Local News

The City of Valparaiso’s original water tower – located at Tower Park on Franklin Street – is getting a fresh new finish, inside and out this summer, preserving its surfaces into the future. Built in 1936, the tower’s interior and exterior will be sandblasted and resurfaced, with the exterior featuring a fresh new brand for the City of Valparaiso. The project kicked off at the end of June and contractors will work seven days a week to complete by the end of August. The tower is out of service during the project, including time for the surfaces to cure, followed

The Michigan City Police Department said Thursday it had arrested  four juveniles in connection to the investigations of multiple vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles that may have been influenced by recent social media posts. According to police, since the beginning of August, Michigan City along with several other surrounding agencies have recently seen an increase in the number of vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles, and criminal mischief complaints. The investigations include but are not limited to damaged steering columns, broken windows, items taken from vehicles, and stolen vehicles. The Michigan City Police Department says detectives have been actively working

Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner Thursday joined Lilly Endowment Inc. to announce the state’s largest-ever financial investment in literacy, expanding Indiana’s commitment to support literacy development for Hoosier students. This combined investment from the state and Lilly Endowment of up to $111 million will support early literacy development using proven teaching strategies aligned with the Science of Reading. The state will:  -Support the deployment of instructional coaches to schools throughout Indiana;  -Offer stipends to teachers who participate in professional development focused on the Science of Reading;  -Provide targeted support for students who need the

As part of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra ’s (LCSO) 50th Anniversary celebration, banners featuring 50 LCSO musicians have been created that are being posted both in La Porte and Michigan City. Banners in La Porte will be posted along Lincolnway through Sept. 30. Banners in Michigan City will be posted along Franklin and Washington Streets from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30. “We have so many wonderful and talented musicians,” said Tim King , the executive director of the LCSO. “The LCSO board wants to recognize them for their efforts and talents. This is a wonderful way for all

A Franciscan Health infectious disease physician is urging patients who test positive for COVID-19 to ask their healthcare providers if antiviral medications are right for them immediately upon diagnosis. “What we’re seeing is a lot of patients who test positive, then a week later are calling their physicians saying they still don’t feel well, and by then, it’s too late to start taking the antivirals,” said Erica Kaufman West, MD. “We need to educate patients to understand that they have to start taking the antivirals within five days of symptom onset. If we can get patients informed so they can

Indiana Dunes National Park gave notice Wednesday that the new crosswalk and warning signs for the Paul H Douglas Center have not been completed due to supply chain issues. The Douglas Center will not reopen this weekend. The following programs scheduled for the weekend are canceled: The Wonders of Wildlife, Biking and Birding, and the Miller Woods Hike.

Conservation officers are investigating after a body was recovered near Whiting Lakefront Park. Tuesday at about 2 p.m., a park visitor located what was believed to be a body in Lake Michigan approximately 200 yards from shore. First responders located and recovered the body floating northeast of the park near the BP Water Purification Plant. Police said Wednesday that the identity of the male victim is being withheld pending family notification.

Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano released a statement Wednesday about an incident that occurred on Aug. 13. The following is the statement from Candianio:  “Yesterday, some of our local news outlets reported on an incident, which occurred in the City of Portage during the evening of August 13, 2022.  Unfortunately, this has created a lot of misinformation on social media.  Often this occurs from people not reading further than the headline and / or creating their own narrative based on assumptions.  Thus, I would like to provide a bit of additional information, based on reports and witness statements obtained from

Indianan State Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA confirmed the 1.7 million automatic taxpayer refund (ATR) checks are printing and the first group of checks should reach mailboxes later this week. On June 30, 2021, when state reserves exceeded 12.5% of state budget general fund appropriations for the following year, an $1.1 billion excess reserve transfer was automatically generated. The transfer was divided equally amongst Indiana taxpayers ($125 each) and teacher pensions. To qualify for the $125 (or $250 if filed jointly), taxpayers would have had to file an Indiana individual income tax return for 2020 with a postmark date of Jan.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations. “Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Unity Foundation of La Porte County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.” The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking

The La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced its maintenance staff started to demolish the playground near Shelter #3 in Fox Park on Tuesday. The playground was installed in 1999 and is being removed in anticipation of construction starting on Truesdell Avenue along with improvements coming with the Clear Lake Greenway. The department plans to rebuild the playground in another location within Fox Park and looks forward to receiving public input on the project this fall. The department is inviting families to enjoy the playground near the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park or any of the other dozen

INDOT announced that there are additional on-ramp closures on southbound I-65 along with the closures of 61st Avenue and Ridge Road on-ramps. The additional on-ramp closures are 15th Avenue and U.S. 12/20. All closures are scheduled to end Sept. 12. INDOT says to consider using S.R. 53 to U.S. 231 to access I-65. The U.S. 30 southbound on-ramp to I-65 is currently open but is scheduled to close in the future for work as well. Visit 511in.org for updates.  

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department Detective Bureau, and Michigan City Police Department Street Hawk Team recovered firearms, illegal drugs, and effected one arrest as a result of a residential search warrant that was executed in Michigan City last week. Beginning in June of 2022, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force began receiving complaints of illegal activity happening in the 600 block of Main Street in Michigan City.  Police say that also during this time, the Michigan City Police Department Detective Bureau began investigating “shootings/shots fired incidents that were plaguing the same location.” Police say

The following is a construction update for the South Shore Line NWI project: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. Work is underway at the new east lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy. Construction of the new Miller Station is expected to begin in

Two recent high school graduates are the first recipients of the Franciscan Health Michigan City Medical Staff Memorial Scholarship for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers. Zayda Messer, a LaPorte High School graduate attending Indiana University in Bloomington, and Emma Heffron, a La Lumiere graduate attending St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, were selected to receive the scholarships. Messer, who hopes to one day be an OBGYN, said the award will make a big difference helping her pay for school. Heffron, who plans on going into nursing, said, “It gives me the chance to go to school so I can

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.