Local News

A Valparaiso teenager lost his life on Monday evening, when he was struck by a vehicle as he was riding his bicycle on County Road 500 West in Porter Township, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Mitchell Sterling. According to PSCP, Sterling was northbound on his bike, north of State Road 2, when a motorist in an SUV, also northbound on County Road 500 West, struck him. “This area is not well lit and the driver reported they did not observe the bicyclist in the roadway when they collided,” the PSCP said. “The

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK, Ind.:  The National Park Service is planning to conduct four prescribed fires this fall at Indiana Dunes National Park. In the east end of the park, a prescribed fire will cover 77 acres around Dunewood Campground, clearing fallen leaves and branches to reduce wildfire threats for next year’s camping season. This prescribed fire occurs every fall, as conditions allow. Additionally, in the east end of the park, a burn will take place adjacent to Beverly Shores in the Derby Ditch area, covering 150 acres to support wetland restoration by removing overgrown vegetation. This area is bordered

The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department, with assistance from multiple fire departments responded to a house fire in the 600 north block of County Road  50 West on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, the LTVFD and Town of Chesterton Facebook page are reporting. The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire but for the family dog who was rescued, and no firefighter was injured at the scene, LTFVD said. Once it was deemed safe to enter the residence again, firefighters conducted a secondary search and succeeded in rescuing the dog from the house’s lower story and brought it to

The Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District has given updates on recent roadwork projects that have been completed. U.S. 231 is open between Bell Street and Fathke Road in Lake County after a small structure replacement and utility delays. State Road 312 is open between Parrish Ave and State Road 912/Cline Ave after a box culvert replacement. Check back with wimsradio.com and follow WIMS on Facebook for more roadwork updates.

Press Release, Indiana Department of Environmental Management: $2,500 Scholarships available to qualified Lake, Porter and LaPorte County High School Seniors VALPARAISO – The Partners for Clean Air (PCA) is offering scholarships for students focusing on environmental and health issues to further their education. The application deadline is April 30, 2025. The Partners for Clean Air Scholarship allows the coalition to give back to students in Northwest Indiana communities. One or more scholarship(s) of $2,500 will be awarded to qualified high school seniors in Lake, Porter or LaPorte counties to assist with postsecondary education expenses. Qualified students must have a cumulative

The City of La Porte Police Department is inviting the public to help the department identify families that could use extra support this holiday season. If you know of a family in need, write to the City of La Porte Police Department and share their story, explaining why they may require assistance this year. Letters can be sent to Det. Cpl. Ashley Adams at aadams@lpcitypd.com, and should be submitted by Sunday, Nov. 9. Their goal is to provide a meaningful celebration for a select group of families in La Porte who are in need this holiday season. In addition, the

ST. JOHN, Indiana – Franciscan Health broke ground Monday for a new medical office building in St. John with a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary. The two-story, 82,881-square-foot building is being built by Tonn and Blank Construction at 10323 Wicker Ave. It will house an ExpressCare, primary care and specialty physician offices, diagnostic imaging, CT, MRI, ultrasound and laboratory services. “Franciscan Health has proudly served the St. John community and its residents for decades,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD. “With this exciting new project, we are

News Release, Indiana DNR: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Twenty-three new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event. Conservation Officer Matt Tholen, the 2023 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year, administered the oath of office to the recruits, who will fill positions in various locations around the state. The new officers represent the 41st recruit class of conservation officers, making them members of the oldest state law enforcement agency in Indiana. The officers and their assignment locations (by county) are:

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock 157 locations with approximately 51,000 catfish this fall to expand angling opportunities across the state. All stocked channel catfish will be stocked in publicly accessible waters after being raised by state biologists at Cikana Fish Hatchery in Morgan County, Driftwood Fish Hatchery in Jackson County, and East Fork Fish Hatchery in Daviess County. All stocking locations should receive catfish by early November, with quantities subject to change due to production variables. These catfish range in size from 8-10 inches long. “Once stocked, they acclimate to their new environment quickly, they shouldn’t

La Porte—The LaPorte High School (LPHS) Student Athletic Council demonstrated exceptional leadership and community spirit at its annual Trick or Treat Night, which benefitted Special Olympics on Thursday, October 24th. The event, part of the IHSAA Champions Together program, surpassed its fundraising goal by collecting more than $3,100 for Special Olympics. Fourteen council members orchestrated the evening's festivities, coordinating participation from 21 Slicer athletic teams and 11 LPHS clubs and departments. Student-athletes and club members dressed in Halloween costumes to create an engaging atmosphere with various activities for community children. "This event has become a popular tradition that our entire

Press release, BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: ANNAPOLIS, Md., -- In an effort to clean up the nation’s coasts and Great Lakes and rid our shores of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is creating a new national ADV database in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to track these environmental and navigation hazards to help facilitate removal. The Foundation is asking the public to comment on a short feedback form to help determine and prioritize the type of information that needs to be included

Michigan City Area Schools is reminding students, former students, parents, staff, or community members to nominate a teacher or staff member for the Teacher and Employee of the Year program. There is no limit to the number of employees a person may nominate. To learn more and to nominate a teacher or staff member, visit https://educateMC.net/toy_eoy Nominations are due by Friday, November 22, 2024.

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has announced winners of the 2024 Innovators Awards. Winners will be inducted into the Society during the group’s annual luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. CST on Nov. 20 at Purdue University Northwest’s Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, Ind. “The quality of the inductees identified this year by the selection committee is outstanding and showcases the wide swath of innovation in Northwest Indiana,” said Gary Johnson, chairman of the board for the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest. “These stories of success provide role models for others

DYER, Indiana -- Board-certified pediatrician Cristina Tumacder, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer. Dr. Tumacder completed her undergraduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  She attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. Dr. Tumacder’s pediatric residency was completed at the University of Chicago in Chicago. Her clinical interests include allergies, uncomplicated asthma, newborns, pediatrics, adolescents, young adults and patient education. Dr. Tumacder is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Family Medicine and Pediatrics at 2150 Gettler St., Suite 255, in

To show their gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free November 8-11, 2024, on all weekday and weekend trains. “We are honored to once again offer free rides to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and reservists, as a gesture of our sincere gratitude for their service and sacrifices,” said Nicole Barker, Director of Capital Investment and Implementation at the South Shore Line. “This small token of appreciation reflects the deep respect we have for those who have served our country, and we hope it makes traveling with us even more accessible

Valparaiso Police Department, IN, K9 Camo has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Camo’s vest was sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Charley Coleman”. 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 fitted, and NIJ

Police officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and several law enforcement agencies across northwest Indiana have received commendations for their outstanding efforts during a manhunt for a man armed with a knife who was suspected of assaulting two females in unincorporated Lowell Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 2024. Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez said in a statement that Dimas Yanes fled on foot into heavily wooded areas after the alleged assault. "The letters of commendation highlight the outstanding professional investigative and enforcement performance by law enforcement officers who participated in this operation which resulted in the subsequent arrest of

A Michigan City resident has been charged with attempted murder after a shooting that left one person with serious injures. On the evening of Wednesday Oct. 30, just after 6:50 p.m. dispatch received a 911 call of a gunshot being fired inside a residence located in the 100 block of Hendricks Street. A second 911 call was received from a person inside the residence who reported being shot. Officers responded to the scene and located a person fleeing from the residence. This person was quickly detained and identified as 33-year-old Martino Eldridge. Officers then discovered a person inside the residence

Hours of operation at Valpo compost site will be reduced beginning on Monday Nov. 4. In preparation of Daylight Savings, the Recycling and Waste Reduction of District (RWRD) will reduce the hours of operation at the Valparaiso compost site beginning on Monday, Nov. 4. The new hours of operation at the Valpo compost site, 2150 W. Lincolnway: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hours of operation at the Portage and Boone Grove compost sites will remain unchanged until winter hours commence in December: *Portage compost site, 6451 U.S. 12: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Thursday, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales announced that more than 1 million Hoosiers have already cast their ballots ahead of Election Day, by absentee mail ballot and early in-person voting, marking a significant milestone for early voting in Indiana. Early voting is currently available across the state, and Secretary Morales reminds voters that high turnout may mean longer lines. “Voting is one of the most impactful ways you can engage in civic responsibility and ensure that the values we uphold continue to shape Indiana’s future. If you find yourself waiting in line, please stay the course, as your vote