Local News

The City of Valparaiso is inviting neighborhoods to submit applications for the annual Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, announced Maggie Clifton, Valparaiso’s Community Engagement Director. Applications for the upcoming grant cycle will be due on March 1, 2024, with grant recipients announced by March 15, 2024. “The Neighborhood Improvement Grant program has succeeded in funding 98 projects since we introduced the program in 2018,” said Clifton. “The City is delighted to lead this program which unites neighborhoods and inspires positive projects. With matching funds, these grants have resulted in more than $1.3 million in neighborhood improvements over the past six years,”

A teen sustained potentially life-threatening injuries after being struck by a semi wheel on I-80 Tuesday morning, according to Indiana State Police. At about 10:30 a.m., a trooper was dispatched to a pedestrian struck on I-80/94 eastbound at the 0.4 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation shows that a passenger vehicle was parked on the right side of the interstate along the shoulder and the occupants were outside of the vehicle actively working on changing a flat tire on their vehicle.  At the same time, a semi was eastbound at the same location when due to mechanical issues, a wheel from the trailer

Press release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Purdue University will host a new collaborative U.S. Geological Survey research unit focused on delivering actionable science addressing fish, wildlife, plants, and other natural resources in Indiana and beyond, including the connection between the health of wildlife and the health of people. The Indiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, or CRU, that Purdue will host, brings together the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Purdue University, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the Wildlife Management Institute. “An Indiana CRU has been a long time coming and we are

La Porte County Sheriff Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg announced the retirement of Sergeant Steve Lestinsky, effective Aug. 6. Sergeant Lestinsky was hired by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office as a Jail Deputy on August 9th, 1993.  On Jan. 1, 1998, he was promoted to the Merit Division.  He attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy later that year and was a graduate of Class 98-133. He served as a patrol deputy, and later as a deputy in the Warrants Division until being promoted to the rank of sergeant on January 1st, 2015.  As a sergeant, he was a Patrol Shift

Indiana Department of Natural Resources director Dan Bortner announced that organizations in 11 Indiana counties will receive $1,143,000 in grants to fund 17 lake and river or stream projects through the DNR Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program. “Keeping Indiana’s waterways clean and protecting our valued natural resources is a mission central to our work at DNR,” Bortner said. “We’re thankful for Hoosier boaters who have helped us fund more than $22 million of important conservation of Indiana’s lakes and streams over the last two decades through the LARE program. The impact is felt now and will continue to make

To accommodate passengers attending University of Notre Dame 2023 home football games, the South Shore Line will provide the following service. Passengers are reminded that busing is ongoing to stations between Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center. 2:30p/3:30p ET Kick-off Free shuttle bus service provided between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium. Train #503 arrives at the Airport at 12:21p ET. Passengers may then board a shuttle bus near the South Shore train platform and will be dropped off at the IU School of Medicine building on campus (1234 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN 46617).

The Valparaiso Police Department has added two additional officers with the swearing-in of Sean Buck and Marielys Quintero today. City Administrator Bill Oeding performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall, with numerous officers, civilian staff, family, and friends present to witness the event. During the ceremony, Chief Andrew McIntyre welcomed Buck and Quintero to the Valparaiso Police Department family and congratulated each on their accomplishments throughout the hiring process. Buck is 1996 graduate of Merrillville High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Indiana University Northwest in 2016. Buck arrives in Valparaiso with extensive police

News release by Indiana Department of Education: INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today released results from the 2022-2023 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) assessment, which show that too few Indiana students have mastered foundational reading skills by the end of third grade: nearly one in five students are still struggling to read at this key milestone. “Up until the end of third grade, students are developing key skills to become proficient in foundational reading. Once they advance to fourth grade they must be able to apply those skills to access future learning,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana

A Porter police officer and Good Samaritans rescued struggling swimmers this past Saturday at Porter Beach. Just before 4:30 p.m., officers were conducting foot patrol at Porter Beach when they were alerted to two swimmers struggling in the water. Officer Marty Gonzalez was directed to the struggling swimmers while Officer Tim Lucas retrieved Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) from a police vehicle. Officer Gonzalez removed his duty equipment and entered the water with the PFD’s provided by Officer Lucas, who remained ashore to secure Officer Gonzalez equipment and to direct additional responders. Several other beachgoers entered the water to assist in

UPDATE on a story we have been following here at WIMS, from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office -- Death Investigation During the late evening of July 22nd, La Porte County EMS was summoned to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ) to aid an inmate having an unknown medical episode. The inmate, Mr. Johnathon M. TRIPP (42 YOA) of Argos, was transported to Northwest Health – La Porte Campus by EMS. TRIPP passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division were immediately notified, and a death investigation was initiated. The investigation surrounding the death

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close State Road 14 between U.S. 231 and C.R. N 350 W on or after Tuesday, August 22. State Road 14 will be closed through late September for a small structure replacement between the two junctions with C.R. 420 W. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 231, State Road 10 and State Road 49.  

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced that on August 7th, Deputy Corey Chavez transferred from the Patrol Division to an open School Resource Officer (SRO) position within the agency. He was chosen following a selection process that commenced several weeks ago held by school and agency administrators. Deputy Chavez is now serving as the SRO for Tri-Township and MSD of New Durham Township School Corporations. Deputy Chavez began his employment with the LCSO in 2006 as a jail deputy.  In 2011, he was promoted to the Merit Division to serve as a patrol deputy.   Deputy Chavez is married,

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad (CKIN) plans to close their railroad crossing on State Road 8 in La Crosse between Daisy Street and Livingston Street beginning on or after Monday, August 21. State Road 8 will be closed for approximately five days in this location while CKIN rebuilds their at-grade crossing. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 39, U.S. 30, and U.S. 421.

The Michigan City Police Department announced that last Friday, K-9 Axel went 10-42 (off duty) for the last time as a member of the Michigan City Police Department. Due to unforeseen health reasons, K-9 Axel will retire from active duty with MCPD and spend all his time with the family of Officer Steve Wiegel. Members of the Michigan City Police Department joined Officer Wiegel and K-9 Axel to celebrate his career with MCPD.

Press release by Healthcare Foundation of La Porte: LA PORTE -- Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) proudly announces the release of the 2022 Report to the Community, a comprehensive review of the grants awarded, projects funded, and collective progress made by our community partners and nonprofit organizations. This annual report is a testament to our commitment to transparency and our dedication to highlighting the stories that shape our shared journey on the road to a healthier community.  The 2022 Report to the Community offers a look into the strategic priorities and initiatives HFL supports, as well as partner milestones that defined the year. Highlights include the hard work of councils like Partners for Healthier

The Portage Police Department Monday announced that Officer Anthony Ortiz, a five-year veteran of the Portage Police Department, has been selected to serve as their newest school resource officer. Officer Ortiz will be assigned to Willowcreek Middle School starting this week. “We are very grateful for our continued partnership with Portage Township Schools and believe Officer Ortiz will make an excellent addition to the SRO program,” the Portage Police Department stated on their Facebook page.

Multiple Beach Hazards Statements are in effect for Lake Michigan. For the counties of Northern La Porte, Northern Berrien, Southern Berrien: ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT /1 AM CDT/ TUESDAY THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING... * WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves. Waves 4 to 7 feet. * WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties. * WHEN...From 2 AM EDT /1 AM CDT/ Tuesday through Tuesday evening. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor  will close the ramp from northbound I-65 to westbound I-94 for approximately three weeks starting on or after Tuesday, September 5. The ramp will be closed for joint repairs/rehab and extensive concrete restoration work, with approximately 4,400 square yards of pavement being full-depth patched. A full closure of the ramp was determined to be the safest and most efficient option to complete this work. INDOT says that due to the high volume of traffic that usually utilizes this ramp, motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and find alternate routes. The

The Starke County Sheriff's Office stated on their Facebook page that the 'Riding with the Sheriff program is unable to launch at this time. The department stated the following: "Reference our last post for Riding with the Sheriff, we are unfortunately unable to launch that type of program at this time. Sheriff Rosa has a vested interest in our youth. We believe it is imperative to develop relationships with our community. For those that emailed interest in the program, we will contact you in the coming weeks and see if you are interested in our officers coming out to speak

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will have alternating shoulder and lane closures on the U.S. 31/20 Bypass between Brick Rd and State Road 2 starting on or after Monday, August 21. Improvements will be made at the bypass interchanges at Brick/Cleveland Rd, Nimtz Parkway, Lincolnway west, and State Road 2. Work will include signing, striping, ramp and auxiliary lane improvements and will be ongoing through mid-November. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns and possible delays during peak times. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area