[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6211157,"mediaKeyId","3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec","parentId",3699443,"title","Michigan City Zoo passes USDA inspection; director outlines exhibit and program upgrades","audioSeconds",745,"startMs",1701000,"endMs",2446000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec&start=1701&end=2446","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec/thumbnail_1701000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211157/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-Zoo-passes-USDA-inspection-director-outlines-exhibit-and-program-upgrades","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211157-6d5f3def5ea1eda419c6b393da183300/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845973&Signature=Dlseq8MNvdimtC4NQIdxNwzSV9uOVUKsoz~EdekRm-qgIl2zkI9vX5x7ChZ9M8E51ek5E3iki5QBNpHZywsX4ljmVbKkixpuR8YnDnwq1oNpbwEYWcCJd59szP1VIXwC3b31PrVaI4oun9uPrHwN8vSSZM6WrW9yVy2GJ7PyO5woJm-hFTOO~8HdvwDsjW51WT7Gq7~eb3svi1XPdqMqANL3LuErL6zBoWyY7k-GzD6fVfUYKrfLtdObKnyLlwYsOhmFKwdC7AvEZ6FGIffBZBZZTJ3~nkGr6B8nU815KtgqmEnWdsJ1WIzcLiBZFPGb9AXqmJLCFW-EAXXUSlf0dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-06-05T18:20:15Z","article","The Michigan City Zoo passed a pop-up U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection with no noncompliance findings, Zoo Director Jamie Huss told the Parks and Recreation Board on June 4. Huss said meeting USDA standards is required to maintain the zoo’s license and compared the requirements to those applied at larger facilities.

Why it matters: Passing USDA inspection preserves the zoo’s operating license and allows the facility to continue school programs, camps and community events. Huss also outlined recent capital work and planned projects important to animal care and visitor experience.

Huss reviewed several upgrades undertaken after a May 2024 storm and routine maintenance: roof repairs across exhibits, a completed press box at Patriot Park, and structural and barrier changes to meet inspection expectations (for example, adding secondary barriers where animals encourage contact). She said the zoo had repaired roofs that were vulnerable to bird escapes and had relocated a chicken coop to the red barn as an avian-flu precaution.

The director noted programming and attendance details: 60 school groups have scheduled visits, the zoo limits reservations to 800 paid spots per day, and summer zoo camp sessions filled quickly with 15 children per session and a wait list. Huss announced new arrivals, including a pair of hornbills, and improvements such as a new indoor pool for capybaras and upgraded climbing and enrichment for the leopard exhibit.

Huss also described community partnerships and fundraisers supporting future projects. The zoo is continuing work on the Wings of Wonder exhibit and is participating in retail and restaurant fundraising events (including round-up campaigns and Panda Express give-back nights) to help finance upcoming construction.

Board members thanked zoo staff and volunteers; there were no formal board actions tied to the report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Parks & Recreation Board June 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Zoo Director Jamie Huss reported the Michigan City Zoo passed a pop-up USDA inspection with no noncompliance findings and described recent exhibit repairs, new animal arrivals, community partnerships, and fundraising activities for future projects.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211162,"Parks superintendent reports more than $95,000 in storm damage; city tree board awarded $1 million grant",131,940000,1071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec&start=940&end=1071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec/thumbnail_940000.jpg","/articles/6211162/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Parks-superintendent-reports-more-than-95000-in-storm-damage-city-tree-board-awarded-1-million-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211162-6be0d3e49148820fafd6edf88d6bfebf/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845973&Signature=dJZ4h1YnjWjQgKngzLuuxlyT8fhRL9VE9HGRj8OKJZvBOfXHYyjYUqfZ4wFNel8wg63nq5rrRdtluFFtX0Qh1hqawDCsYhRfnyWrekTbwGtfy31jgxV6n9jGd4EWxZa8rquvIa4LCm9nbuipQhY3wC-ezsCqI5avXkBCM7DQFFfFEhqs5YiudgouEhuMzrOE1Jd-HLJscpsr87xbQv9qE48zbNy4y7gqr9Qmd67ps2aP-fiGifCOCiGv5YEuF-QUIEYcln~ZUDjH-EDczlzF8qlUuZsXfHGPwcQM28Kc82VTNQz3pGY~s5kSzBCyhzjVzoAON7QdargYkgbnmtNYQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ethan, superintendent for Michigan City Parks and Recreation, told the board June 4 that the department sustained significant storm damage in mid-May and has collected initial repair quotes totaling a little over $95,000. Ethan described the largest single quote as $86,200 to repair the Singing Sand fence and listed other estimates including $4,000 to replace damaged golf-course power components, $1,385 in spoiled concession food, and $3,600 to repair an elevator electrical component at Northpointe.

Why it matters: Ethan said the department has opened an insurance claim and is collecting quotes to schedule repairs. He stressed that the costs and scheduling are subject to the insurance review and contractor availability.

Ethan also announced that Melissa Morani, a parks staff member, secured a grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte that will provide seven automated external defibrillators (AEDs), two wall-mounted cabinet units, and signage. Ethan said the equipment package would be worth about $17,000 if purchased through department budgets and congratulated Morani for writing her first successful grant.

On urban forestry, Ethan reported the city tree board received a $1 million grant for tree removal, replacement planning and maintenance; the board intends to prioritize roughly 400 trees for removal this year and will coordinate replanting and maintenance. He reminded the board that, under the Indiana bat rule, tree removal is restricted after Oct. 1 and that the grant work must adhere to that timing and related requirements.

Ethan said the department will coordinate with the newly hired forester, track maintenance responsibilities for new plantings and keep the parks board informed as the grant and insurance processes move forward. He also noted other revenue and attendance updates, including a ribbon-cutting at Water Tower Park that he estimated drew more than 80 attendees.","Superintendent Ethan reported storm damage quotes topping $95,000 for parks assets and said the department opened an insurance claim; he also announced a Health Foundation grant awarding seven AED units valued at about $17,000 and that the city tree board received a $1 million grant for removal and replacement planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211167,"Parks board raises single-umpire pay for 14U baseball to $60 to address staffing shortages",223,512000,735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec&start=512&end=735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/6211167/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Parks-board-raises-single-umpire-pay-for-14U-baseball-to-60-to-address-staffing-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211167-0af61837257bfa6c9f0e9df65a67b726/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845973&Signature=IiNaAYEp-rGHz4gOTMv8Fi2zAt~3GbGLMFIN7QM~C5zXe7FSsNWOG1~uUhq7O070aTVj0Oz2o~wQpbVCmwko5I~PHOry4rQYrHl26RHG9txwhmFwy5D1j-Y1n7Uucupfhgj1zQibWggxKqROxeDS56R9YXo5TFGxVkgSFbXjYwM5DLg4M6VjeEXS~8bo0Cq0G2n0lzy6XmcA9b2cqUPCEGX54UDorf91LED5jYEHvzWhJUR6Flc3~cF0NHGialY-HOJHQNh02cHPRZSltJbljJB-jkojeEmcoCLA8p8NtCqBAjCzikM~sgntUQV2SpllxfE3SSf5V91xhexyVSYusw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on June 4 approved raising the single-umpire rate for 14U baseball from $50 to $60 per game, a $10 increase aimed at retaining certified umpires for weekday league play. Will Walker (presenting staff) and other board members told the board the change is designed to make weekday pay competitive with travel-game rates.

Why it matters: Staff said local leagues have struggled to recruit umpires because travel tournaments often pay more for the same officials on weekends. Increasing the weekday rate is intended to reduce no-shows and cancellations of youth games.

Will Walker explained the challenge: “We’re having major issues finding umpires for baseball this year... the umpires get paid a pretty penny on weekend travel ball games and the city league games during the week, they’re kinda like, we just won't do them.” He proposed the $10 increase for single umpires at the 14U level and said that, even after the raise, the cost remains under the department’s budgeted $75 per game for two umpires.

A board member who identified themself as the president of the Hoosier Association offered to help recruit and to arrange a one-year free IHSA trial license for people interested in trying umpiring. The board approved the pay increase by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

Staff will implement the new rate for 14U single-umpire assignments and continue outreach to recruit certified umpires for older age groups.","To improve umpire availability for 14U games, the Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved an increase in single-umpire pay from $50 to $60 per game; staff said the change should align weekday pay with travel-umpire rates and remain under the department’s two-umpire budgeted amount.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211172,"Parks board approves 2025 fall T-ball program for 4–6-year-olds",76,95000,171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec&start=95&end=171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6211172/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Parks-board-approves-2025-fall-T-ball-program-for-46-year-olds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211172-d3e6ad5132309b4800196009142bd457/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845973&Signature=O7OQuWjivPjd74pM-p6qjQNkakkQ6qO8Th-54nBHygDRybqT8fHPPPx9ReCLUR5UW0Trf1xJYYJDgd6Vi1J~ENx~qPDfA34yooWvBNdTI4yuESItRu57ModSQCgQUHebbg0xWdGN1DRhjjqNA~pSixvN-GXxG1Cf1I51DWXYqLhMnKWruhb4VE3LeMViJJSIZCTKmrHajNlR~FsPELMZVT1aBl-QiQIfXgPjxWRzPO4kNeUVWFUkEzXaZwHYx8ECT-YhANN8qnt5SjyCdVmm4lg1A40~PVq7djiq~29CTyvN6g7LFGxkQmviQswnTTrcj8YB9ZLXYnNEQI8JKbd7lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted June 4 to add a 2025 fall T-ball season for children ages roughly 4–6, aiming to offer weekday programming when youth sports typically run. Mr. Walker, presenting the proposal, said the program would begin in the second-to-last week in August and finish the first week in October, with three weeks of practice followed by a month of games.

Why it matters: The department said the fall offering will provide an option for younger children who otherwise often switch to football or soccer in the fall months, and staff presented the program as budget-neutral because registration fees will match existing pricing.

Mr. Walker described the plan as an effort to “make baseball... financially make sense” after several years of budget shortfalls in youth baseball programming and said the sessions would be held on weeknights. The board moved and seconded the measure and approved it by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting record.

Board members asked only clarifying questions about scheduling and age ranges. Staff will implement the program for the 2025 fall season and return to the board if any changes to pricing or schedule are needed.","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved a fall T-ball program targeting 4–6-year-olds, with three weeks of practice followed by four weeks of games on weeknights beginning in late August and running into early October.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211176,"Parks board approves weekly food-truck nights at Pullman skate park",178,187000,365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec&start=187&end=365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699443-27b7570a4e47facbeb582194172e06ec/thumbnail_187000.jpg","/articles/6211176/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Parks-board-approves-weekly-food-truck-nights-at-Pullman-skate-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211176-ba97a60a6d6c2b250177f093a2f136ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1772845973&Signature=kTmTxBwpQfKxh9oO04RtCJpcKw5EjW0rcBwVSjSjKlMPLedXwWaSLFyslCXNKas4NaNRNW2RphanoPY4j4A0iH27UbWHKBivU4E8rP1pyTEB7Ta6DVvOuTZQVCM60N~j~KSv9dGmqyuWeLdq1psyuaOeKDFtfz7FsxczwFPcwzJtRxNljo~iDQsK4DiA61vjCIlYZKzdodTDBK-kkMlAh6aYFFH4K4NMOubHGdIyGDSX4p37Ay11-o4xQhzvUkf1BmcLf4fpAWhGm-EwHGzDnvKvfxo~tdXKEGpJyEM9uO1pVTHT7tqIvFdQk5~p9sGSVvrY25QqsQTFY0mBJNxLWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on June 4 approved a plan to host weekly food trucks at the Pullman Field skate park, authorizing gatherings on Wednesday evenings between mid-June and Aug. 27. Eric Williams, Michigan City special events, told the board the organizers will seek local vendors from Michigan City and La Porte County and are not charging a participation fee in the program’s first year.

Why it matters: Board members said the West Side location has limited food options and could draw residents to Pullman. Williams said the event is intentionally low-cost at launch to build attendance; vendors must be self-sustaining because the city will not supply electricity or water.

Williams outlined the proposal during the meeting: “Basically, we are just looking for permission to stage 2 to 4 food trucks, at Pullman Field every Wednesday from June 11 to August 27,” and added the plan is to “stick with food vendors who are local to Michigan City or La Porte County.” He told the board organizers may delay the opening a week to June 18 if they need extra time to recruit vendors.

A public commenter who identified themselves as a vendor said they have a list of interested trucks and were confident they could have a lineup quickly, though Williams said the group would “probably reevaluate” and adjust if the event didn’t meet expectations in early weeks. The board approved the proposal by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes.

The first-year approach will waive vendor fees and limit utility support to encourage vendor participation. Williams said a contract will be used with participating vendors and the event organizers will return to the board to amend terms if the program expands.

The board noted the city’s existing food-truck rules and said future proposals will need to align with city ordinance. Several board members signaled support and encouraged staff to coordinate signage and outreach to attract attendees from nearby neighborhoods.","The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board approved a special-events proposal to host 2–4 food trucks at Pullman Field skate park on Wednesday evenings this summer, with no vendor fee for the first season and vendors required to be self-sufficient for power and water.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Michigan City Zoo passes USDA inspection; director outlines exhibit and program upgrades

Parks superintendent reports more than $95,000 in storm damage; city tree board awarded $1 million grant

Parks board raises single-umpire pay for 14U baseball to $60 to address staffing shortages

Parks board approves 2025 fall T-ball program for 4–6-year-olds

Parks board approves weekly food-truck nights at Pullman skate park