Local News

MIRANDA SUAREZ PLEADS GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER   On January 15, 2026, Miranda Suarez entered a Guilty plea as part of a plea agreement. Ms. Suarez, appearing before Judge Jamie Oss of Superior Court 1, affirmed her involvement in the death of Kyle Suarez. Ms. Suarez was originally charged in October 2023 for Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Crash, a Level 4 Felony. Further investigation into the death of Mr. Suarez resulted in a Murder charge filed later against Ms. Suarez.   Ms. Suarez plead Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, a Level 2 Felony, with a total sentence of 18

Erik Nelson Promoted to Business Development Manager   La Porte, IN – The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) is pleased to announce the promotion of Erik Nelson to Business Development Manager. Erik previously served as the Workforce Development Coordinator at LEAP, a position he held for the past four years. With this promotion, Erik will be involved in economic development projects as well as serve as a point of contact for existing businesses in the Greater La Porte Area.   “Erik has become a vital team member here at the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership through his impressive work

On Monday, at 3:22 PM, deputies were dispatched to the 0100 south block of US 421 reference a multi-vehicle crash.  The initial on-scene investigation completed by Deputy Julian Sanchez and assisting deputies determined the following occurred.   A gold 2010 Chrysler minivan was traveling northbound on US 421.  The minivan rear-ended a northbound blue 2009 Lexus.  Following the collision, the minivan drove left of center into the southbound lane of US 421.  The minivan then collided with a southbound white 2018 Ford.   The driver of the minivan was identified as 36-year-old Jeremy D. CATCHINGS of Michigan City.  Deputies developed

****************FROM THE FACEBOOK PAGE OF My Michigan City, Indiana Due to extremely cold temperatures forecasted for Friday (with a high of 4°F), we are asking residents whose normal trash pickup day is Friday to please set your toters out by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday 1/22/26. This will allow our Refuse Department to complete as much collection as possible before temperatures become dangerously cold. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work to keep services running safely and efficiently.

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST /3 AM CST/ TO 1 PM EST /NOON CST/ FRIDAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills between 15 and 25 below zero expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. * WHEN...From 4 AM EST /3 AM CST/ to 1 PM EST /noon CST/ Friday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Service Advisory: Passengers are advised that the South Shore Line will operate a WEEKEND/HOLIDAY train schedule on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, due to inclement weather. Sub-zero freezing temperatures and wind chills are predicted for the South Shore Line service area beginning overnight Thursday, Jan. 22.   Passengers are advised that the South Shore Line will operate a WEEKEND/HOLIDAY train schedule on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, due to inclement weather. Sub-zero freezing temperatures and wind chills are predicted for the South Shore Line service area beginning overnight Thursday, Jan. 22.   In Indiana, the inclement weather overnight Thursday includes a low

Renewable Energy Day 2026: Hoosiers Rally at Statehouse for Energy Freedom and Affordable Solutions INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier this week, hundreds of advocates, community leaders and business owners from across Indiana gathered at the Indiana Statehouse for Renewable Energy Day 2026. The annual day of action comes as the Indiana General Assembly considers policies regarding the state’s energy transition, reliability and rising utility costs. Participants spent the day meeting with legislators to advocate for a homegrown energy future that includes community energy and plug-in solar. The event highlights the growing demand for renewable options that offer Hoosiers greater energy freedom—the ability

On January 17th at 12:04 AM, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center was notified that a burglar alarm was activated at Columbia Outlet (1710 Lighthouse Place) while the business was closed. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift 3 quickly responded to the scene and noticed a front window was shattered. Officers entered the building and located 59-year-old Michigan City resident Rodney Cooper attempting to conceal himself under a clothing rack next to several bags of clothing. Officers searched the rest of the business and did not locate anyone else inside. Officers eventually took Cooper into custody for Burglary (Level 5 Felony).

The Michigan CIty Parks and Recreation Department announced earlier in the week that the Michigan City Quilting Club was approved at a board meeting. The department says the inquires have been flooding in. The intro meeting will be on Wednesday Jan. 28 at Krueger Memorial Hall. This will be a meet and greet with an intro lesson to quilting. “A lot like chess club we want this to be the meeting place for quilters and threaders alike,” the department said on it’s Facebook page. “Not just a place to learn but a place to socialize with people who enjoy the

Regarding Darlene A. Urban and  John W. Middleton, Jr. Darlene A. Urban, 91, La Porte, Indiana, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5:50 am in Life Care Center of Michigan City. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN with  Brother Shaun Gray CSC officiating. Private burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Wednesday in the funeral chapel. Contributions may be made to Life Care Center of Michigan City, 802 E. US Route 20, Michigan

MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION on Wednesday 1/21/26 at Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church-see below for details. Please feel free to SHARE. JIm Musial will join WIMS on Wednesday at 6:15a to chat about this Mobile Food Distribution and others in 2026. #wims #makingadifference

Indiana earns first national championship, completing perfect season in CFP title game thriller over Miami. Final Score 27-21 The Hoosiers completed one of college football's most improbable rises with a signature performance in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Miami. MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- No. 1 Indiana used a legendary run from Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to defeat No. 10 Miami 27-21 and capture the first national championship in program history. The Hoosiers faced fourth-and-5 in the fourth quarter deep in Miami territory. After initially sending out the kicking unit, coach Curt Cignetti called a timeout and sent

MICHIGAN CITY – Michigan City Special Events and Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch are excited to announce the 2026 Michigan City Special Events schedule, highlighted by the return of 5th Annual Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival and Oktoberfest. “Our special events are a cornerstone of what makes Michigan City such a vibrant and welcoming community,” said Mayor Angie. “From long-standing traditions to signature festivals that draw visitors from across the region, these events bring people together, support our local businesses, and showcase the very best of our lakefront city. We’re excited to invite residents and visitors alike to enjoy another incredible

At Wednesday's State Board of Education meeting, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced an approximately $10 million federal Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant received in partnership with the University of Notre Dame and WestEd. The grant is part of a national investment to accelerate literacy achievement across the country. Indiana is one of only 10 states receiving an EIR grant this year, joining the nation’s leading states in advancing scalable, research-backed literacy practices. “We are thrilled that Indiana has been selected for this highly competitive federal award,” said Governor Mike Braun. “Through a partnership between the state of

Indiana’s class of 2025 marks the third consecutive year of improved graduation rates and sets a new state record, with nearly 92% of Indiana seniors graduating high school. This is up 1.6 percentage points from the class of 2024. “Today’s record-high graduation rate is a testament to the hard work of Indiana’s students, families, and educators,” said Governor Mike Braun. “While high school graduation marks the end of a student’s K-12 journey, our schools play an essential role in preparing students for all that comes next, whether that’s going to college, starting a career, or joining the military. This strong

Press Release by Indiana Department of Environmental Management: INDIANAPOLIS –  Indiana water systems have submitted more than 98% of required lead service line inventories, putting the state among national leaders in efforts to reduce exposure to lead and copper in drinking water. Under the U.S. EPA’s 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, public water systems are required to prepare and maintain an inventory of service line materials. The requirement applies to all community water systems and non-transient, non-community water systems. Of the 1,376 water systems in Indiana, 1,355 have submitted inventories, a significant achievement given the state’s size and complexity.

The Indiana DNR says the state recently wrapped up an initial phase of gray fox research to better understand these canines that seem to be on the decline. The study found that gray foxes like scrubby edge habitat, are genetically healthy, and eat a lot of plants. The DNR says gray fox reproduction is lower than expected and habitat seems to be a limiting factor. According to the DNR, the most common cause of death was canine distemper, a common disease in other Indiana carnivores like raccoons. The DNR says Indiana is continuing work to better understand gray fox health

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY-be safe today COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST /1 PM EST/TODAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero. * WHERE...Benton, Jasper, Lake IN, Newton, and Porter Counties. * WHEN...Until noon CST /1 PM EST/ today. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. ******************************************************************** .WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – BCA Environmental Consultants will manage and implement a U.S. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant after being selected by an RFP committee. The city was awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to redevelop brownfields that have been impacted by petroleum and hazardous substances. BCA will fulfill grant requirements over a four-year period. “BCA’s expertise and experience are vital to moving through the grant process and ensuring we are identifying and redeveloping brownfield areas correctly and with the best end results,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. BCA is an environmental, health

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has announced David G. Taylor will serve as the Teddy Jacobi Dean of the PNW College of Business, effective July 1, 2026. Taylor was selected through a national search process. Taylor currently serves as dean of the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he also holds a faculty appointment as a professor of Marketing. His previous leadership roles have included associate dean, chair of the department of Marketing and director of Sacred Heart University’s former Luxembourg branch campus. While serving in leadership roles