Local News

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) received approval from the Indiana Higher Learning Commission (ICHE) to offer advanced degrees in Psychology, pending further approval by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). PNW plans to offer a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), which is an applied doctoral program intended to prepare students as both practitioners and scholars to address local needs for mental health resources in Northwest Indiana. A Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology will also be added to the PNW curriculum. “The Doctor of Psychology will be a major addition to PNW’s high-quality academics,” said Kenneth C. Holford,

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerously hot and humid conditions with heat index values up to around 110 possible. * WHERE...In Illinois, McHenry, Lake IL, DuPage, Northern Cook, Central Cook and Southern Cook Counties. In Indiana, Lake IN, Porter and Jasper Counties. * WHEN...From late Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... An Excessive Heat Watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot

The Portage Department of Parks and Recreation announced that portions of the trails are closed to all traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, through Tuesday, Aug. 22 for crack sealing work. Prairie Duneland Trail, Ironhorse Trail and pathways leading to trails at Countryside Park, Olsen Park and Imagination Glen will all be affected for short periods of time. The dates are weather dependent, as the work cannot be performed on wet pavement. For more information, contact the Park Office at (219)762-1675 or parks@portage-in.com

Sheriff Ronald C. Heeg announced the promotion of Deputy Wade A. Wallace to the rank of sergeant, where he fills an opening within the rank. Sergeant Wallace was hired by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office as a Jail Deputy on November 20th, 2015.  In August of 2016, he was promoted to the Merit Division.  Sergeant Wallace attended the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy later that year and was a graduate of Class 16-36. In January of 2021, Sergeant Wallace was assigned to a newly created highway interdiction position.  The Sheriff’s Office says that since then, he has been highly

Portage Police department is congratulating Detective Dennis Meyers on his retirement from the Portage Police Department after forty-one years of service to the citizens of Portage. Detective Meyers began his career with the Portage Police Department on April 1st, 1982.  Throughout his career Detective Meyers distinguished himself by earning twelve letters of commendation and twice being elected as Officer of the Year by his peers. Meyers was assigned to the Detective Bureau for twenty-six years where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant.  In 1999 Detective Meyers accepted an appointment to the rank of Captain, where he oversaw the Patrol

News release by Franciscan Health: Franciscan Health Michigan City is collaborating with The Milk Bank to provide access to breast milk for infants in need both in and out of the hospital. Patty DeStefano, manager of the Franciscan Health Michigan City Family Birth Center, said the hospital began the process with Indianapolis-based The Milk Bank in October 2022. The program launched on August 1, 2023 of this year at the beginning of World Breastfeeding Month. "Franciscan Health Michigan City is thrilled to be one of just two Milk Bank partnership sites available in LaPorte County," said Franciscan Health Michigan City

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.