Local News

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northwest Indiana residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias by participating in the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. The event will be held in three locations throughout the region. The Lake County Walk is set for Sept. 18 at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland. The Porter County Walk will be held Oct. 2 at the William E. Urschel Pavilion in Valparaiso. The season will wrap up on Oct. 8 with the LaPorte County Walk at Washington Park in Michigan City. On Walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease

Update: In an update to a story WIMS has been following regarding the Friday arrest of a La Porte police officer, the La Porte Police Department announced Monday that, “The aforementioned officer resigned today, Monday, August 15, effective immediately.” Original story: A City of La Porte police officer was arrested early Friday morning by Trail Creek Police, according to Chief Paul Brettin. The officer was charged with public intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor) as well as public indecency (Class A Misdemeanor). Brettin said the officer has been given an automatic suspension, and further disciplinary action may be taken once the department

Twenty Indiana counties will receive funds for improving local bodies of water, thanks to $1,291,900 in grants awarded by DNR Director Dan Bortner through the DNR‘s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program. The grants will fund projects benefiting seven lakes and 17 rivers and streams across Indiana. Most of the projects aim to improve water quality by addressing sediment and nutrient inputs into lakes and streams. Improved water quality helps maintain sustainable fish and wildlife populations as well as improve recreational opportunities in Indiana. One new wetland construction and one wetland enhancement project will be completed with this round of

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recovered an unoccupied boat Monday morning. Sometime after 10:30 a.m., officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit spotted a capsized catamaran in Lake Michigan near East Chicago. It was located about 2 miles offshore. There was no sign of any passengers. Members of the Lake County Marine Unit towed the vessel to the East Chicago Marina.

A man was found with meth during a jail intake procedure at the La Porte County Jail on Friday during an intake procedure. On Friday evening, a deputy was called to the 5000 north block of State Road 39 in reference to suspicious activity. Two people matching the description were located in the 1800 block of West U.S. 20. One person was identified as 42-year-old Michael J. Bowen. It was determined Bowen was a wanted person by the Sheriff’s Office and the La Porte City Police Department. Each agency held two outstanding arrest warrants for Bowen. He was taken into

PORTER COUNTY – A fire broke out in an occupied residence in Jackson Township sending one to the hospital for smoke inhalation Friday evening. This happened while the family and several pets were home. At around 6:50 PM (CDT) Porter County 911 started receiving phone calls in the 800 North block of 500 East in Jackson Township for a reported residence on fire. Liberty Township Fire Department (AHJ) was dispatched along with automatic aid units for smoke and flames visible from basement windows involving a 2-story residence. Liberty Fire Chief Brian Duncan arrived on scene with a single occupant out

Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins stopped by the Michigan City Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75 on August 12 to accept a ceremonial check from officers Matthew Babcock and Brian Wright. The $2,000 donation will be used to purchase personal hygiene items used for students at all eight MCAS elementary schools. "We are so grateful for this support, and for the partnership of law enforcement officers throughout the school year," said Dr. Eason-Watkins.

A City of La Porte police officer was arrested early Friday morning by Trail Creek Police, according to Chief Paul Brettin. The officer was charged with public intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor) as well as public indecency (Class A Misdemeanor). Brettin said the officer has been given an automatic suspension, and further disciplinary action may be taken once the department sees what comes of the charges. "Here in the City of La Porte, we hold our officers to a very high standard,” Brettin said. “This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, and our department and Merit Commission will be meeting to

Franciscan Health on Wednesday recognized Horizon Bank for its contribution of $7,500 to the Franciscan Health Foundation in support of the Center of Hope program. “We are so thankful for all that Horizon has done to help us in our mission to minister to some of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Sister Petra Nielsen, vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health Michigan City. “We are grateful to have them as one of our community partners.” The Center of Hope program provides a safe environment for survivors of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. Indiana ranks second in the

The City of Portage says residents can be a part of designing and developing the city's downtown, by attending public input sessions. Consultant SmithGroup will hold open design studios from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16 and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Community meeting/public input sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Aug. 18. All meetings will be held at City Hall, 6070 Central Ave. An event page can be found on the "Portage Indiana Government Page" Facebook.

The opening of the Westchester and Liberty middle schools—and the closure of Chesterton Middle School—will not take place in the fall of 2023 as originally planned, according to the Town of Chesterton. It was reported that at the Duneland School Board’s meeting Monday night, Aug. 8, Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit announced that “supply chain challenges” are delaying the construction of additions at both the Westchester and Liberty campuses. Neither campus will be ready to add seventh- and eighth-grade students until August 2024. A recently adopted redistricting plan for some students in the Yost and Liberty areas will also be delayed

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it has awarded $9,054.00 to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra through the Arts Organization Support grant program. During its June 10 Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved funding recommendations for the Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support grant programs. Over 460 applications were reviewed by 85 Hoosiers from around the state specializing in arts, community development, and finance. “The projects and organizations that are receiving funding are improving the economic and educational climates of the state of Indiana,” said Alberta Barker, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The Commission is delighted to

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department will dedicate the Stone Lake accessible small watercraft launch at 1 p.m. Sunday, August 21, at Cummings Lodge in Soldiers Memorial Park. The dedication follows the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association Annual (NWIPA) Rendezvous. The afternoon begins with the NWIPA Annual Rendezvous at noon, with beverages provided and food available for purchase from Kostka Krave. The program includes social time, annual awards and an update on the clearing of the Calumet River. The event is open to the public with a $10 donation to support NWIPA events, education and stewardship activities. Following

The Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City (EDCMC) announced Thursday that the Redevelopment Commission recently heard a presentation by Town Planning on repositioning Marquette Mall from “a dying retail entity to a mixed-used entertainment and multifamily town center district as the shopping and retail landscape has forever changed.” The EDCMC says their team will be working closely with the Redevelopment Commission and property owners to market the property and seek investors and developers to transform this 50-acre site over the next 5 years. Check out the concepts and more here . *NOTE: Illustrations are for discussion purposes only. They are

The Indiana Department of Health has partnered with the Milk Bank to host milk drives to provide donor milk to Hoosiers babies. The infant formula shortage continues to impact families and infant health across Indiana and the rest of the United States. The Indiana Department of Health says that "Indiana has been particularly affected by not only shortages in stores and safety recalls associated with Abbott Nutrition, but also breastfeeding rates below the national average." State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, said, “In the absence of a mother’s own milk, pasteurized donor human milk offers optimal nutrition, easy digestibility

The Town of Chesterton announced that signage lowering the speed limit for semi-tractor trailers to 40 miles per hour has been installed along Indiana 49 between the I-94 interchange and the Indiana Toll Road. The signage was installed on Wednesday, Aug. 10. See more on this story on the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.    

The Washington Park Zoo said Thursday it would like to send out a heartfelt "Thank You" to the WHM Motorsports boat owner/racer Billy Mauff for his generous donation of $12,000 towards the Big Cat Canyon habitat once again. The Washington Park Zoo said Billy has made amazing pledges to help them "Build for the Big Cats" for the last few years, so during a special pre-race event last Friday evening, they were able to show a bit of their gratitude with the dedication of a plaqued bench placed in their entry plaza. Mauff was also given a custom framed "Art

The DNR Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies Thursday at the Indiana Government Center South in Indianapolis. Twenty-five new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event. Conservation Officer Andrew Harmon, the 2021 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 39th recruit class of conservation officers: The officers and assignment locations (by county in parentheses) are Thomas Adams (Marion), Bradley Barker (Brown), Jarrett Batliner (Ripley), Jacob Bolt (Starke), Draven Browning (Howard), Tyler Burton (Wayne),

A Portage woman died as a result of a Monday crash on I-94. A Lake Station man was charged with several O.W.I offenses, including O.W.I. resulting in serious bodily injury in connection with the crash. At around 4:45 a.m., troopers were dispatched to a crash on I-80 eastbound lanes at exit 15B. This is the ramp to Ripley Street. Preliminary investigation showed that a 2016 Subaru rapidly reduced speed to merge to the Toll Road exit ramp when a 2016 Buick rear-ended it. Both vehicles sustained severe damage. A female passenger in the Subaru was transported from the scene with