(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation has launched a new grant initiative that supports Indiana’s farming, rural and agricultural communities.

This new $100,000 grant program will support Indiana Future Farmers of America chapters across northern Indiana through investments in agricultural education, student leadership and career readiness.

Grant funding areas include:? work-based learning projects that help students gain hands-on experience, scholarships to help students attend leadership conferences and career development opportunities, supporting agricultural education programs with classroom materials and resources, providing students access to experiences that build confidence and career readiness and assisting students with travel expenses related to educational opportunities and competitions.

Eligible Indiana FFA chapters located within NIPSCO's 32-county service area, as well as Sullivan, Vigo and Gibson counties, are invited to apply for grant funding through the Indiana FFA Foundation.

Applications must be submitted by local FFA chapter students and teachers directly to the Indiana FFA Foundation by September 30.  Following the application period, the Indiana FFA Foundation will review submissions and provide recommendations to NIPSCO.

The grant review committee will evaluate submissions and finalists will be selected in October.  Grant funds are contributions from the NiSource Charitable Foundation.  For more information, visit NIPSCO.com/AgSupport.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana will continue to have some of the cheapest gas prices in the nation.

That’s because the governor announced today the state has extended its gas tax suspension for another month.  The gas tax used for maintaining roads has not been collected since April.

The cost to state government, so far, is approaching $1 billion.

State Senator Mike Bohacek of Michiana Shores said the price break is good for consumers, who should know the lost revenue will have to made up either through existing funds elsewhere in the budget to preserve road projects or cutting road projects.

“If this continues, we’re going to be down over a billion dollars in road funding,” he said.

Consumers here are paying about 60 cents less per gallon because of the gas tax suspension, which now runs until early November.  The gas tax suspension is an effort to keep down rising fuel prices nationwide resulting from things like the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

(Michigan City, IN) - She tried cashing a winning sports betting ticket at Blue Chip Casino even though she knew the winnings had already been paid to someone else.

Those are the allegations facing Amanda Czarny, who was arrested Tuesday and later posted bond.

Czarny, 36, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 4 with Level 6 felony cheating at gambling and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.

According to the charging information, the Valparaiso woman was at the Michigan City casino on September 18 with a man who won nearly $1,400 on a $400 sports wager.

The man later reported the winning ticket as lost but was still paid the winnings through a sports betting lost ticket process at the casino. 

Less than one hour later, authorities said Czarny walked away from the man and returned to the sports betting parlor where she presented the winning ticket for payment but was caught.

When approached by casino security, the woman dropped a pipe she admitted using to smoke methamphetamine, authorities said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A second person has died from a head-on collision near Westville last week.

88 year old Elvin Nuest of Francesville passed away yesterday from injuries suffered in the Friday afternoon crash.

He was in a vehicle driven by his son, Ronald. La Porte County Police said they were traveling behind a Fed Ex truck when their vehicle suddenly veered into the opposite lane and into the path of an oncoming driver, 36 year old Kayla Roche.

Roche of La Porte also later died. The 60 year old Nuest of Medaryville was seriously hurt but specifics on his condition have not been released.  Police said the crash remains under investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Invitational featuring some of the best young high school basketball talent in the nation is returning.

10 of the best high school programs from across the country, including La Lumiere, will play games over three consecutive days at the Civic Auditorium beginning January 8.

High school basketball fans can start counting down to another unforgettable weekend of hoops as the La Porte Invitational returns to the historic La Porte Civic Auditorium this January, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

“This event brings together some of the best programs and brightest young talent in the country, and many of these athletes are on their way to competing at the highest levels of college basketball and even the NBA,” he said.

The historic feel of the near century old Civic Auditorium enhances the experience for players and fans.

“It’s a special experience, and one basketball fans won’t want to miss,” Dermody said.

Over the years, the La Porte Invitational has welcomed more than 30 McDonald’s All-Americans and over 25 players who have gone on to be selected in the NBA Draft, including the 2025 first overall selection Cooper Flagg.

La Lumiere will be the hometown team with a talented roster that includes future Indiana University player Chase Branham.

One of the La Lumiere games will be televised live nationally on Fox Sports 1 (FS1 on Saturday, January 9 beginning at 1 p.m.  A full game schedule and ticketing information is available online at laporteinvitational.com.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man could face major time in prison for allegedly seriously injuring a woman during a beating.

Aaron Combs, 50, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with multiple counts including Level 1 felony attempted murder.

Authorities said Combs on September 20 punched, kicked and slammed the head of the woman to the floor multiple times while telling her he was going to kill her at a home on Superior St.  Combs also lifted the woman two to three feet up off the floor by her hair and threw her down in a beating where he landed a dozen or more punches to her face.

The woman was taken to the hospital with injuries like multiple facial fractures and bleeding from a deep cut above one of her eyes.  

Police said Combs and the woman have been seeing and living with each other for over 20 years.    The investigation shows Combs and the woman had been at a bar together and he was upset over her coming home after leaving the establishment with another individual, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte woman was killed in a head-on motor vehicle collision.

La Porte County Police said 36 year old Kayla Roche was struck by an oncoming vehicle Friday afternoon on Indiana 2 near 900 West.

Ronald Nuest, 60, of Medaryville was traveling behind a Fed Ex delivery truck when he suddenly veered into the opposite lane of the two lane highway into the path of Roche, who was airlifted to a regional hospital but later died, police said.

He and his passenger, Elvin Nuest, 88, of Francesville were also taken by helicopter to a regional hospital for more advanced care of their apparent serious injuries.

Police said further details were not released because of the still ongoing investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Park Foundation will celebrate one of the community's most beloved gathering places during its annual fundraising gala on Friday, November 13, at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

The La Porte Park Foundation Gala will take place from 6- 9 p.m.

This year, the gala will highlight the people, memories, events and experiences that have made Fox Park a cherished part of the community for generations.  The evening features a buffet dinner, silent auction, raffles, photo booth, a signature Fox Park cocktail and other themed experiences.

"Fox Park means something different to everyone," said Ben Konowitz, president of the La Porte Park Foundation.

"Whether it's LakeFest, Arts in the Park, Movies in the Park, a favorite trail, a youth ball game, a charity 5K or simply a place to gather with friends and family, Fox Park has a unique way of bringing our community together," he said.

Proceeds from the gala will support the foundation's mission of enhancing parks, programs and recreational opportunities throughout La Porte.

"Fox Park belongs to all of us. This year's gala is an opportunity to celebrate the role it plays in our community while helping ensure it remains a place where La Porte gathers, celebrates, plays and grows for generations to come," Konowitz said.

Tickets, reserved tables and sponsorship opportunities are available.  RSVP is requested by November 1.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the event at the Civic, visit: https://lpparkfoundation.org/events.

(East Lansing, MI) - Michigan farmers raising corn are hoping for an extended growing season because of historically low amounts of corn behind in maturity.

Just 10-percent of corn in the state had reached maturity as of September 21, according to USDA in its most recent crop condition report.                                       That’s far below the state’s five-year average of 34-percent maturity at this point in the season and, currently, last among the top 18 corn producing states tracked by USDA.                                                                                                        

In comparison, USDA reported the corn maturity rate was 69-percent in Illinois; 46-percent in Indiana and 32-percent in Ohio.                                                                                                                                                        Monica Jean, a Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Educator, was not surprised about the unusually high amount of late maturing corn.                                                                                                                                                                                      “It’s probably about right,” said.                                                                                                                                                        Jean said a major factor in the low maturity rate is having a lot of late planted corn because of a very wet and cold spring in many parts, including the southern part of the state.                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                      She said there still could be a decent crop this fall but the key will be a late frost to keep the late planted corn alive for an extended period and enough warm, sunny weather to give the corn time to mature at a time when the number of growing degree days in the season are becoming fewer.                                                                                                                                                       “It’s definitely a concern,” she said.                                                                                                                                 

(Lowell, IN) - Indiana State Police cracked down on aggressive driving and violent crime in Northwest Indiana last week.

According to police,  62 arrests were made during the three day operation and seven of those individuals had a significant criminal history.

Police said 10 high speed pursuits also took place, including two that went across state lines.

53 motor vehicle crashes were also investigated by state police, which also handed out nearly 1,000 citations during the crackdown.

(La Porte, IN) - A man has been sentenced for strangling his stepfather in La Porte.

Breon Ware received a 57 year prison sentence in La Porte Circuit Court on Friday.  A vast majority of the sentence was for murder.

According to prosecutors, the victim, 58 year old Aaron Stingley complained to Ware about the volume of the music he was playing in a home last October in the 1400 block of Jefferson Ave.

A key piece of evidence was the testimony of a nine-year old boy, who reported hearing the two men arguing from his upstairs bedroom.  The boy said he went downstairs and saw Ware punch the victim then put his arm around his neck, according to prosecutors. 

The boy said he went back upstairs but soon returned to the main level to find Stingley lying motionless on the couch.

An autopsy revealed he had been strangled.

(La Porte County, IN) – A Warsaw woman was killed in a car collision Saturday afternoon in Kankakee Township.

According to information provided by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened at 12:15 p.m. Saturday in the 2900 north block of Fail Road. Police said a black 2014 Toyota, driven by Aaron D. Keen, 38, of La Porte, was traveling north on Fail when it veered into the oncoming lane of traffic.

The Toyota collided with a silver 2024 Kia driven by John W. Pratt, 71, of Warsaw. Pratt was transported to a regional hospital for treatment of his injuries. His wife Lana, 77, was taken to an area hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Keehn was transported to a regional hospital for treatment of an upper body injury. Toxicology test results are pending, and police continue to investigate.

(Michigan City, IN) – The license branch in Michigan City has a new home. It’s only a few thousand feet west of the previous location.

The BMV is moving to 1551 S Woodland Ave. That’s at the corner of Woodland and U.S. 20.

The new branch opened on Tuesday, September 22. It has the same hours of operation.

(La Porte County, IN) - Phone scammers may be sinking to a new low, now spoofing the local library.

The La Porte County Public Library issued a statement recently saying a patron received a suspicious text message with a link to renew overdue items.

Problem is, the library doesn’t do that. They generally renew items automatically. They say their texting capabilities are actually quite limited, so a text looking to come from them may just be fishing for you to click something you shouldn’t.

For future reference, the library says, their texts are sent from notifications@laportelibrary.org and will not ask you to click any links. If you have opted to receive texts for account notifications, they will include familiar information, such as the title of an item you have borrowed or put on hold.

You can verify texts or emails from the library by logging into your account or giving them a call at (219) 362-6156.

(La Porte, IN) - An upcoming tour of Patton Cemetery in La Porte has been cancelled due to damage from the major storm last month.

It was supposed to be on October 3rd. However, the Derecho storm on August 11 greatly damaged the cemetery.  Despite efforts to remove a huge number of fallen trees and debris, caretakers report the cemetery is still not safe for the public to enter.

People who already purchased tickets for the tour were given refunds.  The hope is to have the tour again in the future at the cemetery.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County woman is facing potential time in prison on allegations of physically hurting a toddler she was babysitting and engaging in sex acts with the child in the same room.

Miah Trute, 18, of Kingsford Heights is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony battery and Level 6 felony conducting a performance harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony.

According to the charging information from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began on August 31 in response to a child abuse complaint.

Investigators received a video that shows Trute while babysitting at a home near Rolling Prairie allegedly pinching a one year old boy with all four fingers on her right hand hard enough to make him cry and leave red marks on the side and under his left thigh, police said.

Police said the video also shows her and a man engaging in various sex acts while the toddler was in the room with them and Trute attempting to have the child engage in the activity.

Trute is also on video placing her buttocks on top of the child’s face several times while she was fully dressed, police said.

The man, Cole Horvath, 25, of Taylor, Michigan is also charged with Level 6 felony conducting a performance harmful to minors.

Trute, who was taken into custody on an arrest warrant on Monday, was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $755 bond while Horvath has posted bond since his arrest on Wednesday, according to court records.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County man is recovering from injuries sustained when a tree fell on him.

Karl Creech, 56, was transported to a hospital by helicopter about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to La Porte County Police, the man was doing some landscaping at his Rolling Prairie area home when a tree fell on him.

Police said he called his wife who went to where he was and he tried sitting up but couldn’t due to severe pain in his stomach.  According to police, emergency responders discovered him on his back next to a tractor and surrounded by several individuals.

Specifics about his condition were not available.

In a social media post, his wife, Verali, stated she thought she lost her husband, initially, but he’s doing good now.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Kingsbury man is facing allegations of child molesting.

Matthew Lukac, 40, could face up 20 to 40 years on one of two child molesting counts filed in La Porte Circuit Court.

La Porte County Police said his arrest followed about a three week investigation brought on by a report of abuse and neglect from the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Lukac was taken into custody on a warrant yesterday at a house in South Bend, police said.   

He’s currently being held on $100,000 cash only bond.  So far, more specifics surrounding the allegations have not been released.

(La Porte, IN) - The fall clean-up has been scheduled in La Porte.

Officials said Waste Management will pick up items along the curb during the week of October 6.  All loose items must be placed in bags or cans.  Piles will be left behind.

The pick-up is strictly for residential customers, officials said.

Here’s a list of guidelines for people to follow: 

          Bags must not exceed 35 lbs, and cans must not exceed 50 lbs; 

• No individual items over 5 ft in length, 3 ft wide, 3 ft high or weighing over 100 lbs will be taken; 
• Mattresses must not be larger than Queen-sized and should NOT be wrapped in plastic; 
• Sofas should not exceed 80 inches in length, should not be sleeper/hide-a-beds, and should NOT be wrapped in plastic; 
• Rugs/carpeting must be rolled and tied, and must not exceed 50 lbs;
• Windows, glass and mirrors must be less than 3 ft by 4 ft in size, and broken glass must be securely enclosed in a box and clearly marked; 
• Gas grills must have propane tank removed prior to disposal; and
• Push lawn mowers must be drained of oil and/or gas prior to disposal. 

WM will not accept: 

• Auto parts, engines, tires or batteries; 
• Electronics, including televisions, computers, printers, fax machines, etc.;
• Construction materials, including lumber, plaster, drywall, paneling, siding, roofing, etc.;
• Chemicals, pesticides, pains, solvents or other household hazardous waste items;
• Propane tanks/gas tanks;
• Ashes;
• Dead animals; 
• Fencing; 
• Concrete, bricks, dirt, rocks, sod or stumps; 
• Iron or steel;
• Medical waste; or
• Appliances containing Freon, including air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, etc. (unless the appliance bears a certification sticker indicating that the Freon has been removed by a certified technician). 

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City officials are inviting residents to participate in continued efforts to grow and maintain the community’s urban forest.

There are plans to plant 100 new trees in the spring through funding from the U.S. Forest Service.  As preparations begin, the city’s forester, Phil Graf, said he’s seeking potential locations for planting.

The initiative builds upon the city’s ongoing urban forestry improvements such as the 350-tree removal and stump-grinding project that began last year.  A local contractor will place grass seed and straw where tree removal and stump grinding have occurred in the next two to three weeks, officials said. 

The city encourages residents to take advantage of the tree planting  opportunity and contribute to a greener community for generations to come.

Residents interested in requesting a tree may contact Graf at pgrafemichigancity.com or (219) 380-9770.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville area man stepped out of his vehicle to speak to a police officer, who arrested him for operating while intoxicated.

That’s according to Westville Police, who took him into custody outside the police department.

Jimmy Pitman, 71, is facing felony allegations because the charge filed in La Porte Circuit Court was upgraded from a misdemeanor due to him having a prior OWI conviction, authorities said.

According to the charging information, Pitman about three weeks ago walked up to an officer in the parking lot of the police station to voice an undisclosed complaint. The officer noticed Pitman had an odor of alcohol on his breath and exhibited symptoms of impairment.

His alleged blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

(La Porte, IN) - A car struck a house in La Porte yesterday and came to rest on the home’s outdoor natural gas meter.

With gas leaking, firefighters used inflatable bags to safely lift the car off the meter and shut off the gas.

Assistant Fire Chief Zach Kanney said the gas could not be turned off until after the car was removed because the shut-off valve wound up buried in the ground from the impact and weight of the vehicle.

He said the car was lifted to prevent any sparks that might occur from the metal on the car and meter rubbing against each other, which would carry a risk of igniting the low to moderate amount of natural gas escaping into the air from a break in a service line.

“That’s how we were able to do it successfully with the help of others,” he said.

Kanney said the driver was not injured.  The collision happened about 3 p.m. in the area of Briarwood Circle and 18^th St.

Kanney said inflatable bags are carried on the fire trucks just in case they’re needed at a moment’s notice but vehicles coming to rest on a gas meter happens just occasionally.

The collision caused only minor damage to the structure.   Further details about the accident were not readily available from La Porte Police.

(Hammond & Westville, IN) - Financial aid professionals will be at the Purdue University Northwest campuses in Hammond and near Westville during the upcoming College Goal Sunday.

It’s scheduled October 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for college-bound students and their families to apply for financial aid.

College Goal Sunday provides assistance to students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and federal loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools nationwide.

“Completing the FAFSA application is one of the most important steps to be considered for financial aid that can assist in paying college expenses,” says Tanika House, Associate Director of Financial Aid at PNW. 

College Goal Sunday is a free event with one-on-one assistance to help families complete their FAFSA application.  Attendees are often eligible to enter drawings for additional educational prizes or scholarships simply for participating.

The PNW Hammond campus event will be held in Room 200 of the Student Union and Library Building, 2200 169th St., Hammond, Ind. The PNW Westville campus event will be held in in the Cyber Café, Room 114, in the Library-Student-Faculty Building, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, Ind.

Financial aid professionals and Spanish interpreters will be available at both locations to answer questions and help students complete and file their forms.

Vendors are being invited for the first time to the annual trick or treating in downtown La Porte.

Lindsay Kneifel, Director of Communications for the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, said vendors from the Sunflower Fair rained out last Saturday were informed they could set up during Spooktacular to make up for the cancellation.

“This is just kind of the way we can show them, hey, we would love to have you in downtown La Porte.  Here’s another opportunity,” she said.

Vendors will be allowed to set up on Monroe St. just north of Lincolnway.  Spooktacular is scheduled October 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children will go to participating downtown businesses to receive candy and, perhaps, other treats.  The popular Sunflower Fair rib cook off will occur during Spooktacular close to the vendors. 

(New Carlisle, IN) - Authorities are investigating the death of a woman in New Carlisle.

The body of a woman in her 40’s was discovered Monday afternoon near some railroad tracks by Walnut Road.  Investigators believe she either fell from a train car or was hit by the train.

How long she had been there, so far, is not known.

Authorities know the identity of the woman but are not releasing her name right now because family members are still trying to be located to notify them of her passing.

(Three Oaks, Michigan) - The public will have a chance to see La Porte native and former major league baseball star pitcher, Ron Reed.

“A Special Evening with Ron Reed” is scheduled October 6 at Vickers Theatre in nearby Three Oaks, Michigan.

Reed, a 1961 graduate of La Porte High School, went to the University of Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship but also played baseball.  He played for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons for two-years before launching a 19-year career as a major league pitcher.

He was an All-Star in 1968 and a World Series champion with the 1980 Philadelphia Phillies.  Reed is one of only 13 people to play in both the NBA and MLB.

Admission is free.  The program will begin at 6 p.m. (Eastern Time.)

The Biggest Little Baseball Museum across the street from Vickers Theatre will be hosting the event.

Garry Lange, the founder of the museum, said a friend who knows Reed put him in touch with him and he quickly accepted his offer to come and talk about his career in baseball.

"He is one of five pitchers in major league history with 100 wins, 100 saves and 50 complete games.   That's pretty special company," he said.

Reed now lives in Georgia. 

Donations of used baseballs, softballs, baseball books along with money will be accepted at the event by volunteers with the museum.

(New Buffalo, MI) - A cargo ship outside the harbor in New Buffalo captured the attention of a lot of people at and near the lakefront.

City Manager Darwin Watson said he saw the large vessel on Monday from U.S. 12 and Whittaker St. and went to take pictures of it on Tuesday but it was no longer there.  The freighter was about a quarter mile to a half mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline north and east of the entrance to the harbor.

Watson said he didn’t know how long the cargo ship had been there but it wasn’t here at the end of the day on Friday.  The city was never informed about the freighter or where it came from and what it might be carrying.

“That’s all I can really tell you,” he said.

Historically, freighters pass by and anchor down until space opens up to accept their cargo at places like the Port of Indiana at Burns Harbor.  Watson said the ship looked freighters that carry supplies for making things like steel at the mills along the southern tip of the lake.

“It was huge like that,” he said.

(Michigan City, IN) - Back by popular demand, Michigan City’s Dumpster & Tire Amnesty Program will return in October to help residents clear unwanted clutter, prevent illegal dumping and encourage environmentally friendly disposal.

Michigan City residents will have six opportunities to drop off unwanted items at Michigan City Municipal Airport:  Wednesday, Oct. 7 • Saturday, Oct. 10 • Wednesday, Oct. 14 • Saturday, Oct. 17 • Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 24.

The program will run from 8 a.m. to noon each day. There is no cost to participate. Participants must present a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID showing Michigan City residency.

ACCEPTED ITEMS: • Furniture, including chairs, tables and shelves • Mattresses and box springs • Toys, books and games • Kitchenware, including pots, pans and dishes • Small appliances, including microwaves, toasters and vacuums • Yard tools and equipment • Bicycles and sports equipment • Tires — limit four per household; but no commercial or business tires.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED: • Hazardous waste, including paint, chemicals and batteries • Electronics, including computers and telephones • Large appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers • Construction debris, including drywall, bricks, concrete and lumber • Medical waste or sharps • Yard waste, including brush, limbs, shrubs and trees • Items from contractors or businesses • Landlord/tenant move-out debris

Participants are responsible for transporting their own items to the drop-off site.

THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE NOT PERMITTED: • Box trucks longer than 16 feet • Trailers longer than 16 feet • Flatbed, utility, dump or semi-trucks • Vehicles containing contents that cannot be verified.

Questions about the Airport Dumpster &Tire Amnesty Program may be directed to Michigan City Refuse at (219) 873-1530.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte mayor Tom Dermody is having doubts the Chicago Bears are sincere in wanting to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana.

After talks about a new stadium in Hammond, the Bears praising the money they would save on property taxes in Indiana have recently been meeting again with officials in Illinois.

That’s led to speculation the Bears might go to Arlington Heights just west of Chicago where attempts were made earlier to build a new stadium.

Dermody said Indiana should forever cut ties with the Bears if the organization was just using Indiana to gain leverage in their negotiations with Illinois officials.

“If they end up in Arlington Heights, don’t ever come back to Indiana ever in your lifetime.  It seems like now, suddenly, there might be a shift,” he said.

The Bears cited things like lower property taxes and other incentives for announcing their interest in moving forward with a new stadium in Hammond.

(La Porte County, IN) - A public hearing that was supposed to occur Monday evening on a proposed new local income tax in La Porte County was cancelled.

That’s because not enough advance public notice was given of the special meeting called to listen to how citizens feel about the proposed tax that would fund the county-owned ambulance service.

The public must be given 10 days advance notice of such meetings.

La Porte County Council President Adam Koronka said the meeting was cancelled during the afternoon once the shortfall in the public notice requirement was discovered.

“We had to cancel the meeting in order to make sure we were within adequate lawful notice of the public to have such a meeting,” he said.

The public hearing has been rescheduled for October 14.   A vote by the council is expected at its regularly scheduled session on October 26.

The average income earner would pay about $140 a year more in local income taxes if the proposal projected to generate $6 million annually is adopted.

Koronka said he's not sure yet if the public notice mistake was made in-house or by the publications that were supposed to publish the notices. 

(La Porte, IN) - Charges are filed in connection with a La Porte Police officer being injured during a struggle, which led to a pursuit of the suspect.

Cody Cappis-Woods, 35, is facing multiple counts, including resisting law enforcement and operating while intoxicated.

Nearly two weeks ago, police said officers responded to a mobile home park on McClung Road where Cappis-Woods was striking a woman. 

During a major struggle, police said the suspect slammed a car door on an officer’s arm.  He then hit the gas pedal but the officer held on to the car and was dragged along the ground until letting go.

Police said Cappis-Woods after stop sticks flattened his tires during the chase stopped and fled on foot in the area of County Road 250 South.  Eventually, he was in a fenced in area when arrested at gunpoint.

Police said the injured officer suffered scratches along with swelling and bleeding.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Activity Center for Older Adults will host A Gallery of Lifestyle & Health: Expo for Older Adults and Caregivers from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the La Porte Civic Auditorium.

Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber said whether you seek information or assistance, interested residents are sure to find the resources they are looking for at this event. 

“The ACOA is committed to providing opportunities that promote the health, well-being and quality of life for our local seniors, and this expo accomplishes just that,” Schreiber said.

“We are proud to offer this opportunity to our older residents and their families, and appreciate the organizing committee, sponsors and vendors whose support helps make this event possible.”

The event is free to attend and open to seniors, caregivers and loved ones of all ages with no pre-registration required.  The day will feature a wide array of activities, speakers, resources, health screenings, giveaways, drawings and free food and beverages. 

Residents seeking more information can call the Park Office at 219-326-9600.

(La Porte County, IN) - Recent heavy rain storms are making what’s been a challenging growing season for area farmers a bit tougher at the start of the fall harvest.

Farmers are looking at several days to over a week now before their soggy fields are dry enough to begin or resume harvesting.

“It’s been a trying year and it looks like it’s going to continue that way,” said Mark Parkman, who raises corn, soybeans, hay and cattle in the Westville area.

“It seems like a year of extremes,” said Matt Schafer of LaCrosse.

Schafer, who raises corn and soybeans, said he received six inches of rain over a five day period since September 16 with about half of the amount coming over the weekend.

Similar rainfall totals in previous months caused delays in spring planting and likely some yield reductions in spots during the growing season from ponding in the fields and corn stalks knocked over by high winds.  

More recently, though, farmers were hoping for rain but not this much after receiving hardly any precipitation over the past five weeks.

“Either we get a lot of rain, too much to handle in a short period of time, or nothing,” said Kyle Jansma, a grain merchandiser at the Wheatfield Grain Co.

“We went from pretty darn dry to pretty darn wet.  Everything is saturated at this point,” said Parkman, who reported similar rainfall totals at his farm.

Farmers don’t seem too concerned right now, though, about getting all of their crops out of the ground before winter begins to set in but wish the weather forecast this week was much warmer and sunnier.

Jeff Mitzner of Wanatah was hoping to begin harvesting his corn and soybeans before the rains but has to wait until the ground becomes dry enough to operate tractors pulling combines and other heavy machinery.

“We’ll be ready as soon as it dries out,” he said.

Mitzner said the heavy rains on what was becoming dry ground will help soybeans and maybe some corn plants reach maturity during the final growth stages.  He said the rain also could have knocked some of the leaves off soybean plants, which makes harvesting them a little easier.

“Actually, we needed the moisture so it helped us more than hurt us,” Mitzner said.

Jansma said he hasn’t heard farmers express much concern about the heavy rains this season having a negative impact on yields but there were pockets especially in the low-lying areas that became too wet at times.  

As of Monday, Jansma said his company had not received any harvested crops from farmers to gauge yields and crop conditions this season but growers seem pretty optimistic.

“Farmers feel pretty good about this year’s crop,” he said.

Schafer expects some yield loss but he didn’t want to estimate how his crops performed until after he begins to harvest.

“If we learning anything from this year it’s don’t try to guess. You’re probably going to get it wrong anyway,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville area man spent over $10,000 on foreign currency to find out later the bills were counterfeit.

La Porte County Police said the man first purchased Iraqi currency for $4,400 in January from a website and received it later in the mail.  The man went to another similar website in late August and spent over $6,000 on more Iraqi currency.

Despite the foreign money containing a certificate of authenticity, police said the man became suspicious and went to a currency exchange, which told him the bills were counterfeit.

Police said the man tried reaching one of the sellers but their website was no longer active while he was promised by the other sellers they would exchange the fake bills with real ones.

Both websites portrayed to be at the same address in Ft. Worth Texas.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville woman was impaired when she overturned her vehicle near her residence.

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who arrested Karley Fink, 33, for operating while intoxicated.

Police said Fink was traveling Mary Lane when she hit a parked vehicle Saturday night.  The collision caused her 2026 Chevy Trax to wind up on its roof.  Fink crawled out of the vehicle on her own before emergency responders arrived then became belligerent after they showed up, police said. 

When asked if she had consumed any alcohol, police said Fink responded by asking the officer if he had been drinking.

She was arrested for exhibiting several symptoms of impairment before refusing to take a certified blood alcohol test, police said. 

(La Porte County, IN) - The shooter in Friday night’s attack on a police officer in rural La Porte County has been identified.

According to County Coroner Lynn Swanson, the assailant was 22-year-old Jonathan J. Ybarra, who was last known to reside in Warsaw. Ybarra sustained a single gunshot wound to the head, Swanson said.

On Friday afternoon Ybarra and 20-year-old Erica D. Bowman of Elkhart were walking along County Road 125 East just south of 900 North, when a concerned citizen notified authorities. While an Indiana state trooper was checking their identities, Ybarra reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire. The officer, who was seated in his patrol car, was not injured and drove away. An hours-long manhunt ensued. Bowman surrendered to authorities after emerging from a nearby wooded area. At about 7:40 pm, Ybarra’s body was found by an Indiana State Police SWAT team in the basement of a residence in the 8300 North block of 125 East.

Bowman is in La Porte County Jail, currently facing a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia, with other charges possibly forthcoming. An autopsy on Ybarra is pending, Swanson said. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

(La Porte County, IN) - Residents in Galena and Kankakee Townships were on guard Friday evening as police tracked down a gunman who shot at a State Trooper.

Upon being flagged down by residents on County Road 125 East, just south of 900 North, the officer was checking the identity of two people on foot, a man and woman, when the man drew a gun and opened fire, striking the ISP patrol car but not the trooper who was in it.

A multi-agency manhunt ensued, leading police to a nearby residence, where the shooter was found in the basement with a fatal, apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 20-year old female from Elkhart was taken into custody.

Here is the full statement issued by State Police Friday night:

This afternoon at approximately 3:15 p.m., an Indiana State Trooper was flagged down by a concerned citizen who reported two suspicious individuals walking on C.R. 125 E., south of C.R. 900 N. in rural La Porte County. The individuals had reportedly approached a family member and were described as acting suspicious.

The trooper located the pair, a male and a female, and began speaking with them. During the interaction, the trooper asked the male for identification. While the trooper was seated in his patrol car and the individuals remained outside, the male removed a firearm from his waistband. The trooper accelerated away, and the male suspect fired at the trooper, striking the patrol car twice. The trooper was not injured.

The trooper then observed both individuals flee into a wooded area near 8525 N. 125 E. Additional units responded to the scene. The female suspect later emerged from the woods and surrendered. The male suspect was not located, prompting a manhunt.

At approximately 7:40 p.m., the Indiana State Police SWAT team entered a residence at 8325 N. 125 E. While searching the house, officers located the suspect in the basement. The suspect was deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was also found near the suspect. Identification of the deceased is pending confirmation by the La Porte County Coroner. Initial reports of a possible third suspect were determined to be incorrect.

The female, Erica D. Bowman, 20, of Elkhart, IN, was taken into custody and transported to the La Porte County Jail. Charges against Bowman are pending prosecutor review.

Agencies assisting included the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department, Lake County Aviation, and the Indiana State Police Lowell, Bremen, and Toll Road posts.

(La Porte County, IN) - The fall 7-in-1 household hazardous waste collection scheduled to take place out at the fairgrounds on Saturday has been cancelled due to inclement weather. With no shelter available and thunderstorms likely throughout the day, organizers said safety became an overriding concern.

In a statement Friday, Solid Waste District Executive Director Robin Havens said they are working to reschedule the event with the recycling vendors who participate and will let the public know when that happens.

In the meantime, Styrofoam and electronics can be dropped off at the compost site at 724 Zigler Road Monday through Saturday between 8 am and 4 pm.

(La Porte, IN) - The annual Sunflower Fair in La Porte on Saturday has been cancelled due to a very good chance of rain and thunderstorms.

Jessica Spoljaric, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, said a major concern behind the decision was gusty winds thunderstorms can bring that could topple the many pop-up tents vendors and others involved in the festival planned to set up.

The weather forecast also includes the potential for flooding.

“We have to keep the safety of our attendees, our vendors, our volunteers, that all has to be at the forefront,” she said.

Spoljaric said the Sunflower Fair will not be rescheduled but some other event to replace it in the coming weeks is under consideration. 

Thousands of people have attended the Sunflower Fair, which also includes a car show, for over 20-years.

(La Porte, IN) - There will be no ice skating in downtown La Porte this winter.

The park board has decided not to set up the refrigerated rink due to higher utility costs and other limitations such as staffing.

Officials are inviting the public to share their ideas on what to do with the space the rink has been at since making its debut at State and Monroe streets a few years ago.

(La Porte, IN) - The Slicers are on the road in high school football tonight.

La Porte takes on Lake Central in a Duneland Conference match-up.  Both teams are 1-3. Our very own voice of the Slicers, Ben Davis, feels it’s a game the Slicers, who are still nursing some injuries, can win.

“You can’t have turnovers.  You can’t have penalties.  You can’t have mistakes.  If you can limit those, La Porte has a chance to win this football game,” he said.

La Porte hopes to break a three game losing streak after opening the season with a victory of New Prairie.   We’ll broadcast tonight’s game on 96.7 The Eagle beginning with the pregame show at 6:45 p.m.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police are investigating a shooting.

Police said officers about 1:30 yesterday morning responded to the area of E. Coolspring and Dody avenues and located a 20 year old man with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

He was taken to the hospital with what police described as a “non-life threatening injury.”

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

(La Porte County, IN) - NIPSCO is working to restore power to customers whose service was knocked out during strong thunderstorms this morning.

According to NIPSCO, more than 2,600 customers were without power early this afternoon throughout its entire northern Indiana service territory.

NIPSCO reported just over 100 customers without power in its La Porte service territory and 84 customers without service in its Michigan City service area. According to the La Porte Water Department, which keeps track of daily precipitation totals, 1.8 inches of rain came down from about 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Michigan City resident Bob Johnson said he had just over one inch of water in his rain gauge at home.  He also said there were several lightning strikes near his home.

“It made you jump a little bit,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Several teenagers were injured in a bad single vehicle collision last night in La Porte.

It happened about 10:30 p.m. on J St. at the curve with Lincolnway. Police said the vehicle left the road and struck a brick support pillar at the Smoke Shop, causing extensive front end damage to the 2019 Kia. 

Two of the teenagers taken by ambulance were later transferred to a hospital in South Bend.  One had a broken leg.  The other had injuries to the mid-section.  At least two other juveniles were taken to Northwest Health. The driver, 18 year old Miguel Garcia-Farias, was arrested for underage drinking. He was not legally impaired, police said. 

According to police, there were seven passengers in the vehicle, which has room to seat only five people.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man is accused of leading La Porte County Police on a motor vehicle chase last night.

Mark Ericson, 55, was arrested for resisting law enforcement and operating while intoxicated. Police said an officer tried stopping Ericson for driving recklessly with the trunk open on his sport utility vehicle based on a complaint from another motorist.

According to police, Ericson when located by the officer threw an open can of beer out the driver’s side window and fled on U.S. 20 from Rolling Prairie to near Michigan City where an officer using stop sticks flattened one of the tires on the vehicle, which soon pulled over.

Police said the Michigan City man, who had reached speeds of 90 miles per hour, veered over the center line multiple times during the chase and struck two road construction barrels.

He allegedly refused to take a certified blood alcohol test.

(La Porte County, IN) - A suspected drunk driver had his daughter in the car with him while veering over the center line of a La Porte County highway multiple times.

That’s according to the allegations behind an operating while intoxicated charge filed in La Porte Circuit Court against Kenneth Williams. 

According to the charging information, a La Porte County Sheriff’s deputy responding to a report of a reckless driver on September 12 spotted Williams on U.S. 20 near Fail Road.

After catching up to the vehicle, police said the officer witnessed the Valparaiso man veer completely over the center line of the four lane stretch of highway three times before pulling him over.

His daughter in the front passenger seat climbed into the back seat as the officer approached the vehicle on foot.  Police said Williams after getting out of the vehicle nearly fell multiple times.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .146-percent.

According to authorities, the charge was upgraded from a misdemeanor to a Level 6 felony due to a juvenile riding with him while he was allegedly impaired.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man on a motorcycle is facing allegations that he fled from a La Porte County Police officer at high speeds.

Jacob Barnes, 28, of Valparaiso is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement.

Police said the officer on Sunday spotted a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed from U.S. 421 to U.S. 6.  He caught up to the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop but the motorcycle accelerated to 90 miles per hour and continued on into Porter County.

Eventually, police said the officer was able to stop the driver after he slowed down for slower moving traffic in front of him.  Barnes was also ticketed for speeding and not having a vehicle registration.

A driver was seriously hurt in a single vehicle crash yesterday in northern La Porte County.

According to La Porte County Police, the 43 year old man struck a tree about 5:30 p.m. at 900 North and 200 East. 

The driver from the La Porte area suffered injuries to his upper body and was taken by medical helicopter to a regional hospital for more advanced care, police said.

So far, the name of the driver and other details have not been released because of the ongoing investigation.

(La Porte County, IN) - A public hearing has been scheduled over a proposal to impose another local income tax to fund ambulance service in La Porte County.

The La Porte County Council will strictly listen to comments from citizens on Monday.

Council President Adam Koronka said the tax, if approved, would mean the average income earner paying about $140 dollars more a year in local income taxes. Koronka said the tax would generate about $6 million a year and be used to fund strictly the La Porte County Emergency Medical Service.

That would free up about $5 million in the general fund now used to pay for EMS for other purposes such as making up for lost revenue from statewide property tax reform and better keeping up on maintenance of buildings and other physical assets.

“All of those funds come to the county for that specific purpose only,” he said.

Koronka said no vote will be taken during the public hearing that evening but he expects a decision at the regularly scheduled council meeting on September 28.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man has been publicly recognized for helping a neighbor escape from a burning house.

Rich Cains received a life-saving award during last night’s city council meeting from Michigan City Fire Chief Barrett Taylor.

The fire occurred about a month ago in the 200 block of William St.  Fire Captain Anthony Stahoviak said Cains used his own ladder to reach an already injured person from a second floor deck with the flames advancing.

“It is rare to see a person prioritize another life over their own health and safety,” he said. Officials said two people wound up being taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and one of them also had burns. 

There were no working smoke detectors in the home, officials said. Cains was applauded by members of the city council and others in the audience while walking up to receive the award.

NIPSCO isn’t doing very well when it comes to the number of power outages and how long it takes to restore power.

According to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the utility had some of the most frequent and longest power outages last year, when it had to respond to more major events than Indiana's other investor-owned utilities, according to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

The Merrillville-based utility ranked near the bottom among investor-owned utilities in the state based on the average number of interruptions per customer, the length of time to restore power per customer and the average duration of interruptions, according to the 2025 Indiana Utility Regulatory Reliability Report.

According to the IURC, NIPSCO had to restore power after eight major storm events, more than any other utility in Indiana last year.

In response, NIPSCO said the frequency of outages remained stable despite an increase in weather challenges in 2025 and the utility continues to make significant investments in the reliability of its electrical system.

(Michigan City, IN) - Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a free “Way to Grow” baby shower for expectant families and new parents.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 3 at Franciscan Health Michigan City in the Maria Theresia Conference Room across from the cafeteria on the first floor.

Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep, breastfeeding and community resources will be offered along with tours of the Family Birth Center, a breakfast buffet, yoga/relaxation sessions, information on centering in pregnancy and giveaways. Attendees will have the opportunity to win a Doona stroller and a Jeep stroller wagon.

The event is free, but registration is required. Registration is available online or by calling 1-800-931-3322.

A teenager is accused of being drunk when he struck a few mailboxes and some landscaping outside La Porte.

Malachi Smith, 18, fled despite missing a front tire on his vehicle, according to La Porte County Police. 

The collisions happened after 2:30 a.m. Friday outside a home on W. Severs Road.    A few minutes later, police said a patrol officer on Boyd Boulevard heard a loud scraping noise and saw sparks coming from a car’s rim making contact with the pavement.

There were also leaves and shrubbery stuck in the front grill of the vehicle.

During a traffic stop, police said Smith had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and showed obvious signs of impairment.  Smith was arrested after allegedly refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

(La Porte County, IN) - The family of a LaPorte County Police officer paralyzed from being shot in May is blasting a plea agreement reportedly offered to the suspected gunman.

Particularly hurtful to the family is the suspect, Sharod Grafton, allegedly stood over an already badly wounded Jon Samuelson during a struggle to deliver a fourth shot, but the gun jammed.  

“He intended to kill Jon,” said the victim’s father, Doug Samuelson, a retired Michigan City Police officer.

Samuelson said the 32-year old Grafton of Chicago should to go to trial and face a potential maximum 40-year sentence for attempted murder, if convicted, along with additional time if a jury also finds him guilty on any of his remaining counts. However, Samuelson said the plea offer would dismiss a weapons enhancement charge that could bring Grafton another roughly 15-years or more of imprisonment.

“I think he deserves every minute of time we can give him and I think Jon deserves that,” he said. 

Brian Wright, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75 in Michigan City, is calling for La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan to resign as a civilian member of the local FOP chapter.

Wright, a sergeant during the afternoon shift at the Michigan City Police Department,  called the reported plea offer “a slap in the face” to law enforcement and a source of anger and  discouragement from officers feeling Fagan doesn’t have their backs. 

“They’re very unhappy and feel like we’re being let down,” he said.

When contacted, Fagan did not confirm or deny if a plea agreement was offered, saying he could not publicly discuss specifics in the case to avoid the potential of a mistrial should the case go before a jury.

“I appreciate the public feedback, as the ability to advocate and speak freely is constitutional bedrock.  However, I cannot comment beyond the public record as it could be considered prejudicial to the defendant, preventing him from getting a fair trial,” he said. 

The matter became an issue after a letter by Samuelson’s wife, Quinn, was recently posted on the FOP Dunes Lodge #75 webpage on Facebook with a message for readers to share. 

In the letter, Mrs. Samuelson said the prosecutor’s office knew her husband wanted the case to go to trial during a meeting with them in August to discuss options in moving forward with the allegations.   However, Samuelson said there were no further talks between the prosecutor’s office and her family before learning about a plea offer.

“A violent criminal like this does not deserve the mercy of a plea deal, especially when it’s done behind the victim’s back and by a prosecutor whose platform was pro law enforcement,” she said.

Samuelson said she spoke to Fagan about the plea offer but the common theme of their conversation was him telling her that “he understands.”

“Fagan has not witnessed Jon struggling to get in and out of his wheelchair.  Fagan has not heard Jon begging God for his legs to fully come back online each and every day.  Fagan has not had his life turned upside down.  So, no, he does understand,” she said.

According to authorities, Samuelson in May was heading to a police training session when he stopped to help Grafton, who he thought was a disabled motorist.   For unknown reasons, Grafton asked to be taken to a hospital, police said. 

Police said Samuelson drove him to Franciscan Health, a hospital along Interstate 94 outside Michigan City, and escorted him inside.  Samuelson then left but returned a few minutes later after learning Grafton was a suspect in the theft of his mother’s car at gunpoint in Chicago, police said.

During a confrontation in the emergency room area, Grafton allegedly shot the officer three times and fled but was soon captured on foot.  One of the rounds lodged in his spine, causing paralysis from the chest down, according to police reports filed with the court.

There’s also an online petition drive asking any plea offers be pulled and the case go to trial.

If prosecutors go forward with a plea agreement, Samuelson and his family hope the judge presiding over the case rejects the deal and, eventually, the case winds up before a jury.

Samuelson said his son is more than willing to go into a courtroom and testify about the shooting.

“Jon needs to have his day in court.  Whether he walks into the courtroom by a walker or a wheelchair, Jon needs to be in that court,” he said. 

Currently, Grafton has a trial date scheduled for November 9.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County man is the owner of a rare car in practically mint condition.  Two years ago, Stan Hynek purchased a 1989 Avanti convertible made by Studebaker at its plant in Ohio. 

When he found the car for sale online, it was in California inside an air conditioned garage belonging to a woman who drove it for just 11,000 miles after she purchased the car brand new.  Only about 100 of the Avanti convertibles with a soft top going up and down at the push of a button were made that year.

Hynek, 83, said he purchased the car for $20,000 but feels it could be worth upwards of $100,000, but he’s not selling.  His most recent offer came while stopped at a traffic light in Michigan City last week.

“Everybody wants to buy it,” he said.

Hynek, who’s from the Rolling Prairie area, said he has put just 100 miles on the car since buying it and having it towed here from California.

(La Porte, IN) - The 24^th annual roof sit here at the broadcast center in La Porte raised over $40,000 to take children shopping for Christmas.

The goal was $50,000 but additional money is expected to come in.

Our very own Dennis Siddall encouraged people to donate while broadcasting Friday from the roof at the broadcast center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Dennis at the end of his broadcast announced the grand total was $45,905.

“Not bad.  Not bad at all, man.  That was awesome,” he said.

Dennis also thanked everyone for contributing to the Deserving Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour held annually in early December.

“If it wasn’t for you and your donations, this wouldn’t happen, wouldn’t happen for 24-years.  No way,” he said.

Last year, 600 children were given $175 apiece to go shopping with a volunteer adult escort primarily for clothing.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Prosecutor is being heavily criticized by the law enforcement community over a plea agreement reportedly offered in the shooting of a police officer left paralyzed.

In a letter posted on social media, Samuelson’s wife, Quinn, revealed she and her husband were contacted last week by Prosecutor Sean Fagan.  She said Fagan informed them a plea agreement was offered in the case.

Mrs. Samuelson said the plea would eliminate a weapons enhancement charge, meaning a potential 15 to 20 year reduction in the gunman’s potential sentence if he were found guilty during a trial.

She said the plea goes against her husband’s wishes in a case where the gunman stood over her husband to deliver a fourth shot, but the gun jammed.  Mrs. Samuelson went on to say Fagan hasn’t seen her husband struggling to get out of his wheelchair or begging God daily to restore the use of his legs.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s office is publicly asking any guilty plea be removed from the case.  The Fraternal Order of Police from Dunes Lodge #75 in Michigan City along with the Indiana State Police FOP have taken a similar stance.

In response, Fagan said he could not comment publicly on the specifics of the case to avoid the risk of having a mistrial declared.

“I appreciate the public feedback as the ability to advocate and speak freely is Constitutional bedrock. However, I cannot comment beyond the public record as it could be considered prejudicial to the defendant, preventing him from getting a fair trial,” Fagan said.

(Indianapolis, IN) - An artist from this area has been selected to design a mural for the Indiana Fever, the WNBA basketball team in Indianapolis.

Alex Allen of South Bend was chosen out of 65 applicants to create a mural on the side of the team’s new sports performance center. Allen has over seven years of full-time experience creating large-scale interior and exterior murals, working primarily in aerosol and latex.

Two years ago, Allen beautified the bare exterior wall of Mucho Mas in the 600 block of Lincolnway. She also painted the south side of the La Porte Public Library Exchange Building on Indiana Avenue. That work closely resembles her concept for the Indiana Fever mural: colorful and geometric.

Allen was chosen as one of three finalists to submit designs for the Fever project. With feedback from over 2,200 community members, Allen’s proposal was the clear favorite, the team said, with respondents praising its bold color, dynamic movement, and inspiring message. The immersive composition will feature the words “Unity, Legacy, Resilience” with a WNBA basketball swishing through a net towards a background of iconic Indianapolis symbols.

“We hope the mural adds something special to the space for our players, staff and everyone who passes by the facility each day,” said Indiana Fever Team President Kelly Krauskopf. Their new $78 million, 108,000-square-foot, three-story training facility is currently under construction in downtown Indianapolis, near Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Allen's 40-by-60-foot mural, which will adorn the north wall facing the City-County Building and the city's Transit Center, will be painted this fall and dedicated next spring at the facility’s opening.

(La Porte County, IN) - NIPSCO has offered up a chunk of change to support the La Porte community. Over 60% of NIPSCO's northwest Indiana customers lost power during the August 11 storm. It was one of the largest outages in the utility’s history.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County has received $400,000 from the NiSource Charitable Foundation to support disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts across the county.

"Our community has endured devastating damage and disruption, leaving many of our neighbors facing loss and uncertainty,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, President & CEO of Unity Foundation of La Porte County. “As La Porte County’s community foundation, our role is to stay in close communication with local partners, bring people and resources together, and connect philanthropic generosity with community needs."

According to Unity Foundation, the grant allocation strengthens local recovery capacity across these essential areas:

• Basic Needs & Household Support: Helping residents access food and other immediate necessities following the storm.
• Property & Infrastructure Recovery: Supporting efforts to address storm-related property damage, cleanup and other recovery needs.
• Community & Resident Support: Supporting local organizations as they respond to the ongoing needs of residents.

Unity Foundation will distribute the funds to the following 13 local organizations:

• Catholic Charities
• Center Township
• Citizens Concerned for the Homeless
• Coolspring Township
• Food Bank of Northern Indiana (La Porte County)
• Meals on Wheels
• New Durham Township
• Operation Feed La Porte County
• Pax Center
• The Salvation Army
• Threads of Hope/New Carlisle Community Food Pantry
• Union Township
• United Way of La Porte County

Those recipients will announce how they plan to use the money to support storm damage recovery efforts. At least one has already done so. The La Porte County Salvation Army will offer eligible households one additional pantry visit per month through the end of October to help families replace food lost during extended power outages.

(La Porte County, IN) – La Porte County’s four high school football teams are a combined 1-15 so far this season. Three squads are still looking for their first win, following another tough Friday night. Results from week 4 below:

• La Porte 7, Chesterton 35
• Michigan City 7, Valparaiso 28
• New Prairie 13, South Bend Adams 47
• South Central 6, Triton 37

Other area high school football scores:

• Plymouth 24, NorthWood 31
• Knox 18, Tippecanoe Valley 21
• John Glenn 13, Jimtown 20
• North Judson 46, North Miami 0
• Winamac 32, Culver 14

(La Porte County, IN) - The Salvation Army serving La Porte County is expanding food pantry services in response to the devastating storms that impacted the region last month.

Beginning immediately and continuing through October 31, households served by The Salvation Army food pantries in Michigan City and La Porte will be eligible for one additional pantry visit per month.

The temporary expansion is designed to help families replace food lost during extended power outages, stretch household budgets, and access nutritious groceries while recovering from the financial impact of the storms.

The enhanced services are made possible through a $40,000 storm recovery grant provided by Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation and administered through the Unity Foundation of La Porte County.

"The storms created challenges that many families are still working to overcome," said Major Becky Simmons of The Salvation Army serving La Porte County.

Normally, people are allowed one to two visits to the food pantry a month depending on their eligibility.

During September and October, households will be permitted one additional pantry visit each month, providing greater flexibility and support as families recover from storm-related hardships.

The Salvation Army food pantry at 1201 S. Franklin St. in Michigan City is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The Salvation Army food pantry at 3240 Monroe St. in La Porte is open Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Individuals visiting either pantry for the first time should bring a valid photo ID, officials said.

More information is available by calling (219) 874-6885 or (219) 326-5342.

(Fort Wayne, IN) - Indiana Michigan Power has been recognized for its response in restoring power after a June storm.

The company has received the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Recovery Award, a very coveted honor in the industry.  The award recognizes the dedication of I&M employees, contractors and crews from neighboring power companies who worked tirelessly to restore power following multiple rounds of severe weather on June 11 and 13.

The storms caused widespread damage across northern Indiana, leaving thousands of customers without power. The hardest-hit areas were South Bend and Elkhart, where an EF-2 tornado with winds of up to 115 mph damaged poles, power lines and other electrical equipment.

During one of the largest storm recovery efforts in recent company history, I&M's storm restoration team worked nearly 136,000 hours in challenging heat and humidity to repair more than 300 broken poles and rebuilding more than 700 sections of power line.

Such dedication helped restore power to approximately 62,000 customers with over 90% of customers having their power restored within 42 hours, I&M said.

Winners for the EEI Emergency Recovery Award were selected by a panel of judges through a nomination process.

"When severe weather strikes, our member companies mobilize around the clock to restore power safely and as quickly as possible for the customers they serve," said Drew Maloney, President and CEO of EEI.

“This honor reflects the skill and determination of I&M's workforce, who prepare year-round so they're ready to face the toughest conditions and get the lights back on for communities who depend on them,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - Firefighters in La Porte today honored New York City firefighters who died while saving lives in the terrorist attacks from 25-years ago.

Over a dozen firefighters climbed the bleachers at Kiwanis Field as a tribute to firefighters who were inside the World Trade Center after the skyscrapers caught fire from being hit by planes.  The skyscrapers beside each other later collapsed with many people still inside, including the emergency responders.

La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said firefiighters went up and down the bleachers 72 times, which equals the number of stairs firefighters were climbing in each of the skyscrapers.

“Kind of a remembrance in honor of them,” he said.

Over 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks, which also included a plane flying into the Pentagon building in Washington D.C. and a plane crashing to the ground in Pennsylvania during a revolt by passengers against the terrorists.

(La Porte County, IN) - Contractors from the state will begin storm-related vegetation and tree debris cleanup on Monday.

For one week, residents who need to have their storm debris picked up are asked to submit a pickup request through the LaPorte County Government website: www.laporteco.in.gov.

Click the rolling header at the top of the page labeled “Highway Dept. Brush Cleanup” and complete the request form.  If you are unable to submit a request online, please call the LaPorte County Highway Department at (219) 362-2051 to make your pickup request.

Debris Placement Guidelines

• Place tree limbs, branches, brush and other vegetative debris in the county right-of-way (ROW).
• Keep debris completely out of the roadway and away from traffic.
• Do not place debris near mailboxes, electrical/utility boxes, poles or other obstructions.
• Vegetation and tree debris only. Household goods, garbage, furniture, appliances, construction debris and other non-vegetative materials will not be collected.
• Debris that is improperly placed or mixed with other materials may not be picked up.

Residents are encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible to help organize and complete the cleanup efficiently.

(La Porte, IN) - For the 24^th consecutive year, funds are being raised at the Broadcast Center for taking deserving children shopping for Christmas.

Our very own Dennis Siddall is on the roof today broadcasting on 96.7 The Eagle until 6 p.m.  The goal is $50,000.

Volunteers are outside the Broadcast Center collecting donations from people in their vehicles at State and Oregon streets.

“If you could, stop on by,” Dennis said.

The money will go toward the Deserving Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour, which spent $175 on each child last year primarily on clothing.  Dennis said around one million dollars has been raised for the tour since he started broadcasting on the roof each year.

(La Porte County, IN) - The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District has received top honors for being friendly to Mother Nature.

The district was among eight Indiana organizations to receive the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.  Specifically, the district was commended for its Native Habitat for Pollinators Establishment Program established in 2023.

Officials said the program met its 50-acre goal by creating diverse native pollinator habitats across 10 sites in nine sub-watersheds spanning the Lake Michigan and Kankakee basins.

The program transforms degraded and invasive-dominated areas into biodiverse plantings featuring grasses, forbs, and shrubs native to Northwest Indiana’s coastal region.

The awards are reserved for the most innovative, sustainable, and exemplary programs or projects that positively impact Indiana’s environment and demonstrate measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits.

“This year’s winners represent some of the most innovative, forward thinking work happening today, improving quality of life for communities across our state,” said Governor Mike Braun.

(La Porte, IN) - An alleged impaired driver is scheduled to be sentenced Friday for causing serious injuries in a head-on collision.

Mackenzie Miller, 22, of Walkerton faces an up to six year sentence in La Porte Circuit Court for operating while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony.

In March, she veered across the center line on Indiana 2 near 100 South, striking an oncoming vehicle operated by Franklin Lile of Wanatah, police said. 

Lile, 47, was airlifted to a regional hospital for more advanced care of his injuries. Police said Miller suffered minor injuries in the crash.

(La Porte, IN) - A man on a motorcycle was taken by medical helicopter after a collision with a car in La Porte.

It happened Tuesday afternoon. According to La Porte Police, the investigation

shows Thomas Hyer was southbound on U.S. 35 when a car pulled out into his path from a parking lot in the 400 block of Pine Lake Ave.

Police said the other driver, Stanley Wisniewski, was not injured. Hyer was taken by ambulance to a medical helicopter waiting for him in a grassy area outside the downtown courthouse, police said. 

Police said the motorcycle suffered extensive damage.  Further details were not released.

(La Porte County, IN) - A police chase occurred this morning in La Porte County.

According to police dispatch information, the pursuit was on U.S. 35 just after 8 a.m. then veered eastbound on U.S. 6. where speeds topped 90 miles per hour before entering Kingsford Heights.

A short time later, the suspect stepped out of the vehicle and fled on foot after turning on Grayton Road.  At one point during a foot chase, a bite from a K-9 dog was reported.  The chase originated in the city of La Porte.

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

(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.

(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.