Local News

Governor Eric Holcomb Monday announced $189 million for 154 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state in the third round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program. Holcomb said, “This record-setting investment in broadband is another game-changer for Hoosiers who now, more than ever, need affordable, reliable internet. With this third round, we take giant steps in leveling the playing field for our residents regardless of where they choose to live, work or go to school.” The Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single state investment in broadband. Projects will have been completed in 83 of Indiana’s

A $1.5 million project aimed at improving Portage’s sanitary sewer system officially kicked off Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony on Central Avenue and Swanson Road. The City of Portage says the purpose of the project is to reduce excess flow into the wastewater system due to inflow and infiltration and to reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflow events adjacent to wetland areas. The project will run from Stone Avenue in the south to Central Avenue in the north. According to the City of Portage, the cost of the project is $1,532,076, for which the city received $1,437,500 in federal

The City of Valparaiso announced Monday evening that there was a 12-inch water main break at SR 2 and Horse Prairie Avenue. All customers located in the southern zone are affected. The zone includes customers along Evans Avenue and south, including all of US Hwy. 30 and south. Customers are experiencing low pressure or no service. A precautionary boil advisory is in effect for all customers in this affected area. The boil advisory will be in effect for approximately 48 hours (through around Wednesday evening) to conduct necessary testing.  For more information about boil advisories, visit https://www.valparaisoutilities.org/Faq.aspx?QID=141  

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the disappearance of Messiah Morales, a 5 month old black male, 24 inches tall, weighing 30 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Messiah was last seen in the company of his mother, Alexis Morales. Alexis is a 27 year old black female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, black hair with brown eyes. Alexis and Messiah were last seen in a Silver 2006 BMW X5 SUV with Indiana license plate MULALUV. Messiah is missing from South Bend, and was last seen on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 6:00 pm.  If

City of La Porte residents are invited to share their feedback this week regarding parking in Downtown La Porte, according to Community Development & Planning Director Craig Phillips. The City of La Porte is currently working with Walker Parking to conduct a downtown parking study. To assist in this effort, a public input session has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, at La Porte City Hall. Phillips said his team is interested in hearing residents' thoughts on how parking in this area could be improved. Representatives from city staff and Walker parking will be available Thursday evening to listen

South Shore Line passengers are advised that the Transportation Security Administration mask order is extended until May 3. The order mandates the use of masks or face coverings for all SSL passengers and employees, regardless of vaccination status. In addition to the TSA security directive, the South Shore Line says its employees will continue to follow the Federal Railroad Administration’s “Emergency Order Requiring Face Mask Use in Railroad Operations,” effective until further notice. The directives require the use of masks in all SSL stations and trains throughout Indiana and Illinois. The SSL says employees will continue to strictly enforce the

The Michigan City Police Department Friday congratulated Lieutenant Jeff Piotrowski on his retirement from MCPD.  Lt. Piotrowski was hired on March 11th, 1991, and served the citizens of Michigan City for 31 years. During his 31 years of service Piotrowski was awarded 5 Exceptional Service Stars, Life Saving Award, Chief’s Award for Leadership Excellence, 30-Year Award, 7 Letters of Commendation, Chicago Police Department Joint Operations Award, and was name Michigan City Police Officer of the Year in 2014 and 2020.  Over the course of his career Piotrowski served the department as a Field Training Officer, SWAT team member, SWAT team

PORTER -- Indiana Dunes National Park is celebrating National Park Week now through Sunday April 24. The public can participate in a variety of activities during this celebration. A park-wide clean-up for Earth Day is taking place on April 22 from 9 a.m. – noon. Meet at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.   The Friends of Indiana Dunes Native Plant Sale will be on April 23. To learn more, go to: dunefriends.org  Also on April 23, a ranger-led Woodland Wildflower Walk will take place at Herron Rookery, from 1 p.m. to  3 p.m. For more information about activities at Indiana Dunes, visit

MICHIGAN CITY–The Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City is closing its bird areas as a precaution against avian flu.  Zoo officials said Friday afternoon, they learned that positive cases of HPAI – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza are getting closer to our region.  The zoo said on its Facebook page, “The proximity of the disease has triggered our zoo to implement its HPAI action plan in order to protect the health of animals and humans. Our Zoo Staff has been closely following reports from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspections and it has been moving across the United States." HPAI

VALPARAISO -- Valparaiso City Services has extended the spring leaf vacuum pickup for an additional week due to inclimate weather. The city will continue to collect the loose leaf piles until Friday, April 22. Any leaf piles after this date will need to be bagged and will be picked up by a separate truck. Contact the Valparaiso City Services Customer Service Center at 219-462-6174 for further questions or details.

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.