(La Porte County, IN) - Business owners and community members from throughout La Porte County are invited to connect, discover local products and services, and build new contacts at the La Porte County Business Expo.

It’s scheduled September 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Purdue University Northwest campus outside Westville. .

The event is hosted by the chambers of commerce in Michigan City and Westville along with the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership to showcase businesses from across La Porte County and beyond.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the people behind local businesses, learn about their products and services and make valuable new connections.

“The La Porte County Business Expo is a great example of what can happen when organizations work together to strengthen our business community,” said Kurt Gillins, President of the Michigan City Chamber.

Admission is free and open to everyone.  Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

(Michigan City, IN) - The Michigan City Police Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 police academy for citizens.

The academy will run every Thursday evening from October 15th through November 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Michigan City Police Department.

Police said the six-week program gives community members an inside look at the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement and provides a hands-on introduction to many of the same topics officers encounter every day.

Participants will learn about:

• Criminal law and search and seizure

• Patrol tactics

• Emergency vehicle operations

• Police technology

• Crime scene processing

• K9 operations

• Specialty units and more.

Police said participants will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with MCPD officers, command staff and instructors throughout the academy.

Class size is limited to 30 participants.  Applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete an application and consent to a background check.

Applications may be submitted by email or delivered to the Michigan City Police Department front desk.  For more information, contact: Capt. Jillian Ashley at (219) 874-3221 Ext. 1075 or email  jashley@emichigancity.com or Jamie Blackwell at jblackwell@emichigancity.com.

Spots fill quickly, so don’t wait to apply!

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County residents with damage from last month’s storm can apply for financial assistance.

Today, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are at Krueger Memorial Hall at 801 Liberty Trail until 3 p.m. for people to apply for storm relief.

Representatives from the two agencies on Friday will be at the La Porte County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

La Porte County Emergency Management Director Rob Sabie said people need to bring their social security numbers, contact information and a list of damages to their properties along with annual household income and banking information for people who choose to have their funds directly deposited into their accounts.

“And, if you do have insurance or partial insurance, your policy number for that,” he said.

A school bus was involved in a collision with another motor vehicle yesterday in LaPorte County.

It was a bus from South-Central school with 16 kids on it.

School officials say the bus was making a right turn onto County Road 950 South when struck by a driver dozing off.

No one was hurt but one student was looked at by medics at the scene, officials said. 

(La Porte, IN) - Authorities are looking into the cause of a fire at a La Porte manufacturing company.

A machine somehow caught fire late Tuesday night at Howmet.  The building where the machine caught fire was evacuated due to heavy smoke inside.

Fire Chief Andy Snyder said firefighters using night vision equipment to see through the heavy smoke managed to cut power to the machine and ventilate the structure.

“Our crews were on the scene for two to three hours,” he said.

Snyder said investigators are trying to determine what caused the machine to catch fire.  Howmet was working to get the building where the fire occurred fully operational again.

There were no injuries reported.

(La Porte County, IN) - A local fire chief is praising the quick thinking of his men that kept them from being electrocuted like a married couple was before they arrived.

Cass-Clinton Fire Chief Jeff Mitzner said the first firefighters to get there using flashlights to see in the dark ordered the electricity shut off before moving closer to the victims.  He said it would have been easy to rush in to try and help but they wisely stayed back to avoid potential danger.

“My first guys on the scene recognized what had happened and they just didn’t go jump in,” Mitzner said.

Todd and Tricia Rosenbaum, both 60, were electrocuted on Saturday at their Wanatah area farm.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum was using a sump pump to move water from a creek into a man-made pond while his wife was sitting on the edge of the creek with her feet in the water.

He was in the creek handling the pump when both of them were electrocuted, she said.

Swanson said one of their daughters who had been trying to reach them on the phone went to the home and discovered the bodies.  She said how the electricity escaped from the pump is still being investigated but it could have had a cracked seal.

Mitzner, who’s also a farmer, said the deaths have left the close-knit community stunned.

“They were out doing things as husband and wife as my wife and I do all of the time on the farm.  It’s a bad situation that happened,” he said.

According to family members, the pond was recently dug for a “dream home” the couple had planned to build.

Visiting hours are set for Thursday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post in Wanatah with the funeral scheduled Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wanatah.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Food Bank of Northern Indiana has announced its Mobile Food Distribution Dates for September in La Porte and Starke counties.

On September 9th, there will be a food distribution at the Starke County Fairgrounds at 400 Division Road in Hamlet from 9:30am to 11:00 am Central Time while supplies last.  The food provided by USDA and the Starke County Health Department will serve 150 households.

On September 16, there will be a mobile food distribution at the La Porte County Fairgrounds at 2581 Indiana 2.  This event will be from 10am to noon Central Time while supplies last.  This distribution sponsored by Citizens Concerned for the Homeless will serve 300 households.

According to information from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, these events include assorted food items that have been pre-boxed and pre-bagged, free of charge for households in need.

The items are distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, and with a limit of one box/bag per household.

These are drive-through distribution events, meaning participants should remain in their vehicle and open trunks to receive items. There will be an area available for self-loading if your trunk does not open.

(La Porte County, IN) - An individual on foot was seriously hurt when hit by a motor vehicle this morning.

It happened on U.S. 35 just a few miles north of La Porte.  How the accident occurred and other details, so far, have not been released.

All lanes of U.S. 35 were blocked from 400 West to Stonehedge Way until nearly 11 a.m.

(La Porte, IN) - The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership, in collaboration with the City of La Porte, has announced two project manager openings that will play a pivotal role in advancing housing, neighborhood revitalization, and downtown redevelopment efforts across the community.

According to LEAP, these positions represent a major step forward in La Porte’s long-term strategy to strengthen quality of place, expand housing options, and accelerate economic growth.

Project Manager: Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization

LEAP is seeking an entrepreneurial, results-driven Project Manager to lead comprehensive housing and neighborhood revitalization strategy for the City of La Porte. This role will be central to expanding and improving the city’s housing inventory through:

·       Property acquisition and redevelopment coordination

·       Partnership-building with private developers

·       Launching and managing rehabilitation programs

·       Driving strategic initiatives that support long-term neighborhood stability

This position is ideal for a candidate who thrives in a fast-moving environment, enjoys building partnerships, and is motivated by measurable community impact.

Project Manager: Downtown Revitalization & READI Projects

The City of LA Porte is seeking a dynamic, highly organized Project Manager to lead high-impact downtown revitalization efforts. As an independent contractor, this individual will:

·       Coordinate Indiana READI grant projects

·       Secure and manage local matching funds

·       Serve as the primary connector between city leadership, economic development teams, and private developers

·       Ensure timely execution of transformative downtown initiatives

This role is designed for a professional who excels at cross-team coordination, strategic planning, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.

Driving La Porte’s Momentum Forward

La Porte continues to experience strong momentum in housing development, downtown investment, and quality-of-place enhancements. These two project management roles will help accelerate that progress by providing dedicated leadership, strategic oversight, and hands-on coordination across major initiatives.

“Both of these positions are critical to the next chapter of La Porte’s growth,” said Mike Riehle, President of Business Services for LEAP. “We’re looking for professionals who are ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of our community.”

How to Apply

Interested candidates can review full job details and submit applications using the links below. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

(La Porte, IN) - A member of the La Porte City Council is stepping down.

Lauren Huffman is resigning effective the 11^th of this month because she and her family are moving out of state.

The La Porte County Republican Party has scheduled a caucus to appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term.  The caucus will be September 12 at the Republican Party headquarters in La Porte at 814 Jefferson Ave.

Anyone wanting to run for the vacant seat must notify party chairman Allen Stevens by email no later than 72 hours prior to the caucus at allenstevens1974&gmail.com.

(La Porte County, IN) - A husband and wife found dead at their farm in Wanatah were both electrocuted.

That’s the official ruling in the deaths of Todd and Patricia Rosenbaum, both 60, and fourth-generation owners of Circle R Farm.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said the ruling was made following autopsies Monday on each of the bodies.  Swanson said the investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum on Saturday was using a sump pump to transfer water from a creek into a large man-made pond.

She said the pond was for a cabin the Rosenbaum’s planned to have constructed to use as a vacation rental on their property.  Swanson said the pump was plugged into a large electrical box about 25 feet from the creek.

The investigation shows Mr. Rosenbaum was in the creek handling the sump pump when his wife sat down along the edge of the creek and put her feet into the water. It wasn’t long before the current powering the pump somehow leaked out, electrifying the water and the Rosenbaum’s.

“When it happened, it got them both,” she said.

Swanson said one of the daughters of the victims unable to reach her parents on their phones went out to the property and discovered the bodies.

Police were unable to locate any exposed wires on the pump, which continues to be examined to see if there might have been a broken seal, perhaps, that would have allowed the electrical current to make contact with the water, she said.

Swanson said emergency responders had the power turned off before retrieving the bodies.

Bill Field, a veteran farm safety expert at Purdue University, said one way the seals can break is if the pumps are dropped. 

He said electrocution can also occur if extension cords submerged in water are used to supply power to pumps.  Field said just a hairline gap between where the plugs on cords fasten together can allow electricity to leak out into the water.

“Electricity doesn’t need much space if it gets moist,” he said.

Circle R Farm is a small family owned operation raising corn, soybeans, hogs, beef cattle and eggs.

(Michigan City, IN) - A woman was seriously hurt when struck by a train over the weekend in Michigan City.

It happened Friday night near the crossing at Greenwood and S. Carroll avenues.  Police said the woman was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, but further details were not provided.

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

(New Buffalo, MI) - A former World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers has been chosen as manager of the new team of major league baseball hopefuls in New Buffalo.

Tracy Woodson played five-years in the major leagues before going on to coach in the minor leagues and other places like Valparaiso University from 2007 to 2013.

Woodson, a member of the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 1988, hasn’t coached in three years but was looking to return to the game when he learned about the job opening.

His ties to Valparaiso, including a sister-in law and her husband being school teachers in that community, were factors in wanting to pursue the manager’s job here.

“This was the perfect place,” he said.

Woodson, who lives in Waco, Texas said his son, TJ, a red-shirt freshman shortstop at Baylor University, will be on the roster of the team called the Dune Coast Quillbacks.  It took just a few conversations on the phone with Woodson for the team’s primary owners, Tom Lawson and Brian Williams, both of New Buffalo, to offer him the job over many others nationwide interested in the position.

“It became clear quickly this was our guy,” Lawson said.

Williams, a scout for the Texas Rangers, credited Woodson with turning around the baseball program at Valparaiso University where five of his players were drafted by major league teams.

Woodson, primarily a third basemen during his major league career, said a half dozen or so college players seem close to already signing contracts to play for the Quillbacks in the Northwoods League.

The league featuring well over 20 teams from states like Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio consists of all college players hoping to catch the eye of major league scouts.  Over 400 players in the league have made it to the major leagues over roughly the past 30-years.

Williams said the Quillbacks will play 72 games with half of them at the new baseball field at New Buffalo High School from late May until mid-August.  The team is hoping to draw fans from as far north as Benton Harbor and St. Joseph and into Indiana in cities like La Porte, Michigan City, Chesterton and Valparaiso.

High quality lights were recently installed at the field, which will have about 600 grandstand seats added behind home plate along with bleachers and picnic tables for people to sit before the start of the season, Lawson said.

There will also be a “party patio” for fans along the first base line, he said.

Woodson said he’s already been coming up with ideas for making the games even more enjoyable for fans, especially youth.  He said the many possibilities include autograph sessions with the players and a few players running the bases with children between innings.

“This is how we want to involve them in the community.  I think that’s the first thing we do to get the excitement going in New Buffalo and all of the surrounding areas,” he said.

(La Porte, IN) - A child on an electric bicycle was taken to the hospital Friday after struck by a motor vehicle in La Porte.

The accident happened about 3 p.m.

According to La Porte Police, the driver of a car told investigators he pulled out of the back parking lot at La Porte High School and began heading northbound on F St.

The driver said the collision happened when the eastbound electric bicycle attempted to cross the road without using the cross walk, according to police.

Police said a statement was not able to be obtained immediately from the child because of the juvenile being transported to the hospital for treatment.

Further details were not provided. 

(La Porte County, IN) - A man stopped by La Porte County Police for erratic driving was arrested with an alleged blood alcohol content nearly five times the legal limit.

Marcus Felder, 54, of La Porte is charged with Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

Police said Felder was stopped Saturday evening in the area of 400 North and 850 West for failing to remain in his own travel lane.  According to police, there were two open containers of an alcoholic beverage in his vehicle.

His alleged blood alcohol level was .394-percent.

(La Porte County, IN) - Authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and woman near Wanatah.

According to La Porte County Police, they were found deceased Saturday night in the 11000 block of West 1500 South.

They were identified as Todd and Patricia Rosenbaum, who were in their 60’s.

More details were not been released, but police said the deaths appear to be an isolated incident.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Social media giant Meta has been brought down a peg following a successful lawsuit against them.

A settlement has been reached between the company and 47 states and four U.S. territories for a total of $71 billion. The claim is that Meta knowingly designed features on its social media platforms led children and teens to addictive behaviors.

Attorney General Todd Rokita announced this week that Indiana Facebook and Instagram users will get a slice of that pie, to the tune of between $298 and $419.4 million.

“This settlement is a milestone victory for Hoosier families,” Rokita said Wednesday. “For years, Meta prioritized engagement and profits over the mental health and well-being of our children. Today, we are securing both meaningful accountability and concrete changes that will help protect the next generation. Parents will finally have stronger tools, including opting their teens out of algorithm-driven scrolling designed to keep them hooked.”

According to the Attorney General’s Office, in addition to monetary compensation, Meta agreed to the following key provisions:

• Hard cap daily time limits and “Productive Pauses” for children: For its two platforms, Instagram and Facebook, a combined two-hour daily time limit with mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes to interrupt endless scrolling.  These limits remain in effect for five years. If Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube adopt comparable terms, the daily limit on each platform will drop to 60 minutes for 10 years;
• “Nighttime blocks” restricting children’s access from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.;
• Limited school-time access for children, eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the school year;
• Robust age assurance measures to more effectively verify the age of young users;
• Safer, age-appropriate content controls, including stronger safeguards against bullying, content promoting eating disorders, and content related to suicide and self-harm;
• Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls;
• Limits on social comparison features, including beauty filters and visible “like” counts, that have been linked to poor mental health outcomes in kids and teens.

Rokita said his office is working alongside other states to secure similar settlements from companies like Discord, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

The settlement also resolves the states’ claims against Meta for its sharing of nonpublic information about Facebook users with third parties, like Cambridge Analytica, leading up to the 2016 election.

(Indianapolis, IN) - Indiana Governor Mike Braun has extended a higher education price freeze. His order keeps tuition and mandatory fees static at all campuses of the state’s 15 public colleges and universities.

The Governor also called on schools to find efficiencies, eliminate redundancies, and streamline services without compromising the quality of the education they provide.

Braun made a similar move last year to stem the tide of rising education costs for Hoosiers. Purdue has held steady with its tuition for over ten years, but this is the first time in state history that all public institutions of higher learning will stand pat for two straight years.

(Michigan City, IN) - An event raising awareness for drug abuse will be held Sunday in Michigan City. The city’s second annual Overdose Awareness Day will take place at the H.O.P.E Community Center at 222 McClelland Avenue.

A community walk to and from Pullman Park will begin at 3 pm. Activities to follow will include CPR and Narcan training. Participants can take home two doses of Narcan for emergency intervention.

A new feature this year will be a mobile memorial fence from Remembering Alan, Inc. People can attach a customized padlock in memory of a loved one lost to overdose. You are welcome to bring your own lock, or locks and on-site engraving will be available thanks to Amber’s House.

Other community organizations such as the Salvation Army, Swanson Center, Nest Community Shelter, and many other drug recovery groups will be set up, as well.

Whether you have lost a loved one to drug abuse, are in recovery yourself, love someone who is, want to learn how to save a life, or simply want to stand with your community, you are welcome to attend.

(La Porte, IN) - La Porte is among the Indiana counties where assistance is available to employees who lost their jobs or had them interrupted by severe weather earlier this month.

Governor Mike Braun made the announcement today.  Individual assistance is now available in La Porte and 20 other counties declared as major disasters.

"If these storms cost you your job or are keeping you from being able to work, you shouldn't have to wonder how you're going to put food on the table or keep a roof over your family's head,” Braun said.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is another resource now available to help families bridge the gap as they recover.  Employed or self-employed Hoosiers in the 21 counties covered by the major disaster declaration can apply for Disaster Unemployment Insurance (DUA).

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development is accepting applications for DUA from individuals in the following counties: Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union, and Wayne counties.

Applications for DUA must be filed by October 27.  To be eligible for DUA benefits, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be an unemployed or self-unemployed worker whose unemployment was a direct result of the major disaster declared by the President;
• Be a U.S. national or a qualified alien;
• Not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits from any state;
• Have worked or were self-employed in, or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment in, one of the counties listed above; and
• Establish that the work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income.

Individuals in the following circumstances are included in those who are unemployed as a direct result of the disaster:

• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of a disaster;
• Cannot perform work or self-employment because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster;
• Became the major support of a household because of the death of the head of the household; or?
• Cannot work or perform self-employment due to closure of a facility by the federal government.

Before apply filing for DUA, individuals should gather these items:

• Social Security Number (SSN);
• Name and address of their last employer or scheduled employer;
• A copy of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs that show earnings and employment.

(La Porte County, IN) - Due to the recent storms, a public compost site in La Porte County is available for free wood cutting.

According to the La Porte County Solid Waste District, the compost site on Zigler Road near the fairgrounds has an abundance of logs and wood from trees toppled by high winds.

The public can cut the logs on site but splitting the wood must occur off the premises, officials said.

Officials said residents will be required to stop in the SWD office at 2857 W. Indiana 2 to sign or drop off a liability release prior to cutting wood at the site.  The liability waiver can also be found in advance at www.solidwastedistrict.com.

Anyone with questions can contact the Solid Waste District office at (219) 326-0014 Ext. 9.

(La Porte County, IN) - Two alleged online child sex predators from La Porte County are facing charges.

Drew Pratt, 20, of La Porte was arrested July 27 on 11 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.

Devin McCoy, 24, of La Crosse was arrested today on five counts of child exploitation.  The information released by La Porte County Police did not contain specifics behind the allegations.

“These types of investigations require countless hours of specialized investigative work, digital evidence examination, coordination and persistence,” said Capt. Derek Allen with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.

Allen also noted possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material is “not a victimless crime.”

“Behind every image and every video is a child who was sexually abused and exploited.  Each time that material is possessed, viewed, traded or distributed, that victimization continues,” he said.

Allen said the sheriff’s office will continue working aggressively to identify and arrest such offenders.

(La Porte, IN) - The life of a dog overcome by smoke inside a burning house in La Porte on Friday was saved by emergency responders performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  

Aaron England says he lost everything in the fire but what mattered to him the most was petting again his eight-year old dog, “Flash,” who he brought home for his daughter as a puppy.

“I could care less about the contents of my house.  He’s a family member.  As long as he’s o.k., I’m glad about that,” he said before overcome with emotion.

Nobody was home when the fire broke out before 9 a.m. at 604 Plain St. 

England said his 12-year old daughter was at school and he had left for work about 30 minutes before firefighters arrived.  Once notified about the fire by a neighbor, he returned home to find his American Pit Bull/Terrier mix outside on a leash seemingly acting as if nothing happened.

La Porte Fire Chief Andy Snyder said the dog was unresponsive when carried out of the small, singe story home by a firefighter.  He said the dog had a pulse but it was so difficult for him to breathe he was on the verge of going into respiratory and cardiac arrest.

The firefighter placed the dog on a picnic table in the front yard and began to repeatedly push on the dog’s chest while oxygen was administered by medics through a mask custom-made to fit over his mouth and face.

Eventually, Flash regained consciousness.

“The dog is up and walking around,” Snyder said.

Snyder said a small red-tailed boa constrictor snake belonging to his daughter was lifted from a large aquarium and carried outside to safety in a cardboard box.

The fire was contained to the kitchen and livingroom area but there was heavy smoke and water damage throughout the structure.

“It will not be inhabitable for a while until it gets repaired,” he said.

Snyder said investigators were at the scene beginning the process of trying to determine what caused the fire.  England also said the hardship from the fire comes not long after having his power knocked out for an extended period from the major August 11 storm.

"We made it through that.  Didn’t have power for a week.  This was not on my list of things that would happen for sure,” he said.

(Merrillville, IN) - As Northwest Indiana continues to recover from recent severe storms, Northern Indiana Public Service Company and the NiSource Charitable Foundation are expanding support for customers and communities through a combination of customer protections, financial assistance resources and a $2 million contribution to recovery efforts.

According to NIPSCO, The funding will be administered through Legacy Foundation, Porter County Community Foundation and Unity Foundation of La Porte County, which will work with local nonprofit organizations to address ongoing community needs.

"The work of recovery doesn't end when power is restored," said Melody Birmingham, executive vice president and group president of NiSource utilities. 

"Across Northwest Indiana, local organizations have been helping to provide families with food, support seniors, coordinate volunteers and address the challenges that remain after the storms. This funding will help sustain those community-led efforts and ensure organizations can continue serving residents in the weeks and months ahead," she said.

Beyond this $2 million charitable contribution, NIPSCO is continuing to support recovery through direct customer assistance. For residential electric customers, the company has suspended disconnections for nonpayment and paused collection activities through Sept. 30 to provide additional time and flexibility following the storms.

"Recovery looks different for every family and every community," said Vincent Parisi, NIPSCO president and chief operating officer.

"Our goal is to make sure our neighbors know support is available. Whether that's through local nonprofit organizations, community resources, assistance programs or the customer support measures we’ve put into place, we are providing people with the help they need as they move forward," he said. 

NIPSCO encourages customers who may be experiencing financial challenges to explore assistance options at NIPSCO.com/FinancialSupport.

Customers can learn more about available programs and resources designed to help keep them connected safely and responsibly while identifying solutions that fit their individual circumstances.

(St. Joseph County, IN) - The driver of a minibike was killed in a crash with an SUV near North Liberty on Wednesday.

The accident occurred about 6 p.m. in the 67000 block of Walnut Road.

According to police, both vehicles were southbound when they collided near the intersection of Leeper Road.  The driver of the minibike was taken to a hospital where he later died.

The name of the victim, so far, has not been released.  Further details were also not provided due to the ongoing investigation.