Local News

Michigan City Area Schools Accepting Nominations for Teacher and Employee of the Year Program   Michigan City Area Schools is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Teacher and Employee of the Year recognition program. The initiative, which the district launched last school year, celebrates outstanding educators and staff members who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and commitment to students. It is a key element of the district’s Strategic Plan pillar on Culture and Environment.   The Teacher and Employee of the Year program honors individuals who have gone above and beyond, making a positive impact on students, colleagues, and the

Join Ric Federighi on Friday, October 25th for the Franciscan Health Foundation 2nd Annual Spirited Celebration at the Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso. Funds raised this year will benefit the Northern Indiana Franciscan Health Foundation’s Food Insecurity and Prenatal Assistance Programs. Your sponsorships will support our Fresh Start Markets (healthy food pantries), Mobile Markets (food distribution events) and Food Prescription Programs. 11,110 children and families received food insecurity aid last year. Our Prenatal Assistance Program provides medical care, formula, baby clothes and diapers to expecting families facing financial challenges. 464,288 diapers were distributed last year. You can Make a Difference again this year for some

NIPSCO AND NISOURCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION LAUNCH BRIDGING OUR ENERGY GRANT Now accepting new grant program applications from northern Indiana organizations Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), in partnership with its parent company’s NiSource Charitable Foundation, is proud to announce the launch of the Bridging Our Energy Grant, a bi-annual endowment supporting two qualifying northern Indiana non-profit organizations. This new $200,000 grant will be divided into two annual installments of $50,000 for each organization in 2024 and 2025, funding strategic initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and economic inclusion programs. “We chose to develop the Bridging Our Energy Grant

The Michigan City Refuse Department will begin its Annual Fall Clean-Up on Monday, October 7, 2024. This five-week clean-up will follow the City’s regular trash collection schedule, with a different area targeted each week. Clean-Up Schedule: • Week 1: October 7 – 11 (Monday routes) • Week 2: October 14 – 18 (Tuesday routes) • Week 3: October 21 – 25 (Wednesday routes) • Week 4: October 28 – November 1 (Thursday routes) • Week 5: November 4 – 8 (Friday routes) What Can Be Picked Up: The Refuse Department requests that all residents separate items into these categories: 1.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is hosting acclaimed drummer and music producer Martin Atkins at its free First Friday on Friday, October 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.   At 6 p.m. during LCA's October First Friday, Atkins will be interviewed by his friend and colleague Chicago rock n' roll photographer, Bobby Talamine. Atkins will offer insights into his career, discuss his creative process, the evolution of music roduction and the challenges and rewards of a life dedicated to art. His talk promises to be a fascinating experience for music enthusiasts and those interested in

Joint statement from Jasper County Sheriff Patrick Williamson and the Jasper County Coroner Andy Boersma On the morning of September 20, 2024, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office received a report that an individual had allegedly confessed to acquaintances about killing two of their undocumented children and burning their bodies in a backyard fire pit at their residence in Wheatfield, Indiana. Detectives from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office immediately launched an investigation into the matter. That same day, detectives located the suspect(s) at a hotel in Newton County and conducted interviews. Although the suspect(s) denied any involvement, their cellular devices were

REMINDER-Mobile Food Distribution Wednesday 10/2 at the La Porte County Fairgrounds   There is a another Mobile Food Distribution on Wednesday October 2nd, 2024 at the La Porte County Fairgrounds from 10:00am-Noon. Please share this with those in need. Help Make a Difference. #wims #localradio #makingadifference

MICHIGAN CITY – A new destination playground and fitness park designed for children and adults of all ages and abilities is coming to Fedder’s Alley at Washington Park. With $3 million already committed toward the $5 million project, Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch has launched a $2 million capital campaign to secure the remaining funds via grants and foundation, corporate and private sponsorships.   During a press conference at the Guy Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheater on Monday, Michigan City Parks & Recreation Superintendent Shannon Eason emphasized that the new facility is considered “allinclusive” because it goes beyond ADA-compliance. In addition to accessible

On December 3, 2022, at approximately 12:55am, Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 were dispatched to the 700 Block of E 10th St in reference to shots being fired. Officers arrived on scene and discovered 43 year old, Randy Edwards, lying on the ground with apparent life-threatening injuries. A female victim had also been shot. Officers began life saving measures and both subjects were immediately transported to Franciscan Health by LaPorte County EMS where Mr. Edwards was later pronounced deceased.   Det./Sgt. Melissa Sopher was assigned this case as the Lead Detective. The investigation was complex but Det./Sgt. Sopher pursued

Franciscan WorkingWell recently donated the sponsorship proceeds from a day-long employer solutions symposium to the Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana’s Food Insecurity Program. Franciscan WorkingWell hosted a day-long symposium at Avalon Manor on Sept. 12 aimed at helping employers find healthcare solutions. More than 130 attendees representing 75 companies attended the event. The event was free for attendees thanks to the generosity of platinum sponsor Apex Benefits, gold sponsors BD+A Health Informatics and Brown & Brown Insurance and breakfast and lunch sponsors Generate Sales and Marketing and NIPSCO. WorkingWell donated the $3,050 surplus from the sponsorships to the Foundation’s Food Insecurity Program.

2024 Fall Clean-Up Schedule from the Michigan City Refuse Department   The Michigan City Refuse Department will begin its Annual Fall Clean-Up on Monday, October 7, 2024. This five-week clean-up will follow the City’s regular trash collection schedule, with a different area targeted each week.   Clean-Up Schedule: • Week 1: October 7 – 11 (Monday routes) • Week 2: October 14 – 18 (Tuesday routes) • Week 3: October 21 – 25 (Wednesday routes) • Week 4: October 28 – November 1 (Thursday routes) • Week 5: November 4 – 8 (Friday routes) What Can Be Picked Up: The

The La Porte County Family YMCA is proud to announce the promotion of two staff members to leadership roles within the organization. Peggy Zarantonello, formerly the Sports Coordinator for the La Porte Branch, has been promoted to Director of Operations. Kim Klosowski-Barden, previously the Youth and Family Coordinator at the Elston Branch, has accepted the role of Associate Branch Director. Scott Helmkamp, CEO of the La Porte County Family YMCA, expressed his enthusiasm for these appointments: "Peggy has been making an impact on the community through her involvement in our programs over the past few years and is a natural

The Lake County Economic Alliance has been operating under an interim President & CEO since November 2022. On September 18th, 2024, the Board of Directors completed their search for a permanent President & CEO. After many months in the search process, Chris Salatas has been named President & CEO effective October 28th, 2024. “We are happy to welcome Chris to the team. His background in both federal and local government will be a great asset to the organization’s economic development efforts for businesses” stated Paul Beneturski, LCEA Board Chair. Chris Salatas, a 2-term board member of LCEA, has spent much

Over the weekend on Saturday TEAM WIMS was a part of Stuff A Bus at Al's Supermarket with First Trust Credit Union for the Salvation Army of Michigan City. The community came out to support those in need. Bags of food and essentails were collected throughout the day. Thank you to Michigan City Schools for helping with the bus, all of the volunteers, the community, and those that have supported along the way. We appreciate our WIMS sponsors including Arnett Construction & Roofing, NIPSCO, and First Trust Credit Union.

Beginning Monday Sept. 30 at 7 a.m. Vivian Street and Mulberry Avenue will be closed to traffic until 6 p.m. the same day (pending weather). Barricades will be in place. Alternative routes will be necessary.

The Town of Chesterton is enacting a new recreation impact fee schedule. The Town of Chesterton stated the following on their Facebook page: Over the next 10 years, the Town of Chesterton’s population could grow by 1,880 people: From an estimated 14,240 in 2023 to 16,120 in 2033, assuming an average annual growth rate of 1.25 percent and a total of 783 new single-family households. Those are the calculations run by Charles Lehman of Lehman & Lehman, the consultancy retained by the Park Board to prepare a study on the next five-year recreation impact fee to be charged to builders.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 6/State Road 51 over I-94 beginning on or after Monday, Sept. 30. U.S. 6/State Road 51 will be reduced to one lane in each direction through mid-November. Work will begin with the inside left lanes closed in each direction and then switch to the outside right lanes closed around mid-October. There will be shoulder closures on some of the ramps at this interchange, but all ramps will remain open and accessible. This is pre-work ahead of the U.S. 6/State Road 51 bridge over I-94 being replaced. There

The long-vacant building at 1425 Glendale Blvd. is being transformed into a state-of-the-art medical facility in an ambitious project by local firm Hasse Construction. Viking Medical Center will be a 43,500-square-foot medical facility including two stories, three elevators, covered parking, high-end finishes and a bright atrium, ready to house a variety of medical tenants. “Finishing out this project is not an easy task and we’re so pleased that a local hero has taken it on,” said Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas in a recent City Council meeting in which a tax abatement was unanimously approved to facilitate the project and the

NEWTON COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor will close State Road 16 between County Road 300 East and State Road 55 on or after Monday, September 30. State Road 16 will be closed through mid-October for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project over the Iroquois River. INDOT says motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, State Road 114 and State Road 55. State Road 16 will not close until U.S. 24 reopens between County Road 50 East and County Road 150 East (between Kentland and Goodland) for the bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project

The Michigan City Art League is pleased to announce a workshop on oil painting, "Learning to Love Oil Painting", presented by artist Bunny Dimke on Oct. 12.  Bunny is an award winning artist and is also a member of the Art  League. The workshop is designed for beginning to intermediate students.  It will include basic instruction in direct painting, also known as "Alla Prima" or wet-on-wet.  There will be a brief explanation of the management of oil painting supplies, followed by step-by-step instruction in painting from a photograph, supplied by the instructor.  The goal is to end the day with