Local News

CROWN POINT, Ind. – The Franciscan Health Pet Therapy Program received a $13,000 boost thanks to a donation from the newly established Franciscan Health Foundation Circle of 1875. The Pet Therapy program, which is fueled entirely by volunteers, is nearly 10 years old and boasts 16 volunteers and 17 dogs. It provides visits for interested patients, family members and staff at Franciscan Health’s Crown Point, Dyer, and Munster hospitals as well as the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program in Dyer. A 2024 analysis of 16 studies published in the National Institutes of Health found therapy dogs

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Firefighter Richard Nagy. From the Michigan City Fire Department and the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Check WIMS FACEBOOK for the weekend feeds and comments. Firefighter Nagy served on the Michigan City Fire Department with honor and dedication since 2022. He passed away while off duty on Friday, September 12th. Nagy was known for his boundless energy, his ever-present smile, and his enthusiasm every day he came to work. To say that he will be missed would be a grave understatement. Please keep his family, friends, and his brothers

In Lake County, the ramp from Ridge Road to northbound I-65 is closed today for highway lighting work at this interchange, which is also resulting in ramp shoulder closures in the area. This schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

Franciscan Alliance is shifting some of the geographic responsibilities for its hospital leadership in Northwest Indiana and Chicago’s South Suburbs to better reflect its regional approach to healthcare, the nonprofit Catholic healthcare ministry announced today. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields President and CEO Raymond Grady has been named president and CEO of Franciscan Alliance’s Lake County hospitals and clinics, including Franciscan Health Crown Point, Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Munster. Grady has served in his current capacity since 2022, coming to Franciscan after an extensive and accomplished career leading healthcare administrations for more than 40 years. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields

News Release, Indiana Department of Agriculture: The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program (GHP) to develop a no-cost program with a focus on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit farm operations. The program, titled Indiana’s Mississippi River Basin Soil Sampling Program, is open now for applicants. “This program is helpful and valuable for our Hoosier farmers,” Lieutenant Governor Beckwith, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture said. “By offering no-cost access to soil sampling, this initiative supports farmers with the tools and knowledge

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) today announced the appointment of new members to the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC), a body established under Indiana Code 12-15-33 to provide public input and feedback on Indiana’s Medicaid program. The MAC serves as a forum for stakeholders—including providers, beneficiaries, advocates, elected officials, and citizens—to advise the state Medicaid agency on program policies and proposed changes. Meeting quarterly, the committee ensures that Indiana’s Medicaid program remains responsive to the needs and concerns of Hoosiers. The newly appointed members are: Provider Representatives Terry Cole – CFO, Indiana Hospital Association (Hospitals) Donna Elbrecht –

Highway lighting work will result in short-term closures at the U.S. 20/31 and U.S. 31 interchange. The ramp from U.S. 20/31 eastbound to U.S. 31 southbound is scheduled to close twice: on/around Monday, Sept. 15 and again on/around Thursday, Sept. 25. Each closure will be in place for one day. Shoulder closures and intermittent lane closures will also be utilized as needed through the duration of the work. This highway lighting project will be ongoing through early October, and the closure schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

The La Porte County Family YMCA – La Porte Branch will be closed from Monday, Sept. 29 through Sunday Oct. 5. During that time, they will be performing facility improvements, scheduled maintenance, and deep cleaning. Additionally, staff will be engaged in mandatory meetings and professional development training. The Michigan City Elston Branch and Long Beach Branch will remain open and available for member use throughout the closure.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is warning Hoosiers to stay alert for government impersonation scams targeting residents through email, text, phone, and social media. The Indiana Securities Division has seen a rise in reports of scammers posing as government employees or agencies, tricking victims into believing their accounts have been hacked or tied to illegal activity. Scammers then pressure victims to move their money—often resulting in devastating financial losses. Recent cases include: An elderly woman who lost over $800,000 after being told her computer contained illegal content and ordered to transfer her savings into cryptocurrency and gold. Another Hoosier

News Release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) faculty member, Magesh Chandramouli, professor of Computer Graphics Technology in the College of Technology, has been named a U.S. Fulbright Specialist. Chandramouli will spend three weeks in December at Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin) in Turin, Italy, collaborating with faculty on enhancing the university’s ability to train aerospace engineers. While in Italy, Chandramouli will conduct faculty and student workshops and assist in the development of training programs integrating state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality-based (AR) digital twin (DT) simulation methodology. DT technology, a significant

Join the Michiana Humane Society for Remember Me Thursday on Sept. 25. It will be the 12th anniversary of the event. You are invited to dedicate candles in memory of your pets who are no longer here. On the fourth Thursday of September, people gather all over the world to remember pets who have died, and shelter animals who never found loving homes. Remember Me Thursday is free to all. Children and leashed pets are welcome. The Michiana Humane Society will have a "decorating table" available beginning at 5:30pm CT. MHS says ff you want to put photos, drawings, or messages

In Jasper County, State Road 14 will close between County Road 230 East and County Road 375 East on or after Monday, Sept. 15. State Road 14 will be closed for approximately two weeks for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Ryan Ditch. INDOT says motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 231, State Road 114 and U.S. 421.

The Michigan City Police Department gave the following information about the 2025 Michigan City Citizen’s Police Academy: The Michigan City Police Department invites community members to experience what it's like to serve as a police officer through our 2025 Citizen’s Police Academy (MCCPA). This 6-week program runs every Thursday from October 16th to November 20th, 2025, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, at the Michigan City Police Department, 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. The MCCPA brings residents and police together in a hands-on learning environment, offering participants a unique look into modern policing. Each week, participants will receive professional instruction on topics

A swamp chestnut oak tree in Jennings County has been recognized as the largest of the species in the country by the National Champion Tree program, with a height of 95 feet, a circumference of 318 inches, and a canopy spread of 118 feet. The record swamp chestnut oak is on the family farm owned by Richard and Kris Schepman outside of Crothersville. Today, Governor Mike Braun and Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) leaders presented the Schepmans with a certificate recognizing their family’s stewardship of this impressive tree. “Over the last century, Indiana’s forested land has substantially grown as

The La Porte County Extension Homemakers are hosting a free clothing giveaway on September 19 and 20 at the La Porte County Fairgrounds. See the flyer for details.

IDEM hosting a series of regional open houses to share information as part of the process in developing Indiana's State Materials Management Plan (MMP). The plan will serve as an anchor for the vision and infrastructure of materials management in the state. The MMP will replace the state's Solid Waste plan, which dates back to 1990 and focused primarily on traditional recycling and waste disposal. When complete, Indiana's new MMP will focus on a more sustainable materials management approach that includes better access to recycling, organics management, and waste reduction. The plan will also address strategies to help Indiana reach its

A motorcyclist was airlifted to an Illinois hospital with severe injuries following a two-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon at the intersection of U.S. 6 and North Calumet Avenue in Liberty Township, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police and Town of Chesterton are reporting. The Town of Chesterton says that according to PCSP, at approximately 1:03 p.m. a male motorcyclist was westbound on U.S. 6 when he disregarded the traffic signal at the intersection of North Calumet Ave and collided with an SUV turning eastbound onto U.S. 6 from southbound North Calumet Ave. The motorcyclist was flown by Lutheran Air to Advocate Christ

Yesterday, members of the Valparaiso Police Department participated in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, joined by the Valparaiso Fire Department and the Porter County Sheriff's Department. “Together, we climbed in honor of the 343 firefighters, 60 law enforcement officers, and countless other heroes who selflessly ran toward danger on September 11, 2001,” the Valparaiso Police Department said on its Facebook page. “Each step we took today was a tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of those first responders who gave everything that day. We will never forget their bravery — and we will always stand united in their

News Release, Purdue University Northwest:  HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) welcomed 1,816 new undergraduate students, which represents a 6% increase in the incoming undergraduate class. The First Time in College (FTIC) cohort increased 10.5%. PNW also noted a record 70.5% retention rate for returning second-year students for the 2025-26 academic year. PNW’s core enrollment grew to 6,101. Core enrollment measures the number of students attending classes in-person on the PNW campuses. Indiana residents make up almost 83% of PNW’s total enrollment. More Northwest Indiana high school graduates are choosing Purdue Northwest, and enrollment of transfer students

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Board-certified family medicine physician Latifa Barti, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Barti earned her medical degree from the American University of Antigua in Saint John’s, Antigua. She completed her residency in family medicine in Chicago at Mount Sinai Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital. Her clinical interests include medical weight management in pediatric and adult populations; alcohol use/tobacco use disorder treatment and lifestyle medicine with implementation of physical activity, healthy nutrition and proper sleep. In addition to English, Dr. Barti is also fluent in