DOR provides guidance to ensure you file your taxes correctly and include all required information INDIANAPOLIS — With over 1.2 million unemployment claims in 2020, more Hoosiers than ever will be including unemployment income for the first time when filing their 2020 individual income tax return. The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is reminding individuals that unemployment benefits are taxable income on both state and federal returns. All unemployment recipients who opted for paper mailing will receive Form 1099G in the mail that includes the total taxable income the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) issued in a calendar year.

Indiana continues to make progress in vaccinating homebound Hoosiers for COVID-19 through a whole-community approach to reaching vulnerable residents. The Homebound Hoosiers vaccination program is helping communities across the state by identifying residents who are unable to leave their homes and utilizing the vast EMS network to visit and administer vaccines. Participants in the program must meet current eligibility requirements, but they also are physically unable to visit a vaccination clinic or do not have family or friends to help them register and travel to a site. To address this gap, the Indiana’s Area Agencies on Aging (operating in 16 regions in Indiana),

The League of Women Voters of LaPorte County announced it is hosting a free online public Town Hall meeting Saturday, March 20th at 10 AM CDT to discuss the upcoming congressional and legislative redistricting process. During the Town Hall session, panelists will discuss the history of redistricting and explain the impact of drawing boundaries to favor one political party (known as gerrymandering) and what other states have done to ensure a fair process. Every ten years, with the release of new Census data, new legislative districts are mapped out to represent the revised population numbers. As the population increases, so

Northwest Health – La Porte has been selected as one of the Best Maternity Care Hospitals in the United States, one of only six Indiana hospitals selected. The selection was based on quality data collected by The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that reports quality and safety data of healthcare facilities and was announced publically on February 16. The facilities, that made the list of Best Maternity Hospitals 2021, met Leapfrog’s high standards of safety and quality of the maternity care they provide. Examples of quality data that earned the hospital this honor include C-section utilization and outcomes, low

In recent weeks, INDOT announced a Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study for the U.S. 30 corridor east of State Road 49 through the Northwest District. This high-level planning study will examine mobility, safety, economic development, land use, environmental impacts and other factors. Stakeholders and the public will be asked to provide input early in the development of a menu of options to improve U.S. 30 that enhance safety and mobility and align with the economic and community development visions along the corridor. What is a PEL study? According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a Planning and Environment Linkage

The Indiana Department of Health announced a mobile COVID-19 vaccine unit will be deployed to Michigan City. The mobile unit will be at the Ivy Tech parking lot, 3714 Franklin Street on February 25th, 26th and 27th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Appointments are required. Registration can be secured by visiting www.ourshot.in.gov or by calling 2-1-1. COVID vaccine eligibility update! Clinics are now taking COVID vaccine appointments for the following individuals: Hoosiers 60+ (Indiana residents only)You can register at https://ourshot.in.govOR call 211. In addition, there are other agencies assisting people to secure an appointment on the ourshot.in.gov website such

Tax season can create problems for those who have had their information compromised The Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) are reminding Hoosiers to stay vigilant when it comes to protecting one’s identity from theft. DWD has seen the number of fraudulent attempts to file unemployment insurance (UI) claims spike due to the coronavirus and the additional financial assistance available through federal programs such as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. With tax season here, Hoosiers who may have had their personal information compromised could encounter problems when filing their taxes.  DWD works

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY-City of Michigan City Construction road sign against a blue sky At the direction of Mayor Parry, the Michigan City Engineering Department applied for a state grant. The purpose of the grant is to assist local political units with asphalt paving.  The grant funds must be used by local political units for asphalt paving.  The grant is awarded by the Indiana Department of Transportation (InDot) and is known as the Community Crossing Matching Grant (CCMG).  Michigan City was accepted and then awarded $775,218.89 in grant funds.  The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission and the Michigan City Common

From the Press Release on 2/22/2021-also up yesterday on WIMSFACEBOOK and under Events tab on wimsradio.com In recent days, the Fair Board has spent significant time reviewing its options with respect to the Morgan Wallen concert scheduled for July 14th. This has included conversations with numerous officials within thecommunity, including the La Porte County Commissioners, County Sheriff, County Council President, as well as their respective attorneys. After much consideration, the decision has been made to cancel thisconcert. For those that purchased tickets, full refunds will be issued and are expected to be processed within ten (10) business days. We appreciate

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) researchers at the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) are leading a team using a $7 million federal grant to improve steelmaking processes. ???????????????????????????????????? The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded PNW and the Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) $7,048,766 for the development of a next-generation Integrated Virtual Blast Furnace to improve energy efficiency and emissions in real time and to develop a virtual training model. “We are very grateful for this prestigious award by the Department of Energy and the strong support from our university,

Detectives with the Indiana State Police Lowell Post were requested to investigate an assault on two correction officers at the Indiana State Prison located in Michigan City, IN. Preliminary investigation indicates that around 2:40 p.m. (CST) on February 21, 2021, an inmate attacked two correction officers in a common area. Both correction officers were transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City, IN where one correction officer was pronounced deceased. The second correction officer is in serious condition. Tymetri Campbell, age 38, an inmate at the Michigan City Prison, faces several preliminary charges, to include murder, as a result of this

Several months ago, the LCSO K9 Division selected Deputy Austin Wells as the next handler for the agency.  He is a 4-year veteran of the LCSO and assigned to the Midnight Patrol Shift.  Earlier this week, Deputy Wells and other deputies of the K9 Division traveled to Vohne Liche Kennels (VLK) located in Denver, Indiana, to select a new K9.  Following the selection process, a new K9 returned to La Porte County.  K9 Roman is a 2-year-old male Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection and tracking/apprehension.  Deputy Wells and his new partner are scheduled to attend an upcoming 6-week Dual

The La Porte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), announced an arrest last week of a Serious Violent Felon with a Firearm in Michigan City.  It was announced that last Tuesday evening, while LCDTF Detectives were conducting surveillance in the 200 block of West 11th Street, they observed 33-year old La Porte resident Anthony Sanders walk out the front door of a home in the 1000 block of Washington Street.  The detectives noticed that Sanders had a firearm with a high capacity magazine in one of his hands.  Detectives were familiar with Sanders and knew he was a convicted felon which

Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry announced that the Snow Emergency that was in place due to the winter storm has been lifted as of Saturday morning. Parking is again permitted along streets designated as Snow Emergency Routes. Mayor Parry says he deeply appreciates the Street Department, Park Department, Sanitary District, Department of Water Works, and Public Transit, for their dedicated support during the storm. It was also mentioned that If it wasn’t for Director Cranston Harris and his top notch mechanics, the city would not have the plows, equipment or trucks to make the snow removal happen.

There is a mobile food drive Monday from 10 am-noon in Michigan City at Marquette Mall outside of the old Carson’s. Items are free of charge. This is first come first served for up to 300 households while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. Check the WIMS FACEBOOK page for the full POST and details.

  A driver was arrested Friday for OWI after falsely reporting a road rage incident in La Porte County according to the Sheriff’s office. Just after 3:30 AM, deputies were dispatched to the area of US 20 and Fail Road regarding a road rage incident.  A female called 911 and reported her vehicle had been “rammed” by another vehicle.  She provided a description of the suspect vehicle and advised both vehicles were still traveling east on US 20.    Captain Hynek located both vehicles traveling eastbound on SR 2 near CR 800 East.  He initiated a traffic stop on the suspect

A multiple vehicle crash on I-94 resulted in a fatality this past Thursday evening. At 7:00 p.m., the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center received 911 calls reporting a multi-vehicle crash on I-94 EB at the 16.1 mile-marker. Troopers located a semi and two passenger vehicles along the inside median wall.  One passenger car was underneath the front of the semi and pinned against the median barrier.  Preliminary investigation troopers showed that a 2011 Toyota Prius had driven through snow that was in-between the ramp from the Indiana Toll Road and I-94. This resulted in the driver losing control and spinning into

Governor Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 1, which provides businesses and schools with COVID liability protections.Holcomb said he “made providing assurances that they will not have to live and work in fear of frivolous lawsuits a part of my Next Level Agenda. Most Hoosier businesses and other organizations are making good faith attempts to protect their customers and employees, because it is the right thing to do and it makes for better business in the long run. I want to thank lawmakers for rapidly passing this key piece of legislation and sending it to my desk for signature.”The Governor signed

Residents' utility bills may look a little different next month, according to City of La Porte Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Parthun. Parthun said City of La Porte utility customers can expect to see an increase for water and sewer services in the coming bill. Stormwater increases will impact larger customers only (i.e. commercial and industrial accounts). Parthun said even with these increases, City of La Porte utility costs remain below the state average. "Our water and wastewater infrastructure systems are over 100 years old and in desperate need of repairs," Parthun said. "We could not kick the can down the road any

Due to the recent severe weather that has affected much of the country and disrupted shipping services, La Porte County Health Department will not be receiving its weekly allotment of the COVID-19 vaccine as planned.  This has forced us to reschedule appointments that were originally scheduled for afternoon of Friday February 19th beginning at 1:30 pm on,  all day Saturday February 20th and all day Monday February 22nd.  These appointments are all in the process of being rescheduled as follows. Saturday appointments will be moved to the same times on Tuesday February 23rd. Monday appointments will be moved to the