Local News

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb returned to Indianapolis following an international economic development trip to Australia and Singapore focused on advancing Indo-Pacific relationships and identifying new opportunities to partner across economic development, innovation and talent development. Gov. Holcomb and the delegation met with representatives of government, academia and industry to advance mutually beneficial collaborations across economic development, innovation and talent development. In Sydney, Gov. Holcomb met with U.S. and New South Wales government officials to discuss how Indiana and Australia can work together to expand partnerships. The governor showcased Indiana’s nationally recognized READI program in a meeting with New

The Valparaiso Police Department announced that it has achieved its fifth accreditation award through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). “As one of only 14 municipal agencies with this accreditation in the State of Indiana, this prestigious recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, transparency, and professionalism in serving our community, VPD said on its Facebook page. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.” “Thank you, Valparaiso, for your continued support. We are proud to uphold the highest standards of policing and remain dedicated to keeping our community safe.”

Press Release, Shirley Heinze Land Trust: SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) has announced a 93.78-acre addition to Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in north St. Joseph County. The new acquisition brings the total protected acreage at the property to 271 acres. Planning is underway for new trail access for visitors and residents. “We are thrilled to expand Lydick Bog Nature Preserve," said Kristopher Krouse, Executive Director of the land trust. “This is a state-dedicated nature preserve which protects one of the few remaining bogs in Indiana. With over 630 plant species identified, it is one of our

There will be overnight lane closures on eastbound and westbound I-94 between Indy Boulevard/U.S. 41 and Kennedy Avenue the evening of Monday, August 5 through the morning of Friday, August 9. INDOT says to be prepared for changing traffic patterns during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Crews will be installing prismatic reflectors.

Students at 57 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2024-25 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties. The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for all K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors, the individual grant limit for this school year was doubled from the previous school year. Grants of up to $500 are now awarded to fund transportation costs, program fees, and

Michigan City Area Schools teacher Susan Shell is among the Top 25 finalists for the Indiana Teacher of the Year. Shell is a kindergarten teacher at Marsh Elementary. She has taught at the kindergarten level for 17 years – 16 of them for MCAS. In order to create life-long learners, Shell believes that she must commit to being one, too. She earned her Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 2023, and completed a year-long training last spring in LETRS, a research-based program rooted in the science of reading. She participated in a Math Fellowship cohort last school year, piloting a

NEWTON COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close U.S. 24 between County Road 50 East and County Road 150 East on or after Monday, August 5. U.S. 24 will be closed through late September for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Montgomery Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, State Road 16 and State Road 55.

The following is a statement from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office: As students prepare to return to their classrooms, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is reminding motorists to be on the lookout for school buses throughout La Porte County. Although school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation, injuries and fatalities do occur outside of, or near the buses. Most often, these tragedies occur because a motorist has failed to slow down and obey the bus’s stop sign arm, or to follow local traffic laws. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when the overhead

It's RACE TIME this weekend with the XINSURANCE.com Great Lakes Grand Prix -check below for Events happening today and the rest of this weekend. Stay updated by checking www.greatlakesgrandprix.com. FREE PARKING AND SHUTTLE RACE WEEKEND at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa as well. Friday, August 2 Noon-10pm - Food Court Open 5-8pm – First Friday on Franklin @ Downtown Michigan City Hosted by Lake Life Social Events 7-11pm - The Bones playing classic rock @ Washington Park Beach Saturday, August 3 8am-3pm - Four A’s Vintage Car Show 9am -10:30pm - Free Parking/Shuttle Service @ Blue Chip Casino, Hotel &

LAKE COUNTY, IND. - An Illinois man died Thursday morning following a crash on the Indiana Toll Road. Indiana State Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a serious crash between two vehicles on the Indiana Toll Road near the 8.3 mile marker in the westbound lanes. Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post and the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post responded. The Indiana Toll Road notified the public of the crash at 5:30 a.m. on social media. A preliminary investigation indicates that a passenger car traveling westbound is believed to have crashed into the center concrete barrier wall

Conservation officers in Lake County located a stolen vehicle Wednesday using drones. Conservation Officers Neel and Meiss were working in Northern Lake County Wednesday evening when Officer Neel located a suspicious vehicle in the woods using a UAV (Drone). Officer Neel then guided Officer Meiss to the vehicle, as he was patrolling on an ATV. Officer Meiss confirmed the vehicle was unoccupied, and was stolen from a neighboring community. Efforts are underway to return the truck to its owner.

The Rotary Club of Michigan City invites the community to participate in its newest service project – a Monday morning beach clean-up. Rotarians will gather at Washington Park Beach on Monday, August 5 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. to help clean up the beach after the busiest beach weekend of the year in Michigan City, the Great Lakes Grand Prix races. “The boat races certainly have a big economic impact in our city,” said Rotary Club President Matt Kubik. “Thousands visit our beaches to watch the event. But the races also have a huge impact on our beautiful beaches.

Franciscan Health Dyer is collaborating with The Milk Bank to become both a donation site and pick-up location for outpatient families. These programs increase access to safe human milk for fragile infants both in and out of the hospital. The Milk Bank, a non-profit milk bank headquartered in Indianapolis, receives donations of extra human milk from carefully screened donors. In their milk lab, donations are nutritionally analyzed, bottled and pasteurized before being dispensed to hospitals and outpatients. The new Milk Depot at the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer makes milk donation convenient for The Milk Bank’s approved donors. Franciscan

Press Release, NIPSCO: Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) received a decision from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to adjust its gas rates, effective August 2024. Beginning in August, the newly approved rates will be phased in over two steps to spread out the changes to customers, with the remaining changes applied in 2025. Just as investments are made in bridges, roads and other infrastructure in our cities, towns and communities, we must also make investments to put safeguards and checks in place that provide high levels of safety. These additional safeguards and checks come with an increase

HELLO RACE WEEK! IT'S OUR FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR! Here is your schedule of events for Today, Thursday, August 1st: 5:30 PM Ribbon Cutting @ Sunset Grille 6:00 PM-8:00 PM VIP Party @ Sunset Grille 6:00 PM-9:00 PM RockDogs @ Sunset Grille/Pavilion Stage 7:00 PM -11:00 PM AFTERMATH playing classic rock & country @ Washington Park Beach A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR WIMS BROADCAST SPONSORS: NIPSCO Arnett Construction & Roofing Derrick Wayne Arnett Visit Michigan City LaPorte Reprographic Arts Inc Michigan City Special Events General Insurance Services Purdue Northwest Franciscan Health Arby's Michigan City, Chesterton Physical Therapy, Inc.

La Porte Police are asking the public’s help in locating 26-year-old Randy Heider who is currently wanted by the LPPD for battery with bodily injury, criminal mischief and violation of probation. Police say if you know the whereabouts of Heider, you are encouraged to provide tips(s) to the La Porte Police Department. Contact Cpl. Adam Jaskowiak at (219-362-9446 ext: 2134) or ajaskowiak@lpcitypd.com. Police say you may remain anonymous.

New data shows enrollment in the state adult education program administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) topped 25,000 learners from July 2023 through July 2024, representing a 25% increase over a two-year period. The Adult Education program helps Hoosiers increase skills, earn high school credentials and achieve industry-recognized certification. Preliminary numbers for the most recent year show that adult education enrollment topped 25,000 students with in-person and online classes, career training, and workforce programming offered by a network of school districts, postsecondary education providers, employers, community-based agencies, and the Department of Correction. In Indiana, nearly 4,200 Hight

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – Two public meetings are planned next month for the 80/94 FlexRoad project, one in Indiana and one in Illinois. FlexRoad is an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) project that is expected to improve traffic flow and safety along Indiana’s busiest interstate corridor. The meetings will offer the public a chance to get the latest updates about the project. Wednesday, August 14                                                      Thursday, August 15 Hammond Sportsplex & Community Center                        Irwin

Wednesday, Rep. Frank Mrvan announced a federal grant award for the City of La Porte Fire Department under the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the City of La Porte Fire Department will receive $128,315 to purchase diesel exhaust removal systems for all three fire stations to minimize exposure to harmful contaminants and carcinogens.  In general, the AFG program assists fire departments in making critical improvements to operations and safety, equipping and training emergency personnel, and enhancing operational efficiencies. Congressman Mrvan stated, “Congratulations to the City of La Porte

Press Release, Office of Public Affairs Media Relations: Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that – three-quarters of the way through the fiscal year – it has granted benefits to 1.1 million Veterans and their survivors, an all-time record. In total, VA has awarded $137B in benefits, including $127 billion in compensation and pension benefits, to Veterans and survivors this year. To reach this milestone, VA has processed more than 2 million claims in 2024 – another all-time record, on pace to surpass last year’s record by more than 27%. The grant rate for these claims is 64.6%