Local News

MICHIGAN CITY-- Two arrests were made after a residential search warrant was executed in Michigan City.  The LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department Detective Bureau, and Michigan City SWAT made the arrests as the result of a residential search warrant that was executed. Taken into custody was 37-year-old Santana Miller, and 38-year-old Reginald Fly. Following an investigation, a search warrant was obtained at a residence on the 500 block of Thurman Avenue, which is the home of Reginald Fly. As a result of this search warrant, a substantial amount of suspected marijuana, illegal firearms, and U.S.

A team representing the A.K. Smith Career Center won the State Championship in Television (Video) Production this past Saturday, April 9 at the SkillsUSA competition in Indianapolis. The contest required teams of two students to produce a 60-second video based on the theme "United As One,” showing how individuals can unite during difficult times. Videos were judged based on industry standards, including the quality of video and audio, and the conveyance of the theme to the viewer. Four A. K. Smith students, who are all students at LaPorte High School, took top honors in the competition. Jake Ellis and Grant

A Hobart man was charged with operating while intoxicated after rear-ending a vehicle that was stopped for a Duneland school bus that was picking up a child Thursday in Burns Harbor, according to the Town of Chesterton Facebook page.  The incident happened at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Salt Creek Road, according to the post.  Police told the Town of Chesterton, “at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, April 13, the school bus was stopped in the right lane of U.S. 20—with its stop-arm extended to pick up a child—when a pickup truck duly stopped behind it in the left lane.

The City of Valparaiso is reminding motorists and pedestrians that work continues on Silhavy Road. The city says for safety, the pathway and sidewalk are currently closed and motor traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction. Weather permitting, the project is scheduled to be substantially complete at the end of May, adding a turning lane, enhanced stormwater management and a smooth, lasting roadway. Silhavy Road will be closed beginning April 18 so that Canadian National can reconstruct the railroad crossing. The city says to expect detours for approximately 5 days and look forward to a smooth crossing soon.

The corner of State Street and California Street was closed Thursday in La Porte after high winds caused bricks to fall off the structure of the old Family Video. Mayor Tom Dermody said nobody was injured. See a video update from Mayor Dermody and Code Enforcement Director Jeff Batchelor, about the situation on his Facebook page. 

A work zone crash occurred Thursday morning on U.S. 30 near County Road 750 East in Starke County, according to INDOT. The crash involved construction vehicles being hit while a contracted crew was collecting soil borings. All westbound lanes of US 30 were closed for at least 2 and a half hours and traffic was diverted to State Road 23.  WIMS will continue to follow this story for further updates.

More than 75 companies, business professionals, and retirees came together on Thursday to meet and mentor students at the A. K. Smith Career Center’s 2022 Future Careers Expo. Many of the volunteers conducted mock interviews with students at the daylong event, which has become an annual tradition for the LaPorte County Career and Technical Education program. Companies, armed forces representatives, and higher-education institutions also set up exhibit tables to speak with CTE students about employment, apprenticeships, and education opportunities. Many of the students dressed professionally for the occasion, and all presented resumes to the volunteer interviewers. A team-building activity rounded

The City of La Porte’s spring clean up is slated for the end of the month, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29, city residents will be able to discard their large and heavy trash on their regular pick-up day. Dermody said this service plays a significant role in improving the community. The following guidelines apply: -All trash must be securely tied in bags; -All mattresses must be fully wrapped in plastic or otherwise sealed/covered; and -Waste generated from construction, renovation, repair and/or demolition of residences will not be collected as part of

BBB serving Northern Indiana has issued a warning for consumers about Indiana Michigan Power imposter calls. The BBB says that scams like this have been reported across the U.S. targeting various utility customers and companies. BBB serving Northern Indiana has received multiple reports of imposter scams posing as Indiana Michigan Power. Scam artists are reportedly calling I&M customers and claiming the utility user is behind on their bill. The caller states that if the customer doesn't pay their past-due bill immediately, their services will be disconnected. The victim is often instructed to call a different number to arrange payment. The

The DNR gave an update Wednesday on progress of the Indiana Conservation Officers K-9 Academy currently taking place. The academy is halfway through as K-9 handlers from Zambia, Africa, Washington State, Kansas, Indiana and Virginia are honing their skills. The DNR says that in addition to man-tracking and article search, the K-9s are learning to sniff out wildlife and ginseng and other natural resources that are frequently poached or exploited in their respective states and countries. Additional photos were posted to the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Facebook page.

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) approved and provided updates Wednesday on initiatives working to grow Indiana’s pipeline of special education teachers statewide.  The SBOE’s says its final approval creates a new alternative route license in special education. In alignment with federal requirements, the new license will allow special education teachers previously working on an emergency permit to continue serving in Indiana classrooms while completing a professional educator license in special education or an addition to their existing license. The alternative route license in special education, which will be valid for three years, requires an educator to hold a

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that Hoosiers should expect to begin receiving their promised $125 Automatic Taxpayer Refund in the coming weeks, resulting in a 12 percent cut in the average Hoosier’s annual income tax liability. “I’m beyond thrilled that this spring and summer we are returning money back into the hands of Hoosier taxpayers, where it belongs,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our conservative fiscal leadership and pro-growth policies makes this tax refund possible for all Hoosier households.” The Governor first announced in December that an estimated 4.3 million taxpayers will receive a $125 refund after they file their 2021

On Tuesday, Edgewood Elementary School in Michigan City received a donation of nearly $50,000 in school supplies from Enchanted Backpack. The delivery was greeted by Edgewood students, teachers, and staff in a celebration just outside the school doors. Included were classroom supplies, winter coats, hygiene products, books, playground equipment, and more.  Principal Kristin Smith of Edgewood Elementary said this donation helps all 369 Edgewood students accomplish much more socially, emotionally, and academically. Smith thanked Enchanted Backpack, saying "this generous gift provides all students with the supplies needed for a successful school year." These supplies will be distributed to students in

The City of Valparaiso has become Indiana’s first Monarch City, USA, recognized by the nonprofit organization Monarch City, USA, for the city’s work to support the monarch population by providing habitats and awareness. Monarch butterflies are threatened worldwide as their habitats of milkweed and other nectar plans are vanishing. More than a billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The City of Valparaiso prepared a proclamation to raise awareness of the monarch butterfly’s plight, encouraging others to plant native milkweed and other nectar plants to welcome them to Valparaiso, provide

The following is a new update from NICTD (the South Shore Line) on the NWI Double Track project construction: “INFORMATION UPDATED 4/11/2022 GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. New sewer work has begun in the west parking lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular access from Melton Road (US 20) will be closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Highway will remain open. Construction activities may be taking place on the shoulder of Dunes Hwy.NIPSCO will have periodic lane closures

Michigan City Area Schools has announced a new partnership with Diversity Squared, aimed at connecting graduating high school seniors to employment and other post-secondary opportunities in the region. The “City Connect” program will supplement existing school counseling efforts, serving approximately 50 Michigan City High School seniors who have not established firm post-graduation plans. Diversity Squared, a consulting firm with strong workforce preparation and placement experience, will assist these students through one-on-one and small-group sessions, helping them determine next steps aligned with their areas of interest. City Connect activities include: Workshops focused on soft skills, work ethic, and related skills to ensure students’ readiness for the workplace, military, or

The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City announced Monday that the African Lions and the Bengal Tigers will soon have more room at the WPZoo. The zoo says it will soon start work on a  $1.6 million dollar habitat expansion project to “Build for the Big Cats”.   The construction start date has yet to be announced. The zoo says some pathways will close while the work takes place.  The Washington Park Zoo says if you’re interested in supporting the project, or any of the many other planned improvements, including the renovations to make the free flight parakeet aviary into an

The Town of Chesterton announced on its Facebook page that the town's park board selected Tyler McLead as their new park superintendent. At its meeting last Wednesday, the Park Board voted unanimously to make McLead the new Park Superintendent. The position has been vacant since the resignation of Shane Griffin in January. Current Park Board Member and retired superintendent Bruce Mathias has been serving under contract as Interim Superintendent. McLead’s first day on the job: Monday, May 2. McLead has 12 years of experience in municipal recreation, most recently as Superintendent, St. John Parks & Recreation; and prior to that