Local News

The Valparaiso Police Department on Friday added a new officer with the swearing-in of Jonathan Hazen.  Mayor Matt Murphy performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall.  Chief Balon, with numerous officers and civilian staff, joined several members of Jonathan’s family, who were in attendance to witness the event.  Jonathan is a 2001 graduate of Valparaiso High School and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 2005, while majoring in Computer Graphics Technology.  Jonathan further served in the United States Army, having attained the rank of Sergeant as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th

The public can see several species of owl such as the Screech, Barn, Barred, Snowy, Great Horned Owls at Humane Indiana’s upcoming Festival of Owls. Humane Indiana’s Wildlife team is gearing up for its 6th Annual Festival of Owls, sponsored by Cleveland Cliffs, Urschel and NIPSCO, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 23. Humane Indiana CEO, Brian Fitzpatrick said the event quickly outgrew the space at the not-for-profit’s Wildlife Center located in Valparaiso. In addition to the live owl species, the event also offers an exploratory science station where kids can dissect owl pellets, use microscopes to look at owl feathers while

The La Porte Park and Recreation department is reminding the public about the dedication celebration of the Kesling Park disc golf course from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. The ribbon cutting will take place at 11:15 at the first hole (just east of the 18th Street parking lot), followed by a skills clinic for anyone interested in learning how to play disc golf. The celebration will also include music, refreshments and giveaways. The park department is thanking the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte for funding the course installation.  For more information on the dedication celebration or disc golf course, contact

Horizon Bank announced the promotion of Tracy Woolsey to Senior Vice President, Senior Corporate Sales and Customer Experience Officer at 515 Franklin Street in Michigan City, Indiana. Woolsey joined Horizon in 1999 and has over 20 years’ experience working with business owners acting on behalf of Horizon as Trustee of their Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs).  As an ESOP Trustee, Woolsey oversaw the company valuations, reviewed their financial statements and negotiated the purchase and sale of hundreds of these businesses stock into and out of the ESOP.  In addition, Woolsey oversaw Employee Benefit plan administration, retirement plan design, implementation, development,

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is supporting area nonprofit and community service agencies with its most recent round of ‘Power for Good’ Community Grants, totaling nearly $200,000 for 74 local projects throughout La Porte County. These grants will help local organizations provide vital access to education, literacy, prevention and supportive services for local residents. The applications were evaluated by a committee of dedicated members from throughout La Porte County.  You can see the lists of 2021 Grant Recipients, their programs/projects receiving funding, donors, organizations who provided funding assistance and corporate sponsors on the Unity Foundation of La Porte County’s

Natural gas market prices will cause potentially higher winter heating bills compared to last year, according to NIPSCO.  NIPSCO says that due to current market price projections for natural gas and assuming normal winter weather, its natural gas customers could expect to see increased costs this winter compared to last year, which it says is a trend across much of the country.  Each year, NIPSCO and other Indiana energy providers provide a forecast for home heating bills during the upcoming cold weather season. Projections take into account market forecasts, supply trends and storage levels, and are based on normal weather

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra welcomed six new Board members who started in August.  Dr. Rima Binder, a resident of Long Beach, is retired from the faculty of Northeastern Illinois University and currently serves as Vice-President of the Friendship Botanic Gardens Board of Directors. Binder is also President of the American Chapter of the Lithuanian University Women’s Association. Dr. Ashley Kirkwood is an Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist with Northwest Health in La Porte. Originally from London Ontario, Canada, Kirkwood graduated from St. George’s University Medical School and has been affiliated with Northwest Health for six years. Cecelia Largura will

The Indiana State Department of health updated their weekly COVID county advisory level map on Wednesday. La Porte, Porter, and Lake counties remain at the yellow level with a score of 1.5. St. Joseph County remains at an orange level with a score of 2. Jasper County moved up from an orange level with a score of 2 to an orange level with a score of 2.5. Starke County has moved up from an orange level with a score of 2.5 to a red level to a score of 3. Newton County moved down from a red level with a

The La Porte County Health Department released the following statement Wednesday regarding an environmental incident at the Meijer Gas Station in Michigan City: “Local Health Departments are required by statue (IC 13- 23 - 16) to inform the public of the discovery of released regulated substances at an underground storage tank site or in the surrounding area under 329 IAC 9- 4 - 1 (1) or a pill or overfill under 329 IAC 9- 4 - 4 (a). The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) was notified on October 11, 2021, of such an incident from the owner or operator

Franciscan Health says their annual diaper drive has already reached unprecedented levels with enough donations to purchase up to half a million diapers, more than ten times the number from the previous year’s drive. Franciscan Health Foundation Executive Director Rick Peltier credits Foundation Board Chair Joe Allegretti’s desire to make a bigger impact in the drive’s fifth year. Allegretti reached out to the Medical Executive Committee at Franciscan Health Dyer/Hammond/Munster to see if they could provide donations to help purchase far more than the 44,198 diapers collected in the 2020 drive. The Medical Executive Committee responded with a $20,000 gift,

In an update to a story WIMS has been following, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest and charges against 26 year-old Mary E. Yoder in connection with the death of her biological son, 4-year-old Judah Morgan. Earlier this week the father of Judah, 28-year-old Alan Morgan was charged with murder, among other charges, in connection to the death of Judah. On Tuesday, the death of Judah was ruled a homicide following an autopsy. Detectives presented probable cause to La Porte County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Julianne Havens and later to La Porte County Circuit Court from the findings

Michigan City trick-or-treat is scheduled for Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry is reminding residents to proceed with trick-or-treat in a safe manner. They Mayor’s Office is asking parents to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe.   The Mayor’s office recommends following all COVID safety protocols including the use of masks and social distancing. They also stated that parents should accompany children while trick-or-treating and should adhere to the guidelines of visiting only homes that have porch lights turned on, staying together in small groups, wearing highly visible clothing, walking on sidewalks

The South Shore Line (SSL) announced that it will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, applicable for November monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of November 2021 will remain valid throughout December. Passengers purchasing a paper November monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through December, and passengers purchasing a digital November monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a December ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Dec. 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these

The Portage Township Trustee’s office, in cooperation with the Porter County Health Department, has partnered with a third-party testing facility to offer PCR COVID-19 testing at its Airport Road office, located at 3484 Airport Road in Portage.  The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. This is a drive-up testing site. No appointments are necessary. Results will be provided by email and available by 5 p.m. the day after testing. There is no cost for this service. Tests are available to anyone in need. Testing is provided by Gravity Diagnostics.

Michigan City trick-or-treat is scheduled for Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mayor Duane Parry is reminding residents to proceed with trick-or-treat in a safe manner. The Mayor’s Office is asking parents to take extra precautions to keep everyone safe.  The Mayor’s office recommends following all COVID safety protocols including the use of masks and social distancing. The office stated that parents should accompany children while trick-or-treating and should adhere to the guidelines of visiting only homes that have porch lights turned on, staying together in small groups, wearing highly visible clothing, walking on sidewalks and not on

In an update, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest and charges against 28-year-old Alan D. Morgan in connection with the death of his biological son, 4-year-old Judah Morgan.   On Monday, at 2:45 AM, deputies were dispatched to a residence located in the 3100 east block of CR 875 South in reference to an unconscious child.  Deputies arrived and located the child inside the residence.  The child, later identified as Judah, was pronounced dead at the scene.   On Tuesday, an autopsy was conducted at Franciscan Health Michigan City. The death of Judah was ruled a homicide. Later in

A class of eight officially joined the Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) organization of Franciscan Health Hammond during a swearing-in ceremony at Lake Superior Court on Sept. 29.   Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou performed the swearing in of the fall 2021 class, telling the volunteers that the court looks to them to fill the void by representing those unable to advocate for themselves. “You’re doing God’s work, and we don’t say that lightly,” he said.   The ceremony was opened with a greeting by VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett and Program Manager Barbara Melendez. Taking

Over 150 residents participated in this year’s Michigan City Walk to End Alzheimer’s – both in person at Washington Park and by watching an online ceremony and walking from home in their own neighborhoods.  Participants raised over $43,200 – and counting – to support the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. Fundraising will continue through the end of the year. The organization says those who didn’t participate can still make a donation to the Walk at act.alz.org/MichiganCity.