Randy Novak - State Representative for District 9

08/14/2026

Please help share this with everyone in Northern, Indiana that is the need of services after the devastating storm went through.
If you have no damage and are able to volunteer, please reach out to any of these organizations below as they can always use more assistance serving our community. 
Now is the time to come together to help all of our neighbors in need. Please check on family, friends and neighbors in this very difficult time.

Hurricane-force winds and severe storms have caused power outages and widespread damage across our community. Times like this remind us how resilient and tight-knit LaPorte County is. Please check in on elderly neighbors, families with young children, and anyone who may need extra support in the next few days as many of us are without power, food, water, shelter, and other vital supplies.

We will get through this together. Stay safe, hang in there, and take care of one another! ❤️

If you are without power, displaced, or in need of support, please utilize these local emergency resources:

OXYGEN TANK AND WATER CONTAINER REFILLS:

La Porte County residents can refill their drinking water containers at the La Porte Fire Stations:

📍LPFD Station 1 - 809 W. 18th Street, La Porte
📍LPFD Station 2 - 115 E. Shore Parkway, La Porte
📍LPFDStation 3 - 710 Daytona Street, La Porte

📍LPFD Station 3 will be the designated station to fill oxygen tanks for residents.
🕗 Hours for oxygen and water refills are from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT

The Salvation Army - LaPorte, IN is distributing free sacked meals and bottled water to anyone in need at the following locations and times today, 8/14:

📍 Hanna (at the park) at 2pm CDT
📍 Union Mills (fire station) at 2:30pm CDT
📍 Kingsford Heights (fire station) at 3pm CDT
📍 La Porte City Hall at 4pm CDT
📍 La Porte (Civic Auditorium) at 5pm CDT

📍Westville Fire Station 208 N Flynn Rd, Westville
🥪 Free Meals
🕗 5pm-6pm CDT (MONDAY)

📍 YMCA 901 Michigan Ave, La Porte
🪫Charging station
🚿Showers facilities available
🕗 MON-FRI 5am-9pm CDT
🕗SATURDAY 6am-4pm CDT
🕗SUNDAY 10am-4pm CDT
*Just bring a photo ID and your own toiletries/towels*

📍 La Porte City Hall
🥪 Free sacked meals provided from Salvation Army
🕗Starting at 5pm CDT (THURSDAY)

📍 Civic Auditorium LaPorte Parking Lot
🥪 Free sacked meals provided from Salvation Army
🕗Starting at 6PM CDT (THURSDAY)

📍Health Foundation of Laporte 140 East Shore Parkway, La Porte
🪫Charging electronics
💻Internet
❄️A/C & cold water
☕️Hot coffee
🕗8am-4:30pm CDT

📍New Carlisle Food Pantry 300 E. Compton St
🥫Pick up non-perishable items
🕗4pm-5pm CDT (THURSDAY)
🥫pick up full pantry & emergency item boxes
🕗10am-11am CDT (FRIDAY)
(For both St Joe and LaPorte County residents without power)

📍Maple Lane Mall Parking Lot, LaPorte
🍲 Free hot meals provided by the New Carlisle Food Pantry
🕗 4pm CDT (SATURDAY)

📍Michigan City Free Methodist Church 3001 Ohio St
🚽Restroom facilities
🪫Charging electronics
🕗 Until 9:00pm CDT

LaPorte County Public Library
📍807 Indiana Avenue La Porte
📍1 E Michigan Street Rolling Prairie
❄️A/C
🪫charging station
💻WiFi
🕗Until 6pm CDT

Closest Red Cross Shelters:
📍3630 Willow Creek Rd, Portage
🛏️ Open 24/7 & accepts pets

📍5800 Lexington Ave, Portage
🛏️ Open 24/7 & accepts pets

Emergency & Immediate Assistance:

-Emergency Services: Dial 911 for life-threatening emergencies

-Indiana 211: Call 2-1-1 or visit in211.org for real-time local shelter, food, and disaster relief information.

-American Red Cross (Northeast Indiana): Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for emergency shelter and displacement assistance

Please use the comment section under this post for additional resources not listed above to help others find what they may need! 🫶🏻

07/28/2026

This event completely exceeded all of our expectations. The number of participants, sponsors, and supporters who came out to enjoy lunch and bid on auction items was amazing. All of the proceeds are going to Officer Jon Samuelson. His life and his family's life are changed forever, and this is just a small way for us to show our support for Jon and his family.🙏🙏

I want to thank Don Hicks, Denise Conlon, Rick Knoll, Pattie Eidam, Mike Kellems as well as all the outstanding volunteers. A huge thank you to Tammy and the Deer Creek Hunt Club for helping make this event such a huge success. I was honored to be part of this amazing event. 👏👏

https://wsbt.com/news/local/deer-creek-hunt-club-hosts-skeet-shoot-for-recovering-laporte-county-deputy

07/04/2026

Have a safe and Happy 4th

06/22/2026

The Supreme Court has already decided that living in the community is a legal right.

More than 25 years ago, the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision affirmed that people with disabilities have the right to live in their communities and not be forced into institutions.

That ruling changed millions of lives. But a right on paper only works when people can get the support they need. That’s what Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) make possible.

Congress made the biggest cuts to Medicaid in history last year. Now, many states are considering options that could reduce access to HCBS.

Help keep the promise of Olmstead alive. Tell Congress to protect Medicaid HCBS and the right of people with disabilities to live in their communities. https://bit.ly/4fAVl54

05/25/2026

 Take the time to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our country. 💔

05/22/2026

My heart goes out to Officer Jon Samuelson, his family, and the entire LaPorte County Sheriff's Department as they face the devastating tragedy that occurred this morning.

Jon is exactly the kind of officer our communities are fortunate to have, a 12-year veteran and third-generation officer who has always gone out of his way for others.

Michigan City and all of Northwest Indiana stands with the Samuelson family.

05/12/2026

There are no words for what happened Saturday night in Pines Township.

These were kids doing what kids are supposed to do on prom night, celebrating and making memories. And before midnight, one of them was gone. Two more were hurt. No parent should ever get that phone call, and certainly not on Mother's Day.

I have been around long enough to know that moments like this leave a mark on a community that does not fade quickly. My heart breaks for every family touched by this.

To the young people in this district, I am asking you with everything I have, please do not go down that road.

We owe it to these families to ask hard questions and have honest conversations about how we keep young people safe. Not partisan ones. Just honest ones, between people who care about this community.

To the families grieving right now, I am so deeply sorry. This community stands with you.

If you were at the gathering and have information, please reach out to the Porter County Sheriff's Detective Division at 219-477-3136.

05/04/2026

On International Fire Fighters Day, we recognize the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting communities across Indiana. Every day, fire fighters, EMTs, and paramedics answer the call without hesitation, putting service above self to keep others safe.

Thank you for your courage, your commitment, and the difference you make in the lives of so many.

05/01/2026

Novak celebrates ceremonial signing of HEA 1048, boosting support for volunteer firefighters
Rep. Randy Novak
Apr 30
Yesterday, April 29, State Rep. Randy Novak (D-Michigan City) joined Gov. Mike Braun, firefighters and key stakeholders for the ceremonial signing of House Enrolled Act 1048 — legislation long overdue in recognizing the dedicated men and women who volunteer each day to protect Indiana communities.

HEA 1048 increases the yearly minimum clothing and vehicle allowance for volunteer fire department members from $100 to $250 each, helping offset the cost of essential out-of-pocket expenses incurred in service.

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Novak released the following statement:

"Yesterday was a great day for Indiana's volunteer firefighters, and it's been a long time coming. Standing here with the very people who put on the gear and run toward danger — that's what this is all about. This increase may seem modest, but it sends the message that Indiana stands behind the over 13,000 citizens who volunteer to keep our communities safe.

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"I'm grateful to have this legislation signed into law, and to everyone who testified, reached out, and shared their stories along the way. Your voices moved this across the finish line. To my House co-authors, Reps. Chuck Moseley, Steve Bartels, and Jim Pressel, and our Senate Sponsors, thank you for your partnership.

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"There is more work to be done to support all of our first responders, and I remain committed to continuing that effort. Today, we celebrate, and tomorrow, we keep moving forward."

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HEA 1048 passed with full bipartisan support during the 2026 legislative session.