Town of Chesterton

06/13/2026

Porter County EMA urges folks to report storm damage to Indiana 211

The Porter County Emergency Management Agency (PCEMA) has asked the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to establish its 211 Reporting System for residents of Porter County impacted by the storm on Thursday, June 11.

“This information will be utilized to gather data should government assistance pertaining to the storm be activated,” PCEMA said.”

Residents of Porter County are being encouraged to contact Indiana 211 at 866-211-9966 or in211.communityos.org to report severe storm damage.

Currently, only residents in Porter, Lake, Huntington, and Elkhart counties should use Indiana 211 for June 11 storm damage reports.

“This may change and more counties may be added as the recovery process continues, so keep an eye out for updates,” PCEMA said.

NOTE: Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

CommunityOS is an I&R, Disaster, and Public Health client database and case management system.

06/13/2026

Clip and redeem Strack coupon for $20 off $100 purchase by end of store hours TOMORROW Sunday June 14

For those still recovering from the storms—who need to restock their fridges or may still even be in the dark—the good folks at Strack & Van Til are offering a special coupon for $20 OFF their next $100 purchase.

This coupon is valid THIS WEEKEND ONLY and expires when the doors close TOMORROW, Sunday, June 14, at 11 p.m.

“Following the recent storms, we want to offer a little extra support to our customers and communities,” Strack & Van Til said. “Enjoy a special $20 off your next $100 purchase with this exclusive digital coupon, valid this weekend only. Don't forget to clip and redeem your coupon before it expires at the end of the day tomorrow!”

Download the Strack & Van Till app on the Apple App Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/strack-van-til/id1371046320

Download the Strack & Van Till app on Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediasolutionscorp.storeapp.strackvantil&hl=en_US

Thank you, Strack & Van Til!

06/12/2026

If your power is still out, most of the food in your fridge has almost certainly gone bad

Unfortunately, if you did a full shop on Thursday afternoon, June 11, and have been without power since Thursday night, the meats, fish, cheeses, eggs, milks, and other perishables in your refrigerator have most likely already gone bad.

Frozen food kept in your freezer probably still has some time left, so long as you don’t open it.

According to www.foodsafety.gov:

*REFRIGERATORS: “Your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after four hours without power. After a power outage NEVER taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately. WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT.

*FREEZERS: “A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed). Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F (4°C) or below. However, its quality may suffer. NEVER taste food to determine its safety.”

To review detailed and informative DISCARD/KEEP charts for a wide range of food items kept in refrigerators or freezers during a power outage, go to
https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/food-safety-during-power-outage

Stay safe, folks.

06/12/2026

Nearly 6 inches of rain over the last week recorded at Chesterton wastewater treatment plant

For anyone wondering. . . .

Over the last seven days—since Friday, June 5—a total of 5.98 inches of rain has been recorded at the Chesterton wastewater treatment plant:

*0.40 inches on Friday, June 5.
*0.52 inches on Monday, June 8.
*2.35 inches on Tuesday, June 9.
*0.46 inches on Wednesday, June 10.
*2.25 inches on Thursday, June 11.

On two occasions over the last week, combined stormwater and sanitary sewage flow was diverted to the 1.2-million storage basin at the plant: 62,000 gallons on Tuesday; and 220,000 gallons last night.

To those of you now dealing with water in your homes or on your property, the Public Affairs Liaison wishes you a quick, clean, and comprehensive drying-out.

06/12/2026

NIPSCO advises 58K customers still without power to prepare for multi day outages

This is how NIPSCO concluded an update on storm repairs released at 11 a.m. today, Friday, June 12:

“While damage assessment and restoration efforts are underway, some customers in the hardest-hit areas should be prepared for the possibility of multi-day outages due to the extent of damage. NIPSCO encourages customers to make arrangements now to keep themselves and their families safe.”

This is where matters stood at 1 p.m. today:

*NIPSCO was reporting 53,767 customers in the dark across its service territory.

*Of those, 2,449 are Chesterton households and businesses, down from 5,364 at 12:58 a.m. today.

*Another 1,253 are Porter customers.

*Also hard hit were Portage (5,351 at 1 p.m.); Merrillville (4,891); Hobart (6,423); and Gary (4,309).

*Valparaiso, on the other hand, fared a little better, with only 253 customers still juiceless.

At the Town of Chesterton’s weekly staff meeting this morning, department heads were of the opinion that—excepting the 2,449 households and business currently without electric service—Chesterton “dodged a bullet,” as Police Chief Tim Richardson put it.

To Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg’s knowledge, no large trees were lost during the storm and there was little in the way of debris. “Not much tree damage,” he reported. “We got really luck this time. Mostly tree limbs. No significant damage, thank goodness.”

“Portage got pretty wrecked,” Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell added. “Merrillville got smoked last night too.”

NIPSCO’S 11 A.M. UPDATE

For the record, NIPSCO was reporting the following at 11 a.m. today:

“A severe storm system on June 11 brought heavy rain, lightning,
damaging winds, and multiple tornadoes across portions of NIPSCO’s service territory, resulting in extensive damage and power outages.

“All available NIPSCO crews and additional resources responded immediately following the storm and began assessing damage and initiating restoration efforts as soon as it was safe to do so. At this time, crews are continuing to assess extensive damage in impacted areas, which is the critical first step in determining what repairs are needed and how long restoration will take.

“A storm on Wednesday, June 10, caused approximately 21,500 customer outages prior to the start of Thursday’s severe weather. Following the June 11 storm activity, NIPSCO is currently aware of approximately 61,900 customers without power at the time of this release (11 a.m. CT), with 18 percent of the approximately 86,640 total impacted customers restored thus far.

“Damage reports from the field include multiple downed poles and wires, broken cross arms and other system damage, as well as downed trees and vegetation debris surrounding damaged equipment, underscoring the severity of the storm’s impact.

“Because crews are still actively assessing this damage, estimated times of restoration both globally and by community, are not yet available. NIPSCO crews are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore power to those impacted.

“Following a thorough damage assessment, restoration begins with repairing the largest and most critical infrastructure, including transmission and distribution lines that serve the greatest number of customers and critical facilities such as hospitals and emergency services. Repairs then move to smaller lines and individual service connections. Because of this process, some customers may see power restored sooner than others, even within the same community.”

FACEBOOKERS ASK THE PAL: ARE BLACKOUTS A THING IN CHESTERTON?

At 10:45 p.m. Thursday, the Public Affairs Liaison received this message from a Facebooker: “I grew up in the mountains without electricity so I am good, no problems. I am only worried about my neighbors who depend on the grid. I’ve been out here since 2021, never had this problem. They just replaced all the power lines and now it’s a problem??? Personally unaffected but I care about my neighbors and families.”

And this one at 11:02 a.m. today: “Hi there! I thought I might ask if you have any insight into Chesterton’s power. I’ve lived in this region all my life and have never lost as much power as I have while living in Chesterton. I was just curious if there was a reason why Chesterton seems to lose power easier and for longer. Perhaps I could ask at a town meeting, and so if that’s the case, thank you for your time and I’ll consider that! I thank you for your time either way! Have a good day!”

06/12/2026

Resources available in NWI for victims of domestic violence

The Urban League of Northwest Indiana is reminding the victims of domestic violence that resources are available for them, right now; that there’s no need to suffer in silence for a moment longer; that help is only a phone call away.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence is the mistreatment of a family member, friend, or intimate partner which can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

It can include abuse toward partners or spouses, children, elderly individuals, and anyone living in the same household.

FORMS OF ABUSE

Domestic violence can take many forms:

*Physical abuse.
*Emotional or psychological abuse.
*Sexual abuse.
*Financial or economic abuse.
*Coercive control.
*Technology-based abuse.
*Harassment and stalking.

WARNING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Victims may experience the following:

*Anxiety or depression.
*Fear or constant worry.
*Low self-esteem.
*Isolation from others.
*Feelings of hopelessness.
*Self-harm and/or suicidal thoughts.

GET HELP NOW

*National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233.

*The Caring Place 24/7 Hotline (Valparaiso): 800-933-0466.

*Gabriel’s Horn Hotline (Valparaiso): 219-242-2799.

*Porter County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Victim Assistance Unit: 219-465-3433.

*Haven House (NWI): 219-931-2090.

*Sojourner Truth House (Gary): 219-885-2282.

*St. Jude House (Crown Point): 219-662-7066.

*Edgewater Health Building (Gary): 219-806-3472.

*Su***de & Crisis Hotline: 988.

*Emergency number: 911.

06/12/2026

Local AA group meeting schedule for TOMORROW Saturday June 13

The following Alcoholics Anonymous groups will meet TOMORROW, Saturday, June 13:

*8 a.m.: 8th Hour Meeting, Ogden Dunes Historical Society Hourglass Museum; 8 Lupine Lane, Ogden Dunes.

*8 a.m.: 8th Hour Meeting, Portage Lakefront Pavilion; Riverwalk Drive, Portage.

*9 a.m.: Open AA, Barker Hall; 600 Franklin St., Michigan City.

*9 a.m.: Eye Opener, Dunes Fellowship House; 211 E. Sixth St., Michigan City.

*9 a.m.: Saturday 12 & 12, Parkdale Recovery Center; 350 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton.

*10 a.m.: Acceptance, 12 Step House; 913 Aetna St., Gary.

*10 a.m.: Victor E. Group, Care Counseling Services; 793 Juniper Road, South Haven.

*10 a.m.: Saturday Morning Seekers, Living Victorious Church; 5855 Central Ave., Portage.

*10 a.m.: The Ungodly Hour, Moraine House; 353 W. Lincolnway, Valparaiso.

*10 a.m.: SouthLake Beginners, Regional Mental Health; 8555 W. Taft St., Merrillville.

*10 a.m.: Eye Opener, Serenity House/Club; 5157 Harrison St., Gary.

*10 a.m.: Serenity Women’s Group, Serenity House/Club; 5157 Harrison St., Gary.

*11 a.m.: Women’s Support Group, Serenity House/Club; 5157 Harrison St., Gary.

*12 p.m.: Women’s Meeting, Amber’s Recovery House; 316 E. Seventh St., Michigan City.

*5:30 p.m.: Step Meeting, Dunes Fellowship House; 211 E. Sixth St., Michigan City.

*7 p.m.: Porter County Open Group, Christ Lutheran Church; 2610 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso.

*7 p.m.: Phoenix Group, Portage Recovery Association; 6040 Lute Road, Portage.

*8 p.m.: Independence Hill, First Presbyterian Church; 7898 Taft St., Merrillville.

06/12/2026

Local NA group meeting schedule for TOMORROW Saturday June 13

The following Narcotics Anonymous groups will meet TOMORROW, Saturday, June 13:

*10 a.m.: No Reservations, 602 Monroe St., Valparaiso.

*12:30 p.m.: Raw Recovery, 1112 Garfield St., Gary.

*5:30 p.m.: Ready and Willing, 211 E. Sixth St., Michigan City.

*6 p.m.: End of the Road, 1201 W. 20th Ave., Gary.

*6 p.m.: Principles Before Personalities, 1112 Garfield St., Gary.

*6 p.m.: Relationships in Recovery, 839 Massachusetts St., Gary.

*7 p.m.: Spiritual Gangsters, 505 Don Hovey Drive, Valparaiso.

*8 p.m.: There Is Hope, 5965 McCasland Ave., Portage.

06/12/2026

Echoes of the Past

20 Years Ago
Friday, June 9, 2006
Second annual Chesterton Weightlifting Meet has 188 participants. CHS lifters with good performances are Mark VanDenburgh, Sam Jaeger, and TJ Boyle. . . The county-owned Porter hospital advertises its interest in acquiring a partner to build a new hospital. . . A challenge to the leasing of the Indiana Toll Road goes to the Indiana Supreme Court. . . Westchester Public Library’s budget for 2007 will include current levels of hours, services, and acquisitions, along with funds put aside in a rainy day fund.

25 Years Ago
Friday, June 8, 2001
The public is invited to an informational meeting on the Coffee Creek Watershed Management Plan. . . Winners of the YMCA 5K Run/Walk are Mike Darnell and Kelsi Blankenship (run) and Gerald Flatz (walk). . . Westchester Junior Historians win the Outstanding Chapter Award at their state convention.

30 Years Ago
Tuesday, June 11, 1996
Herb and Charlotte Read are honored by the Wilderness Society and the Izaak Walton League with a national environmental award. . . Larry James goes to Atlanta to be a pole vault judge at the Olympics. . . Town of Chesterton pursues a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for tree planting. . . Duneland School Board seeks to fill the seat vacated by Ray Yagelski’s resignation.

35 Years Ago
Wednesday, June 12, 1991
Twelve CHS speech and debate students prepare for the national tournament at Glenbrook North Hilll School in Chicago. They are Chris Feick, Catherine Keane, Greg Lanter, Tom Marlowe, Carm Hise, Susan Welsh, Tara Firnish, MIke Horvath, Michelle Jatkiewicz, Cassie Dommer, Antoon Nabhan, and Jason Wilkman. . . The Indiana Boundary Conservancy District’s sanitary sewer project is nearing completion ahead of schedule.

40 Years Ago
Friday, June 13, 1986
CHS baseball team is set for regional. Coach Jack Campbell, with a career rebirth of 299-142, is looking for his 300th win. . . A ticker tape parade for Vietnam veterans is planned for Chicago. . . Financial pruning continues for the North Porter County Ambulance Commission. For the first time NOPAC is running four rigs.

45 Years Ago
Tuesday, June 9, 1981
Martha Miller is appointed to the Chesterton Board of Zoning Appeals. . . Kelly Keating of the Duneland Destroyers AAU qualifies for four events at the State Age Group Junior Olympics. . . Duneland Neighborhood Girl Scout day camp at Camp Meadowbrook expands it program to include square dancing and horse handling at Jackson Farms and swimming at Indiana Dunes State Park.

50 Years Ago
Friday, June 11, 1976
The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department put up a 3.5-hour fight to save structures around a flaming two-story shed on the property of C.R. 400E and C.R. 750N yesterday afternoon. The large shed and its contents of undetermined value were burned up. The fire was out of control when firemen got there. However, a barn 25 feet away from the shed was saved, while firemen also extinguished a fire that had spread to a NIPSCO pole, a tree, surrounding grass, and a manure spreader. While the pole was on fire, wires were banging into each other and sparks were showing. However, NIPSCO got out there quickly. . . NIPSCO said Thursday that it was reviewing updated cost studies and revised work schedules for the construction of its Bailly nuclear power plant. Board Chairman Dean Mitchell said that the reviews were begun after the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago refused to order further delays in construction. . . The North Porter County Ambulance Commission meet last night in the Chesterton town hall and passed a budget of $90,000 for 1977. The money will be raised from the towns and townships which comprise NOPAC, from fees charged, from memberships, and from hoped-for donations. . . Starting next Thursday, June 17, the Chesterton license branch will be closed all day on Thursdays during the summer. Those who must have the services of a license branch on Thursdays may go to the Portage license branch, which is closed on Wednesdays. . . A number of fraternal organizations are combining to put on a flag-raising ceremony to observe Flag Day in Chesterton on Monday in Thomas Centennial Park. The brief but colorful ceremony will send aloft an American flag that has flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C., provided by U.S. Rep. Floyd Fithian. . . Tires and wheels were stolen from a car of Bernon Zenci Jr. when parked at the Chesterton North Apartments, Chesterton Police said. Deborah Maxwell, 521 Dunewood Drive, reported the theft of a $60 calculator from her CHS locker. . . A blue Ford pickup truck with a white camper was stolen from Bethlehem Steel while its owner, Roy Bartlet of Merrillville, was at work. . . A Honda motorcycle was recovered at Bethlehem Steel by Burns Harbor Police. It had been stolen from G.H. Brown of Portage. . . Tri Kappa, Epsilon Chapter, held a pledging of college-bound girls and an initiation during its June 7 meeting at Thomas Library. Recent CHS graduates who pledged were Connie Peffers, Laura Swanson, Beth Hammond, Amy Ruffing, and Sharon Farabee. They were joined by Elaine Williams, Joan Castronovo, Cathy Fitzmaurice, Dianne Huddleston, Karen Grosnik, Candy Arnold, Shirley Clancy, and Phyllis Blythe for the initiation ceremonies. . . Gateway Junior Bowlers will hold a city tournament, June 26-27, funded by the Gateway Charity League and by Flora Lawson, who donated her league secretary’s salary. Because of this generosity, the fee will be just $1 to regular bowlers of the junior leagues. The special patches, trophies, and bowling will be paid by the donations. . . Tonight’s TV Highlights: Donny & Marie, ABC. Pearl Bailey and The Osmond Brothers are guests. . . President Idi Amin of Uganda survived an assassination attempt on Thursday by unknown attackers who lobbed grenades into a crowd he was addressing, diplomats said today. Amin met with a Kenyan economics expert today and was seen by foreign diplomats, who said there were no signs he had been injured.

06/12/2026

Chesterton resident Brian Medley passes at 59

Brian Medley, 59, of Chesterton, Ind., passed away on Friday, June 5, 2026.

He was born on Nov. 12, 1966, in Michigan City, Ind., to Morris Medley, who preceded him in death and Patricia Medley, who survives in Chesterton.

Brian is also survived by his uncle, David (Jan) Dunn and Thomas (Terry) Dunn; his aunt, Helen Frederickson; many cousins; and many friends.

In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his brothers, Darin and Robert.

Brian was a collector and also a moped mechanic. He will forever be remembered as a wonderful son, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Services will be announced.

Memorial donations may be made to the family.

Professional arrangements are entrusted to White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton.

Please share your wonderful memories with the family at www.whitelovefuneralhome.com