it's National Star Wars Day and one local arcade is celebrating big The unofficial holiday comes from the iconic movie quote Full Tilt Arcade and Pinball in LaPorte hosted an all day Star Wars party Guests dressed up as Star Wars characters and played arcade games competed in Star Wars trivia and enjoyed themed cookies says it was also was a chance to give back "We're also doing a Give Back Night for the Pac Center today so people can donate their tickets to the Pac Center We're giving back to the Pac Center today as well as the local food pantry So this is a great holiday." says Hart With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer travel the La Porte City Police Department is preparing to step up patrols to crack down on seatbelt usage the La Porte City Police Department will join police officers across the state to participate in a national campaign to promote safe driving habits including seat belt usage it’s critical to remind all motorists that wearing a seatbelt is not just the law; it’s something that can save your life,” said Douglas Huntsinger Executive Director for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute “Our goal is simple – we want everyone to make it home safely Buckling up is the first step in achieving that goal.” This high-visibility enforcement campaign is part of a nationwide effort funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by ICJI the La Porte City Police Department will take a no-excuses approach to enforcement issuing citations to anyone not properly restrained. “If the enforcement effort alerts people to the dangers of unrestrained driving we’ll consider our mission to be a success,” said Chief Matthew Drangmeister “We are asking friends and family to remind each other to buckle up when they drive and to consider changing their habits if they don’t.” Indiana continues to see strong compliance with its seat belt laws ICJI’s latest observational survey found that 93.6% of Indiana drivers wear their seatbelts there is still work to be done to reach the remaining 6.4% of drivers who put themselves at risk. state traffic safety leaders are reminding people why the laws exist in the first place. most effective ways to protect yourself on the road,” said Jim Bryan “Putting on a seat belt takes just a few seconds but can make all the difference in the event of a crash Research consistently shows that seat belts can reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by up to 65% people are at a higher risk of being ejected from a vehicle For additional information about seat belt safety, visit on.in.gov/seatbelt Share Good News Contact Us Meet Our Team The La Porte Community School Corporation proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 Teachers of the Year and Employee of the Year Recognition Program which honors exceptional staff members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to education and student success. All three recipients will represent La Porte Community School Corporation at the state level for their respective categories in the Indiana Department of Education's recognition program. "These exceptional educators exemplify the dedication and passion that make our school corporation a nurturing place for students to learn and grow," said Dr La Porte Community School Corporation Superintendent. Martin Briggs has dedicated 47 years to educating La Porte students A recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2014 including cross-curricular projects like the egg drop experiment conducted with the Center Township Fire Department His impact extends internationally through his work training teachers in Belize on conceptual math understanding Former students continue to credit him with inspiring their educational journeys including one who became a principal within the corporation Christine Rosenbaum has served LPCSC students for 24 years transitioning from an English teacher to become the district's first dedicated Mental Health Counselor in 2015 mental health services have expanded to include four social workers and district-wide participation in the Indiana Project AWARE grant As the district's Suicide Prevention Coordinator and founder of the Bring Change to Mind Clubs at La Porte High School and Middle School Rosenbaum works tirelessly to increase mental health awareness Her previous recognitions include the Healthy Communities Health Ambassador of the Year (2019) and the Indiana Suicide Prevention Educator Award (2018). Jenny Hartson serves at the front desk of La Porte High School where she creates a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who enters the building Hartson exemplifies the Slicer spirit in her daily interactions and a support" to the entire school community her philosophy that "nothing is possible without an attitude of gratitude" guides her approach to creating a positive school environment. and community members were invited to nominate La Porte teachers and classified employees for this recognition program A selection committee evaluated application forms and selected winners from each category from among a distinguished group of finalists. The honorees were surprised with their awards at their respective schools by LPCSC administrators They will be formally recognized at the May 12th School Board meeting and celebrated at the La Porte Education Foundation's Evening of the Stars event on May 15th Science Olympiad has become an increasingly valuable educational program in Northern Indiana team-based competitions across various scientific disciplines schools and districts have recognized the program’s value in preparing students for future academic and career success as participation expands throughout the region Strong performances from Lake Central High School and Penn High School have been seen in Northern Indiana's Science Olympiad competitions Students demonstrate knowledge and innovation through anatomy These competitions do more than test academic skills—they inspire confidence and a vision for future careers in science and engineering Portage High School has earned national recognition as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School in the past becoming one of just 262 high schools nationwide to receive this honor The school provides students transformative learning experiences through engineering By offering multiple PLTW courses and ensuring equitable access across student populations Portage High School is committed to preparing its students for careers in STEM fields and higher education opportunities Valparaiso High School offers advanced STEM programming that rivals the resources available at many colleges With a wide range of specialized equipment—including laser cutters and flight simulators—the school supports hands-on learning in engineering Students have the opportunity to complete four-year pathways in each of these areas and the school continues to invest in innovative tools like omnidirectional treadmills for virtual reality labs These investments and increasing enrollment in STEM courses highlight the school’s leadership in STEM education While La Porte High School does not currently have a high school Science Olympiad team the district is deeply committed to STEM education beginning at the elementary level Every elementary school in the La Porte Independent School District houses a STEM Academy where students engage in interdisciplinary learning focused on critical thinking These early investments are designed to equip students with the foundational skills needed for success in an evolving La Porte’s approach ensures that students begin building essential STEM competencies from the earliest stages of their education Penn High School in Mishawaka supports a robust STEM Academy with diverse engineering The school has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence and competitive success in STEM-related events Through partnerships with local colleges and industry organizations Penn High School gives students access to real-world applications and mentorship opportunities that help bridge the transition between high school and career Its comprehensive curriculum and collaborative culture continue to produce well-prepared students for postsecondary education in science and technology Dedicated mentors and strong community involvement also support the Science Olympiad's growth in the region and volunteers are crucial in coaching and guiding students Community organizations and local businesses provide funding helping to make STEM education more accessible and meaningful These partnerships amplify the Science Olympiad's impact and ensure students have the support needed to thrive the future of the Science Olympiad in Northern Indiana is bright and a collective commitment to student development the region is poised to become a model for STEM education The Science Olympiad allows students to compete and envision themselves as future innovators As schools continue to embrace and expand their STEM offerings Northern Indiana will remain at the forefront of preparing young minds for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world Northwest Health – La Porte once again earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group an independent national organization and advocate for patient safety An “A” grade is the highest quality and safety mark available. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm “I’m grateful every member of our staff for consistently prioritizing quality care and ensuring the clinical safety of our patients,” said Mark Casanova Chief Executive Officer at Northwest Health – La Porte “This achievement once again underscores our focus on providing the highest quality of care for our patients.” “Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder “I extend my congratulations to Northwest Health – La Porte staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.” The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors infections and injuries that harm patients The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is peer-reviewed To see the hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in any hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. IN) - A La Porte man has been convicted in federal court of receiving and possessing child pornography On Tuesday 38-year-old Ron Deming was found guilty following a two-day jury trial in South Bend’s U.S Sentencing for Deming is scheduled for August 14 The case was investigated by Homeland Security with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office If you need help accessing the online public file due to a disability, please contact us WCOE Public File | WLOI Public File The La Porte Community School Corporation (LPCSC) announced that Dr currently the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations was approved for the same position at the Westfield Washington School District during their board meeting this evening Hunt will leave his role at La Porte at the end of the current school year to begin his new position at Westfield Washington School District for the 2025-2026 academic year. Hunt has served the La Porte community for 25 years beginning his career as a high school business teacher before advancing through key administrative roles his financial expertise has been instrumental in successfully implementing numerous district initiatives and navigating budgetary challenges. Hunt’s leadership and dedication to the La Porte Community and wish him the very best in his new role," said Dr Superintendent of La Porte Community School Corporation. Wood stressed that maintaining stability is the top priority "I will collaborate closely with the business department to ensure the district's financial and operational management remains steady during this leadership transition," stated Dr The district will immediately begin a comprehensive search for Dr The goal is to complete the selection process before the 2025-2026 school year to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities and continuity of operations for the district Taylor Stafford, a fifth-year life skills special education teacher, takes her teaching position at Kesling Intermediate School very seriously Taylor Stafford attended Indiana University South Bend to become a secondary education history teacher She had always wanted to be a teacher and was excited for her student teaching experience that placed her in Kesling Intermediate Stafford knew she wanted to work for La Porte schools Stafford jumped at the opportunity when a substitute position opened up for a special education classroom at Kesling Intermediate “I honestly never saw myself in special education but I'm glad I took that job five years ago,” Stafford said “Celebrating small victories with the kids and seeing their growth when others might miss it is the highlight of my life.” Despite how naturally she has succeeded in the role there were challenges in the beginning for Stafford “I had to constantly learn new things every day,” Stafford said “There's many different disabilities within one classroom so making sure I could accommodate and provide education and care for every single student was challenging at first.” In addition to celebrating and accommodating her students Stafford takes pride in her consistent ability to advocate for her students “One of my biggest responsibilities as an educator is to advocate for my students That's a role that I take pride in and take very seriously,” Stafford said Stafford implores that every community educate themselves and work to be more inclusive my students work so hard to learn how to interact with others; it doesn't come naturally to them,” Stafford said “Others should also learn how to interact with people different from them.” Stafford is grateful for the support she receives in the education community Every person involved helps her overcome challenges and obstacles. “I have to give a shout out to my two paraprofessionals I'm very lucky to have them,” Stafford says They always hear my ideas for the school and my classroom The inclusivity and support within the education community is important Stafford implies others to reflect on their actions “What might you be doing in your daily life to include others It can be something super small; the small things are so meaningful in the big picture,” Stafford said Despite the obstacles that special education teachers would face Stafford encourages those who are passionate to consider entering the field “This is a job that makes you feel good and allows you to give back It’s worth all the effort it takes when you finally get into the classroom and help others succeed,” Stafford said Stafford loves to go on walks with her dog Willa They all live together and have ample time to bond Stafford is grateful for their companionship This year, the tramway T2 terminus at Porte de Versailles will be undergoing major changes, and therefore major works The first traffic stoppage concerns the project to improve operating conditions on the line with a closure between Porte de Versailles and Issy-Val de Seine making the latter station the temporary terminus from where a replacement bus service will be set up by RATP Extended as part of the Porte de Versailles restructuring works with a temporary terminus at Suzanne Lenglen station this time RATP has clarified that this is not a delay"but the initial schedule unveiled in two stages" There will also be a further interruption between Porte de Versailles and Issy-Val de Seine from November 3 to 23 Why this work? The T2 is one of the busiest tramway lines on the network but it seems that"its current infrastructure is unable to cope with all operating contingencies" Ile-de-France Mobilités has therefore approved the T2 ACE (Amélioration des Conditions d'Exploitation) project to try to improve the situation with the creation of turning lanes at Porte de Versailles station the shifting of the station by around a hundred meters the creation of side platforms and new pedestrian walkways Refer your establishment, click here Promote your event, click here The popular sandwich chain has recently signed a lease to locate at 111 N Madison Street Suite B located next to the brand new Anytime Fitness Brett McDermott of Crown Point-based Latitude Commercial represented the Landlord in the lease negotiations. “Jersey Mikes will be a great compliment to Anytime Fitness and now brings the center to 100% occupied Their plans are to start construction shortly and hopefully be open in the next couple of months.” Experience summer evenings under the stars at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest’s (PNW) 2025 Acorn Concert Series featuring five outdoor family-friendly music shows The concert series kicks off June 20 with Kashmir The 2025 lineup also features performances celebrating the music of the Rolling Stones Prince and other classic rock hits spanning four decades The full 2025 Acorn Concert Series lineup includes: All Acorn Concert Series proceeds support maintenance of the more than 300 acres of woodlands as well as funding for hands-on education programming focused on environmental conservation “The Acorn Concert Series is a highlight of our summer season,” says Sarah Reed director of Operations at Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest "The combination of live music and our natural setting creates a special atmosphere where families and friends can enjoy entertainment while exploring our grounds All concert start times are Central Daylight Time (CDT) increasing to $28 the week of the concert for non-members Children age 12 and under can attend for free but must attend with a paying adult Special member and season ticket pricing is available including VIP season tickets that are on sale through June 20 Local food vendors will be on-site selling alcoholic beverages and food No outside alcohol is permitted (coolers and personal items are subject to search) Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating For more information on the Acorn Concert Series, visit pnw.edu/gabis-concerts La Porte High School had students and teachers perform at a variety show with acts ranging from singing to dancing to live music to showcase the school’s talented members Students at La Porte High School got to showcase their musical talents at the school’s Spring Variety Show on Friday The show was held in the school’s performing arts center “It’s a chance for our students to perform in a less formal concert or symphony orchestra setting,” Matt Sullivan said this night allows them to be a little bit more relaxed and have fun with music. the show opens with the jazz band and closes with the show choir the acts that fall in the meat of the show are different every year “Some people might want to write their own poem and recite it on stage,” Sullivan said which is nice because it seems like they’re becoming more rare these days.” Masters of Ceremonies (MC) for the variety show were La Porte High School staff members While a variety show can seem similar to a talent show Sullivan believes this event is a great way for everyone to walk away winners “We still have people who refer to it as a talent show but we call it a variety show because there’s no winner or loser,” Sullivan said because a lot of these performances are so different from one another It’s even fun for the teachers because some of them are performing today and doing a TikTok challenge.” The show was sponsored by the Slicer Performing Arts Club a parent group that helps raise money for band ”They’re the ones who are selling tickets at the door and have helped spread the word and our awesome Performing Arts Center Director Tim Hanson we have an incredible group here that made this show possible.” The Spring Variety Show was loaded with talented Henry Denger - “Tropical Midwest” by the Uke King With the Spring Variety Show being one of the last performances at La Porte High School for the academic year the message it conveys to create a family-friendly atmosphere for everyone in attendance is what keeps people coming back there’s something in this show that everyone can appreciate “I’m looking forward to seeing the audience having a good time,” Sullivan said “Hopefully everyone can laugh and cry in a good way and enjoy the live performances.” For more information on La Porte High School, you can visit its website IN) - A man caught during a foot pursuit in La Porte this week was allegedly found with a good sized amount of methamphetamine is charged with multiple counts including possession of methamphetamine and resisting law enforcement in La Porte Circuit Court police said Sebring was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at Lincolnway and Boston St for having a false license plate when he fled on foot The La Porte man was allegedly captured a few blocks away at Brighton St Police said more than 11 grams of methamphetamine along with a scale were found in the vehicle Sebring was still being held in the La Porte County Jail on $20,000 bond Office: (219) 809-0445 | On-Air Line: (219) 861-1632 | ric@wimsradio.com “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING” at the La Porte Civic Auditorium on Sunday April 12th at 7pm For tickets and information visit www.laportecivicauditorium.com Delayed two days by a rare snow storm that hit the Gulf Coast last month La.-based Southern Devall held a christening ceremony January 24 in La Porte for a largest-of-its-kind stainless steel tank barge named the “La Porte,” designed and built specifically to transport glacial acetic acid for LyondellBasell chief operations officer for Southern Devall explained how his company focuses on transporting intermediate through specialty chemicals rather than black oil and energy commodities and how LyondellBasell is a leading producer in that space grew out of discussions with colleagues at LyondellBasell about how best to boost efficiency “Glacial acetic acid is a cargo that requires stainless steel,” Thomas said One of the biggest challenges for LyondellBasell was just the number of voyages they had to do They move a lot of acetic acid a fairly short distance who is the global marine manager at LyondellBasell He wasn’t just interested in Southern Devall building one 30,000-barrel stainless steel barge for moving acetic acid It’s absolutely transformative for us,’” Thomas said of Brunsman is 40 percent larger than previous acetic acid barges the La Porte can transport 3,500 metric tons of acetic acid The barge is also designed to make full use of the 10 feet of draft in the La Porte area the La Porte’s larger size equates to fewer trips and safer operations “One of the more hazardous components of any chemical transportation operation is loading and discharging when you’re transferring the cargoes,” Thomas said “The La Porte effectively reduces the number of those operations by half It reduces the risk of personnel exposure by half where you have to have boats on hire to move barges around It’s a huge deal for optimizing their supply chain.” The barge features John Deere Tier 4 pump engines which reduce emissions compared to Tier 3 engines while also achieving IMO (International Maritime Organization) 2030 emissions goals The barge’s size equates to improved boat efficiencies as well the enhanced operational efficiency of the barge will save upwards of 6,500 boat hours annually thanks to a reduced need for standby vessels while also reducing fuel consumption by 13,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 140 metric tons Southern Devall also built innovative heating capabilities into the barge La Porte Not only is the barge painted black in order to passively absorb heat it also features an electric heat tracing system a first for an unmanned tank barge in the United States The barge also has traditional steam tracing a barge like this would have to go to a third-party facility where shoreside steam was available,” Thomas said “This electrical heat tracing system eliminates the need but also for the vessel movement from where it’s being stored to where it’s heated to where it’s being unloaded the process to build the La Porte was about two years Much of that was due to the huge amount of stainless steel used to build the barge “Conrad had to order the stainless steel eight to 10 months before construction was set to start to make sure it was all it was all here,” Thomas said “We had a very tight timeline on this first barge praised Conrad Shipyard for delivering on such an outside-the-box project “They have never failed to deliver a barge on time and on budget This is the most highly technical acetic acid barge in the U.S with its self-maintaining heat and everything Most steel suppliers would not bid on it because of the amount of stainless that was required to be in one place at one time It pretty much took a global supply of stainless steel to build these two barges.” Devall said the La Porte and the innovation of Southern Devall continues the legacy of Devall Towing that spanned more than six decades “Devall Towing was built on over 60 years of constant barge innovation,” Devall said “Taking products and figuring out how we can move it more efficiently for the customer and safer for the public is coming up with these kinds of bespoke solutions for customers when they need it,” Thomas said “We’ve had a lot of success with that over the years The January 24 christening of the La Porte featured representatives from Southern Devall Coast Guard and the Seamen’s Church Institute assistant operations manager for LyondellBasell’s La Porte facility The La Porte transports glacial acetic acid within the Port of Houston Calvin Devall pushes the barge La Porte in the Houston harbor Forest Service - Plumas National Forest has reported that the La Porte Fire has been contained and is in patrol status The cause of the fire remains under investigation Forest Service - Plumas National Forest has released an update regarding the La Porte Fire They are reporting that the fire is now contained Crews are currently patrolling the area to keep an eye out for hotspots firefighters responded to a 15-acre wildfire dubbed the La Porte Fire The fire started a quarter mile north of La Porte Road near Woodleaf Crews worked into the night on suppressing the blaze The cause of the fire is under investigation Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Specialist Walls and Specialist Lopez represented the La Porte Police Department at the La Porte High School’s Career Day Their participation provided students with insight into law enforcement careers and helped inspire potential career paths after graduation “Engaging with students in this way reinforces our department’s commitment to community outreach and mentoring the next generation.” Thank you for your engagement with our community Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Brittany Taylor Bryce Newberry LA PORTE Texas – A man who’s accused of walking into a La Porte garage and shooting a man on March 6 is now facing an additional charge after reportedly rubbing his feces on an officer was taken into custody on Thursday after the shooting and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Hinojosa has also been charged with harassment of a public servant READ: La Porte homeowner shot after man mistakes vehicle for ex-girlfriend’s, family says Hinojosa was taken to a hospital for treatment where he reportedly “rubbed poop all over officer who attempted to restrain him for medical personnel,” records show He’s now in jail with a combined $35K bond for both charges The shooting happened in the 700 block of Corbin Crest Trail in the Morgan’s Landing neighborhood around 6:20 a.m. Hinojosa showed up to the home in his work truck after driving by a couple times Surveillance video obtained by KPRC 2 shows him pacing around the truck with all the lights on before the shooting who had just gotten home from work as his wife was getting ready to leave which is where police said Hinojosa entered the house his wife and their two children were inside READ: La Porte man confesses after cyber tip reveals more than 20 child porn files on KIK Hinojosa shot the man because he thought the vehicle parked outside the home belonged to his ex-girlfriend It’s not clear exactly where the shots were fired but a bullet struck the husband in the neck Police found Hinojosa when they arrived about three minutes after receiving the 911 call Surveillance video shared with KPRC 2 shows officers charge toward him before tackling him to the ground He was flown to the hospital from the scene At last check, his wife told KPRC 2′s Bryce Newberry he’s in critical condition and the bullet hit a major artery A spokesperson for the company that owned the work truck said Hinojosa was not on the clock when the shooting occurred and should not have been driving the work vehicle They have not provided a statement on his employee status but police are investigating it as possibly a case of mistaken identity More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved University of Houston alumna and Houston-native He loves the thrill of breaking news and digging deep on a story that gets people talking TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Meet the Team Careers at KPRC Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Christian Terry Texas – A man who was shot in his own La Porte home by another man on Mar 6 is now suing the company the suspect worked for was driving a company truck at the time the shooting happened a Kooner Truck Repair spokesperson told KPRC 2 Hinojosa was not on the clock at the time of the shooting and should not have been driving the truck Surveillance video shared with KPRC 2 shows officers charging toward him before tackling him to the ground where he reportedly “rubbed poop all over the officer who attempted to restrain him for medical personnel,” records show La Porte police say Hinojosa has been found incompetent to stand trial He is scheduled to be moved to a maximum security facility where he will be reevaluated in 120 days The lawsuit alleges Kooner Truck Repair was negligent in its hiring and supervision of Hinojosa Hinojosa had a 2018 conviction for driving while intoxicated and his driver’s license was suspended because of the conviction Hinojosa also had a 2018 arrest and five years of deferred adjudication for possession of an illegal controlled substance He also allegedly exhibited a weapon as he committed the drug offense The lawsuit says Hinojosa was working for Kooner at the time of the 2018 arrest and alleges Kooner had direct knowledge of the arrest “A simple Kooner background check would have revealed that Hinojosa was arrested with a sufficiently large amount of meth to be charged with ”intent to deliver" the meth which led to his drug charge for a second-degree felony a simple background check would have showed that Hinojosa committed his meth drug offense while he used and exhibited a deadly weapon," the text of the lawsuit reads The lawsuit alleges that despite the knowledge the company continued to allow Hinojosa to drive the company truck the lawsuit alleges Kooner allowed and encouraged Hinojosa to drive the truck under the Kooner 24/7 business model Hinojosa used the Kooner truck to patrol a residential neighborhood while in the Kooner service truck Kooner permitted and encouraged Hinojosa to hold himself out as a Kooner agent before and during this shooting,” the lawsuit states people most likely thought Hinojosa was at the victim’s home for a legitimate business purpose The lawsuit says the victim and his family have suffered significant injuries and trauma related to the shooting and are seeking over $1 million in damages KPRC 2 has reached out to Kooner Truck Repair Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing The City of La Porte recently drew national attention for its affordability and quality of life 2 spot for USA Today’s Best Small Town in the Midwest contest this spring La Porte was one of 20 communities nominated by USA Today’s panel of journalists and experts USA Today cited the city’s “year-round fun thanks to its three scenic lakes historic downtown and vibrant community events.” La Porte competed against summertime destinations like Mackinac Island The greater La Porte/Michigan City community was also recognized in a recent edition of Bottom Line Magazine The community made the magazine’s top 10 list of the most affordable places to live in the U.S The magazine noted the area’s small-town feel close proximity to Chicago and average home price of $238,000 The publication ranked the local region at the No “Since day one, our administration has lived by one mantra: the City of La Porte is the place to be,” La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody said in a press release “These words guide everything we do and over time we’ve watched our residents buy in and start believing in this statement as well These top rankings from national publications are a testament to what we already know to be true – La Porte really is the place to be.” You must be logged in to post a comment April – May 2025 Download PDF of issue Publisher's Note, Current Issue: In this issue Around the Region, Current Issue: Professional advancement Current Issue, Best of Business Awards: 2025 Awards Small Business, Current Issue: Fearless entrepreneurs Construction, Current Issue: Controlling costs Tourism & Recreation, Meetings & Events, Current Issue: Bonding experiences The Future of, Current Issue: Goshen: ‘Unlike anywhere else’ Economic Development, Current Issue: ‘Future of energy is bright’ Current Issue, Business Profile: Mno-Bmadsen: Tribal investments Leader Profile, Current Issue: Lifetime of connections Off Hours, Current Issue: A vision for plants Making a Difference, Current Issue: Health Foundation of La Porte Current Issue, Career Path: Matt Lambert: On a Y mission Viewpoint, Current Issue: Let go of goals — just be Copyright © 2025 Northwest Indiana Business Magazine | an imprint of Linker Media Group, Inc | Company logos provided by Logo.dev Monday's Texas Lottery prize was up to $83.5 million and the winner bought his ticket through a third-party courier A La Porte resident claimed a top prize winning ticket worth $1 million in the Texas Lottery® scratch ticket game Lucky Millions The ticket was purchased at Fairmont Food Mart This was the second of four top prizes worth $1 million to be claimed in this game Lucky Millions offers more than $94 million in total prizes Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.99 Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Would you like to receive our daily headlines? 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Signup today Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Students of La Porte High School and local theater enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to this weekend The school put on their opening performance of the spring musical ‘Mean Girls’ on Thursday Family members are given the first chance to see the show before it opens up to the public for the weekend the team has been working diligently to get better everyday and put on the best show possible for when the curtains open “These kids have such positive energy,” said Co-Director Sallie Hanson “It’s been amazing to see the growth and how much they’ve improved since January We’ve overcome plenty of hurdles as a group between singing and dancing.” Sophomore Camryn Ruiz believes this performance teaches an important lesson about treating everybody the right way “This show really dramatizes a lot of different personality types,” Ruiz said “The message of the show is about how to treat women differently and be kind to one another A lot of the show focuses on bullying that happens in high school so it’s really targeted towards our age group.” After several weeks of intense rehearsals filled with musical brilliance Ruiz is thrilled to finally showcase the performance for her close ones including some that are pretty challenging to sing,” Ruiz said “We’ve had a vocal coach come in to help out with different techniques This show probably took more practice than a lot of performances I’ve done before working with the band and figuring out the choreography I’m glad that the big day has finally arrived.” who has been doing theater for more than five years was excited when she found out she would be playing the role of Cady Heron for this performance. including her role as Princess Jasmin for Aladin in middle school she’s grateful for the chance to be the lead for the first time at this level “I’m really happy that I got this opportunity because Cady is such a fun character to play,” Ruiz said “There’s only been one other show that has had an impact on me like this before I love our directors and all of the seniors that have been a part of this performance My best friend is also a lead for this performance Ruiz’s best friend is Sophomore Molly Cooper who played the role of Regina George for the show has a strong appreciation for her high school theater experience “One of my favorite parts of doing theater for the high school is that I get to know the people a lot more,” Cooper said “I get to be a part of what takes place behind the scenes I’m allowed to help out with designing all the makeup and the hair for our cast directors and students in this performance have shared plenty of laughs and smiles through rehearsing for this show. “We’re pretty much a giant family,” Cooper said “We’re all friends with each other outside of the show but everybody on the cast loves doing theater there’s a lot of exciting moments that still get referenced everyday When it comes to La Porte’s musical rendition of the film there’s one scene in the play that stands out above the rest for Cooper “My favorite scene is probably the ‘I’d Rather Be Me’ part,” Cooper said but I love watching it because it’s a huge turning point for the entire cast It’s the moment where everyone realizes that they aren’t alone.” The families filled the audience and were entertained all night long The cast can’t wait to put on a show three more times over the weekend “It’s so exciting to finally have the audience in here for the show,” said Co-Director Tim Hanson “These students have been ready for this show to be seen I can’t wait to see the audience laughing and clapping over the next few days for this great group of kids.” Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door The La Porte High School (LPHS) Robotics Team recently had an impressive performance at the Purdue University West Lafayette (PWL) robotics competition on Saturday The team was tasked with building an automated coral reef robot using balls resembling algae and PVC pipes they unfortunately did not qualify for the State competition LPHS Robotics Sponsor and Teacher Miles Fettinger expressed his pride in the team’s dedication and achievements “This is probably the best robotics team,” Fettinger said “The team dedicated countless hours after school and on weekends to tackle this challenge utilizing their teamwork skills and stepping out of their comfort zones to achieve something remarkable.” the robotics team competed two years ago in the national FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston competing in the world championship taught the team that hard work and endurance can lead to incredible opportunities in their everyday lives,” Fettinger said While the competition season has wrapped up They are committed to enhancing their coral reef robotic system in preparation for the Boiler Battles at PWL this fall Their efforts will include improving their showcase through marketing “I am excited to help the incoming freshmen learn how to code the robots next year,” LPHS Sophomore Gavin Chastain said and I can’t wait for them to compete next school year.” Anyone interested in joining the robotics team can visit the LPHS Library or email mfettinger@lpcsc.k12.in.us for more information The LPHS Junior Class Officers are excited to host the annual La Porte Civic Auditorium celebration on Saturday This year's theme is “Under the Aurora,” inspired by the Northern Lights Students will have the opportunity to show off their dance moves on the floor walk down a red carpet in their best outfits "The officers have been diligently preparing for this year’s prom dedicating countless hours to organizing the festivities and contacting local businesses for sponsorship We couldn’t do it without them,” LPHS Junior Class Sponsor and Art Teacher Marybeth Lebo said while sophomores may attend only if invited by a junior or senior students must be in good academic and behavioral standing to participate Admission forms will be available in the main office for $40, with a $5 increase each week leading up to prom. For more information, please email mlebo@lpcsc.k12.in.us Beloved LPHS Construction and Trades Teacher Kirt Lawson peacefully passed away in La Porte on March 27 Lawson was a cornerstone of the Slicer community for over thirty years and was recognized as a compassionate and dedicated educator who continually empowered students to succeed He transformed the lives of many students by teaching them with a hands-on approach to using power tools equipping them with essential life skills for the real world His classes contributed to the construction of 24 homes in the La Porte area and various significant community projects Lawson was committed to a lifetime of service and coached wrestling at middle and high school levels he organized visits from Kona Ice at the beginning of the last school year allowing students to enjoy delicious shaved ice Lawson received multiple awards for his contributions to LPHS and the community including the La Porte Community School Corporation Secondary Teacher of the Year honor two years ago the family organized a drive-through procession in the LPHS parking lot allowing students and staff to pay their respects and honor the beloved Slicer and educator who changed the lives of many LPHS Senior Caroline Wildfang has been awarded the prestigious National ROTC Army Scholarship as a three-year advanced designee This scholarship covers her full tuition and books helping her achieve the dream of enlisting as a cadet in the military Wildfang will attend Virginia Tech in Blacksburg where she plans to double major in political science and mathematics while completing her cadet requirements she will learn how to navigate life as a cadet and understand her various obligations while serving the freshman year is divided into three phases: Red Phase Each phase focuses on different requirements and skill sets that cadets need to learn and adapt to,” Wildfang said I will attend a four-to-five week course known as the Leadership Development Assessment Course (LDAC) which assesses cadets' leadership abilities and determines their future potential within the military Wildfang’s journey has not always been easy "I soon realized that getting involved in ROTC and the military isn’t just an opportunity for tuition support; it’s a chance to be part of something greater than myself It allows me to learn how to serve and lead our country and ultimately embodies the principle of 'service above self,' which is fundamental to my moral values," Wildfang said Wildfang is both an honor student and an athlete at LPHS “I define my hard work as discipline and consistency Hard work is essential to my expression of life two essential qualities I need for success in my future military career and continued education,” Wildfang said Wildfang is involved in various extracurricular activities where she serves as the Math Team Captain and is a member of the English Team She is also active in cross country and distance track While Wildfang’s journey at LPHS is coming to a close her commitment to service is just beginning thanks to the American Dream “I was raised by a tenacious blue-collar worker and a knowledge-hungry librarian instilling in me the values of the American Dream — the belief that hard work can lead to accomplishment,” Wildfang said “I see the American Dream as a concept built on determination and dedication Without my parents and their teachings about the American Dream I wouldn’t have the morals and ambition I have today.” Jyesha Johnson Bryce Newberry Texas – A man walked into a La Porte garage and shot a man Thursday morning because the suspect thought a vehicle parked outside belonged to his ex-girlfriend A motive hasn’t been determined and interviews are ongoing but police are investigating it as possibly a case of mistaken identity “We’re very fortunate in La Porte that this type of activity is very rare,” Asst 26-year-old Andres Hinojosa is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon his wife told KPRC 2’s Bryce Newberry he’s in critical condition and the bullet hit a major artery Hinojosa mistook a vehicle in the driveway for his ex-girlfriend’s and thought she was inside the home She said Hinojosa drove up with loud music and headlights on so neither she or her husband realized what was happening as he approached Police haven’t confirmed that version of events but said they are looking into the possibility “I would not caution La Porte residents to be afraid to leave your garage door open in the morning but that was not the case in this situation and then opened his garage door on the way in when he came home,” Asst “That’s just not normal for something at 6 to 6:30 in the morning to happen like that.” Police said additional charges against Hinojosa are possible a Mississippi Delta girl who swapped small-town newsrooms for big-city screens at Houston’s KPRC 2 is all about telling stories—whether it’s on the web you’ll find her outside soaking up nature or hunting down the best food spots Northwest Health is committed to removing the barriers many women face in receiving timely breast cancer screenings by offering walk-in mammogram screenings in La Porte and Starke Counties during the week of April 21. women aged 40 and older can skip the usual appointment scheduling and doctor’s orders they can walk in directly to receive their annual screening mammogram at the following locations: and early detection is critical for better outcomes Northwest Health is making it easier for women to prioritize their health by offering this walk-in service for mammograms Mammograms are an essential preventive care service these screenings may be covered by insurance at no cost Northwest Health accepts most major insurance plans Northwest Health offers walk-in mammogram screenings weekly Megan Daurer recently stepped into the role of director of communications for Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) fulfilling her desire to work in education and uplift the members of the community. Working for Michigan City schools is a full circle moment for Daurer Daurer and her family have lived in the community her whole life She attended the schools that she now works for. “I’m a proud graduate of Michigan City High School I did go away for college at Purdue University and the community is always working to uplift one another.” With a communications degree and a passion for working in education Daurer was uniquely interested and qualified to become MCAS’ director of communications when the position opened in January After her experience as the multimedia specialist for MCAS the year before this job opening Daurer was prepared and excited to take on this new role crafting messages such as weather delay messages and designing website content,” Daurer said “A key focus of my work is strengthening community relations and highlighting the successes of our students and staff across the district.” Daurer has worked hard to become an asset to the community and she has enjoyed every moment of her new role. “I'm constantly learning and growing as I adapt to the responsibilities of being a director,” Daurer said “I love meeting new people and building connections with staff and students across our schools.” The opportunities Daurer has had in light of this new role have been nothing short of inspirational she attended a Safe Harbor event at Edgewood Elementary where K-6 students worked together to create inclusive communities with Legos and other materials The goal was to design spaces accessible to everyone “I was truly impressed by their creativity; they incorporated features like ramps Daurer is looking forward to upcoming events like the revealing of the district’s Teacher and Employee of the Year winners for 2025 as well as the Wall of Fame and Retirement Celebration taking place in May Daurer is proud of everyone she works with for their passion and commitment towards improving the Michigan City community The excitement of what’s to come has Daurer energized to continue her hard work. “MCAS will be launching an Ambassador Program next school year and I encourage all community members to sign up This will give community members an inside look and hands-on opportunity to learn all about our schools,” Daurer said “I am very much looking forward to it.” Daurer remains a pillar in the Michigan City community empowering everyone to stay up-to-date and educated “Michigan City Area Schools is focused on moving forward and doing what is best for our students Her self-care involves going on walks and staying active in the gym She likes to keep in touch with her friends and encourages them to attend community events with her she keeps herself busy with fun hobbies to do at home I started to crochet fruits and vegetables I like to stay busy and work toward something,” she said Hawaii and hiked several trails on the island The highlight of their trip was the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail Daurer highly recommends the trail for outgoing nature lovers — A person was cited for arson after a wildfire broke out in Laporte northwest of Fort Collins Tuesday afternoon A mandatory evacuation alert was issued at 12:31 p.m on Tuesday and included the 4300 block of W In addition, voluntary evacuations were ordered at 12:40 p.m. for the Cache la Poudre River area from Rawhide Drive to the new 287 bypass and north of the 287 bypass, the alert read These voluntary evacuation orders were lifted at 1:34 p.m The Poudre Fire Authority extinguished the second-alarm wildland fire around 1:50 p.m. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office cited one person for fourth-degree arson The sheriff's office only identified the person as an adult there were 1,319 contacts in the voluntary evacuation area and 822 contacts in the mandatory evacuation area Contacts are the number of devices registered for alerts not the number of structures or people impacted To receive NoCo Alert updates Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right lending a helping hand and following through on promises Local officials gathered for a ribbon cutting this morning to celebrate the much-anticipated opening of La Porte’s newest restaurant. fast casual chain specializes in made-to-order bowls Mayor Tom Dermody said La Porte residents have been eagerly awaiting the restaurant’s grand opening since the day the project was announced. 1 question our office has received for the last several months has been “It’s wonderful to see our community so excited about a new food offering We’re thrilled to welcome Chipotle to La Porte and are certain it will be a success.” Dermody said the new restaurant will provide approximately 30 jobs with competitive benefits, which it is currently hiring for. To learn more and apply, visit chipotle.com/careers Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal News Jyesha Johnson A La Porte man is facing serious charges related to the possession and promotion of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) According to court documents, the case emerged following a Cyber Tip from the messaging platform “KIK,” which reported that 23 files depicting illegal content were uploaded to an account linked to Cooper ‘Pedo Lives Matter’: 35-year-old Spring man sentenced after distributing child pornography via chatrooms The investigation revealed that the files contained images of young children being sexually abused with some of the files containing bestiality The IP address used to upload the files was traced back to Cooper’s residence RELATED: Houston man sentenced to 15 years for trading child porn via Kik Further examination of the “KIK” account showed communications between Cooper and another user discussing inappropriate activities involving children Cooper admitted to using the application to download and view illegal content for personal gratification He also confessed to deleting the application and files after viewing them A search warrant executed at Cooper’s home led to his confession and no additional illegal material was found on devices at the residence Residents of the neighborhood tell KPRC 2 Cooper had been involved as a coach for area sports teams We heard from some very close friends that it got a little strange at times They also said they had witnessed Cooper filming with a GoPro camera during baseball practices “He claimed that he was filming practice but there were 4-6 year old boys out here and then you hear what he’s being charged with The case is being handled by the 263rd District Court in Texas with Cooper facing charges related to child exploitation