(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.

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Police have made an arrest in connection with a badly injured pedestrian struck by a hit and run driver last year.

Gerral Smith, 31, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with aggravated battery, leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license.

The collision happened in September in the area of Grand and Fairfield avenues. Police said the 26 year old man hit by the vehicle suffered life threatening injuries. Smith was charged two months later after his vehicle was located and other evidence gathered that identified him as the suspect, police said.

He was arrested Monday on a warrant when located in the 200 block of Hopkins St.  The Michigan City man was being held in the La Porte County Jail on $25,000 bond.

(La Porte County, IN) - A candidate for La Porte County Council says he would not welcome data centers with open arms.

Tim Stabosz said data centers belong in the Kingsbury Industrial Park and other heavily industrialized zones so they don’t have a negative impact on the lives of people by locating close to neighborhoods. Stabosz also said he doesn’t want data centers to spoil the beauty of the county and way of life here, while acknowledging the tax money data centers can bring local municipalities.

“Under my leadership, if elected to the county council, we will not compromise the soul of La Porte County,” he said.

Stabosz, the former La Porte County Auditor, said his position is similar with solar farms or any other kind of development.  He also said residents whose lives would be impacted by data centers and solar farms must have a say.

“No secret deals and no non-disclosure agreements which seek to explicitly squelch public input,” he said.

Stabosz also said residents in places like Hudson Lake, Fish Lake and Saugany Lake should not have to tie-in to any water or sewer extensions if their wells and septic systems are in good working order.

“From a planning perspective, if the majority of folks in those communities do not want intensive "Chicago style" development to happen, they should be listened to, and the county, through zoning, should facilitate these communities in preserving their essential character, as it exists now, for generations to come,” he said.

Stabosz is seeking the Republican nomination for La Porte County Council District 4 in the May 5th primary.  He's opposed by Jimmy Pressel, who defeated him by two votes for the seat in a Republican caucus last year when the seat became open prior to the expiration of the four-year term.  

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say a Michigan City man admitted to being “a little high” after causing a head-on collision that caused an 8-year old boy to lose most of the vision in his left eye.

The boy also suffered a broken leg that required surgery to repair. 

Those are among the new details obtained from the case against 21 year old Shallun Culp.  Culp is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 4 felony operating while intoxicated causing catastrophic injury along with criminal recklessness and driving on a suspended license, both Level 5 felonies.

According to the charging information filed with the court, Culp was passing a semi-truck from behind in a no-passing zone at well over 80 miles per hour in October of 2025 on U.S. 421 south of Michigan City.  He was still in the opposite lane of the two-lane highway when he struck an oncoming mini-van operated by Tiffany Robertson.

According to police, Culp apologized for the crash, saying he was “kinda, a little high.”

Court documents also revealed Culp told investigators he had “nodded off” just prior to the crash and consumed a drink mixed with cough syrup.  He allegedly tested positive for marijuana and ecstasy in his system.

The boy in the Robertson vehicle was airlifted to a Chicago children’s hospital where a rod was surgically placed into his broken leg to help it heal, police said.  According to court documents, the woman and one other passenger were taken by ambulance for treatment of their undisclosed injuries.  Culp complaining of a possible broken leg was taken to a South Bend hospital for more specialized care.

Just over two weeks after a warrant was issued for his arrest in March, police said Culp was taken into custody at Walmart in Michigan City where he had just recently landed a job.

(Michigan City, IN) - Washington Park Zoo is mourning the loss of their 16-year-old resident cougar, Willow.

The zoo announced her death Tuesday afternoon.

According to zoo officials, Willow was battling a brief illness forcing the animal care staff to make the difficult decision to euthanize her when it became clear that recovery was no longer possible.

Willow came to the zoo in 2009 as a cub.  She spent most of her life with another female cougar, Baby, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 19.

Cougars, typically, live 8 to 13 years in the wild but they can live over 20 years in captivity.

(La Porte, IN) - A woman was critically injured in a motor vehicle crash stemming from the firing of gunshots in La Porte.

An arrest has also been made.

Prior to the Monday afternoon crash, La Porte Police said an individual fired gun shots at a group of people on the city’s east side and fled in a vehicle.  More shots were then fired at a vehicle following the suspect.  

According to police, it wasn’t long before the suspected vehicle struck another vehicle at Scott and Ohio streets.  The victim's injuries were described by police as life-threatening.  The suspect then fled on foot but was soon apprehended near Maple Tree Apartments.

So far, the names of the suspect and victim have not been released.  Anyone with information is asked to contact La Porte Police.

(La Porte, IN) - Microsoft has revealed plans for a second data center on 1,200 acres of farmland beside the data center the technology giant has just started building in La Porte.

The future expansion hinges on the city council approving a request from the landowners to annex the property so it can be sold to Microsoft for the development.  The council following a heavily attended public hearing Monday night decided to take a vote on the annexation request at its May 18 meeting.

Councilman Tim Franke said the city will likely never be in such a favorable position again given the tens of millions of dollars already projected to be received in property tax revenue annually under a 20 year agreement with Microsoft on the first data center.  Several millions of dollars a year are also projected for the school corporation from the initial agreement.

How much additional money would come from the proposed expansion was not disclosed, but Franke said the amount pledged from the first data center is already a life-changing amount for the community.  “I strongly believe that we will never have an opportunity in front of us like this again,” he said.

La Porte County government left out of the revenue sharing in the first agreement will receive some of the funding from the expansion under an agreement with the city being finalized.  Mayor Tom Dermody urged council members for their support.  “Let’s continue the momentum we have and say yes,” he said.

The data center now going up is on close to 500 acres of what used to be farmland along Boyd Boulevard just east of U.S. 35.  Mike Stockwell, a land development and permitting program manager for Microsoft, said six data center buildings are planned for that site while 11 more data center facilities would go on the other parcel if everything goes as planned.  “All of this is subject to change as we get into detail design,” he said.

Stockwell said tree clearing and other ground work is occurring at the first data center site with building construction to begin in the fall.  According to Microsoft, the data centers through a closed loop system will recycle water brought in on trucks to cool the servers.  At some point, the water will be hauled away for proper disposal and replaced with more water hauled to the site. The only municipal water to be consumed will be for things like restrooms and making coffee for the employees.

Rick Kalinski, Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for Northern Indiana Public Service Company, said the cost of meeting the huge demand for energy to operate the data centers will not be passed on to existing customers. Instead, Kalinski said Microsoft will bear the entire expense of meeting their energy needs.

“There is no cost shifting. No hidden burdens on current customers.  The businesses that drive the energy demand pay for it,” he said.  According to Microsoft, noise levels from diesel-powered generators running about 15 hours a year will also be minimal.  Bert Cook, Executive Director of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, compared the noise at the property lines to that of a “household refrigerator.”

Cook said an estimated 200 people in good paying high-tech positions will work at the first data center with expansion meaning another up to 50 employees per building.  He said there will also be “thousands” of union workers at the site for the duration of the construction expected to take five to seven years to complete.  “I feel like the impact of that cannot be overlooked,” he said.

A majority of the people in the audience were supporters like La Porte Schools Superintendent Dr. Sandra Wood, who felt the new jobs from the data centers can reverse more than a decade of gradual student enrollment declines.

“We have seen students and families leave our community in search of opportunities that simply did not exist here.  This project represents the first real opportunity to shift that trajectory,” she said.  Resident James Baum said the project is another form of urban sprawl not welcomed in what’s still an unincorporated area unless the city annexes.  “You’re taking country land.  People.  They have dreams there. It’s not fair,” he said.

Microsoft announced a public open house of the project will be held April 21 at the Civic Auditorium from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.