Local News

The Valparaiso Police Department is honored to announce the swearing-in of six new officers as 2025 begins.  Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall this morning, welcoming Jacob Bill, Madison Patrick, Nicholas Houston, Kaleb Ellingham, Kevin Flynn, and Dominic Iannantone to the police department.  Numerous officers and civilian staff joined the families of the new hires, witnessing the memorable event. Jacob Bill is a 2015 graduate of Warsaw Community High School, and served in the Air National Guard from 2016-2022 (Security Services).  Bill arrives in Valparaiso with several years of police experience, having served

The Michigan City Sanitary District has closed Striebel Pond’s south parking lot, accessible from Hitchcock Street, for the remainder of the winter season.   The north parking lot, accessible from Earl Road, will remain open and accessible, as will the restrooms located in that lot.   Additionally, the MCSD advises that snow and ice could cause dangerous conditions along the walking paths at Striebel Pond. Signage has been posted indicating that those who use the paths do so at their own risk.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana Mobile Food Distributions for January 2025 Wednesday, January 8, 2025 – Elkhart County 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET *While supplies last. Where: Northside Baptist Church, 53198 CR 9., Elkhart, IN 46514 *This distribution is sponsored by Kroger and will serve 200 households. Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – Kosciusko County 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET *While supplies last. Where: First Baptist Church, 206 S. Oak St., Mentone, IN 46539 *This distribution is provided by the USDA and will serve 200 households. Thursday, January 16, 2025 – Starke County 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT

 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is excited to announce the appointment of Alejandra Y. Castillo as the university's Senior Fellow for Economic Development. Castillo, a distinguished leader in federal economic development, will bring her extensive experience to PNW, where she will play a key role in advancing economic growth, innovation and community development for the university and the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicago region. Castillo's impressive career spans over two decades of public service and nonprofit leadership. She most recently served as the 23rd U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, where she led the Economic Development Administration (EDA) through

A Message from Lake County Sheriff's Department: We have been informed of another scam where someone pretending to be the Lake County Sheriff’s Department is trying to connect with area residents. This time, the fraudster actually called a local school administrator and left a message asking that person to return the call. The scammer left a phone number which appeared as a Lake County government number on caller ID. The scammer identified himself as a Sergeant Carl Porter from the Lake County Police Department. We do not have a Carl Porter on our staff. If you get a similar call,

Last week, The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement announced the retirement of Officer John Gano. Congratulations to Officer John Gano! Thank you Officer Gano for all your hard work and dedication!

BULLS "The Movie" Premiered in Michigan City over the weekend at the AMC Theater in Michigan City to a packed audience. Local Director and Actor and Creator of Dan Meyer gives his perspective below. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this happen.  Check out the WIMS FACEBOOK page and BULLS The Movie FACEBOOK page for video and pictures. In the days leading up to the cast and crew screening of “Bulls” I was excited, but grew increasingly nervous and anxious. I made the movie I wanted to and I love it, but I didn’t know if anybody else would. Everybody

The latest on an early morning fire from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Sunday morning at 7:06 AM, Captain Dallas Smythe and Deputy John Roby Jr. responded to 214 South Longshore Drive in reference to a structure fire. After arriving they approached the residence where excessive smoke prevented them from safely entering to search for any occupants inside. Once the fire had been knocked down by several volunteer fire departments who had responded, entry was made inside the residence. The resident, 64-year-old Ronald D. CONRAD, was located and declared deceased. Detectives Aaron Banic, Evan Doperalski and Justin Gorny, along

The Indiana Department of Transportation is prepared for a significant winter storm expected to move across the state starting Sunday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm watches for all Indiana counties from just north of Lafayette and Kokomo to the Ohio River. NWS is calling for potential double digit snowfall totals in parts of the state, with a sleet and ice mix in southern Indiana. Heavier snow is currently expected between the Indianapolis metropolitian area and the U.S. 50 corridor where snowfall rates in excess of one inch per hour are possible.  Precipitation is expected to begin early

Portage | The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that they will offer three, one-time $1,000 gift scholarships to current High School Seniors attending school in the City of Portage, Indiana that will graduate in Spring 2025. The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to addressing the immediate needs of local businesses while also planning for a vibrant future. To ensure the long-term success of Portage's business sector, the Chamber is proud to offer scholarships aimed at fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs. By supporting students in their post-secondary education, the Chamber hopes to inspire them

Here is the latest from Ott Haverstock in Michigan City on Connie Ann Benningoff Connie Ann Benninghoff September 24, 1946 - December 29, 2024 Connie Ann Benninghoff, 78, La Porte, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 4:52 a.m. in Franciscan Health - Michigan City. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with Deacon Bill Zientarski officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Thursday at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Riley Children's

INDIANAPOLIS – With snow predicted to fall across large portions of Indiana this weekend, the American Heart Association encourages Hoosiers to protect their hearts while shoveling snow and to seek immediate treatment if they experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack. Research shows that many people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow. “Shoveling snow can be a very vigorous activity, and you’re basically doing it in a freezer,” says Dr. William Gill, a cardiologist who is president of the American Heart Association board of directors in Indianapolis. “Those

Washington, DC – Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, released the following statement in response to blocking the sale of U.S. Steel Corporation to a foreign entity. “Since the initial announcement, I have expressed my sincere distrust of handing over the strength of our Northwest Indiana steel industry and the abilities of our national security and defense manufacturing base to a company that has a proven record of violating our trading laws.   “To date, Nippon Steel has been involved in 12 distinct anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders from the U.S. International Trade Commission, in

Two transported to hospital after four vehicle crash at intersection of 49 and Indian Boundary Road A mother and her daughter were transported to hospital Thursday evening, Jan. 2, following a four-vehicle accident at the intersection of Ind. 49 and Indian Boundary Road, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. According to the CPD, at 5:44 p.m. a 32-year-old Valparaiso resident driving a pickup truck was southbound in the left through-lane of Ind. 49 when he rear-ended an SUV which had stopped for a yellow light at Indian Boundary Road. He then “re-directed” his pickup into the rear of a semi-tractor

Check out what's happening this month at 219 Taproom!

Michigan City Area Schools has released its calendar for the 2025-26 school year. Highlights include: August 13, 2025 - First Day of School for Students September 1, 2025 - Labor Day (No School) September 24, 2025 - Early Release Day and Parent Conferences October 16-17, 2025 - Fall Break (No School) November 4, 2025 - Early Release Day November 24-28, 2025 - Thanksgiving Break (No School) December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026 - Winter Break (No School) January 5, 2026 - eLearning Day (Asynchronous - posted assignments) January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School) February

Before you go ice fishing this season, be sure to review these top safety tips:   -Know the body of water that you're going to fish. Be mindful of creeks or springs along lakes and ponds, which could make ice unsafe. Beaver lodges will often have weak ice around them. -Stay off of moving water. Indiana doesn't have cold enough winters to safely freeze our rivers and streams. -Never walk on less than 4 inches of ice. Know that even 4 inches of ice late in the season may not be safe to walk on, as ice can be waterlogged

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is accepting applications for the 2025 cycle of scholarships. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 14, 2025. For the 2024-2025 school year, Unity’s scholarship program awarded nearly $350,000 to 148 local students. “Having previously worked in higher education, I’ve witnessed firsthand how even a few hundred dollars can make a profound difference in a student’s educational journey,” said CC Payne, Unity Foundation Director of Operations. “Unity Foundation’s commitment to the community shines through in the $350,000 awarded in scholarships during this academic year. This impact was made possible

CROWN POINT, Ind. – The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Crown Point welcomed the first baby of 2025 at 11:06 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Christopher Moore was born to Patricia Brooks and Charles Moore, Sr. of Cedar Lake. He weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 inches long. Brooks said she was due Jan. 4 and planned to be induced on Jan. 2, but baby Christopher had other plans. “I was really surprised, but it’s kind of cool to have a baby on New Year’s Day,” Brooks said. Big brother, Charles Moore, Jr., 9, wasn’t so sure how

The Michigan City Police Department would like to recognize the following employees who are celebrating their work anniversary during the month of January!!! The Professionalism, Integrity, Dedication and strong work ethics of these brave men and women never go unrecognized!! Sgt. Tim Baker – 30 Years of Service Captain Kevin Urbanczyk – 20 Years of Service Officer Daniel Revoir – 6 Years of Service Officer Christopher Manns – 5 Years of Service Officer Scott Paull – 5 Years of Service Officer Victor Sanchez – 5 Years of Service Administrative Assistant Brittany Salary – 4 Years of Service Thank you for