Nurse Faces Level 5 Felony after Allegedly Trafficking Cell Phone into La Porte County Jail

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Mugshot of Gina Salinas Provided by LCSD

A nurse employed by Advanced Correctional Healthcare has been arrested for the Level 5 Felony of trafficking with an inmate after she allegedly snuck a cell phone into La Porte County Jail with the intention of delivering it.

A press release issued by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office indicates that on Friday, March 16th, Jail administrative staff received information that an inmate within the jail was potentially in possession of a cellular telephone.

Upon receiving the information, an investigation was immediately launched and Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division of the La Porte County Sheriff’s office were called to assist. Continue reading →

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office to Host 54th Annual Children’s Christmas Show this Saturday

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the 54th Annual Children’s Christmas Show this Saturday!

The show will be at Boston Middle School in La Porte.  People who cannot witness the event can watch it through Zoom magic shows. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and the show will start at 10 o’clock sharp. The program will feature a magic show performed by magician Matt Kalita and a balloon artist will be on hand crafting balloon art for kids. Check out the Boston landmarks to visit, you will never get bored.

Children will have a chance to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus and will every child will receive a gift and candy. Captain Michael Kellems said that last year 250 deserving children from throughout La Porte County attended the show and received snacks, gifts and candy. Unclaimed gifts were distributed to local churches and charitable organizations to ensure that others in need could benefit as well. Continue reading →

House Fire Claims One Life

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

One person could not be saved after resuscitation efforts were attempted in the middle of a house fire in La Porte this morning.

Emergency responders and firefighters were called to 111 Maple Drive just after 7 a.m. CT after a neighbor reporting seeing smoke coming from the residence.

La Porte City firefighters arrived on the scene and found flames coming from the two-story home with heavy smoke, according to the report. The same report indicates that firefighters made their way into the home and discovered a man laying approximately 10 feet from the doorway. The firefighters attempted resuscitation efforts, but were not successful. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s identity has not been released pending family notification.

Continue reading →

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Responds to Two Vehicle, Single Fatality Crash Along U.S. Hwy 20

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. CT on Tuesday, deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s office were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash that occurred on US Highway 20 at the intersection of Range Road in rural Kankakee Township.

A media advisory explained that Kankakee Township Firemen were the first to arrive on the scene and they determined that the driver of a Honda passenger car involved in the accident was unresponsive. Continue reading →

La Porte Emergency Responders Investigate Fatal Crash

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

A single vehicle crash claimed the life of a 20-year-old man Wednesday afternoon.

La Porte County police say a car driven by Cody Strauch was traveling west on U.S. 20 and went off the north side of the road and stuck a tree in the 7400 E. block of U.S. 20 near New Prairie High School. After the impact, the vehicle spun off into the yard for approximately 30 feet, according to the report. Continue reading →

La Porte County Investigates Safe Haven Baby Box Alarm

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

A newborn baby was found in the Safe Haven Baby Box in La Porte County.

According to La Porte police, emergency responders responded to the baby box alarm at the Coolspring Township Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday night. Police say Fire Chief Mick Pawlik was the first to arrive at the station and found the newborn baby. An ambulance was summoned and the infant was rushed to Franciscan St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City. Continue reading →

Trail Creek Man Surrenders Himself to Police

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Gordon R. Gardner

A Trail Creek man suspected of aggravated battery turned himself into police on Friday, Nov. 3.

According to the Trail Creek Police Department, Gordon R. Gardner threw a bottle of alcohol at a female patron while he was a bartender at Decoy’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Trail Creek. The alleged incident that left the woman injured happened at 2:20 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 29. Continue reading →

La Porte Jail Inmate Death Investigation Complete

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A La Porte County inmate died of an accidental overdose of the narcotic fentanyl. That’s according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office whose investigators say the drug was smuggled into the jail and Andrea Roberts, 35, ingested a lethal amount of the drug.

The jail supervisor found Roberts unresponsive in her cell on Saturday, July 15 and attempted to resuscitate her. She was later pronounced dead at the La Porte Hospital.

The La Porte County Coroner’s Office conducted a full forensic autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Continue reading →

Police Search for Suspect in Attempted Child Abduction Incident

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

La Porte County Police are looking for a suspect who attempted to abduct a child in the Fish Lake area Thursday night.

Police say a man stopped at the residence in the 7400 East block of State Road 4 at Fish Lake. The homeowner was working outside of the home and his one-year-old son was also outdoors. The suspect told the homeowner that he was in need of assistance as his car broke down. The man asked the homeowner for some water. As the homeowner went inside to get the suspect some water, the man attempted to put the child into a duffle bag.

Continue reading →

Two Injured after Train Strikes Car

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

A mother and son were injured after their car was struck by a train Saturday night at the CSX railroad crossing at Range Road and 700 S. in La Porte County.

The accident occurred at 7:50 p.m. CT. According to an investigation by deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, the 36-year-old driver from Kingsford Heights was traveling south on Range Road waiting for a westbound train to pass. Once the train passed, she drove her car around the gates unaware an eastbound train was approaching. The train struck the rear of the passenger car and it was pushed 150 feet from the crossing into a cornfield.

Continue reading →

Man Injured in Single Vehicle Accident

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A man was injured after reportedly driving into a barricade in La Porte County Sunday morning.

Deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office say the man hit the barricade on County Road 950 W. north of County Road 300 N. where the road dead ends into Interstate 94. The male driver was found lying on the ground outside of his vehicle. He was unresponsive with serious head injuries.

Continue reading →

La Porte Resident Dies in Crash

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Photo provided by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office

A drunk driving accident claimed the life of a La Porte resident late Thursday afternoon.

La Porte County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a single vehicle crash in the 5100 W. block of County Road 450 North shortly after 5 p.m. CT. Investigating deputies say a silver 2008 Cadillac was traveling west on County Road 450 North when the vehicle began to fishtail and left the south side of the roadway. The vehicle violently collided with a tree.

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LaPorte County Officers Seek Help Tracking Down Fugitive

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

image003The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the public’s help in tracking down a convicted burglar. Officials with the Sheriff’s Office say Jeffery S. Glancy was recently sentenced to the Indiana Department of Correction but was granted a two-week furlough on May 2 to attend to a family member with medical issues. The Sheriff’s Office says he still hasn’t returned to the LaPorte County Jail. Continue reading →

‘Cops Cycling for Survivors’ Ride Schedules Local Stop

Posted on Author WKVI

ccfsOn Monday, Governor Mike Pence and his wife Karen led the first leg of the annual Cops Cycling for Survivors charitable bicycle ride as it left from the state’s police and fire memorial in Indianapolis. The ride is meant to honor fallen police officers and also serves as a fundraiser for numerous worthy causes. Today the cyclists will make their way through La Porte County, just one of the many stops on their 1,000 mile trek across the state. Continue reading →

9th Annual Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive: Give a Little in Memory of those Who Gave it All

Posted on Author WKVI

b100ddriveTwo local police stations are participating in the 9th annual Fallen Officer Blood Drive with a friendly competition. The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Michigan Police Department in an effort to supply blood during a critical time in the year and raise awareness about the dangers police face every day on the job. Continue reading →

La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Recommends Online System To Keep Track of Valuables

Posted on Author WKVI
LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff's Office

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office strongly encourages all residents to use a free online system in order to keep track of valuable personal property. ReportIt is a free, secure online service that is designed to allow citizens to record serial numbers, upload images, and provide other information regarding phones, electronics, and other valuables. The sheriff’s office says having the information available will go a long way in accurately and quickly identifying your property.

The site can be located at reportit.leadsonline.com.

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Two Arrested In La Porte For Dealing Controlled Substances

Posted on Author WKVI
Steven McClelland
Allisha Mendoa

Two La Porte residents were arrested on Friday after an arrest warrant was executed by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division and La Porte Metro Operations Unit.

Allisha Mendoa, 31, was arrested on charges of Dealing a Schedule II Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony; two counts of Dealing a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, a Class C Felony; and misdemeanor charges of Aiding, Inducing, or Causing an Offense and Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Steven McClelland was arrested on charges of Dealing a Schedule II Controlled Substance, a Class B Felony; Dealing a Scheduled IV Controlled Substance, a Class C Felony; and a misdemeanor charge of Visiting a Common Nuisance.

These arrests are the results of investigations conducted by the La Porte Metro Operations Unit in response to community concerns about illicit activity in the area.

La Porte County Stepping Up Patrols For Prom

Posted on Author WKVI

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office and the La Porte County DUI Task Force has announced that it will increase enforcement and patrols around prom and post-prom sites this spring, with a goal of deterring alcohol use and eliminating alcohol-related crashes among high school prom attendees.

With proms starting Saturday, April 28, for Marquette, New Prairie, South Central, and Westville High Schools, and continuing through Saturday, June 2 when Michigan City High School will host their prom and post-prom. The DUI Taskforce will saturate the areas around each prom and post-prom site in an effort to deter potential alcohol and drug use, with zero-tolerance toward the consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages. Those who provide alcohol to minors will be targeted and jailed.

Continue reading →