Local News

As of 12:50 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 2, the westbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road remained closed at the 6.5 mile marker, following a freak accident early this morning, in which a semi-tractor trailer jumped the center median wall while crossing a bridge over the Little Calumet River, the Indiana State Police is reporting. The tractor itself plunged into the Little Calumet River below, while the trailer—empty at the time—became perfectly wedged in the space between the west- and eastbound bridges, the ISP said. According to the ISP, the accident occurred at 2 a.m. approximately two miles east of

LaPorte County Parks announced safety mulch is going in at the new playground at Red Mill County Park. The department says if everything works out the playground should be done by next week. This replaces a playground that was installed in 2002.

Indiana's official snowmobiling season began Thursday and lasts through March 31. The DNR’s four public trails range from “flat and fast to more technical and wooded.” The DNR says that with enough snowfall, the snowmobile trail managers will sign and publicize that their trails are open for riding. Trail passes are not required, but snowmobiles must be registered to ride w/the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Check Indiana’s snowmobile trail status, laws and regulations, safety information and more at on.IN.gov/snowmobiling.

An Indiana State trooper from the Lowell post was injured after being struck by another vehicle on I-80 on Wednesday night. Just after 11:15 p.m., Trp. Riley Hieb was stationary on I-80 eastbound at the 11.3 mile-marker. Trp. Hieb was seated in his vehicle, providing traffic direction in the left lane with his emergency lights activated. There had been an earlier crash just involving a semi and a passenger car. A Chevrolet HHR, driven by 67-year-old Jose Huizar-Hernandez, of Lake Station, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and rear ended the police car. Trp. Hieb and Huizar-Hernandez were

The City of New Buffalo is reminding residents that seasonal leaf pick-up is coming to an end. The last day for curbside leaf pick-up will be Wednesday, Dec. 7. The city is asking residents to plan accordingly.

Students in the Andrean High School Cardinal Flahiff Chapter of the National Honor Society raised more than $1,400 for the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point this fall through the organization’s annual sweatshirt sales. The design for the pink sweatshirt with the words “Faith Family Love” and a cross, heart and breast cancer ribbon on the back was drawn freehand by Andrean High School fine arts teacher Bridgette Ruehl. Andrean High School Director of Finance Dr. Melissa Miller, who serves as moderator for the National Honor Society, said the students sold more than 235 sweatshirts. Miller said the National

Two Valparaiso police officers along with K9 Raider, recently completed a food delivery to a local resident after the delivery driver was arrested. On Tuesday, Officer Palleson performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for an infraction. During the traffic stop, it was learned the driver, a food delivery driver out for a delivery, had an active warrant for his arrest. Officer Sprowl and K9 Raider arrived to assist. The driver was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant without issue. Officer Palleson and Officer Sprowl worked to arrange that not only was the arrest warrant served, but the food

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana still have several mobile food distributions taking place this month. The following is a list of local locations and times for mobile distributions: Wednesday, Dec. 7 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CT  While supplies last. WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 W. U.S. 20, Michigan City, IN 46360 This distribution will serve 300 households. Thursday, Dec. 8 – St. Joseph County 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET  While supplies last. WHERE: Ivy Tech Community College, 220 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 This distribution will serve 300 households. Friday, Dec. 9 – St.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office will conduct overtime speed enforcement to address a rise in speed-related fatalities. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, law enforcement agencies across Michigan have reported an alarming rise in speeding and fatal crashes,” the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office stated. To address this trend, The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and dozens of other law enforcement agencies across Michigan will conduct overtime speed enforcement between Dec. 1, 2022, and Feb. 28, 2023. In 2021, there were 237 speed-related fatalities on Michigan roadways, an increase of 18.5 percent over 2020, when 200 people died.

In Michigan City, 300 North is closed just east of US 421 from approximately 7:00 a.m. each morning until approximately 5:00 p.m. each afternoon through Friday Dec. 2, according to D&M Excavating. The closure will be between 421 and Frontage Road. Like WIMS on Facebook for more local roadwork updates.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has received $5.9 million in renewed federal funding that will support programs for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students over the next five years. Three of the six TRIO programs at PNW, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, will benefit from the funding. “The TRIO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs have a duty and responsibility to the communities of Hammond, Gary and East Chicago by way of Purdue University Northwest to promote higher education,” says Ronnell DuBose, director of TRIO Upward Bound/Upward Bound

Over the past 105 years, the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce has celebrated its members during its Annual Member Dinner. In addition to the recognition of milestone members and legacy businesses, this year we will continue a new tradition of announcing winners in several award categories including Community Impact, Small Business, Large Business, Young Professional, and Ambassador. These five award categories will recognize individual people, businesses, or organizations who have made a difference in our business community during the past year. Nominations will be qualified by the Chamber Awards Committee. Finalists in each category will be notified and invited to

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host fall commencement exercises on Sat., Dec. 10 in Hammond. A total of 833 candidates, representing PNW’s five academic colleges, are eligible to receive their degrees. The total includes 638 earning their baccalaureate degrees, 193 earning their master’s degrees and two earning their doctoral degrees. Two commencement ceremonies will take place at John Friend Court inside the Fitness & Recreation Center on the Hammond campus, 2320 173rd Street. Candidates from PNW’s College of Business and College of Nursing will be recognized during the 11 a.m. ceremony and candidates from the College of Engineering and Sciences,

On November 24th at approximately 7:49 P.M. is when Uniform Patrol Shift 2 Officer Brock Moore was on patrol when he observed a person standing in the parking lot of Virk’s Discount Liquors (1912 East Michigan Boulevard) who he recognized as having an active arrest warrant. Officer Moore was able to identify this person from prior law enforcement encounters as 19-year-old Michigan City resident Julius Bowen. Officer Moore was aware Bowen had an active arrest warrant through LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 for Arson (Level 4 Felony) and Criminal Mischief (B-Misdemeanor). Officer Moore met with Bowen in the parking

Collectors’ tins for 10th Annual Cookie Walk are now on sale!   Residents with a sweet tooth should purchase their tins for the 10th Annual Downtown Cookie Walk this December, according to City Events & Civic Director Brett Binversie.   Collectors’ tins for the 2022 Cookie Walk are on sale and cost $15. According to Binversie, the tins will be larger this year to fit more cookies, as they anticipate even more participation from local businesses.   “The Cookie Walk has become an important holiday tradition in La Porte, and we are excited to work with our local businesses to

Join Ric Federighi and Duneland Chamber of Commerce in downtown Chesterton on Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to experience this year’s Mistletoe Market. This beloved holiday market is moving outside this year, giving the event a more European feel. The Mistletoe Market will feature many of the regular season vendors, from the European Market. There will be mulled wine, and live music along with photo props for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will even be in attendance too! Find that perfect, one of a kind holiday gift and experience a little bit of Europe in

On Sunday November 27, 2022, at approximately 7:00 A.M., Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to a single-vehicle crash that occurred on I-65 at the 240 mile-marker. The 240 mile-marker is the exit ramp to State Road 2. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy shows that a blue 2013 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 240 mile-marker when the vehicle ran off the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck a large tree which caused the vehicle to come to a stop and catch on fire. Witnesses on scene were able to remove the

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 12:04 p.m., Lowell Troopers were dispatched to an SUV traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-65 from the 247 mile-marker. The 247 mile-marker is the exit ramp at U.S. 231. Two minutes later a crash was reported at the 248.2 mile-marker involving several vehicles. Crown Point Fire, Crown Point Police and Troopers arrived at the scene and discovered the vehicle that had been reported to be traveling the wrong direction had struck another vehicle head-on. A third vehicle then struck the SUV after the initial impact. Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Russell Hayes shows

Congratulations to the VALPARAISO VIKINGS on their State Title. Great job New Prairie and Andrean. Proud of everyone. Way to go. The Valparaiso Vikings are your class 5A State Champions in football after their 35-31 victory over Whiteland. The Vikings drove 80 yards in 16 plays, capped by a gutty effort from senior Rocco Micciche, whose 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Clark with only :1seconds giving Valpo the win. This is the Vikings 2nd state title, with their first being in 1975. Connor McHall of Valpo received the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award. The Vikings finished the season

The Michigan City Festival of Lights Celebration is back. Join the festivities Saturday, December 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy the parade, watch the lighting of the official Michigan City Christmas Tree, visit Santa at his Michigan City Workshop (710 Franklin St.) and drop off your wish list to the big man himself, help pick the Chili Challenge champions, and support Meals on Wheels LaPorte County and Toys for Tots. Space is still available in the parade. See more on the Michigan City Special Events Facebook page ot at https://www.emichigancity.com/1252/Festival-of-Lights.