(La Porte, IN) - The Mark Cuban Foundation, in partnership with Indiana 4-H, will host a free Artificial Intelligence Bootcamp for high school students in LaPorte this fall.

 

The program is open to students in grades 9-12 and runs over three Saturdays: Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14.  Meals, transportation assistance and technology are provided at no cost.

 

Students get hands-on experience with AI tools, including generative AI, and see how the technology shows up in fields such as healthcare, arts, business, computer science, sports science and career readiness.

 

Each student finishes the program with a capstone project built under the guidance of industry mentors. The bootcamp is hosted and staffed by Indiana 4-H and the LaPorte County Purdue Extension Office.

 

"AI literacy is a new form of empowerment," said Rachel Haselby, 4-H Youth Development Extension Specialist.

 

"When young people understand how artificial intelligence works, they gain the confidence to create, innovate, and lead in a technology-driven world rather than simply react to it," she said. 

 

Indiana 4-H is one of more than 35 organizations selected to host bootcamps across the U.S. this fall.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man is facing drug charges after getting pulled over for traveling with a bad headlight on his vehicle.

 

Daniel Bernacchi, 60, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony possession of cocaine and Class A misdemeanor possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance.

 

Court documents state that a La Porte Police officer pulled Bernacchi over just before 11 p.m. on September 3rd near the intersection of Lincolnway and Teegarden Street after noticing a malfunctioning headlight on his vehicle.

 

During the stop, officers reported smelling recently used marijuana coming from inside the car. A search reportedly turned up plastic bags containing about one gram of cocaine and roughly 45.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, found on the floorboard of the driver's seat.

 

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

(La Porte County, IN) - A stretch of U.S. 35 in La Porte County will be temporarily closed next week.

 

 

 

The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to begin seal coat work on the highway between U.S. 30 and U.S. 6 starting Monday or shortly after. According to INDOT, the scrub seal operations are expected to take about two days, running daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Drivers are advised to plan for alternate routes during the work, with INDOT recommending a detour via U.S. 30, State Road 39 and U.S. 6.

 

According to INDOT, the schedule could change depending on the weather.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local firefighter has received one of the highest state honors.

 

Mick Pawlik was chief of the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years before stepping down in February.

 

 

 

Pawlik received the Circle of Corydon, the second highest civilian award issued by the governor for remarkable contributions that have bettered Indiana and demonstrating qualities exemplified by the state’s greatest citizens.

 

Warren Smith, who was assistant fire chief under Pawlik for about the past decade, said the honor is well deserved.

 

“When something bad was happening in the community, he dropped everything that he was doing and he would be there.  That’s in his personal life, too.   If you needed help from the guy, he’d stop what was he was doing and come over and help you.  That’s just the kind of person he is,” he said.

 

Pawlik along with Smith, who stepped down as assistant chief at the same time, remain on the department as volunteer firefighters.  “It’s just time.  We’re both starting to get up there in age and it’s time for a younger generation of people to start stepping up to the plate,” he said.

 

State Representative Randy Novak of Michigan City helped present the award to Pawlik, who he has known for about 50-years.  “You would be hard-pressed to find someone who is more deserving of the Circle of Corydon,” he said.

 

Michael Lusco, a veteran of the department, is now the fire chief.

 

(Lowell, IN) - Indiana State Police troopers assigned to the late shift at the Lowell Post participated in a Labor Day Weekend patrol blitz Saturday evening. Troopers were actively enforcing the speed limit along I?80/94 while also looking for impaired and aggressively driving individuals.

During the enforcement period, troopers conducted 77 traffic stops, issued 76 citations, and provided 77 warnings to motorists. Of the 76 citations, 46 were for speeding violations. Troopers also recorded the following activity:
• 3 pursuits
• 6 reckless driving arrests
• 4 OWI arrests (Operating While Intoxicated)
• 3 drug arrests
• 24 criminal arrests
• 7 felony arrests
• 6 crashes investigated (5 crash?related citations issued)

These enforcement actions underscore the agency’s continued effort to deter impaired driving, combat criminal activity, and maintain safe roadways for our community and those traveling through it. In addition to enforcement, troopers responded to 27 police service calls, including assisting motorists with flat tires, vehicles out of gas, and other roadway-related issues.

Lt. Terrance Weems, Lowell Post District Commander, commended the late shift’s efforts. “Our Troopers work hard every day to uphold our values of public safety in keeping our interstate roadways safe. These numbers not only reflect enforcement, but a commitment to supporting our community by identifying dangerous driving behavior and taking appropriate action.”

(Lake County, IN) - A truck driver was seriously injured this morning when he struck the back end of a stopped semi-truck on Interstate 80-94 in Gary.

 

According to state police, Garbiel Corral, 31, of Chicago was ejected from the cab of his truck.  Police said he hit the rear of a tractor-trailer hauling Amazon packages that was stopped between an exit ramp and travel lanes of the interstate.

 

The driver hauling the packages, Ahmed Taher Hussein Al Subari of Dearborn, Michigan, was reportedly standing outside his truck urinating when Corral struck his rig, police said.

 

He was not injured. 

 

The eastbound lanes were restricted for about eight hours to allow for the crash to be investigated and cleaned-up.  Police said criminal charges are a possibility depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Fish Lake man was allegedly impaired when he crashed his antique vehicle on Monday.

 

James Holland, 67, of Fish Lake is charged with operating while intoxicated.

 

According to La Porte County Police, officers about 5 p.m. found his 1937 Dodge on a guardrail in the area of 400 South and 800 East.  Holland told investigators he had his car out for a joyride when a deer crossed his path, causing him to swerve and lose control of the vehicle, police said.

 

He suffered an abrasion to the bridge of his nose but refused medical attention.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .161-percent.

 

A tow truck was called for the damaged car.

(La Porte County, IN) - A 19 year old man is facing underage drinking and other charges related to his alleged combative behavior during his arrest.

 

Police said Victor Louis was found in the driver's seat of a vehicle stopped in the middle of Indiana 39 near Union Mills without headlights on before 1 a.m. on Sunday.

 

According to police, Louis believed to be heavily intoxicated told investigators a vehicle occupied by two males forced him to stop and punched him several times before taking his car keys.  During a tirade, police said Louis used a lot of obscenities and even forced officers to carry him to a law enforcement vehicle. 

 

He was taken to a hospital for evaluation when he allegedly kicked an officer, tried biting another officer and attempted to grab ammunition for an officer’s handgun before transported to the La Porte County Jail while screaming.

 

Louis is facing three misdemeanor counts along with Level 6 felony battery to a police officer.

(La Porte County, IN) - A pet dog is back in loving arms after dug out a storm drain pipe he was trapped in outside his home near Michigan City.

 

David Lant said he was relieved Sunday when “Bubba” emerged from the pipe on the other side of a roughly 40 foot long culvert in a ditch in front of his residence at 7933 W. Dianne Dr. just off Wozniak Road.

 

Lant, 62, said he was outside with first responders during the rescue while his emotional wife, Loretta, stayed inside.  Her tears from worrying about her beloved Yorkshire terrier quickly turned into tears of joy.

 

“She was just crying and all upset,” he said.

 

Lant said the dog was roaming free in his yard when he made his way over close to the drainage culvert then disappeared.  He said the first thing he did is walk to where he last saw the dog and heard the echoes of him barking and whimpering from inside the 12 to 15 inch wide pipe.

 

Lant citing limited physical ability from Parkinson’s Disease chose not to try and rescue dog himself but, instead, called 911.

 

Coolspring Township Assistant Fire Chief Warren Smith said the dog was trapped in a bunch of dirt and sand inside the pipe.

 

“The dog got in there and got wedged,” he said.

 

He said duct tape was used to fasten a garden hoe to the end of a long pole to reach the clog about halfway into the pipe.  Firefighters Hunter Wrobleski and Tyler Bohle took turns slowly moving the pole in and out of the opening, removing just a small amount of dirt and sand each time.

 

Smith said about one hour later is when the dog as Wroblewski stood up to take a short break emerged from the end of the pipe.

 

“He was a happy little dog.  He was just running around like no big deal,” he said.

 

Lant speculated the dog ran into the pipe while chasing a ground hog, a mole or some other animal into the opening.  He has since placed two metal roads in front of the openings on each side to try and keep the dog out of the culvert.

 

“That dummy is still going to the pipe wanting to get in there.  He’s very smart,” he said.

(Indianapolis, IN) – La Porte High School’s Kiwanis Field is back on an unenviable list of endangered places.

 

Every year Indiana Landmarks collects a Top-10 list of historic structures that are on the brink of extinction. For the second straight year, La Porte’s high school football facility made the list.

 

The fieldhouse, which was state-of-the-art when it was built in 1950, has seen better days and has been the center of save-it-or-replace-it discussions recently. Over 750 community members signed a petition in support of rehabbing the landmark and preserving it as the high school’s signature sports venue.

 

School officials have partnered with Indiana Landmarks and Preserve Historic La Porte to explore possibilities, commissioning a study to assess renovation options. The committee identified a plan to rehabilitate the existing fieldhouse and locker rooms. However, the school board must still approve the proposal and determine how it will be funded. Some school officials feel that building a new football stadium would be more cost effective than investing in repairs and updates to the aging facility.

 

Indiana Landmarks is a statewide non-profit organization that raises awareness and offers resources for historic preservation. Far from being a death sentence, a stint on their Top-10 list often helps spur redevelopment. Since the list was introduced in 1991, 105 places have been completely restored or are no longer endangered. One such local success story is the Old Republic, an 1860 New Carlisle residence that sat vacant for 30 years before a massive $1.4 million renovation saved it over 20 years ago.

(La Porte County, IN) - A couple of La Porte County communities had some water problems over the weekend.

 

Late Friday night a lift station went down affecting residents in the area of Karwick Road and U.S. 12 near Long Beach.

 

The Michigan City Sanitary District determined a blown NIPSCO transformer to be the cause of the failure. Residents were urged to limit water use to essential needs only. Power and normal water functions were restored mid-afternoon Saturday. No basement backups or sewer overflows have been reported.

 

Down in LaCrosse, the town’s water tower sprung a leak.  Fortunately, water continued to pump into the tower faster than it was leaking out. Water was not turned off, and there was no need for a boil order.

 

A specialized contractor was quickly brought to the site, who worked overnight Saturday to patch the hole without having to drain the tower.

(La Porte County, IN) - Friday night was a rough one for La Porte County high school football teams. The Four county teams managed only two touchdowns between them and gave up a combined 176 points. Here’s the rundown:

 

• Valparaiso 39, La Porte 3
• Chesterton 28, Michigan City 7
• South Bend Saint Joseph 46, New Prairie 0
• North Judson 63, South Central 6

Other area schools didn’t fare much better:

 

• Culver Academies 35, Knox 6
• Rensselaer Central 14, John Glenn 0
• Pioneer 50, Winamac 7
• Mishawaka 20, Plymouth 13

(La Porte County, IN) – A Walkerton woman died in a single-vehicle accident on State Road 104 Saturday evening.

 

According to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, just before 7 pm, deputies responded to a crash scene in the 7000 east block of 104. That’s south of Fish Lake, about two miles southeast of Stillwell.

 

Their investigation indicated that a blue 2017 Chevrolet passenger vehicle travelling eastbound left the roadway for an unknown reason and collided with a tree. The driver, 42-year-old Irene J. Pantle of Walkerton, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

 

Toxicology test results are pending.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is self-reporting an internal Flock camera violation that has resulted in the resignation of an officer.

 

According to an announcement Friday evening, MCPD discovered questionable searches conducted by an officer during a routine audit of Flock system activity.

 

Noting a violation of department policy, the department immediately initiated an internal investigation and placed the officer on administrative leave. That officer then resigned while the investigation was underway, police said. Once the investigation is complete, they will forward the findings to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

 

Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch weighed in on the incident. “Public trust requires transparency and accountability, particularly when the City uses technology that gives law enforcement access to sensitive information,” Nelson Deuitch said. “Our residents have every right to expect that these tools will be used lawfully, ethically and only for legitimate public-safety purposes. When that trust is violated, we have a responsibility to identify it, address it and be transparent with the public about what occurred.”

 

Public debate has increased on the use of Flock technology in Michigan City, as the police department there has pressed the city’s Common Council for funds to expand the system. MCPD is holding itself accountable for the recent violation.

 

“Misuse of law-enforcement technology will not be tolerated,” Police Chief Steven Forker said. “Our officers are entrusted with access to sensitive systems, and we expect that access to be used appropriately and only for legitimate law-enforcement purposes. In this instance, our auditing process identified a concern, and we acted immediately.”

 

The department is not releasing additional details, as the investigation remains ongoing. Officials say they will continue to conduct routine audits of Flock system activity and review compliance with department policies to help ensure the technology is being used appropriately and to hold users accountable when violations occur.

(Washington, D.C.) – A number of options for locals to seek disaster relief are now available.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $2.1 million in aid for Hoosiers impacted by the bad storm a few weeks ago. The deadline to apply for individual aid from FEMA is October 25.

 

Officials from FEMA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security were in La Porte the past two days helping residents affected by the recent storm apply for assistance. If you missed the help sessions, you can still apply online at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

 

If you have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, officials say file a claim before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

 

State officials say the U.S. Small Business Administration has made low interest disaster loans available for Indiana businesses.

 

And even the Internal Revenue Service is now in a giving mood when it comes to storm damage relief. The IRS has announced a tax extension for residents and business owners in 21 Hoosier counties. One of those is La Porte County. Taxes due between August 11 and the end of January will be extended until the 1^st of February. Payroll and excise taxes for businesses will also be extended.

 

The IRS also says disaster-related losses in federally declared disaster areas—again, La Porte County—can be claimed on federal tax returns. For more details, you can check out IRS.gov, or click HERE.

(Berrien County, MI) - A police officer shot a man, who was armed during a standoff outside a Home Depot near Benton Harbor, Michigan.

 

According to Berrien County Police, officers were called about 8:30 a.m. about a man firing a gun at a female.  Upon arrival, the suspect was inside a van near the entrance to the store parking lot.

 

Despite the efforts of negotiators, police said the man would not come out and pointed a gun at officers.  He later fled on foot into a wooded area where he was shot by a member of the department’s Tactical Response Unit, police said.

 

The gunman was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.  No light was shed on the suspect’s condition.

 

The shooting is being investigated by Michigan State Police.

 

The names of the man and officer are not being released at this time.  No further information was provided.

(La Porte, IN) - Free personal care items are now available for students at La Porte Middle School and Kesling Intermediate School.

 

“The Supply Spot” is in the Family Advocates school-based mentoring room at La Porte Middle School but it’s available to students from both schools needing personal care essentials such as deodorant, soap, dry shampoo, period products and toothpaste.

 

“Sometimes, something as simple as not having a personal care item can become a much bigger distraction for a student during the school day,” said Kristy Hahn of Family Advocates.

 

Hahn said The Supply Spot is about making sure students have access to what they need “when they need it without embarrassment or judgment.”  She said Family Advocates partnered with The Presbyterian Church of La Porte, which provided the initial donation of supplies.

 

Family Advocates is now inviting community members, businesses, churches, civic organizations and other groups to help keep the resource stocked throughout the school year.

 

Students can access The Supply Spot by visiting Alisha Baughman in the Slicer Champions school-based mentoring room, asking their teacher for help or reaching out to Alisha through her school email. Students can also connect with the school nurse, counselor, and other school staff for additional resources and support.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police officers with flashlights caught a suspected impaired driver after he fled on foot into a woods along the Indiana Toll Road in La Porte County.

 

Nicholas Daniel, 33, of New Carlisle was booked into the La Porte County Jail for operating while intoxicated and resisting law enforcement.

 

It was late Wednesday night when a number of people in a motel parking lot in Coolspring Township grabbed the attention of an officer by pointing at Daniel as he was pulling onto U.S. 421, according to La Porte County Police.

 

The officer attempted to make a traffic stop, but the weaving vehicle kept accelerating until stopping at a Toll Road Plaza where Daniel with his left arm out the window pushed the gate out of his way.

 

He then continued on in the westbound lanes, police said.

 

Police said Daniel then drove across the median into the eastbound lanes and lost his right front tire.   He allegedly tried crossing the median again but got stuck in the soft ground and fled on foot across the westbound and eastbound lanes then up a hill before entering the woods.

 

Additional officers were arriving when the man came out of the woods and began running along the westbound lanes until veering back into the tree line, police said. Eventually, police said an officer entering the woods spotted Daniel, who had fallen to the ground, and took him into custody.

 

Police said Daniel refused a breathalyzer test, which led to his automatic arrest for OWI under state law.  He was evaluated by medics at the scene for cuts on his left leg and a large cut above his right eye.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Kingsford Heights man is facing allegations of driving impaired after striking a number of road signs yesterday afternoon.

 

Tracy Lloyd, 54, was booked into the La Porte County Jail on Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

 

About 3:30 p.m., La Porte County Police were dispatched to the area of U.S. 35 and U.S. 6 where a number of road signs were lying out in the roadway.  Lloyd was located in the grassy median on U.S. 35 between the northbound and southbound lanes.

 

He told the officer he was heading to Galien, Michigan when he lost control of his Chevy Avalanche, police said.   His alleged blood alcohol level was .214-percent or about two and a half times the legal limit.

(La Porte County, IN) - Business owners and community members from throughout La Porte County are invited to connect, discover local products and services, and build new contacts at the La Porte County Business Expo.

 

It’s scheduled September 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Purdue University Northwest campus outside Westville. .

 

The event is hosted by the chambers of commerce in Michigan City and Westville along with the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership to showcase businesses from across La Porte County and beyond.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the people behind local businesses, learn about their products and services and make valuable new connections.

 

“The La Porte County Business Expo is a great example of what can happen when organizations work together to strengthen our business community,” said Kurt Gillins, President of the Michigan City Chamber.

 

Admission is free and open to everyone.  Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 police academy for citizens.

 

The academy will run every Thursday evening from October 15th through November 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Michigan City Police Department.

 

Police said the six-week program gives community members an inside look at the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement and provides a hands-on introduction to many of the same topics officers encounter every day.

 

Participants will learn about:

• Criminal law and search and seizure

• Patrol tactics

• Emergency vehicle operations

• Police technology

• Crime scene processing

• K9 operations

• Specialty units and more.

 

Police said participants will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with MCPD officers, command staff and instructors throughout the academy.

 

Class size is limited to 30 participants.  Applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete an application and consent to a background check.

 

Applications may be submitted by email or delivered to the Michigan City Police Department front desk.  For more information, contact: Capt. Jillian Ashley at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1075 or email  jashley@emichigancity.com or Jamie Blackwell at jblackwell@emichigancity.com.

 

Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to apply!

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County residents with damage from last month’s storm can apply for financial assistance.

 

Today, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are at Krueger Memorial Hall at 801 Liberty Trail until 3 p.m. for people to apply for storm relief.

 

Representatives from the two agencies on Friday will be at the La Porte County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

La Porte County Emergency Management Director Rob Sabie said people need to bring their social security numbers, contact information and a list of damages to their properties along with annual household income and banking information for people who choose to have their funds directly deposited into their accounts.

 

“And, if you do have insurance or partial insurance, your policy number for that,” he said.

A school bus was involved in a collision with another motor vehicle yesterday in LaPorte County.

 

It was a bus from South-Central school with 16 kids on it.

School officials say the bus was making a right turn onto County Road 950 South when struck by a driver dozing off.

 

No one was hurt but one student was looked at by medics at the scene, officials said. 

(La Porte, IN) - Authorities are looking into the cause of a fire at a La Porte manufacturing company.

 

A machine somehow caught fire late Tuesday night at Howmet.  The building where the machine caught fire was evacuated due to heavy smoke inside.

 

Fire Chief Andy Snyder said firefighters using night vision equipment to see through the heavy smoke managed to cut power to the machine and ventilate the structure.

 

“Our crews were on the scene for two to three hours,” he said.

 

Snyder said investigators are trying to determine what caused the machine to catch fire.  Howmet was working to get the building where the fire occurred fully operational again.

 

There were no injuries reported.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local fire chief is praising the quick thinking of his men that kept them from being electrocuted like a married couple was before they arrived.

 

Cass-Clinton Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner said the first firefighters to get there using flashlights to see in the dark ordered the electricity shut off before moving closer to the victims.  He said it would have been easy to rush in to try and help but they wisely stayed back to avoid potential danger.

 

“My first guys on the scene recognized what had happened and they just didn’t go jump in,” Mitzner said.

 

Todd and Tricia Rosenbaum, both 60, were electrocuted on Saturday at their Wanatah area farm.

 

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum was using a sump pump to move water from a creek into a man-made pond while his wife was sitting on the edge of the creek with her feet in the water.

 

He was in the creek handling the pump when both of them were electrocuted, she said.

 

Swanson said one of their daughters who had been trying to reach them on the phone went to the home and discovered the bodies.  She said how the electricity escaped from the pump is still being investigated but it could have had a cracked seal.

 

Mitzner, who’s also a farmer, said the deaths have left the close-knit community stunned.

 

“They were out doing things as husband and wife as my wife and I do all of the time on the farm.  It’s a bad situation that happened,” he said.

 

According to family members, the pond was recently dug for a “dream home” the couple had planned to build.

 

Visiting hours are set for Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post in Wanatah with the funeral scheduled Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wanatah.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has announced its Mobile Food Distribution Dates for September in La Porte and Starke counties.

 

On September 9th, there will be a food distribution at the Starke County Fairgrounds at 400 Division Road in Hamlet from 9:30am to 11:00 am Central Time while supplies last.  The food provided by USDA and the Starke County Health Department will serve 150 households.

 

On September 16, there will be a mobile food distribution at the La Porte County Fairgrounds at 2581 Indiana 2.  This event will be from 10am to noon Central Time while supplies last.  This distribution sponsored by Citizens Concerned for the Homeless will serve 300 households.

 

According to information from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, these events include assorted food items that have been pre-boxed and pre-bagged, free of charge for households in need.

 

The items are distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, and with a limit of one box/bag per household.

 

These are drive-through distribution events, meaning participants should remain in their vehicle and open trunks to receive items. There will be an area available for self-loading if your trunk does not open.

(La Porte County, IN) - An individual on foot was seriously hurt when hit by a motor vehicle this morning.

 

It happened on U.S. 35 just a few miles north of La Porte.  How the accident occurred and other details, so far, have not been released.

 

All lanes of U.S. 35 were blocked from 400 West to Stonehedge Way until nearly 11 a.m.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, in collaboration with the City of La Porte, has announced two project manager openings that will play a pivotal role in advancing housing, neighborhood revitalization, and downtown redevelopment efforts across the community.

 

According to LEAP, these positions represent a major step forward in La Porte’s long-term strategy to strengthen quality of place, expand housing options, and accelerate economic growth.

Project Manager: Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization

LEAP is seeking an entrepreneurial, results-driven Project Manager to lead comprehensive housing and neighborhood revitalization strategy for the City of La Porte. This role will be central to expanding and improving the city’s housing inventory through:

·       Property acquisition and redevelopment coordination

·       Partnership-building with private developers

·       Launching and managing rehabilitation programs

·       Driving strategic initiatives that support long-term neighborhood stability

This position is ideal for a candidate who thrives in a fast-moving environment, enjoys building partnerships, and is motivated by measurable community impact.

Project Manager: Downtown Revitalization & READI Projects

The City of LA Porte is seeking a dynamic, highly organized Project Manager to lead high-impact downtown revitalization efforts. As an independent contractor, this individual will:

·       Coordinate Indiana READI grant projects

·       Secure and manage local matching funds

·       Serve as the primary connector between city leadership, economic development teams, and private developers

·       Ensure timely execution of transformative downtown initiatives

This role is designed for a professional who excels at cross-team coordination, strategic planning, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Driving La Porte’s Momentum Forward

La Porte continues to experience strong momentum in housing development, downtown investment, and quality-of-place enhancements. These two project management roles will help accelerate that progress by providing dedicated leadership, strategic oversight, and hands-on coordination across major initiatives.

“Both of these positions are critical to the next chapter of La Porte’s growth,” said Mike Riehle, President of Business Services for LEAP. “We’re looking for professionals who are ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of our community.”

How to Apply

Interested candidates can review full job details and submit applications using the links below. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

(La Porte, IN) - A member of the La Porte City Council is stepping down.

 

Lauren Huffman is resigning effective the 11^th of this month because she and her family are moving out of state.

 

The La Porte County Republican Party has scheduled a caucus to appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term.  The caucus will be September 12 at the Republican Party headquarters in La Porte at 814 Jefferson Ave.

 

Anyone wanting to run for the vacant seat must notify party chairman Allen Stevens by email no later than 72 hours prior to the caucus at allenstevens1974&gmail.com.

(La Porte County, IN) - A husband and wife found dead at their farm in Wanatah were both electrocuted.

 

That’s the official ruling in the deaths of Todd and Patricia Rosenbaum, both 60, and fourth-generation owners of Circle R Farm.

 

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the ruling was made following autopsies Monday on each of the bodies.  Swanson said the investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum on Saturday was using a sump pump to transfer water from a creek into a large man-made pond.

 

She said the pond was for a cabin the Rosenbaum’s planned to have constructed to use as a vacation rental on their property.  Swanson said the pump was plugged into a large electrical box about 25 feet from the creek.

 

The investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum was in the creek handling the sump pump when his wife sat down along the edge of the creek and put her feet into the water. It wasn’t long before the current powering the pump somehow leaked out, electrifying the water and the Rosenbaum’s.

 

“When it happened, it got them both,” she said.

 

Swanson said one of the daughters of the victims unable to reach her parents on their phones went out to the property and discovered the bodies.

 

Police were unable to locate any exposed wires on the pump, which continues to be examined to see if there might have been a broken seal, perhaps, that would have allowed the electrical current to make contact with the water, she said.

 

Swanson said emergency responders had the power turned off before retrieving the bodies.

 

Bill Field, a veteran farm safety expert at Purdue University, said one way the seals can break is if the pumps are dropped. 

 

He said electrocution can also occur if extension cords submerged in water are used to supply power to pumps.  Field said just a hairline gap between where the plugs on cords fasten together can allow electricity to leak out into the water.

 

“Electricity doesn’t need much space if it gets moist,” he said.

 

Circle R Farm is a small family owned operation raising corn, soybeans, hogs, beef cattle and eggs.