Local News

The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has announced winners of the 2025 Northwest Indiana High School Pitch Competition – Westville. Five winners were selected from 17 student teams that presented their startup pitches at Purdue University Northwest’s Westville campus on Friday, March 14. Student teams each had four minutes to share their pitch, followed by questions from the judges. “The students that presented really impressed me with their ideas,” said Karaline Cartagena Edwards, economic development manager for Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, who served as a judge for the competition. “While it was clear that some ideas would be

The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross is issuing a call to help ensure no one faces a disaster alone by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26.   During the first 50 days of 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more big disasters in the U.S. than days — including a winter storm in the Indiana Region in January and recent severe weather this month. And that’s on top of everyday crises like home fires that have upended lives here in the Indiana Region. Meanwhile, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected so far this year

Please submit your interest to Captain E.J. Hall via email at info@valpopd.com, including full legal name, date of birth, address, phone number, and t-shirt size. To be considered for this year’s class, you must be at least 18 years of age and have your interest submitted no later than March 21, 2025.

Homeward Bound Villages Breaks Ground at Karwick Village, La Porte’s First Cooperative Housing Development   City and County Elected Officials Joined Community Stakeholders last weekend for this Historic Event. Turning shovels before site development began.   LAPORTE, INDIANA- This past Saturday, history was made in La Porte County as elected officials, community stakeholders, and supporters of Homeward Bound Villages gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony. This event took the organization nine years to accomplish as they raised funds, sought out the right location, worked with city officials for zoning, and more.   Elected officials, including Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch,

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK, Ind.-- Construction is underway at Indiana Dunes National Park on a segment of the Marquette Greenway Trail. This segment is located between the national park’s Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education in Gary and the entrance to the park’s West Beach in Portage. This nearly three-mile-long section of paved trail is part of the greater Marquette Greenway project stretching from Chicago, Illinois to New Buffalo, Michigan. Construction is expected to last through the end of this calendar year. The trailheads at Grand Boulevard, Montgomery Street, and County Line Road will be closed during construction for

Here is the latest from the Ott Haverstock Funeral Chapel in Michigan City regarding Jeremy James Phillip Jeremy James Phillips, 38, passed away on March 9, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, March 21, 2025 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with Pastor Robert Fleming officiating. Burial will follow in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Friday at the funeral chapel. To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com. #wims #localradio #nwi #michigancity

Local health departments are required by statute (IC 13-23-16) to inform the public of the discovery of released regulated substances at an underground storage tank site or in the surrounding area under 329 IAC 9-4-1 (1) or a spill or overfill under 329 IAC 9-4-4 (a). The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was notified on March 12, 2025, of such an incident from the owner or operator of Family Express #12 located at 5822 South Franklin Street in or near Michigan City, Indiana in LaPorte County. For further information on the Leaking Underground Storage Tank program, please go to

Debbie Martin spent 31 years taking care of others while working at Franciscan Health Michigan City, but when her own health issues became too overwhelming, she knew she had to stop working and care for herself. “I was very lonely,” the 66-year-old Michigan City woman said. “I can’t drive, so I’m pretty much confined to the house. The depression was horrible, just a downward spiral.” Martin was worried about what would happen to her dog, Cooper, if she had to go into a nursing home. Last summer, Martin’s home health physical therapist asked if she’d ever heard of Franciscan’s Program of

Two projects are set to begin on I-94 near U.S. 20/Exit 22. Overnight lane closures will be utilized to set up these work zones and new traffic configurations.The left and right shoulders closed on eastbound I-94 and the left shoulder of westbound I-94 closed at U.S. 20 on or after Thursday, March 20 through the beginning of June. Crews will be removing the current overhead box truss structure over the eastbound lanes in this location and installing a new one slightly to the west.The right lane and shoulder closed on I-94 westbound at the Norfolk Southern Railroad bridge on or

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces opportunities to learn more and provide comments regarding its draft 2026-2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP is Indiana’s five-year planning and construction document that lists all transportation projects expected to be funded within the next five years using federal funding in addition to regionally significant state funded projects. The current STIP (2024-2028) and draft 2026-2030 STIP are available on INDOT’s STIP webpage. Learn more about the STIP with the STIP Public Primer, also available on INDOT’s STIP webpage. Open houses will take place at the following locations (all times EST): South Bend:

Registration is now open! Join us at the 2025 Living Health, Balance & Hope Symposium as we celebrate 50 years of meeting the health and wellness needs in Northwest Indiana! This year's symposium will be held on Thursday, May 8th at the Porter County Expo Center where presenter, Zach Brittle, LMHC, will explore the power of relationships and how we all can nurture and strengthen them! Registration options include the Keynote Lunch or the Full Day Symposium. Earn up to 4 CEUs! Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Learn more and register today! For more information visit www.porterstarke.org. #wims #nwi #localradio

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health is hosting a free, weekly smoking cessation walk and talk support group aimed at helping individuals live healthier, smoke-free lives. The sessions will begin with a 30-minute walk and casual conversation with other participants. A 30-minute focused, supportive discussion will follow, allowing participants to share their experiences, challenges and successes with others who are also working to quit smoking. Leaders will explore different topics each week tailored to the groups’ needs, including mindfulness exercises, stress management techniques and practical coping skills to help overcome cravings and triggers. The discussion topics will change weekly based

The City of Valparaiso's Human Relations Council invites the community to apply for its new 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, designed to spark ideas and support efforts that advance inclusion and education.  𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟑𝟎.  Learn more and apply by visiting tinyurl.com/ValpoCulturalGrant

Jackson Township – Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to three separate brush/grass fires that were called in after the fires were unable to be controlled by the homeowners of residences in Jackson Township, Porter County. One early night fire in the dark was reported by a nearby neighbor that showed evidence of a fire that was left unattended at one property and then had spread through a ravine towards other residences through a forested area. The fires contributed to approximately 3-acres in total being burned between the incidents. The first fire occurred shortly before noon (March 14) that sent

TEAM WIMS celebrates another  "SOLD OUT” Event with the Duneland Chamber of Commerce on their 10th Anniversary of Corkscrew & Brew. Beautiful Weather, Wonderful Vendors, Incredible Sponsors, Awesome Community Support.  Thank you to our WIMS EVENT Sponsors including: The Duneland Chamber of Commerce, Chesterton's European Market, Arnett Construction & Roofing and NIPSCO. #wims #nwi #localradio #chesterton #duneland

TEAM WIMS having a blast on Saturday with Terry Greetham and Eric Williams with Michigan City Special Events at the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Michigan City. Beautiful weather, Awesome people, Community Fun and Family Fun. Thanks to everyone that came out. Thank you to our WIMS EVENT Sponsors including: Michigan City Special Events, NIPSCO, Arnett Construction & Roofing, General Insurance Services, and Arby's of Michigan City. #wims #nwi #localradio #duneland #chesterton

This past Wednesday, Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, along with Troopers and Motor Carrier Inspectors assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED), participated in a traffic enforcement blitz focusing on I-80/94 and I-65. The blitz resulted in the following statistics being compiled: 85 Traffic tickets 110 Warnings 66 Left lane violations (trucks over 10,000 lbs.) 39 Inspections 7 Criminal arrests 5 Crash reports taken 2 O.W.I. arrests Lt. Terrance Weems, Commander of the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, commented on the results, “The Lowell Post, along with our partners in CVED, remains committed to monitoring our

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will resume bridge work on I-65 between State Road 2 and State Road 10 on or after Monday, March 17. Overnight lane closures will be utilized during the hours of around 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approximately ten days to set up the traffic configuration for phase three of this project. Overnight lane closures will begin on the northbound side first and then continue southbound. The phase three traffic configuration will have northbound traffic shifted to the right. Southbound traffic will be split, with the left lane as a counterflow lane on the

Rep. Frank J. Mrvan on Friday announced the details of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District. Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition as an opportunity to promote the artistic talent in each Congressional District. Congressman Mrvan stated, “I look forward to hosting the Congressional Art Competition in Indiana’s First Congressional District again this spring.  This competition is an opportunity for high school students to showcase their artistic skills, creativity, and passion for our region with a work of art to

Press release, Indiana State Comptroller: STATEHOUSE — State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla recently voted to further ensure investment options for the State’s deferred compensation retirement plan, Hoosier START, are chosen and monitored for the prioritization of objective financial factors over non-financial environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. “By focusing solely on financial factors, we not only prioritize the best possible retirement investment options for State of Indiana employees and retirees, but also uphold our fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of plan participants,” said Comptroller Nieshalla. “This policy amendment adds an additional safeguard for participant’s retirement funds.” The Indiana