(La Porte, IN) - A driver reported to be all over the roadway in Westville last night was arrested for what could be his third OWI conviction in recent years.

Douglas Nelson, 69, is charged with operating while intoxicated as a Level 6 felony.

According to La Porte County Police, another motorist following Nelson called 911 and reported his vehicle was all over the roadway in the area of U.S. 6 and U.S. 421. A responding officer soon witnessed Nelson veer off the road multiple times before pulled him over.

Police said the officer walking up to the vehicle saw Nelson attempting to put his dentures into his mouth and detected what appeared to be a strong odor of alcohol.  After stepping out of the vehicle, police said Nelson had to be helped several times to keep from stumbling.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .095-percent.

Police said his prior OWI convictions were in Porter County on cases filed in 2021 and 2023.

(Michigan City, IN) - Construction of a 12 story luxury apartment building above the new South Shore Railroad commuter line train station in downtown Michigan City is nearly completed.

Clarence Hulse, Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, said the timeline calls for construction to be completed by July 1 with tenants beginning to move in toward the end of August.

Hulse said reservations have already been made on 115 of the 220 apartments at what’s called The Franklin at the 11^th St. Station.  He said the hope is to have the remainder of the units filled by the end of the year.

The building will also have 5,600 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the main level and an over 500 space parking garage beside the tower for use by tenants and riders before and after stepping off the trains.  Other amenities include a heated swim/spa with an adjacent outdoor movie lounge, an outdoor rooftop sky lounge providing scenic views of Lake Michigan, courtyard grilling decks, fire pits, and a dog park.

Hulse said the 300 or so people living there will provide another economic boost to the ongoing revitalization of the downtown, which has had a lot of new businesses open in the past decade.

He credited faster travel times to and from Chicago by train from the double track completed between Michigan City and Gary last year for much of the noticeable increase in money developers are making in the downtown area and elsewhere in the community.   Investors are banking the 30 minutes saved on one way trips by train to each community will lead to significantly more people coming here to enjoy the city’s lakefront along with other attractions like Blue Chip Casino and nearby Indiana Dunes National Park.

Another hope is that some people will choose to live here and commute to their jobs in Chicago.

“Now, people are looking at us as a place to come and invest their dollars.  I never want to underestimate or undervalue what this has meant for Michigan City,” he said.

Hulse said nearly $2 billion in capital investments were made in Michigan City over the past four years, a very sizable amount for a community with just over 30,000 residents.

“The city is really moving forward,” he said.

Monthly rent starts at about $1,500.  According to the developers, Flaherty & Collins based in Indianapolis, about two-thirds of the apartments are one bedroom while 20 percent are two bedroom with the rest being a combination of three bedroom and studio units.  The main level will be available for retail and other commercial establishments like a restaurant or coffee shop.

About 300 employees are expected to work at the apartment tower, which will generate over $800,000 in annual real estate taxes, officials said.  Hulse said 14 additional trips to Chicago have been scheduled during the week since the double track opened.

Diana Smith-Scott, owner of Lakefront Salon & Spa at 912 Franklin St., said she believes the apartments will bring more customers downtown, which features a number of trendy restaurants and shops.

“I think it’s going to be a positive thing,” she said.

Smith-Scott has operated her business for over 30 years on Franklin St. and sees a big difference in the vitality of downtown since revitalization efforts began over a decade ago.

“It’s a lot better.  There’s a lot more traffic,” she said.

Jonas Zimmerman, owner of J & K Flower Company at 906 Franklin St., said having that many new residents won’t hurt business owners but he’s not sure how much it will help them.  He said it just depends on how many tenants venture out instead of just simply getting off and on the trains before heading back to Chicago.

“I’m trying to stay optimistic and, hopefully, it helps,” he said.

Michigan City resident Susan Borman said the apartments are a very nice addition to the many improvements made over the years in the community.

“I think it’s great.  I think it’ll bring in more business,” she said.

(Michigan City, IN) - A La Porte woman will spend just a limited amount of time in jail as long as she pays back the over $90,000 she stole from an American Legion Post as their financial officer.

Natalee Stewart, 42, was sentenced Thursday to 78 days in the La Porte County Jail for Level 6 felony theft.  The remainder of her 832 day sentence will be served on probation as long as she pays the balance of her close to $62,000 debt.

The sentence handed down in La Porte Superior Court 1 followed the terms of a plea agreement.  As required by the guilty plea, Stewart paid $32,000 prior to being sentenced and was ordered to make payments of $1,500 a month until the balance is retired.  Failure to meet her financial commitments will mean spending the rest of her time on probation with the Indiana Department of Correction.

La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said the sentence negotiated with the defense reflected the desires of her victim.

“This is what they wanted.  We agreed.  So, everyone wins,” he said.

Authorities said Stewart was a volunteer financial officer for the American Legion Skwiat Post #451 in Michigan City with access to accounts that included payroll.  She also performed bookkeeping and handled the finances of the organization.

For about a six-month period in 2024, authorities said she made over $90,000 in withdrawals from two separate accounts.  When questioned, Stewart allegedly told police she used the money to gamble, pay bills and for other expenses and intended to sell her home for money to pay back the funds.

Her arrest stemmed from a nearly one month investigation that started when American Legion Commander Michael Livengood contacted Michigan City Police in December about fraudulent activity on multiple accounts belonging to the veterans’ organization, according to the charging information filed with the court. 

Police said Livengood implicated Stewart since she was the only authorized user of the accounts and produced more than 40 receipts from her withdrawals at Blue Chip Casino totaling more than $50,000 from April to November.

Stewart was elected the financial officer just several weeks before she began making the illegal withdrawals, police said.

Fagan said his office as it does in any criminal case asked the American Legion leadership how it wanted the case resolved and what mattered most to them was total reimbursement.

“To make the victims whole is to get the money back. If not, there are going to be consequences,” he said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local candidate is being criticized for saying he’ll continue to fight corruption in La Porte County government on his campaign billboards.

Tim Stabosz makes the claim on billboards on his campaign for a seat on the La Porte County Council.

Former La Porte County government attorney Shaw Friedman said Stabosz has been making those claims for years without proof and even a grand jury assembled in 2022 to look into the allegations found no evidence of corruption. 

Friedman disputed the claims in a newspaper advertisement last week paid for by his law firm.   Here's what was stated at the bottom half of the ad.

“None of the people in county government deserve yet another election year where empty claims are being thrown around like confetti,” he said.

Friedman said the grand jury ruling came after hearing seven months of testimony from various people, including Stabosz.  Stabosz, the former La Porte County Auditor, did not waver in sticking to his claims.

“I saw corruption as the auditor.   To see public officials obtaining private gain from their so-called public service, to me, is corruption,” he said.  He also called the advertisement “a laughable attempt to damage me in a political campaign.  It’s just that.  Laughable.”

Stabosz is running for the Republican Party’s nomination in the May 5 primary for the District 4 seat on the county council.  He’s challenging Jimmy Pressel, who has held that position since late last year when appointed during a Republican Party caucus to fill the vacancy.

(Westville, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating the use of counterfeit money to place funds on a debit card.

Police said a woman at Dollar General Monday evening in Westville gave the clerk four $50 bills to place $200 on a Green Dot Debit Card.  It wasn’t until after the transaction the clerk noticed the bills were fake and so were the four $1 bills used to pay the service fee.

Each bill had “MOTION PICTURE PURPOSES” spelled on the top and right side of the fake currency, police said.

A short time later, a man came into the store wanting to reload a debit card but walked out after hearing the clerk telling a co-worker about calling the police due to the previous transaction.  Police said the man and woman were seen together a short time later inside a vehicle outside the store.

(Michigan City, IN) - A 12 story luxury apartment tower above the new South Shore Railroad commuter line train station in downtown Michigan City is nearly completed.

Clarence Hulse, Executive Director of the city’s Economic Development Corporation, said the goal is for construction to be completed by July 1 with people beginning to move into their apartments toward the end of August.

Hulse said reservations have already been made on 115 of the 220 apartments at Franklin St. and E. 8^th St.  He said the goal is to have the remainder of the units filled by the end of the year.

Hulse said another 300 or so people living there will provide another boost to the ongoing revitalization of the downtown, which has had a lot of new businesses open in the past decade.  He credited faster travel times to and from Chicago by train from the double track completed last year for much of the noticeable increase in money developers are making in the downtown area and elsewhere in the community.  

“Now, people are looking at us as a place to come and invest their dollars.  I never want to underestimate or undervalue what this has meant for Michigan City,” he said.

Monthly rent will be start at about $1,500.

According to the developers, about two-thirds of the apartments are one bedroom while 20 percent are two bedroom with the rest being a combination of three bedroom and studio units.  The main level will be available for retail and other commercial establishments like a restaurant or coffee shop.

There is also an over 500 space parking garage beside the tower for use by tenants and riders before and after they step off the trains.  Other amenities include a heated swim/spa with an adjacent outdoor movie lounge, an outdoor rooftop sky lounge providing scenic views of Lake Michigan, courtyard grilling decks, fire pits, and a dog park.

About 300 employees are expected to work at the apartment tower, which will generate over $800,000 in annual real estate taxes, officials said.

Hulse said 14 additional trips to Chicago by train have been scheduled during the week since the double track opened.

(Michigan City, IN) - The annual Mayor’s Charitable Gala in Michigan City set another record for donations that are put back into the community.

The gala on April 17 raised about $150,000, according to the mayor’s office.  Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said the gala is more than a celebration. “It’s a reflection of what is possible when a community comes together with purpose,” she said.

In 2024, gala proceeds supported youth-focused programs and organizations. In 2025, eligibility for funding expanded to include neighborhood initiatives.  For 2026, the city is allowing funds to be directed toward a wide range of community priorities including youth development, neighborhood revitalization, housing support, food access, workforce development, addiction recovery and mental health services.

Some of the money will also go toward new baseball diamonds.  About one-third of the money raised came from Google, the end user of the data center now being created on Royal Road on the city’s east side.

(La Porte County, IN) - Another man has been charged in connection with frozen bottles of water striking moving vehicles on a stretch of highway in La Porte County.

James Thompson is charged with multiple counts of criminal recklessness and criminal mischief.  In December, authorities say Thompson was driving when he tossed the frozen water bottles at three oncoming vehicles on U.S. 421.  One of the vehicles had to be towed because of damage that caused a fluid leak.

A passenger, 18 year old Phillip Duffus, is also charged in the case.

Police said surveillance video helped in identifying the suspects from LaCrosse and Illinois.  The cost of repairs ranged from about $1,700 to over $5,600 dollars.

(La Porte County, IN) - A proposed solar energy farm in La Porte County was not considered as scheduled last night.

Hoosier Solar is seeking a special exception to current zoning laws to put up solar panels in the area of State Road 104 near the St. Joseph County line.  The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to hear the request, but the meeting lasted only six minutes.

The meeting was adjourned after BZA attorney Andrew Voeltz said the board was not assembled correctly because a member of the La Porte County Planning Commission was not appointed to the board by the La Porte County Commissioners in January as required by state law.

“It is my position as the attorney that the board is insufficient and improperly constructed,” he said.

Voeltz said the BZA is supposed to have three citizen members appointed by the commissioners including one that is a member of the planning commission.  Since no planning commission member is on the board, Voetz said it was his opinion the situation has to be corrected for the BZA to legally meet.

The county commissioners will take up the matter at its next meeting on May 4.

Commission President Steve Holifield said he will research the matter because he’s not totally sold the current make-up of the board violates state requirements.  In his opinion, Holifield said he suspects the matter was brought up to give some sort of an advantage to the company seeking permission for putting up solar panels.

“I smell a rat here,” he said.

In response, Hoosier Solar CEO Steven Lichtin said his company had no role in the make-up of the BZA and supports the BZA's commitment to operating in full compliance with the law.

"We remain committed to community engagement and transparent participation as our Yellowstone project moves through the local permitting process to obtain a special exception for a permitted use of land. Our Yellowstone project exceeds all state and local standards and will be the smallest commercial solar project in the region," he said 

(Michigan City, IN) - A winning Hoosier Lottery ticket was sold in Michigan City.

A CASH 5 ticket for Monday’s drawing was purchased at Walmart on Franklin St., according to the Hoosier Lottery.  The ticket is worth $95,000 for whoever has it.

According to the Hoosier Lottery, winners are advised to store their tickets in a secure place, meet with a financial advisor and contact the lottery office for instructions on claiming their prize at 1-800-955-6886.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - Months of planning by law enforcement seemed to help eliminate the unexpected chaos that developed from people in huge numbers flocking to the marijuana dispensaries outside New Buffalo last year on 420.

Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit said the placement of numerous no-parking and no-U-turn signs prior to the start of the 420 weekend this year seemed to noticeably help reduce the congestion around the 30 or so dispensaries near Interstate 94 and along U.S. 12.

“It’s much more manageable this year,” he said.

Sarah Schroeder, Director of Marketing at Border Buds, complimented the agencies involved in preparing better for the onslaught of 420 visitors.

“I think the township and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department did a great job of getting ahead of the traffic this year,” she said.

420 is an unofficial national holiday celebrating the consumption of cannabis.

Heit said he also felt the creation of overflow parking at Exit 1 off Interstate 94 helped solve problems last year with drivers parking along streets and grassy areas seemingly everywhere around the dispensaries.  There were even vehicles backed up on Interstate 94 last year at times because of the extremely high volume of motorists heading to the marijuana shops.  There were no back-ups reported this year.

The situation also seemed to benefit from turnout not being as high possibly by 420 being on a Monday this year and the festivities such as giveaways and price discounts spread over a three day weekend.

420 last year was on a Sunday.

Heit said more officers were also assigned to patrol the areas around the dispensaries, which seemed to work in reducing traffic violations that added to last year’s chaos.  There were still enough visitors this year to cause lines to form outside some of the dispensaries especially prior to their doors opening.

Free gift bags containing a variety of marijuana products went quickly each day to the first 100 customers at Border Buds, which also offered giveaways at the top of each hour and 50-percent discounts on most store items during the entire weekend.  One customer made the trip from Chicago to King of Budz hoping to take advantage of 420 related price reductions.

“I figured they’d have some deals going on to see if I can get something for cheap,” he said.

Adding to the festivities at King of Budz was a food truck offering barbecue pulled pork sandwiches and other items such as chili-cheese dogs and “Loaded Nachos.”  Food truck owner Stephanie Serbin said her sales during the 420 weekend were three times above what she normally receives during an ordinary weekend.

Serbin said she had to have more food brought in a couple of times to keep from selling out.

“It’s been non-stop.  I have no complaints whatsoever,” she said.

(New Buffalo, MI) - The head boys’ varsity basketball coach at New Buffalo High School has been chosen to be the head basketball coach of the Red Arrow Raiders.

The Raiders are teams resulting from the merger of the sports programs at New Buffalo and River Valley high schools.  In his eight years in New Buffalo, Nate Tripp has brought home four district titles and once advanced to the regional championship game.

Tripp expects next season to be a rebuilding year from losing a number of talented seniors especially from New Buffalo, which won the District 4 title against Eau Claire last month.

He does have what appears to be the makings of a solid core, though, with returning players such as Colten Lijewski and John Bradshaw from New Buffalo and Bowie Strieter of River Valley.

“It’s definitely going to be different.  It’s going to be exciting.  It’s going to be a challenge and I love a challenge,” Tripp said.

Tripp has won over 100 games since coming to New Buffalo from Arizona where he coached for one year.  Previously, he coached for a number of years in Michigan at Grand Haven, Springlake and Holton.

Tripp said one of the challenges will be drawing as many young people as possible into the program to find the type of talent the Raiders will have to face by moving up a class from enrollment about doubling under a merged program.

“We’re going to keep chasing those district titles and, hopefully, even sneak in a regional title,” he said.

Tripp is no stranger to rebuilding.  Practically every player on the team that made it to the regional championship game in 2022 graduated, forcing Tripp to start almost all freshmen on a squad that won just one game the following season.

Several of those players such as Nick Haskins, Sam Tripp and Lucas Forker were on this year’s district championship team.

Tripp in his usual fashion is not wasting time with plans to meet the players from River Valley  within the next week or so.  He also plans to have players on the court during the summer working on things like fundamentals so they are as ready as possible for the start of next season.

“I love to win.  I don’t like to lose.  I don’t like to wait.  I’m not a very patient person,” he said.

Tripp was chosen by a selection committee that had an equal number of members from each school district.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man who appeared to be panhandling was arrested during a foot chase yesterday afternoon in Michigan City.

La Porte County Police said 26 year old Joseph Lopez was holding a cardboard sign on Franklin St. south of U.S. 20 when a warrant was discovered for his arrest.  He allegedly fled on foot across Franklin St. and hid behind a car for a few moments before taking off running again despite orders to stop. 

He was soon grabbed in a nearby parking lot.  Lopez was arrested for resisting law enforcement and the outstanding warrant for disorderly conduct.

Police said officers recognized Lopez from previous encounters with law enforcement.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte woman clocked at 95 miles per hour is facing felony drunk driving allegations after convicted of OWI earlier this year.

Alexis Smith, 22, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony operating while intoxicated and Class B misdemeanor reckless driving.

La Porte County Police said an officer clocked her traveling 40 miles per hour above the 55 mph speed limit in the 2200 block of E. Indiana 2.  The officer did a U-turn and caught up to the vehicle, which pulled over at Indiana 2 and 400 East.

Her alleged blood alcohol level was nearly two times the legal .08 percent limit.

According to authorities, the charge was elevated to a felony due to her having a prior OWI conviction in February in St. Joseph County.

(La Porte, IN) - Police say a man who ran a red light with an officer behind him in downtown La Porte is facing an operating while intoxicated charge.

Joshua Montemayor, 44, was booked into the La Porte County Jail early Sunday on allegations of operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer was stopped for a red light in front of the suspect, who was also stopped for the traffic light at Lincolnway and Indiana Ave.  Suddenly, police said the suspect proceeded through the light while it was still red.  During a traffic stop, police said Montemayor when asked if he had anything to drink replied he just had a shot at a bar he claimed to own. 

Police said the results of a portable breathalyzer test given to Montemayor showed impairment.  He refused to take a certified blood alcohol test, resulting in his automatic arrest under state law.

Police said Montemayor was argumentative throughout the duration of the traffic stop.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man convicted of drunk driving just over a week ago was arrested over the weekend for allegedly being impaired outside La Porte.

About 1 a.m. on Sunday, La Porte County Police said the man was pulled over for traveling 71 miles per hour in the 4500 block of N. Fail Road and making an illegal right turn on a red light a short time later.

Police said the driver, 49 year old Michael Jenkins, refused to take a breathalyzer test, which resulted in his automatic arrest for OWI under state law.

On April 10, Jenkins was sentenced to 180 days probation for Class C misdemeanor OWI, according to court records.  The OWI charge he’s now facing was upgraded to a Level 6 felony due to his prior conviction.

During his latest arrest, police said Jenkins exhibited various physical symptoms of impairment and had several empty and partially consumed alcoholic beverage containers in his vehicle.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - People are expected to flock to the marijuana dispensaries today in greater numbers outside New Buffalo

Today is 420 Day, an unofficial national holiday celebrating the consumption of marijuana. 

Last year, there were enough people going to the dispensaries on 420 Day that vehicles were backed up on Interstate 94 at Exit 1 where many of the dispensaries in New Buffalo Township are located.  Vehicles were also parked in the grass and along roadsides due to parking lots outside the dispensaries being totally full.

No parking and U-turn signs were added along with other measures aimed at handling the 420 influx more effectively were taken.

Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit, who was out this morning patrolling the area near the dispensaries, said there were people waiting in lines at the dispensaries before they opened at 9 a.m. but traffic at the time was manageable.

“We’ll be out throughout the day monitoring traffic and taking the necessary enforcement as needed,” he said.

(South Bend, IN) - A La Porte woman has been sentenced in federal prison on drug-related charges.

Just over a year ago, 26-year-old Monica Del Real was stopped in the area of Interstate 94 and U.S. 421 and found to have active warrants for arrest. Prompted by a K9 alert, police discovered 136 grams of pure methamphetamine and 12 grams of fentanyl hidden in a compartment near the gas pedal. Nearly $5,000 in cash was also found in her purse lying on the floorboard of the vehicle.

Following a guilty plea, Real was recently sentenced in U.S. District Court in South Bend to six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

“Monica Del Real thought that she could freely traffic in dangerous narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.  “State and local law enforcement, and their K9 partner, proved her wrong.  Thanks to their excellent work, both the drugs and Del Real are off the streets.  I thank DEA, Michigan City Police Department, the La Porte County Drug Task Force, and the La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan and his office for their partnership.”

(La Porte County, IN) - New Prairie High School has been recognized statewide for its work in preparing students for the future.

The Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education announced New Prairie High School as Indiana’s American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award winner.

According to school corporation officials, New Prairie High School earned the award for building an increased awareness of the opportunities and benefits of going to college for all grade levels.  In addition to daily trivia contests and a spirit week, the school launched the College Bound Cougars program, which offers grade-specific lessons on college exploration, financial aid, admissions, career planning, and test preparation for all students in grades nine through 12.

Every student completed multiple career interest inventories, as well as preparation sessions for the PSAT and SAT.  During College Application Week, New Prairie’s seniors submitted 376 college applications.

“New Prairie High School has shown a strong commitment to ensuring every student, including those who may be the first in their families to attend college, receives the support and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their future,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education.

“Through the College Bound Cougars program, students begin planning for the college application process as early as their freshman year, helping them prepare for colleges and careers. Whether a student chooses to enroll in college, go straight into a career, or serve in our nation’s military, understanding the range of possibilities for their future is essential to being prepared for their unique next step,” she said.

Each year, ACAC partners with coordinators in nearly every state and the District of Columbia to host college application events that encourage students to apply to college. As Indiana’s coordinator, the Commission selects one school to receive ACAC’s School of Excellence Award on behalf of the state.

“We are so excited and honored to receive this award for our state! Our student support services staff at New Prairie United School Corporation has spent a great deal of time preparing and executing an extensive and purposeful K-12 Career Exploration Plan, and this work culminates with our campaign to encourage and support students as they navigate the college application process,” said Tara White, New Prairie High School’s Director of College & Career Readiness.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte area man is accused of having inappropriate contact with a girl over a four year period.

Jacob Nekvasil is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with child molesting, rape and other counts involving a girl beginning when she was 11.  He’s also charged with battery for alleged physical contact that resulted in injuries to two other children.

According to court documents, police began investigating in early March after the girl told family members about her alleged sexual encounters with Nekvasil. 

The 43 year old Nekvasil arrested a week ago was still being held in the La Porte County Jail.

(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO and United Steelworkers leadership have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

According to NIPSCO, the agreement is not official because it still has to be ratified by union employees of the company.  A two week lockout of 1,600 employees will remain in effect unless the deal is ratified.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing since January 20.  The prior contract expired March 31.

Details of the tentative settlement have not been disclosed. 

Among the major issues in the contract negotiations were the union’s request for double-time pay for hours beyond a regular work shift and settling on the number of continuous hours employees could be expected to work.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has been honored for his many years of work in trying to improve the quality of life in northwest Indiana.

Leigh Morris was given the Norman E. Tufford Award by the Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission yesterday at its meeting near Chesterton.   Tufford was the first executive director of NIRPC and served in that position for 19 years until 1985.

The award is given to individuals who display expert leadership, patience, persistence and honesty in their pursuit of improving the quality of lives in their communities and throughout the region.  Morris has held several leadership positions with organizations like NIRPC over the years and once was the NIRPC board chairman.

He was also mayor of La Porte for four years beginning in 2004.  Morris said Tuffard was an influence for others to begin thinking more regionally in terms of economic development.

“Those of us who have followed in his footsteps, if you will, have been able to capitalize on his regional thinking,” he said.

Morris said he was also humbled by an award that reflects such great personal qualities.

“I’ve had some wonderful opportunities.  I really have enjoyed and appreciated the ability maybe to have some positive impact with my leadership roles,” he said.

Morris, 91, was also president and chief executive officer at La Porte Hospital for over 20 years.  

(La Porte, IN) - A rifle was used to fire gunshots from a vehicle moments before a collision that critically injured a woman in another vehicle in La Porte.

Scott Gembala, 18, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with intimidation and criminal recklessness, both Level 5 felonies, and second count of criminal recklessness as a Level 6 felony.

Police said the investigation shows he was a passenger in a parked vehicle wearing a ski mask when he fired a shot at four juveniles on foot Sunday on Ridgeway St.  One of the juveniles was dating Gembala’s ex-girlfriend, police said.

Police said the vehicle occupied by Gembala fled and was being followed by another motorist concerned about the reckless manner in which the vehicle was being driven.  Gembala allegedly fired several rounds at the vehicle behind him, damaging the windshield and hood on the vehicle following him.

A short time later, the vehicle Gembala was in broadsided a Ford Fusion at Scott and Ohio streets.  Gembala fled on foot but was later captured at Maple Tree Apartments on the city’s west side, police said.

Police said a rifle was recovered from where Gembala was seated in the vehicle, which was driven by a 17 year old boy.  The seriously injured woman was taken to the hospital for treatment.

So far, the names of both drivers have not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

(La Porte, IN) - Eating breakfast at a La Porte restaurant without paying for it has brought the alleged offender more than just heartburn.

Payton Moisan, 27, has been in the La Porte County Jail since her arrest on Sunday.  The Walkerton area woman is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

Police said Moisan on April 12 ordered eggs, toast and coffee at Mama T’s restaurant in the 600 block of Lincolnway.  After eating the food, police said Moisan walked out without paying for her $7.39 tab. 

Police said responding officers located her about a block away on State St. and took her into custody.  According to authorities, the misdemeanor charge was elevated to a felony due to her having a prior conviction for theft in 2010.  She could face an up to 30 month sentence.

(La Porte, IN) - An initial hearing was held Wednesday in La Porte Circuit Court for a man accused of taking a large sum of money from a gas station.

Timothy Petersen, 42, of La Porte is charged with Level 6 felony theft.  Police said Petersen in late January was in an office with an employee at the BP station at Lincolnway and Tyler St. in La Porte.  He allegedly removed a leather bag containing over $3,000 in cash from a desk drawer before the two days' worth of receipts could be deposited into the bank.

Police said investigators were later contacted when representatives at the corporate office learned the money was never placed into the account.

Petersen, who is out of the La Porte County Jail on $750 bond, appeared for the hearing with his public defender.  The next hearing in the case was scheduled for June 24.