Local News

MONTICELLO, Ind. – Gov. Mike Braun and Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor Thursday joined local officials from across northwest Indiana in Monticello to present awards for INDOT’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program. More than $200 million in state matching funds were announced for 245 Indiana cities, towns, and counties in March. “Ensuring Indiana’s infrastructure is consistently improved and maintained is crucial for Hoosiers in every part of our state,” said Gov. Braun. “Investment in local communities is critical to enhancing quality of life and public safety.” Communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects

This past Friday Valpo Parks celebrated the opening of the Byron Smith III Sports Complex at Fairgrounds Park.  The new highlight is part of the rePLAY initiative which is investing $10 million in 10 Valpo parks citywide, enhancing accessibility, safety and infrastructure while adding sustainability.  To learn more about all the rePLAY upgrades, visit bit.ly/ValpoParksrePLAY.

The Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department says there are two Park Parties going on Saturday May 31st. From 11-1 the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated playground at Water Tower Park will kick off first on the East Side of town. This event is combined with Mayor Angie’s last Move with the Mayor program. Then on the West Side of town at Pullman field there will be a Summer Kick Off for the kids from 1-4pm. See more details on the flyers for the events.

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start of summer travel, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is preparing to step up patrols to crack down on seat belt usage. From May 17 through May 31, deputies will participate in a national campaign to promote safe driving habits, including seat belt usage. “To kick off the summer travel season, it’s critical to remind all motorists that wearing a seat belt is not just the law; it’s something that can save your life,” said Douglas Huntsinger, Executive Director for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Our goal is simple – we want everyone

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN—As part of a planned leadership transition, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has officially begun the search for the next President & CEO. The position is now publicly posted by Kittleman & Associates, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit CEO and Executive Director searches. This follows Unity’s January announcement that founding President Maggi Spartz will retire at the end of 2025. Unity committed to keeping the community informed throughout the leadership transition, and this update marks the next step in that process. The incoming President & CEO will lead a well-established, respected organization with

This past Tuesday the Chesterton Park Board held the last municipal meeting ever in a town hall. The remodel of both the meeting room and the fire station is expected to be completed in early 2026. The Town of Chesterton says at the moment, it would appear that most municipal meetings will be held in the Baugher Center (the former Library Service Center), 100 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton. "But already there will be two notable exceptions," the Town of Chesterton said on its Facebook page. *The Town Council will hold a special meeting at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, in

Rittenhouse Village at Michigan City made the BIG TIME NEWS by earning the 2025 U.S. News & World Report "Best in Senior Living" rankings with "Best Independent Living" and "Best Assisted Living" awards. Rittenhouse is honored for this prestigious recognition based entirely on feedback from the people who matter most, our residents and their families. The survey asked residents and family members about their satisfaction on the following categories of Community safety, care services, activities, management, staff, food, and more! Plus, Rittenhouse has earned the Reader's Choice Award as Best Retirement Community for 15 consecutive years! Experience the excellence firsthand at

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor LaPorte Construction Co., Inc. will close State Road 49 between C.R. 1050 S and C.R. 1125 S on or after Monday, May 12. State Road 49 will be closed through late June for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Reeves Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 8, U.S. 231 and State Road 10. This contract also includes three bridge projects on State Road 8 at Bessler Ditch in La Porte County and Cobb Ditch and Crooked Creek in Porter County that are

Check out Mayor Angie’s message on the power of movement and connection for mental health, and join them at any and all of the remaining Move with the Mayor events they have planned for Michigan City. ➤• Saturday, May 24 - Pullman Field - Stroke Prevention - Zumba with Gael ➤• Saturday, May 31 - Water Tower Park - Diabetes & High Blood Pressure - Taekwondo with Joe Lanning ➤• Saturday, June 14 - Michigan City Police Department Park - Mental Health, Diabetes medicines and testing supplies - Yoga and walking with Yolonda Ferrari All Move with the Mayor events

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) and the Lindsey O’Brien Kesling (LOK) Wishing Tree Foundation are partnering with Northwest Ind. this spring in the name of safety. Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA), located in Michigan City, will host several youth service partner organizations in LP County to begin the annual Safe Home Art Project. The project, co-created by LCA and LOK Wishing Tree Foundation, is designed to educate area youth about carbon monoxide (CO) and poisoning prevention. Participants will learn what CO is, how to detect it and what to do if a CO alarm sounds. The free events are

Join Debbie Tatum with the Franciscan Health Foundation on WIMS Wednesday May 14th at 9:10am for another edition of "Well Beings" here on WIMS. Debbie's guest will be Dr. Wajee Bakish. Well Beings brought to you by Captain Ed's Furniture & Mattress in Michigan City. #wims #nwi #localradio

Michigan City officials collaborate with U.S. mayors and police chiefs on advancing community safety and effective policing MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Last week, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and Police Chief Marty Corley traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to participate in a national convening of mayors and police chiefs focused on improving public safety and strengthening community trust in law enforcement. The event, hosted by the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), brought together more than 40 municipal leaders from across the country. During the summit, Mayor Nelson Deuitch and Chief Corley engaged in discussions on a range of issues critical to urban

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between State Road 10 and State Road 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12. I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. This project includes pavement patching and an Ultra-Thin Bonded Wearing Course (UTBWC) surface treatment. UTBWC is a pavement preservation treatment where a thin overlay is applied over structurally sound pavement to address surface issues like cracking.

LaPORTE COUNTY – The Salvation Army of Michigan City and The Salvation Army of La Porte are excited to announce their intent to operate under one leadership, effective September 1, 2025. This strategic unification aims to provide services and outreach throughout La Porte County, fostering a stronger, more collaborative countywide presence. Majors Dale and Becky Simmons, who have served as Corps Officers in Michigan City since 2018 and are well-known throughout La Porte County, will assume leadership of both corps. Their extensive experience, including assignments in Lake County, Chicago, Missouri, and Kansas, equips them to guide this transition with compassion

CROWN POINT, Ind.-- Franciscan Health Crown Point is hosting a doula certification workshop over two weekends in July. Doulas are trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to their clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. A doula may help communicate a woman's birth plan, create a comfortable environment during delivery or simply provide the general support a family may seek during this pivotal time. A doula does not perform clinical tasks. The Franciscan Health Crown Point Family Birth Center offers free doula services to families through a volunteer doula program. The doula certification workshop will take

Chesterton, IN – The Duneland Exchange Club brought home top honors from this year’s Exchange Clubs of Indiana Convention, held in Fishers, Indiana. The club was proudly named Club of the Year, recognized for its exceptional member retention and growth. This prestigious award reflects the hard work and dedication of every member who continues to make a positive impact in the Duneland community. In addition to the club-wide recognition, several members received individual honors: Wendy Haas was named President of the Year Maria Bachuchin received Secretary of the Year Mary Talbutt was honored for her many years of service as State Treasurer “This was an incredible showing

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 #𝟮 – 𝗨𝗦 𝟮𝟬 𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗛 / 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗘 The #LCSO announces the arrest of 41-year-old Shawn Wesly Russell AKISON of Romeoville, Illinois in connection with yesterday afternoon’s serious bodily injury crash at US 20 and Fail Road. The initial stages of the investigation determined the St. Joseph County Police Department received a report of a box truck traveling westbound on SR 2 in a reckless manner. A St. Jospeh County Deputy located the box truck in the area of SR 2 and Timothy Road. A traffic stop was attempted, however the box truck failed to yield, and continued traveling

MICHIGAN CITY, IN – Letter carriers across the country will be picking up more than mail on Saturday, May 10. This weekend marks the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an event organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers. City residents are encouraged to leave donations of non-perishable food items by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 10 to be collected by the letter carriers. The Salvation Army of Michigan City is pleased to be the local recipient of these donations, filling the shelves of its food pantry with the items given so generously by the community. These items stay

The Ogden Dunes Police Department is reminding residents that parking restrictions are currently in effect through September 30. Permits are required to park within the restricted area. Town Hall Hours are 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. No permits will be issued after 3 p.m. ~ Officers will not issue permits. Stop at Town Hall to get your permits. Permits will not be automatically sent to you. • ODHA Dues - $125.00 (One (1) permit w/dues) • Additional Permits when dues are paid - $50.00 • Golf Cart Permit $35.00 • Watercraft Permit $20.00 • Dog Tags $5.00

LA PORTE, IN—The La Porte Community School Corporation proudly announces the recipients of its 2025 Teachers of the Year and Employee of the Year Recognition Program, which honors exceptional staff members who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to education and student success. The 2025 honorees are: ● Elementary Teacher of the Year: Martin Briggs, Crichfield Elementary School ● Secondary Teacher of the Year: Christine Rosenbaum, La Porte High School and Kesling Campus ● Employee of the Year: Jenny Hartson, La Porte High School All three recipients will represent La Porte Community School Corporation at the state level for their respective categories