(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.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County government now has a data center ordinance.

The La Porte County Commissioners on Wednesday gave final approval to the restrictions.  The ordinance requires data centers locate in the Kingsbury Industrial Park or some other industrial area in the unincorporated areas of the county.  

“There’s a place for them and they just have to be placed in the right spot. This is not something we want next to somebody’s home,” said Commissioner Connie Gramarossa.

Even if a data center wants to go up in an industrial area, the facility under the ordinance still has to be approved by the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals for it to be constructed.

Commissioner Joe Haney said it was important to have an ordinance in the books now before any data centers seek to come here so there are restrictions for them to follow.  Haney said any changes to the ordinance can still be made later, if necessary.

“I’m looking forward to any additional recommendations from the plan commission to be able to tighten this up in the future,” he said.

Approval of the ordinance came several months after the go ahead was given to have an ordinance drafted.  The vote on the ordinance by the commissioners was unanimous.

(Michigan City, IN) - Plans for a destination playground at Michigan City’s lakefront will become reality.

All of the money is now in place for construction thanks to a $400,000 donation from Google, which will operate a data center currently under construction in the city in the 400 block of Royal Road.  Broderick Green, Public Affairs Manager for Google, revealed the monetary gift during this week’s city council meeting.

“We take our community involvement very seriously.  So, this is the initial outreach we’re going to have here,” he said.

The projected $5 million outdoor playground and fitness center at Washington Park will be handicapped accessible for everyone to use, no matter what their abilities. Construction is expected to begin in the fall.  Much of the money to build it came from state, federal and private sources.

People from all over the region are expected to travel to the playground since it will be the first of its kind in Northwest Indiana.  The park will also feature fitness stations, a paved walking trail and gathering places.

(La Porte County, IN) - The La Porte County Prosecutor lost his bid for reelection last night.

Republican Sean Fagan was defeated by more than 1,000 votes by Chuck Watterson, IV.

During the campaign, Watterson emphasized his trial experience and lack of trial experience by Fagan.

“I wanted the people of La Porte County to pick who was best for the job and who could do the job as prosecutor and I think they made the right decision.  I’m grateful for their endorsement,” he said.

Watterson in November will face democrat John Lake, who ran unopposed.  Lake was prosecutor for four years before soundly defeated by Fagan in November of 2022.  Watterson was a deputy prosecutor under Lake and a chief deputy prosecutor under Fagan until December.

During the campaign, Lake questioning Fagan’s ability to be prosecutor asked people to vote for Watterson.

(La Porte County, IN) - A former two term mayor in Michigan City has failed again in his attempt at a political comeback.

Ron Meer lost by a two to one margin to Angie Henzman for the Democratic Party’s nomination for La Porte County Commissioner.

Henzman gave some of the credit for her victory to talking about issues most concerning to voters and voters remembering how Meer left office several years ago embroiled in controversy.  The controversy was fueled by the arrest of his stepson on drug related charges just prior to the election in what Meer alleged was a set-up.

He lost his bid for a third term in 2019 to Duane Parry by less than 100 votes.  Meer was later arrested for leaving the scene of a crash and resisting law enforcement.  Those charges were later dismissed.

“I think that Ron has a solid background behind him.  I do think that he has some negatives because he left on a bad note and people didn’t really like that,” she said.

She also believed her stance against data centers and supporting a temporary moratorium on them until more is known about the facilities worked to her advantage.

Henzman also said she was shocked by her large margin of victory, thinking the race was going to be much closer.  Since leaving office, Meer has run unsuccessfully for state senator and mayor.

Henzman, the former La Porte County Democratic Party Chairman, will now face Republican nominee Jody Slabaugh in November.  Slabaugh defeated incumbent Connie Gramarossa by receiving 71-percent of the vote.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte man in a landslide defeated an incumbent in last night’s primary election.

Jody Slabaugh gained the Republican Party nomination for La Porte County Commissioner over Connie Gramarossa.  He won with 71 percent of the vote.  Gramarossa was seeking her second four-year term.

Slabaugh said he was surprised at his margin of victory but felt a lot of voters were receptive to his message of transparency, integrity and professional leadership during the campaign.

“I think that’s why they came out to support me,” he said.

Another factor behind his victory, perhaps, was a growing number of voters not pleased with Gramarossa’s performance over the past nearly three and a half years. “Say No to Connie” was printed on some of the campaign signs.

“I’ll take the win however I can get it,” he said.

Slabaugh in the November general election will face Angie Hensman, who defeated Ron Meer by a two to one margin to become the Democratic Party nominee for county commissioner.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man has made a political comeback.

Tim Stabosz defeated Jimmy Pressel last night for the Republican Party nomination for the La Porte County Council District 4 seat.  Stabosz won by 58 votes.

Two years ago, the former La Porte County Auditor was soundly defeated in the primary for county commissioner then later was defeated by Pressel during a Republican party caucus to fill an open seat on the county council.

Stabosz said he knocked on more than 1,600 doors during what he described as a clean campaign with Pressel.

“I got to know my district and I just want to thank the people of county council district 4 because they’re going to have a public servant who’s been a public servant and who knows the job and who has the financial background.   They listened,” he said.

Stabosz will face Tyler Brownlee in the November general election.  Brownlee ran unopposed for the democratic nomination.

(La Porte County, IN) - The "unofficial" results of the 2026 Primary Election are in for La Porte County.  With just 16.04% voter turnout, nearly 12,502 registered La Porte County voters cast their vote in this Primary Election.

Below are the "unofficial" results of the contested races on the ballot in La Porte County.  

(R) U.S. Representative District 1
36.34% Barb Regnitz
26.83% Ben Ruiz 

36.83% James Kent (Jim) Schenke

(R) State Senator District 4
35.36% Johannes Poulard
64.64% Nate Uldricks

(R) State Representative District 20
38.99% Juanita Haney
61.01% Jim Pressel
 

(R) Judge of the Superior Court No. 3

42.82% Guy S. Dimartino
57.18% Kurt R. Earnst

(R) Prosecuting Atty 32nd Circuit

41.45% Sean Fagan
58.55% Chuck Watterson, IV

(R) County Commissioner District 1
29.46% Connie Gramarossa
70.54% Jody Slabaugh

(R) County Commissioner District 1

32.34% Connie Gramarossa
67.66% Jody Slabaugh

(R) County Council Member District 2

44.98% Ray Maloney
55.02% John Pavolka

(R) County Council Member District 4

48.71% Jimmy Pressel
51.29% Timothy J. Stabosz

(D) U.S. Representative District 1

74.79% Frank J. Mrvan
25.21% Lavetta Sparks-Wade

(D) U.S. Representative District 2

62.2% Jamee Decio
37.8% Shaun Michael Maeyens

(D) State Representative District 20
47.71% Alicia Firanek
52.29% Laura Liskey

(D) County Commissioner District 1
66.96% Angela Henzman
33.04% Ron Meer

(D) County Council Member District 1
42.93% Gautama (Goot) Logwood
57.07% Olga Pothorski

(D) County Council Member District 2
17.36% Timothy Cavinder
82.64% Jennifer (Jenny) Heath

(Michigan City, IN) - We have more details about the armed robberies of food delivery workers in Michigan City last week.

26 year old Julius Harris is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with three Level 3 felony counts of robbery. 

Police said the Michigan City man held up three delivery workers from pizza establishments.  According to authorities, he placed the orders on a phone with numbers that cannot be traced.  When the orders arrived,  Harris was allegedly there and pointed a gun demanding the food and money.

The robberies occurred on three consecutive days with each one happening about 7 p.m. on Phillips St. and E. 11^th St.  According to police, Harris told investigators he was having a tough time financially after losing his construction job and he took the food to a home he was sharing with his girlfriend and her family for all of them to eat. 

Harris could face anywhere from three to 16 years on each count.  Police said surveillance video showing Harris was among the pieces of evidence linking him to the robberies.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte woman with a long history of working in the courts has been honored by a group of local attorneys.

Jackie Dermody received the Liberty Bell award, which is given annually by the La Porte County Bar Association.  The award is presented to people who do things to promote a better understanding of the rule of the law and encourage great respect for the law.

Currently, Dermody is CEO at Family Advocates, a group involved with the courts in protecting children and working to reunite them with their families.  Dermody is also a former juvenile and adult probation officer in La Porte Circuit Court.  She spoke about the law during a brief speech after presented with the award on Friday.

“It protects our community.  It resolves disputes.  It protects our civil rights and it promotes social order and without it, we’re in a free fall.  Contrary to what people may think, it’s the best system there is and it’s the one that we have,” she said.

Dermody is the daughter of Jim Arnold and granddaughter of the late Cliff Arnold, who both served as La Porte County Sheriff for two terms.  The Arnolds' also served at the Indiana Statehouse with Jim as state senator and Cliff as state representative.

“I’ve always respected the rule of law.  I grew up with it,” she said.

She’s also the wife of La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody.

(La Porte County, IN) - Voters are out casting ballots on this primary election day.

La Porte County Clerk Heather Stevens said there were people waiting at some of the vote centers before they opened at 6 a.m.  She said dozens of voters had cast ballots less than one hour later.

“Red Mill County Park has had 15 voters.  Heston Hills has had 15.  Kankakee has had 11.   The Wills Township Community Building has had 12 voters,” she said.

Stevens added 10 people had voted by 7 a.m. at the Michigan City Fire Department Training Facility.  

People can vote at any of the over 30 vote centers throughout the county until the polls close at 6 p.m.  Tune in to 96.7 The Eagle for live election coverage during the vote counting this evening.

The primary winners from each party will face each other in the November general election. 

(La Porte, IN) - Local veterans' groups were thanked last night for having fallen trees toppled during last week’s storm removed from a La Porte cemetery.

The caretaker at Patton Cemetery, Scott Harris, was not able to financially afford having the trees removed this time after having it done himself on previous occasions.    Since a lot of veterans are buried there, the local veterans' groups were approached about helping with the clean-up and repairs to things like headstones.

Mayor Tom Dermody recognized the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, the American Legion and the mayor’s veterans’ committee during last night’s city council meeting.

“What do you do when you need help, especially when veterans are there and need to have the respect of being buried in a place that their family can be proud of.  They all came through,” he said.

Harris thanked councilman Roger Galloway, a local veteran and VFW member, for his help with the clean-up.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful cemetery with no money and it’s a lot to take care of.  Everybody appreciates all that you do,” he said.

Members of the veterans groups are now coming up with ideas to fund future tree removal and repairs at the cemetery. 

(Michigan City, IN) - An arrest has been made in connection with armed robberies of three food delivery drivers in Michigan City.

Julius Harris, 26, is charged with one count of armed robbery, a Level 3 felony.

Police said Harris was taken into custody Saturday night as a result of leads and other evidence in the case.  In each of the robberies, police said a male suspect displayed a gun and fled on foot with the food orders.

The robberies happened last week on Tuesday in the 100 block of Phillips St. along with Wednesday and Thursday in the 600 block of E. 10^th St.  The suspect in all of the cases was described as an African-American male who conducted each robbery about 7 p.m.

In two of the cases, police said the robber was described as wearing eyeglasses and had facial hair.  Whether Harris is a person of interest in the other robberies has not been disclosed.

Additional information about the crimes has not been released due to the ongoing investigation.