April 13, 2023

Students win DAR Good Citizen, American History Essay contests PAGE 4

Issa Vibe Café boasts fresh-tasting, high-end menu PAGE 5

Marquette Greenway Easement agreement approved by Grand Beach Village Council

PAGE 6

Legion hosts a most egg-cellant egg hunt

PAGES 10-11

No major injuries from train, bus colliding

PAGE 12

PHOTO BY SAN MADDUX

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Milda’s Corner Market • Customs Imports

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Dyngus Day a long Polish tradition in Michigan City

BY STAN MADDUX

People gathered to celebrate their Polish heritage in Michigan City

Monday, April 10, with handshakes, hugs, spirited conversation and shots of blackberry brandy. There was also beer, Polish food and a polka band drawing people to the dance floor at the St. Joseph’s Young Men’s Society at 2001 Franklin Street.

Not many communities in Northwest Indiana celebrate Dyngus Day, a centuries old holiday rooted in Poland to celebrate the end of Lent following Easter.

Carrie Steinhiser and five of her friends kicked off their celebration by driving to the Crumstown Conservation Club in North Liberty and then the Polish Falcons Club in South Bend before returning for the festivities in Michigan City.

“Super packed. Lots of people dancing and eating the Polish food. It was

awesome,” she said.

Don Przybylinski recalled how his grandmother came here from Poland and taught herself how to read, write and speak English.

Przbylinski said he and his six siblings were taught how to dance to polka music by their mother during polka songs performed on the Lawrence Welk television show a half century ago.

He and his wife, Jinny, danced to a few songs while the band played from 4-7 p.m.

“We all love Dyngus Day,” he said.

Patrick Nevorski said he’s attended the holiday festivities at the club annually for close to 40 years.

The camaraderie is what he especially enjoys.

“You got to have the brotherhood in the community. If you don’t have that, you don’t have nothing to me,” he said.

Nevorski took part in the

Polish tradition of having shots of blackberry brandy with friends such as Mark Yagelski.

Yagelski said Dyngus Day is also a way of celebrating the beginning of spring, especially when the weather is nice.

“We have a lot of fun with it,” he said.

Rob Pahs said he never misses a Dyngus Day celebration at the club.

“Whether you’re Polish or not, everybody comes down. It’s just good. Good people. Good times,” he said.

The serving of drinks and live music were in the packed basement of the club founded over a century ago.

Polish dishes like pierogis, sausage and sauerkraut and kluski noodles prepared in the full kitchen were served upstairs.

Jacob Gutowski, president of the club this year, said carry out meals were also

ordered.

“Just a good time and a lot of people hanging out drinking,” he said.

Jonny Fletcher of Valparaiso said he grew up in Michigan City and has come back here to celebrate the holiday annually for about the past 10 years.

“We always have a good time. It’s just a good atmosphere,” he said.

“Every year, this is the place to be in Michigan City,” said Jeff Yackus,a past president and current treasurer of the club. He said traditional hit polka songs like “Roll Out The Barrel” and “Who Stole The Kiszka” are always among the crowd favorites.

“You’ll get people out here dancing all night,” Yackus said.

Dyngus Day is also celebrated annually in La Porte, where tavern owners provide buses for people to ride to each of the bars taking part in the celebration.

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Local Government Meetings

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CITY OF NEW BUFFALO

JOHN HUMPHREY, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL

MARK ROBERTSON, ROGER LIJESKI, JOHN HUMPHREY, BRIAN FLANAGAN, VANCE PRICE

City Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30PM

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP BOARD

PETE RAHM, MICHELLE HEIT, JUDY H. ZABICKI, PATTY IAZZETTO, JACK ROGERS

Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7PM

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

Meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM

SHERIFF BERRIEN COUNTY

L. Paul Bailey, Sheriff

Chuck Heit, Undersheriff

NEW BUFFALO AREA

RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY

Meets at 10AM on the 2nd Wednesday of every other month at New Buffalo Township Hall, 17425 Red Arrow Highway New Buffalo

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CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP BOARD

DAVID BUNTE, PAULA DUDIAK, LIZ RETTIG, RICHARD SULLIVAN, BILL MARSKE

Chikaming Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6:30PM

THREE OAKS

THREE OAKS TOWNSHIP BOARD

Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7PM

VILLAGE OF THREE OAKS BOARD

Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM

GRAND BEACH

Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7PM

MARY ROBERTSON, CLERK

HARRY WALDER BLAKE O’HALLORAN, JAMES BRACEWELL, PETER DOERR, EDWARD BRANDES

MICHIANA

VILLAGE OF MICHIANA COUNCIL

Meets on the 2nd Friday of each month at 1PM

Students win DAR Good Citizen, American History Essay contests

Members of the Rebecca Dewey Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution recently recognized six high school senior students who qualified for the DAR Good Citizen award program and a middle school student who qualified for the DAR American History Essay Contest.

These students were nominated by their respective school counselors and teachers. The students selected for the Good

Citizen awards included Robert Hartz, Brandywine; Elise Schmaltz, Bridgman; Isabell Bryans, Buchanan; Camille Czech, New Buffalo; Anna Johnson, Niles and Elizabeth Lumley, River Valley. Bryans was the overall winner for her essay and advanced to the State DAR competition. Each of the students was awarded cash, a certificate, a pin and cords to wear at graduation.

Jiwoo Noh of Berrien Springs was the Rebecca Dewey Chapter American History Essay Contest winner, which earnied him a $100 award from the

FILM GROUP TO SCREEN ‘SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN’

Harbor Country Film Group leader Eve Moran has chosen “Singin’ in the Rain,” a 1952 romantic musical comedy, for its April 24 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the New Buffalo Township Library.

“This is music and romance and dancing, all set around a clever story about a fictional film studio’s difficult and wildly amusing transition from silent movies to the talkies,” Moran said. “Warm, smart, funny and energizing, this film will shower us with pure joy.”

Chapter. His outstanding essay on George Washington was submitted to the State DAR competition.

State Rep. Brad Paquette attended with a Declaration of Tribute signed by himself, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. Each of the six students will receive their personal tribute in the mail. Rebecca Dewey Chapter members wish all students much success in their future endeavors. — STAFF REPORTS

The film, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds, is among the most critically regarded. “Singin’ in the Rain” placed fifth on the American Film Institute’s 10th anniversary list of 100 great films and was voted the 10th greatest film of all time by critics in the 2022 Sight & Sound poll. Moran will introduce the film, screen it and lead a discussion afterwards. All are welcome at the meeting, and there is no charge to attend. Free popcorn will be served. The Harbor Country Film Group is sponsored by the Friends of the New Buffalo Library. The library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. — STAFF REPORTS

the “A” side. — Gervonta Tank Davis

Issa Vibe Café boasts fresh-tasting, high-end menu

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Upon stepping into Issa

Vibe Café

at 211 East Buffalo Street in New Buffalo, guests will realize that the café is, indeed, a whole other vibe –a boho chic, fresh and high-end vibe.

Gazing around the café, guests will find a certain bright, soft feeling permeating the building thanks to its wide white walls and the natural green plants that are peeking out from shelves above their heads.

“I just think it makes people really happy because when you come in, you feel you’re being transported to like you’re on vacation…A lot of people said they feel joy, they feel happy when they come in here,” owner Jeremy Gallo said.

Gallo, who grew up in Chesterton, Indiana, said he and his wife, Christa, have always wanted to open a restaurant.

Dave and Dawn Workman, owners of Villa Nova Pizza, knew this and nudged them toward the building that they own that’s located across the street from theirs.

“We decided to take a look at the building, and we fell in love with it and said ‘Why not?’ I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is to take risks and lots of times risks do pay off and if you don’t take a risk then you’ll never know if you’re going to be successful,” Jeremy said. While Christa has always had a huge passion for food, Jeremy said that, while he loves to eat good food, he’s more passionate about the “coffee bar side.” He credits his passion for coffee from working at Starbucks when he was a teenager. From there, Jeremy went into clothing retail before stepping into the world of interior design. He’s also been involved in ministry.

Having such a passion for coffee has influenced how Jeremy has viewed its overall quality. Issa Vibe uses Onyx coffee lab out of Little Rock, Arkansas, as its roaster, which makes it a third wave – which Jeremy said is a “high end process” - cafe. Onyx has a “lot of light taste, they have floral mixed into a lot of their roast,” which mirrors the cafe’s light and floral interior design. Jeremy said everything’s “light and fresh tasting,” from the coffee’s orange blossom syrup to the lavender one. This

is because all the coffee syrups are house made, with no additives or dyes.

Most of the items on Issa Vibe’s menu are made fresh. Soups are made from scratch. His wife makes the baked goods, from the Tres leche cupcakes to the gluten free vegan chocolate muffins to the cheesecake.

The cafe specializes in “eclectic paninis,” which Jeremy said is their “take on our own recipes we’ve created with panini selections.” There’s breakfast, savory and dessert paninis. The “sweetie panini” features bananas, dark chocolate and biscoff and is cooked on the panini press, with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Frittatas are used in breakfast paninis. The process of making 12 sandwiches, which requires 12 eggs, takes three hours.

“The amount of time and effort we put into it is important to us - and you can really taste it,” he said, adding that the finished product is really creamy and thick.

In addition to coffee, the drink menu also features “Thirst-Teas,” a tea mocktail with organic tea, juice and lemonade. The cafe has three flavors, which have already gained a fan base.

Issa Vibe also has several vegan items and sells lots of gluten free breads. The cafe sells larger pieces of bread, which are hard to come by among the gluten variety of breads.

Since opening last month, Jeremy said they’ve had a “huge response” on social media, from Chicago to northern Michigan. Recently, a married couple made the trek from Detroit after seeing the cafe on Facebook. Last weekend, a newly engaged couple from downtown Chicago, who’d never been to New Buffalo, stopped in.

They’ve also gotten a lot of support from locals. A realtor recently came in and put a $100 tab “just to help promote our business.”

“People love going to coffee shops, love hanging out, especially post Covid - you can see people coming back to life and hanging out,” Jeremy said.

For more on Issa Vibe, visit www. issavibecafé.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Parker McGinnis works behind the counter with Jeremy Gallo

Issa Vibe Café is open for business

Tables and chairs fill the front of the café

Owner Jeremy Gallo chats with Toni Morris and Rebekah Zaveloff

Marquette Greenway Easement agreement approved by Grand Beach Village Council

Members of the Grand Beach Village Council approved a Marquette Greenway Easement Agreement at a special meeting Monday, April 10. Last summer, members approved construction of the Marquette Greenway, a 60mile nonmotorized trail from Chicago to New Buffalo, moving forward on village right of way on Grand Beach Road as well as the village deeding a permanent easement to New Buffalo Township for the greenway.

Village attorney Sara Senica said that the agreement was approved by Marcy Hamilton, executive director/senior planner at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, as well as the township.

The agreement states that “in consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) to Grantor (the village), and in consideration of the agreements contained herein signed below and agreed to by both Grantor and Grantee, does hereby convey to New Buffalo Township (“Grantee”), a Michigan General Law Township, of 17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo, MI 49117, an easement for the purpose of constructing, installing, repairing, and maintaining a 1O’ wide non-motorized trail across the described property owned by Grantor and used as a public right-of-way.” The agreement further states that the township “agrees to build and maintain, at its sole cost and expense, a paved 10’ (ten feet) wide non-motorized trail, to be completed not later than December 1, 2025 over the Easement Area” and that there “shall also be 2’ (two feet) wide area on both sides of the 1O’ wide trail that serves as a buffer area, which area shall remain clear of any objects or plantings (hereinafter the “buffer area”).

Councilmembers approved revising the village property use fee schedule.

The third category, “Conducting Work with Disturbance and Damage to the Village Property because of Use of Heavy Equipment for Work Being Done in an Area Outside of the Village of Grand Beach”, now states that “fees to be charged for this type of work will be determined by the Village Council on a case by-case basis.”

Council president Harry Walder said the council

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

had been under the impression that they had to charge the same fees to residents and to use of those accesses for work done outside the village; however, Senica said this “is not for work being done inside the village but it’s to use village property to access township property or another village property” and that the village can charge different fees.

“I think you could potentially make that argument that they’re not paying taxes for roads or utilities like your regular residents are and they should have to make sure you’re made whole when they’re using property,” she said.

Councilmembers 4-1, with James Bracewell voting “nay,” approved the first survey for the purpose of gathering data for a new master plan, with amendments.

Councilmembers approved reference be made to renters in the first bullet point in the third question, which asks what best describes residents of another state: “Personally use Grand Beach home on a part-time/seasonal basis and rent out house part-time.” “Renters” was added to the end of the second sentence in the fourth question: “During the summer/seasonal months, how many children are staying/living in your house that are ages 0-9? This can include family and friends and renters” as well as to the fifth and sixth questions, which ask how many children are staying/living in one’s house at one time who are ages 10-18 and 19 and older, respectively.

Bracewell said he felt there should be less categories in the numbers for the fourth through sixth questions with regards to how many children are living/staying in the house in each age group and that the map asking residents to identify where they live should be broken up into density-based categories, low, medium and high density, instead of A, B, C and D.

Councilmembers approved an ordinance to adopt the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code by Reference.

The code is an update from the 2012 one, which was still in effect for 15 days, Senica said at the meeting.

Councilmembers approved an ordinance to amend Ordinance 52.

Councilmembers approved amending Section 2 Section D subsection b to read that “all outdoor swimming pools shall be in compliance with the fence requirements in the International Property Maintenance Code 2021 with compliance being confirmed by the Village Zoning Administrator.”

Originally, the section read that the pools should be in compliance with the village’s zoning ordinance; however, Walder said that the current zoning ordinance states that the fence height requirement is 6 feet. He asked that, since the 2012 international code allows a 4-foot-high fence with the proper cover, “wouldn’t this circumvent that” because Ordinance 52 refers to the zoning ordinance instead of the international code.

Senica said that, in the ordinance that was just adopted regarding the international code, Section 3 is a repealer and repeals all ordinances and parts that are in direct conflict. Since the fence is a direct conflict, she said it “would repeal that.”

Regarding an update on property located at 48305 Rohde Court, Senica said a ticket had been issued on that several weeks ago and that they were waiting for the court to default. Currently, there’s a warrant for the resident at that address because previous tickets had been written and one of them was a misdemeanor. Senica said that the judge will issue a warrant when a misdemeanor ticket is written and “someone doesn’t show up.”

She added that the warrant doesn’t help, though, since the primary residence is in Chicago, so “that person isn’t coming back.”

A civil infraction ticket was written, where a judgement can be obtained against the property, where either the village or company hired by the village can go in and clean up the property, bringing it into compliance and tearing down the property –which is “what we’re requesting for this property,” Senica said. The cost will then be put on the property tax bill.

Councilmembers met in closed session with regards to an update on the lawsuit regarding the Public Safety Special Assessment District by New Buffalo Township.

Corporate name added to powerboat race

BY STAN MADDUX

Acorporate sponsor has been added to the annual power boat racing along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan City.

XINSURANCE is the title sponsor of the Great Lakes Grand Prix through 2027.

During the announcement Monday, April 10, at Blue Chip Casino, the development was hailed as a way to better promote the event, which has drawn more than 200,000 people over a several days period for racing and related events.

La Porte County Convention and Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer Jack Arnett called the agreement a “perfect fit.”

Arnett said the multi-year sponsorship will provide time for an extensive long term branding of the event.

“They bring so much to the partnership from an added-value marketing perspective,” he said.

Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry said he believes the deal will significantly enhance what’s already a great event.

“I applaud this amazing accomplishment of bringing them on as a much valued partner,” he said.

For the past 13 years, racing teams from multiple continents participate in time trials and competitions in boats that can top 150 miles per hour.

The Great Lakes Grand Prix has been awarded the Best Event in Indiana by the Indiana Tourism Association.

It’s on the schedule of races sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association based in Florida.

APBA has races in Florida and others state like Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia and locations as far away as California and Maine.

The 2023 XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix is scheduled at Washington Park Aug. 2-6. For more information and to purchase VIP tickets, go to www.greatlakesgrandprix.com.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Later this month the NFL draft will take place and months of speculation will come to an end. For the Chicago Bears, it’s been a wild ride. By virtue of having the worst record in the league last year, they “earned” the first selection in the draft. They traded that to Carolina for the 9th selection, Carolinas first selection next year, and a great receiver, D.J. Moore. Since then, a series of odd things have happened.

The man the Bears might have drafted with the first pick, Jalen Carter, might be available to them with the ninth pick. Of course, the reason he may be available is that he was involved in some shenanigans and some teams may be afraid to draft him, but I think the Bears wouldn’t hesitate. In essence, they can have their cake and eat it too. Next season, the Bears could be relevant once again.

The Bulls need to beat Toronto on Wednesday and then win another game to move forward to the playoffs. Only playing winning basketball in the next couple of weeks can save their season. I like the Bulls players and they are highly skilled, but something just isn’t clicking. Hopefully they’ll eventually put it all together.

This season has been an extremely difficult one for the Blackhawks. Besides having the worst record in the league, they traded Patrick Kane. Jonathan Toews may retire after the season, or may be traded. Toews has battled an illness for a few years and I hope he gets better or or retires. One thing for sure,

Kane and Toews were champions and Blackhawk fans everywhere wish them the best wherever they end up.

The baseball season is only a week old, so no conclusions can be reached. The Sox are starting slowly, with a record of four wins and six losses, because of bad pitching. Sox fans shouldn’t be worried because the Sox pitching staff is really good. The team seems to be modeling themselves after their new manager, Pedro Grifol. They are hustling and seem to have more determination than last year.

On the other side of town, the Cubs are off to a decent start. Their biggest offseason acquisition, Dansby Swanson, hit terribly in spring training, but as soon as the regular season began, he caught on fire. So far in this small sample size, he’s hitting .429. He, along with Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and the entire pitching staff have led the team to a .500 record with four wins and four losses. The best thing about the team’s record so far is that they are a game and a half ahead of the Cardinals. The small sample size hasn’t deterred me from being overly optimistic about the season.

Jack Layton said, “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Be kind. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has. — Hippocrates

The New Buffalo High School baseball team lost a competitive game at River Valley Tuesday, April 11.

The Bison trailed by just one run going into the fifth inning but their offense was shut down by Aiden Coy, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief for the save.

The final score was seven to four.

Vaugh Nikkel started the scoring for the Bison after he hit a first inning double down the right field line.

Ethan Lijewski was then hit by a pitch.

Nikkel was on third base

Mustangs defeat Bison in hard fought match

and crossed the plate when the catcher attempted to throw out Lijewski, who slid safely into second base for the steal.

The Mustangs in the bottom of the first inning scored twice.

Lijewski, who was the starting pitcher, walked the first three batters. Two of the runners scored on a wild pitch and an infield ground ball fielded safely for an out.

Lijewski struck out four of the next five hitters, though, but with two outs in the second inning walked the next three batters.

He got out the jam when shortstop Gio Sanchez-Perez on a ground ball threw out the

BY STAN MADDUX

runner in a bang, bang play at first base.

The Bison took the lead with two runs in the third inning. Nikkel walked and scored after back to back fielding errors. Lijewski then crossed the plate on a sharply hit single by Sam Wendel-Suppa.

River Valley regained the lead at the bottom of the inning following a single up the middle by Jack Seifert, who scored from a wild pitch and double to left field by D.J. Freehling.

Freeling was on third base and came home when Owen Slavens grounded out to the shortstop.

The Bison tied the game after

Kyle Van Hook and Max Nikkel led off the fourth inning with back to back singles.

Van Hook came home on a two out line drive single to left center field by Hagen Davis.

The Mustangs took the lead again when Cooper Lynch, after drawing a walk, took second base on a passed ball to the catcher and came home on a ground ball to the shortstop.

Starting pitcher Sean Driscole for the Mustangs was relieved by Coy, who struck out the side in the fifth inning.

Coy, with a good fastball and

sharp breaking curve, allowed just one hit in his final two innings on the mound while striking out two more batters and walking just one.

New Buffalo Head Coach Adam Lijewski said he was pleased with the early season effort by his mostly young team considering three difference makers right now are missing from the starting line-up.

He said the game boiled down to a couple of run scoring fielding errors and periodic control problems from the pitchers.

“We could have won that game. We’ll be alright,” Lijewski said.

Legion hosts a most eggcellant egg hunt

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Children were hopping down the bunny trail to make a grab for the colorful eggs – which included some “special eggs” and “lucky eggs” – that were scattered across the lawn at the New Buffalo American Legion Post 169 Saturday, April 8. This year, there were 3,100 eggs that were waiting to be grabbed by the young egg hunters and placed into their buckets. Children in the following age groups hunted for eggs: toddlers to 4 years old, 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 11 years old. Three special eggs with $20 and certificates for free pizza and bowling, and three lucky eggs with $10 tucked inside of them were included in the batches of eggs. Children could also get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny himself (and his loyal assistant) and enjoy a hot dog lunch, with the hot dogs being supplied by the New Buffalo Business Association.

Keagan Kennedy has his moment with the Easter Bunny and his loyal helper

CJ Cordin inpsects his Easter loot

Allison Ihssen lugs around her filled basket

Joyce Sayor enjoys the hunt with granddaughter Makenna Gatliff

Egg hunters fill their backets to the brim with eggs

The Easter Bunny and his assistant dole out treats to egg hunters

The older set preps for the hunt

Children get a jump on egg hunting

Gwen Palen (left) guides young egg hunters into the legion for lunch

Charlotte Lowry and Katniss Mitchell are reaady for hunting

Egg hunters in the 5 to 8 years age group fill their bucekts

The hunt is on for the 5 to 6 yeaar old age group

Egg hunters fill their baskets

The older group grabs up the eggs

The Easter Bunny doles out treats to egg hunters

The Easter Bunny and his loyal assistant dole out treats to eager hunters

Egg hunters fill their buckets

The Easter Bunny doles out treats to hunters

Tickets on sale for ‘Pets & Pours’

Tickets are on sale for Michiana Humane Society’s popular fundraiser, Pets & Pours, at Friendship Botanic Gardens from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time Saturday, May 13.

The event is dogfriendly (dogs must be leashed), and kids are welcome (children under 12 are free).

Pets & Pours features a paved dog-walking course through the gardens in spring bloom. Tickets include admission to the gardens, a commemorative pint glass, plus live music from The Help Hounds and Toy Dynamite.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from local favorites like Burn ‘Em Brewing, Shady Creek Winery, Social Que BBQ and Zorn Brew Works.

The first 100 registrants get a Pets & Pours goody bag. Advance tickets for 21+ are $45 now and $55 the week of the event.

This year, pets can be entered into the Pet of The Year fundraising competition. The Pet of the Year will be announced at Pets & Pours. The winner will receive special perks and celebrity status.

For more information and tickets, visit www. michianapets.org. —

Inmate held in prison worker attack

An employee at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City was seriously hurt when struck on the head with a steel pipe allegedly by an inmate.

TLa Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said a decision on charges will not be made until after Indiana State Police completes their investigation and presents the findings to his office for review.

The suspect, Jeremy Davidson, 39, of Logansport is serving a virtual life sentence on multiple counts of child molesting, with a release date in 2192.

BY STAN MADDUX

According to ISP, inmates were working in the prison’s steel work shop Monday, April 10, when an argument erupted between Davidson and a shop supervisor.

At some point, Davidson struck the supervisor on the head with a steel pipe.

The force of the impact caused potentially life threatening injuries, ISP said.

The unidentified civilian employee was taken by helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

Police said he underwent emergency treatment

and remained in critical condition.

Davidson was taken into custody and transferred to another facility, police said.

Fagan said a decision on charges cannot be made until he has a clearer picture of what transpired.

Other factors in his decision making will be whether the victim survives and, if so, what future challenges he might have to overcome in his recovery.

“We’re needing the fog of war to kind of lift for us to better ascertain the situation,” he said.

Police expose alleged school predator

AMichigan City woman allegedly gave a girl she knew from a school basketball team alcohol and marijuana.

Denaya Hall is also accused of trying to seduce the 13-year-old girl.

Those are the allegations from a police investigation resulting in charges against the 21-year-old woman.

According to court documents, Michigan City Police were contacted after Hall dropped the girl

BY STAN MADDUX

off outside her home during the early morning hours of March 22.

The girl stumbled her way across the front yard and into the front door then fell backwards onto a sidewalk.

A relative found her incoherent in her bedroom, police said.

She was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where marijuana was found in her system, police said.

According to court documents, text messages

exchanged between Hall and the girl revealed she had given the teenager alcohol and marijuana on more than one occasion.

Police said text messages also indicate there were attempts by Hall to seduce the girl.

Hall was an assistant manager for the boys’ basketball team at Krueger Middle School while the girl held a similar position on the squad, police said.

No major injuries from train and bus

BY STAN MADDUX

No major injuries were reported when a slow-moving freight train and shuttle bus containing South Shore Railroad commuter line passengers collided Tuesday, April 11, in Michigan City.

Mike Noland, president and general manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the commuter line, said there were 13 passengers on the Royal Excursion bus.

Noland said one of the passengers was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

“I don’t have an update on his condition but last night the individual walked off the bus,” he said.

About 8 p.m., Noland said the riders arrived at the Carroll Ave. passenger station by train from South Bend and were placed on the bus.

The bus was destined for Gary, where commuter line trains continue to and from Chicago.

Commuter trains are not running to and from

Michigan City and Gary because of the ongoing construction of a second commuter rail line between the communities to speed up travel to and from the Windy City.

Noland said it appears the bus driver pulled out in front of the oncoming train at an ungated crossing a very short distance from the passenger station parking lot.

He said the train operated by the Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad was traveling slowly before the engineer applied the brakes.

A short time later, Noland said the train hit the rear of the bus.

He described the damage as “very minor.”

He also estimated the speed of the train at less than 10 miles per hour at impact.

Noland said the preliminary investigation shows the bus driver stopped before the crossing guarded by cross bucks.

colliding

For some reason, he said the driver pulled onto the crossing despite the horn on the train sounding.

Noland said the plan is to contact Royal Excursion and discuss any need for drivers to undergo any additional safety training they might need for traveling near railroad crossings.

Noland said the freight train was heading in a westerly direction after servicing a GAF roofing materials facility in Michigan City.

“There are several railroad tracks they have to cross and it’s very important to us that they make sure that they’re doing it in a safe manner,” he said.

Noland said construction of the second rail line is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year and go into service in May of 2024 after a lengthy testing period.

Blossomtime Festival announces return of Run for Buds, Youth Parade

The public is invited to join in for the fun-filled week to celebrate the 117th year of the Blossomtime Festival with the annual Run for the Buds and Youth Parade.

The 42nd annual Run for the Buds, a chiptimed 5K run/walk along the Grand Floral Parade route that starts and finishes in St. Joseph, will take place Saturday, May 13. The 5K route is an out and back course following Main Street in Benton Harbor. Free parking is available at the Berrien County Courthouse on the corner of Main and Port streets.

Fees are for all ages, $30 through April 30; $35 from May 1-6 and $40 from May 7 through the day of the race.

To register, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/ MI/SaintJoseph/RunfortheBuds2023.

Race packets may be picked up the day before the race at Silver Harbor Brewing Company, 721 Pleasant Street, Street in Joseph from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, May 12. Same day registration and packet pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. at Silver Harbor Brewing Company as well. The awards ceremony will start at approximately 11:30 a.m. Jonny Reinhardt from Midwest Family Broadcasting will be on hand to provide music and announcements during the race. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Blossomtime Festival Scholarship Fund.

As the oldest and largest multi-community festival in the state of Michigan, the Blossomtime Festival believes in helping young people of Southwest Michigan be the very best they can be.

The Blossomtime Festival Scholarship Fund was set up to give financial support to young men and women to further their education and pursue their dreams. The festival stands behind 117 years of tradition, community service, honoring the values set before us

and celebrating the beautiful and prosperous farms, fruit orchards and the agriculture that puts Southwest Michigan on the map. By supporting the Blossomtime Festival and Run for the Buds, you’re supporting the hopes and dreams and the future of Southwest Michigan. The Blossomtime Festival will hold its annual Youth Parade for youngsters from preschool through middle school age at noon Saturday, May 6, along Lake Boulevard in downtown St. Joseph.

Come out and celebrate this special parade day featuring the festival’s Grand Marshalls, the 2023 Bud Princess, Avry Schmidke and Bud Prince, Cameron Johns as they lead the way, along with many queens and kings in attendance.

Check-in will begin 11 a.m. at the corner of Pearl Street and Lake Boulevard. Pre-registration is required. Awards will be given, with identification, to the person whose name is on the entry form, immediately following the parade at the Band Shell.

Entrants will be judged in the following categories: Floats, Bands, Shoe Box Float, Scout Troops, 4H Units, Pom Pon/ Cheerleading/Drill Teams, Pets, Costumed Individuals, Costumed Groups and decorated wagons and bikes. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the Youth Parade unless the entrants are a Float A Division unit. Fillable applications are available by emailing the office or visiting www.blossomtimefestival. org. Please return applications to the Blossomtime Office by e-mail at office@ blossomtimefestival.org or by faxing to 269-982-8018. Any questions, please call 269-982-8016 or email the office at office@ blossomtimefestival.org. Applications are due Friday, April 28.

The Youth Parade is sponsored annually by Starks Family Funeral Home and awards provided by Twin City Awards & Trophies.

A young bumblebee marches in the annual Youth Parade

Construction of more single-family residences has been completed in La Porte, where officials are pushing to update an aging housing stock.

Two of four newly built town homes overlooking Fish Trap Lake and priced at about $700,000 have already been sold.

Each of the new two story dwellings containing three to four bedrooms include a basement and a common area containing a swimming pool and fitness center.

“They’re absolutely beautiful,” said La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership Executive Director Bert Cook.

Work is about begin on putting up four more town houses at the edge of the small

More new housing at lakefront in La Porte

lake on MCClung Road on the city’s north side.

Cook said there will be 12 town houses once the final two phases are completed at the development called East Shore Preserve.

The city helped make the development a reality by annexing the ground in 2020 to provide municipal water and sewer to the site at the request of the developers.

One of the developers, Jerry Fedorchak, gave thanks to mayor Tom Dermody and other city officials during a Wednesday, April 5, ribbon cutting.

“This is what happens when we get a good relationship between private industry and government. We can’t be more thankful,” he said.

Fedorchak is still working on plans that could include about

BY STAN MADDUX

a dozen more town houses and professional office space across the street on East Shore Parkway.

Professional office space as part of the same development was created there two years ago.

“We’re real excited about this area,” he said.

A recent study by SB Friedman Development Advisors of Chicago revealed the city, where most housing was constructed before 1940, needs to add close to 2,000 or more new homes over the next few years.

The mayor wants to increase the city’s long dormant population by one-third to 30,000 by 2030.

Cook said new housing at every price level will help attract new residents, who often go elsewhere because of

the limited options here.

More existing residents looking for a housing upgrade will also be able to find what they want without leaving, he said.

“Eventually, people get tired and say I can’t look anymore. I can’t find anything in La Porte so I’ll go over to Chesterton or I’ll go to Valparaiso or I’ll go to Mishawaka or Elkhart. They have housing stock,” he said.

The city seems off to a good start, with 200 resort type apartments near Clear Lake opening within the last year.

More new single family homes are continuing to be added to Meadowview subdivision on the city’s southeast side.

A once condemned 50 unit

apartment building downtown reopened last year following an extensive modernization.

Cook said construction is expected to begin this year on about 30 more affordably priced homes on shovel ready sites near Kesling Park and the former Tibma Bakery site. Plans are also in the works for dozens of higher end single family homes along Beechwood Golf Course.

Cook said he’s not sure if he’d call what’s happening a “housing boom.”

He said there’s definitely been growth from a market allowed to emerge from adding options to the housing menu.

“This is pent up demand in La Porte that has existed for years so we got a lot of work to do to catch up with our neighbors,” he said.

ARIES MARCH 21—APRIL 19

HOROSCOPE

APRIL 13-19, 2023

AS INTERPRETED BY SANDY “STAR” BENDT

Relationships are put to the test because the demands and values of family, friendship, and work clash with some of your ideas of fulfillment. It will be hard to keep up social niceties. Draw on your strengths of innovative thinking, and the ability to change or adapt quickly. Stay calm, and be kind.

TAURUS APRIL 20—MAY 20

Break those bad habits already! Find and eliminate blockages that keep you from branching out on your own. The energy coming at you is about faith, faith in yourself and your unique approach to wholeness. What you do motivates others and inspires the world around you too. It starts with you.

GEMINI MAY 21—JUNE 21

Look for opportunities to be creative and fun when confronted with time-consuming chores or paperwork. You accomplish things easier and faster when your playful side is utilized. Turn stressful projects into a game and give yourself a nice reward when you finish, like a puppy or a new bike.

CANCER JUNE 22—JULY 22

The relationship sector of your life is being illuminated, not just your intimate relationships but your relationships with money and food. This is an excellent time to outline and prioritize your money situation. Planting a nice vegetable garden can save you money and create a surplus of food.

LEO JULY 23—AUGUST 22

It is important you finish up paperwork and are diligent about returning calls. Get serious about doing your household chores and deal with any issues that are lingering with neighbors and siblings. Positions are getting ready to change and there will be a serious transformation in your neighborhood.

VIRGO AUGUST 23—SEPTEMBER 22

Your career sector is heating up and your talents or know how are in hot demand. It is important to look at the connection between your self-esteem, personal resources and earning abilities. The idea is that your value is based on who you are and your knowledge not so much the possessions.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23—OCTOBER 22

You may feel like your leadership is being questioned or challenged, but once you realize that your opinion of yourself is at the root of that feeling, then you can assert your power with certainty. Treating people with kindness and respect motivates them to perform at their best, and have fun.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23—NOVEMBER 21

If you are seeking seclusion to process change or fighting disclosure to be alone with your thoughts, honor it. Take some down time. Take a solitary walk through the woods or down the beach. Get in touch with what’s beneath the surface, then gather the courage to bring it out into the open.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER22—DECEMBER21

It is important to accomplish tasks with grace and poise this week. Many people are taking notice of you and this is your opportunity to build trust and move into leadership positions. Your public life is transforming, and this is your chance to set the record straight or prove your worth.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22—JANUARY 19

You are a natural facilitator, initiator, and gatherer. This week is an excellent time to initiate group activities that have a fair and honest exchange of ideas and services. Changes in friends and increases in social activity will provide the breakthroughs you need with home or property issues.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20—FEBRUARY 18

Wild fluctuations in the value of your possessions or seriousness of your relationship could make you feel like you’re on a roller-coaster this week. Ride things out and wait for situations to even out before you react. This is a lesson in acting, not reacting, to the unpredictable evaluations of others.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19—MARCH 20

Your earnings and financial standing is about to be transformed. Get a good grip on your finances and look for new ways to manage or keep track of your spending. You will be receiving more money at the same time your bills will be increasing. It’s all about the flow and accepting change.

Art Attack returns to The Acorn

The Acorn will celebrate the artistry of women throughout Art Attack weekend, which will take place Thursday through Sunday, April 27–30, 2023.

The Art Attack Launch Party will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 27, with doors opening at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Reserved seating is available at $50 in advance and $55 the day of the show.

Come celebrate the launch of Art Attack 2023 with an interesting discussion and great music, all showcasing women artists. The evening will begin with a panel discussion moderated by Allen Turner, Three Oaks resident and former board chair at The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Goodman Theater and Columbia College. Panelists will include Three Oaks artist Elizabeth Coyne; Janet Bloch, director of The Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City; Reyna Larsen from the band Lazy Susan and Helyn Goldenberg, past chair of the Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Following the discussion, Reyna and Lazy Susan will bring their high energy music to the stage.

“An Evening with Patricia Barber” will take place at 7 p.m. Friday April 29, with doors opening at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $100 and reserved seating is available t $125.

Renowned Chicago jazz singer and pianist Barber will bring her inventive style to Three Oaks for a night of original material from her lengthy songbook, as well as covers of jazz standards. The School of American Music is presenting this concert at The Acorn as a fundraiser for their “Future Fund,” their 10-year campaign to build an endowment to secure SAM’s future. School of American Music receives matching funds through the Michiana Arts Foundation.

“The Music of Pat Benatar” will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, with doors opening at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $35 in advance and $40 the day of

the show. Reserved seating is available t $60 in advance and $65 the day of the show.

The Acorn will celebrate American rock legend Benatar, with local musicians Natalie Gaza, Nikki Gauthier, Meredith George, Abbie Thomas and Kyla Webb singing hits from Benatar’s four-decade career. Benatar is a four-time Grammy winner, who remains a bold and distinctive artist. She is acknowledged as the leading female rock vocalist of the 1980s – a feat marked by her unprecedented winning of four consecutive Grammy Awards between 1980 and 1983, as well as three American Music Awards – but Benatar and her husband, Giraldo, remain a rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse today.

“Immersive Dance, Art and Music Fusion” will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30, with doors opening t 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Reserved seating is available for $50 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.

Original art, original music, and original choreography mark this event as the first of itskind at The Acorn. The colorful, dynamic, nature-based imagery of Pam Kirkham’s paintings as a backdrop will be combined with an exquisite live dance performance by Carolyn Pampalone Rabbers, moving to the tantalizing sounds of music composed by Silver Rain (Mitch Gregory & Debra Sawyer).

Weekend package tickets give admission to both the opening Art Attack Launch Party Thursday night and the closing event Immersive “Dance, Art and Music Fusion on Sunday afternoon.” These combo

Tickets are available for general admission and reserved seating. Packages are only available foradvance purchase through Wednesday, April 26.

For tickets, visit acornlive.orgornlive.org. The Acorn is located at 107 Generations Drive in Three Oaks. — STAFF REPORTS