Local News

VALPARAISO, IN – The City of Valparaiso and Valpo Parks are thrilled to announce the continuation of their partnership with Indiana Beverage for another ten years. This renewed agreement ensures that the facility at Central Park Plaza will continue to be known as the Indiana Beverage Activity Center, solidifying a long-standing commitment to community recreation and engagement. The initial ten-year partnership, which has seen the Indiana Beverage Activity Center become a vibrant hub for residents of all ages, has been a testament to the shared vision of Indiana Beverage, Valpo Parks, and City of Valparaiso in fostering a healthy and

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have mobile food distributions at the following for September (local to WIMS locations):   Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – St. Joseph County 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET *While supplies last. Where: The former Kroger parking lot, 4526 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN 46619 *This distribution is sponsored by Indiana OCRA and will serve 150 households.   Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – La Porte County 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. CT *While supplies last. Where: Kingsford Heights Community Center, 515 Wayland Dr., Kingsford Heights, IN 46346 *This distribution is sponsored by Indiana

The City of Portage is collecting food items for 500 Turkeys again this year. You may drop off your donations at Portage City Hall front lobby, M-F 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. See the flyer for specific items needed.

The Michigan City Public Art Committee (MAC) will be hosting our annual artist reception on Thursday, September 25 at Vita del Lago, 521 Franklin Street starting at 5:30 pm. Hope you can join us.

Robert M. “Bob” Daum, 69, of LaPorte, IN, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 26, 2025. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN, with a visitation from 10:00 am till service time. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family invites you to honor his life by enjoying a hike outdoors or by supporting a cause he cared deeply about - the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, or The Nature Conservancy. To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, please

Valparaiso, IN – Ivy Tech Community College recently announced Fall Chancellors’ Scholarship Event taking place on September 18, 2025, at Avalon Manor Banquet Center, located at 3550 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, IN. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CT. Event includes dinner, presentation of this year’s scholarship winners and recognition for the 2025 benefactors of the year. Northwest Health, and Linde are the 2025 Benefactors of the Year. Tickets are currently available for purchase at $90.00. $45.00 of the ticket price is tax-deductible, and can be purchased at Chancellors’ Scholarship Link  through September 12, 2025. “Last year our event was so wonderfully received

Side street approaches to Coolspring Avenue will be paved beginning in Tuesday in the early afternoon. Coolspring will remain open to traffic with temporary closures on the following side streets: Cleveland Avenue Boyd Circle Tilden Avenue Maple Street Oak Street Virginia Court The city is asking the public to be mindful of construction crews working in these areas. All roadway construction is weather permitting and subject to change.  

IT'S TIME TO RAISE YOUR GLASS BECAUSE OKTOBERFEST IS BACK! CHECK OUT TODAY'S SCHEDULE FOR DAY 4! EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: REMINDER: Duke Tomatoe will not be performing today. Sending prayers. The Corey Dennison Band will be performing in place of Duke. Enjoy Over 50 Live Acts Across Three Stages Multiple Beer Gardens A Wide Variety of Food Vendors Art, Craft, & Merchandise Vendors FREE ADMISSION Oktoberfest Event Sponsor Shoutout: •Michigan City Special Events • Arnett Construction and Roofing • Chesterton Physical Therapy • NIPSCO • Arby’s of Michigan City

South Shore Line invites medical personnel and law enforcement to ride the train for free September 6th through 11th, 2025   CHESTERTON, Ind.  – To show appreciation and to say thank you for their service to the community, the South Shore Line (SSL) is inviting all doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, other medical personnel, and law enforcement to ride the train free of charge Saturday, September 6, through Thursday, September 11, 2025, on all Westbound and Eastbound weekday and weekend trains. To ride free, medical and law enforcement personnel must only present a valid work ID to SSL train personnel

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department will hold a public open house from 10 a.m.-noon on Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Activity Center for Older Adults (901 Lincolnway). "Come take a tour and learn how the center may enrich your life or the life of a loved one," the department said on Facebook. Light refreshments will be served and free hearing testing will be available. Come back from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, for a Tribute Lunch, presented and hosted by the ACOA and Home Instead. Help them honor those living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

In La Porte County, an INDOT contractor will conduct alternating lane closures on U.S. 20 between State Road 39 and Fail Road beginning on or after Tuesday, Sept. 2. Work will begin with the eastbound lanes converted to two-way traffic and westbound lanes closed. No left turns will be allowed through the work zone. County Road 125 West and Range Road will not have access to U.S. 20 from the north side. Starting in mid-September, the left inside lanes will be closed in each direction. Traffic will utilize the right outside lanes and will be able to make left and

Michigan City Area Schools are introducing "The Wolfie Way." Michigan City Area Schools says this year they are launching The Wolfie Way: a districtwide initiative that reflects who they are and how they grow together as "One City, One Pack." "It’s about building a welcoming culture, supporting strong attendance, creating pride in our schools, and so much more, MCAS said on their Facebook page. "The Wolfie Way is for all of us: students, staff, families, and community partners. The Wolfie Way starts now! You’ll begin seeing it in classrooms, hallways, and throughout the community as we work together to build

IT'S TIME TO RAISE YOUR GLASS BECAUSE OKTOBERFEST IS BACK! CHECK OUT TODAY'S SCHEDULE FOR DAY 3! EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoy Over 50 Live Acts Across Three Stages Multiple Beer Gardens A Wide Variety of Food Vendors Art, Craft, & Merchandise Vendors FREE ADMISSION Oktoberfest Event Sponsor Shoutout: •Michigan City Special Events • Arnett Construction and Roofing • Chesterton Physical Therapy • NIPSCO • Arby’s of Michigan City

SOUTH BEND – Rachael Robinson, 37 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to a federal felony for wire fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. Robinson was ordered to pay $55, 280.47 in restitution to the victims of the offense. According to documents in the case, in February and April 2021, Robinson submitted two fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief funds for a business that did not exist. The PPP program was designed to approve loans to small businesses for job retention

Oasis whipped through Chicago like a hurricane Thursday night, launching their first U.S. show in more than 15 years in front of a sold-out Soldier Field. The Manchester mayhem did not disappoint. Formed in 1991, Oasis has always been as famous for their anthems as for the fiery feuds between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. Fans weren’t entirely sure this reunion would even happen, but finger-crossing and prayers were answered when the band took the stage together, arms raised in solidarity. They wasted no time, tearing into “Hello,” “Acquiesce,” and “Morning Glory” before powering through an ambitious 23-song set with

In Porter County State Road 8 will be closed between County Road 300 East and County Road 450 East on or after Tuesday, September 2. State Road 8 will be closed through mid-October for a bridge deck overlay project over Crooked Creek. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 49, U.S. 30 and U.S. 421.

IT'S TIME TO RAISE YOUR GLASS BECAUSE OKTOBERFEST IS BACK! CHECK OUT TODAY'S SCHEDULE FOR DAY 2! EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoy Over 50 Live Acts Across Three Stages Multiple Beer Gardens A Wide Variety of Food Vendors Art, Craft, & Merchandise Vendors FREE ADMISSION Oktoberfest Event Sponsor Shoutout: •Michigan City Special Events • Arnett Construction and Roofing • Chesterton Physical Therapy • NIPSCO • Arby’s of Michigan City

MICHIGAN CITY – City Hall and the Department of Water Works will be closed to the public on Monday, Sept. 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The Transit and Refuse departments also will be non-operational that day. Regular bus service and routes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Local residents and businesses whose normal trash and compost pickup day is Monday are asked to set their bins out before 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The city says all others should set their bins out before 7 a.m. on your normal pickup day. The Refuse Department will double up on

MICHIGAN CITY, IN—Unity Foundation of La Porte County invites Michigan City area educators to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful. Unity Foundation manages three grant programs for Michigan City teachers, each established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning. Together, the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators at Michigan City public and private schools for projects of their own design since the mid-1990s. These grants of $400 to $500 each aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students. Teachers

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Franciscan Health’s Prenatal Assistance Program recently received a donation of 247,968 Huggies diapers from the National Diaper Bank Network. The National Diaper Bank Network works in partnership with its network of diaper banks – including those at Franciscan Health -- allied programs, donors, sponsors and elected officials to end diaper need and period poverty in the United States. “This incredible gift from the National Diaper Bank Network and Huggies helps us extend our reach and ensure that more children in Northwest Indiana have the essentials they need to thrive,” said Tristan Kirby, Franciscan Alliance community health