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Hey LaPorte County, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Jail phone scam targeting families, St. Patrick’s Day parade, and a wild 2-bed home to see + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around LaPorte County protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Fraudsters mine public records: LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office warns families of a jail phone scam targeting relatives of recent arrestees. Residents should use call blocking and register on the National Do Not Call Registry — get all the details.

Spotlight on devoted school staff: Michigan City Area Schools is seeking nominations for the 2026 Wall of Fame honoring former employees with at least 15 years of service, from teachers to bus drivers — see eligibility and how to nominate.

Interactive tech retail experience: A new Xfinity Store opened in Michigan City, giving shoppers a look at Comcast internet, WiFi, and home tech after a February 26 ribbon cutting with city leaders — see what’s inside the store.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Support Friends of the Library at Hacienda
• Learn couponing and share savings tips
• Celebrate St. Patrick’s with colorful 5k run

🫶 We got your back

Lunch that actually hits: Craving better than basic? Panini Panini piles fresh, housemade flavors into hot, crisp sandwiches that feel like a mini getaway. Lunchtime turns breezy, your afternoon resets, and you leave wondering why this hasn’t always been the plan.

Lakefront reset, anyone? When you need blue-sky therapy without leaving town, Washington Park & Beach delivers. Wander the pier, roam the dunes, watch a freighter slide by, or let the waves hush your inbox. Ideal for a midweek reset with no itinerary, just fresh air and easy vibes.

All aboard, locals: I Love Toy Trains Country Store is a joy for train kids and grown-up collectors, with running layouts to watch, classic Lionel, Melissa & Doug, and quirky finds you’ll actually play with. It beats the endless scroll and lets your inner conductor choose something fun in person.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧠 Stroke Support Group @ Franciscan Health Michigan City | Tuesday (3/10) at 2:00 PM – Recovering from a stroke, or caring for someone who’s? This free support group series trades WebMD rabbit holes for real talk from pros and folks who’ve been there, with practical tips you can actually use, and zero sales pitches. Come for clarity, leave steadier.

✂ Michigan City Quilting Club @ Krueger Memorial Park | Wednesday (3/11) at 12:30 PM – Whether your bobbin behaves or you think quilting is just sewing, the club welcomes all, free. Drop in twice a month for afternoon or evening sessions, learn or lend a hand, and stitch squares into quilts for vets, hospitals, and shelters. Good company, better quilts.

🏠 2026 Homebuyer Information Meetings (3-14) @ La Porte County Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Only in La Porte does house hunting start at the library. Hit Habitat’s info session to learn to apply and ask questions, mandatory to apply; you’ll need 1+ years living or working here, and Eventbrite tickets go fast, one per person, even kids.

☘ St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360, United States | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Ready to swap winter gray for a little green? The St. Patrick’s Day parade rolls through downtown Michigan City, complete with bagpipes, candy, and questionable kilt decisions, then we drift to the Ritz Klub on 4th for a post-parade pint, a hello, and neighborhood gossip.

🛍 Free Foster Family Shopping @ Lighthouse Premium Outlet (Michigan City) | Sunday (3/15) at 3:00 PM – Local foster and kinship families, come “shop” the consignment goodies for free, thanks to our ridiculously generous neighbors. Bring your placement paperwork, your stroller or baby wrap, and a couple laundry baskets, because yes, you will find plenty to haul home at Rhea Lana’s.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 LaPorte County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 68°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 25%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. Low around 45, with temperatures rising to around 56 overnight. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 100%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 53. West wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Indiana but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Smart and sunny, this 2-bed ranch packs 1,050 square feet of easy main-level living near the South Shore Line and Lake Michigan beaches. An eat-in kitchen shows off cherry cabinetry, gas range, dishwasher, and refrigerator. A deck surveys an oversized fenced yard. A framed, drywalled basement, newer mechanicals, garage, and shed add practicality.

Take a peek inside →