(La Porte, IN) - Twelve La Porte Community School Corporation string players earned seats in the Indiana American String Teachers Association’s 2026 All-Region Orchestra.

They joined student musicians from across northern Indiana for a weekend of rehearsals and concerts at Robert A. Taft Middle School in Crown Point.

Seven Kesling Campus students performed in the Junior High All-Region Orchestra on November 7 alongside 140 or so middle school musicians from 20 schools.

Representing La Porte were eighth graders Irene Anabe, Lauren Christie, Lilly Grantham, William Kaminski and Mahana Obadencio, seventh grader Grace Goss and sixth grader Ian Anabe.

Anabe played cello with the Vivace Orchestra, which takes on more advanced repertoire, under guest conductor Johanna Kitchell.

Five La Porte High School students followed on November 8 in the High School All-Region Orchestra.

Isaac Anabe (junior) played in the first violin section, Kaley Rosenbaum (sophomore) in the second violins, Aubree Thomas (sophomore) on viola, and Veda Nelson (senior) and Austyn Jablonski (junior) on cello.

Guest conductor Frank Lestina, a longtime Illinois orchestra director who now teaches at DePaul University, led the ensemble through a program that ranged from Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite to music from La La Land.

Earning a seat is a multi-step process.

Orchestra director Liz Cravens identifies candidates by skill level then rates each student on a range of musical criteria. Those ratings go to the All-Region coordinator, who reviews submissions from every participating school and selects the ensembles.

Students then rehearsed before and after school with Cravens for six weeks before spending a full day at Taft rotating through full ensemble rehearsals, sectionals with instrument specialists, and a dress rehearsal ahead of a concert.

LPCSC is one of the few districts in the area to offer orchestra, and these twelve students represent the program's strength from sixth grade through senior year, officials said. 

“The students have been working very hard to learn their parts,” Cravens said. “We are proud of them for putting in the work on an outstanding performance.”

(La Porte, IN) - More social workers will be hired by the La Porte School Corporation.

Five additional social workers will be funded with a $1.2 million grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte, said Amy Kosior, Director of Student Services.

The money is for a three-year period.

Kosior told the school board this week five social workers paid for by the school corporation to deal with mental health and substance abuse issues are now at the middle school and high school.

Adding more allows social workers for the first time to be at each of the elementary schools and the Little Learners pre-school program, which is at the former Lincoln Elementary School.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us,” she said.

She said each school added to the program will have a social worker present at least once or twice a week because of a rotating work schedule.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana 2026 Turkeys on the Table Distributions

Saturday, November 14, 2026 – La Porte County 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT * While supplies last.

Where: Road of Life, 7056 W. 450 N., Michigan City, IN 46360

*This distribution will serve 350 households.

Saturday, November 14, 2026 – St. Joseph County 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: Grace Community Church, 4001 Lincolnway E., Mishawaka, IN 46544

*This distribution will serve 200 households.

Saturday, November 14, 2026 – St. Joseph County 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: Liberty Elementary, 600 Pregel Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545

*This distribution will serve 200 households.

Monday, November 16, 2026 – St. Joseph County

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: New Carlisle Wesleyan Church, 32645 Early Rd., New Carlisle, IN 46552

*This distribution will serve 100 households.

Monday, November 16, 2026 – St. Joseph County

12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: New Life Church, 11593 McKinley Hwy., Osceola, IN 46561

*This distribution will serve 200 households.

Monday, November 16, 2026 – St. Joseph County

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: The Ice Box Skating Rink, 1421 S. Walnut St., South Bend, IN 46619

*This distribution will serve 250 households.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – St. Joseph County

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: 949 12^th St. (Pull in at the former Finish Master), Mishawaka, IN 46544

*This distribution will serve 250 households.

Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – St. Joseph County

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: Walker Field, 2198 S. Walnut St., South Bend, IN 46613

*This distribution will serve 200 households.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – La Porte County

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT * While supplies last.

Where: Kankakee Vallet REMC, 8642 W. 30, Wanatah, IN 46390

*This distribution will serve 100 households.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – La Porte County

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT * While supplies last.

Where: Kingsford Heights Community Center, 515 Wayland Rd, Kingsford Heights, IN 46346

*This distribution will serve 150 households.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – La Porte County

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. CT * While supplies last.

Where: First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway, La Porte, IN 4650

*This distribution will serve 200 households.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Starke County

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT * While supplies last. 

Where: Starke County Fairgrounds, 400 Division St., Hamlet, IN 46532

*This distribution will serve 150 households.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Starke County

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT * While supplies last.

Where: Where: Knox United Methodist Church, 210 Shield St., Knox, IN 46534

*This distribution will serve 100 households. 

Friday, November 20, 2026 – St. Joseph County

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: North Liberty Christian Church, 65225 IN – 23, North Liberty, IN 46554

*This distribution will serve 100 households.

Friday, November 20, 2026 – St. Joseph County

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  ET * While supplies last.

Where: Lakeside Baptist Church, 515 Michigan Trl., Lakeville, IN 46536

*This distribution will serve 100 households.

Friday, November 20, 2026 – St. Joseph County

11:30 a.m. – 1 pm ET * While supplies last.

Where: Calvary Church, 3001 W. Cleveland Rd., South Bend, IN 46628

*This distribution will serve 300 households.

Saturday, November 21, 2026 – St. Joseph County

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET * While supplies last.

Where: Food Bank of Northern Indiana 702 Chapin St. South Bend, IN 46601

*This distribution will serve 350 households.

(La Porte, IN) - The cost estimate for restoring Kiwanis Field in La Porte is $12 million.

The school board this week authorized Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood sign a letter of intent with Schmidt Associates to provide architectural and engineering services for the project.

According to school officials, the letter of intent allows Schmidt Associates to begin design work while the district determines the appropriate construction delivery method and prepares a formal professional services agreement or request for proposals, which will return to the board for review and approval at a future meeting.

"We have been working closely with Preserve Historic La Porte and our Kiwanis Stadium committee to develop a plan that honors the stadium's history while making the improvements necessary to preserve this important community landmark for future generations," Wood said.

"We are ready to start on that work, and we look forward to sharing more information with the community as the plans continue to develop," she said.

The La Porte High School football team plays at Kiwanis Field, which was built more than 70-years ago.

“They are going to continue to play football there,” said School Board President Ryan Seaburg.

The restoration of Kiwanis Field is part of an approved $50 million spending plan to be financed with a bond issue for building improvements across the school district.

A formal professional services agreement or request for proposals for construction at Kiwanis Field will come before the board for consideration at a future meeting. The district will share updated plans and timelines with the community as the project develops, officials said.  

The board's next regularly scheduled meeting is December 14 at 6 p.m.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is preparing for its 32nd Annual “Holiday at the Pops” concert.

(La Porte, IN) - It looks like Kiwanis Field in La Porte is here to stay.

This week, the school board unanimously voted for a resolution that earmarks $50 million in funds to be borrowed for maintaining facilities throughout the district.

Among the projects is renovating and restoring Kiwanis Field, where the high school football team has played since the stadium was built over 70-years ago.

“They’re going to continue to play football there.  I’m very excited about that,” said School Board President Ryan Seaburg.

Kiwanis Field was on the endangered list of the Indiana Landmarks Association because of uncertainty over its future in recent years brought on by its condition.

Speculation about a teardown brought threats of a lawsuit due to sentiments in the

community about the facility along with a petition drive to save it.

An architect was chosen in February to determine the needs of Kiwanis Field to get a better handle on the cost of renovation.

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood said further details will be shared at a later time about upcoming projects. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A motorist with a cell phone helped La Porte County Police remove a slow moving and weaving suspected drunk driver from the roads.

Alexander Mitchell, 25, of LaCrosse was booked into the La Porte County jail for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.  

According to police, an officer early Wednesday responded to a report of a reckless driver “all over the roadway” in the area of U.S. 6 and U.S. 35.

The officer soon located the westbound suspect on U.S. 6 and witnessed him veer across the center line multiple times at 37 miles per hour.  The speed limit is 55 mph.   

The officer moved to the right in his police vehicle to avoid a potential head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle before turning around and catching up to the driver.

Police said Mitchell, who showed multiple signs of impairment during a traffic stop, had a blood alcohol level more than two times the legal .08-percent limit.

(La Porte County, IN) - Unity Foundation of La Porte County awarded more than $225,000 in 2026 Power for Good Community Grants to 54 organizations serving La Porte County.

The grants support a wide range of community needs, including food access, housing, health, education, youth development, the arts, animal welfare and the environment.

“Behind each of these grants are people working every day to make life better for our neighbors,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, Unity Foundation President & CEO.

“We are grateful to these organizations for their dedication to our community and to the generous donors whose gifts allow Unity to support La Porte County’s needs now and for generations to come,” she said. 

According to the Unity Foundation, Power for Good Community Grants are made possible by donors who have established and contributed to community and other charitable funds held at Unity Foundation.

Together, the funds provide lasting support for organizations responding to needs and creating opportunities throughout La Porte County.

The 2026 grant recipients and their funded projects are as follows:

• Amber's House: Revitalizing Women
• Anam Cara Stables: Trauma-Informed Parenting & Family Resilience Initiative
• Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County: Prairie View Club 2026/2027 Afterschool Programming
• Catholic Charities: Safe Haven: Homeless Prevention Program
• Center Township Trustee-La Porte County: Cooking With Class!
• Citizens Concerned for the Homeless: Food Rescue Initiative (‘FRI’) Program Food Distribution Event
• City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department: ACOA Senior Smiles: Restoring Dental Access for La Porte County Seniors
• Community Food Pantry of Galena, Hudson, Kankakee, Wills Townships: Feeding and Nurturing People in Our Community
• Dunebrook: Child Advocacy Center Trauma-Focused Therapy for Child Abuse Victims
• The Dunes House: Feed the Soul of Recovery
• E Marie Project: Menstrual & Reproductive Health Awareness Initiative
• Family Advocates: Connection Courtyard
• Giggles Boutique: Providing Dignity and Essentials for La Porte County Foster Children
• Healing with Human Connection: Empowering Teens, Young Women and Women in Recovery
• HealthLinc: Cold and Flu Kits for Pediatric Patients in La Porte County
• Helping Hoosiers Heroes Foundation: Community Career Connector Initiative
• Humane Indiana: Providing Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education to La Porte County at No Cost
• Independent Cat Society: Proactive Project for La Porte County
• Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana: JA Elementary Programming: Michigan City Area Schools
• La Porte County EMS: Prehospital Blood Program
• La Porte County Meals on Wheels: Blizzard Box Bonanza 10
• La Porte County Public Library: Homework Help
• La Porte County Symphony Orchestra: 38th Annual Drayton Family Education Concerts
• La Porte High School: SlicerTech Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition
• La Porte Lake Association: Milfoil Treatment of Pine and Stone Lake
• LaSalle Council, Scouting America: Camp ToPeNeBee Outdoor Learning Campus Project
• Leadership La Porte County: Leadership La Porte County High School Class
• MAKS CORP: La Porte County Emergency Request/Safety Items Program
• Michigan City Holiday Meals: Free Holiday Meals
• Michigan City Zoological Society: The “Wildlife Health Fund”: Crucial Medical and Veterinary Care for the Washington Park Zoo
• Nest Community Shelter: City of La Porte Expansion
• New Hope Missionary Baptist Church: New Hope Pantry
• New Prairie High School: Las Pumas 2197 Robotics - 2026-2027 FIRST Robotics Competition Season
• NewDay Foundation of La Porte: Outpatient Support Fund
• Open Door Community Alliance: Medication Assistance Program
• The Pax Center: Pax Gardens: Growing Food and Neighbors in Downtown La Porte
• REAL Services: La Porte Nutrition Sites
• Reins of Life: Equine-Assisted Programs for People With Disabilities
• Sacred Heart Food Pantry at St. Mary: Consistent Delivery of Nutrition, Care, and Healthcare Products to Those in Need
• Safe Harbor Nurturing Minds: 2027 Safe Harbor Summer STEAM Camp
• The Salvation Army of La Porte Indiana: Client Choice Food Pantry
• The Salvation Army of Michigan City: Weekend Backpack Feeding Program
• Service League of Michigan City: Adult Incontinence Supplies Program
• The Social and Learning Institute: Dunes to You: Outdoor Learning for All Abilities
• Soul Steppers Drill Team: Stepping Into Peace: A Youth Leadership and Violence Prevention Initiative
• South Central Jr. Sr. High School: Robotics Teams Expansion
• Stepping Stone Shelter: Crisis Response for Survivors
• Swanson Center: No One Beyond Reach: Outreach, Housing, and Hope in La Porte County
• Tannehill Community Soup Kitchen: Feeding Our Community
• Trinity Episcopal Church: Trinity Church Community Food Pantry
• United Way of La Porte County: Veteran's Day Stand Down
• We All in Recovery: Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Communities
• Women's Care Center: Filling 3 Critical Gaps: Helping Babies to Thrive
• Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County: "School Buddies" School-Based Mentoring Program

Community members can help make future grants possible through a limited-time matching opportunity from Lilly Endowment Inc.  Every $1 contributed to the Power for Good Fund will be matched with $2, tripling the impact. To learn more about this opportunity, visit uflc.net.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte High School has a new varsity girls’ volleyball head coach with a history of winning state championships.

Troy Campbell brought home six consecutive state titles beginning in 2004 when he was head coach of the girls’ varsity volleyball team at Marquette High School in Michigan City.

He also was the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at Concordia University in Chicago for nine season and spent nearly 20 years coaching at the Dunes Volleyball Club.

 “Troy has spent his career building volleyball programs at every level, and what stood out to us throughout the search was his focus on developing players, not just winning matches. He has a clear vision for where he wants to take our program,” said LPHS Athletic Director Steve Santana.

The appointment approved Monday night by the school board is a homecoming of sorts.

Campbell served as a varsity assistant coach at La Porte High School early in his career and later spent nine years as an officer with the La Porte Police Department.

A Westville High School graduate, he helped his team win back-to-back state championships as a player and earning tournament MVP honors both years before playing collegiately at Indiana University/Purdue University at Ft. Wayne.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County Police officer shot multiple times in May has been discharged from an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Chicago.

Jon Samuelson’s goal is to walk again since the shooting left him with paralysis.

Police said he’s been officially discharged from the world-renowned Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and has returned to La Porte County.

“Each day, his medical team challenged him and pushed him to his limits and worked toward a carefully developed plan to help him regain strength and independence,” said La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

Police said Samuelson, 33, will now return to the facility as an outpatient with several hour long intensive therapy sessions planned three days a week.

“The days ahead will undoubtedly be long, challenging and exhausting, but Jon is ready to take on this next chapter, one day and one accomplishment at a time,” Allen said.

Sherrod Grafton, 22, of Chicago is charged with attempted murder and other counts.  He’s accused of shooting Samuelson during a struggle in the emergency room area of Franciscan Health outside Michigan City.

(La Porte, IN) - An original member of the Mayor’s Veterans Committee in La Porte is stepping down.

Rich Mrozinski, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, said his last day on the committee was today after the 39^th annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Civic Auditorium.

“I’ve been doing it for a long time.  Let them young folks take over,” he said.

Mrozinski has been on the committee since it was formed under the late Mayor Elmo Gonzalez well over 30-years ago. 

The 77-year old Mrozinski said his accomplishments on the committee included securing speakers at the Veterans Day ceremony such as former Congressman Joe Donnelly and the late Congresswoman Jackie Walorski along with Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita.

He also laid some of the bricks containing the names of veterans in a walkway at Soldiers Memorial Park.

“I put myself into that committee 100-percent,” he said.

Over the years, Mrozinski has also been a voice for veterans at the state and federal levels of government.  He doesn’t plan to quit lobbying for veterans and, eventually, wants to accomplish a longtime goal of having a medical clinic for veterans in La Porte.

The nearest clinics are in Mishawaka and Crown Point.

Mrozinski is a former La Porte County Commissioner and former member of the La Porte County Council. 

(La Porte, IN) - A man is facing charges in connection with a foot chase with La Porte City Police.

About a week ago, police were called about a possible homeless man being inside a condemned house.

Police said a responding officer spotted 39 year old Daniel Morris leaving the yard of the residence.  Morris with several bags on his possession allegedly took off running.  He was chased to A St. where he ran between houses before captured a short time later in a nearby alley.

Police said Morris was found with a small amount of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe typically used to smoke the drug.

Morris, who is charged with Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine and Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, was still being held in the La Porte County Jail without bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - A near maximum prison sentence has been given for the May shooting death of a 14 year old Michigan City boy.

Marcus Ballinger, Jr. also of Michigan City was given 60 years in prison for murder on Monday, November 9 after convicted by a La Porte Superior Court 1 jury on October 7.

It took the jury about one hour to find the 19 year old Ballinger guilty of fatally shooting Devin Porter in the 300 block of W. 11^th St.

Police said Porter died after running inside his nearby home and collapsing on a bedroom floor.

Judge Jamie Oss cited things like Ballinger’s history of committing crimes and the victim being just 14 and a good student who was not armed for the elevated sentence.  Other factors cited by the judge included Ballinger wearing a mask when he shot the boy, who was in his yard when struck by the gunfire.

A motive for the shooting remained unclear but the judge shed light on his actions by saying Ballinger agreed with the statement “do unto others before they do unto you.”

“He acted upon this belief when he committed this senseless crime,” Oss said.

Ballinger could have received anywhere from a 45 to 65 year sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte High School varsity football team will have a new head coach next season.

Austin Epple was 9-33 during his four seasons as head coach of the Slicers.

Epple had been an assistant football coach in La Porte since 2018 before accepting the head coaching position.  At the time, he was hired with stability and winning a priority after the program began struggling and went through four head coaches in four previous seasons.

Epple is a 2012 graduate of La Porte High School, where he excelled in football and track.  Currently, Epple is a school resource officer in La Porte working on behalf of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

(La Porte County, IN) - Authorities say the murder case of a LaPorte woman found dead in the trunk of her car in 1981 has been solved through DNA testing.

The alleged killer, Carl “David” Phillips, was 37 at the time.  He was still living in LaPorte County when he passed away in 2017.

LaPorte County Police Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek said there was no known connection between Phillips and the victim, Juanita Boyd, who was last seen at a bar in LaPorte.

After failing to return to her State St. home that night, police said the 31-year old Boyd was reported missing.  Her body was found six days later in the trunk of her 1970 Pontiac Catalina discovered stuck in the mud of a dirt road off Forrester Road near County Road 700 West in Coolspring Township.

She had been strangled and stabbed.

“Although nothing can undo the tragedy of her death or replace the years spent without answers, the hope is identifying the individual responsible provides some measure of closure,” Hynek said.

“Investigators worked tirelessly on this case which, eventually became cold.  Although cold, it was never forgotten about,” he said.

DNA testing had not been developed yet when the murder occurred and didn’t start to become a critical law enforcement tool until the early 90’s.

After reopening the case in 2013, Hynek said a sample of semen taken from an undergarment worn by the victim was used by a private laboratory specializing in genealogy to develop a DNA profile of the still unknown suspect.

There were no matches with any DNA stored in various data bases.

However, DNA testing became advanced enough to identify suspects in major crimes through matches with genetic material taken from their relatives.  In October, Hynek said the DNA profile of Phillips matched the genetics of an immediate family member.

It was also determined that Phillips was familiar with the remote location where the victim was found by growing up and having relatives still living in that area.

In the mid-1970’s, police said Phillips was convicted of multiple armed purse snatchings in the Lafayette area.  He was convicted of burglary in LaPorte County in 1984 and released on parole in 1991.  Since then, Hynek said there are no records of Phillips being arrested for any other crimes.

Boyd was a county government employee working at the courthouse in LaPorte at the time of her slaying.  She left behind a nine-year old son.

“Had he been alive today, the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office would have charged him with murder,” said LaPorte County Police Capt. Derek Allen.

(La Porte County, IN) - A Westville prison guard is behind bars for allegedly bringing marijuana to inmates for cash and having sex with some of the offenders.

Karen Holt, 61, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts including bribery, trafficking with an inmate and sexual misconduct.

According to the charging information, the investigation began on November 6 when a prison security officer followed an odor of marijuana to a jacket Holt removed prior to beginning her shift.

The officer reached into a pocket of the jacket and discovered an oval shaped object allegedly containing marijuana inside a balloon wrapped in a brown paper towel.

A short time later, investigators approached Holt who admitted to placing the contraband into her vagina to get it inside the facility, authorities said.

Authorities said she also confessed to receiving payments from offenders ranging from $75 to $500 each time she brought them marijuana and carrying on a sexual relationship with one of the inmates receiving the drugs.

The relationship included phone calls where she and the offender told each other “I love you,” according to the charging information.

She also admitted to having sex with another inmate on at least one occasion, authorities said.

Holt was being held in the LaPorte County Jail on $15,000 bond.

For now, authorities said Holt has been suspended from her position without pay but she could be terminated depending on the outcome of the case.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is accused of selling a large amount of methamphetamine in La Porte.

Chad Smith, 45, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court. 

Authorities say Smith met the buyer in June in the parking lot of a retail store on the city’s east side.  84 grams of methamphetamine were allegedly sold for $1,150.

Smith, who’s from Argos, could face anywhere from a 10 to 30 year sentence on the Level 2 felony charge.

During his initial court hearing on Friday, he was given a trial date of April 12.

(La Porte County, IN) - A few hospital security guards were injured during a physical altercation with a patient outside Michigan City yesterday.

37 year old Scott Ferrell was booked into the La Porte County Jail on charges that include battery and intimidation.

The incident happened just after 8 a.m. at Franciscan Health.

Police said hospital security became involved because of Ferrell becoming combative and it  took three security officers, who all were struck by the suspect, to get him into handcuffs.

The most seriously injured security officer was treated for deep bruises to his right arm and blunt force trauma to the rib cage area, police said.

The suspect was also hurt with injuries that included bruises and abrasions along with swelling under one of his eyes.

Ferrell of Michigan City has since posted $750 bond, according to court records.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Salvation Army serving La Porte County invites community members to learn more about its annual Christmas Campaign and discover how they can make a difference through a new holiday season event, the Red Kettle Round Up.

The Red Kettle Round Up will take place on November 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army of La Porte at 3240 Monroe Street in La Porte.

The event is free, open to the public, and will be an informal, drop-in opportunity for community members to connect with The Salvation Army and learn more about its holiday fundraising efforts.  Refreshments will be served, including a festive hot chocolate bar.

This will be an opportunity to meet Salvation Army staff and volunteers, take a tour of the building, learn about the impact of the Red Kettle Campaign, and discover ways they can help bring hope to local families this Christmas season.

The event will also focus on volunteer bell ringers, whose service helps make year-round assistance possible for local families. 

Staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions and assist attendees with registering for bell-ringing shifts through The Salvation Army's new online volunteer registration system.

"While many people associate the Red Kettles with Christmas assistance, those funds also help provide critical support for our neighbors all year long. We are incredibly grateful for our volunteers, whose dedication makes this work possible. As we share our 'Give With Joy' message this season, we invite the community to join us in bringing hope to local families."

Those interested in becoming volunteer bell ringers but unable to attend the Red Kettle Round Up may register online at salarmy.us/LaPorteBellRinger for La Porte shifts or salarmy.us/MichiganCityBellRinger for Michigan City shifts.

Community members can also contact The Salvation Army of La Porte at (219) 326-5342 or The Salvation Army of Michigan City at (219) 874-6885 for additional information.

(La Porte County, IN) - A barn large enough to house up to 4,000 hogs was destroyed by fire Sunday night in La Porte County.

Fortunately, the roughly 400 foot long by 80 foot wide structure was empty because the hogs previously inside it had been delivered for slaughter in recent weeks, said Todd Lawrence, owner of TJL Family Farms, LLC.

He owns and operates with help from his son the farm started by his parents in 1959.

Lawrence said he was about to have the barn power washed before receiving his next load of 4,000 hogs.

He’s already contacted his insurance company about covering the loss along with a builder to replace the barn at the Johnson Township site just a quarter mile from the Starke County line.

“We already got the ball rolling,” he said.

Hamlet Fire Chief Brad Hazelton said the barn was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters about 6 p.m. began arriving at 11745 S. County Road 700 East.

He said firefighters from Knox, Koontz Lake, Walkerton, Polk Township and Liberty Township assisted with manpower and shuttling water to the burning structure in tanker trucks.

Hazelton said firefighters were there for about five hours.

There were no injuries.  The cause of the fire, so far, was not known, he said.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is facing allegations in connection with a dispute at a bar in La Porte that involved the pointing of a firearm.

George Sherwood, 47, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts including Level 6 felony pointing a loaded firearm and Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to the charging information, officers early on November 1 were called to Shooter’s Bar & Grill in the 200 block of Washington St.

Sherwood left at the request of a bartender for harassing female patrons and was in a vehicle backing up when he struck another vehicle in the parking lot, police said.

Police said the female bartender tried breaking up an altercation between Sherwood and another man when Sherwood pointed a loaded handgun at the forehead of the server.

Sherwood is also accused of threatening another woman with a gun, which he kept in a holster beside his waist, after she informed him he needed to exchange insurance information with the owner of the vehicle he struck.

Police said Sherwood of Portage fled but was soon taken into custody by an officer who spotted him outside a convenience store.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .216-percent.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman could face time in prison for a motor vehicle collision with a mini-bike that left the driver of the two-wheeled machine badly hurt.

Denise Lumpp, 62, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with multiple counts, including Level 5 felony operating while intoxicated causing serious injuries.

According to La Porte Police, the investigation shows the accident on November 3 occurred while Lumpp was turning from a parking lot onto Indiana 2 and failed to see the eastbound electric mini-bike on the city’s west side.

The mini-bike driver, Anthony Moyao, suffered a compound fracture to his right leg, police said.  He was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Police said Lumpp was arrested with a blood alcohol level of .08-percent.  She could face anywhere from a one to six year sentence on the felony OWI count. 

(Porter County, IN) - The Indiana Dunes turned 60 on Thursday.

Talks about preserving the Dunes began in 1916, and the area opened to the public ten years later. On November 5, 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill making Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. In 2019 President Trump made it Indiana's first Natonal Park.

On Thursday evening, Dunes National Park Acting Superintendent Leo Lestino gave a presentation to members of Save the Dunes, a local conservation group. He reminded everyone that the history of the scenic area goes way beyond 60 years ago.

“It is the federal park that turns 60,” Lestino said, “but this land has been stewarded for thousands of years. The human history here reaches back thousands of years. They’ve got archeological evidence that documents human activity here in Indiana Dunes for roughly 10,500 years. The Miami and Potawatomi histories are part of this landscape.”

Save the Dunes has been working to preserve unique area since 1952. On Saturday volunteers kept the efforts going by planting grasses on top of Mt. Baldy to stabilize its summit.

(Michigan City, IN) - Following a lopsided election, if you’re into partisan politics, you might find yourself licking your wounds or basking in glory. One La Porte County poll worker is just glad that local voters are decent human beings.

For a midterm, voter turnout was brisk Tuesday. Many voting centers across La Porte County packed them in until the last minute— and beyond. Troubles with voting machines was blamed for the delay.

Pat Matsey, a poll worker at the IBEW-NECA voting center on 8^th St. in Michigan City, said technical difficulties made for slow going where she was. She spoke at the Michigan City Common Council meeting Wednesday night. “It went sideways on us yesterday,” Matsey said, explaining that by midafternoon they were down to two voting machines.  Polls closed at 6:00 pm, but the last voter turned in his ballot at 8:42. “That man waited in line for two and a half hours,” Matsey said.

Despite the long wait, voters were completely courteous, Matsey gratefully reported. “I appreciate the people of Michigan City so much. Not one ugly, mad comment was made to any of the workers at our location. Everyone waited patiently, everyone waited calmly, and everyone was so kind to us.”

According to latest available numbers, 31,882 ballots were cast, for a 40.60% voter turnout among 78,526 registered voters.