Northwest Indiana communities saw as much as 9 inches of accumulation after a winter storm left another hefty coating of snow Thursday into early Friday.
The majority of the Region’s snow totals ranged from 5 to 7 inches, said Chief Meteorologist Matt Holiner, of Lee Enterprises. The highest totals recorded include 8 inches in Crown Point and Rensselaer. Newton County had the highest reported total with 9 inches of snow recorded as of Friday morning.
The Region still isn’t out of the woods yet when it comes to weather hazards. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday for Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.
Friday afternoon is bringing a cold front with gusty winds and moderate snow showers are predicted from 8 p.m. to midnight.
“Additional snow accumulation will be minimal,” Holiner said. “The bigger concern is the wind. With gusts around 35 mph, all the fresh snow that’s already on the ground will be blown around. Visibility will be reduced in spots and some roads could become snow covered again. Winds will slowly decrease after midnight, but it looks to stay breezy through the early afternoon Saturday.”
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Holiner said individuals driving this evening should use caution and give extra traveling time, as well as be aware of snow-covered roads.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said the host of interstate crashes began at 1 p.m. Thursday and stretched into Friday afternoon.
In this period, ISP responded to a total of 131 calls for crashes. Out of those crashes, 84 were for property damage, 37 were spin-offs and slide-offs and 10 were crashes with injuries. Fifield said no one was seriously or fatally injured. In addition, police responded to calls to assist citizens who ran out of gas on the interstates.
Fifield said the hardest hit areas were on Interstate 65 from the 205 to 220 mile markers, south of the ISP Lowell Post.
Northbound traffic along a stretch of Interstate 65 just south of the Region began to flow again Friday afternoon after crashes and jackknifed trucks closed it overnight, stranding motorists.
“Some people were stuck overnight because we could not get to them due to jackknifed semis, visibility and other conditions,” Fifield said. “We could get a large number of them to truck stops, hotels, gas stations — really anywhere they could be inside and warm.”
Fifield said those stranded overnight were found unharmed when first responders came to their aid.
Region residents awoke Friday morning to news that driving on the busy north-south highway remained treacherous as a result of the heavy snowfall and winds that moved through the area Thursday.
Motorists were previously urged to avoid the highway, while closed northbound lanes in the area of Rensselaer made passage impossible.
“It was a very challenging effort,” Fifield said. “We had tow operators going nonstop until they reached a point of exhaustion and couldn’t go on any longer. We reached out to an agency in Kokomo who came to help us and once some tow companies in northern Lake County heard we needed assistance, they came out. We are really thankful to all of them.”
Fifield said though warnings of hazardous travel conditions were announced ahead of time, not enough people heeded the warnings.
“I think one thing that could have helped, was if folks listened when we told everyone to stay off of I-65,” Fifield said. “Warnings were not heeded and people became stranded. We were met with blizzard conditions out there, and when we ask people to stay off the roads, we do it for real safety reasons.”
In winter weather events, Fifield encouraged motorists to stay updated on road conditions and to be sure to have a full tank of gas, blankets, food, beverages and other essential and emergency items in their vehicles if they must travel.
A travel watch was lifted early Friday afternoon for Porter County, but an advisory remained in effect in Lake County and Newton County Friday night. Watches also remained in place for LaPorte, Jasper and Starke counties, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
An advisory “means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas,” the state said.
A travel watch means that conditions are threatening to the safety of the public, IDHS said.
“During a ‘watch’ local travel advisory, only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies, and other organizations,” the state said.
In addition, a flood watch is in effect for areas of the Kankakee River near I-65 until Saturday morning. A lake shore flood advisory also warns of large waves of up to 10 to 14 feet that could cause flooding, dangerous conditions at Lake Michigan’s shores and shoreline erosion. Freezing spray could create ice accumulations on surfaces near the lake.
Low temperatures will reach around 8 degrees Friday night with high temperatures only around 18 degrees Saturday, which is set to be a clear, sunny day.
Sunday is expected to have a significant warm up with temperatures in the low 40s with some gusty winds.
To keep up on road conditions, the Indiana Department of Transportation updates its website at 511in.org with images from highway and snowplow cameras.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Darren Flowers, of Dyer, shows his Dr. Strange, torturer supreme, costume Saturday at NWI Comic-Con.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Victoria Chatfield and Rachel Bill, of Williamsfield, Illinois, show their She-Ra cartoons. Mom’s costume shows the older costume style while her daughter’s costume shows the newer style.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Moxieana, of Portage, poses with the crocheted Japanese-style dolls she sold Saturday at NWI Comic-Con at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Men — Matthew Kauffman, of Crown Point; Christopher Netherton, of Crown Point; Trent Wilson, of Valparaiso; Zachary Bodamer, of Crown Point, and Jonathan Otano, of Valparaiso — strike a pose.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Tom and Beth Strout, of Chesterton, show their costumes Saturday at NWI Comic-Con at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
New group aims to be ‘conduit’ for peace, justice
Elizabeth Ramirez, right, founder of Parents for Peace and Justice, congratulates Sylvia Galvan, director of the new Circle of Love, a support group for families who have lost someone to a violent crime, at a press conference Saturday.
Jay Govert, calcified coronary artery
Jay Govert, 74, a retired Hammond police officer with wife Kathy. Govert went to UChicago Medicine, where doctors discovered a calcified coronary artery that put him at risk for a heart attack. He is fully recovered and doing better than ever.
Superintendent for Merrillville schools Nick Brown had heart surgery
Merrillville Community School Corp. Superintendent Nick Brown passes the Merrillville High School drumline as they practice in the hallway.
Superintendent for Merrillville schools Nick Brown had heart surgery
Merrillville Community School Corp. Superintendent Nick Brown says he’s grateful to get back to health after a life-saving surgery. “It was almost immediately that I felt completely different,” he said. “I just can’t tell you how that changes how you feel. Once you get released, about four weeks into recovery, you feel better, and then six weeks later, you really feel very comfortable and can start resuming your normal life activities.”
EC Central wrestling semistate
Valparaiso’s Connor Svantner, left, wrestles Mishawaka’s Isaac Valdez in the 170-pound weight class Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
EC Central wrestling semistate
Valparaiso’s Connor Svantner, left, wrestles Mishawaka’s Isaac Valdez Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
EC Central wrestling semistate
Chesterton’s Aiden Torres celebrates his win over Crown Point’s Nick Tattini in the 145-pound weight class Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
021322-spt-gbk-win_1
South Central’s Abbie Tomblin, Andrean’s Lindsay Arcella, Tori Allen and South Central’s Lillian Tolmen fight for possession of the loose ball in the third quarter during the Class 2A regional at Winamac on Saturday.
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Andrean’s Tori Allen goes to the basket against South Central’s Delanie Gale in the third quarter during the Class 2A regional at Winamac on Saturday.
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Bridges’ Scoreboard co-owner Jeff Bridges, left, and Griffith native Rich Miller discuss their Super Bowl LVI predictions inside the restaurant. Bridges bar stopped taking reservations early this week for its annual Super Bowl party. “We get a full house every year,” Jeff Bridges, who will hold some tables open for fans deciding to show up at the last minute. “We usually get about 300 people.”
Cookie sales
Sheryl Schafer of Hobart hugs her granddaughter, Brooklynn Williamson, a first year Daisy Girl Scout. Schafer drove to Centier Bank in Winfield with her husband, Skip Schafer, to purchase more cookies.
Cookie sales
Hebron resident Jill Nemtuda, right, purchases cookies which she gave to Centier bank employee Ryan Morris as a thank you.
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Hanover Central’s Nicholas Holden gets a shot off against Lowell’s Damian Delgado and Logan Krambeck in the first quarter Friday night.
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Lowell coach Joe Delgado shouts instructions in the first quarter against Hanover Central Friday night.
Michigan City meets Lake Central in boys basketball
Guarded by Lake Central’s Jake Smith, Michigan City’s Gio Laurent drives the baseline.
Michigan City meets Lake Central in boys basketball
Lake Central’s Xavier Williams and Michigan City’s Allen Briggs battle for a rebound.
The Nora Project at Westchester Intermediate School Inclusion Dance
From left Autumn Downing, 12, Victoria Van Kley, 11, and Alexis Richey, 13, dance in the gymnasium of Westchester Intermediate School.
The Nora Project at Westchester Intermediate School Inclusion Dance
Children form a train as they dance in the gymnasium of Westchester Intermediate School.
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Residents listen as the Merrillville High School Vocal Teens sings spirituals to help kick off Black History Month at the Merrillville Town Hall.
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Several members of the community joined together Tuesday evening to support the awardwinning Merrillville High School Vocal Teens during their performance at the Merrillville Town Hall.
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The Crown Point bench erupts as a foul call goes their way in the second quarter against Merrillville on Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
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Crown Point’s Lilly Stoddard stops Merrillville’s Kylie Wells at the basket in the fourth quarter Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
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Crown Point’s Alyvia Santiago celebrates the Bulldog’s 50-48 4A sectional win over Merrillville with Jessica Carrothers on Tuesday evening at Crown Point.
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Merrillville’s Kylie Wells gets past Crown Point’s Nikki Gerodemos to the basket in the first quarter Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
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Crown Point’s Alyvia Santiago, Zoey Wells, Jessica Carrothers, and Mariana Maldonado walk off the floor after their 50-48 sectional win over Merrillville Tuesday evening at Crown Point.
Lake Central/West Side, Girls Sectional Championship
Lake Central’s Anastasia Rosa celebrates the Indiana’s win over West Side Tuesday during Munster Sectional Championship play.
South Central plays Rensselaer for the Class 2A sectional title
South Central fans charge the court after the Satellites beat Rensselaer 41-38.
Lake Central/West Side, Girls Sectional Championship
Lake Central’s Essence Johnson holds the sectional championship trophy with other players after beating West Side 68-33 in Tuesday’s Class 4A Munster Sectional championship.
News conference at the Gary Public Safety Building on Sgt. William Fazekas
Gary Police Chief Brian Evans gives an update during a news conference at the Gary Public Safety Building on Sgt. William Fazekas, who was shot in Gary on Monday afternoon.
Police search for suspect following shooting of Gary Detective Sgt. William Fazekas
A Whiting police officer watches over the intersection of Seventh and Lincoln Street on Monday in Gary as the search continues for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting.
Police search for suspect following shooting of Gary Detective Sgt. William Fazekas
Officers point to part of a possible blood trail along Lincoln Street near Seventh Avenue as they search for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting Monday in Gary.
Steve Wozniak of Apple commputer fame, is the keynote speaker at the Sinai Forum.
Steve Wozniak talks about his Apple beginnings Sunday for Purdue University’s Sinai Forum at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Darren Flowers, of Dyer, shows his Dr. Strange, torturer supreme, costume Saturday at NWI Comic-Con.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Victoria Chatfield and Rachel Bill, of Williamsfield, Illinois, show their She-Ra cartoons. Mom’s costume shows the older costume style while her daughter’s costume shows the newer style.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Moxieana, of Portage, poses with the crocheted Japanese-style dolls she sold Saturday at NWI Comic-Con at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Men — Matthew Kauffman, of Crown Point; Christopher Netherton, of Crown Point; Trent Wilson, of Valparaiso; Zachary Bodamer, of Crown Point, and Jonathan Otano, of Valparaiso — strike a pose.
Cosplay fun at NWI Comic-Con
Tom and Beth Strout, of Chesterton, show their costumes Saturday at NWI Comic-Con at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.
New group aims to be ‘conduit’ for peace, justice
Elizabeth Ramirez, right, founder of Parents for Peace and Justice, congratulates Sylvia Galvan, director of the new Circle of Love, a support group for families who have lost someone to a violent crime, at a press conference Saturday.
Jay Govert, calcified coronary artery
Jay Govert, 74, a retired Hammond police officer with wife Kathy. Govert went to UChicago Medicine, where doctors discovered a calcified coronary artery that put him at risk for a heart attack. He is fully recovered and doing better than ever.
Superintendent for Merrillville schools Nick Brown had heart surgery
Merrillville Community School Corp. Superintendent Nick Brown passes the Merrillville High School drumline as they practice in the hallway.
Superintendent for Merrillville schools Nick Brown had heart surgery
Merrillville Community School Corp. Superintendent Nick Brown says he’s grateful to get back to health after a life-saving surgery. “It was almost immediately that I felt completely different,” he said. “I just can’t tell you how that changes how you feel. Once you get released, about four weeks into recovery, you feel better, and then six weeks later, you really feel very comfortable and can start resuming your normal life activities.”
EC Central wrestling semistate
Valparaiso’s Connor Svantner, left, wrestles Mishawaka’s Isaac Valdez in the 170-pound weight class Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
EC Central wrestling semistate
Valparaiso’s Connor Svantner, left, wrestles Mishawaka’s Isaac Valdez Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
EC Central wrestling semistate
Chesterton’s Aiden Torres celebrates his win over Crown Point’s Nick Tattini in the 145-pound weight class Saturday during East Chicago Semistate competition.
021322-spt-gbk-win_1
South Central’s Abbie Tomblin, Andrean’s Lindsay Arcella, Tori Allen and South Central’s Lillian Tolmen fight for possession of the loose ball in the third quarter during the Class 2A regional at Winamac on Saturday.
021322-spt-gbk-win_14
Andrean’s Tori Allen goes to the basket against South Central’s Delanie Gale in the third quarter during the Class 2A regional at Winamac on Saturday.
021322-spt-superbowl_01
Bridges’ Scoreboard co-owner Jeff Bridges, left, and Griffith native Rich Miller discuss their Super Bowl LVI predictions inside the restaurant. Bridges bar stopped taking reservations early this week for its annual Super Bowl party. “We get a full house every year,” Jeff Bridges, who will hold some tables open for fans deciding to show up at the last minute. “We usually get about 300 people.”
Cookie sales
Sheryl Schafer of Hobart hugs her granddaughter, Brooklynn Williamson, a first year Daisy Girl Scout. Schafer drove to Centier Bank in Winfield with her husband, Skip Schafer, to purchase more cookies.
Cookie sales
Hebron resident Jill Nemtuda, right, purchases cookies which she gave to Centier bank employee Ryan Morris as a thank you.
021222-spt-bkh-hc-low_12
Hanover Central’s Nicholas Holden gets a shot off against Lowell’s Damian Delgado and Logan Krambeck in the first quarter Friday night.
021222-spt-bkh-hc-low_14
Lowell coach Joe Delgado shouts instructions in the first quarter against Hanover Central Friday night.
Michigan City meets Lake Central in boys basketball
Guarded by Lake Central’s Jake Smith, Michigan City’s Gio Laurent drives the baseline.
Michigan City meets Lake Central in boys basketball
Lake Central’s Xavier Williams and Michigan City’s Allen Briggs battle for a rebound.
The Nora Project at Westchester Intermediate School Inclusion Dance
From left Autumn Downing, 12, Victoria Van Kley, 11, and Alexis Richey, 13, dance in the gymnasium of Westchester Intermediate School.
The Nora Project at Westchester Intermediate School Inclusion Dance
Children form a train as they dance in the gymnasium of Westchester Intermediate School.
020922-nws-mvtown_03
Residents listen as the Merrillville High School Vocal Teens sings spirituals to help kick off Black History Month at the Merrillville Town Hall.
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Several members of the community joined together Tuesday evening to support the awardwinning Merrillville High School Vocal Teens during their performance at the Merrillville Town Hall.
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The Crown Point bench erupts as a foul call goes their way in the second quarter against Merrillville on Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
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Crown Point’s Lilly Stoddard stops Merrillville’s Kylie Wells at the basket in the fourth quarter Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
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Crown Point’s Alyvia Santiago celebrates the Bulldog’s 50-48 4A sectional win over Merrillville with Jessica Carrothers on Tuesday evening at Crown Point.
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Merrillville’s Kylie Wells gets past Crown Point’s Nikki Gerodemos to the basket in the first quarter Tuesday evening during the Class 4A sectional final at Crown Point.
020922-spt-gbk-cp_2
Crown Point’s Alyvia Santiago, Zoey Wells, Jessica Carrothers, and Mariana Maldonado walk off the floor after their 50-48 sectional win over Merrillville Tuesday evening at Crown Point.
Lake Central/West Side, Girls Sectional Championship
Lake Central’s Anastasia Rosa celebrates the Indiana’s win over West Side Tuesday during Munster Sectional Championship play.
South Central plays Rensselaer for the Class 2A sectional title
South Central fans charge the court after the Satellites beat Rensselaer 41-38.
Lake Central/West Side, Girls Sectional Championship
Lake Central’s Essence Johnson holds the sectional championship trophy with other players after beating West Side 68-33 in Tuesday’s Class 4A Munster Sectional championship.
News conference at the Gary Public Safety Building on Sgt. William Fazekas
Gary Police Chief Brian Evans gives an update during a news conference at the Gary Public Safety Building on Sgt. William Fazekas, who was shot in Gary on Monday afternoon.
Police search for suspect following shooting of Gary Detective Sgt. William Fazekas
A Whiting police officer watches over the intersection of Seventh and Lincoln Street on Monday in Gary as the search continues for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting.
Police search for suspect following shooting of Gary Detective Sgt. William Fazekas
Officers point to part of a possible blood trail along Lincoln Street near Seventh Avenue as they search for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting Monday in Gary.
Steve Wozniak of Apple commputer fame, is the keynote speaker at the Sinai Forum.
Steve Wozniak talks about his Apple beginnings Sunday for Purdue University’s Sinai Forum at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.