Local News

Porter County Community Foundation Men’s Fund Awards Grants to Local Nonprofits VALPARAISO, IND. — The Men’s Fund, held at the Porter County Community Foundation, is awarding $7,000 in grants to three Porter County nonprofits. Project Neighbors is the recipient of a $5,000 grant. Funding will support Neighbor’s House, a 24-unit studio apartment building. This grant will ensure each resident has a bed, mattress, and nightstand. Because of the amazing philanthropic support from donors, for the first time the Men’s Fund is awarding two additional grants to Hilltop Neighborhood House and Porter County Aging and Community Services. Hilltop Neighborhood House will

  On December 20th, at 6:17 PM, deputies responded to the 4900 north block of US 35 in reference to a two-vehicle personal injury crash. The initial on-scene investigation completed by Deputies Jet Balenia and Xavier Biggerstaff determined the following.   A maroon 2005 Pontiac, being driven by Robert J. KAMPF (31 YOA) of La Porte, was traveling north on US 35. A gray 2016 Jeep, being driven by Aaron M. SCHROEDER (31 YOA) of Michigan City, was traveling south on US 35. A head- on crash occurred between the two vehicles.   KAMPF was transported to an area hospital

Press release, Group 7even: CHESTERTON, IN - ’Tis the season for free rides! To say Happy Holidays, let riders know it has been a pleasure serving them throughout 2024, and provide another opportunity for friends and family to create more memories, South Shore Line (SSL) has expanded its Kids Ride Free program to ALL trains and train times. Thursday, December 26, through Sunday, January 5, up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride any train for free — ALL weekend, holiday, off-peak, or rush hour weekday trains — when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Quiet

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RECYCLING SCHEDULE  Please be advised there will be NO recycling pick up on Wednesday, December 25th.  The trucks will be on a One Day Delay in the recycling pickup schedule the week of December 23rd through Saturday, December 28th. Please remember to have your toter curbside the night before or by 5:00 a.m. on your pick up day to insure pickup. The Office and Compost Site will be closed Wednesday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. The office will reopen Thursday, December 26th at 8:00 a.m.  Merry Christmas! Robin Havens Office Manager  

NIPSCO’S 12th ANNUAL HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS CAMPAIGN LIGHTS UP SEASON OF GIVING MERRILLVILLE, Ind. –   This holiday season, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) celebrates its 12th annual Hope for the Holidays campaign, uniting contributions from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, NIPSCO and NIPSCO’s employees to support community organizations serving northern Indiana. This year, with generous grant support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, NIPSCO proudly donated $110,000 to 21 organizations across NIPSCO’s service area. Additionally, employees contributed more than 650 toys to be distributed to seven local Toys for Tots chapters.   The mission of NIPSCO’s annual Hope

Killer PICS from the Notre Dame-IU Game thank you Mike Kellems for the incredible shots. Notre Dame winners 27-17 over Indiana. For more great action shots check out WIMS FACEBOOK page. A few of the dignitaries at the ND v. IU game… 1. Governor Holcomb and myself (Mike Kellems) 2. Jaylon Smith 3. Governor & First Lady 4. Gov. FL, Secretary Buttigieg 5. Tim Brown 1987 Heisman Trophy winner #wims #nwi #localradio #notredame #iu

Press release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso is preparing for winter weather and reintroducing a winter event priority map, indicating priority streets, neighborhoods and cul-de sacs. “During inclement weather, our top priority is the safety of our community. Our team is prepared and has a proven plan for snow removal. We thank residents and drivers for their patience and remind everyone to slow down during winter weather events,” said Steve Poulos, Valparaiso City Services Director. While winter snow accumulation patterns have adjusted over the last 5 years during the months of January and February, Valparaiso City Services is

A man has been found guilty of domestic battery with bodily injury to a pregnant woman, according to LaPorte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan. On Dec. 1, 2023, a witness came to the La Porte City Police Department, alleging domestic violence.  Among those alleged crimes were domestic battery with bodily injury to a pregnant woman. An investigation led by Detective Marcos Loza, of the LaPorte Police Department, identified Kyle Mouser as the primary suspect. On Dec. 3, after a 2 day trial, a jury found Mr. Mouser guilty of Domestic Battery, a level 5 felony, in the La Porte Circuit Court.

The Valparaiso Police Department made the following statement on a recent officer promotion: “The Valparaiso Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of Jason Wray to Sergeant, effective January 1, 2025.  Wray is a three-year veteran with our department; however, he had served in law enforcement with Purdue University Northwest for two years and Valparaiso University for two years prior to his appointment.  Wray has spent his career within the Patrol Division, while also working as a Field Training Officer, Instructor, CIT Officer, Evidence Technician, Breath Test Operator, and Bike Patrol Unit.  Wray is a 1997 Graduate of Calvary

Young, Kelly Introduce SHIPS for America Act to Revitalize U.S. Shipbuilding and Commercial Maritime Industries WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) and John Garamendi (D-CA-8) introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. After decades of neglect, the United States has a weakened shipbuilding capacity, a declining commercial shipping fleet that is dwarfed by China, and a diminished ability to supply the U.S. military during wartime. This historic proposal would restore American

The December 2024 Michigan City Police Commission meeting was filled with recognitions from the MCPD Administration to members of the police department and community. Community partners were recognized for their support of the Michigan City Citizens Police Academy and Shop With Our Cops. The following were recognized: Galvestons Pizza Stop Buffalo Wild Wings Fiddlehead Leeds Patrick’s Grille Olive Garden MC Parks and Recreation Franciscan Health NIPSCO Wal Mart WIMS-Ric Federighi Jerry Bailey Flock Safety Utility, Inc. MCPD officers were recognized for their works down during investigations pertaining to the apprehension of suspects in the 2024 double homicide at Normandy Village,

City Hall and all other Michigan City municipal government offices will be closed to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; as well as Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Bus service also will not operate on those four days. Both weeks, the Refuse Department will pick up their normal routes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Those whose trash is normally collected on Wednesdays should place your toters out before 7 a.m. on Thursday, and they will

The Town of Chesterton announced their garbage collection holidays schedule. All Town of Chesterton municipal offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24-25, in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Municipal offices will also be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Republic Services will collect refuse and recycling on both Tuesday routes, that is, on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. But it will not collect on the two Wednesday routes, on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Those Wednesday routes will be collected instead

St. Luke United Lutheran Church invites the community to attend a special mid-day worship service on Christmas Eve. The family-oriented service of Holy Communion will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 24 at the church, which is located at 2000 E. Coolspring Avenue in Trail Creek. Guest Pastor Erik Bernth will lead the service, which will feature special music by soloist Michelle Shumaker, flautist Betsy Kohn, and organist Diana Richmond. St. Luke fosters a welcoming environment for worshippers of all ages. It offers a "pray-ground" in its sanctuary, where toddlers and young children are welcome to play and

This past Sunday, troopers assigned to the late shift conducted a brief traffic blitz along I-80. In only four hours, they issued 20 citations and 19 warnings, covered 2 crashes, and arrested 4 individuals (14 criminal charges filed). Three of those arrested were for O.W.I.

The Porter County Health Department on Thursday issued a public notice of a petroleum release, spill or overfill. The Department stated the following in a press release: 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 December 18, 2024, of such an incident from the owner or operator of the Speedway #6675 facility

MICHIGAN CITY – The Fedder’s Alley All-Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park expected to break ground in 2025 is significantly closer to fruition as a result of a $750,000 grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte. “The Fedder’s Alley All-Inclusive Playground and Fitness Park will offer opportunities for all ages and abilities,” Parks Superintendent Shannon Eason said. “I am grateful for the support of Health Foundation of La Porte’s generous financial support. This exciting project aligns perfectly with their goals of healthy living.” HFL stipulated that $500,000 of the grant award is to be used for construction of the playground

MICHIGAN CITY – In response to the inordinate amount of trash and debris that has been set out around town in recent weeks, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch has deployed multiple Michigan City departments to assist the Refuse Department in addressing its backlog. Trucks and operators from the Michigan City Sanitary District and the Street and Vector Control departments have been out this week clearing as much solid waste as they can. “We understand that people are probably trying to get rid of stuff before they have to start paying for pick-ups, but all these piles are unsightly,” Refuse Superintendent Chris

CROWN POINT, Indiana – Newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit at Franciscan Health Crown Point and their families had a special visitor this week, just in time for Christmas. Brett Galley, MD, an Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago neonatologist practicing at Franciscan Health Crown Point, donned a Santa suit on Wednesday for visits with his tiny patients and their families. “I do this every year to bring a sense of normalcy and holiday joy for families that are stuck in an unplanned situation here in the NICU and just to bring a little bit of

Looking for a unique last minute gift. Chesterton Physical Therapy, Inc. wants you to treat that special someone in your life to a $100 session for only $25.00. Check out the Stocking Stuffer Special below. Call Chesterton at 219-926-9779 or Michigan City at 219-898-4360 or Portage at 219-682-2990 or visit www.chestertonpt.com for more information and locations. #wims #nwi #localradio #michigancity #portage #chesterton