(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry is scheduled to give his annual State of the City address later this week.

According to the mayor’s office, Parry will explain what he believes are the most important challenges, from homelessness to housing affordability and economic resiliency, facing the community.

Parry is scheduled to deliver his presentation Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Stardust Ballroom of Blue Chip Casino following a continental breakfast. The doors open at 7:30 a.m., with non-profit grants funded by the federal American Rescue Plan to be awarded following his speech.

Parry, who’s in the fourth year of his first term, is unopposed in seeking the Republican Party nomination in the May primary. Five candidates are running for the Democratic Party nomination in the primary.

(La Porte County, IN) - Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal single vehicle crash nearly a month ago outside La Porte.

Dawn Coleman, 42, of Fish Lake is charged in La Porte Circuit Court. The most serious offenses filed against Fish involve multiple counts of Operating while Intoxicated, in connection with the death of a seven-year-old girl and major injuries sustained by Coleman's adult front seat passenger.

According to La Porte County Police, Coleman was the driver of a vehicle southbound on U.S. 35 just after midnight on February 26th. She had veered off the road to her right and collided with two trees prior to her vehicle coming to rest in a wooded area near Schultz Road.

The front seat passenger was Alfred Jones, 45, of Chicago.  Authorities stated Jones was transported to a regional hospital by helicopter with critical injuries. Likewise, Coleman’s injuries requiring hospital treatment were described as serious. An eight-year-old boy riding in the backseat with the girl suffered only minor injuries.

An initial hearing in the case is set for March 31st before Judge Tom Alevizos, where Coleman could face anywhere from 2-to-12 years on each of three Level 4 Felony counts and lesser punishment on the two remaining Level 5 Felony and Level 6 Felony counts.

So far, the amount of alcohol allegedly in her bloodstream has not been disclosed.

(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte man trying to police the roadways was himself picked up during a fake traffic stop.

On Tuesday afternoon, an alert Sheriff’s deputy witnessed an odd roadside interaction on eastbound State Road 2 between Lofgren Rd. and County Road 350 East.

A delivery truck was stopped along the shoulder with a burgundy GMC Yukon parked behind it. Further investigation revealed the Yukon’s driver, 27-year-old Jacob Carder of La Porte, activated a flashing light bar across the front of his truck to get the delivery driver’s attention. He told police he wanted to pull over the delivery truck because of its poor driving.

However, Carder was found to be without a driver’s license. His passenger, 28-year-old Brittany Stewart, also of La Porte, also had an arrest warrant against her for child neglect. She was taken into custody.

Carder’s Yukon was impounded, and he was charged with Impersonation of a Public Servant. He later posted a $755.00 cash bond through La Porte Circuit Court.

(New Carlisle, IN) - New Prairie will be well represented at this summer’s North-South All-Star football game.

Two players were named to the 57th Annual Murat North-South Football All-Star Classic. Offensive lineman Jacob Mrozinski and defensive end Tayvion Ortman will play for the North team. Head coach Casey McKim was also named to the North coaching staff.

The game will take place on July 14th at Decatur Central High School.

(South Bend, IN) - A La Porte County man has been sentenced to time in federal prison for gun-related charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

In February 2021, 35-year-old Anthony Sanders allegedly ran from Michigan City police while carrying a loaded 9 mm pistol with an extended magazine.

Sanders had prior convictions for Armed Robbery, Burglary, and Drug-Dealing that prohibited him from carrying a firearm. After pleading guilty, Sanders was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

(Valparaiso, IN) - Two Valparaiso residents have been arrested on child pornography charges.

Indiana State Police and FBI agents conducted a month-long investigation centered at a residence in the 500 block of Elm Street in Valparaiso. In January, a raid turned up evidence of production of child pornography.

One of the residents, 33-year-old Veronica Solis, was arrested Tuesday. Her four children, ages 7-13, were placed in foster care.

42-year-old Gerald Brann has also been accused. He was arrested at a New Jersey truck stop while out of state for work.

According to State Police, the alleged crimes against children took place while the couple lived in San Antonio, Texas. They will be extradited to Texas and could face additional charges.

(La Porte County, IN) - To help keep roadways safe during this year's St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message about the dangers of impaired driving.  

“If your plans for the holiday include alcohol, make sure you plan ahead and identify a sober designated driver,” said Captain Derek J. Allen. 

St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on our roadways.  During the three day St. Patrick’s Day holiday period from 2016-2020, police said 287 lives were lost nationwide in drunk-driving crashes.  

In 2020 alone, 37 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S. over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. 

“Those who choose to operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated are a continuing problem on La Porte County roadways.  Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home.  Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night,” stated Captain Allen.

According to police, before ever heading out, it’s vital to plan ahead and execute these tips.

• Before consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver.

• If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously and DO NOT consume alcohol!

• If you observe an impaired driver on a roadway, call 911. 

(La Porte, IN) - Three La Porte High School students finished close to the top in a recent competition involving more than 700 students.

The Video Production Class at La Porte High School took part in the Indiana Association of Student Broadcasters Competition in the Video Spot Production category.

Placing fourth was an ad for Dawn dish soap created by Hallee Novak, Sara Villa and Joy Defendre.

"I was really proud of these young ladies. The video had excellent production value, great lighting, and editing. I was also impressed with Joy's performance in the video,” said Visual/Digital Communications Teacher Don Varda.

Students from nearly 40 high schools participated in the event.

(La Porte County, IN) - There could be a legal battle over a request for e-mails by Sean Fagan, the new La Porte County Prosecutor.

The La Porte County Commissioners, by a 2-to-1 vote last night, decided to place his request on the shelf at least for now.  The decision went against the advice of Andrew B. Jones, the attorney for the La Porte County Commissioners.

“I’m not trying to argue with anyone.  I’m really just trying to stop the county from getting sued.  I’m pleading with you,” he said.

Fagan is requesting all e-mails from last year by former prosecutor John Lake and his wife, Mary, who was his chief deputy prosecutor.  All e-mails in 2022 are also being sought from two former employees and one current member of the prosecutor’s office, who stayed on after Fagan took over January 1st.

Fagan said he wants the e-mails to try and fill gaps in evidence from over 40 cases he inherited from the previous prosecutor.

He said the need is from Lake not fully cooperating during the transition to his administration and some paper records at the county complex that could be helpful in evidence gathering being destroyed from a flood around Christmas after a frozen water line busted.

Commissioners Connie Gramarossa and Rich Mrozinski voted to table the request until there's an attempt to obtain more specific information from Fagan on his request.

Gramarossa said she has no problem with giving Fagan e-mails specific to the cases he wants to research, but not all e-mails from last year.

“I have a problem with that.  Let him take us to court,” she said.

Mrozinski expressed a similar view and also alleged Fagan’s motive could be political.

 

“It sounds to me like a witch hunt,” he said.

In January, two former employees under Lake filed a lawsuit against Fagan alleging he fired them for political reasons.

Prosecutors in all counties in Indiana actually work for the state. However, the prosecutor’s office in La Porte County uses a county government server for internet service.

Nevertheless, Jones said all e-mails from the prosecutor’s office are state property and the commissioners must comply with the prosecutor’s request.

Jones said the decision to table his request is equal to a denial and could result in a stiff financial penalty.

He provided opinions from the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, the Indiana Public Access Counselor and the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, who ruled the e-mails belong to the prosecutor’s office.

Fagan said he hasn’t decided yet whether to legally challenge the decision.

Commissioner Joe Haney voted in favor of Fagan’s request.

“I would agree with the state here. This is the state’s data and we’re mere custodians,” he said.

Haney also felt all of the e-mails were needed because he might not know which ones are critical to the cases until he opens and reviews all of them. 

(Rolling Prairie, IN) - Whether alcohol or drugs were involved in a serious injury motor vehicle crash in La Porte County this week remains under investigation.

The accident happened Wednesday about 7 p.m. on U.S. 20 near 350 East.

La Porte County Police said Amanda Runion, 37, was stopped waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so she could turn left into her driveway.

A car approaching from behind slammed into the back end of her SUV. Runion complained of pain, blurry vision and had a large knot on her head.  Her six-month-old baby in a car seat was not injured.

The other driver, Shane Ransom, 42, of La Porte was unresponsive and taken to a South Bend hospital. It appears Ransom was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.

Police said there were no tire tracks left by the Ransom vehicle to indicate he tried braking prior to the collision.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver allegedly under the influence of drugs crashed into a tree near Michigan City last evening.

Officers about 5:40 p.m. were called to the area of U.S. 20 and 300 West.

Police said the driver, Tonnette Logmann, 51, of Michigan City refused to submit to a blood test.

She was impaired, though, judging by her slurred speech, unsteady balance and other symptoms, yet had not been drinking.

Among the items seized from her vehicle were various pills and two plastic bags containing narcotics.

There were no injuries.

Logmann was arrested on charges including Possession of a Controlled Substance and Operating while Intoxicated. 

Mayor Duane Parry is announcing the return of the Michigan City Easter Egg Hunt.

It’s scheduled Saturday, April 8th in Fedder’s Alley at Washington Park.

“We are extremely excited for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt, as it is such a great event for the children in our community”, said Parry.

Children will be divided into various age groups.  A dedicated handicapped accessible area will be located near the entrance to the event.  Officials said the City will provide each child with a bag to collect plastic eggs filled with candy and prize tickets.

There will be collection boxes for the plastic eggs to be recycled at the end of the event, officials said.

Parking will be in the main Washington Park parking lot (Lot 1) and the Senior Center parking lot.

Gates will open for the event at 11 a.m.  There will be activities until the start of the egg hunt at 12 p.m.

Director of Special Events Terry Greetham said local businesses along with city employees from various departments along with volunteers are working together on the event.

“It is always great when so many people come together for the benefit of our community,” he said.

(New Buffalo, MI) - A desire to build new housing within the price reach of average wage earners just outside the city limits of New Buffalo has taken another step forward.

New Buffalo Area Schools Superintendent Michael Lindley agreed during a March 15 workshop to try and get the city and township to join the school district in the potential development viewed as a public-private partnership.

Lindley said he will also attempt to get Berrien County government to contribute to the project in some fashion.

The plan involves construction of 30 townhomes and two apartment buildings containing 32 units on land owned by the school district along Lubke Road across from New Buffalo Elementary School.

Another 15 lots would be reserved for single family houses that would be constructed over time with help from students in the high school’s building trades program.

Currently, the total cost of constructing the 62 units is estimated at roughly $18 million.

Representatives from Progresses, a real estate development company based in Chicago and the Antero Group, a consulting firm also based in Chicago, gave an overview of the project and the steps involved to break ground during the workshop at New Buffalo High School.

Several members of the school board and citizens also attended the session.

Whether the development materializes hinges on acquiring enough financial support from the public or private sectors to reduce the cost of construction enough to bring down the price of the homes to a level average wage earners can afford.

Right now, Lindley said he felt the estimated cost is much too high and any private or public funds that might be available to help offset the expense will be needed to make construction a reality.

“It’s imperative you look for any grant programs out there,” he said.

The homes would go up on about 20-percent of the 35 acre site owned by the school district, which has pledged to donate the land for the development to help offset the cost of the homes.

Local governments will be asked to put in the streets and other infrastructure such as water and sewer lines at no cost or a discount.

Lindley said the idea is to bring in families with children now priced out of the local housing market to reverse declining enrollment.  He said another goal is to attract and retain more teachers by providing homes financially within their reach.

“We got to think outside the box and figure out how do we get these people to live here,” he said.

Lindley said he anticipates the new housing, if constructed, to be available for purchase and rent.  He also emphasized what’s traditionally viewed in a negative light as affordable housing is not what’s being discussed.

School board member Lisa Werner said deed restrictions aimed at keeping the homes occupied by full-time residents in future years should be included.

“We want some control so it just doesn’t turn into a second home development,” she said.

School board member Denise Churchill expressed a similar view.

“I want to protect the integrity, the reason we’re doing this,” she said.

Ed Gausselin, a representative from the real estate development firm, said reaching the desired price level will be a challenge especially from much higher construction costs and rising interest rates.

However, he said the design work is in the very early stages where it’s ripe for cost reduction adjustments typical in major developments.

“There are ways of getting this where it needs to be,” he said.

Eric Neagu, president of the consulting firm, said construction could begin within a year if everything in the process goes right.  He said the next steps should include a surveying of the land early in the spring and decision by the school district on any restrictions desired in the deeds.

Another workshop to further discuss the proposal is anticipated in May or June.

(Michigan City, IN) - Work has begun on a new location for Burn ‘Em Brewing in Michigan City.

Ground was recently broken at the site at 1215 E. 2^nd Street.

“This has been a long time coming, and we are happy to be here. Hopefully, we will be open by the end of the year,” said Steve Murray, the head brewer for the company which first opened at 718 Freyer Road in 2014.

“We can’t wait to see you here when we open the doors,” he said.

The brewery is expected to almost double production, expand distribution and create another 20 to 30 full-time jobs at the new location, which will also feature an event center, taproom space along with a patio and full-scratch kitchen.

“This is so good for Michigan City and for Burn ‘Em,” said Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry.

“The city is growing as we continue to see progress in so many areas throughout Michigan City,” said Clarence Hulse, executive director of the Ecomonic Development Corporation Michigan City.

In 2021, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved the concept and vision for the site as well as Burn ‘Em’s purchase of the former warehouse building for its plans costing about $1.6 million.

Skyler York, director of planning and inspection in Michigan City, said advantages of the new location include close proximity to a trail and U.S.12.

“It just makes sense to be here,” he said.

(Westville, IN) - The South County Community Coalition will hold an informational meeting next week about the planned Westville Correctional Facility construction project.

Prison officials are in the process of planning a complete reconstruction of the prison, which is expected to cost $1.2 billion.

The informational meeting will be held on Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the Westville School cafeteria.   The event is free to attend and open to all members of the public.

The SCCC has organized this event with the Indiana Department of Corrections to help provide clarity to local officials and community members about the impact of the project. The project may begin construction as early as this summer and is expected to create over 1,500 construction jobs.

“We believe this project will bring a good deal of jobs and economic opportunity to the Westville community during construction, and we want locals to have the best chance to prepare for those opportunities,” explained SCCC Vice President Justin Kiel.

The Westville Correctional Facility has a current capacity of 3,400 inmates and employs over 900 individuals. Department of Corrections officials said that the prison, which was originally built as a mental hospital, has exceeded its useful life, and a new facility is expected to be safer for employees and more efficient.

“The Department of Corrections is one of the largest employers in LaPorte County,” said SCCC President Allen Stevens, “and we are thankful for their willingness to engage community stakeholders as they take on this project.”

 

Representatives from the Department of Corrections will be present on Monday to answer questions about the project at the conclusion of a presentation.

(La Porte County, IN) - At least one person was injured in a motor vehicle collision last evening in the Rolling Prairie area.

La Porte County Police said two vehicles were involved in the crash on U.S. 20 near 350 East.

It happened after 7 p.m.

Sources say traffic was backed up for a good distance for about one hour. 

So far, further details are not being released because the crash remains

under investigation by authorities.

We'll provide more information when it becomes available. 

(Michigan City, IN) - A Door-Dash driver was shot at multiple times in Michigan City last evening.

Police said officers were called after 5 p.m. to Vail and Walker streets on a report of shots being fired.

So far, the investigation shows a 19-year-old female Door-Dash driver stopped her car to make a delivery when numerous gunshots rang out.

Her vehicle was struck by several bullets but she and her male passenger were not injured.

Detectives worked throughout the night collecting evidence and conducting interviews. No arrests were made, but the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Michigan City Police Department.

(La Porte, IN) - Horizon Bank is again a major sponsor of a singing competition that’s become a tradition in La Porte.

The bank provided a $10,000 sponsorship check to the host of the event, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.

It’s the 18^th year in a row that Horizon Bank has been a Platinum Sponsor for the Hoosier Star competition.

Hoosier Star features five performers in the youth division and five performers in the adult division, who sing to the music played by the orchestra during the live event at the Civic Auditorium.

Over the years, most of the performers come from La Porte County and the entire region but there’s also been talent drawn from downstate and southwest Michigan. The performers are finalists chosen from a pool of contestants who auditioned for a chance at making it onto the stage.

The finalists compete for cash prizes.

The 18^th annual Hoosier Star competition this year is scheduled September 9. LCSO Executive Director, Tim King, accepted the check from Horizon Bank NW Region President, Steve Kring.

(La Porte, IN) - Some preschool students in La Porte recently took part in a St. Patrick’s Day-related project.

Children in the Little Learners Preschool along with their parents created a St. Patrick’s Day sensory bottle together.

The project was part of the Make and Take Family Activity Night at the preschool.Lauren Leren, owner of SensorEE Kits and parent to one of the preschool students, donated her time to provide instruction on making the items.

Little Learners Principal Becky Jeffers said more events like this are planned in the future.

“It was a great night. Parents and students were engaged and everyone loved their finished product,”

 

The Little Learners Preschool is a part of the La Porte Community School Corporation. The program is available for general education three, four, and five-year olds residing in the Lincoln Elementary School attendance area.

The program also serves South LaPorte County Special Education Cooperative students that live within New Prairie, La Porte, Tri-Township, South Central, or Westville districts, school officials said.

(Michigan City, IN) - A La Porte woman after caught shoplifting was found with heroin and other drugs.

Those are the criminal allegations filed against Nikki Daley.

Daley, 27, is charged with Theft and Possession of Cocaine or a Narcotic Drug, both Level 6 Felonies, and Class A Misdemeanor Possession of a Controlled Substance.

According to court documents, officers were responding to Meijer in Michigan City on March on a report of a shoplifter last seen running inside the nearby Aldi grocery store.

Police said Daley was found in a bathroom and inside her backpack was close to $300 in stolen merchandise from Meijer, as well as a small amount of heroin and prescription pills.

The theft charge was elevated to a felony due to her having several prior convictions related to stealing.

(La Porte, IN) - Police officers were pushed to the brink during their struggle to arrest a man in a store parking lot in La Porte.  Nicholas Lambert, 22, is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with level 6 felony battery against a public safety official and two other counts.

On March 10th, Lambert was alone inside an SUV outside Kroger when approached by officers with a warrant for his arrest.  Police said Lambert sprang out of the passenger seat and tried running past the officers but he was grabbed by the arms.

During a struggle, the La Porte man was taken to the ground but he wouldn’t stop resisting arrest.  Officers were not able to get his hands behind his back to place him in handcuffs until additional officers arrived.

“Nicholas was still trying to get away even after he was handcuffed,” patrolman Brett Fisher wrote in his report.

Lambert during his short trip to the La Porte County Jail also kept trying to open the door and window beside him in the back seat of the police vehicle. Authorities state Officer Fisher was bleeding from wounds on his right hand sustained during the struggle and complained of pain to his right knee.  

According to court records, Lambert has a prior conviction for making physical contact with law enforcement and other crimes.

(La Porte, IN) - Arrests have been made for a robbery at a La Porte convenience store last week.  All four of the suspects are juveniles.

The robbery happened Thursday at the Mini Mart in the 200 block of Lincolnway.  Police said a store clerk had her cell phone taken from her and was shoved out of the way to rob the place.

The first two suspects were arrested the following day.  Another person was taken into custody the next day.  The final arrest occurred yesterday. 

One of the suspects was wearing a sweatshirt depicting the character “Chuckie” from the Nickelodeon cartoon "Rugrats" on the back.  

The ages and names of the suspects have not released due to them being juveniles. Authorities state no further information will be released at this time.

(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte woman is optimistic her proposal aimed at saving lives at school will be adopted by state lawmakers this year.  The measure, called “Jake’s Law”, would require schools to have automatic external defibrillators within quick access during athletic events.

The devices are used as an attempt to restore a heartbeat by automatically diagnosing a life threatening cardiac arrhythmia then applying electricity to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm.

La Porte City Councilwoman Julie West helped draft the proposed legislation, which passed the Indiana State Senate recently.  It’s been assigned to a committee in the Indiana House where the proposal died last year from lack of a hearing.  West said she is hopeful of a different outcome.

“It’s a life-saving bill.  I can’t imagine it not going through,” she said.

West says the measure would require automatic external defibrillators be kept where they can be accessed in three minutes or less.  The devices would also have to be regularly maintained because they must be in working order in the event of a medical emergency.  She said the bill also calls for development of an action plan at schools for sudden cardiac arrest.

In 2013, her son, Jake, collapsed at football practice in La Porte and died from an undiagnosed genetic heart condition.  Ever since his passing, West and her "Play for Jake Foundation" raises money to provide free heart screenings every year for students in the area.  Her objective is preventing another child from being dealt the same fate as her son.

West pointed to the recent collapse of Damar Hamblin, a football player for the Buffalo Bills, for the need to assure quick response.  Hamblin’s heart stopped during a game and he might have died had it not been for quick response by medics close to the field.

“I want to make sure we do everything possible to make sure this doesn’t happen to another child or person or a family.  That’s what keeps me going,” she said.

(Rolling Prairie, IN) - The new La Porte County ambulance base is now in service.  The facility at Rolling Prairie began responding to calls Monday at 8 a.m.

EMS Administrator Andrew McGuire said the base will respond to medical calls in the area roughly from Springville north to the Michigan state line and east to Hudson Lake then south to the Mill Creek area.

McGuire said he expects response times to improve dramatically since Rolling Prairie is in the middle of a service area previously covered by ambulances traveling longer distances from the base in City of La Porte.

“Some of those areas up on 1000 North that we responded to all the way from downtown La Porte, you’re talking about a 15 minute, 16 minute response time.  We can cut that down probably to about five minutes from the Rolling Prairie base location,” he said.

La Porte County Commission President Joe Haney said the ambulance base is a longtime coming.

“This has been something the county has been trying to do for well over 20, 30 years now.  When I came on board the commission, I made it a priority item,” he said.

For now, McGuire said one ambulance is operating from the facility staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  He said the facility has two bays for a second ambulance if another one is needed depending on future call volume.

The ambulance base along with a new La Porte County Highway Department garage are on a site that was once an Indiana Department of Transportation owned rest stop near U.S. 20 and Indiana 2.

The cost of constructing of both facilities was over $2 million.

La Porte County Highway Department Superintendent Al Stevens said the new highway garage should be operating within the next few weeks.

(La Porte County, IN) - Sirens sounded throughout La Porte County this morning as part of severe weather preparedness week throughout the state.

The emergency weather sirens went off at 9:15 a.m. and stayed on for three minutes.

Rob Sabie, Director of the La Porte County Emergency Management Agency, said the purpose of activating the sirens was to start preparing the public for responding to extreme weather since tornado season is approaching.

Sabie said the sirens are also turned on once a month on a Saturday to make sure all of them are working properly.  Sirens going off at any other time or day means a tornado warning has been issued or some other type of severe weather is approaching, he said.

Sabie said people should know in advance how they’re going to respond to extreme weather.

“Go over your plan. Know what you’re supposed to do,” he said.

In the event of severe weather, Sabie said people should go to their basements or crawlspaces.  People without a basement or crawlspace should go to the center of their home on the main level because that’s the strongest area of the structure and furthest from windows.

“The weakest part of any building is windows. Those are the things that are going to break first.  With the high winds, most injuries are caused by flying debris,” he said.

There are more than 40 emergency weather sirens throughout La Porte County.