Local News

Community Crossings call for projects now open INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Transportation is accepting applications for the spring 2024 call for projects for the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. The application window is open now through Wednesday, January 31. Community Crossings grants are available to cities, towns and counties in the State of Indiana. Cities and towns with a population of fewer than 10,000 will receive funds using a 75/25 match. Cities and towns with a population of greater than 10,000 will receive funds using a 50/50 match. Counties with a population of fewer than 50,000 will receive

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the American milestone of the Gettysburg Address. To commemorate this momentous speech in American history, Westfield-based The Lincoln Special has initiated a statewide tour (referred to as “roadshows”) of Indiana, tracing Lincoln’s 1865 train route of his funeral train that visited Michigan City in 1865.   A total of 13 cities are included in these roadshows where Executive Director Chris Allen will be staging a free, hour-long symposium that highlights Lincoln’s life and legacy after his assassination at Ford’s Theater. “It’s imperative to remind people in Lincoln’s home state that his story didn’t

PRESS RELEASE   At approximately 3:40 yesterday morning a victim of a car crash called 9-1-1 to report that the vehicle she was in had flipped over in Gary. The caller was one of two females inside the car at the time.   Multiple police and other emergency responders could not find the crash site and after about two hours, Gary police requested assistance with the search.   An off-duty police officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and a Gary police officer responded to assist.   One of the occupants of the car managed to exit the vehicle and

La Porte County GOP to Host Event for Those Exploring Running for Office On Saturday, January 6th, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the La Porte County Republican Party will be hosting an event at Republican Headquarters, 814 Jefferson Avenue in La Porte, for candidates and those considering running for office this year. Party officials and elected officials will be on hand to answer questions and assist with setting up Candidate Committees, Campaign Finance, and filling out the proper paperwork to run for office, as well as what resources the La Porte County Republican Party offers its candidates. According to

The Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer welcomed the first baby of 2024 at 9:21 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Sophia Kylie Morton was born to Omni Shedrich and Christopher Morton of Hammond. She weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. Families with the distinction of having the first baby born in the new year at the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer receive a gift basket containing items to help parents during their first weeks at home with their newborn. A virtual tour of the Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Dyer is available on the Franciscan Health YouTube channel. To learn more

MICHIGAN CITY – The newest round of appointments to Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch’s incoming administration has been announced. Human Resources Director Ta-Tanesha Clark George will retain her position. Kila Ward will become the Promise Scholarship Director, a position the new mayor intends to rename and restructure. “I’m excited to bring Kila on board, especially because of her background in education,” Nelson Deuitch said. “I plan to transition her position from Promise Scholarship Director to Education and Workforce Director. We want our residents to have the opportunity to be connected with training and higher paying jobs.” Ward is making the move

MICHIGAN CITY – Three new department heads have been named to Michigan City Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch’s incoming administration.   Darrell Garbacik will be the new Central Maintenance superintendent.   Locals may remember him for the 18 years he put in at the Parks & Recreation Department, where he held several positions including that of superintendent. He left Parks in 2009 to become the projects coordinator for the Facilities Department at Culver Academy, a position he held for 15 years.   "At Culver, we had students and faculty and staff from all over the world,” Garbacik said. “We celebrated our

News release by La Porte Community School Corporation: "In recent years, school districts nationwide have faced the critical challenge of a significant shortage of school bus drivers. This shortage not only disrupts daily transportation for students, but also impacts their access to quality education. To address this pressing issue, we have developed a plan that outlines strategic steps to attract school bus drivers, as well as an evaluation plan to review and adjust our efforts as needed. By implementing these measures, our goal is to hire additional drivers and substitutes to ensure reliable and safe transportation for students. Please help

Three new department heads have been announced for Michigan City Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch’s incoming administration.   Chris Carter will become superintendent of the Refuse Department. Shong Smith will retain his position as director of the Street Department. And Brett Kelley Sr. will become director of Vector Control.   “A clean city is a welcoming city,” Nelson Deuitch said. “It’s imperative that our neighborhoods, streets and sidewalks are in good shape to ensure cleanliness and safety for Michigan City residents and visitors.”   Carter worked for the Refuse Department for 20 years, beginning as a driver and loader and finishing

Please be advised there will be a One Day Delay in the recycling pickup schedule starting Monday, January 1st New Year’s Day.   Friday’s pickup will be on Saturday.     Please remember to have your container curbside the night before or by 5:00 a.m. on your recycling day to insure pickup.   The Office and Compost Site will be closed Monday, January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday reopening Tuesday January 2nd at 8:00 am.  

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning is awarding $18.1 million in employer-sponsored child care grants to 64 businesses, community groups and school corporations. The initiative, part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, is mobilizing employers and communities to create or expand child care offerings that address the needs of working Hoosiers. “We wanted those who know first-hand the critical needs of their employees, and those who are best positioned to partner in their communities, to create child care solutions for their workforce, and they delivered,”

Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), a grantmaking foundation dedicated to empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well, announces the release of a video showcasing the impactful active living infrastructure projects it has invested in since November 2017. The video offers a glimpse into the transformative effects of these investments on residents, highlighting the foundation's commitment to fostering healthier and more active lifestyles. Since 2017, HFL has been at the forefront of supporting accessible spaces and programs that encourage physical activity and well-being. The video underscores the foundation's dedication to enhancing local parks, trails, playgrounds, and other outdoor features that promote active living.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County has been selected as a recipient of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Community Recycling Grant Program. IDEM has awarded the District $100,000 to be utilized for the acquisition of a trommel screen. This screen will play a significant role in effectively minimizing debris and producing high-quality compost. The District's composting process spans over a period of eighteen months, during which windrows are formed using leaves and grass collected from municipal truck pick-ups, landscaping trucks, and residential drop-offs. Unfortunately, as a result of collection methods, trash and other non-compostable materials contaminate

Franciscan Health is offering a 14-week book club focused on helping participants quit smoking and vaping for good. The club will read “The Naked Mind Nicotine: The Science-Based Method to Reclaim Your Health and Take Control Easily,” by Annie Grace and William Porter. The authors combine science-backed, successful habit-breaking systems to end tobacco addiction. The book uncovers subconscious beliefs about smoking and vaping that keep people addicted to nicotine despite its well-known costs. With thought-provoking questions and exercises that spark clarity, the book helps jump start the journey to being nicotine-free while helping book club participants achieve healthier bodies and

Officer-Involved Shooting   Preliminary information indicates that police responded to a shots-fired call in the 200 block of South Dixie Way in Roseland, IN, at approximately 05:08 AM Sunday morning, a St. Joseph County Deputy spotted the suspect vehicle, a Black 2004 Lincoln SUV, minutes later, and attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle fled leading responding officers in a pursuit. The pursuit eventually headed south on Capital Avenue / Elm Road. Officers with the Mishawaka Police Department joined in the pursuit.   The driver of the Lincoln drove into a field approximately ½ mile south of the

A vehicle was found below a bridge on 94 in Portage, with a guy alive with a broken leg. Reports said he was there for six days. Westbound 94 was shut down at the 22mile marker west of Route 249. Traffic was blocked as well. All traffic is back open. Thank you Mike Lorber from NBC5 for connecting with the WIMSnewsroom.

A maintenance unit from our LaPorte Sub District had a close call on Friday. While performing maintenance activities on I-94 east of U.S. 421, an attenuator and #yellowtruck were struck by a semi. The attenuator was destroyed and truck damaged, coming to rest on the right shoulder. The semi and other crash debris ended up across the travel lanes, while a passenger vehicle also involved ended up on the left shoulder. This caused all possible lanes of travel to be blocked while crews worked to remove the vehicles and debris, on a busy day for holiday travel no less. Thankfully,

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 54-year-old Alberto VALLE-CARRANZA of Northwest, Washington D.C. On Wednesday (12/20) afternoon, members of the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force received information that VALLE-CARRANZA, wanted in connection with an early morning December 19th, Washington D.C homicide, had boarded a bus in Chicago and was traveling to Michigan City. With little time to spare, deputies quickly responded to intercept the bus. Sergeants Keith Wilson and Ryan Elcock located the bus and held it until additional units with further information arrived on scene. FAST Sergeants

Double Track NWI - Construction Next Steps INFORMATION UPDATED 12/21/2023-   The Double Track Northwest Indiana Project (DT-NWI) is under construction. The project team has information to share about the project's final steps. The project is currently 93% complete.   Estimated Final Project Completion: May 2024   Effective Oct. 25, 2023, train service resumed between Dune Park and Carroll Ave. stations, including train service to Beverly Shores and 11th St. stations. Busing will remain in effect between Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations until the project’s completion in 2024.    Bus service will make all intermediate scheduled station stops, and

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Bortner today announced 14 communities will receive a combined $31.2 million for 28 miles of new trail as a part of the fourth round of the Next Level Trails program. “Across the state, trails are making connections – bringing people and communities together in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The Next Level Trails program has elevated those connections with record trail funding and palpable energy. Through $180 million across four rounds, we’re funding important infrastructure that is making an impact now and will continue to