Local News

Franciscan Health says it will expand its effort to address food insecurity during the coming year, thanks to a matching gift challenge, which raised $100,000 for the Franciscan Health Foundation. Franciscan Health launched its drive to combat food insecurity plaguing Northwest Indiana, collaborating last year with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and the School City of Hammond to provide healthy food boxes for vulnerable families. To increase outreach, Mobile Food Markets serve an average of 100 families each month in the Franciscan Health Hammond hospital parking lot. In Michigan City, a partnership with the Salvation Army created a Food

The Indiana Department of Health Wednesday updated its weekly COVID county advisory levels.  Currently in our area, LaPorte, Porter, St. Joseph and Starke counties are at a score of 2.5 orange level. Newton is also in an orange level with a score of 2.5. Lake and Jasper counties have a score of 1.5 in the yellow level.  Positivity rates are down in all of the local counties mentioned.  See more on the Indiana Department of Health COVID dashboard webpage. 

Multiple winter storm warnings, lake shore flood advisories, and a flood watch are in effect in the area. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Counties of La Porte, St. Joseph IN, Elkhart, Lagrange, Starke, Marshall, Berrien, Cass MI, St. Joseph MI:    “...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EST /7 AM CST/ THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT EST /11 PM CST/ THURSDAY NIGHT...   * WHAT...Mixed precipitation into mid morning followed by heavy   snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches and   ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch. Winds   gusting as

A winter storm watch is in effect from Thursday morning through Thursday evening for the counties of La Port, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Berrien, Cass (Michigan) and St. Joseph (Michigan). Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches and ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch. The National Weather Service says to plan on slippery road conditions Thursday afternoon and evening. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. A winter storm watch is also in effect for the counties Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper and portions of northeast Illinois mainly along and south of I-88

Horizon Bank announced a grant has been awarded to Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) in Michigan City. The grant awarded was for $30,000 to be paid over a three year period. A check in the amount of $10,000 was presented on February 2 by Noe Najera, Senior Vice President of Retail Lending to Samantha Bean, LCA Marketing Manager; Nelsy Marcano, Education Director; and Janet Bloch, LCA Executive Director . NIPSCO says the grant money will be used to fund LCA Community Engagement and Education Programs with strategic initiatives that focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and integrating those

NIPSCO is accepting applications for its Environmental Action Grant to support local nonprofit organizations with environmental initiatives, the company has announced. In its seventh year, NIPSCO’s grant provides $60,000 in funding for environmental restoration and education projects throughout the NIPSCO service territory. Last year’s 18 grant recipients included environmental groups, community groups, schools and other nonprofit organizations. Projects included wetland restoration, the Smithsonian water/ways education exhibit, forest school programming support, pollinator protection initiatives, outdoor and environmental education and several projects at the Indiana Dunes, Indiana’s National Park. Grants are available in the amount of $500 to $5,000 for organizations seeking

A La Porte man was arrested for OWI early Sunday after receiving help from his father, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office says. At 2:12 AM, deputies responded to CR 600 West, south of US 20 for a possible crash. A two-vehicle crash scene was located by Sergeant Jeff Wright. Only one of the involved driver’s was present, the other driver had left the general vicinity. A description of the subject who fled was provided to Deputy Marvin McCoy. Sergeant Wright learned from the driver that he had received a call from his son telling him the vehicle his son

Update: In an update to a story WIMS has been following, 79 year-old Peter Metcalf was found safe, according to the St. Joseph County Police Department. Original story: A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a missing St. Joseph County man. The St. Joseph County Police Department is investigating the disappearance of 79 year old Peter Metcalf. Metcalf is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 157 pounds,  gray hair with blue eyes, last seen wearing a black Air Force hat, navy blue coat, shirt, blue jeans, and driving a red 2016 Ford Edge with Indiana

The following is a statement from the Michigan City Police Department regarding a second arrest being made from the homicide that occurred on Christmas Eve: "An update on the homicide that occurred on December 24, 2021. On Christmas Eve at approximately 3:39 pm, Officers with the Michigan City Police Department began to hear gunfire in the area of 10th and Wabash St. The LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center advised the officers that they were receiving reports of a gunshot victim in the area of West 11th Street and Wabash Street. Michigan City Police Officers, Indiana State Police Officers, Michigan City

The Indiana State Police - Lowell Post announced that troopers working the midnight shift made 526 arrests for impaired driving in 2021.  Trooper Israel Rosillo led the way with 111 arrests, followed by Trooper Jordin Bilthuis with 94 and Trooper Kevin Council with 83.  These statistics include arrests for alcohol offenses, as well as drug offenses to include operating under the influence of marijuana and other illegal drugs.  Several of these arrests also involved vehicle crashes that involved injuries to either the arrestee or an innocent person.  The Indiana State police say that while they are proud of the efforts

Furniture, housewares and office supplies will be among the items people can take home from a garage sale at Franciscan Health Hammond from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19. There will be no charge for items, which had previously been used at the hospital campus, but a goodwill donation is requested. Donations will go toward the Franciscan Alliance Employee Assistance Fund. To access the sale, use the hospital’s main entrance at 5454 Hohman Ave. Items that may be available at the sale include: • various housewares and house décor items • tables: round, square, rectangular of various

Students at A.K. Smith Career Center who are enrolled in the Education Professions program are getting back into the classroom, but this time in a whole new way. Thanks to a partnership between La Porte County Career and Technical Education and Michigan City Area Schools, these juniors and seniors are now spending several hours each month in an elementary school classroom to get some real-world experience. “Students don’t truly know what it’s like to be a teacher until they are in the classroom,” said Cathy Lindgren, Education Professions teacher. “This gives them a deeper understanding of lesson planning, the method

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration is celebrating National 211 Day today – February 11! IN211 is a free service that connects Hoosiers with help and answers from thousands of health and human service agencies and resources right in their local communities - quickly, easily and confidentially. IN211’s team is comprised of experienced, responsive and compassionate community navigators who are skilled at actively listening and identifying needs and providing referrals that best meet those needs. Since Indiana 211 became part of FSSA in July of 2020, we have helped hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers. In the past 18 months,