Local News

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana State Police are investigating and seeking information on a fatal vehicle vs. pedestrian crash that happened on I-80 Tuesday night. At around 11:30 p.m., 911 calls were made to dispatch reporting a black female wearing all black walking in the roadway in the area of I-80/94 eastbound just east of Broadway.  Shortly thereafter, callers reported that the pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.  The vehicle that struck the pedestrian left the scene. The pedestrian died as a result of the impact. Identification of the deceased is pending confirmation by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

The Ogden Dunes Police Department announced that Hillcrest Road will be closed at the railroad tracks from Saturday, July 22 through Monday July 24, for NICTD Double Track construction. All traffic in and out of Ogden Dunes will be rerouted through the Portage Lakefront Park back entrance into town. Check the WIMS website and Facebook page for more area roadwork updates.  

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Community organizations have once again joined forces to host the “Citywide Back to School Rally,” providing school supplies and an end-of-summer celebration for Michigan City families. The rally will take place on Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elston’s Gill Field, 317 Detroit Street, Michigan City. This event, which has taken place every summer for more than 10 years, is highly anticipated by the community every year, says Patricia Harris of the Indiana Black Expo Michigan City Chapter, which coordinates the Citywide Back to School Rally committee. “We know that many families

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced that the ramp from I-65 northbound to I-94 eastbound in Lake County is closed again this weekend for concrete work The closure starts Friday evening (July 21) and is set to reopen by Monday morning. The detour will be to continue north on I-65 and take U.S. 12/20 to S.R. 51/Ripley where motorists can get on I-94 eastbound.

Michigan City, IN –The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (chamber) announced Jessica O’Brien as the Ambassador of the Quarter for the Second Quarter of 2023. “I believe the Chamber of Commerce is such an important part of growth and progress in my city, so I’m happy to volunteer my time to help them grow and succeed. The Chamber team is accessible and helpful, serving as a great resource and advocate for their members,” O’Brien said. The Ambassador of the Quarter is given to an individual who has shown dedication to the mission of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce by

PRESS RELEASE:   Hebron- This morning at approximately 7:00 a.m., the Indiana State Police SWAT executed several search warrants on a residence located at 107 S. Main St. in Hebron, IN. These search warrants were the result of an extensive investigation lead by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department Captain Andy Hynek and Indiana State Trooper Jace Haddon, but it included numerous other law enforcement agencies across northwest and central Indiana.   The investigation encompassed a crime spree that spanned several counties and local jurisdictions to include Logansport Police, Kouts Police, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, LaPorte County Sherriff’s

Pinney Purdue Field Day Offers Crop Information for area Farmers. The 2023 Pinney Purdue Field Day is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Pinney Purdue Agriculture Center is located at 11402 County Line Road, Wanatah, two miles west of U.S. 421 and ½ mile north of U.S. 30. Participants will have opportunities to get updates on current ag production issues, visit with neighbors and fellow producers as well as ag supply and service exhibitors, and enjoy a great sponsored meal. Registration and exhibitor booths open at 7:30 a.m. CDT in the new machinery shed on the east side of County

Update from the La Porte County Prosecutor's office: On July 19th, the Laporte County Prosecutor’s Office secured two Guilty verdicts against Kyle Earley for Murder. Over the course of a 3 day trial, Deputy Prosecutors Sarah Konieczny and Doug Shaw presented the evidence to a jury, and secured Guilty verdicts for the murders of John and Denis Earley. Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said, ‘When you have great people, you get great results. Doug and Sarah, along with Chief Deputy Chuck Watterson, worked this case tirelessly, and thanks to their dedication, they secured justice on behalf of the State of Indiana

Duneland Chamber Community Awards Luncheon 2023 was a success! Team WIMS had a great time getting to meet these incredible individuals, and hearing about all of their hard work! Here is a list of your winners: Volunteer of the Year - Brian Bolin Volunteer of the Year - Scott Palla Humanitarian of the Year - Duneland Exchange Club Business Renovation - Glacial Sands Business Renovation - Heartland Business Renovation - Lia's Bella Cucina Putting Duneland on the Map - Aidan Torres New Construction - Allen Law Group Serviceperson of the Year - Officer William Reshkin Serviceperson of the Year -

The Michigan City Police Department is congratulating Officer Dylon Travis on participating in Cops Cycling for Survivors bicycle ride. Officer Travis rode from Merrillville to South Bend with the group. The group rides the whole state of Indiana bringing awareness of fallen officers who are killed in the line of duty and their survivors. Officers and staff from the Michigan City Police Department met the group at their stop at Westville Correctional Facility to pay tribute and support Officer Travis. The MCPD Traffic Division helped with the escort of the riders while they were in LaPorte County.

The City of Portage announced that through Aug. 1, the roads listed below will have rolling lane closures as their crack sealing contractor will be filling cracks in the asphalt pavement. Expect delays periodically, flaggers will be present. They also ask that residents in these areas not park on the streets between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.   Affected streets: Carol Street – Ruth Avenue to Danube Avenue Fern Street – Glenrose Street to Danube Avenue Sunset Street – Glenrose Street to Ruth Avenue Glenrose Street – Stone Avenue to Sunset Street Mulberry Avenue – Willowcreek Road to Monnier Street

Three roadwork projects begin Friday in Portage. Samuelson Road between U.S. 20 and Portage Avenue will experience intermittent land restrictions between Friday, July 21 and Friday, July 28 for milling and paving. A flag person will be on-site directing traffic. Central Avenue between Scott Street and Samuelson Road will be closed to through traffic between Scott Street and Samuelson Road on Friday, July 21 for milling out existing asphalt, subgrade treatment, and installation of binder Prairie Duneland Trail at Central Avenue will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 21 for the milling and paving of Central

News release by Indiana Department of Natural Resources: This year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has stocked Indiana waterways with walleye and saugeye – fish that are known for being excellent table fare and for the skill it takes to catch them. Because there is no natural reproduction of walleye and saugeye in most of Indiana, the DNR runs a program to spawn and stock these fish every spring across multiple waterways for anglers to catch. Spawning operations in late March to early April, which are organized at Brookville Lake, resulted in 35.7 million fertilized walleye eggs. The eggs

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the closure of U.S. 30 eastbound between U.S. 421 and County Road South 900 West for approximately three to five days on or after Wednesday, July 19. This closure is for repairs following permitted work near the intersection of U.S. 30 and U.S. 421. Traffic going eastbound on U.S. 30 toward U.S. 421 will be split into a left turn lane and right turn lane so motorists should approach the signal with caution and follow traffic directions carefully. The official detour for this closure will follow U.S. 421, U.S.

Assistant Chief of Police, Michael J. DeHaven, has announced his retirement, effective October 2, 2023, according to a news release from the Valparaiso Police Department. “Assistant Chief DeHaven is a respected leader in our community, having served in several key roles during his 27-year career with the Valparaiso Police Department,” said Mayor Matt Murphy. “We thank him for his extraordinary service and wish him well in his retirement.” Assistant Chief DeHaven began his law enforcement career with the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Department in 1995, where he spent a year and a half before joining the Valparaiso Police Department in 1996.

LAPORTE & ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in road closures on State Road 4 and State Road 104 beginning on or after Monday, July 24. State Road 4 will close between State Road 104 and State Road 23 first, and once open, State Road 104 will close between State Road 4 and U.S. 6. Each closure is expected to take approximately one day. The official detours will follow State Road 4, State Road 104, U.S. 6 and State Road 23. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek

Press release from Unity Foundation of La Porte County: LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce it is awarding $310,000 in scholarships to 171 students for the 2023-2024 academic year. The recipients are attending 50 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. Since 1992, Unity has awarded more than $3.5 million from sixty scholarship funds to help area students advance their education. Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President, said, “We are honored to award scholarships each year. Beyond providing financial assistance, receiving these awards is proof that their community believes

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 23 between County Road East 300 North and County Road East 400 North on or after Monday, July 24. State Road 23 will be closed through early September for a small structure replacement. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, U.S. 35, and State Road 8.

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – Charges have been filed by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office following the pursuit that took place on July 12 on I-65, according to the Indiana State Police. Thomas J. Sanhamel, 45, from West Chicago, Illinois, has been charged with attempted murder, attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon, four counts of battery by means of a deadly weapon, attempt to commit battery against public safety official, four counts of battery to public safety official and two counts of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle. The original story can be found here.