NWI Realtor-Anthony Gutierrez

08/31/2026

If you are in Griffith this Wednesday Sept 2nd. Stop into Serendipity Ice Cream and help support Griffith Girls Softball by having an ice cream or sandwich. As they not only have great ice cream but a great kitchen with all sorts of hot food items.

08/30/2026

Just a few showings scheduled for today.

08/30/2026

Initial plans include a restaurant, lounge, event venue, and rooftop dining destination. | DETAILS⬇️

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana Following Historic Storms

INDIANA — President Donald Trump has approved Indiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, unlocking federal assistance for residents and communities recovering from the devastating severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began Aug. 11.

Governor Mike Braun announced the approval Tuesday, Aug. 25, saying the federal declaration will provide critical assistance as communities continue a lengthy recovery.

“I am pleased to share that my request for a major disaster declaration has been approved for multiple counties. Thank you, President Trump,” Braun said. “This critical support will help Hoosiers recovering from historic storms and flooding. We’re grateful for this partnership as we work to rebuild, recover, and help communities get back on their feet.”

According to a FEMA disaster declaration fact sheet dated Aug. 25, the declaration is FEMA-4933-DR and covers severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding beginning Aug. 11 and continuing.

Lake, Porter and LaPorte Residents Eligible for Individual Assistance

Of particular importance to Northwest Indiana, Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties are among the counties designated for Individual Assistance, which provides federal assistance directly to eligible individuals and households affected by the disaster.

The full list of counties approved for Individual Assistance includes Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Lake, LaPorte, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Porter, Pulaski, Randolph, Rush, Tipton, Union and Wayne counties.

Individual Assistance can include programs designed to help eligible residents with disaster-related needs and expenses that are not covered by insurance or other available assistance.

Public Assistance Also Approved

Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties were also approved for FEMA Public Assistance, along with Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Madison, Tipton and Wayne counties.

Public Assistance is aimed primarily at helping state and local governments and certain eligible organizations with emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the disaster.

Hazard Mitigation assistance remains under review, according to FEMA, and additional counties or forms of assistance could be designated later following further damage assessments and requests from the state.

The Major Disaster Declaration represents a significant expansion from the Emergency Declaration approved Aug. 15, which authorized FEMA to coordinate federal disaster relief efforts and provide direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures. That earlier declaration provided federal funding at a 75% share for eligible emergency protective measures.

The Aug. 11 storms caused catastrophic damage across portions of Northwest Indiana, including tornadoes and widespread destructive straight-line winds. Hundreds of thousands of utility customers lost power, trees and utility infrastructure were destroyed, homes and businesses were damaged, and some communities faced extended outages and other disruptions lasting well beyond the initial storm.

Darrin C. Ricketts has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer overseeing federal recovery operations for the disaster.

The approval means the recovery is now moving into a new phase, with federal disaster programs available to assist qualifying residents and communities.

Individuals in the counties designated for Individual Assistance can apply for assistance through FEMA:

1. Apply online: www.DisasterAssistance.gov

2. Call FEMA: 1-800-621-3362

Please share this information with your family, friends, and neighbors. There are now additional federal resources available to help eligible Hoosiers recover from the devastating weather events of August 11.

Region News Source will provide additional information on how Lake, Porter and LaPorte County residents can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance as application details become available.

08/26/2026

Lake County residents impacted by the recent storms are encouraged to visit in211.org. Help is available including assistance with recovery, housing, food, utilities or other resources. We want to make sure our residents have access to the support they need as our communities rebuild.
— Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.

08/25/2026

Gov. Braun Calls for Investigation Into NIPSCO Following Prolonged Northwest Indiana Power Outages

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is calling for a state investigation into NIPSCO following widespread and prolonged power outages that left hundreds of thousands of Northwest Indiana residents without electricity after the devastating Aug. 11 severe weather event.

Braun announced Monday that he has directed the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) to file a complaint and petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), seeking a formal investigation into NIPSCO’s preparation for and response to the storm.

The investigation would focus on several areas, including NIPSCO’s vegetation management and maintenance of utility rights-of-way, as well as whether money previously approved by state regulators for infrastructure and reliability improvements was used as intended.

“NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes,” Braun said. “NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain.”

Braun said the investigation should determine whether NIPSCO completed the work it told customers and regulators it would perform using ratepayer-funded investments.

The announcement comes nearly two weeks after the Aug. 11 derecho and tornadoes caused catastrophic damage across Northwest Indiana. At the peak of the event, approximately 301,000 of NIPSCO’s roughly 500,000 customers were without power, making it the largest outage event in the utility’s history.

According to the governor’s office, approximately 10,000 Hoosiers remained without power Monday morning.

The storm caused extensive damage to the electrical system across Lake and Porter counties, with trees and large limbs bringing down power lines and utility poles. NIPSCO previously reported hundreds of damaged transmission and distribution poles as crews from across the country were brought into Northwest Indiana to assist with restoration.

Braun stressed that his criticism is directed at NIPSCO management rather than the thousands of utility workers and state employees who have spent nearly two weeks working throughout the disaster area.

“The crews on the ground, representing both state agencies and utility workers, have done an extraordinary job,” the governor’s office said. “However, NIPSCO management has failed to deliver adequate solutions.”

State agencies have also been directed to take extraordinary measures to assist restoration efforts, including clearing roads, alleys and storm debris to provide utility crews access to damaged infrastructure.

The requested investigation will specifically examine whether NIPSCO adequately maintained vegetation and cleared rights-of-way to protect its infrastructure from severe weather. Regulators would also review whether money authorized through IURC-approved trackers was actually spent for its approved purposes.

The OUCC represents Indiana utility consumers in cases before the IURC, while the IURC regulates the state’s investor-owned utilities and has authority over rates, charges and utility service.

The investigation request represents a significant escalation in scrutiny of NIPSCO’s response as Northwest Indiana continues recovering from one of the most destructive severe-weather events the Region has experienced in years.

Region News Source will continue following the investigation and the ongoing restoration and recovery efforts across Northwest Indiana. As of today less than 10,000 customers remain without power on day 13.