(Indianapolis, IN) – Coinciding with Internet Safety Month, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is offering a free webinar on video games and the dangers they may pose to children.

The free live webinar, called “Video Games and Your Child: Spotting Red Flags and Staying Safe Online,” will address the following topics:

• Common online gaming risks
• Warning signs that may indicate concerning online activity
• How predators and offenders use gaming platforms to communicate with children
• Practical tips to help keep children safe while gaming
• Strategies for having productive conversations about online safety

Video games are a huge part of many children's lives, but, says the ICAC, online gaming can also expose them to risks that aren't always obvious. It’s important for parents to know what warning signs to watch for.

The webinar will take place Tuesday, June 23 from 1-2:15 Central time. You can register at the ICAC website: https://www.icactaskforce.org/internetsafety.

(La Porte, IN) - The Kiwanis Club of La Porte is inviting the public to take part in a fund raising fitness event on July 4.

The organization is hosting the annual Run for Riley 5K Run and Walk in addition to the Fourth of July parade.  The 5K raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to support pediatric care and services. 

Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., with the race starting at 8 a.m.  The start and finish line will be in the Biggby Coffee and Dollar Tree parking lot at the corner of Andrew Avenue and Indiana 2 on the city’s west side.

The registration fee is $30.

Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, guaranteed for those who register by June 21.

TJ Hague of the Kiwanis Club of La Porte said the event continues to be a community tradition.

“The Run for Riley is more than just a race. It brings our community together on one of the most meaningful days of the year, and every step supports the important work being done at Riley Children’s Hospital,” Hague said.

Registration is available at RunSignUp.com.  More information about the Kiwanis Club of La Porte and its programs is available at KiwanisClubofLaPorte.org and Kiwanis4thofJulyParade.org.

(La Porte, IN) - The annual dumpster program in La Porte is on borrowed time.

The dumpsters will no longer be available for use by the public at the end of this month, said La Porte Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor.

Batchelor said there were ongoing problems with residents placing their unwanted items on the ground when the dumpsters at the street department were full but cost was the main factor.  The city’s Urban Enterprise Association paid to have the dumpsters emptied on a yearly basis.

Batchelor said the $90,000 the UEA allocated this year for the program has already been spent due to the increased amount of users.  The cost is now considered prohibitive to continue the program in future years.

“We just can’t afford to do it anymore,” he said.

Batchelor said residents can still get rid of their unwanted items by making arrangements with the city’s trash hauler, Waste Management.  He also said the city is continuing with the annual fall clean-up where unwanted items can be placed at the curb for pick-up.

A spring clean-up, a long tradition until discontinued several years ago, could return as a result of the dumpster program ending.

“That’s something we’re looking at,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There could be an effort to keep dogs from being on the courthouse lawn in La Porte.

La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield raised the issue during the commissioners’ meeting Wednesday night.  He cited a woman living nearby who allows her dog to answer nature’s call in the grass outside the courthouse on a regular basis.

Holifield also said she doesn’t always clean-up after the dog.

Initially, he expressed a desire to enforce an ordinance that’s been in the books for decades prohibiting dogs from being on the courthouse lawn.

“She can walk downtown somewhere and find a place for her dog to dump since she lives in the city,” he said.

La Porte County Attorney Guy DiMartino said he wasn’t sure if dogs can be prohibited from being on the grass and felt it might be best to require pet owners to pick-up after their animals.

“I can see you saying you have to pick up your waste but I don’t think you can stop the act,” he said.

Regardless, DiMartino said he would look at the existing ordinance before drafting another ordinance for the commissioners to possibly consider at some point, if instructed to do it.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Railroad commuter line will offer more seats for kids to ride free to help encourage families to travel together during summer break.

The Kids Ride Free program will include all trains from June 29 through July 3. 

The program allows up to three children ages 13 and under to ride free with a paying adult during weekday off-peak hours along with weekend and holiday trains.

“Whether it’s a day in downtown Chicago, a visit to the Indiana Dunes or a trip to South Bend, we want to make it easy for families to explore and create memories together,” said Amber Kettring, Manager of Customer Service and Communications for the railroad.

The promotion is part of the rail line’s ongoing effort to provide affordable, convenient and family-friendly transportation.

(La Porte County, IN) - Lane switches on a stretch of U.S. 20 under reconstruction in La Porte County are upcoming.

The Indiana Department of Transportation said the inside left passing lanes will close in each direction between Fail Road and County Road 250 East on or after June 22.  The left passing lanes will also close from Indiana 39 to Fail Road on or after June 25, according to INDOT.

According to INDOT, the configuration will be in place until on or after June 29 when the westbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic from Indiana 39 to County Road 250 East and the eastbound lanes will be closed for widening work.

Work is nearing completion between U.S. 35 and C.R. 400 W and between C.R. 250 E and C.R. 500 E on the east and west ends of the U.S. 20 with alternating lane closures for final cleanup and miscellaneous work, INDOT said.

INDOT said the extensive project has encountered numerous utility conflicts and delays but continues to progress toward its end of November completion timeline. 

(La Porte, IN) - A LaPorte man pulled from his home by firefighters Thursday was taken by a medical helicopter to a trauma center.

The fire caused significant damage to the small single-story structure at 1604 K St. LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said firefighters responding about 11 a.m. encountered heavy smoke and flames.  They were also told by neighbors the man still might be inside the house.

Water had just started being applied to the structure when firefighters went in and quickly located the victim.

“We were able to get the individual out within minutes of our arrival,” Snyder said.

Snyder would not disclose the name of the man, his condition or whether he was conscious.

“We will hope for the best for him,” he said.

The man while treated by paramedics was taken by ambulance to nearby La Porte High School and loaded into the helicopter after it landed in the parking lot.  Most of the fire damage appeared to be to a carport attached to the home where the fire possibly started.

Brenda Del Real, 21, said her parents had just stepped into the backyard to check on their chickens when they spotted what seemed to be a small, controlled fire in the carport, which was open on both ends.  It wasn’t long before they spotted smoke and told her to call 911.

Del Real said she was dialing the number when she heard what sounded like an explosion loud enough to be heard by all of her neighbors.  She went outside to see the flames at the house spreading quickly.

“We were all panicking,” said Griselta Montanez-Serrano, 30, who lives across the street in the neighborhood where the homes are close together.

Del Real said she was still outside when firefighters brought the man not moving out of the home.

“It looked like he had ash all over his face. My mom said his leg looked like it was pretty burnt,” she said.

Snyder said it was too early to know what caused the fire.  Due to the nature of the blaze, though, Snyder said the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has been asked to assist with the investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - A LaPorte man was pulled from his burning home Thursday and taken to a hospital by medical helicopter.

The late morning fire caused significant damage to the single-story ranch structure at 1604 K St.

LaPorte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said there was heavy smoke and flames when firefighters went inside and quickly located the victim, who was helped out of the residence.

The condition of the man was not disclosed.

He was taken by ambulance to the medical helicopter which landed in the parking lot of nearby La Porte High School.   

(La Porte County, IN) - An arrest has been made for the fatal shooting of a man inside his La Porte area home.

John Jackson, II, 35, of Westville is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with murder.

He allegedly shot 64 year old James Williams twice in the chest at close range last week at the victim’s home on U.S. 20 in Springfield Township.

La Porte County Police said the investigation shows Jackson after the shooting left after taking a cell phone, tablet and over $3,000 in cash from the home.  The body was found several hours later by the victim’s son.

According to police, Jackson was at the residence earlier that day and left to pay his rent but showed up with the payment looking nervous and sweating profusely. Jackson later confessed, telling investigators Williams said something that made him mad, so, he left and got a gun then came back and shoved the victim to the floor where he shot him twice, according to police.

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

(La Porte, IN) - The City of LaPorte is preparing for a major long-term influx of construction workers that will start building a Microsoft data center next month.

A groundbreaking on the over $1 billion investment was held Wednesday at the 500 acre site on Boyd Boulevard where grading of what’s been farmland has been occurring for several weeks to prepare for the upcoming construction.

Bo Wallace, a Microsoft corporate vice-president, said the goal is begin operating out of three buildings in 2029 followed by three additional structures on the site “as fast as we can build them.” 

Wallace said it’s going to take over 600 full-time employees to operate and maintain all six of the facilities.  Plans call for another 11 data center structures to start going up later on 1,300 acres of farmland Microsoft is purchasing adjacent to the site.  It’s going to take up to 10-years to complete the construction at both locations.

Eventually, Wallace said more than 2,000 construction workers will be at the site daily once the job fully ramps up.

LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook said building construction will begin in less than 30 days.  He said local hotels, restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations are among the businesses given notice already about the upcoming work so they can prepare for the potential of more customers.

“We want to be prepared as we possibly can be for that,” he said.

Microsoft decided earlier this year not to seek tax abatement on any of its data center projects nationwide.

For LaPorte, the full payout on the first completed site will mean tens of millions of dollars annually for the city and several million dollars a year for the school corporation under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft.

The city, school corporation and county government will receive property tax dollars from the other site under a separate agreement.  The exact amounts will not be known until the properties as they’re being developed have their current values reassessed for tax billing purposes.

Mayor Tom Dermody said the amount of new tax dollars locally from the project is unprecedented.

“Microsoft’s historic investment in LaPorte surpasses all private investment ever made in our city’s history, combined,” he said.  

Brad Smith, Vice-Chair and President of Microsoft, said the company and school corporation will partner on offering classes at the high school that prepare students for the high-tech jobs offered at the data center complex for years to come.  Smith said the jobs are well-paying and give students looking elsewhere for opportunity a reason to stay.

“That, in some ways, may be the longest-lasting and most important thing we do here.  If so, we’ll be proud to be a part of it,” he said.

The city is also collecting another $17 million from Microsoft because over 100 acres of municipally owned land is part of the 1,300 acres the tech giant is purchasing.  The city used the land for spreading manure from its nearby waste water treatment plant and to contract with a farmer to grow crops.

Dermody and many other leaders in the community believe the data center complex will transform the city, which has been pushing aggressively for new growth and seeing positive results in areas like new housing over the past several years.

He called the groundbreaking one of those moments that define the future of a community.

“This is a day when generations of LaPorte residents will look back and remember a day when a global leader chose to invest in our city, our people and our future,” Dermody said.

La Porte Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood said the money from Microsoft will mean financial stability again for the corporation which has been dealing with revenue losses from gradual enrollment declines over roughly the past decade.  The school board considered asking voters to approve a property tax increase to help with cash flow but dropped the idea because of the revenue coming from Microsoft.

“That’s going to be a game changer for us,” said LaPorte School Board member Jim Arnold.

(Michigan City, IN) - Another shooting has occurred in Michigan City.

Police said officers about 8 p.m. Monday responded to Franciscan Health hospital on a report of a person being treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

So far, further details have not been released but police say the shooting is under active investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Michigan City Police.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Michigan City woman is accused of having a good-sized amount of methamphetamine.

Jeannie Sanders, 36, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with possession of methamphetamine as a Level 4 felony along with resisting law enforcement and possession of paraphernalia, both misdemeanors.

According to the charging information, Sanders was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on June 9 for speeding on Indiana 2 in Rolling Prairie.  The officer discovered Sanders had a warrant for her arrest on an undisclosed offense in Michigan.

According to court records, she also has a prior drug related conviction and past convictions on multiple counts of operating while intoxicated.

During the traffic stop, police said Sanders was found with a plastic bag containing methamphetamine beneath her clothing and struggled with officers until taken to the ground where she was placed in handcuffs.  The methamphetamine in that bag and another bag allegedly found on her possession later weighed a combined 23 grams.

Sanders could face anywhere from two to 12 years on the most serious count.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the position of Merit (Patrol) Deputy.  An applicant who successfully completes and passes the various stages of the process will immediately fill a vacancy within the Merit Division. 

The hiring process will include the following stages: application phase, physical agility testing, written examination, computerized voice stress analysis examination, background investigation, Merit Division panel interview, Merit Commission interview and psychological examination. 

Applicants who have successfully graduated from a certified law enforcement academy will be “fast-tracked” through an abbreviated hiring process.     

Applications can be found online by accessing www.laportecountysheriff.com or by picking them up at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office.  Individuals who apply and meet the required standards will be notified with further instructions.  Completed applications will be accepted through July 24.   

The starting salary for a Merit Deputy is $57,680.  Following one (1) year of service, the salary increases to $66,950.  Those with current or prior law enforcement experience are strongly encouraged to apply as the LCSO offers a variety of specialty divisions, incentives, and benefits package, and a financially sound pension.    

Completed applications can be dropped off at the front desk of the Sheriff’s Office, sent via standard mail, or as a scanned attachment and sent via email.  Completed applications may be mailed to the following:

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office

Attn: Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen

809 State Street

La Porte, Indiana 46350

All completed applications sent via email shall be sent to the following:  dallen@lcso.in.gov.  Any questions should be directed to Captain Allen at the aforementioned email address. 

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte is preparing for a major influx of workers that will soon begin constructing the buildings at the Microsoft data center facility.

Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, told the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety this morning an average of 2,000 to 4,000 workers will be at the site each day during the up to 10 year construction period.

He said the city has already reached out to businesses like restaurants and hotels to let them know what to expect since a percentage of those workers will likely be coming from outside the area.

“We want to be as prepared as we can possibly be for that,” he said.

The data center will consist of well over a dozen buildings on about 1,800 acres of what used to be farmland annexed by the city at the request of the property owners in the area of Boyd Boulevard and U.S. 35.

Cook expects construction of the buildings to begin at some point in the very near future.

(La Porte, IN) - With heavy rain and potential for severe weather in the forecast for Wednesday, events that night at Fox Park in La Porte will be relocated.

The Maria Fruth Plaza dedication and subsequent LaPorte City Band concert have been moved to the La Porte High School Performing Arts Center.  The dedication of the plaza will be at 6 p.m. in the PAC lobby.

Following the plaza dedication, the community is invited to join the LaPorte City Band for a concert honoring Fruth and her years of contributions to the community.

Fruth served as the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Health Foundation of La Porte from March of 2016 until her retirement in April of 2024.  Previously, she was the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation for over 20 years.

Under Fruth, HFL supported hundreds of local health and wellness initiatives with planning and funding, including significant investments in park improvements and recreation programming.  The plaza was part of the Fox Park renovations funded by HFL in 2023.

The Park Board voted to rename the structure after Fruth in 2024.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is reminding residents about Indiana’s current laws regarding electric motorized devices now that summer-like weather has arrived.

Police say electric motorized devices are becoming increasingly popular as a form of transportation, especially among young riders.   These devices are categorized as electric foot scooters (e-scooters), e-bicycles (e-bikes), or e-moto devices.

The most common electric motorized device being operated in Michigan City is called an electric bicycle or “e-bike.

Electric bicycles are regulated similarly to traditional bicycles and are not considered motorized vehicles. Therefore, no license, registration or insurance are required to operate an electric bicycle.  A person must be 15 years of age or older to operate an e-bike, police said.

Helmets are required for anyone less than 18 years of age to operate or ride an e-bike.  

“E-moto” devices are defined as a device that is powered by an electric or mechanical motor that typically exceeds 750 watts and is capable of generating speeds that exceed 28 mph when powered by the motor.

All operators and riders of electric foot scooters, traditional bicycles, e-bikes or e-moto devices are encouraged to wear helmets.

“Ride responsibility, obey the law and share the road,” police said.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has continued his long tradition of putting up the American flags for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities.

Jim Roy has done it now in La Porte for 25 years.  Mayor Tom Dermody thanked Roy during last night’s city council meeting.  Dermody said he hopes Roy comes to a city council meeting very soon to be recognized for “his commitment to our community.”

Roy pays the thousands of dollars it takes every year to purchase and hang the flags throughout the city. 

This year, Roy also donated flags and poles to other surrounding communities like Rolling Prairie, Westville, LaCrosse, Union Mills, Michigan City and Long Beach.  In addition, he purchased flags this year dedicated to the nation’s 250^th birthday and six branches of the military.

Inspired by the terrorist attacks at home in September of 2001, Roy became involved when the La Porte Jaycees no longer could afford the cost of the flags.  In a previous interview, Roy said he’s willing to pay for the flags to show support for the nation and freedoms veterans like his father helped achieve and defend.

(La Porte County, IN) - Another local restaurant will raise money for a La Porte County Police officer recovering from a shooting last month.

Hacienda in Long Beach on June 23 will give a percentage of the proceeds from each order to officer Jon Samuelson and his wife, Quinn.

“Feel free to go to Hacienda and let them know you’re there for the give back day,” said La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg.

Culver’s in La Porte had a give back day for the officer last week and drew enough customers for police to have to go out and direct traffic because of vehicles backed up on Pine Lake Ave. waiting to turn into the restaurant.  

“It was amazing to see.  It warms my heart to see that,” he said.

Police said the 33 year old Samuelson was shot three times by 22-year old Sharod Grafton, Jr., who drove here in a vehicle he allegedly took from his mother in Chicago at gunpoint.  Samuelson stopped to assist Grafton, who he thought was a stranded motorist who asked to be taken to a hospital.

Police said Samuelson gave him a ride to Franciscan Health and left but soon returned when informed Grafton was a suspect in a crime.  The shooting happened during a scuffle between the two men.

Grafton is being held on a charge of attempted murder and one other count.

Samuelson is now undergoing therapy at a rehabilitation center in Chicago in what looks to be a long recovery.

(Merrillville, IN) - About 10,000 NIPSCO customers remained without power Monday after tornado packed storms Thursday night left well over 80,000 customers without power.

According to NIPSCO, the only community in La Porte County still with outages is in Long Beach with power estimated to return there by 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The utility company estimated power will be totally restored by 6 p.m. Tuesday in other places like Hobart, Lake Station and Nappanee.  NIPSCO said power will not be restored to everyone in Merrillville and Portage until 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Indiana Michigan Power Company reports no remaining customer outages. 

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Community School Corporation has named Shaun Pluta as its new Director of Human Resources.

Pluta will replace Gina Teets, who is retiring after 19 years with the district.

According to school officials, Pluta brings more than a decade of human resources leadership in large, complex organizations paired with a career in public education as a teacher and school counselor.

"Shaun stood out because he understands both sides of this work," said Dr. Sandra Wood, Superintendent of the La Porte Community School Corporation.

Most recently, Pluta served in operations leadership at Five Star Sheets in New Carlisle and over four years as Human Resources Manager at Monogram Comfort Foods in Bristol where he led a five-person HR department supporting about 450 employees across three shifts.

Before his career in human resources, Pluta worked in public education for seven years. He  served as a school counselor for South Newton School Corporation, where he supported students through individual and group counseling and coached track and cross country. He began his career as an elementary teacher with the South Bend Community School Corporation, teaching kindergarten through fourth grade.

"Returning to public education feels like coming home," Pluta said. "I started my career in schools because I believe in the difference educators make every day. I'm excited to bring everything I've learned about building strong teams, healthy workplace cultures, and meaningful employee support back to a school community,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Tornadoes caused extensive damage throughout parts of northern Indiana last week but a home at a farm was left practically unscathed despite a twister passing within a stone’s throw from the residence.

Ed Malecki along with his wife and three children were huddled together in the basement of their home near LaCrosse during the Thursday night storms.

Malecki, who raises corn and soybeans, said he was at his door step for about five minutes watching the tornado coming in his direction from Kouts before he and his family went downstairs.

“It just kept coming directly toward us,” he said.

About two minutes later, they could tell the tornado was very close by the popping in their ears from the change in air pressure caused by the twister.  Malecki said things were pretty quiet except for a “little whistling of the wind” and sound of the house “creaking” just a bit as the tornado passed by.

Once their ears stopped popping, Malecki said he went upstairs and looked out a window to watch the departing tornado continue on to the east.

“It was pretty crazy,” he said.

An aerial photo clearly shows the tornado cut a path across Malecki’s farm field before passing within about 100 feet from the residence.  He said the only structure damage was from a board picked up by the winds impaling the side of the house.

There was extensive damage outside the home to his solar panels, irrigation system and a garage door along with his young corn and soybeans plants traveled over by the tornado.

A farming couple on the other side of his field, Alan and Majella Werner, were not so lucky.

“It took their whole farm.  Everything is gone,” Malecki said.

Malecki said he went over and assisted the man and woman out of their basement after receiving their text messages to come help.  Much of their house, grain silos and outbuildings like debris were blown into nearby fields.

“The whole house was just completely gone.  It was gone,” said La Porte County Emergency Management Coordinator Rob Sabie.

He said the Werners were not injured.

Aaron Hanna along with his wife and five children had their nearby house heavily damaged and farm animals killed by the same tornado.  Hanna said all but one of his 19 chickens along with a duck perished.

Three sheep and a steer his 10 year old son, Derek, shows in 4-H survived.

Hanna, a full-time truck driver, said they all took cover in the utility room of their basement as the tornado approached from the west.  He went back outside one more time to see where the tornado was and since it was still heading in their direction he returned to the basement as the twister passed seemingly between his house and shop, which are about 100 feet from each other.

“It just looked huge,” he said.

His semi-truck was moved about 25 feet from where he had parked it and was on its side.

Cass-Clinton Township Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner said well over a dozen homes were heavily damaged or destroyed by falling trees in the Wanatah area.  He didn’t see a tornado actually touch down but spotted multiple funnel clouds emerge from the sky at the same time while outside his home.

“We could see the tails coming down.  Up and down,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two suspected impaired drivers were arrested following near collisions with La Porte County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Johnson Road.

Kyle Antos, 43, was taken into custody Sunday night after pulling out from a stop sign at Country Club Dr. in front of an oncoming police vehicle.  Police said the officer had to abruptly hit his brakes to avoid a potential collision.

Antos had an alleged blood alcohol level of .195-percent or more than twice the legal .08-percent limit.

Police said Curtis Lindsley, 43, was in the Waterford area early Saturday traveling over the center line at 62 miles per hour, which was above the 45 mph. limit.  An oncoming officer had to make an evasive right turn to avoid being struck by the sport utility vehicle, which nearly hit a large tree while pulling over.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .196-percent.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte man was allegedly found with a large quantity of drugs, including psychedelic mushrooms, during a traffic stop near Michigan City.

Eugene Wallace, 42, was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $50,000 bond.

According to La Porte County Police, Wallace was pulled over Friday afternoon for crossing the center line multiple times on Meer Road.  Police said a search of the vehicle produced a black bag containing 98 grams of amphetamine pills, 72 grams of the hallucinogenic mushrooms and 4.6 grams of another hallucinogenic drug, MDMA.

Wallace was at the La Porte County Jail when spotted with an object later identified as cocaine in his mouth.  Jail officers were able to remove the cocaine from his mouth during a struggle but he was taken to the hospital as a precaution after swallowing a portion of the drug.

What was left of the cocaine weighed over nine grams, police said.

Wallace told investigators he just obtained the drugs and was in the process of making deliveries when stopped, police said.   He was booked on five counts, including Level 2 felony dealing cocaine.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A public meeting regarding a stretch of highway in eastern La Porte County will take place this week.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is hosting the meeting to share information and get feedback on the highway corridor on State Road 2 between U.S. 20 and the U.S. 31 bypass. That’s the 13-mile, highly-trafficked area from Rolling Prairie past the Amazon data center site.

A study team is already working to understand corridor needs, identify opportunities for safety and mobility improvements, and help determine a set of recommendations for transportation improvements. Planners are looking to talk to residents and local stakeholders to gather input on current needs and future vision for the corridor.

An initial public meeting will take place Tuesday, June 16 at the New Prairie High School Auditorium, 5333 N. Cougar Rd., New Carlisle. Enter through Door S. Doors will open at 5:30 pm Central, with a presentation at 6:00.

Results of the fact-finding will be released in the fall, with a final report due out in early 2028. Additional public meetings will be held at key milestones throughout the study, INDOT says.

Tuesday’s meeting will be livestreamed for people who cannot attend in person. To participate in the livestream, you must register at the following link: bit.ly/ProPELSR2June16. A recording of the livestream will be posted to the INDOT YouTube page after the hearing and will also be linked to the project webpage where project materials are available. The recording will be available online for at least 90 days.

(Michigan City, IN) - With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, the Michigan City Police Department is reminding everyone that fireworks can only be discharged by a person 18 years of age or older and only during set dates and times outlined in city ordinance 54-231.

Fireworks can only be discharged within the corporate limits of Michigan City on the following dates and times:

June 29-July 3 from 5:00 P.M. until 2 hours after sunset.   July 4 from 10:00 A.M. until midnight. July 5 from 5:00 P.M. until 2 hours after sunset.  December 31st from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 A.M. and January 1.

Police said anyone discharging fireworks outside of the set dates and times is subject to being cited.  The fines for firework related offenses are: $50 for the 1st offense.. $100 for the 2nd offense and $250 for the 3rd or additional offenses.

“Fireworks are fun to watch and a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July. However, they can also be dangerous and a nuisance to your neighbors and their pets. Please be considerate to others and abide by the ordinance regulating the use of fireworks,” police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - An arrest has been made in connection with six machine gun conversion devices seized in La Porte County.

Six firearms were also confiscated.

That’s according to the La Porte County Drug Task Force, which recently executed a search warrant at a home in an undisclosed location as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police said the search warrant was conducted from a continued effort to identify and disrupt criminal activity involving illegal firearms and dangerous weapon modifications. 

Machine gun conversion devices are designed to alter semi-automatic firearms, allowing them to fire at a significantly increased rate and creating a substantial risk to public safety.

"These illegal devices have the potential to dramatically increase the danger posed by firearms in our communities.  The La Porte County Drug Task Force remains committed to identifying individuals who possess or distribute these devices and holding them accountable under the law," said La Porte County Sheriff Ron Heeg.

The La Porte County Drug Task Force continues to work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate crimes involving illegal firearms, controlled substances, and violent criminal activity throughout La Porte County. 

Detectives encourage members of the public to report suspicious activities and information related to illegal weapons or drug trafficking.  Additional information regarding the arrest and any formal charges will be released as appropriate through the judicial process, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There will be no recycling pick-up today for La Porte County residents who normally have Friday service due to fallen power lines and other storm damage last night.

According to the La Porte County Solid Waste District, the provider, Borden Waste Away, cancelled today’s pick-up but expects to resume normal routes on Monday.

The route that was supposed to be serviced today will be served on their next scheduled pick-up on June 26, officials said.

(La Porte County, IN) - There were tornadoes last night in northwest Indiana including the southern part of La Porte County.

La Porte resident Bob Wellinski was out during the storm in the area of 500 West and 400 South when marbled-sized hail began coming down.  He was just a few miles north from where much of the damage occurred in the area of 1600 South and 1050 West where multiple funnel clouds were spotted in the sky.

“We could see the tails coming down.  Up and down,” said Cass-Clinton Township Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner.

He said over a dozen homes in the Wanatah area suffered major damage from large trees falling.

“Big trees going through the roof,” he said.

According to NIPSCO, there were fewer than 30 customers still without power in the Wanatah area at 8:30 a.m.  Over 400 customers in NIPSCO’s La Porte service territory and more than 1,300 customers in the Michigan City area were still without service.

La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield said county highway crews have been out in southern areas of the county during the night and this morning clearing roads of fallen trees and limbs.

“The tree damage down south is terrible,” he said.

Mitzner is asking the general public not to drive through the Wanatah area to look at the storm damage out of respect for the homeowners and to give crews space to address fallen trees and power lines.

“In a situation like this, if you’re not going to help us, just stay away,” he said.

There are also pictures of a tornado touchdown in the LaCrosse area.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Line has resumed regular commuter service from South Bend to Millennium Station in Chicago following damage from last night’s extreme weather.

According to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the railroad, service was restored about 7:45 a.m.

“The South Shore Line thanks our employees, our partners at NIPSCO and others across the region who helped ensure safety and get systems back online. Passengers are asked to monitor our website and App for any Service Alerts, be at their boarding station on time, and listen for announcements,” NICTD officials said.

(La Porte, IN) - Preserve Historic La Porte announces that it is in the early planning stages for the 2026 Christmas Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes, to be held on December 5th from 4-8 pm, and December 6th from 1-5 pm.  

The group is seeking local historic houses as tour sites, and is opening the process up to the community-at-large.  Tour project manager Sandy Ashby stated, "2026 marks over 30 years of the Candlelight Tour, with PHLP conducting its first tour back in 1996."

Anyone in the greater La Porte area interested in having their historic home considered as a site for this year's tour call Ashby at (303) 520-0546, or email preservehistoriclaporte@gmail.com.  

"There is absolutely no obligation to those making inquiry," Ashby said.

Ashby said houses generally need to be at least 50 years old to be considered. Homeowners receive the benefit of having their house's history thoroughly researched and documented, and are provided the keepsake of a professional artist's rendering of the home. 

Homeowners are also recognized at a dinner celebration after the tour on Sunday evening, December 6th.”

"To open your home to our community, and tourists from the region, is an uplifting experience, enjoyed by past tour homeowners.  If you are intrigued, and would like more information about the tour, please reach out to us,” she said. 

(La Porte County, IN) - This summer, the Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County invites the community to invest in the future of local youth through its Summer Campaign, "We're Opening Doors to What's Possible." The campaign highlights the countless opportunities the Club provides for children across the county.

BGCLPC currently operates after school Clubs at 8 locations across Michigan City, La Porte, Westville, Kingsford Heights and Rolling Prairie, plus two summer camps. Every day at the Club, young people build skills that will shape their futures.

• Growing crystals during STEM enrichment gives tomorrow’s scientist a head start.
• Learning badminton or ultimate frisbee provides a future entrepreneur with essential teamwork skills.
• A mixed media sculpture project inspires a Club member interested in pursuing a design degree.

For the past several years, all BGCLPC programming has been offered completely free of charge, thanks in large part to community support generated through the organization’s fundraising campaigns.

"Every child deserves the chance to dream big and discover their full potential," says Michelle Shirk, Chief Executive Officer. "When our community supports the Club, they are doing more than just funding after school programs. They are opening doors to new experiences, meaningful relationships, and brighter futures for kids right here in La Porte County.”

Community members are invited to join BGCLPC in opening doors to what's possible for the next generation of local youth by making a gift to the Summer Campaign. The first $5,000 in donations will be matched, allowing early supporters to double their impact. Donations can be made at https://www.bgclpc.org/give/ or by mail to 321 Detroit Street, Michigan City, Indiana 46360.

Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a nationwide affiliation of more than 5,000 autonomous Club organizations. For more information about BGCLPC and its programming, please visit www.bgclpc.org.

(Michigan City, IN) - The public is invited to take a course in Michigan City on how to better protect themselves during violent situations.

The Michigan City Police Department and the ALICE Training® Institute have teamed up to bring the certified training sessions to be held at Barker Middle School on July 23 and 24.  Police said the two day course teaches proactive response option survival strategies for violent critical incidents.

“The goal is to empower individuals to participate in their own survival in the gap between when a violation situation begins and when law enforcement arrives, police said.

The cost of the training is $749.

Registration can be completed online at Summary - ALICE Instructor Certification Training: (Michigan City Police Department) Michigan City, IN (https://web.cvent.com/event/4e55a28a-5f88-4f6f-b807- 936279d4159f/summary?Refid=00000).

(La Porte County, IN) - Just a handful of power outages remain this morning in La Porte County following a late afternoon storm on Wednesday.

To the west, though, about 1,500 NIPSCO customers were still without service before 10 a.m. in the Chesterton and Valparaiso areas.  The outages were from the high winds of a storm that brought relief to the hot and humid conditions.

La Porte resident Bob Wellinski was in Michigan City as the dark clouds approached.

“You could just feel that drop in temperature, I’m guessing probably 15 degrees or so,” he said.

Wellinski was at Marquette High School in Michigan City preparing to take pictures for the school during the graduation ceremony.  He said the graduates walked across the street to a church for mass then hustled back to the school in the rain for commencement.

“They were using their gowns and programs and whatever they could to shield themselves from the wind and the rain,” he said.

According to NIPSCO, there were about 30 customers still without power this morning in the Michigan City and La Porte customer service territories.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte teacher and over 30 students are in Washington D.C. again today.

The eighth grade and high school students along with teacher Greg Samuelson and about a dozen parents are traveling to various stops together on a charter bus.

They also brought a banner wishing La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Samuelson well in his recovery from being shot last month.  They’ have displayed the banner at many of their stops, including Philadelphia where they slept on a battleship and posed beside a statue of Rocky Balboa, the boxer in the classic hit movie Rocky starring Sylvester Stallone.

“That was great because Jon’s a fighter, just like Rocky,” said Samuelson, an eighth grade science teacher at the Kesling campus.

Samuelson, the officer’s uncle, said he’s been going on the annual trip for close to 30 years.

“I didn’t know if I was even going to be going on this trip because of what happened to my nephew.  We’re thankful he’s in recovery,” he said.

The group will begin their trip home on Monday.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has announced a fund has been established to benefit Deputy Jon Samuelson during his ongoing recovery from being shot last month.

Police said the fund was created due to the outpouring of support for the 33-year old Samuelson and inquiries from countless others on how they can assist the 12-year member of the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office, every dollar contributed to the fund will be made directly available to Samuelson and his wife, Quinn, to help with their financial challenges during his recovery.  People can donate to the fund at any Horizon Bank branch in northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan.

Samuelson was shot three times in the emergency room area of Franciscan Health outside Michigan City by who he thought was a disabled motorist asking him for a ride to the hospital.

The suspect, Sharod Grafton, Jr., 22, of Chicago is facing charges that include attempted murder.

Samuelson was moved from Memorial Hospital in South Bend last week to a rehabilitation center in Chicago. 

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City area resident is facing potential time in prison for allegedly causing permanent injury to a man by hitting him in the head with a shovel.

Harley Hatchel, 33, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 3 felony aggravated battery and Level 5 felony battery.

According to the charging information, the victim in November of 2024 went to Hatchel’s home in the 900 block of Hitchcock St.  The victim told investigators Hatchel had been working on his car for three months, which he felt was way too long, and demanded it back, police said.

Hatchel and his brother allegedly began hitting the man with their hands and feet until he fell to the ground.  The victim was curled up like a turtle to guard against any further blows when struck in the head with a shovel.

Hatchel told police the victim in a heated manner got in his face and wanted the car back without paying for previous work performed on the vehicle, authorities said. Police said he also claimed the victim threw the first punch, which was disputed by a witness.

The victim suffered fractures to his nose and eye socket area.

According to the charging information, the victim permanently lost some of his vision and feeling in his face and has problems with his balance.

Hatchel, who was taken into custody on May 28, could face anywhere from a three to 16 year sentence.  He was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Community School Corporation has a very select number of student wizards in math.

Four students had among the very highest scores nationwide in the math portion of the state’s ILearn assessment system which measures achievement and growth related to Indiana academic standards in grades three through eight.

The students from Crichfield and Hailmann elementary schools were recognized at this week’s school board meeting by Assistant Superintendent Ben Tonagel.

“These wonderful mathematicians scored in the top two-percent on the ILearn checkpoints throughout the year,” he said.

The students are Jay Ramirez, Mariah Hart, Charlotte Huffman and Isaac Cornett.

(La Porte, IN) - A historic structure in La Porte is being torn down.

The old Coca Cola bottling plant on Rumely St. started being demolished on Monday. 

Originally, the structure was going to be remodeled into housing for people transitioning from homelessness under plans approved by the city in 2023.  Now, a new structure for the same purpose is going to replace it.

Tucker King, Assistant Director of Engineering for the city, said the plans changed after health risks and other issues related to the structure were discovered.

“The glazed brick on the interior was all lead-based glaze. There was a lot of asbestos and the roof was failing in multiple parts,” he said.

King said the cost of addressing the issues during a remodeling turned out to be more expensive than new construction.  King said the tear down is expected to take a few weeks while construction of the new facility will take about one year to complete. 

The developer obtained a $7.5 million state grant to entirely cover the cost of construction.  16 one and two bedroom units are planned with monthly rent covering utilities and Wi-Fi based on 30 percent of an individual’s gross income.  The rent will be subsidized with separate, ongoing grants from the state.

(La Porte County, IN) - The cause of a house fire just outside La Porte is under investigation.

Firefighters about 12:30 p.m. on Monday responded to the 1500 block of N. 400 West.

La Porte County Police said the owner, 74 year old James Foran, told investigators he went outside to mow his yard and noticed smoke and flames coming from the residence. 

According to firefighters, the fire was contained to the attic and roof on the north side of the residence.  There were no injuries.

(La Porte, IN) - More than 20 students in La Porte Community School Corporation's Health Careers program have earned their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licenses, a milestone that prepares them for immediate employment in health care and gives them hands-on experience in patient care while they are still in high school.

To earn the credential, students completed classroom instruction, supervised clinical training and a state competency exam.

According to school officials, the CNA license allows them to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other care settings, and it provides a strong foundation for students who plan to continue into nursing or other health professions.

The achievement also reflects the program's college-level rigor. A number of these students earned enough credit to be eligible to walk in Ivy Tech Community College's graduation ceremony, a recognition of the postsecondary coursework they completed while still in high school.

According to school officials, the majority of next year's seniors in the program have already secured employment at Brickyard Healthcare, where they will begin working this summer and continue through the school year.

The arrangement gives students paid, real-world experience in their field while helping meet a community need for trained care professionals.

"Watching these students earn a real, professional credential and step into roles where they are caring for people in our community is what this program is all about," said Tabitha Hughes, Health Careers teacher.

The Health Careers program is part of La Porte Community School Corporation's commitment to career and technical education, connecting students to meaningful, in-demand careers in La Porte.

(Michigan City, IN) - Arrests were made and guns seized at the beach in Michigan City.

Michigan City Police said officers responded to Washington Park beach recently on reports of a large teen gathering creating public safety concerns.

There were four arrests and three guns seized as a result of criminal activity.

Further details were not disclosed.  Police said more specifics should be made available at some point as the case moves through the judicial process.

(Michigan City, IN) - A teenager with a gun was arrested in Michigan City during a chase.

Police say 18 year old Tayden Page of South Bend was one of three males fleeing on foot when spotted and followed by officers Saturday afternoon on W. 11^th street. During the pursuit, Page allegedly discarded a handgun that had been illegally modified with a switch to function as an automatic weapon.

He was apprehended a short time later in a vacant lot near Ohio and Chicago streets and transported to the La Porte County Jail on charges including unlawful possession of a machine gun. The other two male suspects managed to get away.  Authorities say Page has a warrant out for his arrest in St. Joseph County for armed robbery.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating a shooting death that occurred last evening.

Officers just before 7 p.m. responded to a home in the 2900 block of W. U.S. 20 near Springville on a report of a subject suffering from a gunshot wound.

Police said James D. Williams, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information about what took place is encouraged to contact La Porte County Police Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 ext. 2401 or ahynek@lcso.in.gov.

(La Porte County, IN) - After quickly becoming like a pet, a fully grown turkey hanging out at a La Porte County home for several days apparently has returned to the wild.

Diane Spoljoric said it was kind of fun having the turkey around but also a hassle from cleaning up droppings the bird left after venturing onto the front porch and back porch of her home in the 3100 block of N. 400 West.

Her husband, Bob, seemed kind of sad, though, about the bird vanishing after quickly becoming attached to it.  Among the things he did was film the turkey in his yard with his three-year old granddaughter on the couple’s five acre spread just north and west of the La Porte city limits.  He also raved about things like seeing the turkey perched on top of a cardboard box filled with discarded materials on the front porch.

Spoljaric said he even named the turkey “Patrick.”

“My husband’s probably heartbroken,” she said.

Mr. Spoljaric spotted the healthy looking turkey in his yard on June 2.  They were not sure if the turkey was wild or belonged to someone like a farmer so Mrs. Spoljaric advertised the bird on a La Porte radio station segment called Pet Patrol. Pet patrol is for lost pets and her hope was the owner would hear the segment and contact her to claim the bird.

She never received any calls.

Spoljaric said she strongly believes the male turkey was domestic because of how tame it acted around humans. 

Aside from his occasional porch visit, the turkey stayed outside but close to the house most of the time.

Mrs. Spoljaric said the bird was last seen during the afternoon on Saturday by her husband in the middle of their yard after they returned from an overnight camping trip in Michigan near Buchanan.

A few hours later, the bird was nowhere to be found.

“Hopefully, he wandered off to bring joy to others,” she said.

Despite the good moments, Mrs. Spoljaric said she’s glad the bird is no longer around mostly because she doesn’t have to worry any more about her dogs possibly doing harm to it.  They were put on a leash whenever they were let outside to protect the turkey, which did run with its wings flapping once when spooked by the dogs.

“I didn’t want nothing bad to happen to him, but I did not want it either. So, you can have feelings both ways,” she said.

(New Buffalo, MI) - Alcohol will be served during baseball games of players hoping to make it to the major leagues but under restrictions to keep the stadium atmosphere in New Buffalo family friendly.

Servers will also play a role to keep alcohol from getting into the hands of fans under the legal age of 21.  Those are among the new details shared by the owners of the new team during a town hall-type meeting attended by more than 100 people Thursday at New Buffalo High School.

Minority owner Stephen Donnelly said the decision to serve alcohol was not taken lightly but, ultimately, boiled down to tradition and alcohol being served already at other college and professional sporting events.

“An adult having the option to have a beer and a hot dog at a baseball game on a beautiful summer evening is Americana at its finest, right, he said.

The team will begin playing during the summer of 2027 with more than 30 home games at the new baseball field at New Buffalo High School.  Grandstand seating and lights will be added to the field at the expense of the team over the next several months.

Donnelly said another factor behind the decision to offer alcohol was for the team to benefit local businesses such as microbreweries in the area that might want their products available during games.

Overwhelming support for the team, which will play in the Northwoods League, was expressed from the audience.  More than 400 players in the Northwoods League with teams throughout the Midwest and into Canada have made it to the major leagues over the past 30 years or so.

Among the players are stars like former Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale and second baseman, Nico Hoerner, of the Chicago Cubs.
 

One resident, Mike Messinger, who lives across the street from the field, expressed opposition to the sale of alcohol, though, fearing it could lead to disruptive behavior in his quiet neighborhood.

“Who will be policing this,” he asked.

Donnelly said everything will be done to create and protect a family-friendly atmosphere at the ballpark.  He said there’s talk of ending the sale of alcohol after the 7^th inning and during night games at 8:30 p.m. or whichever comes first.

There will also be a limit of two alcohol beverages for every transaction.

Donnelly said concession workers will also be trained to know when to stop serving someone who seems to have had too much to drink.

“This isn’t going to be a place to come for a batchelor party.  This a family environment,” he said.

Another owner, Tom Rowland, said extra security officers will be hired by the team for things like crowd control and parking, if necessary.

Messinger voiced other concerns including noise during games and lighting from the field drifting over into his neighborhood.  The third owner, Brian Williams, said the lights will be professional quality with little, if any, bleeding away from the playing surface.  Williams said the public address system will also be top notch and set at a volume so fans can talk to each other comfortably from their seats but adjustments will be attempted if it’s too loud for nearby residents.

He also felt the over 350 parking spots already available at the field will be enough, at least at the beginning, to accommodate the hundreds, if not, one thousand or more fans he anticipates to be in attendance.

Many members of the audience gave thanks to the owners for bringing a team playing at such a high level to New Buffalo.  Some residents like Connor Lijewski said the team will be something to bring people living here together and represents “what New Buffalo stands for.”

“It’s a place where families can come together children, parents, grandparents and friends to create lasting memories.  Beyond that, it provides something even greater.  An opportunity for young men to continue pursuing their dreams of playing professional baseball at the highest level possible,” he said.

Resident Robert Elmore said he believes the team will help local businesses and the community “as long as it’s done right.  I wish you the greatest of success.”

(La Porte, IN) - A driver with a cell phone helped police remove a suspected drunk driver posing an extreme danger from the roads in the Michigan City area.

Isabel Rosales, 24, was arrested early Sunday for operating while intoxicated.

About 1 a.m., police responded to a call from a motorist following the vehicle westbound from the area of Johnson Road and 400 North.  Police said the motorist reported the vehicle after nearly striking a house stopped in the middle of the road multiple times before continuing on and repeatedly crossing the center line.  The vehicle also went off the road more than once before nearly striking a mailbox on the opposite side of the road.

Police said Rosales had her shirt on backwards when located inside a residence on 950 West.  She was taken into custody after admitting to consuming alcohol and refusing a blood alcohol test, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police arrested a man for allegedly having drugs on his possession while swinging a chainsaw at passing motorists.

Matthew Fancher, 40, of Westville was booked Friday into the La Porte County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and disorderly conduct.

Just before 5 p.m., officers were called on a report of a man wearing just shorts actively swinging a chainsaw at passing vehicles and yelling at them on U.S. 421 near Westville.  Police said the first responding officer spotted him in the road swinging a chainsaw at vehicles and held him at gunpoint until he was placed in handcuffs.

According to police, Fancher told investigators his vehicle broke down so he took his chainsaw and began walking home.  He denied swinging the chainsaw or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Police said 1.2 grams of methamphetamine inside a tin can were found in his shorts.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun is trying to keep state fuel prices as low as possible by extending the gas tax holiday for a second time.

The 7% gas usage and 36-cent excise taxes are now suspended through July 7. That extends savings to the tune of about 63 cents per gallon. According to the governor’s office, AAA’s ranking of gas prices by state has Indiana in the lead with the cheapest gas in the country, at $3.585 for a gallon of regular.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office is investigating certain gas stations for possible price gouging.

According to AG Todd Rokita, his office has received over 200 consumer complaints since state gas taxes were suspended in April. Rokita says under Indiana law, price gouging occurs when a price “grossly exceeds what they were charging during the seven days before the emergency.” He adds that not every high price constitutes gouging, since prices can fluctuate based on market conditions.

The Attorney General’s Office has ordered a formal investigation of 30 major fuel retailers accused of failing to pass along the savings. Informal inquiries have reportedly been made to another 100 gas stations. No word on whether any of those are in La Porte County. “These investigations will take time,” Rokita said. “We are only going where the facts lead us.”

In April Rokita’s office launched a website, INFuelWatch.com, to track prices at over 4,600 gas stations statewide. Complaints of suspected gas price gouging can be made at indianaconsumer.com.

(Chesterton, IN) - South Shore Railroad commuter line officials are encouraged about the prospects of the Chicago Bears locating to Hammond.

The Board of Directors for the Chicago Bears have voted to advance the option for further consideration.

While the Bears have not yet made a final decision, railroad officials say this marks a meaningful step towards positioning Hammond as a potential future home for the franchise and presents a significant opportunity to enhance regional accessibility and expand public transportation options for large-scale events.

“This is exciting news for Northwest Indiana and the broader region,” said South Shore Line President Dave Dech. “We look forward to evaluating service options to help fans conveniently travel to and from games if a final decision is made. Staying connected to major destinations and big moments remains at the heart of what we do.”

The potential development also creates an opportunity to support increased use of public transportation, allowing thousands of fans to travel to and from a stadium more efficiently and in a more coordinated manner.

Expanded transit access would help reduce roadway congestion while improving the overall event experience, railroad officials said.

In addition, railroad officials say the Hammond site offers the capacity for a broader mixed-use campus, including restaurants, retail, and entertainment amenities that could complement the stadium and contribute to long-term economic growth in the region.

The South Shore Line team will continue to collaborate with regional partners and stakeholders to explore how transit services can support this potential development and help position the stadium as a valuable asset for Northwest Indiana and Chicago Bears fans alike.

(Michigan City, IN) - A zookeeper was still receiving medical attention for numerous bite wounds and other injuries suffered during a wolf attack at Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City.

The other zookeeper attacked has been released from the hospital with minor injuries to both arms.

Those are among the latest details released by the mayor’s office, which also revealed the two wolves involved in the Wednesday morning attack have been deemed healthy after examinations by a licensed veterinarian.  The wolf exhibit at the lakefront zoo owned by the municipality has since reopened.

Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch expressed full support for the zookeepers and their families.

“This was a traumatic experience for everyone involved,” she said.

According to the mayor’s office, the attack came after a third wolf at the zoo her entire life, Echo, passed away from natural causes, specifically a ruptured spleen.

A police report shows the zookeepers Courtney Studniarz, 39, and Brianna Stantz, 34, entered the habitat to remove the dead 10-year old wolf.  While attempting to remove the body, the surviving wolves, Koda and Nikos, became excited and began jumping on Studniarz then began attacking her, according to the police report.

At some point during the attack, police said one of the employees used a shovel to hit the wolves to try and get them to stop.  Other employees were able to remove Studniarz from the exhibit and call 911.  Stantz was still in the exhibit with one of the wolves when firefighters lowered a ladder she used to climb out.

Both zookeepers were taken to Franciscan Health, a hospital at Interstate 94 and U.S. 421 just outside the corporate boundaries of Michigan City

Police said the injuries to Studniarz included bite and tear wounds to her left ear and neck along with puncture wounds to her arms, legs and buttocks.  She also had multiple lacerations from “head to toe,” police said.

Michigan City Park Department Assistant Superintendent William Walker described her condition as stable.

According to the Michigan City Zoological Society, the death of the wolf and presence of the zookeepers may have had something to do with the attack.  The surviving wolves “instinctly became protective and agitated as wolves are deeply social animals with strong bonds to their pack,” the MCZS said in a statement.

According to the mayor’s office, the zoo is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident and habitat entry procedures as part of its standard commitment to employee safety and animal care.

“We have notified all appropriate regulatory agencies and are cooperating fully with their reviews,” the mayor’s office said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County sheriff’s deputy shot last month is continuing his recovery in Chicago.

Jon Samuelson was taken from Memorial Hospital in South Bend to an undisclosed rehabilitation facility yesterday.  A motorcade of emergency responders led the way.

Police, fire and EMS were also staged at various points along the Indiana Toll Road in a show of respect and support for the 12-year member of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office as he drove by.

Mike Kellems, a retired La Porte County Police officer working law enforcement now for Purdue University Northwest, was among the emergency responders positioned along the Indiana Toll Road near Fail Road.

“It was good to see the number of officers that gathered along different points along the way,” he said.

The 33 year old Samuelson was shot three times on May 22 at Franciscan Health by a man who asked to be taken there after the officer stopped to assist who he thought was a disabled motorist.

Samuelson after leaving returned to the hospital about a minute later after informed the man, Sharod Grafton, Jr., 22, of Chicago was driving his mother’s vehicle after taking her keys at gunpoint.  Samuelson was shot during a scuffle with the man inside the emergency room area.

According to court records, doctors reported early indications that Samuelson was suffering from paralysis from the chest down.

(La Porte, IN) - A Chicago area man is behind bars for allegedly firing two gunshots inside a downtown La Porte bar last year.

Kajuan Riley-Bourgouis, 23, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 4 felony unlawful possession of a firearm and Level 5 felony criminal recklessness.

According to the charging information, there was at least 50 patrons inside Monty’s Pool Hall at Lincolnway and Madison St. when the shots were fired just before 2 a.m. in October of last year.

Surveillance video shows two women involved in a scuffle when Bourgouis reaches toward his waistband before the shots were fired into the floor near the bar.  A bar patron tried restraining the suspect, who broke free and fled out the back door, police said.

Authorities said Bourgouis pleaded guilty to robbery and theft in Illinois less than two weeks prior to the gunshots.  He was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 bond.

(Berrien County, MI) - A man was airlifted to a hospital after an overnight motor vehicle crash a few miles outside New Buffalo.

Just after midnight, Berrien County Police said the 25 year old man lost control of his vehicle on Interstate 94 near East Road in Chikaming Township.  He ran off the road and was ejected from his vehicle that overturned several times before coming to rest in a ditch.

Police said the medical helicopter took the driver from Flint, Michigan to a hospital in Grand Rapids.  The crash is still under investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - A plaza at Fox Park in La Porte is being named after a longtime member of the community.

The Maria Fruth Plaza will be dedicated at the site of the new structure between the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheatre and Clear Lake.  The dedication is scheduled at 6 p.m. on June 17.  Afterwards, the community is invited to join the La Porte City Band for a concert honoring Fruth and her years of contributions to the community.

Fruth served as President/Chief Executive Officer of the Health Foundation of La Porte from March of 2016 until her retirement in April of 2024.  HFL granted more than $50 million in grants throughout La Porte County for things that promote healthier lifestyles such as trails.

Prior to that, she was Executive Vice-President/Chief Executive Officer of the La Porte Hospital Foundation for over 20-years.

“We appreciate the guidance and support Maria provided to our department in park improvements and recreation programming,” said La Porte Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber.

The plaza was part of the Fox Park renovations funded by HFL in 2023.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County couple is hoping a turkey wandering onto their property has an owner that will claim the bird.

Diane Spoljoric said the turkey looks wild but acts more like a tame bird since it seems comfortable around humans.

“It’s got to be somebody’s pet,” she said.

She said the turkey on Tuesday approached her husband on their five acre spread in the 3100 block of N. 400 West.  Ever since, Spoljoric said her husband and granddaughter have filmed the turkey, which has climbed on the back porch, at times, to sit on a couch.  Her 11-year old grandson and three-year old granddaughter also had fun outside with the bird yesterday.

“That turkey did not bother them at all,” she said.

Suspecting the turkey belongs to someone, Spoljaric had the turkey featured on Pet Patrol, a segment on 96.7 The Eagle dedicated to finding the owners of lost pets.  So far, Spoljoric said nobody has called her to claim the turkey.

She said it’s kind of funny to have the bird around but also aggravating since it has left droppings on her porch a few times.  If the bird is not claimed, Spoljoric said she’s not sure what she and her husband will do about the turkey.

He has already started to become attached to it.

“We have a friend until somebody claims it,” she said.

(New Buffalo, Township, MI) - A truck driver was in critical condition after his semi hauling coal rolled on its side Wednesday outside New Buffalo.  The accident happened on the ramp connecting Interstate 94 to U.S. 12.

Police say it’s believed the driver was traveling the ramp too fast, causing the load to shift and both trailers to overturn.  His speed may have been the result of some type of medical emergency, police said.

The 67 year old driver, Billy Gibbs of Southgate, Michigan was airlifted to a Chicago hospital from Franciscan Health hospital outside Michigan City.  Police said it took over six hours to clean up the crash scene.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte High School choir program has earned statewide recognition.

The program is just one of 14 high school choir programs in the state to receive the Indiana State School Music Association’s All-Music Award for the 2025-26 school year.  ISSMA presented the music program with a commemorative banner marking the achievement.

To qualify, choirs have to earn gold ratings across three separate ISSMA contests during the school year:  State Solo and Ensemble, Jazz and Organizational.

All three of the school’s choirs, the Beginning Treble Chorus, Treble Chorale and Chorale, earned gold ratings for both performance and sight reading at an ISSMA contest in April

“I’m really proud of my students for this achievement and I give them all the credit,” said Choir Director Tom Coe.

(LaPORTE, IN) - A man is facing charges in connection with a police chase and crash in La Porte.

Police say Cedric Crawford during an argument Sunday fled at high speeds in his girlfriend’s SUV from a home on Allen St.  A nearby officer in his vehicle gave chase.

The pursuit was on Rumely St. when Crawford struck a motor vehicle and fled on foot, but he was soon captured, police said.  Crawford, 31, of Michigan City is charged with resisting law enforcement and other counts.

(Michigan City, IN) - Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a church garage in Michigan City.

The fire happened late Monday night at Faith City Church on Woodland Ave. just north of U.S. 20.  Upon arrival, there was heavy smoke and flames.

Officials say damage to the several bay structure used for housing church buses was significant enough for the building to be deemed unsafe for occupancy.  Fortunately, there were no injuries.   There was also no damage to the church, which was far enough away to never be in real danger.

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, officials said.

(La Porte, IN) - Construction of more affordable housing in La Porte has moved closer to a ground breaking.

A $1 million state grant was accepted Tuesday by the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety to help fund the cost of construction and keep the homes within an affordable price range.

Most of the homes by developer, Advantix, will be built at the former Sacred Heart Church property on Bach St. and the nearby old Washington school site.  The remaining homes will go up on some of the land at Scott Field.

City Planner Craig Phillips said there will be more than 40 new homes at the three sites, combined, in what he estimated to be about a $15 million total investment. Phillips said construction will begin late this year or next year with demolition of the old church structure happening this summer.

Board member Mark Kosior said he understands some people might not be happy about demolishing the old church.  Kosior said he also has sentimental feelings since he used to attend the church but it’s fallen into disrepair and needs to come down.

“It’s challenging and it’s sad but it’s something we do need to do,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Two employees at Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City were taken to a hospital after attacked by wolves on the zoo grounds this morning.

The most seriously hurt victim, a 39 year old woman, suffered numerous injuries across her entire body, said Michigan City Police Capt. Kevin Urbanczyk.

Michigan City Fire Department training officer William Sonntag helped treat her wounds before she was transported to Franciscan Health hospital.

“She was alert and conscious but, as you can imagine, in a great amount of pain.  Happy to be alive,” he said.

Sonntag said the other female zookeeper suffered a bite wound to one of her arms.

Emergency responders about 8 a.m. were called to the zoo at the city’s lakefront and found two wolves secured in small cages and howling in different areas of the exhibit.  The most seriously injured woman had already made her way out of the exhibit and was on the floor.

Sonntag said the other zookeeper was still in the exhibit with a third howling wolf. Two firefighters rescued her by climbing on the roof of an adjacent building and lowering a ladder into the exhibit.

“As soon as the ladder touched the ground, she was climbing up,” he said.

What exactly led up to the attack remains investigation.  Sonntag said it happened after one the zookeepers doing something inside the exhibit asked the other woman to come in and help.

“Things went downhill from there,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Services have been scheduled for a New Prairie High School graduate killed in a single vehicle crash.

Austin VanAsdall, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident Saturday evening on County Road 1000 North near 850 East.

La Porte County Police said he went off the road to his left and struck two trees.  A Celebration of life service will be held at Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services in La Porte on Saturday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM.

A traditional funeral service will not be held.  Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or New Day Foundation.  VanAsdall was a 2022 graduate of New Prairie High School.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.

(Michigan City, IN) - A junk vehicle crackdown is in the works in Michigan City.

Assistant Police Chief Kyle Shiparski during the city’s Board of Public Works & Safety meeting on Monday said the focus will be on ticketing vehicles with expired license plates.

Vehicles without current plates are considered junk and can be towed, eventually, if the plates are not renewed.  He said the public will be notified before the crackdown begins.

“We’ll kind of do a bigger, maybe social media post, just so that people have some awareness on that,” he said.

Resident Tommy Kulavik cited problems with junk vehicles in his neighborhood on Ohio St. and elsewhere in the city.

“This is Michigan City, Indiana.  It is not Gary, Indiana.  Come on,”

Board member Gene Simmons, a former police chief in the city, expressed support for the crackdown hoping it reduces what he believes has become a culture for some people to keep vehicles that are not running.

"I think we're teetering on that," he said. 

No date for beginning the crackdown was given.

(Plymouth, IN) - The New Prairie High School boys’ baseball team has defended their sectional title.

The Cougars Monday defeated Culver Academies 12-2 at Plymouth.

It was the fourth consecutive Class 3A sectional championship for the Cougars, who advance to the regionals on Saturday against Andrean.

(La Porte, IN) - If Indiana legalizes the sale of marijuana, a request is being made for it to remain illegal in the city of La Porte.

The request was made during last night’s La Porte City Council meeting by Wally Brath, a former police chief in the city.  Brath fears La Porte becoming like it is now along Michigan 239 and U.S. 12 in New Buffalo Township where about 30 marijuana dispensaries exist.

“If and when this is legalized and I’m sure that it will be, we will see those establishments buy up every empty store and empty lot available in town.  We sure don’t want it to look like it does up in Michigan,” he said.

Brath urged the city to see if something can be done to keep dispensaries out of the city in the event recreational marijuana is made legal in the state.

A push to legalize medical marijuana is expected when the state legislature meets again in January.  Some people believe legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will open the door, eventually,  to legalizing pot for recreational purposes.

Recreational marijuana is legal in Michigan but municipalities in the state have the option of prohibiting dispensaries from opening up in their communities. 

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is paralyzed from the waist down after a large tree fell on her moving vehicle while driving to work last month.

Kaity Schultz, 37, on Monday remained at Memorial Hospital in South Bend where she was airlifted following the May 18 accident.  Her husband, Chris, said she’s waiting to be transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Chicago where her stay is expected to be for at least four weeks.

“We’re just waiting on an open bed to go there, so, that’s good news,” he said.

Mr. Schultz said his wife is not able to use her legs due to paralysis from the crushing injuries to her spine damaging her spinal cord.  If not for that and extreme pain that’s now subsiding, Mr. Schultz said it would be hard for anyone to tell she had been in an accident.

“No trouble talking.  No trouble eating.  She really has no other injuries,” he said.

Schultz said his wife dropped off their four-year old son, J.T., at Door Prairie Christian Daycare and School in La Porte and began heading to work for an insurance company where she’s a customer service manager in Michigan City.

According to La Porte County Police, the woman was northbound on Fail Road just outside the La Porte city limits when a tree along the west side of the road was uprooted apparently by the close to 20-mile-per-hour winds at the time.  The tree landed on top of her 2012 GMC Acadia and blocked both lanes of travel.

Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Zach Rosiuk said the roof of the SUV was partially smashed in on the passenger side by the tree, which was lifted off the vehicle by a tow truck equipped with a boom.  Emergency responders were then able to safely cut into the vehicle and free the woman from the wreckage.

She was loaded into a medical helicopter that landed in a nearby field and flown to the hospital in South Bend for advanced care.

La Porte County Police Maj. Pat Cicero, a 26-year veteran of the department, held her hand and kept giving her words of encouragement during the entire close to two hours it took to free her from the SUV.  Mr. Schultz said his wife was awake the whole time and talked to the officer, who later paid her a visit in her hospital room and brought her flowers.

“As soon as he walked in, she knew right away who he was. She was real grateful he showed up to wish her well,” he said.

At the time of the accident, Mr. Schultz was in Reno, Nevada taking part in a national bowling tournament.  He was notified about the crash and his wife being prepared for surgery not long after the accident happened and quickly booked a flight home.  Schultz said he didn’t know much more about her condition until he was at her bedside in the intensive care unit about 12 grueling hours later.

He said his wife struggled a lot emotionally the first couple of days because the life-changing accident was such a fluke and it happened after her mother recently lost a long battle with lung cancer.  Schultz said her spirits have since lifted, though, from many family members and friends reaching out with words of support.

“Mentally, she is in a really good place right now.  She’s motivated to do the rehab. The pain is not as bad as it was.  Things are looking positive mentally,” he said.

Mr. Schultz said doctors are not giving her much of a chance at walking yet haven’t ruled out the possibility.  Once she returns home, he said his wife wants to get back to a normal life as much as possible in a wheelchair by attending her son’s t-ball games again, driving and returning to work.

“The end goal is whether it’s a month or two or maybe a couple of years would be to finally walk again,” he said.

A Go Fund Me page set up to help the family with medical expenses had raised over $96,000 as of Monday afternoon.

(La Porte, IN) - A woman driving erratically after leaving a La Porte bar was arrested last night for being impaired by alcohol.

Carol Barker, 62, was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, a deputy witnessed the La Porte woman fail to stop and drive on a sidewalk before pulling onto Pine Lake Ave. after leaving the parking lot of the establishment.

Police said Barker started braking abruptly and weaving badly then turned right on Indiana 39 where she veered over the center line multiple times.  She nearly hit a traffic sign when pulling over on the grassy shoulder for the officer on nearby Severs Road.

Her alleged blood alcohol level was .193-percent or more than two times the legal limit.

(South Bend, IN) - A Knox woman has been sentenced for embezzling more than $20,000 from the Starke County Jail.

Pamela McDonald at U.S. District Court in South Bend received one year on probation and was ordered to pay back the stolen funds.

Authorities say McDonald was the Starke County Jail matron when she deposited commissary funds into a personal account and covered up the transactions.  This happened during a nine month period beginning in 2022.

The FBI and state police were among the investigating agencies.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating a single vehicle fatal crash over the weekend.

Police said 22 year old Austin Vanasdall was eastbound on 1000 North about 10 o’clock Saturday night when he veered off the road to his left and struck two trees near 850 East.

The New Carlisle man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say two motorists told investigators they were passed by Vanasdall at speeds believed to be way above the speed limit.  Investigators are waiting on blood test results to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved in the crash.