(La Porte County, IN) - A solar power proposal that was denied may still see the light of day, thanks to a court order.

In July the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals denied a petition from Hoosier Solar for a 300-acre solar installation called Yellowstone in the southeast part of the county.

The company took the matter to court, saying their petition met all the zoning requirements and encountered undue bias by county officials.

On Monday, October 19 Judge Jeffrey Thorne of La Porte Superior Court 3 ruled in favor of Hoosier Solar. BZA attorney Andrew Voltz read part of the decision aloud at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday:

“The decision of the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals denying Yellowstone’s request for special exception is hereby reversed and vacated. Furthermore, the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals is ordered to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law that are consistent with this court’s order and grant to Yellowstone’s solar project a special exception as set forth in its petition.”

Voltz advised the board that they have 30 days to decide if they will appeal the decision.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been in this situation in the 20 years I’ve been on this board,” said board president Melissa Mischke.

The BZA is now planning to meet soon in a special executive session to decide what to do next.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A family escaped injury during a house fire in New Carlisle Thursday afternoon.

At about 4:15 pm local time, first responders arrived to a home in the 700 block of Potawatomi Drive, where a garage was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the rest of the house. Three residents home at the time were able to escape unharmed. The American Red Cross is helping them find temporary housing, but authorities say most of the living space sustained only minimal damage.

The fired was determined to be accidental, but an exact cause was not disclosed.

Members of six fire departments assisted in the call. Authorities said incidents like this are a good reminder for residents to test smoke alarms monthly and to ensure that everyone in the home knows two ways out of every room.

*Photo courtesy of Robert Middlebrook

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City manufacturer is looking to expand elsewhere in the city.

KTR is a German-based company that manufactures power transmission products, brakes, coolers, and hydraulic components. They are looking to expand their operations domestically but are landlocked at their current location on Michigan City’s northeast side.

 “We have a very large market here in the U.S. We’re really the largest brand of coupling manufacturers globally,” said KTR representative Eric Stachowiak, who addressed the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday.

He outlined KTR’s proposal is to create a combined North American headquarters and enlarged manufacturing space on 22 acres along CR 400 North, just south of Walmart. A 78,000 square-foot facility will be accessed from 375 North. It will include 18,000 square-feet of office space with the rest containing manufacturing and warehouse space. A six-acre parcel along 400 will be left vacant or sold later for commercial use. The company expects to invest $15 million and add 15 new employees to their existing workforce of 35.

Because the proposal calls for light manufacturing in a commercially zoned area, the BZA passed a special use variance for KTR to proceed.

(Michigan City, IN) - Eight local individuals will be honored for their exceptional dedication and service to the community at the Rotary Club of Michigan City’s annual Service Above Self Awards.

This year’s recipients are: Ashley Zahrt, MCAS Educator of the Year; Corporal Sophia Williams, MCHS JROTC Cadet of the Year; Det. Tempest Miller, MCPD Police Officer of the Year; Sgt. Sarah Boylan, Correctional Officer of the Year; Gabrielle Winslett, Dept. of Child Services Worker of the Year; Tyler Kreighbaum, MCFD Firefighter of the Year; Hannah Abbott, Emergency Medical Services Technician of the Year; and Kylie Moore, Public Safety Telecommunicator of the Year.

These individuals were selected for their outstanding commitment to public service, leadership in their fields, and embodiment of Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

The awards highlight the contributions of first responders, educators, and student leaders who go beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others. The awards breakfast is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, November 5 at 8am at the former Elston High School.

Breakfast will be served.  A $15 donation from each person is encouraged.

“Whether they are mentoring youth, protecting the public, or serving in emergency situations, each recipient reflects the true spirit of service that Rotary strives to promote,” said Marty Corley, Chairman of the Rotary Club’s award committee

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is going to start issuing medals again to veterans.

Patriot medals started being issued to veterans serving after the terrorist attacks from 25 years ago under a program that began when Chuck Oberlie was mayor.  

However, the program has been dormant for over a decade.

Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch told the city council this week the Patriot medals program is in the process of coming back.

“There’s like 80 people who have received this award but it hasn’t been awarded since 2014, so, that will be reestablished,” she said.

She also said new medals under the same design will be made to issue to veterans, who will chosen by the mayor’s Veterans Committee.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man on a stolen motorcyclist killed in a head-on crash Thursday with a semi-truck in La Porte County has been identified.

The victim was Levi Nation, 38, of Dorr, Michigan, said La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.

According to La Porte County Police, emergency responders were called just before 7 a.m. to the 2300 block of E. U.S 20 near Rolling Prairie.

Police said the investigation revealed the motorcycle was being operated erratically before it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming 2026 Freightliner semi-truck.  Nation was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Nation was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle reported stolen Wednesday through the Coloma, Michigan Police Department.

Swanson said she’s waiting to review footage from a dash board camera in the semi-truck to help determine if the crash happened by accident or on purpose.

She said suicide has not been ruled out.

“In speaking with the family, he had been having some mental health issues,” she said.

Swanson also said Nation was the one who stole the motorcycle.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man has been given what could be viewed as life sentence for the slayings of a former girlfriend and her new boyfriend that authorities say was driven by revenge.

Armann Johnson, 28, was given a 110 year sentence Thursday, October 22 in La Porte Superior Court 1 on two counts of murder.

He was convicted by a jury in August of fatally shooting Kiara Hootman, 22, and Travis Pennington, 35, at Normandy Village Apartments in Michigan City in August of 2024.

Police said Pennington was about to drive Hootman to work at Hearthside Food Solutions, the maker of baked goods and other edible products on the city’s west side, when they were shot. 

The victims were inside a car in the apartment complex parking lot when Pennington was shot three times in the head and neck while Hootman suffered four gunshot wounds to the left arm and back, according to the La Porte County Coroner’s Office.

According to court documents, Johnson and Hootman were in a brief relationship until she left him due to physical abuse.

Police said she had recently been staying with Pennington at Normandy Village after moving from her apartment due to fears of Johnson returning.  It appears the gunfire came about a week after Johnson warned Pennington to stay away from Hootman or “be dealt with,” court documents revealed.

A major break in the investigation came from the use of a license plate reading camera tracking the vehicle the gunman fled in to Johnson’s residence in the 800 block of Pine St.

The next day, a search of the vehicle and home turned up shards of glass similar to the ones from a passenger side mirror collected from where the victims were parked along with a black cloth gun holster fitted for a semi-automatic handgun.

Police said there was also dirt on Johnson’s vehicle to explain the tire tracks left by the gunman from driving through the grass at the apartment complex after the shooting.

Johnson and Pennington were employed at the same bakery with Hootman until they were both terminated a few weeks prior to the shootings for missing too many days at work, authorities said.

He could have received an up to 65 year sentence for each murder.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - A marijuana dispensary in New Buffalo Township was evacuated last evening due to a bomb threat.

According to Berrien County Police, officers about 7 p.m. were called to Jars Cannabis on U.S. 12 west of the city limits.  With help from a K-9 dog, police said the building, once evacuated, was searched but no bombs were found.

Another Jars Cannabis store along Michigan 239 was also evacuated as a precaution, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say the driver of a stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle was killed in a head-on collision with a semi-truck this morning near Rolling Prairie.

According to La Porte County Police, emergency responders were called just before 7 a.m. to the 2300 block of E. U.S 20.

Police said the investigation revealed the motorcycle was being operated erratically before it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming 2026 Freightliner semi-truck.  The motorcycle driver, who has not been identified yet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle was reported stolen yesterday through the Coloma, Michigan Police Department.

Investigators are waiting for the results of a blood test to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

Anyone with information about the identity of the motorcycle driver or the crash is asked to contact Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 ext. 2401 or ahynek&lcso.in.gov.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police were involved in a long, high speed pursuit last night in La Porte County.

Eventually, the driver was arrested. Michigan City Police were first to try and catch up to the vehicle.  A short time later, though, a sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle which led to a chase at more than 100 miles per hour on Johnson Road.

The pursuit then veered down several county roads and Interstate 94 where speeds continued at over 100 miles per hour, police said. Before reaching the Michigan line, police said the deputy terminated the pursuit but a Long Beach Police officer later stopped the vehicle and made the arrest on U.S. 12.

Landon Bates, 19, of Crown Point was booked into the county jail on a charge of resisting law enforcement.  So far, a reason for the pursuit has not been disclosed.

(La Porte County, IN) - A woman was arrested for being impaired after her SUV wound up in the median of a La Porte County highway early this morning.

Miranda Hester-Spann, 27, was booked into the La Porte County Jail for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, she told investigators a road rage incident with another driver resulted in her losing control of her vehicle and coming to rest in the median at the north junction of U.S. 6 and U.S. 35 in Washington Township.

After detecting an odor of alcohol on her breath, police said Hester-Spann said she consumed two beers and a “shooter” with her last drink being over two hours ago. Police said her blood alcohol level was .173-percent, which is more than twice the legal limit.

Hester-Spann, who’s from Huntington, Ind., was not injured.

(La Porte County, IN) - A cell phone tower will be going up to improve coverage in the Union Mills area.

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals this week approved a request from Verizon Wireless to put up a cell phone tower off Union St.  The tower will stand 195 feet tall and go up on land zoned for agriculture.

The BZA heard from Royce Lou, a downstate private contractor involved with the project.

“Verizon Wireless identified a service gap in Union Mills and to the east of Union Mills,” he said.

Lou said the tower will go up on an over four acre parcel

“It’ll have fencing around it for security,” he said.

The BZA’s decision was unanimous.

(La Porte County, IN) - A fatal motor vehicle crash occurred this morning in La Porte County.

It happened in the 2300 block of E. U.S. 20 in Kankakee Township.

Police said U.S. 20 was closed in both directions.  Motorists were asked to avoid the area.

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

(Michigan City, IN) - Pediatric patients in Franciscan Health emergency rooms, pediatric inpatient units and outpatient surgery centers in Michigan City, Chesterton, LaPorte, Dyer and Munster will now have stuffed animals to help make their hospital experience a little more comfortable.

Representatives from The Eva Martin Project recently donated more than 1,400 new stuffed animals to the nonprofit Catholic healthcare system during a drop-off at Franciscan Health Michigan City.

Each item has a tag with the organization’s logo and a QR code with a personal message on the back.

The organization, headquartered in Southwest Michigan, provides the items to hospitals serving children to honor the memory of Eva Martin, who died at the age of 3 after a swimming pool accident.

The group was founded and is managed by Eva’s parents, Rick and Rebekah Martin, who coordinate fundraisers for the items twice a year.

“For a child, something as simple as getting their temperature checked can be a new, scary experience.  To have a nurse come in with a stuffed animal that is friendly and brings a smile to their face can provide some comfort,” Mr. Martin said.

The children can take the stuffed animals home with them when they leave or if they have to be transferred to another medical facility.  The recent donation was the fourth from The Eva Martin Project for Franciscan’s pediatric patients.

(Porter County, IN) - The use of alcohol is suspected by a driver traveling in the opposite lanes who caused an accident with injuries involving four vehicles last night on U.S. 30 near Wanatah.

Four people were injured as a result of the collisions just inside the Porter County line.  

Alejandro Camarillo, 47, of Valparaiso was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when he struck an oncoming vehicle driven by Randy Cable, 67, of Knox, according to Porter County Police.

Police said the head-on collision resulted in crashes involving two other westbound vehicles driven by Paris Graham, 23, and Todd Conroy, 48, both of Valparaiso.

The conditions of the people hurt in the accident were not disclosed.

According to police, Camarillo had been drinking and submitted to a blood alcohol test.  The results of the test, so far, have not been revealed.

Police said Camarillo told investigators he did not remember driving and thought he was in the correct lanes of travel.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is accused of stealing a purse from a vehicle parked outside a La Porte bar.

Marcellus Adams, 30, of Indianapolis is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

According to La Porte Police, officers on September 19 were called to Mickey’s in the 500 block of Tipton St.  A woman working at the bar reported her purse was taken from her vehicle outside the establishment.

Police said surveillance video showed a man resembling Adams opening the door and sitting down in the vehicle.  He left a short time later carrying what appeared to be some sort of bag, police said.

Adams was described as a regular at the bar.

Police said the purse valued at $500 contained items such as nail polish, make-up, hair supplies and three cell phone charges but no money.

Adams has a prior conviction for robbery in 2017, police said. 

(La Porte, IN) - A driver is facing charges in connection with a police pursuit in La Porte.

Austin Hensell, 29, of Michigan City is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with two counts of resisting law enforcement and driving on a suspended license.

According to police, an officer attempted to make a traffic stop at Madison St. and Jefferson Ave. because a passenger in the vehicle was not wearing a seat belt and the front windshield was shattered obstructing Hensell’s view while behind the wheel.

A short time later, a computer check revealed his driver's license was suspended. 

Police said Hensell did not stop, though, but was soon pulled over at Indiana Ave. and Michigan Ave.   

He refused to step out forcing officers to physically remove him from the vehicle, police said.

Police said charges were not pursued for two crack pipes and one other drug smoking device recovered from the vehicle.  Hensell was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $755 bond.

(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.