(Michigan City, IN) - Walker Street Park Community Garden in Michigan City marked the close of its ninth growing season Saturday with the unveiling of a new community inspired mural and its 6th Annual Harvest Festival.

The festivities began with a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the garden's newest addition, a colorful mural painted by artist Alex Ann Allen.

Facilitated by Lubeznik Center for the Arts, the project was funded through American Rescue Plan Act dollars the city directed toward neighborhood beautification. 

The mural, painted on the garden's new shed, was developed with direct input from Eastport neighborhood residents and garden stakeholders.

Through conversations and public surveys, community members identified fruits and vegetables, pollinators and native plants as their preferred themes, which Allen incorporated into the final design.

The project represents another milestone for Walker Street Park Community Garden, which has spent nearly a decade transforming a neighborhood space into a place for growing food, building relationships and bringing residents together.

“Walker Street Park Community Garden has always been about more than growing food.  It is about growing community,” said Dr. Dominique Edwards, Michigan City Planning Director and longtime garden volunteer.

“This mural brings even more beauty and energy to a space that residents have poured so much love and care into over the years.” Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said.

Following the ribbon-cutting, the garden welcomed the community back for its 6th Annual Harvest Festival, celebrating the conclusion of another successful growing season.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Salvation Army serving La Porte County revealed Monica and Dan Komasinski will serve as the organization's 2026 Christmas Campaign Chairs.

The community will have an opportunity to meet the Komasinskis and celebrate the start of the Christmas season at The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Kick Off scheduled November 2.

The kick-off will run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at McDonald's at 3507 Franklin Street in  Michigan City.

A New Prairie High School graduate, Monica currently serves as Membership Director for the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce after previously spending 14 years as Executive Director of Leadership La Porte County.

Dan, a graduate of Marquette High School in Michigan City, serves as Senior Director of Internal Audit for White Lodging Services.

"As lifelong residents of La Porte County, we've seen the generosity of this community time and time again.  The Salvation Army meets people where they are, providing hope and practical assistance when it is needed most. We invite everyone to join us in giving with joy this Christmas season so that local families know they are supported not only during the holidays, but throughout the year," the Komasinskis stated.

Funds raised through the Christmas campaign support far more than holiday assistance. Donations help provide year-round programs and services throughout La Porte County, including food assistance, case management, diapers, clothing, youth programs, spiritual care and other resources that help individuals and families overcome difficult circumstances, officials said. 

"We are honored to have Monica and Dan Komasinski serving as our 2026 Christmas Campaign Chairs," said Major Becky Simmons, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army serving La Porte County.

"Their family's roots in this community run deep, and their commitment to helping others is evident in everything they do,” she said.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County government collected over six million dollars from the most recent sale of tax delinquent properties.

That’s according to La Porte County Auditor Mike Rosenbaum, who gave a report during Monday night’s La Porte County Council meeting.

Rosenbaum said the money was from 136 of the 236 tax delinquent properties selling and the buyers paying the unpaid taxes and penalties as required.  He also reported the unpaid taxes on the properties that did not sell total less than $500,000.

Rosenbaum said properties with three consecutive unpaid tax bills are eligible for the county to take ownership and offer during the annual tax sales.

He said more than 400 homes originally on the tax sale list were removed after the owners paid the delinquent taxes.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County residents will pay higher income taxes to help plug a financial hole for county government created by declining property tax revenue.

The La Porte County Council Monday night voted 4 to 3 in favor of a new income tax expected to generate about six million dollars next year.  Average wage earners will pay about $140 more a year in the amount of local income taxes currently assessed.

The revenue will be used to strictly fund the La Porte County Emergency Medical Service, which currently operates with money from property taxes in the general fund.

The savings in the general fund will free up dollars that could go elsewhere like catching up on building maintenance neglected in recent years to stretch tight budgets.

Councilman Mike Mollenhauer said it was either raise taxes or keep putting off repairing and even replacing some of the buildings needing attention.

“Truthfully, I just don’t see how we’re going to get anything accomplished and every year we’re just going to be further and further behind.   Nobody wants to put a tax on them but everybody wants these services, too,” he said.

Councilman Justin Kiel said a higher tax allows deficit spending to be avoided to address building maintenance issues such as the millions of dollars needed to replace the failing heating and air conditioning system at the historic LaPorte courthouse.

Councilman Jennifer Heath voted against the tax at a time when many residents are struggling financially from other higher costs for things like fuel and utilities.

“I don’t know how we can put this additional fee on the back of our taxpayers right now,” she said.

Local governments statewide are imposing or at least considering higher local taxes to make up for revenue declines from property tax reform adopted by the Indiana legislature in 2025.

The projected loss in revenue for La Porte County government this year is about two million dollars but the reduction is expected to be higher in future years.

The local income tax was raised previously in 2022 to generate funds for public safety in areas like salary hikes to curb a high turnover rate of emergency responders going elsewhere for more pay.

(La Porte County, IN) - The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced lane closures on U.S. 35 between Indiana 39 and U.S. 20 beginning tomorrow.

According to INDOT, the lane closures will last for the remainder of the week for tasks related to the resurfacing that occurred earlier this year.  U.S. 35 will be reduced to one lane where work is occurring with flaggers directing traffic.

Motorists should be prepared for travel delays or consider seeking alternate routes. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through that area and follow traffic directions carefully.

“Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones,” INDOT said.

(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County Police are investigating a package of marijuana delivered to a doctor’s office in the Michigan City area.

Police said the red, white and blue package was from a marijuana dispensary in California.

Officers on Thursday were called to the medical facility on County Road 400 North because of a strong odor of marijuana coming from the package delivered by the United States Postal service.

Police said nearly two ounces of marijuana were discovered inside the package when it was opened under a search warrant.   Investigators are looking into the possibility an employee at the doctor’s office may have ordered the marijuana, which remains illegal in Indiana.

(Kingsbury, IN) - The former longtime fire chief in Kingsbury who passed away recently was honored yesterday.

A procession for Mark Ritter passed beneath the American flag raised high on a tower truck.  There was also a medical helicopter flying above in honor of Ritter.

Ritter was 16 when he became a junior firefighter.  He later served as assistant chief under his father, Ed, and later became chief in 1999.  He didn’t retire until just recently due to his health.

Mike Kellems, who was a fire investigator for a while during his over 30 year career as a police officer with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, said he knew Ritter.

“He was a hard worker.  He had a great sense of humor and he was very dedicated.  The job of a volunteer fireman, in particular the chief of a volunteer fire department, is a very difficult job for no pay and he did it very, very well,” Kellems said.

(La Porte County, IN) - A driver posing a major threat to other motorists in La Porte County was arrested last night for being impaired.

Sharla Meyer, 63, was booked into the La Porte County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, an officer about 7 p.m. responded to a report of a reckless driver all over the roadway in the area of Indiana 39 and County Road 675 North.  The officer located the vehicle in the 3500 block of E. U.S. 20 crossing the center line and striking several traffic cones.

Meyer told the officer she was driving from the beach in New Buffalo to Goshen, police said. 

Police said a preliminary breath test revealed a blood alcohol level just over two times the legal limit.

(Michigan City, IN) - A man has been found guilty of a shooting death in Michigan City.

Lamar Friend, 45, was convicted of murder by a jury Friday night in La Porte Superior Court 1.

Prosecutors say he ran up to the victim, Leland Collins and shot him multiple times in the parking lot of a liquor store on Michigan Boulevard in August of 2022. According to authorities, he was identified from a surveillance video of the killing and later a search warrant was executed at his home on Weller Ave. in La Porte.

Sentencing is scheduled November 19.  He could receive anywhere from a 45 to 65 year sentence.

“Deputies Harry Peterson and Meghann Chonowski presented the majority of the State’s case with assistance from Chief Deputy Guy DiMartino. As always, my thanks to the Michigan City PD’s Detective Bureau for a solid investigation,” said La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.

(La Porte County, IN) - A solar power proposal that was denied may still see the light of day, thanks to a court order.

In July the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals denied a petition from Hoosier Solar for a 300-acre solar installation called Yellowstone in the southeast part of the county.

The company took the matter to court, saying their petition met all the zoning requirements and encountered undue bias by county officials.

On Monday, October 19 Judge Jeffrey Thorne of La Porte Superior Court 3 ruled in favor of Hoosier Solar. BZA attorney Andrew Voltz read part of the decision aloud at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday:

“The decision of the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals denying Yellowstone’s request for special exception is hereby reversed and vacated. Furthermore, the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals is ordered to enter findings of fact and conclusions of law that are consistent with this court’s order and grant to Yellowstone’s solar project a special exception as set forth in its petition.”

Voltz advised the board that they have 30 days to decide if they will appeal the decision.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever been in this situation in the 20 years I’ve been on this board,” said board president Melissa Mischke.

The BZA is now planning to meet soon in a special executive session to decide what to do next.

(New Carlisle, IN) - A family escaped injury during a house fire in New Carlisle Thursday afternoon.

At about 4:15 pm local time, first responders arrived to a home in the 700 block of Potawatomi Drive, where a garage was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to the rest of the house. Three residents home at the time were able to escape unharmed. The American Red Cross is helping them find temporary housing, but authorities say most of the living space sustained only minimal damage.

The fired was determined to be accidental, but an exact cause was not disclosed.

Members of six fire departments assisted in the call. Authorities said incidents like this are a good reminder for residents to test smoke alarms monthly and to ensure that everyone in the home knows two ways out of every room.

*Photo courtesy of Robert Middlebrook

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City manufacturer is looking to expand elsewhere in the city.

KTR is a German-based company that manufactures power transmission products, brakes, coolers, and hydraulic components. They are looking to expand their operations domestically but are landlocked at their current location on Michigan City’s northeast side.

 “We have a very large market here in the U.S. We’re really the largest brand of coupling manufacturers globally,” said KTR representative Eric Stachowiak, who addressed the La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday.

He outlined KTR’s proposal is to create a combined North American headquarters and enlarged manufacturing space on 22 acres along CR 400 North, just south of Walmart. A 78,000 square-foot facility will be accessed from 375 North. It will include 18,000 square-feet of office space with the rest containing manufacturing and warehouse space. A six-acre parcel along 400 will be left vacant or sold later for commercial use. The company expects to invest $15 million and add 15 new employees to their existing workforce of 35.

Because the proposal calls for light manufacturing in a commercially zoned area, the BZA passed a special use variance for KTR to proceed.

(Michigan City, IN) - Eight local individuals will be honored for their exceptional dedication and service to the community at the Rotary Club of Michigan City’s annual Service Above Self Awards.

This year’s recipients are: Ashley Zahrt, MCAS Educator of the Year; Corporal Sophia Williams, MCHS JROTC Cadet of the Year; Det. Tempest Miller, MCPD Police Officer of the Year; Sgt. Sarah Boylan, Correctional Officer of the Year; Gabrielle Winslett, Dept. of Child Services Worker of the Year; Tyler Kreighbaum, MCFD Firefighter of the Year; Hannah Abbott, Emergency Medical Services Technician of the Year; and Kylie Moore, Public Safety Telecommunicator of the Year.

These individuals were selected for their outstanding commitment to public service, leadership in their fields, and embodiment of Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

The awards highlight the contributions of first responders, educators, and student leaders who go beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others. The awards breakfast is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, November 5 at 8am at the former Elston High School.

Breakfast will be served.  A $15 donation from each person is encouraged.

“Whether they are mentoring youth, protecting the public, or serving in emergency situations, each recipient reflects the true spirit of service that Rotary strives to promote,” said Marty Corley, Chairman of the Rotary Club’s award committee

(Michigan City, IN) - Michigan City is going to start issuing medals again to veterans.

Patriot medals started being issued to veterans serving after the terrorist attacks from 25 years ago under a program that began when Chuck Oberlie was mayor.  

However, the program has been dormant for over a decade.

Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch told the city council this week the Patriot medals program is in the process of coming back.

“There’s like 80 people who have received this award but it hasn’t been awarded since 2014, so, that will be reestablished,” she said.

She also said new medals under the same design will be made to issue to veterans, who will chosen by the mayor’s Veterans Committee.

(La Porte County, IN) - A man on a stolen motorcyclist killed in a head-on crash Thursday with a semi-truck in La Porte County has been identified.

The victim was Levi Nation, 38, of Dorr, Michigan, said La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson.

According to La Porte County Police, emergency responders were called just before 7 a.m. to the 2300 block of E. U.S 20 near Rolling Prairie.

Police said the investigation revealed the motorcycle was being operated erratically before it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming 2026 Freightliner semi-truck.  Nation was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Nation was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle reported stolen Wednesday through the Coloma, Michigan Police Department.

Swanson said she’s waiting to review footage from a dash board camera in the semi-truck to help determine if the crash happened by accident or on purpose.

She said suicide has not been ruled out.

“In speaking with the family, he had been having some mental health issues,” she said.

Swanson also said Nation was the one who stole the motorcycle.

(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City man has been given what could be viewed as life sentence for the slayings of a former girlfriend and her new boyfriend that authorities say was driven by revenge.

Armann Johnson, 28, was given a 110 year sentence Thursday, October 22 in La Porte Superior Court 1 on two counts of murder.

He was convicted by a jury in August of fatally shooting Kiara Hootman, 22, and Travis Pennington, 35, at Normandy Village Apartments in Michigan City in August of 2024.

Police said Pennington was about to drive Hootman to work at Hearthside Food Solutions, the maker of baked goods and other edible products on the city’s west side, when they were shot. 

The victims were inside a car in the apartment complex parking lot when Pennington was shot three times in the head and neck while Hootman suffered four gunshot wounds to the left arm and back, according to the La Porte County Coroner’s Office.

According to court documents, Johnson and Hootman were in a brief relationship until she left him due to physical abuse.

Police said she had recently been staying with Pennington at Normandy Village after moving from her apartment due to fears of Johnson returning.  It appears the gunfire came about a week after Johnson warned Pennington to stay away from Hootman or “be dealt with,” court documents revealed.

A major break in the investigation came from the use of a license plate reading camera tracking the vehicle the gunman fled in to Johnson’s residence in the 800 block of Pine St.

The next day, a search of the vehicle and home turned up shards of glass similar to the ones from a passenger side mirror collected from where the victims were parked along with a black cloth gun holster fitted for a semi-automatic handgun.

Police said there was also dirt on Johnson’s vehicle to explain the tire tracks left by the gunman from driving through the grass at the apartment complex after the shooting.

Johnson and Pennington were employed at the same bakery with Hootman until they were both terminated a few weeks prior to the shootings for missing too many days at work, authorities said.

He could have received an up to 65 year sentence for each murder.

(New Buffalo Township, MI) - A marijuana dispensary in New Buffalo Township was evacuated last evening due to a bomb threat.

According to Berrien County Police, officers about 7 p.m. were called to Jars Cannabis on U.S. 12 west of the city limits.  With help from a K-9 dog, police said the building, once evacuated, was searched but no bombs were found.

Another Jars Cannabis store along Michigan 239 was also evacuated as a precaution, police said.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police say the driver of a stolen Harley Davidson motorcycle was killed in a head-on collision with a semi-truck this morning near Rolling Prairie.

According to La Porte County Police, emergency responders were called just before 7 a.m. to the 2300 block of E. U.S 20.

Police said the investigation revealed the motorcycle was being operated erratically before it crossed the center line and struck the oncoming 2026 Freightliner semi-truck.  The motorcycle driver, who has not been identified yet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle was reported stolen yesterday through the Coloma, Michigan Police Department.

Investigators are waiting for the results of a blood test to determine if alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

Anyone with information about the identity of the motorcycle driver or the crash is asked to contact Chief of Detectives Andy Hynek at (219) 326-7700 ext. 2401 or ahynek&lcso.in.gov.

(La Porte County, IN) - Police were involved in a long, high speed pursuit last night in La Porte County.

Eventually, the driver was arrested. Michigan City Police were first to try and catch up to the vehicle.  A short time later, though, a sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle which led to a chase at more than 100 miles per hour on Johnson Road.

The pursuit then veered down several county roads and Interstate 94 where speeds continued at over 100 miles per hour, police said. Before reaching the Michigan line, police said the deputy terminated the pursuit but a Long Beach Police officer later stopped the vehicle and made the arrest on U.S. 12.

Landon Bates, 19, of Crown Point was booked into the county jail on a charge of resisting law enforcement.  So far, a reason for the pursuit has not been disclosed.

(La Porte County, IN) - A woman was arrested for being impaired after her SUV wound up in the median of a La Porte County highway early this morning.

Miranda Hester-Spann, 27, was booked into the La Porte County Jail for Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

According to La Porte County Police, she told investigators a road rage incident with another driver resulted in her losing control of her vehicle and coming to rest in the median at the north junction of U.S. 6 and U.S. 35 in Washington Township.

After detecting an odor of alcohol on her breath, police said Hester-Spann said she consumed two beers and a “shooter” with her last drink being over two hours ago. Police said her blood alcohol level was .173-percent, which is more than twice the legal limit.

Hester-Spann, who’s from Huntington, Ind., was not injured.

(La Porte County, IN) - A cell phone tower will be going up to improve coverage in the Union Mills area.

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals this week approved a request from Verizon Wireless to put up a cell phone tower off Union St.  The tower will stand 195 feet tall and go up on land zoned for agriculture.

The BZA heard from Royce Lou, a downstate private contractor involved with the project.

“Verizon Wireless identified a service gap in Union Mills and to the east of Union Mills,” he said.

Lou said the tower will go up on an over four acre parcel

“It’ll have fencing around it for security,” he said.

The BZA’s decision was unanimous.

(La Porte County, IN) - A fatal motor vehicle crash occurred this morning in La Porte County.

It happened in the 2300 block of E. U.S. 20 in Kankakee Township.

Police said U.S. 20 was closed in both directions.  Motorists were asked to avoid the area.

We’ll provide more details once they’re made available.

(Michigan City, IN) - Pediatric patients in Franciscan Health emergency rooms, pediatric inpatient units and outpatient surgery centers in Michigan City, Chesterton, LaPorte, Dyer and Munster will now have stuffed animals to help make their hospital experience a little more comfortable.

Representatives from The Eva Martin Project recently donated more than 1,400 new stuffed animals to the nonprofit Catholic healthcare system during a drop-off at Franciscan Health Michigan City.

Each item has a tag with the organization’s logo and a QR code with a personal message on the back.

The organization, headquartered in Southwest Michigan, provides the items to hospitals serving children to honor the memory of Eva Martin, who died at the age of 3 after a swimming pool accident.

The group was founded and is managed by Eva’s parents, Rick and Rebekah Martin, who coordinate fundraisers for the items twice a year.

“For a child, something as simple as getting their temperature checked can be a new, scary experience.  To have a nurse come in with a stuffed animal that is friendly and brings a smile to their face can provide some comfort,” Mr. Martin said.

The children can take the stuffed animals home with them when they leave or if they have to be transferred to another medical facility.  The recent donation was the fourth from The Eva Martin Project for Franciscan’s pediatric patients.

(Porter County, IN) - The use of alcohol is suspected by a driver traveling in the opposite lanes who caused an accident with injuries involving four vehicles last night on U.S. 30 near Wanatah.

Four people were injured as a result of the collisions just inside the Porter County line.  

Alejandro Camarillo, 47, of Valparaiso was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when he struck an oncoming vehicle driven by Randy Cable, 67, of Knox, according to Porter County Police.

Police said the head-on collision resulted in crashes involving two other westbound vehicles driven by Paris Graham, 23, and Todd Conroy, 48, both of Valparaiso.

The conditions of the people hurt in the accident were not disclosed.

According to police, Camarillo had been drinking and submitted to a blood alcohol test.  The results of the test, so far, have not been revealed.

Police said Camarillo told investigators he did not remember driving and thought he was in the correct lanes of travel.

(La Porte, IN) - A man is accused of stealing a purse from a vehicle parked outside a La Porte bar.

Marcellus Adams, 30, of Indianapolis is charged in La Porte Circuit Court with Level 6 felony theft.

According to La Porte Police, officers on September 19 were called to Mickey’s in the 500 block of Tipton St.  A woman working at the bar reported her purse was taken from her vehicle outside the establishment.

Police said surveillance video showed a man resembling Adams opening the door and sitting down in the vehicle.  He left a short time later carrying what appeared to be some sort of bag, police said.

Adams was described as a regular at the bar.

Police said the purse valued at $500 contained items such as nail polish, make-up, hair supplies and three cell phone charges but no money.

Adams has a prior conviction for robbery in 2017, police said.