Merrillville
LATEST NEWS
Come meet our journalists at IndyStar's mobile newsroom at the Indiana State Fair
"We don't know who you are." That's probably the clearest message the IndyStar has received from the reader advisory panel that we launched earlier this year. The panel is a mix of avid IndyStar readers, former subscribers and folks who are interested in local journalism but haven't ever supported it with a subscription.
City Launches West Side Door-Knocking Campaign To Combat Overdose Deaths
AUSTIN —The city is launching a new outreach program on the West Side in response to a spike in overdose-induced deaths at the hands of the city’s opioid epidemic. The program, dubbed the Summer Overdose Safety campaign (or Operation S.O.S), will deploy “trained outreach workers with a goal of covering the nearly 1,300 blocks of the West Side that experienced at least one overdose-related EMS response [in 2023],” according to a press release from the Chicago Department of Public Health.
LaPorte County man, 65, killed in crash
A LaPorte County man died after crashing his vehicle. It was just before 12 p.m. on Friday, July 19, when deputies were called to County Road 300 North, west of Johnson Road, where a 2010 Ford Explorer was traveling westbound. The vehicle traveled left of center and across the eastbound...
"Take Only Photos, Leave Only Bubbles:" Underwater Nature Preserve Dedicated
(Michigan City, IN) - There are thousands of shipwrecks off the shores of Lake Michigan. Only two in this area are designated nature preserves. The second one was dedicated on Thursday in Michigan City. In 1910 the SS Muskegon caught fire while docked in Trail Creek. It was the end...
Life-Saving App Now Available in La Porte County
(La Porte, IN) - La Porte County now has a life-saving app that could turn ordinary people into heroes. It’s called Pulse Point. As first responders are notified of a medical emergency, Pulse Point alerts subscribers to any nearby medical emergency as it’s happening and lets them know where the nearest AED is located. Pulse Point spokesperson Shannon Smith says the alert can help shave precious seconds off response times: “The goal is really to engage the community in cardiac arrest response.”
Review: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Stolp Island Theatre Aurora
Little did Elvis know when he recorded that song how appropriate it would be for December 4, 1956, at Sun Record Studios in Memphis. The new Stolp Island Theatre in Aurora is presenting Million Dollar Quartet as its premiere production. Rock and roll pioneer Sam Phillips (Sam Pearson) started the studio in 1950. During the course of the day, Carl Perkins (Christopher Wren) had come into the studio to record some new material. Jerry Lee Lewis (Garrett Forrestal) was yet unknown and he was in the studio to play the piano on the Perkins session. Later in the afternoon, 21 year old Elvis Presley (Alex Swindle) stopped by to pay a casual visit. Elvis’ girlfriend, Dyanne (Madison Palmer), is along as well. She has a few solo numbers and joins in on the harmony. She holds her own against this million dollar group. As the Perkins session started, Elvis joined in. During the session, Johnny Cash (Bill Scott Sheets) arrived at the studio. The woman running things in the control booth is Marion (Haley Jane Schafer). She is in the booth the entire show until the end when the jam session is really going on. She sings some beautiful harmonies. This group of extraordinarily talented actors – they are also gifted musicians – entertained the audience in the new, intimate 98 seat Stolp Island Theatre for 2.5 hours. You are right there. You feel you are part of the show. Sam Phillips is the “narrator” if you will. He takes the audience through the story of that day plus all the other things these recording artists were going through. Lots of talk about RCA and Columbia record companies and contracts. He is a wonderful weaver of stories. For those who do not know, Carl Perkins wrote Blue Suede Shoes and he was not thrilled that Elvis sang it on the Sullivan show. He felt he should have been the one. The songs performed in this show are the ones that they actually sang on December 4. There was a studio engineer who had the sense to realize this session needed to be recorded. We should be very grateful he did. These were four of the best musicians and recording artists – all pioneers. It’s about time Sam Phillips gets some well deserved recognition. He created it. The music is classic rock and roll. You will sing, clap and cheer. Completely spontaneous. These performers bring Elvis, Carl, Johnny and Jerry Lee back to life. Jerry Lee was the last of this quartet. He passed in October of 2022. At the end of Sam’s telling of this once in a lifetime session, he brings out a camera and takes the very famous photo of the 4 of them around the piano. You do see it and hear the actual recording. It is an emotional moment. What might have been…
Harley-Davidson of Michigan City celebrates 25th anniversary
It was an all-day celebration at Harley-Davidson of Michigan City on Saturday, July 20. The shop invited the entire community for a day of fun in honor of the shop celebrating 25 years of business. Jeff Haggerty, general manager at Harley-Davidson of Michigan City, shares what an important milestone this...
Federal Sentence for Gun Sale in Michigan City
(South Bend, IN) - A Chicago man has been sentenced on a federal gun charge with ties to Michigan City. In January of last year, 42-year-old Allory Smith of Chicago sold a rifle, a handgun, and ammunition to a buyer in the Michigan City area. According to authorities, Smith referred to the rifle as a “real license to kill” because he believed it had previously been reported stolen. With several prior felony convictions, Smith is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Endangered Piping Plover Chick Named 'Nagamo' Thrives at Chicago's Montrose Beach Dunes
The Montrose Beach dunes have witnessed a bittersweet development in the saga of Chicago's adored endangered species, the piping plovers. A sole survivor from a full clutch of eggs has taken a significant step into the limelight, bearing the name Nagamo—an Ojibwe term meaning "he/she sings," according to a recent announcement by the Chicago Bird Alliance, alongside the Chicago Ornithological Society and the Illinois Ornithological Society. The unique moniker, chosen through a culturally reflective process and submitted by one Mike Doty, is a direct nod to this chick's vocal presence on the Chicago beaches, complementing the species' scientific name Charadrius melodus, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
MLB Rumors: Cubs create trade war, Cardinals ideal addition, Skubal-Yankees
The MLB trade deadline is coming quicker than we could have imagined. There has been very little action up to this point, with a few players being dealt, but nothing overwhelmingly exciting. That could change quickly, though. Over the next week or two, the deadline should really heat up. Stars...
Sunday Brunch: Drew’s on Halsted in Lake View is famous for its weekend brunch
In this week’s edition of the WGN Weekend Morning News Sunday Brunch, Tim Joyce is joined by owner Drew Johnson and chef Isaac Santos of Drew’s on Halsted in Lake View. Drew’s on Halsted, located at 3201 North Halsted Street, has been in operation for 24 years and is famous for its weekend brunch, which features live DJs and bottomless mimosas in eight flavors. It also serves a sangria that Johnson says is like “more of a cocktail,” because it has brandy in it.
Mayor Brandon Johnson's Administration Balances Union and Business Interests One Year On
Over a year into his term, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to draw notable support from labor unions, with his campaign raising $2.6 million, nearly half of which came from various labor organizations. This financial backing includes contributions from new union donors such as the Laborers' International Union of North America's local chapter and the Mid-America Carpenters' Union, each contributing $200,000, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. Johnson's inauguration was marked by the presence of labor support, with figures such as Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates showing visible support.
State Funding for Chicago Public Schools: $1.1 Billion vs. $503 Million – Governor Pritzker Pushes Back Against Mayor Johnson’s Claim
Governor J.B. Pritzker rejects Mayor Brandon Johnson’s claim for $1.1 billion in state aid for Chicago Public Schools, arguing that the true cost to fully fund the district is lower and that it’s not the state’s job to cover local financial mistakes. Pritzker Disputes Chicago’s $1.1 Billion School Aid Claim, Citing Lower Funding Needs According […]
Man charged with making $3,000 Zelle transfer during Millennium Park robbery
CHICAGO—It’s the hottest scam going, one that everyone would be well-advised to keep in mind as they wander the streets of Chicago: fake charity solicitors and “homeless” people commandeer phones and transfer large sums of money to themselves using the victims’ electronic banking apps. We’ve...
GhanaFest brings authentic Ghanaian celebration to Washington Park
The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago and its Affiliates, known as tribes, are ready for GhanaFest.ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watchThe event is happening at Washington Park on July 27 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. This year the theme is "Embracing Our Culture."The 36th annual festival is the most prominent display of authentic Ghanaian culture in the Midwest.Tickets cost $20, and guests will enjoy all-day access to vendors selling authentic Ghanaian food.Vendors will also sell shea butter, African clothing, art, and jewelry from Ghana.The Chiefs and Queen Mothers of the various tribes will parade and participate in live musical performances.Traditionally held on the last Saturday in July, it has grown from a small gathering to an event attracting over 5,800 guests.The success of GhanaFest in Chicago has inspired many other cities with large Ghanaian populations to adopt the concept and host their own annual GhanaFest celebrations.For more information about the Ghana National Council and tickets at the 36th Annual GhanaFest, log on to gncchicago.org.
Boys armed with machine gun robbed 14-year-old in Uptown, police say.
CHICAGO — In a shocking announcement, Chicago police said on Sunday that two teenage boys have been charged with using a machine gun to rob a 14-year-old in Uptown. The robbery occurred around 5 p.m. Saturday in the 5100 block of North Sheridan. Police said a group of people, including a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, robbed the younger boy at gunpoint and then fled the scene.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.