Local News

Mayor Duane Parry is proud to announce the award from the Indiana Department of Transportation grant match for street paving. Michigan City received the full amount requested, just under $700,000.00. Below are the streets that will be paved in 2023 using the grant match. Cherry Street from Hendricks St to S Woodland Ave (there are no homes with Cherry St addresses) Cloud Street 200 – 400 blocks               Dewey Street 100 – 700 blocks Douglas Ave: 200 – 400 blocks   Fir Street 100 – 600 blocks Francis Street 100 - 200 blocks  

NIPSCO is encouraging income-eligible customers struggling to pay their gas utility bill to apply for additional energy assistance programs available beginning Dec. 1 through May 31. Programs such as NIPSCO Hardship, SERV (Supply Energy Resources to Veterans) and SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resource) offer a one-time benefit of up to $400 per year to those who qualify. SERV is an income-eligible assistance program available for active military and eligible veteran NIPSCO customers who need financial assistance with gas residential utility charges. To participate, customers must be an active member of the United States Armed Forces or

The Town of Chesterton announced it has been awarded another 50/50 Community Crossings state infrastructure grant. This grant is in the amount of $383,772.75, which is the full amount for which it applied, according to the Town of Chesterton. The grant will be used next year for three paving projects: East Porter Ave. between South Calumet Road and Ind. 49: East Porter Avenue between Indiana 49 and 250 East; and four streets in Westchester South, Primrose Circle, Olivia Court, Grace Lane, and Kathryn Court. The Total estimated cost of the three projects: $757,297.06. More information on the grant can be

The City of La Porte stated on Tuesday that the street department has begun the second round for leaf pick-up this week. As they did with the first round, they will work clockwise around the city. The city noted there were several factors that pushed the pickup back this year with “leaves falling late, early snow and heavy winds, to name a few.” See the City of La Porte Facebook page for additional updates on leaf pickup.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez on Tuesday joined the United States Secret Service Chicago Field Office in thanking dozens of Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers for helping bring down a “large-scale” counterfeiting suspect to justice. “The work of these officers was critical to the investigation, and execution of a search warrant,” Martinez stated on social media.  “More than $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency was recovered along with rifles, handguns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.” Almost 30 Lake County police officers participated, including SWAT operators, SWAT snipers, Drug Task Force Regional Enforcement Team, Uniformed Patrol Division, Aviation Unit and a police

A traffic stop led to several drug charges and the discovery of a wanted felon in South Bend, according to Indiana State Police. On Monday, troopers with the Indiana State Police Bremen Post All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) and officers with the South Bend Police Department Strategic Focus Unit (SFU) arrested a South Bend man and woman on numerous drug and gun charges. At around 1:30 p.m., a trooper stopped a Chevrolet for a moving violation as it traveled east on East Ireland Road near Irish Hills Drive.  During the traffic stop it was discovered that the passenger in the

Franciscan Health’s partnership with the Lake County Courts to provide volunteer advocates for elderly and incapacitated adults who are unable to represent themselves now has four new members. Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in a class of four Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in a ceremony Nov. 30. Jack E. Dusek, Jr. of Munster, Renee Gougis of Calumet City, Cynthia Moore of Gary and Rhonda Smith of Hammond were sworn in during the ceremony at Lake Superior Court. “The program is so vital to the community,” Ballou said. “You’re a voice for those who

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department says a limited number of balcony tickets remain for the 28th annual Holiday at the Pops, presented by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. The event is taking place Saturday at 7 p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for ages 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lcso.net.

La Porte County Family YMCA members will have FOB access to the Long Beach Branch starting Jan. 1. All members 18 and older will have access to the cardio and strength training area from 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Special membership key FOB access is required for entry, which can be purchased for $50. Contact member services for more details, or to enroll.

The victim of a fatal crash that occurred Friday on U.S. 6 in Porter County has been identified as 61-year-old David Klemp, according to the Town of Chesterton. A 69-year-old man from Liberty Township was traveling west on U.S. 6 when, according to Porter County police he had a "sneezing fit, causing him to sneeze three times," according to Porter County police. The Liberty Township man reportedly advised investigators that he “did not realize” that a second vehicle westbound on U.S. 6—waiting to turn left into the Arbor View Animal Hospital, 244 U.S. 6—was stopped in traffic, Porter County police

Monday morning the Michigan City Police Department had the opportunity to shop with the Share Foundation, Social & Learning Institute, and Michigan City High School in the "Shop With Our Cops" event. WIMS Radio supported the event along with several others. See additional photos from the event on the WIMS Facebook page.

The Downtown La Porte Ice Rink, located at Monroe and State streets, opens Friday, Dec. 9. Skate rentals will be available in both figure and hockey style. Reserve your skate times on-line at www.laporteparkandrec.com, or use the QR code on the flyer. Also see the flyer for opening weekend times and costs. See more on the City of La Porte Park and Recreation Facebook page.  

Chesterton High School is hosting a food drive in support of the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is especially in need of canned fruits, egg noodles, laundry detergent, dish soap, boxed meals, and cereal. Donations can be made through Wednesday, Dec. 7. Those donating are asked to leave their contribution in a drop box located in the foyer of Entrance 1 at CHS.

Statistics from the Chesterton Police Department's 13-day, 20-hour blitz of unbelted drivers on State Road 49 were released by the Town of Chesterton. The blitz took place from Nov. 18-30, with a saturation operation along State Road 49 between I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road. Over those 20 hours, officers stopped 56 vehicles; issued 23 citations and 39 warnings; and made one criminal arrest, on a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. Other statistics from the blitz: Citations: *Seatbelt violations: 16. No warnings were issued. *Driving while suspended-infraction: 1. *Criminal misdemeanor (not traffic): 1. *Unspecific traffic violation: 1. *Speeding 11-15

The City of Valparaiso has extended leaf pickup to make an additional pass throughout the city, weather permitting. Over the past 5 weeks, Valparaiso City Services (VCS) has collected over 11,000 yards of leaves, which is close to the yearly average, according to the city. Due to the warmer temperatures, VCS will be making an additional pass throughout the whole city for leaf collection, weather permitting. This will give residents an additional chance to place any additional loose leaves for leaf vac collection. After this final pass, leaves will need to be placed in biodegradable bags for collection. VCS will

Detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post on Thursday initiated an investigation at the request of the Westville Correctional Facility into the death of an inmate. The inmate has been identified as 53-year-old Matthew Chester. Investigators are being assisted by the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office. As of Friday, an autopsy had been conducted and the results as well as toxicology were pending. Indiana State Police said Friday that this is an active investigation.

One person died after a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 6 in Porter County County Friday, according to the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department. Traffic was shut down on U.S. 6 between State Road 149 and County Road 200 West in Liberty Township for several hours. Just after 5 p.m., Porter County 911 began receiving phone calls of a serious crash in front of Arbor View Animal Hospital involving at least three vehicles. As Liberty Township Firefighters were responding to the crash, a Portage ambulance was enroute back to the city from the hospital when the call came out and were

As of 12:50 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 2, the westbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road remained closed at the 6.5 mile marker, following a freak accident early this morning, in which a semi-tractor trailer jumped the center median wall while crossing a bridge over the Little Calumet River, the Indiana State Police is reporting. The tractor itself plunged into the Little Calumet River below, while the trailer—empty at the time—became perfectly wedged in the space between the west- and eastbound bridges, the ISP said. According to the ISP, the accident occurred at 2 a.m. approximately two miles east of

LaPorte County Parks announced safety mulch is going in at the new playground at Red Mill County Park. The department says if everything works out the playground should be done by next week. This replaces a playground that was installed in 2002.

Indiana's official snowmobiling season began Thursday and lasts through March 31. The DNR’s four public trails range from “flat and fast to more technical and wooded.” The DNR says that with enough snowfall, the snowmobile trail managers will sign and publicize that their trails are open for riding. Trail passes are not required, but snowmobiles must be registered to ride w/the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Check Indiana’s snowmobile trail status, laws and regulations, safety information and more at on.IN.gov/snowmobiling.