Story by: Franciscan Health NORTHWEST INDIANA -- A procedure offered at Franciscan Health Crown Point is allowing cardiac patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) to eliminate the use of blood thinners and live more active lifestyles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), AFib is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. The CDC estimates 6 million Americans have Afib, which significantly increases the risk of stroke. One of the primary treatments for AFib is blood thinners, which are used to prevent blood clots that travel to the brain and cause strokes. While blood thinners are effective, they

CROWN POINT, Indiana -- Board-certified family medicine doctor Caitlin Sienkiewicz, DO is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Sienkiewicz completed her training at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria, Ill. Her clinical interests are basic dermatological conditions and procedures, hypertension management, osteopathic manipulative treatments, sports physicals and minor sports injury management. Dr. Sienkiewicz is accepting new patients at the Winfield Health Center at 11161 Randolph St. in Crown Point. For

The Coast Guard is warning winter enthusiasts of unstable ice conditions and encouraging people to take safety precautions following two major rescues Monday on the Great Lakes. Coast Guard boat and air crews responded to two separate ice floes off Wisconsin and Michigan with a total of 25 people rescued. Station Sturgeon Bay crew members responded to 11 people stranded on an ice floe off Sherwood Point, Wisconsin. Working with partner agencies, the Coast Guard crew safely transported five adults and six children to shore. Following the response in Wisconsin, the Coast Guard received reports of people stranded on an

Findings from a housing study have been shared by by the City of La Porte Housing Initiative. Healthcare foundation of La Porte released the following in a media release: Housing is inextricably linked to the health and wellness of a community’s residents and to the vitality of the community’s economy.   With this in mind and at the urging of Mayor Tom Dermody, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) recently spearheaded an effort to create a blueprint for the strategic realignment of housing efforts within the City of La Porte. The HFL Board of Directors unanimously voted to support funding for a Comprehensive Housing

The Duneland School Corporation is welcoming Marianne Orfanos to its leadership team as the district’s new Director of Exceptional Learning. The appointment comes as Porter County Education Service (PCES) interlocal school districts are bringing special education teaching and paraprofessional staff directly under their respective umbrellas in 2023-2024. Orfanos will begin her new role this spring. “Marianne is a proven leader and outstanding educator.  We are very excited to welcome her to the Duneland School Corporation,” said Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit.  “Our students, families and staff will benefit greatly from the leadership that Marianne will provide to our schools.” “We are

The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) 2022 fall semester Dean’s List recognizing 1,738 undergraduate students for their academic achievement. Qualified students completed 12 credit hours, including at least six during the fall semester, and sustained an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 and a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students honored in the fall semester Dean’s List include 1,274 Indiana residents from 70 communities; 339 Illinois residents from 135 communities; 17 Wisconsin residents; 15 Michigan residents; seven Minnesota residents; six California residents; five students each from Florida and Iowa; two students each

***UPDATE #2 POLICE ACTIVITY SAMUELSON ROAD**** On Monday February 6th, 2023 at approximately 10:33am Porter County Central Dispatch received a report that a male had attacked a female and stole her cell phone near the intersection of Samuelson Road and Laurel Avenue. At that time, an off-duty Portage Police Officer was in the immediate area in his fully marked police vehicle and he was able to responded to the scene within seconds. Upon that officer’s arrival, a male was fleeing eastbound on foot but upon seeing the officer's police vehicle he turned around and fled into the backyard of the

A motorist was airlifted Monday morning, following a four-vehicle chain-reaction accident on U.S Highway 20 at Tremont Road in Porter, the Town of Chesterton reported on its Facebook page. The Porter Fire Department said the crash occurred at 10 a.m. The Porter Police Department was still investigating the accident as of Monday morning but preliminary information indicates that a semi-tractor trailer rear-ended a passenger vehicle at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Tremont Road, which forced the passenger vehicle into the rear of a third vehicle, and the third into the rear of a fourth, according to the Town of

Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy has been named to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) Board of Trustees by Governor Holcomb. NICTD operates the South Shore Line train and is governed by a Board of Trustees representing the four Indiana counties served by the South Shore Line. “I appreciate Governor Holcomb/s confidence in me and look forward to serving on the NICTD board. I see that the growth of NICTD services translates into added opportunities for Northern Indiana residents, businesses and visitors,” said Murphy. Murphy will represent Porter County on the Board and will serve through May 31, 2026. Murphy

The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement stated on its Facebook page just before 6:30 p.m. Monday that conservation officers were on scene of an off-road vehicle accident with serious injuries in northern Porter County. A helicopter was on the scene. WIMS will continue to follow this story.

The La Porte Community School Corporation Future Slicer Basketball Academy recently wrapped up their first year. For the past ten weeks, 84 boys ranging from third through sixth grade participated in a weekly basketball skills clinic at La Porte High School. Jordan Heckard, Head Varsity Coach, started the program to give future La Porte athletes the opportunity to work on foundational skills with the current Slicer basketball team. As a perk of the program, the participants receive a jersey, and a season pass to the Slicer games, where they cheer on the high school players they worked with throughout the

The Washington Park Zoo has announced that its male tiger, Stars, had recently been suffering from chronic kidney disease when the zoo decided to euthanize him at the age of 18-years-old. The zoo says chronic kidney disease is a common cause of illness and death in older feline species including tigers. Stars was diagnosed with the disease a few weeks ago and had been closely monitored and treated with medications to keep him comfortable, but his activity and appetite continued to slow. The zoo says the tough decision to euthanize Stars was necessary based on his extreme medical condition before

Indiana State Police say several charges have been filed against a Hammond man who reportedly rammed a stolen vehicle into police cars and was fired upon by a Munster police officer. Detectives with the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division have filed charges against Roy Viverette, the suspect involved in the Munster officer involved shooting that took place on Feb. 1. Viverette faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, criminal recklessness, resisting law enforcement, auto theft and theft.   Original story: Indiana State Police: Munster officer fires at suspect ramming into police vehicles A

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that preparation for additional concrete restoration work on I-65 in Lake County will start Monday. Overnight lane closures and the closure of the ramp from Ridge Road to Northbound I-65 will take place on or after Monday Feb 6. Watch for crews performing work on the shoulders through late April. The overnight lane and ramp closures are anticipated to take place over one evening, but additional closures may be needed through Feb 17. Overnight work hours will be from approximately 8 p.m.-6 a.m. The schedule and work is weather dependent.

The DNR is reminding the public that all tree stands on state property may only be left overnight from Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands must be legibly marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number or DNR customer ID number, according to the DNR. The DNR stated on its Law Enforcement Facebook page, “If you’re stand is still in the woods, it’s time to get it out!”

Instrumental music students from several Michigan City Area Schools took part in the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) solo and ensemble contest on Jan. 28 at Kankakee Valley Middle School, with nearly 50 receiving gold and silver ratings. Four students from Michigan City High School earned gold ratings on music of the highest difficulty level and will now advance to the ISSMA State Solo and Ensemble competition at North Central High School in Indianapolis on Feb. 25. These students are Sophia Barczak, Emray David, Kyra Krachinski, and Ashley Sparks.

 During the ISSMA event on Jan. 28, Krachinski received gold

The Indiana Department of Health has awarded nearly $8.5 million in grants to organizations working to improve Hoosiers’ health as part of the Health Issues and Challenges program, which was established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2021 with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This is the second round of grants through the program and follows $35 million that was announced last June. “Public health is built on a foundation of prevention and accessibility, and we are grateful to be able to use the remaining funds that our legislators allocated to support programs that will help improve Hoosiers’

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a phone scam involving someone claiming to be a local utility service provider. The scam is offering an 85% reduction on gas bills. “Of course with the ever so enticing special offer, come the additional questions where some citizens become victims, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office said on their Facebook page. “Do not entertain this goof! Please terminate the call and carry on with your law-abiding day.”

A Munster police officer opened fire Wednesday on a man who reportedly rammed a stolen vehicle into police cars at a gas station, Indiana State Police reported. The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post was requested by the Munster Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting.  Preliminary investigation shows that at around 7:40 p.m., officers with the Munster Police Department were in the area of Ridge Road and Manor Avenue attempting to locate a stolen vehicle. Officers located a stolen 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the Mobile gas station located in the 300 block of Ridge Road.

The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife stocked roughly 4,500 brown trout into northern Indiana streams in early January. Most fish ranged between 8 to 14 inches at the time of release. Indiana obtained the trout from Illinois last year when they were approximately 3 inches long. Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery in Walkerton raised the trout until they were close to an average of 10 inches long. The DNR stocked six streams including the Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County, Pigeon River (Steuben/LaGrange counties), Solomon Creek (Elkhart County), Little Elkhart River (LaGrange/Elkhart counties), Rowe Eden Ditch (LaGrange/Elkhart counties) and Cobus