Local News

On January 17th at 12:04 AM, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center was notified that a burglar alarm was activated at Columbia Outlet (1710 Lighthouse Place) while the business was closed. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 quickly responded to the scene and noticed a front window was shattered. Officers entered the building and located 59-year-old Michigan City resident Rodney Cooper attempting to conceal himself under a clothing rack next to several bags of clothing. Officers searched the rest of the business and did not locate anyone else inside. Officers eventually took Cooper into custody for Burglary (Level 5 Felony).

The Michigan CIty Parks and Recreation Department announced earlier in the week that the Michigan City Quilting Club was approved at a board meeting. The department says the inquires have been flooding in. The intro meeting will be on Wednesday Jan. 28 at Krueger Memorial Hall. This will be a meet and greet with an intro lesson to quilting. “A lot like chess club we want this to be the meeting place for quilters and threaders alike,” the department said on it’s Facebook page. “Not just a place to learn but a place to socialize with people who enjoy the

Regarding Darlene A. Urban and  John W. Middleton, Jr. Darlene A. Urban, 91, La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5:50 am in Life Care Center of Michigan City. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with  Brother Shaun Gray CSC officiating. Private burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Wednesday in the funeral chapel. Contributions may be made to Life Care Center of Michigan City, 802 E. US Route 20, Michigan

MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION on Wednesday 1/21/26 at Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church-see below for details. Please feel free to SHARE. JIm Musial will join WIMS on Wednesday at 6:15a to chat about this Mobile Food Distribution and others in 2026. #wims #makingadifference

Indiana earns first national championship, completing perfect season in CFP title game thriller over Miami. Final Score 27-21 The Hoosiers completed one of college football's most improbable rises with a signature performance in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Miami. MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- No. 1 Indiana used a legendary run from Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to defeat No. 10 Miami 27-21 and capture the first national championship in program history. The Hoosiers faced fourth-and-5 in the fourth quarter deep in Miami territory. After initially sending out the kicking unit, coach Curt Cignetti called a timeout and sent

MICHIGAN CITY – Michigan City Special Events and Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch are excited to announce the 2026 Michigan City Special Events schedule, highlighted by the return of 5th Annual Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival and Oktoberfest. “Our special events are a cornerstone of what makes Michigan City such a vibrant and welcoming community,” said Mayor Angie. “From long-standing traditions to signature festivals that draw visitors from across the region, these events bring people together, support our local businesses, and showcase the very best of our lakefront city. We’re excited to invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy another incredible

At Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced an approximately $10 million federal Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant received in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and WestEd. The grant is part of a national investment to accelerate literacy achievement across the country. Indiana is one of only 10 states receiving an EIR grant this year, joining the nation’s leading states in advancing scalable, research-backed literacy practices. “We are thrilled that Indiana has been selected for this highly competitive federal award,” said Governor Mike Braun. “Through a partnership between the state of

Indiana’s class of 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improved graduation rates and sets a new state record, with nearly 92% of Indiana seniors graduating high school. This is up 1.6 percentage points from the class of 2024. “Today’s record-high graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of Indiana’s students, families, and educators,” said Governor Mike Braun. “While high school graduation marks the end of a student’s K-12 journey, our schools play an essential role in preparing students for all that comes next, whether that’s going to college, starting a career, or joining the military. This strong

Press Release by Indiana Department of Environmental Management: INDIANAPOLIS –  Indiana water systems have submitted more than 98% of required lead service line inventories, putting the state among national leaders in efforts to reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water. Under the U.S. EPA’s 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, public water systems are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials. The requirement applies to all community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems. Of the 1,376 water systems in Indiana, 1,355 have submitted inventories, a significant achievement given the state’s size and complexity.

The Indiana DNR says the state recently wrapped up an initial phase of gray fox research to better understand these canines that seem to be on the decline. The study found that gray foxes like scrubby edge habitat, are genetically healthy, and eat a lot of plants. The DNR says gray fox reproduction is lower than expected and habitat seems to be a limiting factor. According to the DNR, the most common cause of death was canine distemper, a common disease in other Indiana carnivores like raccoons. The DNR says Indiana is continuing work to better understand gray fox health

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY-be safe today COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST /1 PM EST/TODAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero. * WHERE...Benton, Jasper, Lake IN, Newton, and Porter Counties. * WHEN...Until noon CST /1 PM EST/ today. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. ******************************************************************** .WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – BCA Environmental Consultants will manage and implement a U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant after being selected by an RFP committee. The city was awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to redevelop brownfields that have been impacted by petroleum and hazardous substances. BCA will fulfill grant requirements over a four-year period. “BCA’s expertise and experience are vital to moving through the grant process and ensuring we are identifying and redeveloping brownfield areas correctly and with the best end results,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. BCA is an environmental, health

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has announced David G. Taylor will serve as the Teddy Jacobi Dean of the PNW College of Business, effective July 1, 2026. Taylor was selected through a national search process. Taylor currently serves as dean of the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he also holds a faculty appointment as a professor of Marketing. His previous leadership roles have included associate dean, chair of the department of Marketing and director of Sacred Heart University’s former Luxembourg branch campus. While serving in leadership roles

Press Release by The Salvation Army of La Porte County: Free community concert celebration and student workshop by renowned brass band
 MICHIGAN CITY— The Salvation Army of Michigan City and La Porte invite the community to a special weekend of music, worship, and fellowship featuring the renowned Chicago Staff Band, one of The Salvation Army’s premier musical ensembles. The highlight of the weekend will be a Celebration Concert on Saturday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Michigan City High School, located at 8466 Pahs Road, Michigan City. The concert is free and open to the public. In addition to the

Lubeznik Center for the Arts Hosts Free Family Day   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is hosting a free Family Day on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. (Central), and all families are invited to attend.   This free, drop-in event welcomes all ages to create their own artwork inspired by the current exhibition, LIT! Site-Specific Installations by Maria Burundarena and Luftwerk. Plus, kids can enjoy a fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt through LCA’s three galleries, all in a relaxed and welcoming environment.   Family Days are particularly engaging for school-age children and

The La Porte Police Department is congratulating Captain Patrick Hemphill on his retirement. “Captain Hemphill, after 30+ years of dedicated and honorable service as a Police Officer to the La Porte City Police Department and the City of La Porte, as a D.A.R.E. Officer, Records Captain, Pension Secretary, Detective, Swat, Dispatcher, FOP Chaplain, President, and Treasure, and for being a respected leader, mentor, and role model to generations of officers, you are now being called for your final off-duty.  Your commitment, integrity, and steady leadership have left a lasting impact on this department and community. Thank you for your service,

Indiana Hospital Association Names Dr. Jim Callaghan 2026 Board Chair The Indiana Hospital Association (IHA) has named Jim Callaghan, M.D., its board chair for 2026. Callaghan serves as executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a not-for-profit organization operating 12 hospitals in Indiana and South Suburban Chicago. Dr. Callaghan becomes the first physician to serve as IHA board chair in 80 years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Academy of Family Physicians. “Jim is a highly respected health care leader who has dedicated his career to improving the

Save the Dunes doing a Winter Wellness Walk Monday 1/19 at Paul Douglas Center, Indiana Dunes National Park in Gary from 11am-1pm   You are invited to join us on Monday, Janaury 19th, for a Winter Wellness Walk in Miller Woods! Science shows us that there are direct benefits of spending time outside to both our mental and physical health! As little as 15 minutes a day can significantly boosts mental health by lowering stress hormones, increasing mood-lifting chemicals, improving focus, and providing a mental reset.   We had originally planned to explore the newest portion of the Marquette Greenway,

News Release by Indiana DNR: Floyd County resident Justin Brown caught a record-setting longnose gar on the Ohio River on Dec. 30 of last year, on a warm winter afternoon. The fish weighed 23 pounds, 12.2 ounces, beating the previous record from 2008 by almost a pound and a half. The previous record fish was caught from the White River. Brown caught his gar from a boat using a jigging spoon. All three of Indiana’s gar records have now been broken in the past three years – the shortnose gar record was set in 2025, and the spotted gar record

The Valparaiso Fire Department recently released statistics on their 2025 incidents they responded to. Firefighters responded to over 6,000 incidents last year for the first time ever. Valpo Fire says this was a 7.6% increase from 2024 and is a 29.9% increase since 2019. Valpo Fire Provided a breakdown of those 6,381 responses, which can be found below: - EMS Response: 4,446 - Lift Assist: 473 - Alarm Activation: 434 - MVC (Motor Vehicle Crash): 310 - Citizen Assist: 122 - Gas Leak: 95 - Lines Down: 94 - CO Investigation: 77 - Odor Investigation: 72 - Nuisance Fire: 49