(South Bend, IN) - A Michigan City man has been sentenced in federal court for dealing drugs.

35-year-old Charles Pheal, Jr. pled guilty to distributing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. According to federal prosecutors, Pheal sold 100 meth pills, while on probation for various offences including burglary, domestic violence, and carrying a gun without a license.

In a statement, United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred outlined Pheal’s history of offenses:

“The Defendant sold 100 methamphetamine pills while on probation for burglary of a dwelling and domestic battery where he kicked open a door of a residence and slapped a mother in the presence of three minor children.  His criminal history also includes a misdemeanor domestic battery conviction where he broke into a residence through the window of a child’s bedroom and struck the child’s mother causing swelling to her left eye and scratches on her hands and knuckles.  He was sentenced for that misdemeanor domestic battery on the same day that he was sentenced in a different case for carrying a handgun without a license.  The criminal justice system’s efforts at the Defendant’s rehabilitation have failed because he chose to continue his career of antisocial behavior by peddling poison in our community,”

Pheal was sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke added that authorities will continue working to lock up drug dealers, especially violent ones. “Mr. Pheal’s actions are yet another example of the cruelty of drug traffickers. They always lie,” Cooke added. “The Drug Enforcement Administration and the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, along with their prosecution partners, will continue to collaborate to bring drug dealers to justice and to keep the Hoosiers of northern Indiana safe. Northern Indiana is not where drug dealers should want to do their evil work. Mr. Pheal is realizing that now.”

(Indianapolis, IN) - LaPorte County Recorder Elzbieta Bilderback was elected Vice President of the Association of Indiana Counties’ (AIC) Northwest District during the annual meeting in Jasper County in March.

The Association of Indiana Counties, Inc. is a nonprofit organization established in 1957 for the betterment of county government.  The various functions of the AIC include lobbying the Indiana General Assembly on behalf of counties, serving as liaison among counties, state and federal agencies as well as providing technical assistance and training to county officials and employees.

“I’m honored to be elected District Vice President for the Northwest District,” said Bilderback. “I’m proud to be part of the Association of Indiana Counties and appreciate the work they do every day to support local government and strengthen communities across our state.”

As District Vice President, Bilderback represents the elected county officials in the Northwest district of the state, which includes the following counties: Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke and White. The AIC is represented by six districts in the state. Bilderback serves on the AIC’s board of directors, which determines policies and legislative goals for the Association.

Jasper County Recorder Kimberly Grow was elected President of the AIC’s Northwest District. 

(Lake County, IN) - Three children were killed in an early morning motor vehicle crash in Lake County.

State Police say the children were in an SUV that hit at high speeds the back of a semi-tractor trailer parked on the shoulder of Interstate 65 near Gary.    A fourth child was severely injured and flown to a Chicago hospital.

Police say the driver, Renee Foster, 31, of Gary was still hospitalized with upper body injuries.  The semi driver was not hurt.

According to police, alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor in the collision.  Neglect of a dependent charges are among the counts being considered by prosecutors. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A man accused of trying to kill someone last year is now facing allegations of badly injuring a La Porte County Jail officer.

Bertrell Randle, 44, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 5 felony battery in connection with the April 15 attack in the jail.

According to court documents, Randle was confronted by jail officers in his cell block after breaking a television with a broom handle in a common area of the facility.  At one point, Randle allegedly struck one of the jail officers in the face with his hand.

The officer, who was knocked to the floor, suffered fractures to his nose and eye socket, authorities said.

Randle has been in the jail since October waiting for the court to decide charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery against him.  The charges stem from Randle allegedly stabbing an older man walking his dogs in Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District.  Police said the man stabbed in the chest and jaw was taken by a medical helicopter to a South Bend hospital for treatment.

According to court documents, Randle was holding a knife when he approached the victim and stabbed him following an exchange of blows.  Randle was being held on $100,000 bond.

(Michigan City, IN) - Police are investigating the shooting of a juvenile last night in Michigan City.

According to police, officers about 9 p.m. were called to the 300 block of E. 7^th St. and located a juvenile with a graze wound to the left foot.  The child was taken to Franciscan Health hospital with a non-life threatening injury.

While investigating the crime scene, police said officers discovered a building on the same block had been struck by gunfire.  So far, no arrests have been reported but detectives continue to work the case.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man was killed in a Thursday evening motorcycle crash in La Porte County.

Eddie Smith, 69, of North Judson was southbound on Indiana 39 on his 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he veered over the center line near 950 South, according to La Porte County Police.

Police said Smith wound up going across the northbound lane and off the east side of the highway.  He was ejected from the motorcycle during the crash.  Smith was transported to an area hospital whwere he later succumbed to his injuries. 

Police said alcohol was a factor in the accident, which happened before 6:30 p.m.  Further details were not released.

(Benton Harbor, MI) - Michigan will not have a full crop of fruit this year due to frost but the extent of the damage won’t be fully known until early June.

Dan Dick, a tree fruit specialist with the Michigan State University extension office in Benton Harbor, said his level of concern about the crop damage is moderate. 

The damage, so far, appears to be sporadic in all of the primary fruit growing regions of the state close to the entire Lake Michigan shoreline where the water warmer than chilly night air in early spring helps prevent frost.

“Nobody has a total crop loss.  Evaluations over the next few weeks are going to tell us more as the fruit are setting past bloom,” he said.

Nikki Rothwell, a tree fruit specialist at the MSU extension office in Traverse City, said she has spotted frost damage in tart cherries ranging from 20 percent to over 50 percent of the crop in orchards close to her in the northwest part of the state. However, she believes some of the less damaged tart and sweet cherries will survive.

Rothwell said crop losses related to frost could also be reduced if there’s a good pollination season to help cherry trees with their production.  She said there hasn’t been much pollinating in the Traverse City area recently because of a stretch of 40 degree temperatures keeping the bees from becoming active.

“I’m still remaining optimistic that we’ll have a cherry crop up here,” she said.

The Traverse City area is where most of the cherries are produced in the state that provides nearly 75-percent of the nation’s tart cherries, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  Michigan ranks fourth in sweet cherry production.

Dick said the frost damage to plums, peaches and apricots is similar to the degree spotted, so far, in cherries.  The apple crop was also damaged but not as much since apple trees can better withstand frost.  The state ranks second in apple production.

(Michigan City, IN) - A press box has been approved for a sports complex planned at Michigan City High School.

The press box will be over four feet higher than what the current zoning allows. However, the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday granted a variance for the press box to exceed the maximum allowable height.

The board heard from Jeanette Mulleen, who’s the project manager with Fanning Howey, an Indianapolis-based architectural and engineering firm.

“It does provide unobstructed view from the coaches, from broadcasters, from any journalists down to the field,” she said.

Plans for the sports complex include new playing fields for soccer and track along with tennis courts at some point.  Some of the groundwork to prepare the site for construction is now occurring.

Wil DeWitt, 34, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony arson.

According to authorities, DeWitt poured a container of gasoline on a house on May 9 in the 300 block of Grove St.  Gasoline was also dumped in the grass and on a sidewalk outside the residence.  Police said a lighter was spotted in DeWitt’s hand at the time but he never set fire to the home.

A witness who confronted the man told investigators he threatened to either kill himself or the people living in the residence, saying “I’m going to burn their house down,” according to police.

Police said it appears some sort of a physical altercation between DeWitt and the owner of the home doused with gasoline led up to the threats.

DeWitt was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $7,500 bond.  He could face an up to 30 month sentence.  

(Walkerton, IN) - There won’t be a fireworks show in Walkerton to celebrate the country’s 250^th birthday.

The yearly tradition has been cancelled because of failed efforts to replace the longtime organizers of the fireworks show.  After the organizers stepped away, officials said they worked hard to keep the tradition alive but it was unsustainable to continue.

In a statement, the town said "over the past year, we made extensive efforts to find support—sending more than 1,100 letters, posting on social media, including notices with utility bills, and holding public meetings and contacting various organizations but the response was very limited, making it unsustainable to continue."

There are efforts by local residents and business owners to have a show.    Reports indicate over $5,000 has been raised, so far, to help cover the cost of the fireworks.  

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte grade school has a new principal.

Kristen Smith has been chosen to become principal at Hailmann Elementary School. Smith comes here from Edgewood Elementary School in Michigan City where she’s been the principal.

La Porte Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood told the school board this week Smith will replace Zack Huber, who’s being promoted to another role within the administration…

“She brings a strong background in instructional leadership, student achievement and school improvement,” she said.

Smith, who attended Hailmann Elementary as a child, also addressed the board.

“As someone who calls La Porte home, I’m truly honored and excited to join the district and become part of the community that means so much to me both personally and professionally,” she said.

Huber has been principal at Hailmann since 2021.  He’s also a former Slicer.

(La Porte, IN) - A proposed Microsoft data center expansion in La Porte has taken a step forward.

The La Porte Plan Commission Tuesday night approved a request to rezone much of what’s now close to 1,300 acres of farmland to manufacturing.  Mayor Tom Dermody told the plan commission the time for such a positive life-changing development is now.

“Tonight is that moment in time you’re all going to look at and say do we move our community forward and start competing with the best,” he said.

Microsoft has agreed to pay all of the property taxes at both sites adjacent to each other in the area of Boyd Boulevard and U.S. 35.  That will mean tens of millions of dollars annually for the city and several millions dollars a year for the La Porte School Corporation and county government.

“This type of economic development, it’s rare.  A lot of communities are hoping for this kind of development,” said citizen Shaun McMurray.

Resident David Porter, who lives about a half mile from the site, expressed concerns that included low frequency noise from data centers.

“I heard there are low frequency vibrations coming from data centers.  You can’t hear it but you can feel it.  People report adverse health effects,” he said.

The rezoning is contingent upon the city council deciding to annex that property into the city at the request of the landowners.  A vote by the council on the annexation request is expected at the next city council meeting on May 18.

(The Pines, IN) - Police are turning to the public for help in solving the fatal shooting of a Michigan City High School student and the wounding of two classmates from a gun during a party after prom.

LaPorte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said an autopsy Monday revealed Javon Townsend, 17, was shot in the chest, left leg and right ankle.

“The gunshot wound to the chest went through his left lung and that’s the one that caused his death,” she said.

The shootings happened in Porter County, but her office is in charge of the death portion of the investigation due to Townsend dying at Franciscan Health, a hospital just outside Michigan City in LaPorte County.

The shootings about 11 p.m. Saturday occurred in the 1700 block of Liberty Ave. in The Pines, a  town of about 700 residents about five miles west of Michigan City.  Neighbors report hearing as many as 20 or more gunshots.

“When that happened, kids were just running everywhere.  There were cars scrambling trying to leave,” said Mike Schnell, 70, who at the time was standing in his driveway across the street from where the shootings happened.  He estimated 40 to 50 young people were at the house, which was rented for the party.

Beginning about one hour prior to the shootings, Schnell said he went outside to tell people showing up for the party not to park their vehicles in his yard or driveway.   He was still outside informing partygoers not to park on his property when bullets started flying, including one that went through his neighbor’s front door.

Schnell said he called the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, which reported officers were already on their way.

“Literally, two minutes later, there was more cop cars than you ever wanted to see,” said Schnell, who counted a dozen police vehicles.

He said officers would not let anyone still on the property leave or allow parents through to pick-up their children while the crime scene was being investigated.  Schnell said he later spotted a very emotional girl sitting beside some trash cans in a neighbor’s driveway being consoled by the police and other individuals about her age.

“She was sobbing uncontrollably for at least an hour and a half,” he said.

Schnell said it wasn’t until about 3:30 a.m. when he decided to go inside and take a nap then broke down crying.  He also cried heavily enough later that he stopped reading social media posts about the shootings.

“I feel so sorry for everybody that it happened,” he said.

The wounded students, Jeremiah Heard and Ginger White, were transported to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.  They are expected to recover.

A gofundme account established for Heard had raised $6,000 by early Tuesday afternoon.  According to a post from family members on the gofundme account, Heard was shot in the chest and underwent surgery with another surgery planned.

In a statement released on Mother’s Day, Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch called the shootings tragic.

“My heart is especially with the mothers, fathers, families, classmates and friends who are grieving today instead of celebrating,” she said.

She also denounced what she called harmful rhetoric, speculation and videos circulating online about the shootings.

“I want to ask our community to lead with compassion and humanity,” she said.

Nelson Deuitch said the city is working closely with school officials and assisting law enforcement from Porter County on the investigation.  Police believe a fight led up to the gunfire.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Porter County Sheriff’s Office.

(Michigan City, IN) - A medical doctor and longtime public servant has been named Humanitarian of the Year in Michigan City.

Dr. Vidya Kora has held many elected positions over the years including La Porte County Coroner, La Porte County Commissioner and Michigan City School Board member.  Currently, he’s a member of the city council in Michigan City.

Kora said the award is really for anyone who feels caring for others matters.

“Any good that we do is possible because of the compassion, encouragement and commitment of many people working together.  What really belongs to the entire Michigan City community are individuals that believe caring for others matters,” he said.

Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said Kora once made sure she had the blood pressure medication she needed while in college until she obtained health insurance.

“When I talk about loving somebody, I love Dr. Kora for that.  He’s took care of my aunt. He’s taken care of our family members over the years.  I know that he’s not only done that for me, he’s done that for many others,” she said.

Kora operates a family medical practice in Michigan City where he has lived for over 40 years.

(The Pines, IN) - The La Porte County Coroner's Office has identified the 17-year-old victim in a deadly after-prom party shooting.

Javon Townsend, a junior at Michigan City High School, was shot three times and later died at the hospital.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said an autopsy Monday revealed Townsend was shot in the chest, left leg and right ankle.

The gunfire erupted late Saturday night at a home in the 1700 block of Liberty Avenue in The Pines just outside Michigan City.  Two other teens were injured in the shooting.

So far, no arrests have been reported.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Porter County Sheriff’s Office.

Since Townsend died at Franciscan Health outside Michigan City, the La Porte County Coroner's Office was in charge of the death portion of the ongoing investigation.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local lawmaker is working on legislation to legalize medical marijuana in Indiana.

State Senator Mike Bohacek, a republican from Michiana Shores, said he plans to introduce the proposal during the 2027 session of the state legislature.

“In light of the governor’s openness to considering legislation regarding the legalization of marijuana, we need to consider a feasible marijuana policy that would be the most helpful to Hoosiers and the economy,” he said.

“The use of medical marijuana has been proven to be beneficial for some medical disorders and could help people throughout the state who are suffering find some relief,” he said.

Bohacek is working on legislation that would legalize medical marijuana, create parameters for use in a medical capacity and establish a tax rate and policy for the sale and distribution of medical marijuana.  His legislation would also update the state impairment laws, establishing a blood concentration that would define impairment and creating trainings needed for law enforcement to identify impairment by THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Bohacek is encouraging residents of his district to contact him with any questions or comments.

(La Porte, IN) - The City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department has announced the 2026 Movies in the Park schedule, featuring four free outdoor movie nights at city parks.

The series begins on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Fox Park with Recess: School’s Out!  The evening will include recess-style games and a Summer Camp and Programs Fair connecting families with local camps and summer resources.

On June 26 at 6:30 p.m., Movies in the Park continues at Stone Lake Beach with Lilo & Stitch, featuring a luau-themed pre-movie celebration on the beach.  A special Movies in the Park screening of Hamilton (PG-13) will take place on June 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Fox Park.  This screening is intended for a teen and adult audience and coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The series ends July 31 at 6:30 p.m. on the Civic Auditorium Lawn with Zootopia 2.

All events are free and open to the public.  Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and arrive early.

“Movies in the Park remain a summer tradition for La Porte,” said Emily Archambault, Assistant Director of the City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department.

“This year’s schedule adds purpose-driven activities to each event while keeping the focus on accessible, community-centered programming,” she said. 

Movies in the Park is made possible through community support.  Financial sponsors are still being sought. For information, contact Emily Archambault at earchambault@cityoflaportein.gov.

(Porter County, IN) - Police are investigating a fatal shooting over the weekend near Michigan City.

It happened Saturday night at a home in the 1700 block of Liberty Ave. in Pine Township.  Porter County Police said the shooting involved several Michigan City High School students following prom activities.

According to authorities, one juvenile was fatally shot while another juvenile and an 18 year old woman were wounded by gunfire.

Michigan City Area School officials say counseling and other support resources will be available to students and staff.  So far, no arrests have been reported.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Parks Department has released its schedule for Movies in the Park this summer.

Featured flics include:

• June 5 – Recess: School’s Out!

Location: Fox Park Amphitheater

• June 26 – Lilo & Stitch

Location: Stone Lake Beach

• June 30 – Hamilton (PG?13)

Location: Fox Park Amphitheater

• July 31 – Zootopia 2

Location: Civic Auditorium Lawn

Other planned activities include a School’s Out kickoff night with info on the Summer Playground Program, a camp fair to help families plan for summer, and a luau?themed movie night on Stone Lake Beach.

All Movies in the Park events are free. Contact the Parks Department for sponsorship or vendor opportunities.

(La Porte County, IN) - A new generation of patrol vehicles has been employed in the waters of Lake Michigan.

The U.S. Coast Guard is now using autonomous sail drones to support their work in all the Great Lakes—primarily collecting weather data, tracking illicit activity, and patrolling maritime borders.

The 33-foot-long drones are powered by wind and solar and resemble sailboats. They’re equipped with radar, cameras, and collision-avoidance artificial intelligence and are monitored continuously by human operators who can take manual control if needed.

The drones will be used on the Great Lakes from May to October.

(Starke County, IN) - A Knox man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Starke County last night.

John Bochnicka Jr, 56, died after his car left the road and hit a tree in the area of Toto Road and 300 East.

Police said Bocknicka was located inside the car.  Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The crash remains under investigation, police said.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is facing child sex crime allegations.

18 year old Emma Gamble is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 4 felony child molesting and Level 5 felony child exploitation.

According to the charging information filed with the court, the investigation began in January when police were notified about a social media post depicting Gamble and a 13-year old girl doing things like kissing.

Police said a search of the woman’s phone revealed other sexually explicit images of Gamble together with the victim.  According to police, there were also videos showing an intimate relationship between Gamble and a 16-year old.

Gamble could face an up to 12-year sentence on the most serious count.  She's being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 bond. 

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman allegedly forced two young cousins to smoke marijuana and cigarettes then gave each of the boys tattoos.  That’s the picture drawn by the allegations faced by Autumn Timm.

Timm, 22, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with two counts of Level 5 felony battery and two counts of Class A misdemeanor tattooing a minor.

According to the charging information filed with the court, Timm on February 17 picked up her 11-year old cousin to stay the night at her residence but first drove to a friend’s house in Michigan City.  The boy told investigators he was dragged by his legs to join several people in the home who formed a “smoking circle” and was only allowed to leave the circle after smoking marijuana.

According to the charging information, Timm and the boy later picked up their 12-year old cousin and returned to Timm’s residence for the sleepover.  The next morning, police said the boys went into Timm’s bedroom where she was giving herself a tattoo.  She offered to put tattoos on each boy, saying they would be concealed and to keep it a secret so she wouldn’t get in trouble. 

Each boy told police they asked Timm to quit tattooing them because of the pain but she refused to stop, according to the charging information.  Authorities said Timm later went back to the same residence in Michigan City with the boys where they were forced to smoke marijuana and cigarettes.

The charging information also revealed the mothers of both boys called police less than two weeks later after learning about the tattoos and the other alleged activity.  Upon arrival, police said officers spotted numerous tattoos on each victim, including the images of a sun and smiley face on their hips.

Police said drug tests of the boys by their parents turned up positive for marijuana.

During her initial court hearing on Wednesday, Timm was appointed a public defender to represent her in the case and was given an October 13 trial date.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City fire officials are educating the public about safety in response to a recent house fire.

On April 23, firefighters were called about 7 a.m. to Gladys St. Fire Department spokesperson Tia Eckwood said the resident told investigators she was sleeping when she heard a popping sound and noticed flames coming from an ottoman inside the home.  In an attempt to extinguish the fire, she retrieved a fire blanket and tried to smother the flames. Despite her efforts, the fire spread quickly beyond the point where a fire blanket could control it.

Recognizing the danger, Eckwood said the resident safely exited the heavily damaged home. She suffered only minor injuries.

Eckwood said the incident highlights how quickly modern furnishings can burn. Many upholstered furniture items contain synthetic materials and foam products that can produce intense heat and rapid fire growth within minutes.

While fire blankets can be effective for small cooking fires or very limited fires in their earliest stages, they are not designed to extinguish large or fast-moving furniture fires, Eckwood said.  She said attempting to fight a growing fire can delay escape and place occupants at greater risk.

“The most important safety message we'd like to relay is that if a fire cannot be extinguished immediately, get out, stay out, and call 911,” she said.

Residents are also encouraged to:
• Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home
• Practice home escape plans with all family members
• Keep exits clear and accessible
• Understand the proper use and limitations of fire extinguishers and fire blankets

Anyone in need of a smoke alarm is encouraged to contact the fire department at 219-873-1440 extension 4004. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A stretch of Johnson Road outside La Porte is going to be repaved in the coming weeks.

As a result, an informational meeting has been scheduled for the public to learn more about the project.  La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield said members of the La Porte County Highway Department will be there giving information and answering questions about the project.

“It’s going to be a major project.  It’s going to cause a lot of traffic problems.  This way, they can come and find out exactly what’s going on and how long it’s going to be and what the people can look forward to during that process,” he said.

The meeting is scheduled May 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Center Township Volunteer Fire Department on Johnson Road.  The work will be paid for with help from a state grant.

Holifield said Johnson Road will be repaved starting in June from U.S. 35 to the Summit Farm at 400 West.  The job is expected to take about a month to complete.