Local News

News Release, La Porte County Sheriff's Office: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort this month to deter distracted driving. "Distractions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences,” said Devon McDonald, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director. “We urge all motorists to focus on the road and avoid any activity that takes their attention away from driving safely." Law enforcement officers nationwide will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws and remind people to put away distractions while on the road. This effort comes during National Distracted Driving

Press Release, Health Foundation of La Porte: La Porte, Indiana — Years of committed work have culminated in a milestone achievement: La Porte is the first city in Indiana to achieve HEARTSafe Community designation. Earning this designation makes La Porte an official part of the HEARTSafe Community initiative, a national preparedness program dedicated to improving outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest led by the Citizen CPR Foundation. La Porte joins other cities and communities — most recently Johnson County, Iowa; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and La Crosse, Wisc. — in achieving HEARTSafe Community status. The La Porte HEARTSafe Community team decided

An INDOT contractor  will have overnight lane closures on I-94 between State Road 912/Cline Avenue and State Road 53/Broadway starting on or after Monday, April 15. Overnight lane closures will be in place from approximately 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly through the end of April. Crews will be installing ITS equipment at several locations on eastbound and westbound I-94. This work is weather dependent so the schedule is subject to change. INDOT says to be alert for overnight lane closures through this area.

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) announced information for their 44th Annual Youth Leadership Camps this year. The first session, serving the northern part of the state, will be held June 17 - 20, at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village, Indiana (Warren County). The second session, serving the southern part of the state, will be held July 1 - 3, at Waycross Episcopal Camp in Morgantown, Indiana (Brown County). The ISA Youth Leadership Camps are a program for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more about a

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor will begin bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance projects on I-94 near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and Kennedy Avenue on or after Monday, April 15. Work will begin at the I-94 bridges over U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and over Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad just west of Kennedy Avenue. There will also be future work at the eastbound I-94 to northbound State Road 912/Cline Avenue ramp bridge. This work will be conducted in phases and will be ongoing through late August. During phase one, the right lane of I-94 eastbound will be closed between U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue

The Singing Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival made the top 10 on ‘2024’s Must See Events in Indiana’s Cool North'. Singing Sands came in at #10 on the list. The three day event, taking place June 7-9, is a professional sand sculpting competition and exhibition, drawing some of the world’s most talented and well-known sand sculptors who will create incredible works of art in the City’s famous “Singing Sands.” Join TEAM WIMS at the event all weekend long for the fun. See more under the ‘Events’ tab at wimsradio.com.

On April 8th, 2024 at 12:53 P.M. is when the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls of a person shot in the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts (151 East US Highway 20). Multiple officers from the Uniform Patrol Division responded to the scene and located 27-year-old LaPorte, Indiana resident Dylan Andersen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers provided life saving measures to Andersen before he was transported to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Andersen eventually succumbed to his injuries after arriving at the hospital. Responding officers quickly identified and located the

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest hosted the inaugural Uthiverse StartUp Madness Business Pitch Tournament at the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Hammond campus on March 30. Student teams from Hammond Central, Lowell and Munster high schools pitched their businesses for an opportunity to win $2,500 in seed money from Uthiverse. This seed funding can be used to improve their business idea, develop a prototype, create a minimum viable product (MVP), implement a marketing strategy or fund some other activity that helps them launch their venture. “It is always exciting to see students participate in

In Valparaiso, community volunteers are invited to join the Mayor’s Youth Council for a Spring Cleanup at Rogers Lakewood Park on April 13 from 9-11 a.m. The City of Valparaiso is asking those attending to wear comfortable clothes, bring your gloves and meet the city at the day camp shelter. Find more events going on in the Valpo area by visiting the city's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValparaisoNow.  

Join LaPorte County Parks at Creek Ridge County Park and Luhr County Park 11:30am-4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8 to view the eclipse. The eclipse will begin at 12:52 p.m. and peak at 2:08 p.m. This program will be joined by the La Porte County Public Library.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce says it has morning, afternoon, and all-day volunteer opportunities available for their 8th Grade Reality Check that will be taking place on Friday, May 10 at Chesterton Middle School. “This fun and interactive experience demonstrates the importance of hard work and good grades for all 8th graders in the Duneland area,” the Duneland Chamber stated on Facebook. “We need around 120 volunteers to make this event successful, so please share with your friends!” Register below or email rachel@dunelandchamber.org for more information. https://form.jotform.com/240656632144151

Press Release, Indiana Judicial Branch: A 23-member Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future is now established by Supreme Court order. The Commission is tasked with exploring options for addressing Indiana’s attorney shortage and presenting findings and recommendations to the Court on future actions. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush explained, “We currently have a critical shortage of lawyers, which is impacting access to justice in each of our 92 counties. It’s imperative that we address this issue now and act. But we must do so diligently and holistically. I am confident that this new commission will thoroughly examine potential solutions and come

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s first positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in LaGrange County. CWD is a neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer, resulting in their eventual death. This positive case is adjacent to a region where CWD had previously been detected in Michigan. CWD has been detected in wild deer in 33 states, including all states bordering Indiana. “CWD has been in our region for many years with positive cases in all of our surrounding states,” said Joe Caudell, Indiana DNR deer biologist. “The public can help by reporting sightings of sick

The Indiana State Police-Lowell Post announced K9 Kai received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Kai’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom

An INDOT contractor will close U.S. 231 between Bell Street and Tenbrook Drive on or after Monday, April 15 through mid-June for two consecutive projects. U.S. 231 will first be closed between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive for a pipe lining project. After the first project is complete, the closure of U.S. 231 will be between Bell Street and Fathke Road for a small structure replacement project. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, U.S. 30 and State Road 55.

The Washington Park Zoo is looking for volunteers. The Zoo says whether it is a few hours or a few days, they appreciate the help. The Zoo says they have plenty of projects for volunteers to fit everyone's skills from gardening to construction. The zoo is currently looking for volunteers with carpentry skills to help staff update and replace the Petting Yard fences. For more information please contact the Zoo at 219 873-1510 or email: jhuss@emichigancity.com.

One person died and two people were injured after a multi-vehicle crash Thursday on I-80/94 in Lake County. At around 1:25 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the crash on I-80/94 eastbound at the Columbia Avenue overpass between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling in the second lane from the left and was slowing in traffic. A Kia Sorento SUV that was either slowing or stopped behind that semi, was rear-ended by another semi at a high rate of speed.  This initial impact pushed the Kia underneath the trailer of the front semi. A

Press Release, Indiana Toll Road: Today the Indiana Toll Road (ITR), long-term lessee and operator by ITR Concession Company LLC, and the Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District (INDOT) remind drivers to exercise caution and stay aware during the rare celestial event. As the highly anticipated 2024 Total Solar Eclipse approaches, INDOT and ITR urge motorists to be aware of potential hazards on the road. While this event offers a spectacular sight, it may also pose risks to drivers. During the eclipse, there may be limited visibility on roadways due to the darkening skies. However, it is crucial for motorists

The Cedar Lake Police Department announced on Thursday that Gary Shipley, who was missing, was found safe by Hobart police. A Silver Alert had been issued on Wednesday and is now cancelled. No further information was given in the update from police.  

Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) recently gave an update on the South Shore Line Double Track NWI Project. The NICTD Double Track Northwest Indiana Project includes construction of 26.6 miles of new second track between Gary and Michigan City along NICTD’s existing South Shore Line. Construction began in 2021 on this $649 million major infrastructure investment. The project is slated to reach completion in May 2024 on schedule. Elements of the project include approximately two miles of completely new right-of-way in Michigan City, platform reconfigurations at five stations, construction of 1,475 additional parking spaces, a new overhead catenary power