the project will be held April 21 at the Civic Auditorium from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

(Michigan City, IN) - A suspected drunk driver is accused of causing a collision that claimed the life of a man on a motorcycle in Michigan City.

Keith Starnes, 45, of Michigan City was charged Tuesday in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony reckless homicide and Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

Police said Matthew Castellanos, 23, of LaCrosse suffered extensive head trauma. He was pronounced dead after the Sunday night collision at nearby Franciscan Health.

According to police, the investigation revealed Starnes turned left into the path of the oncoming motorcycle on Franklin St. just north of Interstate 94.  The motorcycle traveling close to normal speeds ran into the passenger side of Starnes’ mini-van.

Police said the results of a portable breathalyzer along with various physical symptoms from Starnes indicated he was highly impaired by alcohol. 

He refused to take a certified blood alcohol test, forcing a judge to issue a search warrant for a blood sample that was sent to an Indiana State Police laboratory for analysis.  Additional charges could be filed depending on the blood test results, which could take a few weeks to come in, said La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said a blood sample will also be taken from the victim during an autopsy, which is standard procedure in any motor vehicle fatality.

During an initial court hearing, Starnes was granted a public defender to represent him against the allegations.  A personal background check was also ordered to help the court decide the amount of his bail.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash last night.

According to police, the accident happened on Franklin St. west of Barker Middle School.  So far, police have not released details about the crash.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the deceased was 23 year old Matthew Castellanos.  We'll provide further information once it's released by authorities. 

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana health officials urge Hoosiers to protect themselves from tick bites as the weather warms up and tick activity increases across the state.

“Hoosiers who work outdoors or spend time enjoying outdoor activities are at increased risk for tick bites and tick-borne diseases,” said State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Jen Brown, DVM, MPH.

“Whether you’re on the job or on the trail, it’s important to take simple precautions to protect yourself when ticks are active from now through the late fall.” 

Last year, IDOH medical entomologists identified Heartland virus in ticks and one human case in southern Indiana, indicating the presence of a new tick-borne disease in the state.  Heartland virus can cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, headache, nausea, and diarrhea. Unlike many other tick-borne diseases, Heartland virus is not treatable with antibiotics, making prevention of tick bites especially important.

In addition to Heartland virus, Hoosiers are at risk for several other potentially severe tick-borne diseases. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Indiana, Hoosiers are also at risk for ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and alpha-gal syndrome, a condition caused by tick bites that can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat.

Ticks that carry diseases can be found in all parts of the state.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases. We encourage Hoosiers to take the following precautions:

• Know where ticks are likely to be present (close to the ground in grassy, brushy or wooded areas)
• Treat boots, clothing and outdoor gear with 0.5% permethrin (NOTE: permethrin should NOT be used on bare skin)
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-dio (PMD) or 2-undecanone
• Treat your pets for ticks in consultation with a veterninarian

Once indoors, people should thoroughly check for ticks on clothing, gear, pets and skin. Tumbling clothes in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes will kill ticks, and showering can help remove any unattached ticks.

Attached ticks may be safely removed by using tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin and then pulling outward with steady and even pressure. After the tick is removed, the area should be washed thoroughly. Fingernails should never be used to crush ticks.
 

Anyone who becomes ill after finding an attached tick should see a healthcare provider immediately and alert the provider to the exposure.

(Michigan City, IN) - A child was shot in Michigan City over the weekend.

Emergency responders about 4:30 p.m. Saturday were called to the McDonald’s on E. Michigan Boulevard.  Police said a juvenile shot in the leg in the parking lot was taken by ambulance with what was described as a non-life threatening injury.

It appears the shooting happened during a dispute, police said.

So far, no arrests have been reported.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan City Police.  

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte City Council is expected to consider a request to annex during its meeting tonight.

The owners of more than 1,000 acres of farmland are asking the city to annex their property beside the Microsoft data center construction site on Boyd Boulevard near U.S. 35.

There’s speculation granting the request would mean another data center in the city limits or expansion of the data center that began going up a few weeks ago on farm land previously annexed into the city.  The city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at City Hall.

A deal with Microsoft calls for the city to receive tens of millions of dollars in new revenue and several million dollars for the schools annually for 20 years.  Another data center on the ground annexation is sought would mean county government sharing in the additional revenue under an agreement struck between the city and countyl council.

(Michigan City, IN) - In response to recent jail cell fires which seriously injured inmates, officials at Indiana State Prison are taking steps to prevent such incidents.

On Thursday they issued a statement saying access to electrical outlets for inmates is being eliminated. This is only for prisoners in the restricted housing unit. They will still maintain their personal tablets, which will be charged outside of cells. The two recent cell fire incidents were caused by inmates tampering with outlets.

The full statement from Indiana State Prison is below:

NOTICE: Following repeated incidents of inmates tampering with outlets, we have made the difficult decision to remove their personal electrical access in ISP’s restricted housing unit.

Our main priority is the safety of both our staff and those in our custody, and reducing fire hazards is critical. While power to individual cells is disabled, conditions are otherwise largely unchanged in D cell house. The housing unit’s main lights, the ventilation system, and all wall-mounted commercial fans are fully operational. We are in the process of installing additional lighting for improved visibility.

Inmates will maintain their personal tablets, which are used for video visits with loved ones and to access entertainment and educational materials. Devices will be charged via a mobile charging cart.

Fans purchased from commissary for added comfort (as well as other personal electronics) will be returned to inmates when they complete their disciplinary stay and exit restricted housing. Adjustments will be made as needed while we determine the least restrictive way to keep everyone safe. We appreciate the patience of our community members and their families during this process.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A Powerball ticket sold in LaPorte County worth $50,000 is still unclaimed.

According to the Hoosier Lottery, the ticket was purchased at a Casey's in Wanatah for the November 3 drawing.  The winning ticket is set to expire on May 4 at 4:30 p.m.

The winning Powerball numbers for that drawing were 3-32-40-43-57 with a Powerball of 18.

(St. Joseph County, IN) - A man is facing multiple charges for a crash in December that claimed the life of a La Porte man

Kyle Seals, 28, is charged in St. Joseph County with two counts of Level 4 felony operating while intoxicated and level 5 felony reckless homicide.  The crash happened on U.S. 6 near Poplar Road.

Police said Seals crossed the center line, striking a vehicle driven by 44 year old William Dankert, IV.  Dankert was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said Seals tested positive for marijuana and other drugs in his system.  Each Level 4 felony count carries a sentencing range of two to 12 years while the Level 5 felony has a sentencing range of one to six years.

According to his obituary, Dankert owned businesses throughout the country involving real estate development and other areas like construction and farming.

(La Porte County, IN) - Careless smoking might be the cause of a garage fire near Michigan City.

Firefighters from Coolspring and Springfield townships responded Tuesday night to the 3500 block of W. 625 North.

According to La Porte County Police, a woman getting ready for bed went to her attached garage to make sure the door was locked when she discovered a trash can inside the structure on fire.  She yelled for her husband to wake up and called 911,

Police said one of the firefighters backed a car covered in soot with a passenger side mirror looking melted out of the garage.  The garage was damaged but to what extent was not revealed.

Police said It appears the garbage can caught fire from an ashtray being emptied into the container.

(New Buffalo, MI) - It appears some of the best baseball talent in the nation will play in a minor league-type ballpark in New Buffalo.

The players are in college and compete in the Northwoods League, which has 26 teams from Michigan and other states like Indiana, Wisconsin and as far away as North Dakota.

The teams consist of players in college who play league games during the summer to stay sharp and get better to improve their odds of being drafted by major league teams.  According to the Northwoods League website, over 400 players in the league have made it to the majors since the league was formed over 30 years ago.

New Buffalo Schools Superintendent Adam Bowen said the league has already approved the terms of a 10-year contract to have an expansion team play its home games at the new high school baseball field.  Bowen hopes to obtain approval by the school board as soon as later this month.

“You’re going to see major league level baseball players here playing at our field, which is pretty incredible,” he said.

Bowen said the expansion team is owned by two men from New Buffalo who put up the money required by the league for team ownership.  One of the men, Brian Williams, is a scout for the Texas Rangers.

Plans call for the new high school baseball field to have grandstand seating and lights added for a full schedule of games during the summer beginning in 2027, said New Buffalo High School Athletic Director Matt Johnson.

Bowen said plans call for about 600 grandstand seats with room to add more seats depending on attendance.  People will also be welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets and sit beside the fence lines to watch the games.  The community hopes to draw from its large base of tourists to help fill the ball park.

Bowen said the league will also host youth camps during the season.

Former players in the league include future hall of fame pitcher Max Scherzer, slugger Pete Alonzo and former White Sox all-star pitcher Chris Sale.

(La Porte County, IN) - Over 200 people have already voted in La Porte County.

Early voting for the May 5 primary began Tuesday.

La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens said the early voting sites in Michigan City and La Porte have drawn about the same number of voters.  As of this morning, Stevens said 105 votes had been cast at the La Porte County Complex in downtown La Porte while 113 people voted at a county owned building in Michigan City at 8^th and Wabash streets.

“Not bad,” she said.

Stevens said another 27 people voted early in the mobile voting unit, which stops throughout the county.

Early voting sites will be added at Wanatah Town Hall and the Wills Township Community Building starting two weeks prior to the election.  The deadline to vote early is at noon the day prior to the May 5 primary.

(La Porte County, IN) - The president of the United States is endorsing a local lawmaker in his bid for reelection.

The support is for State Representative Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie.

In a social media post, President Trump called Pressel a champion for the people in his district who knows the America First policies to grow the economy and unleash American energy dominance.  Trump said Pressel is also working at the state level to promote Hoosier values and other things like law and order, stopping migrant crime and advancing election integrity.

“Jim Pressel has my complete and total endorsement for re-election. He will never let you down,” he said.

So far, we’ve not been able to reach Pressel for a response to the president’s endorsement.

Pressel, who has held the District 20 seat since 2016, is challenged by La Porte area resident Juanita Haney for the Republican nomination in the May 5^th primary.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man was on foot covered in blood from a stabbing when discovered a short time later by police.

Those are among the new details to emerge in the case against his wife, Nicole Williams.  Williams is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 3 felony aggravated battery and Level 5 felony domestic battery.

Her husband, Cory, told investigators he was trying to retrieve his cell phone from the basement on March 31 when all of a sudden he was stabbed by his wife.  He was walking near the couple’s home on Pearl St. with blood from head to toe when stopped by police.  He complained of pain and begged for an ambulance, feeling he was doing to die from blood loss, according to police.

Police said Mr. Williams was taken to the hospital after life saving measures were performed on him.

Officers also went to their home where a K-9 was used to find Mrs. Williams in a room in the basement and help with her apprehension.  Police said she was also taken to the hospital for treatment after bitten by the dog.  A bloody kitchen knife was recovered from the home.

According to police, officers have been called multiple times in the past for domestic violence related incidents at their residence.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is suspected of being impaired when he allegedly fled from a motor vehicle accident.

Jonathan Fletcher is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts, including operating while intoxicated and fleeing the scene of a crash.

Police said Fletcher on April 2 was driving a 2005 red Ford Mustang when he fled from a collision with another vehicle in the area of Pine Lake Ave. and Newporte Boulevard.  An officer witnessing the accident tried stopping Fletcher, who picked up speed until pulling over a short time later, police said.

Fletcher had an alleged blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit.  He was also charged with driving on a suspended license.  The OWI charge was elevated from a misdemeanor to a Level 6 felony due to him having a prior OWI conviction from 2021, authorities said. 

(New Buffalo, MI) - New Buffalo High School has a new baseball field with artificial turf on the infield and grass in the outfield.

The field next to the high school is in the same place as the old, all grass field but with home plate where centerfield used to be.

Athletic Director Matt Johnson said the artificial surface is billed as the closest thing to playing on grass.  He said crushed limestone was used to create the base of the infield beneath the artificial surface.

“It’s the first field of its kind in the State of Michigan,” he said.

The grass in the outfield is a special hybrid of Kentucky Bluegrass that’s supposed to hold up well to foot traffic.  Johnson also revealed a 10 year contract was signed for a team in a college baseball summer league to play games at the field throughout the summer.

At some point in the future, Johnson said plans call for lights to be installed for night games to be hosted for the first time at any New Buffalo High School field along with a press box and grandstands.

“It’ll be a nice little complex when it’s done,” he said.

The cost of the new field and future upgrades to the girls’ softball diamond next to it exceeds more than $1 million.

The Red Arrow Raiders are the team now after the baseball programs at New Buffalo and River Valley high schools merged before the start of the season.  The Raiders defeated Benton Harbor on Tuesday 17-0 and 17-1. 

(Michigan City, IN) - Another inmate at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City has been seriously burned by a fire in their cell.

According to state prison officials, a male inmate was airlifted around 2 p.m. Tuesday. So far, authorities said it appears the inmate tampered with an electrical outlet by jamming bits of metal into the outlet where the fire started.

A few weeks ago, another inmate was severely burned in a fire in their cell.  The same thing has happened to a few other inmates in recent years.

Officials say the state prison is very old and does not have a sprinkler system.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is accused of stealing a few thousand dollars in cash from a La Porte gas station.

Timothy Petersen is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

Just over two months ago, authorities said Petersen was at the BP station in the 1300 block of Lincolnway and in an office with one of the employees when he took two days of receipts totaling more than $3,000.  The money in a leather bag was taken from a desk drawer before it could be deposited into the bank. 

Police said investigators were later contacted when representatives at the corporate office learned the money was never deposited.  Petersen could face an up to 30 month sentence.

He has since been released from the La Porte County Jail on $750 bond. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A member of the La Porte County Council is seeking her first four year term on the governing body.

Jennifer Heath is running for the District 2 seat on the council that she has held since November of 2025 when she was appointed during a La Porte County Democratic Party caucus to replace Randy Novak.

Novak, who had held that seat for over a decade, stepped down after becoming a state representative replacing Pat Boy, who chose to retire.

Heath had served on the Trail Creek Town Council since 2012 before taking her seat on the county council.  Her priorities include responsible budgeting, transparency in decision-making and a collaborative approach to leadership.

“I’ve always believed public service is about listening, being thoughtful in your decisions and doing what’s right for the community,” she said.

She also emphasized the county council plays a critical role in ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term stability for county government.  Heath is seeking the democratic nomination in the May 5 primary against La Porte area resident Timothy Cavinder.

(La Porte, IN) - There were plenty of alcoholic beverages and polish food served during the 38^th annual Dyngus Day celebration Monday in La Porte.

Not many communities celebrate Dyngus Day, a centuries old holiday rooted in Poland to celebrate the end of Lent following Easter.  The festivities are popular in La Porte where participating tavern owners pay for charter buses to take people to the 10 bars that were on this year’s route.

By 5 p.m., La Porte resident Jeff Gifford had been to seven of the bars just prior to visiting another one for a plate of pierogis.  The 64 year old Gifford said he’s been taking part in the festivities every year practically since the annual celebration started.

“It’s a good time,” he said.

Carley Wolford, 28, also of La Porte was one of many patrons at Shooter’s Bar & Grill singing Karaoke songs with people on the dance floor.  Wolford had been to four bars previously with plans to go to a few more before the festivities ended.

“It’s a lot of fun to make it out and enjoy the community,” she said.

Xanthe Poplawski grew up in Chicago but now lives in La Porte where she began going out for Dyngus Day in 2017.  Poplawski also sang Karaoke but cited the pickle soup at Shooter’s as the main reason for making that her second stop for the evening.

“If you love pickles, you’ll love the soup,” she said.

Poplawski also said she likes riding the buses to the bars and the applause she received after singing a song.

“I’m not in a band but just to be able to sing what I want sounds perfect,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A car was found in a ditch near Westville last night but the driver was nowhere to be found.

About 7:30 p.m., La Porte County Police were called to S. Otis Road for a car in a ditch.  The driver was not there but a check of the registration led police to the home of the owner of the vehicle on 200 South.

Officers knocked on the door but there was no answer.

Police said there were several empty vodka bottles in the vehicle along with more than a dozen prescription pills.  Later, the owner contacted a sheriff’s deputy, saying he wound up in the ditch after swerving to miss a deer and walked home because his phone was dead,  police said.

No arrests were reported. 

(La Porte County, IN) - Farmers in the area don’t seem too concerned yet about a delay in spring planting despite fields with standing water following several inches of rain last week.

“It’s definitely plenty wet out there,” said Mark Parkman, a farmer raising corn, soybeans, wheat and cattle near Westville.

“Very saturated field conditions,” said Matt Schafer, who raises corn and soybeans in the LaCrosse area.

Farmers throughout northern Indiana were in their fields applying fertilizer, spraying and doing other things to prepare their fields for spring planting until three inches or more of rain came down early last week.  Another roughly two inches of rain came down over the weekend.

Fields are too muddy right now to resume field preparations with many farmers preferring to start planting corn and soybeans as soon as mid-April.

Schafer said he’s just now becoming a little concerned about an extended planting season from wondering when the ground will be dry enough for farmers to finish preparing the soil so they begin planting seed given the weather extremes.

“It’s going to be a long while,” he said.

Parkman said he isn’t too worried about any delays right now because of how weather conditions this time of year can quickly change from cold and wet to dry and warm.  He said it doesn’t take long for soil to dry out enough to get back in the fields with a few consecutive days of 75 to 80 degree weather and wind.

However, Schafer said a recent pattern of frequent precipitation continuing at least for the near future seems to be in the forecast.  Nevertheless, Schafer said there’s still time for the weather to become more favorable for planting to  finish on schedule.

If there are any delays, he said farmers given the technology nowadays can get a lot of planting done during a short window to make up for the lost time.

“No reason to panic yet, but we seem to be fighting it from a weather standpoint right now,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man caught speeding outside La Porte was allegedly found with a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit.

Brian Sparkman, 26, was booked into the La Porte County Jail for operating while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.

La Porte County Police said he was clocked Friday night traveling 75 miles per hour in a mile per hour zone on Indiana 2 near 200 East.  A short time later, police said the officer noticed his vehicle veer over the white fog line and center line several times.

According to police, Sparkman was beginning to take a road test to determine impairment when he told the officer “Just take me in.  I’m not gonna pass.”  Police said his blood alcohol level was .342 percent.

He allegedly had five unwrapped marijuana dab pens in his vehicle. 

(Starke County, IN) - Road work will affect traffic flow all summer in a stretch of U.S. 30 south of La Porte County.

Construction will start on or after Tuesday, April 7 east of U.S. 35 between Hamlet and Donaldson. After median crossovers are built, westbound lanes will be closed with traffic diverted to the eastbound side. The process will reverse sometime in August.

Construction will also affect the U.S. 35/30 interchange ramps. During phase one, access to U.S. 35 northbound will be maintained for westbound traffic until later in the season when the ramp will be closed for three weeks for repairs. The same will occur for the U.S. 35 northbound ramp to U.S. 30 eastbound near the end of phase two.

In the main construction corridor, crews will be doing extensive patching and resurfacing, including some pipe work. Full and partial depth patching involves replacing to a farther depth than the resurfacing will. Areas with structural issues are identified and the road is replaced down to the base for durable, long-term repairs. When the full resurfacing is done, the area will still be resurfaced to ensure a smooth driving surface.

The project will be ongoing through November.

(South Bend, IN) - A Pennsylvania man previously arrested in La Porte County on drug charges has been sentenced to federal prison.

In October of 2024, 33-year-old Keisand Santiago-Maldonado was stopped by a Sheriff's deputy for erratic driving on the Indiana Toll Road near Rolling Prairie. After the officer became suspicious of Santiago-Maldonado’s travel story, a search of his rented vehicle was conducted, revealing a brick of cocaine weighing approximately one kilogram wrapped in foil.

In December of last year, following a two-day trial, a federal jury found Santiago-Maldonado guilty of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute.

On Thursday he was sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release.

(La Porte County, IN) - April marks the 25th anniversary of national Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Sexual assault prevention has long been a growing movement but prosecutors and other advocates agree there’s still a lot of work to do particularly in Indiana.

Statistics show 60 percent of women and 25 percent of men in Indiana have been victims of sexual violence over their lifetimes, but the numbers are likely higher due to more than 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported.  The statistics are from the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact that includes anything from rape to sharing intimate images without consent.

“Unfortunately, there’s not one solution that can magically fix the enormous problem of sexual assault, but there are ways we can educate our communities about prevention and appropriate response to sexual violence,” he said.

Fagan said it’s critical to teach young children about body safety, the concept of consent along with how and when to report their concerns to safe adults.

“Our office depends on the courage of community members, colleagues, friends, family, and survivors to report abuse to law enforcement when it occurs. This is the only way we can hold abusers accountable for their crimes and take action to stop or prevent sexual violence in the future,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Another marijuana dispensary customer in New Buffalo Township has been busted in La Porte County.

La Porte County Police stopped a speeding vehicle Wednesday in the area of U.S. 12 and Meer Road just west of the Michigan state line.  Police said five pounds of various marijuana products from a nearby dispensary were found in the vehicle.

35 year old Derrell Taylor was taken into custody.  According to police, Taylor after first seeing the officer turned around and began heading in the opposite direction at a higher rate of speed but he was pulled over a short time later.

Police said it appears Taylor was heading back to Illinois after the purchases were made, but marijuana remains illegal in Indiana.

(Union Mills, IN) - Police say alcohol was involved in a hit and run single vehicle injury accident in Union Mills.

The crash happened Wednesday night in the area of 800 South and 400 West.  According to La Porte County Police, 35 year old Kevin Clute struck a NIPSCO pole then fled but he soon had to stop due to heavy damage to his car.  The Chicago man, who suffered a broken hand, had an alleged blood alcohol level more than two times the legal limit.

The charge was elevated to a Level 5 felony due to him having a prior OWI conviction, authorities said.  He was also arrested for leaving the scene of an accident, a Class B misdemeanor. 

(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO has placed about 2,000 union employees on a lock out.

The decision came Thursday after new contract talks failed to result in an agreement with the United Steel Workers Union, which represents the NIPSCO employees.

According to NIPSCO, the utility has negotiated in good faith and offered one of the strongest proposals ever from the company.  The offer includes a four percent across the board pay raise.  Combined with other increases, the pay hike would be as much as nine percent for line workers and a $5,000 contract ratification bonus.  According to NIPSCO, other workers are in place to maintain services during the lock out.

(Cape Canaveral, FL) - A La Porte County man witnessed last evening’s rocket launch to the moon.

Rich Mrozinski of Rolling Prairie has a condo next to the ocean in Florida about 15 miles from Cape Canaveral where the launch took place.  He’s watched other launches in the past with help from binoculars but this one ranks right up there in terms of being spectacular.

“The fire plume behind it was just huge.  Amazing.  Loud,” he said.

Mrozinski said he watched the launch with about 50 people he had over in his condo for the event and thousands of others on the beach to view it as well.  The four astronauts on board will orbit the moon for several days before returning.

(La Porte County, IN) - Questions are being raised about a property tax debt from a La Porte man running for public office in the May primary.

Jody Slabaugh is seeking the Republican Party nomination for La Porte County Commissioner.  La Porte resident Rick Kentaft on Wednesday presented the county commissioners with documents showing Slabaugh’s property tax debt was over $4,000 in 2015.  The documents also showed the debt stood at more than $8,000 due to penalties and interest until the debt was recalled several weeks after Slabaugh filed to run for commissioner in January.

He said the documents also do not reflect if any payments were made. “I’m curious as to why that took place,” he said.

Slabaugh is running against La Porte Commissioner Connie Gramarossa for the republican nomination for that seat in the May primary.

When contacted today, Slabaugh said he paid that debt about a decade ago. Slabaugh also said he doesn’t know why the debt showed up on the documents unless there was an oversight in the record keeping that wasn't caught until recently and corrected.

“What I know is there is no outstanding tax liability owed by me or any of the businesses that I have,” he said.

La Porte County Treasurer Dan Barenie said he would have to check to see why there was a recall on the debt.  In general, he said recalls are from either a tax debt being paid or forgiven for going uncollected for a certain number of years.  

(Michigan City, IN) - The death of a Michigan City man has been ruled an accident.

According to Michigan City Police, an autopsy found 57-year-old Erik Johnson died from acute alcohol intoxication.  On Friday, police were notified about an unconscious person outside the Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Michigan City.  Johnson was lying on the ground unconscious.

Life-saving measures were provided but he later died at the hospital.

(La Porte County, IN) - Frozen bottles of water were the objects a man allegedly used to strike oncoming vehicles on a stretch of La Porte County highway late last year.

Those are among the new details obtained from the case filed in La Porte Circuit Court recently against 18 year old Phillip Duffus.  Duffus is charged with four counts of Level 6 felony criminal recklessness and four counts of criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to court documents, four vehicles were struck on December 13 by frozen water bottles Duffus tossed from an oncoming vehicle on U.S. 421 from 200 North to 1800 South.  One of the victims had to pull over when a frozen water bottle struck his grill, causing the engine and transmission to die.

Police said a major break in the investigation came from surveillance video obtained that night from a store in Westville showing a man in a vehicle identified as Duffus through a forensic examination of the footage.  Another break came from a shirt the suspect was wearing in the video matching a shirt his father in LaCrosse showed investigators, police said.

Police said his father also identified the man in the video as his son.

In another video from the same store, police said a man believed to be Duffus was at the counter with a case of bottled water and three two liter bottles containing flavored soda.

Duffus told investigators he longer lives with his father but now resides in Gary.  He was arrested in Lake County.

(La Porte, IN) - The Kiwanis Club of La Porte is inviting the community to a fund raising pancake breakfast.

The annual breakfast is scheduled April 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. inside the Community Building at the La Porte County Fairgrounds.  The breakfast also featuring sausage, eggs and beverages served by Kiwanis Club members and volunteers is free but donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will go to Family Advocates, an agency in La Porte that works with children and their parents countywide to keep families together.  People attending the breakfast can also learn more about Family Advocates and the Kiwanis Club.

The Kiwanis Club of La Porte focuses on improving the lives of children and works with local organizations that share the same mission.  The organization is also the lead agency behind the La Porte Fourth of July parade.

(Michigan City, IN) - Another teenager in Michigan City has been charged as adult for having a firearm.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan has made it a priority for children ages 16 and 17 to face adult charges if they have prior handgun related offenses as a juvenile to help curb the use of guns in Michigan City.

“When you do it again, we got to do something about it,” he said.

Immanuel Ford, 16, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with dangerous possession of a firearm, a Level 5 felony.  According to Michigan City Police, an officer on March 27 approached Ford for walking across Michigan Boulevard without using the crosswalks.

At one point, police said Ford took off running but was eventually grabbed by officers in the area of Pearl St. and Cleveland Ave. during a foot pursuit.  Police said the loaded gun he had was recovered.

Ford is also charged with resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana.

According to authorities, Ford's juvenile record for having a gun was from a case filed in 2025.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman is accused of stabbing a man during a domestic dispute.

Nicole Williams, 38, was booked into the La Porte County Jail early Tuesday on Level 3 felony aggravated battery and Level 5 felony domestic battery.

According to Michigan City Police, a 911 call was received from a home in the 500 block of Pearl St.  Responding officers performed life saving measures on the man before he was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Where he was stabbed and how many times were not disclosed.

She was being held without bond pending the filing of formal charges in the case, which is under review by the La Porte County Prosecutor's Office. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A Rolling Prairie man is accused of watching children being sexually abused on videos accessed on the internet.

Trevor Humphrey, 33, is charged with eight counts of Level 4 felony child exploitation and two counts of Level 5 felony child exploitation.

According to La Porte County Police, the investigation began in December when several concerning video files were discovered.  Several weeks later, Humphrey was identified as a suspect after investigators received information from internet service related providers.

Police said a search warrant was executed at his home this morning and Humphrey was taken into custody.  He was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

No further details about the case were provided.