Local News

Sixteen organizations will receive grants from NIPSCO to help fund their safety education and training projects throughout northern Indiana. This year, NIPSCO has granted a total of $50,000.  Over the past three years since this grant program was initiated, a total of 44 projects were funded, totaling $150,000 in grant donations.  This year’s local recipients include: •           Pines Fire Department, Energy Saving Safety through Lighting •           Union Volunteer Fire Department, Vehicle Stabilization •           Portage Fire Department, PFD PR and Training Grant •           The MAAC Foundation Inc., First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day •           Dunebrook Inc., Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Education

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County (BGCLPC) remains committed to serving kids and families in a world that looks dramatically different than it used to. The organization proudly announces receipt of a $10,000 donation from Horizon Bank in support of its efforts. Through a partnership with Michigan City Area Schools, BGCLPC is currently operating special daytime Clubs at Pine and Springfield Elementary Schools, in addition to its Charles R. Westcott Club at 321 Detroit Street. Club members in grades K-8 enjoy online learning support, fun activities and healthy meals. There is no charge

MCPD announced they are investigating 4 shooting cases in as many days. On Saturday August 29th at approximately 10:25 P.M., Officers in the parking lot of MCPD heard several shots being fired in the neighborhood north of the police station. While enroute to the area, 911 calls reporting shots being fired in the 300 Block of Springland Avenue were answered by the La Porte County Regional Dispatch Center. Once in the area, Officers located an 18-year-old male that had crashed his vehicle into a garage in the 400 Block of Springland Avenue. Officers spoke with witnesses and collected evidence that

In response to the recent increase in gun violence in Michigan City, the La Porte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), which is a federally funded program through the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative, hasimmediately began conducting Violent Crime Reduction (VCR) patrols to proactively combat this unfortunate violence in Michigan City. Corporal Willie Henderson and Deputy Jim Fish were working VCR on Monday August 31st around 9:00 P.M. in the Eastport Neighborhood, when they observed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign at N. Carroll Avenue and Monroe Street. The driver of this vehicle was then observed

Two virtual and five in-person events featured in speaker series WESTVILLE and HAMMOND, Ind. – Anthony Rizzo, first baseman for the Chicago Cubs, and Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple Computer, are among the prominent speakers headlining the exciting new season of the Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Sinai Forum. Rizzo will open the season with a livestream discussion from noon to 1:15 p.m. CDT on Saturday, Sept. 19. He will be interviewed by Dan Plesac, a Crown Point native, 18-year Major League Baseball veteran and MLB Network analyst. Rizzo’s talk is the first of two virtual events planned for fall 2020.

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAYAFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.. * HIGH WAVE ACTION AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS EXPECTED... * STRONG RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED... * STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED... * OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS...West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph Thursday afternoon. West to northwest 10 to 20 mph Thursday night into Friday. This will result in waves 3 to 6 feet Thursday afternoon, building to 4 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, Thursday night.

All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) branches are closed Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Branches resume regularly scheduled business hours on Tuesday, September 8. For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk near you visit IN.gov/BMV.

Franciscan Health Michigan City has developed a timeline for the Homer Street campus repurposing. The $20 million project to repurpose the former home of Franciscan Health Michigan City is set to begin in November, with construction completed in fall 2021. Initial work will include demolition of the 1986 and older buildings. Approximately two-thirds of the existing facility will be removed, primarily along Wabash Street and the corner of West Ripley Street. The 2001 patient tower, emergency department and parking garage will remain. Those remaining facilities will be remodeled and used to offer new services that extend the Franciscan Health mission

Indiana State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Monday Morning at 10:01 a.m.   Preliminary investigation by Trooper Latiker indicated that the crash involved a semi tanker and a Nissan passenger vehicle.  The tanker truck was loaded with 81,000 pounds of waste water.  For unknown reasons, the driver of the passenger vehicle swerved into the tanker's lane and made contact.  The two vehicles became entangled, and the tanker overturned, rolling on top of the passenger vehicle and entrapping the driver. The crash occurred at the 258 mile marker of I-65 northbound just south of the exit for Ridge Road. 

The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest announced that it will provide increased access to its hallmark Leadership Northwest Indiana program. The redesigned program is earning high praise from business leaders in every sector and you are invited to join this unique learning experience. To apply visit www.pnw.edu/leadership-institute.

This past Friday at around 3:00 P.M.; MCPD Officers were dispatched to the 800 Block of Manhattan Street for a burglary in progress. Information was obtained that the suspect had fled the area and a description was provided to responding officers. Officer Garrett McDaniel, Officer Brian Wright and Corporal Greg Miller all responded. Officer McDaniel was able to locate a person matching the description of the burglary suspect in the 200 Block of West 9th Street. When confronted by Officer McDaniel, the suspect fled on foot leading Officer McDaniel on a short foot pursuit through some backyards in the area.

Plans for staggered start times and distancing protocols put in place by organizers of the Bolt for the Heart 5K Family Run/Walk and inaugural Half Marathon meet guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, according to the LaPorte County Health Department. The event is set for Sunday, Sept. 27, at Washington Park in Michigan City, with the Half Marathon starting at 8AM and the 5K start times at 8:30AM and 9AM. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from sponsorships and tax-deductible registrations will go to purchasing AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) to be placed into LaPorte County first responder vehicles.

A veteran officer of the City of La Porte Police Department retired this week after nearly 30 years of service, according to Chief Paul Brettin. Capt. Dennis Behenna, who was with the department for just over 29 years, completed his service Monday, Aug. 31. Throughout his tenure, Behenna worked as a school resource officer at La Porte High School, in the detective bureau and as the administrative captain at the department. He ended his career as a shift captain.  Brettin said officers with Behenna’s experience and dedication are hard to come by. “Dennis has been an incredible leader on our

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of Richard N. PIECHOCKI (46 YOA) of Hudson Lake.   During the afternoon of August 24th, Deputy Wade Wallace was dispatched to a residence in Hudson Lake regarding a disturbance.  While on scene, he was provided with information concerning recent events that involved female juveniles and an adult male subject who resides nearby.  Later that evening, Deputy Wallace was dispatched to another residence in Hudson Lake regarding a sex offense.  He met with the victim, along with her father and step-mother.  After leaving that residence, Deputy Wallace went to another residence in Hudson Lake to meet

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that airports in Huntington, Indianapolis, and Warsaw will receive grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for infrastructure upgrades. The Huntington Municipal Airport will receive $1,323,117 for runway rehabilitation, Indianapolis International Airport will receive $1,100,000 for taxiway reconstruction, and the Warsaw Municipal Airport will receive $1,134,772 for runway rehabilitation. Last week funding to South Bend and Columbus airports were announced.

Children in north Lake County can get up to date on their vaccinations at Franciscan Health’s immunization clinic, scheduled for 3-7 PM CST on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave. Parents and caregivers should bring their insurance card and a copy of the child’s immunization records. Once you arrive at the immunization clinic, you should remain in your vehicle until it is time for the child to receive their vaccine. Social distancing and masking guidelines should be followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can find the Indiana school immunization requirements by going online at www.in.gov/isdh/17094.htm.

The Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest (PNW) announced that it will provide increased access to its hallmark Leadership Northwest Indiana program.  “If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we can always find a silver lining in every situation,” Executive Director Sheila Matias said. “We’ve been patiently waiting and being measured in our decision-making about the much-anticipated 2020-2021 Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program. As we follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, as well as track local data, we have made the decision to deliver the LNI program virtually,” Matias said. The team at the Leadership Institute is

Check out the latest release from Mayor Duane Parry and the City of Michigan City. He stopped by and spoke with Ric Federighi about it LIVE this morning. Check out the WIMS FACEBOOK page and the City's website.

Yesterday evening (08/25/20) at 5:38 PM, deputies were summoned to the intersection of US 30 and SR 39, rural Hanna Township, reference a crash involving three (3) semi-tractor trailers.  At 5:42 PM, Deputy Jon Samuelson arrived at the scene.  All three semi-tractors were resting in the driving lane of westbound US 30 at the aforementioned intersection.  The crash investigation by deputies determined the following.  A black 2014 Peterbilt semi-tractor, driven by Harold E. MOSS Jr. (46 YOA) of Merrillville, Indiana, was stopped in the westbound driving lane of US 30 waiting for the traffic control device to cycle (red light). 

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that he will extend the state’s face covering mandate and continue Stage 4.5 of the Back On Track Indiana plan until Sept. 25. Local governments may impose more restrictive guidelines. Gov. Holcomb has used data to drive decisions since the state’s first case of the novel coronavirus in early March and he continues to do so. The state continues to monitor and respond to these four guiding principles: The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients statewide has decreased for 14 daysThe state retains its surge capacity for critical care beds and ventilatorsThe state retains its ability to