Local News

The Starke County Sheriff's Office released its 2023 Annual Report on its Facebook page. The following information was provided: The number of calls for service for 2023 totaled 10,674. In comparison to 2022, deputies responded to 10,066 calls. Deputies conducted 1,678 traffic stops, 175 warrant checks, 277 business checks, and 204 extra patrol requests. Incidents generating a case report totaled 1,500 in 2023 compared to 1,214 in 2022. Major cases investigated in 2023 totaled 207. The detective bureau also had 25 outside agency assists in 2023. In 2023, a total of 523 subjects were arrested by deputies, in comparison of

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces the first round of awards for Charging the Crossroads, INDOT’s plan to expand Indiana’s statewide electric vehicle charging network through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. INDOT received more than 100 applications in response to last year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for candidate electric vehicle charging sites. Following the review process, INDOT is awarding NEVI funds for charging stations to be installed at 39 sites along Indiana’s Alternative Fuels Corridors (AFCs). “Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to expanding reliable charging infrastructure across Indiana,” INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith said. “We

NIPSCO will be closing Meridian Road between 900 North and 950 North in Liberty Township, Porter County on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. The closure is for electrical work. Stay up-to-date with the latest roadwork projects by following WIMS on Facebook and by visiting wimsradio.com.  

Chesterton Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred Tuesday at a residence on Cherry Hills Drive. At about 12:36 p.m., Chesterton Police Officers were called to the 300 Block of Cherry Hills Drive in Chesterton. The 911 caller reported that there was a suspect in the residence with a knife, and that one of their friends may be hurt. When responding officers arrived at the residence, they were informed that the suspect with the knife had fled the residence and was running north toward the railroad tracks. Three responding officers began speaking with the victims and other witnesses within the

Indiana State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred on I-65 in Jasper County. Thursday evening at about 4:45 p.m., state troopers responded to I-65 southbound lanes near the 224 mile-marker for an interstate shooting.  This location is 6 miles south of the Roselawn/Demotte exit to State Road 10.  Preliminary investigation shows that a semi-driver was traveling southbound when he sustained a potential life-threatening gunshot wound.  Responding troopers rendered first aid until paramedics arrived. A medical transport helicopter was required to lifeline the patient to a hospital in Indianapolis for emergency treatment. Traffic was closed in both directions for extended

The following is a statement from Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. about Autism Awareness Month: In solidarity with individuals and families affected by autism,  during the month of April police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department will wear patches and badges bearing the colorful puzzle piece design representing Autism Awareness. I had these badges and patches designed a couple of years ago to help promote inclusivity, education and acceptance within our community.  I’m passionate about making sure that individuals with autism and their loved ones feel respected and valued. We’ll also be taking our message of advocacy to

News Release, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office: La Porte County Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg announces the release of the 2023 Annual Report. The report contains crime related and statistical information in the following categories: calls for service, offenses, arrests, crashes, citations, Warrants and Civil Divisions. “This year’s report reveals an increase in calls for service, but a decrease in violent crimes and major cases investigated.” “Throughout the report, there are reductions and increases in certain statistical areas,” stated Sheriff Heeg. The number of calls for service in 2023 increased by 15%. A total of 28,199 calls for service were answered

News Release, Franciscan Alliance: Franciscan WorkingWell’s La Porte office is currently operating out of a temporary location pending the opening of a new facility in early May. Franciscan WorkingWell is located on the second floor of the building at 900 I Street in La Porte from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are recommended but not required. Occupational health essentials currently available at the temporary location include drug screens (DOT and non-DOT), breath alcohol testing, DOT physicals, post-offer physicals, workers’ compensation evaluations and treatment. The new Franciscan WorkingWell location at 400 Legacy Plaza in La Porte is

The Award Winning XINSURANCE Great Lakes Grand Prix held in Michigan City IN, announced the 2024 Race Week schedule starting Tuesday, July 30, 2024, through Sunday, August 4, 2024. VIP Tickets go on sale, Monday, April 1, 2024. The full schedule is available online at https://greatlakesgrandprix.com/ Jack Arnett, CEO of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau who runs the Michigan City race states, “We are happy to announce that we have commitments from all twelve (12) race classes to come to Michigan City and join us for this year’s race. The race teams are once again telling us that Michigan

News Release, NiSource: NiSource (NYSE: NI) today announced that Vince Parisi, who was previously identified as the interim president of the Indiana-based subsidiary NIPSCO, has formally been named president and chief operating officer of NIPSCO, while Robert Heidorn will replace Parisi as president and chief operating officer of Columbia Gas of Ohio. “Vince has played a pivotal role in advancing a number of key business priorities on behalf of our customers and the communities we serve across Ohio, and we’re confident he’ll do the same in northern Indiana as we cement our position at the forefront of an industry transition

Two suspects and another person were injured Wednesday after a stolen vehicle crashed into a cement truck, according to the Portage Police Department. At around 11:00 a.m. an officer with the Portage Police Department was on routine patrol in the city’s northwest side when he received notification from the Flock Safety license plate reader system that a stolen 2020 Hyundai Elantra bearing Illinois license plates was in the area. The officer was able to locate the vehicle on County Line Road near Oak Avenue. When the officer attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver of the stolen vehicle initiated

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have overnight lane closures on I-65 between State Road 2 and State Road 10 in Lake County beginning on or after Monday, April 1. The right driving lane will be closed during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting first on the southbound side and then transitioning to the northbound side after work southbound is complete. Work will include shoulder strengthening and widening in advance of three bridge replacement projects along this stretch of I-65 and will be ongoing through early July. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near

La Porte County deputies were involved in a vehicle pursuit Tuesday afternoon that ended on the Chicago Skyway, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy received a Flock Safety Camera notification of a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on U.S. 20 from U.S. 35.  The notification identified the stolen vehicle as a black sport utility vehicle with Illinois registration. At about 3:24 p.m., Deputy Clemons located a vehicle matching the description in the area of U.S. 20 and Wilhelm Road. The vehicle turned into Hunters Run subdivision where the deputy initiated a traffic stop shortly thereafter.  The vehicle

The City of Michigan City Refuse Department will conduct its Annual Spring Clean-Up Starting Monday, April 1, 2024. The Refuse Department requests that all residents separate the debris that is to be discarded into the following three (3) categories. All three (3) categories must be separate from each other. 1. Brush, limbs, shrubs, yard waste and unpainted concrete. (no black top) 2. Rugs, lumber, furniture, mattress, and box-springs. 3. All tires rimmed or derimmed can be placed out for pick up with white goods such as stoves, refrigerator, air conditions, water tanks, dehumidifiers etc. Residents may use curbside or alleys

Press Release, Office of Governor Eric J. Holcomb: Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed an executive order to support the anticipated needs of Indiana’s emergency response, transportation, communication and critical infrastructure systems due to the expected high-number of visitors traveling to the state to view the total solar eclipse. The executive order will allow Indiana to utilize resources from other states who are members of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). Once a governor issues an order, EMAC members can and will share equipment and communications systems to help support state resources to ensure the safety, care and welfare of residents

The South Shore Line announced the end of temporary busing between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations to be effective Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Long-term temporary busing substitution between stations has been in effect since February 2022 in order to accommodate the Double Track NWI Project. The culmination of this work and completion of this segment allows for full train service to return to all SSL stations on April 9. Train service will operate using the current schedule implemented in October 2023. All previously relocated station pick-up areas will be returned to their permanent locations, including the newly built

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a bridge replacement project on U.S. 30 over Crooked Creek, east of Valparaiso on or after Monday, April 1. Motorists should be prepared for alternating lane closures and changing traffic patterns on U.S. 30 between County Road 450 East and County Road 575 East through late October. Work will start with the outside shoulders closed to strengthen the shoulders for future phases of the project. On or near April 11, the inside lanes will be closed to traffic. Work will switch to the outside lanes around early August. INDOT encourages drivers to

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort this April 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. “People know using their phone while driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they

Lake County Sheriff’s Department detectives are investigating a complaint of a possible home invasion Tuesday in the Lake Dalecarlia area in the southern portion of Lake County. A resident tells police two male subjects posing as NIPSCO employees forced their way into her home and restrained her then “ransacked” the home. The resident has been evaluated at a local hospital. The suspects are described as: -White male, stocky with a large stomach. Wearing a yellow and orange reflective vest, a white mask and tan work boots. -Black male, slender. Wearing dark, loose blue jeans and white medical mask. His hair

There will be lane closures on U.S. 20 between County Road North 400 West and Springville Road in LaPorte County beginning on or after Tuesday, April 2. During phase one, the westbound lanes of U.S. 20 will be closed for construction, and the eastbound lanes will be converted to two-way traffic. Traffic will shift to the westbound lanes during phase two, with the eastbound lanes closed for construction. Traffic on County Road North 300 West will not be able to access U.S. 20, and a local detour will be posted. Lane closures will be in place through July. Work will