Local News

Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department says they have become aware that scammers are attempting to trick local residents into giving up thousands of dollars. Martinez says the department has received several calls from people who say someone identifying themselves as a Lake County Sheriff’s Department employee called them demanding money.  The scammers are able to make the caller ID show a real sheriff’s department phone number to make the call seem legitimate. Martinez also says the fraudster typically states that there’s an active warrant for the person on the phone and that a payment must

Press Release, NiSource: NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) subsidiaries Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. and Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. were named among the most trusted utility brands by Escalent, following its 2024 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement: Residential study. The ranking recognized only 33 brands nationwide, with the NiSource companies securing three of the positions. This year, Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. and Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. (referred to in the study as Columbia Gas South), Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. and NIPSCO all

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is thanking Kankakee Valley REMC for supporting the agency’s Umanned Aerial Systems (Drone) Program. Certified drone operators were recently notified their grant application had been approved and were awarded $2,500.00. The grant money will be utilized to send the drone operators to an advanced training course later this year. The LCSO utilizes drones to assist with incidents such as missing persons searches, major crash investigations, and crime scene photography.    

LAPORTE and STARKE COUNTIES, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 15. U.S. 421 will be closed between State Road 8 and State Road 10 west for approximately three days. The detour will follow State Road 14, U.S. 35 and State Road 8 Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local access will be maintained so traffic should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent,

Police have identified the victim of a fatal crash that occurred in Berrien County, Michigan as 29-year-old Austin Jay Jones of La Porte, IN. On July 4 just after midnight, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Deans Hill Road near Hochberger Road in Berrien Township for a single vehicle unknown injury motor vehicle crash. Deputies arrived on scene and found that a vehicle was traveling northeast on Deans Hill Road. The vehicle failed to negotiate the curved roadway and ran off the roadway to the right. The vehicle collided with a guardrail, went down into a

Donations can be dropped off at the two hospitals through July 22 The Mission Committee of Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Munster hospitals is hosting a school supply and cereal drive aimed at assisting local Catholic school students in need. Items such as boxes of dry cereal (for breakfasts before school), backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, erasers, highlighters, folders, binders, index cards, headphones, filler paper, printer paper, pencil cases, rulers, dry erase markers and other school supplies are being accepted. Donations will benefit students attending St. John Bosco School in Hammond, St. Casimir

The Valparaiso Police Department, in conjunction with the Valparaiso Community Schools, are informing the public of police training that is taking place at Memorial Elementary School (1052 Park Avenue) July 18, and 19. Training also took place on July 8 and 9. The safety drills are being conducted on each of these days from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be an increase of police vehicles in the area, and police related activities occurring within the school. Police say to not be alarmed, as emergency services are aware of the drill taking place.

News Release, South Shore Line: South Shore Line passengers are advised that delays are possible as a result of a Metra/South Shore Line joint construction project on Metra tracks in Chicago beginning July 13 through July 21, 2024. Riders should prepare for delays and allow for extra travel time. For the latest details on specific delays during this period, passengers should regularly check the Service Updates section at mysouthshoreline.com. The joint project will add a fourth track and platform between Millennium Station and Museum Campus/11th St. in Chicago to accommodate the expansion of SSL’s train service into downtown. It will

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that U.S. 231 will be closed between County Road West 700 South and County Road West 750 South on or after Monday, July 15 through early September for a bridge deck overlay over Watson Ditch. The official detour will follow State Road 114 and I-65. Follow WIMS on Facebook and check back at WIMSradio.com for the latest roadwork updates.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 2 between Boone Grove Road and Division Road on or after Monday, July 15. State Road 2 will be closed through early September for a small structure replacement. Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 8, State Road 49 and U.S. 30.

An 18-year-old Porter resident died in a crash on the 4th of July, the Portage Department announced on Monday. On Thursday July 4 at about 1:15 p.m. Officers of the Portage Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of State Road 149 and County Road 1000 North in reference to a roll-over motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located a Toyota Rav 4 in the ditch on the west side of the road north of this intersection. The juvenile driver of the vehicle was transported from the scene with minor injuries, and he was released from the hospital a short

A Westville man died in a crash Monday morning in La Porte County. At 5:24 a.m., deputies responded to State Road 2 and County Road 500 West, for a single vehicle crash. The initial on-scene investigation determined that a 2015 Kia was traveling westbound on State Road 2. The vehicle left the northside of the roadway and began traveling in a northwest direction. The vehicle crashed into a tree located on the northwest corner of the intersection of State Road 2 and County Road 500 West. The driver was identified as 62-year-old George M. Dobos of Westville, was found inside

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the winners of their Annual Community Awards. This event is taking place from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Spa Special Events Center. Everyone is welcome to join us in celebrating the remarkable contributions of organizations, businesses, and individuals within our community. Award Categories and Honorees are as follows: Putting Duneland on the Map Award: Joseph S. Pete Business Renovation Award: Wise Guys Liquors; Ruff Luxury Inn at the Dunes New Construction Award: Duneland School Corporation Humanitarian of the Year: Jim Trout; Ben & Sonya Welton Volunteer of the Year:

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) subsidiaries Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc., Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. and Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. were named among the most trusted utility brands by Escalent, following its 2024 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement: Residential study. The ranking recognized only 33 brands nationwide, with the NiSource companies securing three of the positions. This year, Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Inc. and Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc. (referred to in the study as Columbia Gas South), Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. and NIPSCO all scored above 700,

The fun continues with day 3 of the LaPorte County Fair! See below for a detailed schedule of events set to take place later today, Monday, July 8th. (times may be subject to change) Monday, July 8, 2024 Gates Open at 10am Senior Day 9:00am: 4-H Horse and Pony Judging begins (Horse and Pony Arena) 10:00am: 4-H Chicken Flying Contest 10:00am: Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Entrance of Pioneerland) 10:00am -7:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail 10:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open 11:00am: Live Shark Encounter 12:00: Pioneerland Opens 12:00: Story Time with the Queen 1:00pm: Bear Hollow

This morning at 5:24 AM, deputies responded to State Road 2 and CR 500 West, reference a single vehicle crash. The initial on-scene investigation completed by Deputy Sawyer Laffoon and assisting deputies determined the following had occurred. A white 2015 Kia was traveling westbound on SR 2. The vehicle left the north side of the roadway and began traveling in a northwest direction. The vehicle crashed into a tree located on the northwest corner of the intersection of SR 2 and CR 500 West. The driver (lone occupant), George M. DOBOS (62 YOA) of Westville, was found inside the vehicle

 The Sinai Forum at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced the lineup of notable speakers to be featured in its 2024 season. The series will feature renowned personalities who will engage in topics from politics and constitutional law to conservation, comedy and mental health. Liz Cheney, who formerly served as the U.S. representative for Wyoming’s at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023, opens the season on Sept. 15. Her program will take place at Stardust Event Center, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa, Michigan City, Indiana. Cheney served as Vice Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on

Franciscan Health Crown Point is now offering patients with aortic valve stenosis a minimally invasive valve replacement procedure that speeds recovery time. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive treatment for aortic valve stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve which blocks the flow of blood to the body, requiring the heart to work harder. Deanna Frank, 74, of Crown Point was the first patient to undergo the TAVR procedure at Franciscan Health Crown Point earlier this year. Frank said she started having trouble breathing nearly four years ago. “I couldn’t breathe or walk more than 50 feet

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 421 will be closed between U.S. 30 and State Road 8 for approximately three days. The detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 39 and State Road 8. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local access will be maintained so traffic should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is subject to change. 

The fun continues with day 2 of the LaPorte County Fair! See below for a detailed schedule of events set to take place later today, Sunday, July 7th. (times may be subject to change) Sunday, July 7, 2024 Gates Open at 10am 8:30am: 4-H Goat Judging begins (Livestock Arena) 10:00am: Rabbit Showmanship (Rabbit Barn) 10:00am-6:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail and Tractor Trail 11:00am: Old Time Church Service (School House) 12:00pm: Pioneerland Opens 12:00pm: Oakley The Tree Man 12:30pm: Live Shark Encounter 2:00pm: Royal Bengal Tigers Show (Grandstand) 3:00pm: Live Shark Encounter 4:00pm: 4-H County Bred Steer and Dairy Feeder Steer