MICHIGAN CITY — It will be up to Jasper County Prosecutor Jacob Taulman to determine how to respond to the outcome of the investigation into a fatal shooting four weeks ago by a Michigan City police officer LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said he passed that responsibility on to a special prosecutor after consulting with Indiana State Police which has been conducting the investigation whose office did not respond to a request this week for comment will review the outcome of the ISP investigation once it is complete Sgt. Michael Oberle a 15-year veteran of the Michigan City police department reportedly shot 21-year-old Jorge Meza of South Bend on the evening of April 4 as Meza fled on foot from a traffic stop while armed ISP has said preliminary information indicates the officer initiated a traffic stop around 5:30 p.m April 4 in the 5800 block of Franklin Street involving a red Dodge SUV for an alleged equipment violation Meza was taken to Franciscan Health Michigan City hospital following the shooting and was pronounced dead "Once all body camera and in-car videos have been reviewed and the investigation completed it will be submitted to the LaPorte County Prosecutor for review," ISP said Oberle was placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting which is in keeping with the department’s policies while a state police investigation is underway Michigan City Police Chief Marty Corley said Arresting Agency: LaPorte Police Department Arresting Agency: Michigan City Police Department Offense Description: Escape; Resisting Law Enforcement; Domestic Battery; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon Offense Description: Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury Arresting Agency: LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Offense Description: Domestic Battery; Strangulation Offense Description: Intimidation; Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon Offense Description: Domestic Battery; Strangulation Offense Description: Failure to Comply; Resisting Law Enforcement Offense Description: Resisting Law Enforcement; Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter Email notifications are only sent once a day Authorities say millions of coins spilled onto a Texas highway this week after a tractor-trailer hauling $800,000 in dimes rolled over in an a… MICHIGAN CITY — The allegedly armed man who died after being shot by police Friday evening has been identified as 21-year-old Jorge Meza of So… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist 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 IN) - Michigan City school officials held a ribbon cutting this week for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center The $13.5 million-dollar facility repurposes the former Brown Mackie College location at the corner of U.S The new center is now home to career readiness programs ranging from automotive and construction trades to healthcare and criminal justice studies “This state-of-the-art facility provides students with skills which prepare them for employment in today’s workplace,” said CTE Director Dr The new campus features advanced facilities such as simulation medical bed stations in the Health Academy lab The Automotive Technology lab includes a secure transaction area where students can gain practical experience interacting with customers who bring vehicles to the facility for service The CTE program allows students to earn high school and college credits (through partnerships with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University) It serves about 350 juniors and seniors from seven high schools all over La Porte County and New Buffalo The new facility also houses the new Little Wolves Early Learning Center preschool bringing services to a wider range of students “This new facility is a testament to our commitment to preparing students who are truly college- and career-ready,” said Dr Superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools “There’s been a lot of conversation across the state and nation about the importance of Pre-K through Grade 14 education we’re proud to demonstrate what that truly means by supporting students from their earliest years all the way through high school and into college or career pathways.” Michigan City School Board President Marty Corley called the project a roadmap for collaboration involving local government and industry partners this project was completed in a way that is tax-neutral,” he said “with no additional impact to our taxpayers That’s something we are very proud of sustainable investments in the future.” guests enjoyed student-led tours of the facility and light refreshments prepared by Culinary Arts students Michigan City School Board members voted to name the center after recently-retired superintendent Dr If you need help accessing the online public file due to a disability, please contact us WCOE Public File  |  WLOI Public File vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health’s Northern Indiana division (center) stands with Joy Elementary School Better World Day student leaders following an assembly at the school last week Students at Joy Elementary School came together this spring to bring a little extra cheer to new parents and babies born at the Franciscan Health Michigan City Family Birth Center as part of their Better World Day project which they placed in paper bags they decorated with hand-drawn pictures and inspirational phrases The bags were presented to Franciscan Health Michigan City staff during an all-school assembly last week “These bags were created and designed with love by our students and we thank you for accepting our Better World Day project,” said Asia’ Savado instructional coach at Joy Elementary School national event sponsored by the nonprofit EL Education Students partner with each other and their local communities on Better World Day to celebrate meaningful student work that positively impacts the world around them “Spread Joy with Literacy,” and managed the collections vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health’s Northern Indiana division thanked the students for their efforts during the assembly “I’m looking at the bags and everything that you collected for the babies and the new moms that are coming to the hospital and this is amazing,” Nielsen said the toys you collected are going to go to these new moms and these babies and bring a little bit of joy to their life which is really neat because you’re Joy Elementary so you’re going to be bringing joy and making it a better world.” Share Good News Contact Us Meet Our Team Office: (219) 809-0445 | On-Air Line: (219) 861-1632 | ric@wimsradio.com The Michigan City Police Department Family announced that Officer Shane Motshagen has officially graduated from the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (NILEA) Officer Motshagen distinguished himself by earning the Academic Excellence Award for achieving the highest overall score in his class He also earned top marks on the Criminal Law test I spent a lot of time at Holland State Park I would always jealously watch all the other kids jump off the pier and into the water You would hear from classmates in school or see people online jumping off the pier as a sort of Michigan "rite of passage" and you wanted to be able to say you jumped off the pier My parents never let my siblings and me do it What's so dangerous about jumping into the lake where we were just swimming along the beach I understand what makes this activity not only dangerous but also illegal.  As fun and seemingly safe as pier-jumping at the beach is, for many, it ended up being the last thing they ever did. Lake Michigan was recently named the deadliest lake in America, and the reason why is directly attributed to the biggest danger that comes with pier-jumping Rip currents can pull a swimmer under the water and lead to drowning. A 2021 story from the West Ottawan recounts a family in pain after their 5-year-old was pulled deep into Lake Michigan by these currents. Even the state of Michigan discourages pier jumping. Bills have been introduced in the past to make pier jumping a federal offense that would result in a $500 fine But that hasn't stopped cities from enacting and enforcing their own ordinances to deter jumpers this is the only city that fines for jumping Most places have safety measures in place to deter jumping Whether there is a red-flag warning or not currents can drag even the strongest swimmers under or further out into the Lake Pier jumping might seem harmless, but deadly rip currents and underwater hazards make it one of the riskiest things you can do on Lake Michigan.\nRead More As fun and seemingly safe as pier-jumping at the beach is, for many, it ended up being the last thing they ever did. Lake Michigan was recently named the deadliest lake in America, and the reason why is directly attributed to the biggest danger that comes with pier-jumping Rip currents can pull a swimmer under the water and lead to drowning. A 2021 story from the West Ottawan recounts a family in pain after their 5-year-old was pulled deep into Lake Michigan by these currents. Even the state of Michigan discourages pier jumping. Bills have been introduced in the past to make pier jumping a federal offense that would result in a $500 fine by Cicily Porter (WSBT) — It has been more than five decades since coal-powered trains traveled across the country a coaling tower has been standing tall for more than a century but its legacy will live on in Michigan City history The coaling tower once fed the steam engines that powered America’s railroads But it’s now non-functional and has been for more than 50 years The more than 100-foot-tall structure left standing over the rails has caused concern in recent years because Amtrak passenger trains still pass under it “It needs to go because it's a potential hazard and it needs maintenance if it's going to stay there and it would not be a good use of money to maintain something we're not using,” said Marc Magliari The iconic structure is beloved by many in Michigan City because it's an important piece of the city’s history All of the machinery they put in it was brand new Michigan City Historical Society Co-President The tower was among the first to allow trains to pull underneath to refuel instead of switching to another set of tracks to get to a coaling station One person WSBT 22 spoke with said he's sad to see it being demolished “It's not surprising that they're tearing it down their main concern is just safety as far as falling debris or that tower ever comes down,” said Evan Burian There are plans to memorialize the coaling tower with a plaque with a picture of the tower where it once stood five generations of people driving by that It's always been a part of who we are It's just sad to see an old structure being torn down history being torn down and forgotten,” said Halliar City officials said work is expected to last around two weeks buses will be used to transport passengers IN) - Ben Bachmann is taking his talents from New Prairie to Michigan City Bachmann was introduced as the Wolves’ new athletic director at a Michigan City school board meeting this week Bachmann issued this statement at Tuesday’s school board meeting: “Education-based athletics is a tool that can teach numerous life skills which can transcend sports and help prepare student athletes for life I’m excited about the future of Michigan City area schools and the vision that is in place I look forward to working with everyone and being part of a team that will make MCAS the best it can be Living in Michigan isn't for the weak There are several things that can cause Michigan air to become polluted, according to IQ Air they include: The American Long Association (ALA) has been doing a "State of the Air" report for the past 26 years This year two Michigan cities are among the top 20 most polluted in the country The ALA analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the report and track unhealthy levels of ozone air pollution (smog) and particle pollution (soot) The report then ranks the most polluted and cleanest U.S cities based on an area’s number of unhealthy air days and the city’s particulate pollution These are the top 20 cities with the most year-round particle pollution according to the  American Lung Association You can see the full list here Gallery Credit: Big Joe Pesh Gallery Credit: Big Joe Pesh / Getty Images Two Michigan cities are among the worst in the country for air quality according to a new report.\nRead More There are several things that can cause Michigan air to become polluted, according to IQ Air they include: The American Long Association (ALA) has been doing a "State of the Air" report for the past 26 years You can see the full list here The name of the Michigan City police officer who shot and killed an armed suspect last week has now been released Police say Sergeant Michael Oberle is on administrative leave while the case remains under investigation This started when 21-year-old Jorge Meza of South Bend ran from the officer during a traffic stop a week ago The prosecutor's office is reviewing the findings of the State Police investigation The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported and some features of this site may not work as intended Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.  Your mom was right: It’s bad to waste food And the Southeast Michigan community of Southfield has some fresh advice on how to keep from wasting it The nonprofit Make Food Not Waste (MFNW) partnered with the city to produce the new “Blueprint to Zero Food Waste in Southfield,” a guide to preventing food waste and keeping it out of landfills Because an estimated one-third of the world’s food goes to waste that amounts to 103 million tons a year of products that either never leave the farm or factory get lost or spoiled on the way to consumers Not only could saving that amount solve world hunger but keeping that much waste out of landfills would reduce the amount of climate-changing greenhouse gases (GHG) released into our air Food waste is estimated to account for 8% of global GHG emissions In Michigan, more than two billion pounds of food waste ends up in landfills each year, making food the most disposed-of material. The MI Healthy Climate Plan – Michigan’s roadmap to a prosperous sustainable future and 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 – includes a goal of 50% less landfilled food by 2030 from a 2024 baseline Southfield residents and businesses alone create an estimated 15,000 tons of food waste a year according to the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) The blueprint details strategies to reduce food waste from households Planners see the blueprint – supported by funding from the Michigan Department of Environment and Energy (EGLE) – as an important step toward the state’s 50% reduction goal “The food waste elimination strategies highlighted in the Southfield zero-food-waste blueprint complement our Sustainable Southfield initiative,” said city Sustainability Planner Souzan Yousif “The City of Southfield is proud to be one of the first municipalities to adopt such a plan and hopes to inspire surrounding communities to do the same.” The city’s blueprint partners include local businesses and community stakeholders Giffels Webster Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County With Southfield’s blueprint complete Detroit-based MFNW is working on similar blueprints for Southeast Michigan communities Canton and Dearborn. In other Michigan action around food waste: Learn more about reducing food waste at makefoodnotwaste.org and EGLE’s Food Waste and Recovery web page EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov JohnstonJ14@Michigan.gov Take the opportunity to learn about your local drinking water during Drinking Water Week Liz Browne will serve as an executive point of contact for resolving priority permitting issues and support multi-agency collaboration to streamline permitting processes Michigan has reached a new record-high rate for fourth year running The events will provide public hands-on opportunities to assess health of waterways The winning entries came from schools located in Beverly Hills Save the dates for these NotMISpecies webinars in the coming months There are now 358 certified green schools in Michigan for the 2024-2025 school year – 15 more than the previous school year Percentage of materials recycled reaches new high for fourth consecutive year While all Michigan households – homeowners or renters – can pursue energy efficiency upgrades MiHER will prioritize households with incomes at or below 80% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI) households are eligible for up to $34,000 in rebates can drop off unwanted and expired medications at participating law enforcement locations in their area Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics Michigan.gov/Vote If you are looking to make a difference and be part of something greater, learn more about careers at EGLE and apply today Explore current vacancies (WSBT) — A historic church that stood for more than a century in Michigan City is now reduced to rubble was demolished Wednesday morning after months of growing safety concerns and efforts to fix it up While the city says safety left them with no other choice this church was more than just a place of worship—it was part of their lives I also know what that church at one time meant to my community here," said Kathryn Stransky Demolition crews moved in early Wednesday morning bringing an end to a building that carried more than 100 years of history the former God’s Grace Church is now just a pile of debris where the sanctuary once stood City officials say they worked for months to avoid this outcome—extending deadlines But after a partial wall collapse in February and no further action from church leadership she says the church had been woven into the fabric of the community for generations She didn’t just watch the church grow old—she grew up with it Little did we realize the church was really a glue But you don't know that when you're a kid that was a part of the neighborhood," said Stransky others like Robert and Tracy McLean created lasting memories "It hurts it's like losing a family member A lot of precious memories .A lot of precious memories and they were members of the church," said the Robert & Tracy McLeans even the McLeans acknowledge the building’s condition had declined for decades—too far gone and it needed so much work even back in the 80s," said the McLeans but officials expect cleanup to resume Thursday While no one was allowed inside due to safety concerns crews were able to recover one meaningful piece—the church’s identification stone city officials say it's too soon tell 'What's your sign?' has been used as a pickup line for as long as we can remember And how many people do you know that check their daily horoscope But does this have anything to do with where you live in Michigan A recent article has linked 12 Michigan cities to the twelve signs of the zodiac So theoretically if you live in one of these cities and you're unhappy in general you may want to consider moving to a city more in line with your astrological sign this is more tongue-in-cheek than an actual recommendation But it's still fun to see what cities fall where on the list and if it actually relates to your overall happiness Here is a rundown of the dates that correlates with each of the signs of the Zodiac and their supposed Michigan city counterpart: Gallery Credit: Big Joe Pesh / Zillow / Keller Williams ONEChicago 'What's your sign?' has been used as a pickup line for as long as we can remember. But does this have anything to do with where you live in Michigan?\nRead More A recent article has linked 12 Michigan cities to the twelve signs of the zodiac would be built in 2-phases and include apartments IN (WSBT) — A $200-million proposed development was unveiled for downtown Michigan City That site includes the former Memorial Hospital The first phase would be 4-or-5 stories tall The second phase would likely have 8-or-9 floors including a grocery store The Chicago developers say optimistically each phase would take 2-years to build with both complete by March of 2031 is being held in the La Porte County Jail on a $1 million bond pending his March 11 arraignment on the charges of murder and a misdemeanor interference with reporting a crime who found the boy unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom on the morning of March 2nd at Normandy Village Apartments Police said the mother told investigators Bainum made him take a cold shower for about 15 minutes the previous night and keep apologizing which he was forced to do for about one hour the mother told police she later found the boy looking scared and crying in the bathroom with Bainum yelling at the child She said the boy appeared to have been struck “really hard” and Bainum told her the child bit him on the arm hard enough to leave a bite mark The mom told police she told Bainum to stop hitting the child and he responded defiantly saying “he is not going to bite me,” court records disclosed the mother said she was later in the bathroom when she heard a noise that seemed to come from where her son was at in his bedroom Court documents also said a neighbor living above the apartment told police she heard a faucet running inside their home and the voice of a “little boy” saying “no The neighbor also said that she heard what sounded like someone “thrashing in the water” then silence until an ambulance arrived roughly one hour later Police said the woman told investigators she found the boy unresponsive after going into his bedroom to check on him and went to call 911 but Bainum grabbed the phone out of her hand More than one hour passed before he allowed her to call for help Police said the boy was airlifted from Franciscan Health to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he was pronounced dead that evening According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office the boy’s cause of death was listed as multiple injuries such as bleeding on the brain due to assault The autopsy also found contusions on the child’s scalp from multiple impacts on the head along with bruises and abrasions on his upper and lower extremities The mother of the child told police Brainum gave the child hot sauce at times when he cried and became jealous whenever she showed too much affection toward her son She also described him as abusive in their relationship together and accused him of isolating her from her family The boy’s mother was being held in the La Porte County Jail on a 48 hour hold while prosecutors decide potential charges against her for the death Bainum is being held in the La Porte County Jail on $1 million bond Let your next vacation in 2025 be quaint and imaginative like Michigan's small and offbeat towns These eight charming communities provide the perfect escape from reality across time and space like the summertime Ultimate Cherry Celebration in Traverse City or a whole camping trip in Petoskey or Ludington State Park the fleeting moments will lighten your soul See Ludington's famed Big Sable Lighthouse and take a coal-fired steamer across one of the Great Lakes lining the deepest freshwater harbor in the Great Lakes features vivid colors through the Tunnel of Trees dinosaur egg-like stones can be found on various beaches stretching from Traverse City to Petoskey along Lake Michigan This storybook town on Lake Michigan's northeastern shore boasts a historic, crimson Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse and two incredible waterfronts. Between Michigan Beach Park and Ferry Beach Park on Lake Charlevoix The sprawling Fisherman's Island State Park offers island vibes and high dunes Charlevoix the Beautiful is popular among beachgoers and architecture fans alike thanks to the imaginative Earl Young's "mushroom huts," known far and wide as “Gnome Homes” or “Hobbit Houses,” that began "growing" in 1918 Their unique fungal shapes with stone frameworks and distinctive roofs fit organically in the forested landscape people from all over come to experience the fairytale scene on a self-guided tour with a free map from the Charlevoix Visitor Center Continue your ventures to the nearby Castle Farms this model dairy farm exudes romanticism and timelessness with spires and archways as a tourable venue with a landscaped garden Greetings from, or "willkommen" to, Frankenmuth this is a no-less-famous and easier-to-access Germantown Exuding warm sentiment in just three square miles Drawing over three million annual visitors like an evening bar-hopping tour for a group of friends or the narrated Take a stroll or a drawn carriage ride through historic streets and witness the illuminated Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel Tower Just off Lake Michigan this Dutch-inspired village on Lake Macatawa emanates an inviting cultural essence Windmill Island Gardens centers around Holland's most iconic feature plus a carousel and costumed guides on site Nelis' Dutch Village transports you overseas to the 1800s Score a pair up the road at De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delftware Factory Holland's culinary prowess is worth a side trip alone through the award-winning downtown with bakeries and restaurants using traditional recipes plus the Holland Farmers Market on 8th Street for local produce and crafts No need to venture far for nature: the "Window on the Waterfront" offers paved paths and Kollen Park has boat launch ramps and picnic areas The next-door Cappon House is a restored 1874 home of Holland's 1st mayor while the Holland Museum is an early 20th-century post office the active enjoy Stu Visser Trails or minutes down Resting its spirited downtown on Pere Marquette Lake Father Marquette Memorial Cross commands the hills above The Red Door Gallery is next to the Waterfront Park while Ludington South Breakwater Light is a white beacon at the end of a pier Let the kids go monkey at Sandcastles Children's Museum then enjoy a family meal of authentic Greek cuisine at the circa 1942 Old Hamlin Restaurant amid photo-covered walls Why not plan a trip aboard the historic S.S a coal-fired steamer across the Great Lake to Manitowoc Just up the shore from Charlevoix via a scenic lakefront highway this artsy enclave is a standout on the southern shore of Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay From a casino to local farm produce and crafts at the Old Town Emmet Farm Market a former industrial site with sports fields and a playground The radiant bay and the unique Petoskey emanate inviting vibes to enjoy the great outdoors year-round The Bear River Valley Recreation Area at its heart offers steep bluffs Bike or hike the 1.5-mile path along the Bear River or simply soak up the sun along one of the sandy beaches Whether you are in for kayaking around the harbor or the surrounding vineyards in splendid fall colors the historic Gaslight District welcomes you post-adventures This longtime hub for mingling and browsing plus entertainment at the Crooked Tree Arts Center for theater performances this seemingly typical resort town inspires an effortless escape on the north shore of Little Traverse Bay across from Petoskey Natural beauty and human creativity marry in Harbor Springs which attracts boating enthusiasts from all over Between the beach scene for swimming and sailing plus events like Taste of Harbor Springs and Great Lakes Glass Pumpkin Patch Named one of the top 10 best bike towns in America by Outside Magazine it offers mountain biking at The Highlands plus hiking and biking on the Little Traverse Wheelway a beautiful time to drive down through the vivid colors of the Tunnel of Trees along a canopied lakeshore of nature parks to Cross Village Winter birds enjoy the nearby Nubs Nob Ski Resort Some 60 miles southwest of Detroit Tecumseh was named after a prominent Shawnee chief Boasting hundreds of acres of parkland and green space there are plenty of outdoor pursuits near local landmarks Kick a ball around Aden Mead Park or hang out lakeside at the Pit at Tecumseh Park a beloved swimming hole that doesn't go a summer day without picnickers The huge downtown Redmill Pond is an extension of the Raisin River to the north perfect for navigating miles of waterways in a rented canoe or the trails winding through local wildlife Check out Indian Trails Crossing Standish Dam next to White Deer Grave a local memorial stone of the white deer buried in the park with a Native American leader Global Mill Pond is a favored fishing spot at Indian Crossing Trails Park with a network of hiking trails Drop by the epic Tecumseh Area Historical Museum All this nature offers its own falltime spectacle just in time for the unique Appleumpkin Festival There is more than meets the eye in the charming "Cherry Capital of the World." Even the airport which can compete with one in your home city Tourists from near and far come to traverse the city between fun pursuits It wouldn't be the same without a beach scene from the serene West End Beach to Clinch Park with a defining arch Charters Traverse City State Park provides the sun worshippers with all-season camping boasting one of the state's most unique settings at the bottom of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay where the two parallel East and West bays end The downtown is well worth traversing for priceless views Take a stroll along Boardman Lake through the heart of the World's Largest Cherry Pie Pan Starting at the Dennos Museum Center Art Gallery with interactive kids’ exhibits and a performing arts center which transitions right into Mari Vineyards a historic stone house tangled within lush vines and water views Several towns in the US mimic the background of original settlers revealing secrets through landmarks and treating visitors to traditional cuisine in 2025 while the fun vibes and unique sights immerse you in an offbeat world Each, bursting with whimsy, is a magical destination for couples, families, and anyone after something atypical in the Great Lakes State yet anywhere in Michigan is just a hop from the soft-sanded beaches and other long-beloved attractions photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com IN – Michigan City Area Schools has announced the recipients of its 2025 Teacher and Employee of the Year award recognizes five staff members who have gone above and beyond to serve students The recipients include Elizabeth Schreeg (Elementary Teacher of the Year) Kathy Schroll (Support Staff Employee of the Year) Doriann Wiegand (Food Service Employee of the Year) and Jacob Miller (Transportation Employee of the Year) The five winners were surprised on Wednesday April 9 by a “prize patrol” that included MCAS Superintendent Dr Associate Superintendent Cathy Buildhauser and representatives of Comcast and the Michigan City Chamber “We are very pleased to recognize these dedicated employees,” said Dr “They are all talented and experienced professionals who enjoy what they do and care deeply about the students and families they serve They are models of excellence who continually ‘level up’ for our school district.” “Educators are the backbone of our communities,” said Grace Hong Duffin Comcast’s Regional Vice President of Government and External Affairs “In collaboration with Michigan City Area Schools and the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce Comcast is proud to celebrate this year’s Teachers and Employees of the Year and recognize their ability to inspire students and lead within their schools.” “Our Chamber has a longstanding tradition of honoring area educators,” said Kurt Gillins President of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce “We are excited to partner with Michigan City Area Schools and Comcast to acknowledge the accomplishments of deserving teachers and support staff who work tirelessly to support our Michigan City Area Schools students.” The 2025 Elementary Teacher of the Year is Elizabeth Schreeg Currently serving in a fourth-grade classroom she is a “looping” teacher of grades 2 through 4 remaining with her students for three years yet achievable goals for her students and works closely with them to master grade-level material and beyond adapting her instructional strategies to their learning styles She supervises after-school clubs in Science and Computers focusing on activities that incorporate both Math and the Arts she is active on Pine’s Building and Instructional Leadership Teams and facilitates a group of teachers who meet before school to reflect and share strategies surrounding math instruction “Liz Schreeg’s students consistently achieve at high levels and their scores often exceed the performance of their grade level peers across the state,” said Pine Principal David Alvarado “Looping with her since 2nd grade has allowed her students to be clear about classroom expectations and to focus on learning and growing each day Pine is fortunate to have such a highly effective teacher in our school!” an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Krueger Middle School Throughout her 28-year career in education Ard’s passion has been to engage students beyond the conventional classroom walls and produces Krueger’s annual Living History event where middle school students dress in period clothing and lead outdoor tours as reenactors teaching area fourth graders about Indiana history She is an active member of her Building Leadership team working to welcome and mentor new staff and improve the educational experience for all She has also led several service projects for the school including a drive for personal hygiene items for the school care closet and a donation drive ensuring that every eighth grader received a yearbook during the challenging year of the COVID-19 pandemic She goes above and beyond with our students and really pulls in the entire school with her activities,” said Krueger principal Josh Malone She is amazing with our Living History and Environmental Field Days Her creativity and engagement are second to none.” Coolspring Elementary School Secretary Kathy Schroll is the 2025 Support Staff Employee of the Year She has served in her role for the past 26 years and considers herself “a mom to 300 kids.” She strives to know each one by name taking great pleasure in watching them grow and succeed she is the first point of contact for visitors and excels in customer service Among her many duties are maintaining student records and attendance and keeping families informed about school events She also serves as the extracurricular treasurer for the school and is often called on to train and mentor other secretaries across the district “Kathy is the heart and soul of Coolspring School,” said Coolspring Principal Kim Palmer and parents depend on her for assistance every single day The 2025 Food Service Employee of the Year is Doriann Wiegand She is a 28-year veteran of the MCAS Food Service Department who cooks and processes meal transactions for students and staff she loves cooking and decorating the cafeteria for holidays and is always eager to volunteer for special events She is beloved by her students and has donated supplies She is also a steward for the Michigan City Classified Association and served as the group’s treasurer for 21 years “We are thrilled to recognize Dori as our Food Service Employee of the Year” said MCAS Food Service Director Nicole Santana “She brings incredible passion and heart to her work every single day She goes above and beyond — not just by serving meals with love but by creating a warm and welcoming cafeteria and volunteering for both our department and the district Dori’s kindness and commitment make a lasting impact on her students and we are so grateful for everything she does.” Jacob Miller is the 2025 Transportation Employee of the Year In his role as a Transportation Department mechanic he repairs and maintains a fleet of 55 school buses His other duties require him to prepare the buses for annual State Police Inspections and maintain the bus lot in winter he has taken on extra duties over the past few years due to staff shortages including working 12-hour shifts several times a week and even filling in as a driver when needed “Jacob has a strong work ethic and is a positive team player,” said MCAS Director of Transportation Sue Harrison “He will jump in to help whenever needed and never complain The employees at MCAS Transportation have recognized the other duties that Jacob has been willing to do this year and have shown their gratitude with his overwhelming selection for Employee of the Year.” For more information about the MCAS Teacher and Employee of the Year program, including a complete list of school finalists for the teacher and support staff employee of the year, visit http://educateMC.net/TOY_EOY and a third was injured after a gun was discharged in Michigan City on Monday Police say dispatch received a call that indicated a person had been shot at around 1 p.m According to the Michigan City's Police department's initial investigation and 17 were all at the Edwards Street address Police say that two handguns were found in their possession One teen claimed to have found the weapons earlier in the day That round grazed the head of one of the 17-year-old boys The 17-year-old was taken to the hospital for treatment and released The bullet did not cause any major injuries The 15-year-old was charged with Criminal Recklessness (felony) and Dangerous Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile (misdemeanor) The uninjured 17-year-old was charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Firearm (misdemeanor) and Dangerous Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile (misdemeanor) Police say an additional arrest and charges are pending several pieces of evidence were found and collected were found by the first responding officers One of the guns recovered was reported stolen in Michigan City on January 30 Michigan City Area Schools is excited to welcome all new and returning students for the 2025-26 school year Enrollment is now open for Little Wolves Early Learning Center (Pre-K) and the required Online Annual Information Update (formerly known as Registration) for returning students will open on May 1 There will be an Open House and Enrollment Support Day on Wednesday This is a great opportunity to learn more about the program and receive assistance with the enrollment process Children should be enrolled at the school that serves the area in which they reside contact the MCAS Transportation Department at (219) 873-2127 “This change in terminology better reflects what families are doing confirming and updating information for the upcoming year,” said Kevin McGuire “Accurate records help us prepare for a smooth start to the school year.” Families needing help accessing the Annual Information Update link in their PowerSchool Parent Portal can contact their school’s office secretary As Michigan City Area Schools prepares to LEVEL UP for the new school year early and accurate completion of enrollment and updates ensures every student is ready to succeed from day one Families can also view the 2025-26 school year calendar by visiting www.EducateMC.net/MCASCalendar Registration is now open for iREAD Summer School (for current 2nd and 3rd grade students) and Kindergarten Summer Camp visit www.EducateMC.net/MCAS-Summer-School High School Summer School Registration will be available by May 1 (WSBT) — A Wisconsin man is in the hospital after a six hour long armed standoff with police inside a Michigan City Meijer over the weekend Police say the stand off ended with the 27-year-old shooting himself in the chest in the garden center Saturday night The man is wanted in Milwaukee County for allegedly sexually assaulting a child Michigan City Police found him in a hotel parking lot and that is when he ran toward the nearby Meijer and will be sent back to Wisconsin to face charges Spring Clean-up in Michigan City begins on Monday The Refuse Department has issued a set of guidelines The City is asking resident to have your items set out the Sunday prior to your scheduled pick-up week the Michigan City Vector Control Department is proud to recognize the collective strides made toward creating a cleaner As stewards of public health and the environment the department continues to work diligently to reduce vector-borne risks while promoting environmental awareness and action throughout the city “Our team is dedicated year-round to protecting the health and well-being of Michigan City residents,” said Vector Control Director Brett Kelley “Earth Day gives us a special opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard the environment—not just for today The department also applauds the hard work and commitment of its field staff—public servants who work behind the scenes in all kinds of weather to monitor the Vector Control Department encourages all residents to take small meaningful steps toward a healthier environment: “Environmental stewardship is a team effort,” added Vector Control Officer Charles Glancy “We can all play a part in creating a cleaner For more information on how you can get involved or to request a vector inspection please contact the Michigan City Vector Control Department at (219) 873-1500 or visit www.emichigancity.com/vector Michigan City's Government Leadership program is a paid summer internship that connects undergraduate and graduate students with municipal work experience Perfect for Majors in: Public Administration & Affairs Open to Undergraduate College students (Freshman through Senior) and College Graduate students  Starting pay for Undergraduate students is $17/hour and for Graduate students $19/hour This program will be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.  unofficial transcript and a valid driver's license.  Please provide your best email & phone number Director of Education and Workforce Development kward@emichigancity.com  and Michigan City Department of Parks and Recreation hosted the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt at Fedder’s Alley in Washington Park Over 1,000 Michigan City residents attended this event free of charge The sponsors included Northern Indiana Public Service Company Captain Ed’s Furniture Showroom also donated over 10,000 pieces of candy for the Easter eggs.   Participants ages zero to 12 were separated into four age groups and then excitedly raced down the slope to scoop up as many of the 20,000 sweet treat-bearing eggs on the field as they could Any kids who discovered a “golden” ticket in one of their eggs could redeem it at the MCPD tent for a Walmart gift card assistant director of Michigan City Special Events played an instrumental role in the planning and execution of this year’s Easter Egg Hunt.  “I enjoy this event because it shows what we as a community can do when we come together,” Williams said “I want to thank the police and fire departments This event is a great way to let the kids have some free fun in the community My hope is that everyone has a good time and makes some memories at the Easter Egg Hunt today that they can look back on and laugh about.” The Easter Egg Hunt has been a Michigan City tradition for about 12 years It started as a police department-sponsored event and was coordinated by Marty Corley and Michigan City Police Sergeant Lendell Hood The police department then teamed up with Michigan City Special Events As it gained more sponsors and support from the community Corley is pleased to see that the Easter Egg Hunt is so popular among Michigan City residents and considers the event to be an excellent way to engage with the community “This is a good opportunity to build relationships within the community,” Corley said “It gives the various city departments a chance to pool our resources and do something positive for the community Walmart has always been a great partner of ours and they’ve made it convenient for us to procure gift cards for the kids this year I love seeing all of the smiling faces here today This is the first year that Arnett Construction has signed on as a premier sponsor for all Michigan City Special Events the Arnett Construction team is only required to donate money to support the events they went above and beyond at the Easter Egg Hunt by setting up a tent and conducting an Easter basket raffle Four Easter baskets – two for boys and two for girls – were raffled off and a soccer ball were included in the boys’ Easter baskets while the girls’ featured prizes like a basketball Two of the baskets even featured bikes as prizes enjoys participating in community outreach events like the Easter Egg Hunt “All of the events that Michigan City Special Events puts on are very important for the community,” Arnett said “This particular event is about putting smiles on peoples’ faces and making this a joyful day for them I hope everybody is appreciative of all the great work that Michigan City Special Events does.  We at Arnett Construction like being present at these events because we want the community to see our name and even the canine cartoon character Bluey mingled with the attendees and posed for pictures Members of the Michiana Clowns also helped spread some Easter cheer A Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee truck served the adults their choice of hot appreciates the opportunity to bring the Easter Egg Hunt to Michigan City once again Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Free health screenings offered at some Michigan City barbershopsby WSBT (WSBT) — Franciscan Health in Michigan City will provide free health screenings this weekend It is all part of the 13th annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative Saturday's event includes free blood pressure blood sugar and body mass index screenings Health education and giveaways will also take place Michigan City- The LaPorte County Coroner has authorized the following information to be released The deceased has been identified as Jorge Meza Indiana State Police detectives were able to make notification to family last night and additional family members were notified this morning No further information can be released at this time below for release and statements from Friday 4/4/25-see below for previous release and informatio from Friday 4/4/25 The Indiana State Police are investigating an officer involved shooting on Friday that left one person dead The Indiana State Police-Lowell Post made the following statement on Friday: Michigan City- At the request of Michigan City Police Chief Marty Corley the Indiana State Police District 13 Investigations Section has been requested to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred this evening Preliminary information shows that at approximately 5:30 p.m. an officer with the Michigan City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a red Dodge SUV for an equipment violation in the 5800 block of South Franklin Street an armed male subject fled on foot from the scene and officers initiated a foot pursuit The suspect was immediately rendered first aid and transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City where he was pronounced deceased The name of the suspect will be released once positive identification has been made and family notified An autopsy will be completed by the LaPorte County Coroner No further information can be released as this is an active investigation Once all body camera and in-car videos have been reviewed and the investigation completed it will be submitted to the LaPorte County Prosecutor for review The following information is included at the request of the Michigan City Police Department Police Chief Corley indicated that the identification of the officer will be forthcoming once all interviews have been completed Chief Corley has placed the officer(s) involved in the incident on paid administrative leave which is in accordance with the department’s policies while the Indiana State Police investigation is being conducted The Michigan City Police Department made the following statement on Friday: A shooting involving a Michigan City Police Officer occurred this evening Chief Marty Corley and his administrative team immediately contacted the Indiana State Police (ISP) to conduct the investigation and my thoughts are with everyone affected This is the first officer-involved shooting to occur under my administration To ensure a thorough and impartial investigation the incident has been turned over to the Indiana State Police We have full confidence in their ability to carry out a comprehensive and transparent review.” we are limited in the details we can share at this time I ask for the community’s patience as the facts are gathered We are committed to sharing verified information as it becomes available and to upholding the trust of our residents throughout this process.” Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Saturday and will travel the traditional parade route north on Franklin St. beginning at 9th Street and ending at 4th Street Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch will be at the parade celebrating with the community “I’m excited to wear my green and come out to enjoy the crowd support what our Special Events team is doing and thank the parade participants,” she said Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Terry Greetham and this parade will kick off what we believe will be an amazing event season.” This year’s line-up will include bag pipe bands XInsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix race boat Crazy Rythm There will also be a food drive for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana coordinated by the Real Housewives of LaPorte County Everyone attending the parade is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate More information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, including parade line-up, can be found on the Michigan City Special Events Facebook page A traffic alert for those headed through the Washington Park area in Michigan City also known as the Franklin Street Bridge will be closed from 9:30am Central Time until March 15 This bridge not only grants access to the marinas in Michigan city and the Washington Zoo The bridge needs new gears to operate smoothly and because this is Indiana's only functioning drawbridge the state is strict about maintenance The maintenance beginning this morning is the start of a fifth phase put in place by La Porte County Commissioners Office Members of that office say failing to complete these repairs would lead to a fine of $30,000 per day starting in March The cost of repairs amounts to $1.5 million each year This involves installing new gears that can only be made overseas The bridges primary maintenance man has been servicing it for more than 30 years "Those gears are only made by one company in the world and it's in Germany And they are hand-made specifically for that bridge So it's not like you just go down here to Wally World and pick up a new gear Andy has a good relationship with this company and he tells them what they need and they send them to us." Steve Holifield VP of the LaPorte County Commissioners office said You can access either side of Trail Creek by using Center Street as a passage from Lake Shore Drive to Michigan Boulevard The Michigan City Police Department gave the following update on last Friday’s officer involved shooting: The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division has completed their interview with the Michigan City Police Officer involved in the April 4 The Officer who fired his weapon during this incident was Sgt Oberle is a fifteen (15) year veteran of this agency Oberle is currently on mandatory administrative leave The Michigan City Police Department would like to thank the Indiana State Police and the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance in this matter MCPD would also like to thank the community for the outpouring of support for our Officers during this time “I want to express my sincere gratitude for the quick and heroic efforts of the first responders at the scene,” Chief Marty Corley said and undoubtedly prevented further threat of harm to others in our community I recognize the seriousness of this event and the impact it has on everyone involved The priority of MCPD remains the safety of our residents and upholding the trust placed in us to serve with integrity and transparency.” READ MOREIndiana State Police investigate officer-involved shooting in Michigan Cityby WSBT 22 (WSBT) — Indiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Michigan City a Michigan City police officer initiated a traffic stop on a red Dodge SUV for an equipment violation in the 5800 block of South Franklin Street fled on foot from the scene and officers initiated a foot pursuit Meza was immediately rendered first aid and transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City where he was pronounced deceased Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch of Michigan City issued the following statement: Stay with WSBT 22 on air and online as we work to learn more