Local News

Dozens of students from La Porte County were able to get a close-up look at some cutting-edge technology in manufacturing recently, thanks to a donation from the Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City (EDCMC). Around 60 students from the La Porte County Career and Technical Education program attended the International Manufacturing Technology Show at McCormick Place in Chicago on Sept. 15. EDCMC sponsored the trip by contributing $1,500 toward the cost of a charter bus. “The Economic Development Corporation of Michigan City is proud to partner with Michigan City Area Schools to provide students with an opportunity to gain real-world

The Porter County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the victim in Wednesday’s fatal crash that occurred in Washington Township on State Road 2, the Town of Chesterton reported on its Facebook page. The victim was identified as 57-year-old Tony Passafume, of La Porte. The Town of Chesterton reported that Passafume was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to a statement released Thursday.   Original: Porter County Sheriff’s Police investigating fatal accident in Washington Township Porter County Sheriff’s Police were investigating a fatal accident on Ind. 2 in Washington Township, Wednesday, according to the Town of Chesterton. According to

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced several I-65 ramp closures for concrete restoration projects. Construction is scheduled to begin on or after Sept. 23, with work expected to wrap up by mid-October. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. The closures include: Eastbound and westbound U.S. 30 ramps to northbound I-65 Eastbound and westbound 61st Street to northbound I-65 Northbound I-65 offramp to Ridge Road Drivers needing to access I-65 or Ridge Road will need to seek another route. INDOT encourages motorists to consider worker safety by slowing down, using extra caution and driving distraction-free when traveling

Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic as part of a combined effort with other regional healthcare systems to increase education and vaccination rates in underserved communities. The clinic will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St. Pfizer first and second vaccines and boosters will be available for ages 5 to 11. Anyone 12 or older may receive their first, second or Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine. The vaccines will be administered by Saint Joseph Health System. Anyone receiving their booster or second shot from

Kiwanis Club of La Porte is having a Community Pop-Up Picnic at Koomler Park on Saturday. The club will be serving free hot dogs, chips, cookies and bottled water from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The City Police and Fire departments will also be there to interact with residents and the Fire Department will bring an engine for kids to explore.

The Town of Chesterton says INDOT advised the Chesterton Fire Department that the ramp from northbound Ind. 49 to eastbound U.S. Highway 20 will close at 6 a.m. Thursday and remain closed for most of the day. “No emergency vehicles will be able to get through,” according to the General Alert sent to the CFD. At Ind. 49 only the left lane of eastbound U.S. 20 will be open to traffic. “Right lane will be closed too before Tremont,” the alert warned. The ramp from northbound Ind. 49 to eastbound U.S. 20 is located just north of the Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is seeking input for planning studies along the U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 corridors in northern Indiana. Members of the public may submit comments via project websites for ProPEL U.S. 30 and ProPEL U.S. 31 that launched last month. The two-year studies will follow the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process used by transportation agencies, such as INDOT, to assess innovative ways to address corridor challenges and needs. PEL studies allow INDOT to interact with communities as they share ideas and feedback related to long-term solutions on U.S. 30 and U.S. 31. INDOT says

Porter County Sheriff’s Police were investigating a fatal accident on Ind. 2 in Washington Township, Wednesday, according to the Town of Chesterton. According to police, shortly before 1:45 p.m. a male driver and his female passenger were traveling southwest on Ind. 2, in the area of C.R. 400E, when he left the roadway while passing a vehicle, lost control, and struck a guardrail. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene while his passenger was transported to Northwest Health-Porter with neck and back injuries, police told the Town of Chesterton. WIMS will continue to follow this story for developments.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is celebrating 30 years of impacting our community by hosting La Porte County Gives, a 30-hour fundraising event between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, at laportecountygives.net. In addition to the 30-hour online giving period, donors may contribute in person at the Unity Foundation office until noon on Sept. 29. Donations during these time periods will be matched in proportion to dollars raised, and participants will share an additional $31,000 in special prizes. La Porte County Gives benefits 56 local, charitable causes with endowed funds at Unity. Unity’s 25th Anniversary La Porte County Gives fundraising

A Crown Point man was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash after driving past a school bus and crashing into a NIPSCO wire before driving away, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Police announced the arrest of 56-year-old Chukudi Chinwaha of Crown Point following an investigation of the incident that occurred on Aug. 26. That morning, deputies responded to the 9000 west block of U.S. 30 for a crash involving a commercial motor vehicle. The initial crash investigation revealed a South Central Community School Corporation Bus was slowing and preparing to turn right in a north

The City of La Porte announced an ordinance was passed at Monday’s Common Council meeting that makes golf carts street legal in the  city under specific provisions, which are: - Carts must have brake lights, tail lights, turn signals, etc. - Carts must be insured. - Drivers must be 16 and a half years of age. - Drivers must abide by all state and local traffic laws. - Carts cannot be driven on state highways, including Lincolnway, Indiana Ave, Pine Lake Ave and Monroe St. - Carts are not to be driven or parked on public sidewalks or trails. The

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced the Cline Avenue on-ramps to eastbound I-80/94 are scheduled to close Wednesday. The ramps will be closed for around two weeks, work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change. The Indiana Department of Transportation says crews won't close the ramps until the Indianapolis Boulevard on-ramps have reopened.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the disappearance of 16-year-old Nehemiah Birdsong-Hester. Birdsong-Hester is described as a black male, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, brown hair with brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and blue pants. Nehemiah is missing from La Porte and was last seen on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. If you have any information on Nehemiah Birdsong-Hester, contact the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department at 219-326-7700 ext. 2398 or 911.  

The City of Michigan City has announced that the Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will mill and resurface the extensions and intersection of County Line Road and Beverly Drive to the north and west of U.S. 12 near Mount Baldy on Friday, Sept. 30, weather permitting. These road sections will be closed to traffic during this work. Proper detour signs will be placed to guide residents and visitors to use alternate routes.

Governor Eric Holcomb on Monday joined fellow governors in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin to establish a hydrogen coalition aimed at expanding economic opportunity in the hydrogen industry.  The leaders of the eight states signed the Midwest Hydrogen Coalition Memorandum of Understanding (M-H2 Coalition MOU). “Strong partnerships and collaborations with our neighbors will foster a robust hydrogen ecosystem that will spur future growth in Indiana,” said Gov. Holcomb.  “The Regional Hydrogen Coalition represents an opportunity for Hoosiers to benefit from this growing industry here in the Midwest,” he added.  According to a news release from Holcomb’s office,

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 until September 14, 2022. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy.  Construction of the new Miller Station

MERRILLVILLE – Generating cleaner electricity from renewable energy projects and upgrading its electric grid to support the transmission and monitoring of that electricity are some of the key factors leading to NIPSCO’s request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) to adjust its base electric rates next year. NIPSCO is a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE:NI). “The investments we’re making provide direct benefits to all our customers, the communities we serve and the local economy,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO president. “Beyond the necessary upgrades, grid modernization and customer-centric enhancements that are critical to ensure the level of service our customers

The Town of LaCrosse will get a water infrastructure upgrade after it received a $3.27 million grant. The Indiana State Revolving Fund (SRF), announced the Town of LaCrosse as the recipient of the grant to complete phase 2 of its Water Infrastructure Improvement Project. The project, when completed, will result in another 51% of the town’s water mains being replaced. New hydrants will accompany the improved mains, which will be upsized, providing greater fire protection benefits as well. The grant will fund about 92% of the project. The remaining 8% will be funded out of surplus funds that were the

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has given a summary of a U.S. 20 traffic enforcement project which occurred last Wednesday. The LCSO partnered with agencies from six states – Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to address speeding along U.S. 20. The one-day project completed by participating agencies from six states spanned more than 1,300 miles. The LCSO was included in the project due to major concerns with speeding motorists along US 20 coupled with the high volume of daily traffic. Deputies worked the project throughout the day with a primary focus occurring during the mid-morning and

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) on Friday congratulated 10 Indiana schools, including three Region schools for being honored as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. Region schools honored were James B. Eads Elementary School in Munster, Central Elementary School of Valparaiso Community Schools and Saint Paul Catholic School, which is part of the Diocese of Gary. IDOE and the Council for American Private Education nominated each awarded public and non-public school, respectively, for consideration in the U.S. Department of Education’s “Exemplary High Performing Schools” category. The IDOE says this category honors the state’s schools