(La Porte County, IN) - Over 4,000 people have cast early votes in La Porte County.

La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens said 2,189 early votes had been cast at the La Porte County Fairgrounds by the end of the day on Monday since early voting began on October 6.

She said 2,059 people had voted in Michigan City at 8^th and Wabash streets while another 308 votes were cast on the mobile voting unit.

“That is great,” she said.

Two other early voting locations opened today at the Wills Township Community Building and Wanatah Town Hall.  Stevens said voters should not have to wait long to vote since there are plenty of early voting machines keeping lines to a minimum.

“We just try to keep things moving as quickly and efficiently as we can,” she said.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced today that Indiana’s Jobs for Veterans State Grants program is successfully serving Hoosier veterans.

In the 2026 federal fiscal year, Braun said the program exceeded performance goals.

“I will always ensure Hoosier veterans receive the essential services they need to succeed. It is a win when we connect Indiana’s employers with these hard-working veterans who can in turn help our businesses thrive,” he said.

Operated by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the program uses federal funding to hire specialized staff members at WorkOne offices who offer targeted career services to Hoosier veterans looking for jobs and who connect employers with qualified military talent.

More than 66% of veterans who exited the program were employed in the second quarter, exceeding the program goal of 62%. Program goals are created in consultation with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Individual successes include a veteran served by the program now working at Pinnacle Oil as a production supervisor earning $110,000 a year.

“By helping veterans earn higher wages, we are helping businesses grow, creating opportunities that help all of Indiana prosper,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Chuck Goodrich.

To learn more about Gov. Braun’s workforce initiatives to support veterans, visit in.gov/dwd/veterans-services.

(La Porte, IN) - City employees in La Porte will not receive a pay increase next year.

Dwindling revenue from statewide property tax reform was cited by Mayor Tom Dermody as the reason before the city council Monday night voted unanimously in favor of next year’s salaries.

City employees will receive bonuses, which is a more affordable option, to make up for not receiving a raise.

City councilwoman Laura Konieczny, who seemed disappointed more can’t be done financially right now, called the employees the city’s greatest asset.

She said they come to work and do their jobs, no matter what the circumstances, “damn well.”

Dermody said bonuses will be paid next year to all full time staff and permanent part time employees.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte High School Marching Band finished in 11^th place in its return to the state finals over the weekend.

It’s the first year for Marching Band Director Mike Scheck, whose success reflected a desire from school officials to get the program back to the state finals after not making the cut since 2023.

Making the state finals every year almost seemed routine under Mickey Stisher, who retired in 2019 after more than 30-years as marching band director.

Scheck said he was pleased with the marching band’s performance in the state finals because La Porte was among the final programs chosen for the competition.

“We finished competitively, I think, in a really good spot,” he said.

Scheck was the marching band director at South Central High School before coming to La Porte this year.  

“I’m super happy with how everything went and thankful for the opportunity to take over a program like this,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - The overnight shelter in La Porte is open again for the cold weather months.

Nest Community Shelter is in the old downtown train depot along Washington St. behind the La Porte County government complex.

Shelter Director Harry Holtkamp said anyone in need of help should not hesitate to come to the shelter, which is open seven days a week until April 15.

“We are here to make sure no one, no one stays on the streets,” he said.

The shelter is open daily from 5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.

People staying overnight receive two meals and help at the Center Township Trustee’s Office in finding permanent shelter, employment and whatever else might be needed to help get them back on their feet.

(La Porte, IN) - There will be a change of leadership with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.

Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson is not seeking a renewal of her contract after it expires at the end of the concert season.

She has been with the orchestra for six seasons in which she presided over a considerable improvement and strengthening in the artistic quality of the orchestra.

Watson said her decision was made with mixed emotions.

“Leading this orchestra has been one of the great joys of my professional career and I will miss the warm embrace of both the orchestra and the La Porte community,” she said.

Watson offered no specifics on her future plans.

“The time feels right for me to move on to the next chapter in my professional journey and I wish the organization every success moving forward,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A sheep and goat show drew more than two thousand people Saturday to the La Porte County Fairgrounds.

The show was put on with help from Catherine Mrozinski of Rolling Prairie.

Mrozinski said there were more than 600 goats and sheep combined along with over 200 people of all ages showing the animals. 

She said the show drew more than twice the entries as a typical show that size.

“Very large.  Very good response especially knowing we had people come from as far away as Maryland,” she said.

Mrozinski said it was the first show she and several other La Porte County residents put on.  No decisions have been made yet on whether the show will return next year.

(La Porte County, IN) - A police chase ending with a crash Sunday night in the Michigan City area led to the seizure of dispensary marijuana purchased outside New Buffalo.

Cody Withrow, 31, of Indianapolis is charged in La Porte Superior Court 4 with resisting law enforcement and possession of marijuana, both Level 6 felonies along with reckless driving, a Class C misdemeanor.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer about 7:30 p.m. began following a 2016 Toyota Camry traveling at a high rate of speed and making erratic, unsafe lane movements in the area of U.S. 421 and County Road 400 North.

Police said the officer tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver later identified as Withrow merged into the eastbound lanes of nearby Interstate 94.  He immediately veered off the interstate and returned to U.S. 421 before taking another ramp to head westbound on the interstate, police said.

Police said Withrow with the officer still in pursuit returned again to U.S. 421 and went back for a second time to the eastbound lanes of the interstate before veering onto the ramp to head northbound on U.S. 421.

He was still on the ramp when he rear-ended a pick-up truck.

Police said he drove around the truck but his vehicle with heavy front end damage came to a stop a short time later and he was taken into custody at gunpoint.

Two large bags containing the name of a dispensary in Michigan along U.S. 12 in New Buffalo Township were recovered from the trunk of Withrow’s vehicle.  Police said the bags contained various marijuana products still in their original packaging valued at more than $1,100.

Marijuana remains illegal in Indiana.  Withrow was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $755 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) – La Porte County high school football teams went 1-3 on Friday, running their combined record to 5-31 for year, with one regular season game left to play. Here are Friday’s scores:

Portage (1-8) 20, La Porte (2-7) 19

Crown Point (9-0) 41, Michigan City (1-8) 0

New Prairie (2-7) 43, South Bend Washington (0-9) 0         

Culver Community (3-6) 53, South Central (0-9) 16

Other scores from area teams:

Knox 36, Gary West 14

Culver Academies 50, John Glenn 7

Pioneer 35, North Judson 9

Caston 16, Winamac 8

(La Porte County, IN) - If you see a fire-breathing dragon light up a house near Joliet Rd with green flames, don’t call the fire department, or an exorcist. It’s just the home of Mike and Kim Schoner. Mike’s at it again, with another holiday light show.

He uses high-definition laser technology to project Halloween animation accompanied by music. There are six sets and over 30 minutes of entertainment, which Schoner says ranges from standard Halloween themes to Star Wars and Stranger Things. “We purposely try to do a little bit of everything to appeal to little kids and adults,” said Schoner, “but nothing too scary where it would offend anybody.”

The Schoners broke into holiday multi-media displaying last year with a Christmas show, which they plan to continue. A big change this year is the location. The Schoners have moved. Now their displays can be seen on S. Maple Lane Court, which is in the center of Park Place Subdivision, a couple of miles west of Door Village. Once there, you can tune your car radio to enjoy the music in your vehicle.

The Halloween light show can be viewed every night from 7-10:30 pm through November 1. The Schoners plan to run their Christmas display from December 12 to January 1. You can check their Facebook page, “S. Maple Lane Ct. Holiday Family Traditions,” for more details.

(Calgary, Alberta) - The cross-country Christmas train that passes through this area annually has announced some details for its next visit.

The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Holiday Train will begin its 32-day journey in Montreal on November 19, with stops in 182 communities across Canada and the U.S. It’s the 28^th year for the railroad spectacle, which has raised more than $28.3 million and over 5.6 million pounds of food for community food banks.

“Our railroaders take great pride in bringing the Holiday Train through hundreds of communities across our network to support people facing food insecurity,” said CPKC President and CEO Keith Creel. “This year, we are going farther south than we ever have before, visiting 10 communities in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri for the first time.”

As usual the CPKC Holiday Train will make no stops in Indiana. However, the brightly-lit choo choo will travel through La Porte County on Monday, November 23, sometime between 2:00 and 4:00 am CST. Right now, organizers say the time windows are more broad due uncertainties this far out. Closer to the run, they should have more exact times.

For more details on the Holiday Train schedule, follow this LINK.

(Jasper County, IN) - A man pulling a boat when killed in a rollover accident on Interstate 65 this week was from La Porte.

Charles Cox, 66, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Indiana State Police.

Police said early findings of the investigation show Cox was southbound when for unknown reasons his 1998 Ford sport utility vehicle struck the median at a high rate of speed.

The SUV came to a stop on its roof in the northbound lanes while the boat and trailer disconnected from the vehicle and came to rest in the median.

Cox was ejected from the vehicle, police said.  The accident happened north of the Rensselaer exit.

(South Bend, IN) - The Savannah Bananas are making a stop at Notre Dame in 2027.

The nationally acclaimed baseball team will play two games at Notre Dame during their world tour next year.  The first game will take place at Frank Eck Stadium on June 24, and the second will be at Notre Dame Stadium on June 26.

This will be the first ever baseball game to take place in Notre Dame Stadium, officials said. 

Tickets start at $35 and are available through the Banana Ball Lottery Program now until October 31 at 11:59 p.m.

(Michigan City, IN) - Franciscan Health, in partnership with Tonn and Blank Construction, is planning a medical office building on a portion of the former Marquette Mall property.

Franciscan Health plans to operate a 120,000-square-foot medical office building through the renovation of the former J.C. Penney store at the northwest corner of U.S. 421 and U.S. 20.

The land is just 2.5 miles north of Franciscan Health Michigan City, which sits at U.S. 421 and Interstate 94.

According to Franciscan Health officials, the building will house more than 45 physicians, cost-effective imaging, an urgent care and multi-specialty physician offices, including multiple physicians each specializing in internal medicine, orthopedics, family medicine, pediatrics, ENT/audiology and endocrinology/rheumatology.  The space will also support resident ambulatory rotations.

The multi-service medical office building supports Franciscan’s regional approach to cost-effective healthcare and aligns with two other similar Ambulatory Care Centers with multiple healthcare services currently under construction in St. John and Valparaiso, officials said.

“Meeting the needs of the patients we serve by locating services under one roof and making care more easily accessible supports our Franciscan values in action,” said Stacey Leva, DO, president and CEO of Franciscan Health Michigan City

Tonn and Blank Construction purchased the former Marquette Mall property in mid-2025.  Representatives from Tonn and Blank plan to present the project to city officials and request building permits later this month.

If approved, the project will be scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. 

Final plans for office relocations will be determined and shared with patients and staff closer to the opening of the building, officials said.

(Westville, IN) - A Westville woman is back home after taken by a medical helicopter with injuries originally believed to be from a motor vehicle striking her on foot.  

As it turned out, the investigation revealed no evidence of a vehicle involved and her not so serious injuries resulted apparently from falling.

Police also said alcohol was a factor.

According to police, the 62 year old woman last week was walking home from the Westville American Legion Post 21.  She was found next to the roadway by someone at Prairie Meadow Park, who called 911 reporting a woman hit by a motor vehicle.

Police said she was flown to a regional hospital out of precaution with hip and elbow injuries.

According to police, the woman later told investigators she believes a gust of wind created by a passing vehicle knocked her over, instead.   

Police said her injuries were consistent with what usually results from a fall.

(La Porte County, IN) - Separate federal lawsuits alleging wrongful termination against La Porte County government have been dismissed.

The lawsuits were filed by three people alleging they were fired for political reasons.

Two of the employees, including former La Porte County Highway Department Superintendent Allen Stevens, already had their cases dismissed before the final lawsuit from Dion Bergeron, a former seasonal employee, was dismissed yesterday in U.S. District Court in South Bend.

Lack of proof from Bergeron was among the reasons cited by a judge for dismissing that case.  

“It’s finally been dismissed, so we’re done with it,” said La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield, who was not in office when the lawsuits were filed or when the job terminations were made in 2023.

The terminations resulted from a majority vote by Commissioner Connie Gramarossa and then Commissioner Rich Mrozinski.

The vote followed a decision by the La Porte County Republican Party to remove Mrozinski as an official member of the party at a time when Mrozinski and party leaders were at odds with each other.

Stevens, who’s also the La Porte County Republican Party Chairman, was party chairman when Mrozinski was dismissed in a vote by leaders within the party.

(La Porte County, IN) - The firing of a gun inside a La Porte County home has resulted in criminal charges.

Jeremy Felker, 20, was arrested soon after the incident on Sunday in the Hudson Lake area.

La Porte County Police said there was a party going on when Felker threw a woman to the floor in a bedroom then fired a shot into an air mattress.

Police said the woman is the mother of his five month old child, who was at the home at the time. According to authorities, Felker told investigators he was upset about another man staying in the home as her guest and being present during the gathering. Fortunately, no one was wounded by the gunshot.

Felker is charged with criminal recklessness, domestic battery and minor consuming alcohol.

(La Porte County, IN) - Drug overdose deaths in La Porte County have dropped significantly in recent years.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said 14 people have died from drug use, so far, this year.  That’s down from 22 overdose deaths last year and the two previous years when the number was in the low 30’s.

Swanson feels one factor is the anti-drug programs in the local schools.

“I definitely think that’s having an impact on at least the overdose deaths,” she said.

The number of deaths are going down at a time when the federal government is reporting fewer overdose fatalities nationwide since the flow of drugs in the country has slowed since the southern border was made more secure.

Swanson said the number of overdose deaths in recent years would likely be higher if not for Narcan, which reverses the effects of heroin and other opioids.   

(Lansing, MI) - Michigan has joined Indiana and Ohio in allowing farmers to burn tax-free diesel fuel in their semi-trucks hauling grain during this year’s harvest to provide relief from record high prices at the pumps.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer on October 12 issued the tax waiver order, which will save farmers in her state 52 cents a gallon at a time of rising costs for other inputs like fertilizer and seed. 

Her order declaring a statewide energy emergency, which also extends tax free diesel fuel to loggers, is set to expire on December 31.

“Michigan farmers and loggers face unprecedented financial strain from record high fuel prices, tight margins and significant market volatility.  Therefore, granting eligible highway-licensed vehicles temporary access to this fuel would provide immediate relief,” she wrote in her order.

While food producers in the state appreciate the savings, farmers like Jay Williams of Waldron wish the order would have come a few weeks sooner to provide relief at the very beginning of this year’s harvest.

“I think, overall, in the farm community it’s a positive that something is being done.  I think it would have been received better had it not been delayed for quite as long as it was,” he said.

According to AAA, diesel fuel prices on average nationwide set a record in September at $6.53 per gallon, an increase of more than 70-percent from a year ago.

Michigan Farm Bureau was among the organizations in the industry calling for the tax waiver about two weeks prior to the governor’s decision.

Williams, who serves on the board for the Michigan Soybean Association, said the savings will not be a make or break for growers and his savings will be less since markets for his corn and soybeans are within relatively short distances from his fields.

His 1,600 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat are in fields in Michigan and nearby Ohio, where farmers are saving 47 cents a gallon on tax free diesel fuel in their grain hauling trucks during the harvest under an order from Governor Mike DeWine that went into effect on October 4.  

Governor Mike Braun’s waiver of the diesel fuel tax for harvesting farmers hauling grain in Indiana began on October 6.

(La Porte County, IN) - An industrial type fire in the Michigan City area caused considerable damage last night.

Firefighters from multiple departments responded to County Road 400 North near Hitchcock St. on a report of flames coming from the back of a facility that repairs large electric motors.

Coolspring Township firefighter Warren Smith said it appears the fire began in the area of a furnace used in cleaning industrial sized electric motors.

“Most of the fire was contained to the furnace area on the side of the building,” he said.

Smith estimated the damage at no less than $100,000.

“They’re definitely going to have to do some repairs,” he said.

There were no injuries.  Firefighters were on the scene for over three hours.

Smith said the cause of the fire is not known but it’s under investigation with help from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office.  He believes the company will be able to continue operations until the necessary repairs are completed.

(La Porte County, IN) - A proposed new income tax in La Porte County has moved another step forward in the decision making process.

The La Porte County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to take a vote on the proposed tax during its regularly scheduled meeting on October 26.

Less than a dozen citizens showed up for a public hearing conducted prior to the decision to move forward on the proposal.

Kingsbury area resident Bob Garrelts, who collects Social Security payments, said his costs are going up and another tax won’t make things any easier.

“There’s got to be a better way,” he said.

Trista Hudson, a contracted financial advisor on the proposal, estimated the average wage earner would pay about $140 a year if the income tax is adopted.  She also said the proposed tax would generate close to $7 million annually to fund strictly the county government owned ambulance service.

The tax is being proposed to replace lost revenue from statewide property tax reductions forcing local governments to impose or at least consider adopting higher local taxes.

(La Porte County, IN) - The driver of a pick-up truck with heavy front end damage is facing allegations of drunk driving in La Porte County.

Mario Reyes, 21, of Ligioner is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated. According to La Porte County Police, a confused looking Reyes early on October 9 was standing outside his Dodge Dakota stopped in the center lane of U.S. 20 near U.S. 35.

Police said Reyes explained he struck a deer but he didn’t know exactly where the crash occurred.  The investigating officer reported there was no evidence of a collision with a deer and the major damage to his front end was not consistent with striking an animal.

Reyes also said he began his trip in Porter County but the GPS device in his vehicle showed he had traveled here from Berrien County, Michigan, according to police. 

Reyes had a blood alcohol level of .179-percent, which is more than double the legal limit.

He was not injured.

(La Porte, IN) - The graduation rate at La Porte High School is more than 90 percent for the third straight year.

In comparison, the percentage of LPHS students graduating was in the mid-80’s the two previous years.

Zach Huber, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, told the school board this week the only other time in the last 25 years the graduation rate was above 90-percent was in 2018.

“A shout out to our high school friends who are working really hard in understanding how to get students to that graduation rate,” he said.

He said the target is 95-percent.

“We’re super close.  We’ll get there,” Huber said.

The graduation rate was 93.6-percent or just below the 94-percent rate the previous year and the 91-percent rate from 2024.

(Hammond and Westville, IN) - Purdue University Northwest and Ivy Tech Community College statewide are strengthening accessibility and affordability for college students pursuing hospitality and tourism careers through several academic transfer pathways.

The institutions have introduced three transfer pathways that provide opportunities for Ivy Tech students completing hospitality and culinary arts-focused technical certificates to apply and transfer eligible credit hours toward PNW’s Hospitality and Tourism Management bachelor’s degree program.

Officials said the partnership provides college students a seamless track for flexibly earning stackable credentials, gaining valuable hands-on, career-focused learning experience and preparing for hospitality workforce needs.

“We understand students seek flexibility and affordability in navigating a college education experience that provides them both relevant skills for their chosen fields and opportunities for practical experiences through classwork and outside employment. PNW and Ivy Tech share a commitment to helping students earn credentials that set them up for success,” said David Taylor, Dean of the PNW College of Business.

Holy Gould, Department Chair for the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at the Ivy Tech campus in Lake County said the pathways position students to take advantage of career opportunities helped by a growing tourist and hospitality industry in the region.

“We want our students to develop valuable skills, focus on their career goals and earn credentials that make them employable in Northwest Indiana without having to leave the area to pursue their education,” she said.  

(La Porte, IN) - Enrollment is down again in the La Porte School Corporation.

The number of students is 112 less than the previous year at this point, said Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood.  There’s been a gradual decline in the number of students here over roughly the past decade.

Wood said much of the drop this year was from losing a large senior class to graduation.

“We expected a larger than usual decrease in enrollment this year just because of that large class that graduated last year,” she said.

On the bright side, Wood said the number of students in grades 5 through 8 at the Kesling school campus increased from 827 to 851.

Other school districts throughout the area and nationwide are experiencing challenges with maintaining enrollment largely from lower birth rates.

(La Porte County, IN) - Suicides are up noticeably in La Porte County.

County Coroner Lynn Swanson said 30 people have taken their lives, so far, this year compared to 25 all of  last year.

Swanson said one factor in the rising numbers might be the economy but the reasons are often not known after speaking to family members of victims.  Family members willing to discuss the situation point at times to job loss and death of a family member or friend.

“Most of the time, it’s a mystery,” she said.

Swanson said the number of suicides in La Porte County ranged from 21 to 27 the three years previous to last year.

She encouraged people contemplating suicide to contact places like the Swanson Center for help with their mental health or substance abuse or 911 in more serious cases where emergency responders can give more immediate crisis intervention.

(La Porte, IN) - Code enforcement in La Porte has begun approaching citizens about taking back their unwanted trash from beside the streets.

Possible fines could be issued especially if action by residents is not taken right away.

Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor said the city will work with individuals such as senior citizens who might need assistance with the task.

“We’ll try to help where we can, but if you got your whole house sitting out on the street you got to take responsibility for that,” he said.

The problem stems from artificial intelligence taking the correction information from the city and publishing the wrong dates for the upcoming fall clean-up where residents can place old furniture and other unwanted items along the curb for Waste Management to haul away during the week.

The fall clean-up doesn’t begin until October 19.

Last week, the city gave a Monday deadline for the trash to be moved back inside until the actual fall clean-up week but not many people seemed to listen.

“There’s a lot that’s still beside the road,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Multiple drugs were found in the system of a driver killed in a single vehicle crash just over a month ago in La Porte County.

Irene Pantle, 42, died at the scene of the crash on Indiana 04 south of Fish Lake.

Police said the Walkerton woman left the road and struck a tree.

According to the La Porte County Coroner’s Office, the results of a blood test taken during the autopsy showed marijuana, hydrocodone and amphetamine were in her system. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A traffic stop in Michigan City resulted in the driver being arrested for allegedly having a good sized amount of dispensary marijuana in his vehicle.

Nicholas Felton, 55, is charged with possession of marijuana as a Level 6 felony.

According to La Porte County Police, the man was pulled over for changing lanes without using a turn signal late Sunday afternoon on Indiana 212.

The officer approached the vehicle on foot and observed a bag from a marijuana dispensary in New Buffalo Township on the passenger side floorboard, police said.

Police said more than one ounce of raw marijuana along with THC infused gummies and several pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes were recovered from the vehicle.

Felton, who’s from Illinois, has since posted bond.

(Indianapolis, IN) -  Indiana Farm Bureau has announced its issue priorities for the 2027 legislative session which include essential budget requests for agriculture, continued tax reform and policies that strengthen our food system.

The priorities identified by INFB for 2027 include the following general topics:

Prioritize agriculture and rural investment.

Over the summer, the Indiana Agricultural and Promotion Task Force highlighted the need to strengthen investments in the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal Health to ensure critical programs and services supporting Indiana agriculture remain viable. Adequate funding is needed to retain and recruit staff, including meat inspectors and veterinarians, while supporting initiatives such as Indiana Grown that expand market opportunities for Indiana farmers.

The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is also a funding priority. As animal health and disease threats continue to emerge, maintaining a strong diagnostic and surveillance system is essential to protecting animal health, safeguarding Indiana's livestock industry and ensuring rapid response capabilities when disease outbreaks occur. Strategic investments in these organizations will help support the long-term growth and competitiveness of Indiana agriculture.

INFB will also support policies that invest in rural communities and help create opportunities for passing the farm onto the next generation. Those requests will include more funding for rural healthcare access, transportation infrastructure and childcare expansion.

“After several years of economic hardship in the ag economy, most seasoned farmers have reserves that can help them weather those storms,” said Randy Kron, INFB president.

“I worry about the younger generation of farmers who haven’t had time to establish themselves yet. That’s why we’re pushing to fund programs that assist new farmers and strengthen pathways for passing the farm to future generations.”

Continue Indiana’s property tax and assessment reform.

“The tax relief that came out of Senate Enrolled Act 1 from the 2025 legislative session was a great start to alleviate some of the economic pressures landowners were facing, but we need to finish the job,” said Katie Nelson, INFB’s executive director of public policy. “With continued hits coming from high input costs, land prices and property taxes, farmers will be lucky to break even this year. We need lasting property tax reform now.”

INFB will be asking the legislature to reduce the assessed value for agricultural-use buildings by moving them from the 3% to the 2% tax cap, which would also provide those properties with a one-third deduction. They will also work to push legislation that would exempt the first $2 million in business personal property tax for all filers instead of the current exemption which only provides relief to those under the $2 million purchase cost.

Priority will be given to policies that strengthen oversight of the property tax assessment process overall to ensure accurate, consistent and transparent assessment practices statewide.

Support Indiana’s food system.

In the midst of the Make America Healthy Again movement, INFB hopes to champion state and federal incentive programs that make locally grown, nutrient-dense foods more accessible in schools and rural communities and ensure access to those foods by advocating for science-based policies, avoiding a state-by-state patchwork of regulations.?

INFB will also prioritize expanded market opportunities for farmers and reduced regulatory barriers that limit food production and sales.

According to INFB officials, policy priorities are created from the ground up, beginning with each county Farm Bureau.

All 92 county organizations have the opportunity to make policy suggestions for the upcoming year. The recommendations are then brought before a resolutions committee to be considered before they reach the INFB delegate session, which was held in late August and consisted of 236 member representatives.

After the delegate session, the INFB board of directors identified the key issues INFB members and staff will focus on at the Statehouse.

(La Porte County, IN) - Jonathan Swarts, a longtime faculty member and administrator at Purdue University Northwest, is dean and interim director of the PNW Westville campus.

In this new role, PNW officials said Swarts is providing dedicated academic and administrative leadership for the Westville campus, a vital educational and community resource for the La Porte and Porter County areas.

Swarts is also working with faculty and staff, as well as community members, to foster a unified vision to advance high-impact growth practices and enhance student success.

He oversees the academic operations of the Westville campus and provides leadership in advancing teaching and learning, community engagement, student support services, enrollment initiatives and strategic partnerships.

“I am excited to continue serving Purdue University Northwest and Northwest Indiana through this appointment,” Swarts said.

“The PNW Westville campus is near and dear to me as the place where I began teaching students and growing roots with our neighboring communities. We are focused on understanding what our students prioritize and value in their college experience, and we are committed to supporting them in successfully preparing for future workforce needs.”

Swarts began his career as a faculty member in political science at the PNW Westville campus in 2001, achieving the rank of Professor in 2016.

His administrative experience includes appointments as chair of the PNW department of Political Science, Economics and World Languages and Cultures, and as an associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Most recently, he served as dean of PNW’s Honors College and University College. Under his leadership, the PNW Honors College’s enrollment grew to nearly 700.

“Dr. Swarts is bringing renewed energy to the Westville campus and advancing PNW’s mission to transform the lives of local students and the greater La Porte and Porter County communities,” PNW Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford said.

(West Lafayette, IN) - The frequency and severity of farm-related injuries is on the decline. 

According to the annual farm fatality summary from Purdue University, the number of documented farm related deaths in Indiana has dropped from over 40 in 1977 to 17 in 2025.

Between 1994 and 2008, nearly one-half of farm related fatalities involved a tractor but that figure last year was 29-percent likely from increased use of equipment guarding against rollovers and improvements in tractor stability, according to the report.

A disproportionate number of farm fatalities in the state continue to happen in Amish communities partly due to continued use of older equipment lacking modern safety features.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County "Historians of the Year" for 2026 will be honored later this month.

The “Historians of the Year” will be Bonnie DeWolf and Ron Hyer. 

The two organizations being recognized for their many years of continuous service to the people of La Porte County are Kabelin Ace Hardware and the La Porte County Fair.

The honors will be given during a program on October at the La Porte County Historical Society Museum at 7:00 pm.

Honorees will be recognized for their work in helping to promote and preserve the history of La Porte County.   All society members and the public are welcome to attend the evening's presentations.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local official is now president of the Indiana Township Association.

Lisa Pierzakowski was elected during the association’s annual convention on October 7 in Noblesville. “I feel very honored.  I feel very excited about it,” she said.

Pierzakowski, who has been the Center Township Trustee since 2015, previously served as the association’s vice-president for six years. “Lisa has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to township government and the people we serve,” said John Wales, Executive Director of the ITA.

Pierzakowski was the 2018 Indiana Township Trustee of the Year.

She will begin her two-year term as president on January 1.

Wales said her election comes at an important for township government in Indiana with township officials preparing for legislative changes, new training requirements and continued efforts to improve efficiency, accountability and service to residents.

“We got work to do,” Pierzakowski said.

(La Porte, IN) – This week the La Porte Community School Corporation made an exciting announcement regarding one of the schools in the district. Their statement is reprinted below:

Kingsford Heights Elementary School has been named a 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon School by Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Education, one of the top 16 schools selected statewide from more than 2,300 Indiana K-12 schools. Kingsford Heights is the only La Porte County school to receive the designation this year.

The 16 honorees were formally recognized at the fifth annual Educational Excellence Awards Gala on Friday, Oct. 2, in Indianapolis, where Holly Wireman and members of the Kingsford Heights school community accepted the recognition alongside educators and state leaders.

The Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools designation celebrates schools that demonstrate exemplary academic performance and innovative approaches to meeting students' needs. According to the Indiana Department of Education, honorees were identified by reviewing the same data for every public and non-public school in the state, including student mastery in reading, math, and college- and career-readiness as measured by state assessments, as well as strong attendance. The state program, now in its second year, continues the tradition of the National Blue Ribbon Schools designation established in 1982.

"With more than 2,300 K-12 schools across Indiana, to be named one of the top 16 is an incredible accomplishment," said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, in the state's announcement. "This level of excellence is only possible when strong educators work hand-in-hand with families to meet the unique needs of every learner."

"This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Kingsford Heights Elementary and a proud moment for La Porte Community School Corporation," said Dr. Sandra Wood, superintendent. "It reflects a staff that knows every child by name and works relentlessly to make sure each one has what they need to succeed, and a community that partners with us every day. We are grateful to the teachers, staff, students and families who make Kingsford Heights what it is, and we could not be prouder of them."

Principal Holly Wireman credited the achievement to the Kingsford Heights team's consistency and care. "Every person in this building plays a vital role in helping our Tigers each and every day, and this recognition belongs to all of them. It doesn't happen because of one person. It happens because of a team that truly cares about every child who walks through our doors."

The full list of 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools and more information about the designation are available on the Indiana Department of Education website at in.gov/doe/it/accountability-dashboard/indiana-blue-ribbon-schools.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Clerk’s Office has been busy sorting out an election ballot snafu.

The error has to do with the candidates for Long Beach Town Council. The original ballot asked voters to select five people for the council, but according to County Clerk Heather Stevens, the number should be three. The problem is that six candidates are running for three open seats. Selecting more than three on an un-ranked ballot would not yield a valid result.

Stevens told the County Election Board Friday afternoon in an emergency meeting that she learned of the mistake Thursday afternoon and by Friday morning had it fixed.

Stevens said 41 Long Beach voters had already voted by machine, and election officials are still determining how many, if any, Long Beach voters have already submitted absentee ballots. All of those early voters will be notified. They can re-cast a ballot. Stevens said those voters do not even have to wait for notification. They can visit a voting center or the Mobile Voting Unit at any time. If they do not re-vote, their Town Council votes will be redacted, but the rest of their ballot will remain valid.

Stevens said she intends to email the Indiana Election Division to review the matter. “I would like them to audit this. I want to make sure that everything we’ve done, we did properly,” Stevens said. “Human error happens every day, but it’s how you handle the errors. And I just want to make sure that when errors happen, we are handling them correctly, we are going by the book.”

(La Porte County, IN) - A 6,800-mile, cross-country patriotic relay will be traversing La Porte County soon.

The American Discovery 250 Relay started July 1 in California and will conclude around Thanksgiving in Delaware. On Wednesday it will pass through locally.

Either by bike or on foot, participants are carrying a copy of the Declaration of Independence inside a special baton. The event is not a sporting event, organizers say, but a celebration of American history and culture. The route follows the American Discovery Trail, first laid out in the early 1990s. It’s the first and only continuous, coast-to-coast, non-motorized recreation trail in the U.S. This particular relay is expected to pass by the homes of more than 40 million people.

On Wednesday, October 14, a 102-mile bike ride will travel east from Lansing, Illinois through Michigan City and Long Beach, south through downtown La Porte, and down to North Judson. On Thursday the relay will continue southeast through the state towards Cincinnati.

According to the American Discovery 250 website, anywhere from 5-50 people may be participating in any given portion of the relay. You can even register at the website to participate yourself.

Follow the link below for more information and to register: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/americandiscoverytrail/event/250relay/.

(La Porte County, IN) - Fire destroyed a workshop inside a pole barn this morning at a home outside La Porte.

About 3 a.m., Pleasant Township firefighters were called to 2401 E. 300 South after a passerby reported the fire.

Fire Chief Kevin Bluhm said the roof had collapsed from flames engulfing the structure before firefighters arrived.  Bluhm said the contents of the structure, including a drill press and other tools along with lumber, were destroyed.

The cause of the fire is not known but remains under investigation.

“There was electric to the building.  It could have been anything.  Right now, it’s undetermined,” he said.

Bluhm said firefighters were at the scene for about three hours.

(La Porte County, IN) - If the case goes to trial, the suspect in the shooting of a La Porte County Police officer will not be tried outside the county.

A request by the suspect for a change of venue was denied yesterday in La Porte Circuit Court.  Instead, the judge decided to have a jury chosen from outside La Porte County and have them hear the case here.

Officer Jon Samuelson suffered paralysis as a result of the shooting in May and is working hard toward his goal of walking again.

Sharod Grafton, 22, of Chicago is charged with Level 1 felony attempted murder and other counts. The defense asked for a change of venue claiming Grafton would not be able to have an impartial jury here due to pre-trial publicity.

Samuelson was shot during a struggle with Grafton after the officer learned he was a suspect in the theft of his mother’s vehicle at gunpoint prior to making the trip from Chicago to La Porte County.

The shooting occurred just outside Michigan City.

A stretch of U.S. 20 in La Porte County was temporarily shut down Thursday due to a crash between a semi-truck and passenger vehicle.

The accident happened near the Family Express in Rolling Prairie.

So far, authorities have not released any details.

However, witnesses say a woman pulled into the path of the semi and was ejected from the vehicle.  The highway reopened about 2 p.m.

(Chicago, IL) - Former Chicago Bears legendary head coach Mike Ditka has passed away. He was 86.

Ditka brought home the only Super Bowl championship for the Bears in 1986 with help from a memorable defense and offense featuring hall of famer, Walter Payton, at running back and Jim McMahon at quarterback.

Ditka was also one of the greatest Bears players in history and is a member of the pro football hall of fame. Cause of death was not announced.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte boy received an award named after a former Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association player from his hometown.

Jacob Slucter was a winner of the Ron Reed Mental Attitude Award during the spring youth baseball season.  Slucter, 12, attended a Tuesday evening presentation by Reed at Vickers Theatre in Three Oaks.

He brought the award with him to show Reed if the opportunity presented itself.

Slucter said he enjoyed hearing Reed tell stories about his professional sports career and the time he spent playing basketball and baseball at the University of Notre Dame and baseball, basketball and football at LaPorte High School.

“I think he’s an amazing guy that had some talent in both sports,” he said.

“Amazing.  Happy.” is how Slucter described his feelings of being a recipient of the award named after Reed, who is just one of five pitchers in major league baseball history to record at least 100 wins, 100 saves and 50 complete games in their careers.

Reed, 83, played mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies before his 19-years in the major leagues ended with the Chicago White Sox.  He played two seasons with the Detroit Pistons in the 1960's before deciding to focus full-time on baseball.

Among the family members attending his presentation was Reed’s brother-in-law, Carl Strieter, who also grew up in LaPorte.  Strieter remembered the many major league baseball games he attended across the country, including the 1980 World Series, to see Reed play.  He also met a lot of major league players.

Strieter said those were opportunities that would not have presented themselves if not for Reed being married to his sister, Julie.

“It was a real experience for me.  I enjoyed it big time,” he said.

Reed accepted an invitation to speak from the Biggest Little Baseball Museum in Three Oaks because he's in La Porte for his annual weekly trip from Georgia where he's resided for about the past 60-years. 

A Chicago area man has posted bond after his arrest for allegedly selling fentanyl in Michigan City.

Johnathan Turner of Calumet Park, Illinois is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with dealing in a narcotic drug, a Level 2 felony.

Police said over 50 grams of fentanyl was confiscated while he was being taken into custody.  The arrest stemmed from an ongoing investigation that began several months ago by the La Porte County Drug Task Force.

Michigan City Police Chief Steve Forker said the arrest should send a clear message that “if you bring fentanyl into this community, we will find you, we will build the case and we will hold you accountable.”

Forker went on to encourage people struggling with addiction to get help.

According to court records, Turner posted bail after his bond was reduced from $50,000 to $25,000.   He could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence. 

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police used a drone last night to locate and arrest a suspected drunk driver who fled on foot into a corn field after a two vehicle collision.

Alvaro Lopez, 25, could face deportation after allegedly revealing he was an undocumented migrant.

He was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges of operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.

According to police, the investigation shows Lopez about 11 p.m. was stopped at a stop sign without his headlights and taillights on at Hupp Road and 400 South.  He was rear-ended by another driver, who told investigators he didn’t see the vehicle because it didn’t have any lights on.

After the collision, Lopez with a beer can in his hand walked up to the driver showing signs of impairment, police said.  Lopez was not at the crash scene, though, when responding officers arrived, said police.

It wasn’t very long that an officer using a drone located Lopez about 100 yards away in a corn field.  Another officer went to that location and Lopez complied with orders to come out.

His alleged blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

Police said Lopez told another officer he didn’t have a driver’s license and was “in the United States illegally.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is notified whenever suspected undocumented migrants are booked into the La Porte County Jail for possible deportation.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man has been found guilty in the fatal shooting of a teenage boy in Michigan City.

Marcus Ballinger, Jr., 19, was convicted Wednesday of murder.  The jury in La Porte Superior Court 1 took just one hour to reach the verdict.

In May, authorities said Ballinger shot 14 year old Devin Porter in the 300 block of W. 11^th St.  Police said the boy ran inside his nearby home where he collapsed on a bedroom floor.

A motive for the shooting remains unclear.

Ballinger could receive anywhere from 45 to 65 years when sentenced on November 5.

(Chesterton, IN) - The South Shore Line will soon launch a new program for children and families taking the train.

'Kit the Fox & Friends” will begin October 16.

Railroad officials said the character-driven initiative aims to make travel more engaging and enjoyable for children, while also promoting important child-centric safety campaigns and natural habitat education featuring animals native to the area.

Features of the Kit the Fox & Friends Program:

• Interactive QR Codes: Kit the Fox QR codes will be available on train cars and in stations. Once scanned, these codes will direct children to a dedicated webpage where they can download, read, and color the Kit the Fox & Friends story, as well as access Kit & Friends coloring pages.

• Kit Passport: Kids can download their Kit Passports to take on their train journeys. Conductors will hole punch the passport during each ride. After collecting four stamps, children can upload their completed passports to the website to receive a plush Kit the Fox stuffed animal, shipped straight to their home.

• Educational Fun: The program aims to educate children about train travel, safety, and the natural habitats of local wildlife, fostering a sense of curiosity and care.

• Giveaways: Once kids have earned their Kit, parents can post pictures of their child and Kit riding the South Shore Line on social media and be entered for a chance to win free tickets to ride the South Shore Line.

"Our goal is to make every journey fun and educational for kids while providing peace of mind for parents with our ongoing safety campaigns. We look forward to welcoming families on board and seeing the joy this program brings to our community," said Nicole Barker, South Shore Line Chief Experience and Engagement Officer

Families can learn more about Kit & Friends at mysouthshoreline.com/riders/kids/.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Common Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution authored by Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch supporting United Steelworkers Local Union 12775, District 7’s petition to strengthen NIPSCO staffing, reliability and storm response across Northern Indiana.

The petition, titled “Keep Utility Jobs Local: Strengthen NIPSCO Staffing, Reliability, and Storm Response for Northern Indiana,” calls for investment in a permanent local utility workforce, expanded training and apprenticeships, stronger emergency preparedness and greater transparency.

“The Aug. 11 derecho showed us how much our community depends on trained crews who can respond when disaster strikes,” Nelson Deuitch said.

The resolution cites the widespread outages caused by the August 11 storm across LaPorte, Lake and Porter counties, as well as the growing demands that aging infrastructure, economic growth and severe weather place on the region’s utility system.

Through the resolution, the Council calls on the governor, Indiana General Assembly, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor to:

• Assess current utility staffing needs in Northern Indiana;

• Develop workforce growth targets;

• Support expanded utility apprenticeship programs;

• Encourage local hiring and training initiatives and ensure communities receive the utility service and emergency preparedness they deserve.

The resolution also encourages the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to consider workforce adequacy and emergency response readiness in proceedings affecting NIPSCO customers.

It calls for public reporting on frontline staffing levels, vacancy rates, storm restoration performance, contractor use and workforce development investments.

While recognizing mutual aid crews as a valued resource during major emergencies, the resolution emphasizes the importance of a permanent local workforce that knows the region’s communities and infrastructure and is available year-round.

Certified copies of the resolution will be sent to Gov. Mike Braun, State Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., State Rep. Randy Novak, legislative leaders, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor and USW Local Union 12775, District 7.

(Three Oaks, MI) - Vickers Theatre in Three Oaks was packed Tuesday night for a presentation by one of only 13 people to ever play in the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.

Ron Reed, who grew up in LaPorte, is also one of only five pitchers in major league history to record at least 100 wins, 100 saves and 50 complete games in their careers.

In addition, he was the starting and winning pitcher for the Atlanta Braves in the game his teammate, Hank Aaron, eclipsed Babe Ruth’s career home run mark in 1974.

“I’ve been living off that glory for a long time,” said Reed, whose response drew laughter and applause from the audience of more than 100 people.

Reed, 83, said he never played varsity sports until he was a junior at La Porte High School where he starred in baseball, basketball and football.  That was the year when Ken Schreiber was hired as head coach of the varsity baseball team.  Schreiber went on to win seven state high school baseball titles and more than 1,000 games until retiring in 1998.

Reed said his father taught him how to pitch but he learned about the fundamentals of the game and conditioning from Schreiber, a disciplinarian he compared to his father.

“They acted the same.  They talked the same. They were both tough guys but they both required respect,” he said.

As a senior, Reed accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball at the University of Notre Dame where he also played baseball for one season.  Reed, who averaged close to 19 points and 14 rebounds per game in his three seasons for the Irish, was chosen in the third round of the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons.

He averaged about eight points and four rebounds a game as a power forward for two seasons before deciding to give baseball his full attention.  He quickly moved up the ranks in the minor leagues and was on a major league mound for the first time several months later with the Braves.

Reed made the National League All-Star team in 1968 and remained with the Braves until traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

He gave up just four home runs in 175 innings for the Cardinals but was traded the next season to the Philadelphia Phillies, who won the World Series in 1980 with Reed as one of the leading pitchers coming out of the bullpen.

He retired in 1984 after one season with the Chicago White Sox at the age of 41.

Reed said the first batter he ever faced in the major was the great San Francisco Giant, Willie Mays, who grounded out.  The next hitter, slugger Willie McCovey, hit a home run way over the center field fence.

He said McCovey and George Foster of the Cincinnati Reds were the among the most challenging batters for him to get out during his 19-year major league career.

Reed, perhaps, had the most difficult time with Al Oliver, an All-Star player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and later, the Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos.

“I could have rolled it up there and he would have hit it,” he said.

Reed, who has lived in Georgia for about the past 60-years, said he comes to La Porte for one week every year to visit family, friends and attend a Notre Dame home football game.  He credited the university for opening the door to his baseball career by contacting a major league team with room on one of their minor league rosters during a summer between NBA seasons.

“I’m one of the luckiest people on the planet to say I got to baseball because of Notre Dame.  I love that school,” he said.

Reed came at the request of Garry Lange, founder of the Biggest Little Baseball Museum housed on the second floor of the Three Oaks Township Public Library across from the theater on N. Elm St. in downtown Three Oaks.

(La Porte County, IN) - Early voting for the November general election started today.

La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens said 106 people had voted by late this morning at the fairgrounds.  Another 99 early votes were cast in Michigan City at 8^th and Wabash streets.  14 people also voted in the mobile voting unit.

Stevens said she didn’t think the first day early voting turnout would be as high.

“It’s a mid-term election.  I just figured it would take a few days before people started coming out like this.  We’ll see what happens in the next few days,” she said.

The early voting sites are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  On Wednesdays, though, the sites are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to give people time to vote after work.

(New Buffalo, MI) - The first three players have been signed by a team from New Buffalo joining a summer league of major league baseball prospects.

One of them is Rob Czarniecki, an outfielder from Chesterton viewed as one of the top players in the state.

“As an outfielder, he brings a rare combination of speed, strength and instincts to the field.  Rob has the ability to impact the game in so many ways,” said Tracy Woodson, a former major league player and manager of the team, the Dune Coast Quillbacks.

Czarniecki is committed to playing baseball at the University of Kentucky.

The Quillbacks also signed TJ Woodson, the manager’s son and shortstop at the University of Baylor.

“Defensively, he is reliable, instinctive and makes the game look easy. Offensively, TJ uses the entire field, controls the strike zone and consistently puts the ball in play,” he said.

The other player signed is Clay Hartje, a catcher out of Johns Hopkins University. Woodson likes his proven experience behind the plate and quality left handed swing in the line-up.

“He understands the game, competes every inning and gives you a tough, experienced at-bat,” he said.

Beginning in 2027, the Quillbacks will play at New Buffalo High School on a field that recently had lights installed for night games during the season from late May to mid-August.

Grandstand seating for about 500 people is also in the process of being added on a field featuring a high quality artificial turf infield and natural grass similar to what’s used in several major league stadiums in the outfield.

The season will consist of 80 games with half of the games played at home against teams in the Northwoods League.

The league with 26 teams from throughout the Midwest and Canada is known for developing elite college baseball talent.  More than 400 players in the league since it was established 33-years ago have advanced to major league teams.

The players include three time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, former Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale and Nico Hoerner, the current second baseman for the Chicago Cubs.

The Quillbacks are hoping to draw fans as far north as St. Joseph and Benton Harbor in Michigan and to the south and west in Indiana from communities like LaPorte, Michigan City, Chesterton and Valparaiso.

The team’s primary owners are Brian Williams, a scout from the Texas Rangers, and Tom Rowland, a former college baseball player who competed in a similar league out east.

(La Porte, IN) - Police say a La Porte man was driving impaired when he caused a collision with an ambulance containing a patient.

Jack Parker, 64, is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte Police, the investigation shows the ambulance on September 30 had its lights and siren activated while transporting an 80 year man experiencing trouble breathing to Northwest Health.

Police said the ambulance was turning from Lincolnway onto Tyler St. when Parker pulled into the path of the rig, which broadsided his 2021 Toyota Corolla. 

Parker told investigators he was heading home from Walmart after consuming four beers, police said.  His alleged blood alcohol level was .115-percent.

Police said there were no injuries.

Parker was also cited for failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle.

During his initial court hearing on Friday, the judge took under advisement a request from his defense attorney that would allow Parker to drive with an ignition interlock device installed on his vehicle. 

Drivers must blow in such devices, which won’t allow engines to start if alcohol is detected in a defendant’s breath.

(Michigan City, IN) - A La Porte man was killed in a single vehicle crash in Michigan City.

Matthew Borders, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which  happened after 8 a.m. in the 4400 block of E. Michigan Boulevard.

Police said Borders was in a pick-up truck pulling an enclosed two axle trailer when he veered into the opposite lanes before striking a guardrail and overhead sign post.  The truck and trailer suffered extensive damage while the undisclosed contents inside the trailer were left scattered on the roadway from the impact.

Police said investigators are waiting for the results of a blood test to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.  Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Michigan City.

(Michigan City, IN) - An employee of the Michigan City Area Schools is accused of misusing district funds.

Nicole Santana is charged with one count of fraud, a Level 6 felony, for allegedly using just under just under $4,000 of district money for personal purchases last year.

According to court records, the charge was filed last July. Details just recently came to light in a report filed in late August by the State Board of Accounts.

Financial officers with Michigan City schools first noticed questionable expenses in April of last year.

According to the Board of Accounts report, Santana had a documented history dating back to 2024 of not submitting proper documentation in a timely manner. A review of her credit card transactions revealed possible misappropriations of $3,986.11.

Alleged purchases unrelated to school purposes include groceries, clothing, cosmetics, dog food, crafts, alcohol, fuel, and visits to local restaurants.

The investigation showed that some of the purchases may have been made in support of staff and school-related activities, but others benefitted only Santana and her family, authorities said. 

The Board of Accounts also found that MCAS lacked proper internal controls to oversee certain financial policies. In a response to the report, the district’s business manager acknowledged the findings and offered eight corrective actions that MCAS will take to prevent such oversights in the future.

Santana resigned from her position on May 6 of last year.

She currently has a court hearing scheduled for October 26 in La Porte Superior Court 4.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two people were seriously wounded when shot last evening in the Michigan City area.

La Porte County Police responded to the Woodland Crossing Apartment Complex following multiple reports of gunshots.  Police said early findings of the investigation indicated there was a drive-by type shooting involving two vehicles.

A short time later, police said a crashed vehicle was located near 400 North and Woodland Ave.  A 24-year old man near the vehicle was suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body.

A 23-year old man also with a gunshot wound later arrived at a hospital.  Both men wound up being transferred to regional hospitals for more advanced care, police said.

Police said the driver of the crashed vehicle, Cevin

Crawford, 28, was arrested for operating while intoxicated, intimidation and other counts.  His mother, Tina Sherrod, 51, was taken into custody for not obeying multiple orders to leave the area of an active investigation, police said.

Further details were not released due to the ongoing investigation.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police are investigating the weekend shootings of two people at the lakefront.

According to police, responding officers discovered a gunshot victim near the Michigan City Senior Center at Washington Park and performed medical attention until paramedics arrived.

During the investigation, police said officers learned that a second individual suffering from a gunshot wound arrived at Franciscan Health.  One individual is currently in custody.

Police said the shootings appear to have been an isolated incident.

Additional information will be released as the ongoing investigation continues, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say a driver was extremely impaired when his pick-up truck collided with a tree in La Porte County.

Brian McDaniels, 55, was booked into the La Porte County Jail for operating while intoxicated and possession of cocaine.

According to La Porte County Police, his 2026 Dodge Ram struck the tree Friday night in the area of 200 East and 300 South.  After the crash, police said McDaniels made his way into a nearby corn field where he was found by responding officers lying down and unable to walk or stand.

His alleged blood alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit. 

Police said a plastic bag containing cocaine was also found in one of his pockets. According to police, the man told officers he was heading back home from a bar in La Porte at the time of the crash.

(La Porte, IN) - An arrest has been made in connection with copper wiring stolen from a house under construction in La Porte.

Marshall Brown, 18, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony burglary.

According to La Porte Police, Brown on September 18 entered a home under construction on Ohio St. and cut some of the copper wiring from the walls at two electrical outlet locations.

A number of spools of copper wiring, copper pipe fittings and other copper devices were also taken from the residence, police said.

Police said Brown rode a bicycle to the home and returned on the bicycle to a nearby encampment in a woods where he and the stolen copper were allegedly located.

He’s being held in the La Porte County Jail on multiple counts of burglary and theft due to being a suspect in other similar crimes.

(Knox, IN) – Two Knox police officers led a coordinated effort to locate two missing juveniles over the weekend.

Upon receiving the report sometime late in the week, authorities began following leads and conducting interviews. According to Police Chief Chad Dulin, members of the Knox Community School Corporation’s IT Department, teachers, and staff contributed valuable information. Law enforcement, including four municipal departments and agencies in three counties, rallied in the search.

The two juveniles were located sometime Saturday in Porter County.

Dulin credited two members of his staff in particular, Detective Matthew Borkholder and Officer Joe West. The pair worked throughout Friday and overnight to bring the case to a successful conclusion, Dulin said. He also thanked citizens who volunteered their time, shared information, and searched areas where the juveniles may have been located. “Community involvement can be extremely valuable during incidents such as this,” Dulin said.

Dulin also noted that comments on social media and elsewhere alleging inactivity by his department were inaccurate and unnecessary. “The fact that we are not constantly posting updates on Facebook does not mean our officers are not working,” Dulin said in a social media post. “Before passing judgment on the actions of our officers, it is important to understand that much of a missing-person investigation happens behind the scenes,” he added.

“I am extremely proud of the dedication shown by Detective Borkholder, Officer West, and everyone who assisted during this investigation,” said Dulin. “These officers worked long hours because locating these juveniles and ensuring their safety was the priority.”

(Indianapolis, IN) - The Indiana Department for Transportation is recruiting winter workers. Seasonal hiring events will take place at various locations on Tuesday, October 6.

INDOT is looking to fill positions for general maintenance and snow and ice removal. A valid CDL is required. The work runs from early November to March and pays $21 an hour. There’s also a $250 sign-on bonus and a possible $500 retention bonus.

La Porte’s INDOT district office at 315 East Boyd Blvd. is one of the locations for Tuesday’s hiring event. It will run from 10 am to 3 pm.

(Indianapolis, IN) - A La Porte County Sheriff’s deputy was honored recently at a statewide awards ceremony.

Last week the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute presented their Traffic Safety All-Star Awards at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Deputy Austin Wells was one of 95 officers recognized statewide for traffic safety and impaired-driving enforcement efforts last year. Together all the officers accounted for over 4,500 OWI arrests. 33 of those were made by Deputy Wells, who has been with the LPSO for over nine years.

(La Porte County, IN) - 4-H youth from La Porte County raised more food for the needy than any other 4-H group in the state.

The effort was through the annual “Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer competition presented by Farm Credit Mid-America.  The competition brought together 40 county fairs across Indiana.

Participating 4-H youth collected food for local food banks while earning funds to support their county organizations.

“Programs like Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer reflect the best of rural America, bringing people together to help one another and address local needs,” said Natasha Cox, Farm Credit Mid-America’s senior vice president of agricultural lending in Indiana.

The first place finish means $5,000 for the La Porte County 4-H program.

The La Porte County 4-H youth taking part raised more than 23,000 pounds of food with about half of the amount coming from the animals they showed during the fair and later sold at the fair auction.

The animals were processed into mostly one pound packages of ground meat. 

The remainder of the donated food was in the form of canned goods and other similar products.  The local youth not only raised more than other 4-H’ers from this region but also statewide.

West Central Indiana – 61,392 pounds of food

• First Place: Miami County Fair, 18,298 pounds
• Second Place: Howard County Fair, 10,446 pounds
• Third Place: Benton County Fair, 7,760 pounds

Northern Indiana – 39,406 pounds of food

• First Place: LaPorte County Fair, 23,246 pounds
• Second Place: Lake County Fair, 8,660 pounds
• Third Place: Fulton County Fair, 5,780 pounds

Southeast Indiana – 39,189 pounds of food

• First Place: Jackson County Fair, 14,934 pounds
• Second Place: Harrison County Fair, 6,920 pounds
• Third Place: Clark County Fair, 3,010 pounds

Southwest Indiana – 25,865 pounds of food

• First Place: Monroe County Fair, 9,439 pounds
• Second Place: Morgan County Fair, 4,520 pounds
• Third Place: Putnam County Fair, 3,880 pounds

East Central Indiana – 15,300 pounds of food

• First Place: Wabash County Fair, 8,416 pounds
• Second Place: Wells County Fair, 4,544 pounds
• Third Place: Huntington County Fair, 1,740 pounds

(La Porte, IN) - A passenger vehicle struck an ambulance containing a patient in La Porte’s downtown area this week.

The accident happened about 5 p.m. Wednesday at Lincolnway and Tyler St.

La Porte Police said the investigation shows Jack Parker did not see the ambulance approaching despite its lights and siren activated and, while pulling out into the intersection, struck the ambulance transporting a patient.

Police said the patient was able to be transported the rest of the way to the hospital.  The ambulance was placed out of commission due to moderate front end damage.

No serious injuries were reported.

Police said other drivers as required pulled to the side of the road to allow the ambulance to safely pass before the collision.  Failure to yield by Parker was listed by investigators as the primary factor in the crash.

Total damage was estimated at $5,000 to $10,000. 

(Indianapolis, IN)  -Authorities are reminding drivers to be safe while encountering farm machinery on the roads during the fall harvest.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Transportation are encouraging motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient on roadways this fall.

"As harvest season begins, we caution all motorists to be mindful of all farm equipment that may be on or near the roadways," Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, who’s also Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. 

From 2020-2024, 22 occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in seven deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We ask that motorists exercise patience and grant our farming community the necessary space to safely navigate the roads as they work to harvest their crops and provide for families across Indiana,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott.

Farm equipment on the roads include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons and large trucks hauling agricultural products.  These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.

“Drivers must practice patience and courtesy when they encounter farm equipment on the road,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Salvation Army serving La Porte County is now recruiting both paid and volunteer bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Campaign in Michigan City and La Porte.

Kettles will begin appearing at locations throughout the community in early November and remain in place through Christmas Eve, raising funds to support local families and year-round programs across La Porte County.

Donations collected during the campaign help provide Christmas assistance for families during the holiday season while also supporting ongoing services such as food pantries, weekend backpack feeding programs for children, free summer camp opportunities, emergency assistance, and other programs that help individuals and families facing hardship.

"Every dollar placed in a Red Kettle helps us serve our neighbors in need right here in La Porte County," said Major Dale Simmons of The Salvation Army.

Individuals interested in paid bell ringer positions in Michigan City may apply in person at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Those interested in paid positions in La Porte may apply at The Salvation Army, 3240 Monroe Street, on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Applicants must bring a current photo ID and either a Social Security card or birth certificate.

The Salvation Army is also encouraging community members, businesses, churches, civic organizations, and families to consider volunteering as bell ringers this season.

Volunteer shifts are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the campaign. Those wishing to ring in Michigan City can register at salarmy.us/MichiganCityBellRinger, while volunteers interested in La Porte locations can sign up at salarmy.us/LaPorteBellRinger.

For more information about paid bell ringer opportunities or the Red Kettle Campaign, contact Major Dale Simmons at (219) 874-6885 or dale.simmons@usc.salvationarmy.org.

(La Porte, IN) -Northwest Indiana continues to garner positive attention on a big stage.

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is honoring the City of La Porte as its 2026 Yamaha Community of the Year for its commitment to strengthening its local economy to enhance the quality of life for its residents and pathways to prosperity for local businesses.

The City of La Porte was selected by an Indiana Chamber panel after a thorough review of all locations under consideration. The group chose the City of La Porte because “its momentum is evident across nearly every measure that matters to community and economic vitality: national recognition for quality of life and affordability, major business investment, new housing to support workforce growth, and revitalization in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods,” says Indiana Chamber President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders.

“La Porte also continues to invest in the experiences that build pride and connection – events, public art, parks and placemaking – while keeping its focus on long-term opportunity.”

"Over the past five years, the City of La Porte's leaders have embraced a comprehensive strategy to build up its local economy, modernize infrastructure and improve quality of life through collaboration among local government, businesses, educational institutions, non-profit organizations and regional partners.

Its new Microsoft data center project exemplifies this approach. By partnering with one of the world's leading technology companies, the City of La Porte secured a transformative investment that will create high-quality careers in the technology sector, generate significant construction activity and expand the city's tax base for decades to come."

“This recognition speaks to the strength of the partnerships that exist throughout our community,” says Bert Cook, executive director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership. “The Microsoft project is a great example of what is possible when our city, economic development partners, businesses and community stakeholders come together with a common goal. It took collaboration, creativity and a willingness to work together to make this project happen, and those same qualities will continue to drive our community forward.”

La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody notes, “We are incredibly honored to receive this distinction from the Indiana Chamber.”

He adds, “As a team, we’ve hung our hat on the message and mindset that La Porte is the place to be. This designation reinforces that ideal and recognizes our position as a community that is making big moves. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited about the future as we continue to build on this momentum.”

La Porte officials will receive the honor at the Indiana Chamber’s 37th Annual Awards Dinner, presented by SIHO, on November 5 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis. This year’s program features CNN’s Scott Jennings, the network’s leading Republican voice, and Jessica Tarlov, Democratic co?host of The Five on Fox News, as featured speakers for a timely presentation titled “The Political Pulse.” A table of 10 starts at $1,995 and individual tickets are $195 each. Tickets can be purchased online at www.indianachamber.com/ad or by calling (800) 824-6885.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Farmers in Indiana are allowed to burn tax-free diesel fuel in semi-trucks hauling grain during the fall harvest to help offset the record cost of filling up their tanks.

Governor Mike Braun on September 30 announced the decision to provide financial relief to farmers already squeezed by fertilizer and heavy machinery costs driven up by things like the president’s tariffs on foreign products.

Braun said farmers can expect to save 64 cents per gallon until they’re finished harvesting.  According to AAA, the average price for regular diesel fuel in Indiana in late September was close to $7 per gallon.

“It doesn’t make everything all better, but it helps,” said farmer Matt Schafer, a corn and soybean grower in LaCrosse.

“It’s not huge, but every little bit counts,” said Jeff Mitzner, who raises corn, soybeans and beef cattle in Wanatah.

Farmers, depending on the size of their operation, can easily burn thousands of gallons of diesel fuel during harvest in semi-trucks hauling grain from their fields to silos on their property and to market.

Normally, farmers in the state must use the higher cost diesel in semi-trucks because the fuel is taxed to maintain the roads.   They can use off-road diesel fuel only to power tractors, combines and other heavy machinery used in the fields.

The off-road diesel fuel is dyed while the taxed diesel fuel remains clear so any state government inspectors that show up can tell if farmers are complying with the restrictions.

The move came at the request of State Representative Jim Pressel, whose petition signed by over 50 other state lawmakers was presented to the governor just one day before he acted.  Pressel is also chairman of the House Committee on Roads and Transportation.

“I didn’t expect him to do it so quickly, but I’m very appreciative,” he said.

Pressel said the idea stemmed from a conversation he had with a farmer about high diesel fuel prices during the annual meeting of the La Porte County branch of Indiana Farm Bureau last month.

“It made perfectly good sense,” he said.

Farmer Mark Parkman of Westville said the savings on fuel will also help farmers with yields negatively impacted by a very wet, cool spring and other weather extremes during what was a challenging growing season.

Some of his corn will be difficult for combines to pick-up after the stalks were knocked to the ground from an August storm packing hurricane force winds.

“We got storm damage.  We got high fuel prices. We got high input costs.  It’s not the easiest on everybody right now,” he said.

Parkman said one silver lining is corn and soybean prices are up between one and two dollars per bushel over last year at this time.

However, Parkman said farmers like himself will likely experience somewhat lower yields this year and any extra money collected from higher prices will go toward higher operating costs.

“I think every little bit helps and this is a way we can kind of lessen their burden just a little bit,” he said.

Braun also extended the suspension of the state taxes on gasoline until early November after it first went into effect in April to offset rising prices nationwide on that fuel.

“If Indiana can provide temporary relief to motorists during a period of high fuel prices, we should ensure farmers, who play a vital role to our state, are not left behind,” Pressel said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County high school student was arrested this morning on gun and drug related counts.

Nayden Thornton, 18, of Union Mills was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges of possession of a firearm on school property, a Level 6 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to La Porte County Police, a sheriff’s deputy about 8:30 a.m. responded to South Central School on a report of suspicious behavior and activity of a student. The deputy met with school officials in the rear parking lot where information was exchanged.

A firearm was found inside the student’s vehicle.  Thornton was being held on $755 cash only bond.  Further details were not provided.

(La Porte County, IN) - A public hearing is scheduled over a proposed roundabout for a major La Porte area intersection.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will host the public hearing set for October 8 at the main branch of the La Porte County Public Library at 904 Indiana Ave. in La Porte.  A presentation will start at 6 p.m.

Citizens will be allow to speak after the presentation, according to INDOT.

The roundabout is proposed at U.S. 35 and Johnson/Severs Road, a traditional intersection with traffic lights in each direction.

According to INDOT, the roundabout would have a double-lane entry from northbound U.S. 35 and a dedicated right turn lane for eastbound traffic on Johnson Road turning right onto southbound U.S. 35. The need for the project is due to the high frequency and severity of crashes at the intersection.  

Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2029.

INDOT is offering livestreams of all public meetings and hearings at bit.ly/US35JohnsonSeversHearing.  Livestream audience comments will only be accepted in written electronic form, not verbally.

A recording of the livestream presentation will be posted on the project webpage and INDOT YouTube page after the hearing and will be available for at least 90 days.

All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written comments submitted prior to, during and for a period of two weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation. 

Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and within the comment period to Marissa Harless, USI Consultants, Inc., 8415 E 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46216, or mharless@usiconsultants.com.

INDOT requests comments be submitted by October 22.