Local News

Bipartisan support Introduce Resolution to Protect Locally Owned Radio Stations *****Thank you from WIMS/WHFB-locally owned   WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced the Local Radio Freedom Act, which would declare that Congress should not impose new taxes or fees on locally owned radio stations. This bipartisan resolution also underscores the critical importance of locally owned radio stations to families, small businesses, and our communities.   "Locally owned radio stations are essential to keeping communities connected, informed, and safe. From providing local news and weather updates to delivering emergency alerts, this bill ensures that small

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The spring session of the Michigan City Neighborhood Leadership Academy is kicking off April 10. The program is a partnership between the City of Michigan City and the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. It is aimed at individuals who are interested in taking on a leadership role within their own neighborhoods and bringing neighbors together to spark change. Participants will learn more about the city, its departments, processes and resources to cultivate their neighborhood’s identity and future path. Applications are now being accepted for Michigan City residents ages 18 and over who reside within the city limits.

Franciscan Health Family Birth Centers across Northwest Indiana were recognized by the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA), in partnership with State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP, for their commitment to infant and maternal health at the fifth annual INspire Hospital of Distinction recognition program.  INspire, funded by the Indiana Department of Health’s Safety PIN grant, was developed to implement the delivery of best practice care for Hoosier moms and babies and recognize hospitals for excellence in addressing key drivers of infant and maternal health. The Family Birth Centers at Franciscan Health Dyer, Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Michigan City earned an INspire Hospitals of Distinction

South Shore Line passengers are advised that the South Bend Airport train station lobby will be temporarily closed due to flooring construction beginning today, Monday, March 10, and lasting approximately one month. The closure includes the South Shore Line waiting area and restrooms, re-opening in mid-April 2025. A temporary waiting area/lobby for train passengers will be available at Airport Door G in the area just west of the South Shore Line doors. Additional restrooms are also located throughout the Airport. Passengers are advised a SSL Ticket Vending Machine will be located outside the building near the train platform entrance. Passengers

The following information is from the South Shore Line regarding service on March 15: In order to accommodate an expected increase in ridership due to the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dyeing of the river, the South Shore Line will offer extra passenger trains on Saturday, March 15, 2025. PLEASE SEE BELOW SPECIAL EXTRA TRAIN SCHEDULE FOR A FULL LIST OF STATION STOP TIMES. Extra westbound trains to Millennium Station 3/15/25 In the morning, three westbound passenger Extra trains will transport riders into Chicago prior to the parade and dyeing of the river: These Extra trains will NOT SERVE South Bend, Hudson

Press Release, Shirley Heinze Land Trust: The LaPorte County Conservation Trust (LPCCT), upon its disbanding at the end of 2024, transferred ownership of all its land holdings to Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT). Founded by a dedicated group of local citizens, conservation and business professionals, and committed stewards, the all-volunteer LPCCT preserved, restored, and managed natural land in LaPorte County for nearly 30 years. “After long, serious discussions, the LPCCT Board determined it was time to pass the torch, which meant the dissolution of LPCCT and the transfer of our properties to Shirley Heinze Land Trust, a much larger organization

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – The EDCMC team is welcoming new board members and a shift in officers for the new year. Four new community members have joined the board, bringing a unique mix of expertise and experience to the board, said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “Having a board that represents a range of industries, skills and strengths is vital to our work at the EDCMC,” Hulse said. “Our board serves as a sounding board and provides a platform for discussions to ensure that we are making the strongest impact on our community. We are fortunate

INDIANA-- A statewide tornado drill is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. CT on Tuesday, March 11. The National Weather Service will issue a test tornado warning alert. It will be shared through notification systems, including the statewide Emergency Alert System (EAS). “The time to figure out what to do during a tornado is not when tornado sirens are sounding off. Hoosiers need to have a tornado plan and practice that plan, so when weather turns, your family, coworkers and friends already know where to go and what to do,” said IDHS Emergency Management and Preparedness Director Mary Moran. Hoosiers and businesses

On Wednesday, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) released its 2024 corporate citizenship report detailing a successful year of employee giving and volunteerism across northern Indiana. The report, available at NIPSCO.com/givesback, highlights how NIPSCO, together with the NiSource Charitable Foundation, donated over $2.4 million to local non-profits and community organizations in 2024. In addition, approximately 550 NIPSCO employees volunteered nearly 4,500 service hours to 97 local organizations over the course of the year. NIPSCO’s parent company, NiSource Inc., established the NiSource Charitable Foundation with a mission to help create strong and sustainable communities where employees and customers live and

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police is conducting a death investigation after a body was found along railroad tracks in Liberty Township this afternoon, Friday, March 7, the Town of Chesterton reported on their Facebook page. According to the Porter County Sheriff's Police, at approximately 12:45 p.m. deputies responded to the tracks between County Road 150 West and County Road 200 West and confirmed the subject to be deceased. The scene was processed by detectives and the Porter County Coroner’s Office is arranging for an autopsy, the PCSP said. The PCSP has not released the name of the deceased pending notification

ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC), the operator of the Indiana Toll Road (ITR), will begin construction work along the ITR from mile marker 123 - 157 on Monday, March 10 as part of the PUSH 4.0 project. The project spans through Howe, IN to the Ohio state line and is expected to continue throughout 2025. Motorists are asked to drive with caution, as delays and slow traffic are expected throughout the project. Construction will begin on the Eastpoint Toll Plaza on Monday, March 10th. Work at the Toll Plaza includes modernization of all in-lane equipment for the booths and improvements

The following is a statement from the City of Valparaiso about information on a potential data center: There is a significant amount of misinformation being shared over the last few days as to the potential construction of a data center in Valparaiso. The City is issuing this statement to provide accurate information and dispel some of the more egregious rumors being circulated. To start, there is no data center project pending before the City of Valparaiso. There are no conceptual designs, engineering schematics, or other relevant information to which the City or any resident could review and develop a rational

A Michigan City man has been charged with murder in the death of a 5-year-old boy, according to the Michigan City Police Department. On the morning of March 2, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call in reference to five-year-old, Augustus Williams, being unresponsive inside a residence in the 2200 block of Normandy Drive. Residing in the residence with Augustus were his mother, 23-year-old Halie Lewis, and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Brice Bainum. Officers responded to the scene as did the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS. Augustus was transported from the residence to Franciscan Hospital

On Thursday the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced the recipients of the Spring 2025 Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. More than $200 million was awarded through the program and will go towards improving roads and bridges throughout the state. Several communities in House District 9 represented by State Rep. Pat Boy  (D-Michigan City) received grants for Spring 2025. The matching grant winners and amounts include: Porter County - $1,500,000.00 Michigan City - $1,500,000.00 Trail Creek - $751,278.06 Porter - $541,331.25 Town of Pines - $159,817.50 Michiana Shores - $324,985.01   Boy released the following statement celebrating the funding: “I’m

The following is a statement from Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. regarding a press release on immigration law enforcement: The Lake County Sheriff’s Department has routinely cooperated with our federal law enforcement partners. There was no “course reversal” as mentioned in Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s statement today. Contrary to the representations Rokita made in his press release, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department has: Always cooperated with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in taking all action to ensure the safety and security of the residents and business in Lake County. Never requested, condoned or participated in

Doug Samuelson knows a thing or two about the healing power of dogs. Samuelson retired from the Michigan City Police Department after serving for 14 years as a K9 handler and saw firsthand the positive benefits the dogs had on the department and the community. Now a security officer at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Samuelson thought for years that the hospital could use a dog as well. “With the traumas we have and the effects on people, including the staff, it just made sense,” Samuelson said. “You can just see people’s eyes light up when they see a dog.” Samuelson’s

CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Board-certified gastroenterologist Eric Steinberg, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Steinberg attended medical school at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, N.Y. He completed his residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. and completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Dr. Steinberg’s clinical interests include biliary pancreatic diseases, colon cancer screening, fatty liver disease, GERD and irritable bowel disease. He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Specialty Center, 12750 Saint Francis Drive, Suite 410, in

In Valparaiso, both lanes Morgan Boulevard are closed between Institute and Oak streets for an emergency sanitary sewer repair. A signed detour will direct traffic. For updates check the Valparaiso Now Facebook page.

The Michigan City St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm, and will travel the traditional parade route north on Franklin St., beginning at 9th Street and ending at 4th Street. Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch will be at the parade celebrating with the community. “I’m excited to wear my green and come out to enjoy the crowd, interact with families, support what our Special Events team is doing, and thank the parade participants,” she said. “We are so excited for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Terry Greetham, Director of Special Events. “This is

In an update the Indiana State Police says that on Feb. 28, a body was discovered along I-65 on the ramp from U.S. 231 in Crown Point, IN. Foul play was quickly suspected, and an investigation was initiated by the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post. As a result, two individuals that had been recently taken into custody by the F.B.I. and the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, WA were quickly identified as the suspects in this homicide. Charges are pending here in Indiana. The victim has been identified as Nelson Daniel Ramos-Rivas, a 23-year-old Venezuelan National.