Local News

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

Young Calls Double Track Funding a “Major Step Forward” U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) applauded the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) announcement that it will allocate $50.6 million to the South Shore Line Double Track Project. The allocated funding comes in the form of a Capital Investment Grant for Fiscal Year 2020. “This is a major step forward for a project that has been at the top of Northwest Indiana Hoosiers’ wish list for years and years, and a top Indiana infrastructure priority of mine” Senator Young said. “This down payment complements the tireless work local and state leaders have already done to

INDIANAPOLIS (August 26, 2020) – Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as chair of the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and the Indiana Main Street Council, today announced three Main Street communities are awarded Preserving Women’s Legacy Grants. This funding will aid in their efforts to highlight and preserve women’s history. “The awarded projects capture how influential these strong Indiana women were to the suffrage movement,” Lt. Gov. Crouch said. “I’m excited to visit each of the cities to walk the new trails, appreciate the public art and see Hoosiers of all ages learn more about these extraordinary women.” Preserving Women’s

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK:  Beach nourishment is scheduled to begin on August 27th at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk area. This work, sometimes called sand nourishment, involves placing dredged sand, obtained from other locations, onto beaches to repair damage caused by erosion.    While the public is invited to watch the work from the safety of the pavilion, the beach will be temporarily closed so heavy equipment can safely move the sand into place. The rest of Portage Lakefront, including the pavilion, the Dig the Dunes Trail Stop food operation, breakwater, riverwalk and hiking trail will remain open. Work

Franciscan Health will provide sports medicine services to Lake Central High School athletes after reaching a partnership agreement with the Lake Central School Board. Two athletic trainers will be stationed at the school full time, treating injuries, guiding preventative measures and implementing safe sport techniques such as heat acclimation, concussion awareness and balance stability, according to Frank Eksten, director, Sports Medicine and Sports Performance at Franciscan Health Crown Point. Eksten said when the opportunity to partner with Lake Central arose, Franciscan Health jumped at the chance to bring its sports medicine expertise to St. John and the surrounding communities. “Lake

(Lake County)Watch for lane and ramp closures for I-80/94 this week. The ramp from I-80/94 eastbound to Calumet Ave (Exit 1) southbound will be closed from approximately 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.today. This closure is for a guardrail repair. The ramp from I-80/94 westbound to southbound and northbound Indianapolis Blvd (Exit 2) will be closed from approximately 10 p.m. today to 5 a.m. on Thursday. This closure is for guardrail installation at new overhead sign structure. There will be overnight lane closures on eastbound I-80/94 between mile marker 3 (Kennedy Ave) and mile marker 5 (SR 912/Cline Ave) beginning at

In Porter County, watch for lane closures on State Road 49 between I-94 and Indian Boundary Rd beginning Monday, August 31. The road will be reduced to one lane each direction to perform work on the bridge over CSX Railroad and the Little Calumet river. Lane closures will alternate so drivers should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in this area. The project is expected to be completed in early November.

The Michigan City Police Department would like to announce the arrest of Kejuan Jerome HARRISON, 21, of 1900 E. Barker Avenue in Michigan City. Between July 20th and August 21st, the Michigan City Police Department took 16 case reports as it relates to a suspect that was peeping into windows during the evening hours in the center of Michigan City. A majority of these reports and calls for service took place in an area between Woodland Avenue, Barker Avenue, Carroll Avenue and Greenwood Avenue.During the time of the reports, Officers and Detectives had been in constant communication with the residents

La Porte Hospital has announced its September childbirth and family care classes.   Class sizes are limited to ensure proper social distancing and masks are required. Pre-registration is required. Newborn & Infant Care Class Join our interactive class where expecting moms, dads, and their supporting friends or family can practice caring for their bundles of joy. Clinical nurse educators with La Porte Hospital’s Birthing & Family Care Center will have mannequins on hand to help review best practices for caring for babies. Topics include transition of care (skin to skin); newborn tests and procedures; newborn appearance; skin, cord, and diaper

On Saturday morning at 4:50 a.m., Trooper Beers was patrolling at the 1.3 mile-marker westbound on the Indiana Toll Road. Trooper Beers initiated a traffic stop on a silver Mistusbishi at the 1.2 mile-marker for an equipment violation. The driver of the vehicle initially refused to identify himself to Trooper Beers. He became combative when the trooper attempted to place him in custody. While attempting to subdue the suspect, Trooper Beers was bitten on his arm. Trooper Beers then discharged his taser, striking the man with no effect. A small child that had been riding in the vehicle got out

This past Thursday, LaPorte County Deputies were summoned to the intersection of CR 400 South and CR 150 West, in rural Scipio Township, for a personal injury crash. Sergeant Anthony Wallace arrived at the scene and located a semi-tractor-trailer combination and a sport utility vehicle resting off the south side of CR 400 South, just east of the aforementioned intersection. The crash investigation by deputies determined that a Freightliner semi-tractor, driven by 62 year old Lance R. Hindsley of La Porte, had been traveling east on CR 400 South.  A Chevrolet Blazer, driven by 58 year old David A. Voltz

The La Porte City Police Department will be conducting School Bus Safety patrols from August 24th through September 11th.  Officers will be working about 80 hours of extra patrols under the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.  Patrols will target those drivers who pass School Buses while the Stop Arm is activated.   La Porte Police is reminding the public that school begins on August 24th and paying attention to buses and the young children riding them should be in the forefront of everyone’s mind.  For more information on Operation Pull Over, SAVE and the