Local News

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.

The Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) approved and provided updates Wednesday on initiatives working to grow Indiana’s pipeline of special education teachers statewide.  The SBOE’s says its final approval creates a new alternative route license in special education. In alignment with federal requirements, the new license will allow special education teachers previously working on an emergency permit to continue serving in Indiana classrooms while completing a professional educator license in special education or an addition to their existing license. The alternative route license in special education, which will be valid for three years, requires an educator to hold a

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that Hoosiers should expect to begin receiving their promised $125 Automatic Taxpayer Refund in the coming weeks, resulting in a 12 percent cut in the average Hoosier’s annual income tax liability. “I’m beyond thrilled that this spring and summer we are returning money back into the hands of Hoosier taxpayers, where it belongs,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Our conservative fiscal leadership and pro-growth policies makes this tax refund possible for all Hoosier households.” The Governor first announced in December that an estimated 4.3 million taxpayers will receive a $125 refund after they file their 2021

On Tuesday, Edgewood Elementary School in Michigan City received a donation of nearly $50,000 in school supplies from Enchanted Backpack. The delivery was greeted by Edgewood students, teachers, and staff in a celebration just outside the school doors. Included were classroom supplies, winter coats, hygiene products, books, playground equipment, and more.  Principal Kristin Smith of Edgewood Elementary said this donation helps all 369 Edgewood students accomplish much more socially, emotionally, and academically. Smith thanked Enchanted Backpack, saying "this generous gift provides all students with the supplies needed for a successful school year." These supplies will be distributed to students in

The City of Valparaiso has become Indiana’s first Monarch City, USA, recognized by the nonprofit organization Monarch City, USA, for the city’s work to support the monarch population by providing habitats and awareness. Monarch butterflies are threatened worldwide as their habitats of milkweed and other nectar plans are vanishing. More than a billion monarch butterflies have vanished since 1990, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The City of Valparaiso prepared a proclamation to raise awareness of the monarch butterfly’s plight, encouraging others to plant native milkweed and other nectar plants to welcome them to Valparaiso, provide