Local News

On Saturday, July 25, 2020 at approximately 11:40 pm, the Sanitary District became aware of a potential diesel fuel release into Trail Creek.  District personnel responded soon thereafter, and noted that the DNR, Coast Guard, and LaPorte County Hazmat were investigating a diesel release into Trail Creek near B&E Marina. District personnel checked upstream and found no diesel fuel.  District personnel also checked storm sewer discharge points and the construction projects on US Hwy 12 Bridge and near E. Street Bridge.  No source of diesel fuel was found.   On Sunday morning July 26, 2020, District personnel again checked Trail Creek

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces overnight lane closures for I-65 northbound on July 30 and I-65 southbound on August 3 between mile marker 253 and 258.From approximately 11 p.m. on July 30 to 4 a.m. on July 31, there will be a double right lane closure on I-65 northbound between mile marker 253 (south crossover) and 258 (north crossover). All northbound traffic will utilize the counter-flow lane on the southbound I-65 side of the median wall, as all lanes on the northbound side of the median wall will be closed. The eastbound 61st Ave to northbound I-65 ramp will also

On Friday July 24th, at approximately 11:50 am, Deputies with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 8200-east block of US Hwy 6 for a head on collision between a pick-up truck and a passenger vehicle. Upon deputies arrival, the driver of the Toyota Rav-4, which was westbound, was found to be deceased, and identified as Taren Abair a 29-year-old female from Grovertown IN. The driver of Dodge Ram pick-up truck, which was eastbound, has been identified a John Niego, a 60-year-old male from Michigan City IN.  was flown to South Bend Memorial Hospital due to injuries sustained from

BLAZE-1 study evaluating safety, effectiveness of potential antibody treatment INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana | Franciscan Health Indianapolis has begun recruiting and treating patients in a clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an antibody treatment drug, LY-CoV555, in patients with early mild to moderate COVID-19 illness caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company, the BLAZE-1 Study is looking for adults ages 18 and older who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are not hospitalized. Franciscan Health Hammond has also been designated as a research site for the BLAZE-1 study and will soon be recruiting patients as well. “Kicking

This morning at approximately 2:50 a.m., the Indiana State Police Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call of a car vs. deer crash on I-65 northbound at the 246 mile-marker.  A few minutes later, that car was struck by another northbound vehicle.  As a result of that second crash, a 14 year old juvenile was killed. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy revealed that a blue 2007 Honda Fit, driven by Willy C. Albert, 42, of Union, OH, was traveling northbound when a deer ran onto the roadway.  A head-on collision occurred between the deer and the Honda.  After striking

Full press release on the WIMS FACEBOOK page.

At approximately 11:50 am, Deputies with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 8200-east block of US Hwy 6 for a head on collision between a pick-up truck and a passenger vehicle. Upon their arrival, the operator of passenger vehicle was found to be deceased. Deputies also discovered a two-year-old child with minor injuries secured within a child safety seat. The exact cause of the crash has not been finalized, but it is believed a tractor-trailer was side swiped by the pick-up truck prior to the head on collision. The driver of pick-up truck was flown to South Bend

A $10,000 donation from NIPSCO will help Franciscan Health continue its efforts to care for patients, while limiting the spread of COVID-19. Rick Calinski, NIPSCO director of public affairs, presented the gift from the NiSource Charitable Foundation at Franciscan Health Crown Point on July 21, noting an appreciation of the partnership with the healthcare system, which has assisted the utility company in getting employees tested for the virus. “We’re privileged to provide utility service throughout Northern Indiana, and the health and safety of our employees and customers is paramount,” Calinski said. “Healthcare providers like Franciscan and others are essential more

Yesterday U.S. Senator Todd Young applauded the Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides for our men and women in uniform with a three percent pay raise and launches a new initiative to deter China. Senator Young, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Marine who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the bill will keep Americans safe amidst threats from coronavirus, Russia, and the Chinese Communist Party. The Senate voted 86-14 to approve the legislation. While Senator Young’s amendment to preserve the Pentagon’s Chief Management Officer (CMO) position was not included in the Senate-passed

Yesterday members of the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST), arrested 35-year-old Darryl A. Fields Jr. at his residence in the 200 Block of Detroit Street on an active warrant. Fields’ warrant stems from a shooting that took place back on January 12th near the intersection of DeWolfe Street and Franklin Street that injured two people. The investigation was thoroughly investigated by Detective/Sergeant Royce Williams of the MCPD Investigative Division. Fields was arrested on charges of: • Attempted Murder Level 1-Felony • Two Counts of Aggravated Battery Level 3-Felony • Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon Level 4-Felony

A completed Healing Garden is now a place of prayer and solitude at Franciscan Health Michigan City, thanks to a $25,000 gift from the NECA/IBEW 531 Powering America team of Northwest Indiana. The gift funded three Healing Garden features: ·        * $10,000 for the Prayer/Family Conference Space, home to a statue of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, foundress of the congregation that established their healthcare system. ·        * $10,000 for a Mosaic Paver Band of stone that resembles water near the Grotto Wall. ·        * $5,000 for a wall seat area in the Prayer/Family Conference Space. The objects of the International

Check out WIMS FACEBOOK for full release on all of the closures.

Yesterday the Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) announced a new partnership with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to support the long-term economic recovery of Hoosier small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through a new program, eligible companies may apply for no-cost assistance to help establish or increase their online presence through website development, e-commerce support and other digital tools and services. The Indiana SBDC and Kelley launched Project HOPE to support Indiana small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. Under the program, Kelley students and recent graduates are offered paid internships to assist eligible companies in expanding their online

In St. Joseph County on Tuesday officers and first responders were dispatched to the U.S. 31/U.S. 20 bypass, at the bridge over Lincoln Way, for a three-vehicle crash involving a truck/semi-trailer. All vehicles involved in the crash were traveling northbound on the bypass. A semi was traveling in the right hand lane and changing lanes into the left lane when the crash occurred. The front of the semi collided with the rear of a F150 pickup truck, causing the F150 to spin into the right lane, where it hit a Mazda Miata. After the impact, the Miata and the F150

Governor Eric Holcomb announced he will sign an executive order requiring Hoosiers to wear face coverings in most public settings, beginning Monday. A mask or other face covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas and t-shirts. The mouth and nose should be covered. The executive order will require face coverings for anyone 8 years old or older in the following places: -          Public indoor spaces and commercial entities -          While using public transportation or other vehicle services such as a taxi or rideshare -          Outdoor public spaces when it’s not possible

The results of the first statewide random sample study in the United States to measure the spread of COVID-19 indicated a general population prevalence of about 2.8 percent in Indiana. This closely monitored study was conducted by the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health. The findings were published July 21 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's scientific publication. Between April 25 and May 1, researchers tested more than 4,600 Hoosiers for viral infections and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, the

In Porter County, watch for lane closures on State Road 149 at the intersection with U.S. 12. The inside lanes of State Road 149 in both the northbound and southbound directions are closed near the intersection. Motorists will still be able to turn onto and from U.S. 12. This closure is expected to last until the beginning of August. After that, traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes while work on the bridge in this location begins in the northbound lanes. The entire project is expected to be completed in early November.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is warning and alerting citizens of a ruse by subjects purporting to be NIPSCO employees. Last Friday, an elderly homeowner who resides in the 100 block of Longwood Drive, La Porte, had a white male subject show up at his residence. The subject told the homeowner he was a NIPSCO employee and needed to trim some trees away from wires located on the property. The homeowner and subject walked through the residence to the backyard to view the trees. As this wasoccurring, a black male subject entered the residence and committed a burglary.

The City of Valparaiso and Police Department have decided that daily, downtown parking enforcement will return on August 3rd. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, this enforcement has been set aside to aid in access to downtown, providing various parking options for entry into restaurants and businesses. As activities have started a return to normalcy, parking needs have increased and are initiating calls for enforcement to be resumed. If any changes are presented by Governor Holcomb, or his Executive Order, alternate considerations may be taken.

Wednesday, July 29 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CDT WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 W. US 20 (outside of J.C. Penny), Michigan City, IN 46360 Thursday, July 30 – St. Joseph County 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. EDT WHERE: Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Fresh perishable items and dry goods offered free of charge. All items will be pre-boxed and pre-bagged. First come, first served, for up to 400 households while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. One per household. This will be a drive-thru distribution. The food bank