Local News

Since ISP-Fort Wayne first posted this Child Safety Kit Scam Alert last week, the Fort Wayne Post has received two more complaints of this active scam. Facebook consumers are warned NOT to provide any personal information to the associated #ChildSafetyKit Facebook link. The latest complaints have advised that *after providing the requested personal information to the link, a follow-up phone call from an unknown phone number was received. An unidentified female scheduled an in home visit to go over the services offered. Two unidentified well dressed adult males showed up to the complainant's house, and then attempted to sell an

The Indiana Department of Transportation will be transitioning from merging early to merging late with more widespread use of zipper merges in work zones this construction season.  What is a zipper merge? Zipper merges are used when a lane is closed ahead due to road construction or maintenance work. Zipper merges are designed to keep traffic moving by allowing drivers to use both lanes until reaching the merge point. How does a zipper merge work? Zipper merges work exactly as they sound – like a zipper! As drivers see “lane closed ahead” signs, they should stay in their current lane

Coming on the heels of a most challenging year for Lakefront Career Network, the young professionals’ chapter of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is looking to boost membership and excitement in 2021. A survey was recently developed by the Lakefront Career Network executive committee, seeking input from existing LCN members, as well as potential future members. The survey link has been distributed to nearly 260 existing members, but those who are not yet on the network mailing list are invited to provide input by visiting https://tinyurl.com/5dnszh9h. “The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing opportunities for younger members

The Indiana State Department of Health announced today that Hoosiers 55 and older are now eligible to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The AARP Indiana team is pleased to see the progress the state is making, and that older Hoosiers continue to be prioritized during vaccine rollout. Please see AARP Indiana State Director Sarah Waddle’s full statement below: “The State of Indiana continues to make great progress in making vaccines available to the public at large. COVID-19 is devastating to older Hoosiers, and for that reason, we are contented and glad to see that they are still being prioritized

La Porte Police Chief Paul Brettin and Mayor Tom Dermody welcome new officer Jordan Petty of Saint John on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in La Porte. Petty will attend the South Bend Regional Police Academy in April. Check out the WIMS FACEBOOK page for the picture as well

Fundraising Will Bring New Life Within Reach for Holly Szmutko 45-year-old Holly Anne Szmutko is waiting for a miracle: a double-lung transplant that will give her the chance for a healthy future. Her only hurdle is the overwhelming out-of-pocket cost of the transplant. She is partnering with the national nonprofit Help Hope Live to accept donations and support from her community. At 45 years old, Holly is living with the rare and life-threatening disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH). The diagnosis causes high blood pressure in the lungs along with symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat.

The Indiana Department of Health announced today that more than 1 million Hoosiers have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since late December. A total of 1,000,321 individuals have received at least one dose, and 569,465 are fully vaccinated. Currently, Hoosiers age 60 and older, along with healthcare workers, long-term care residents and first responders who are regularly called to the scene of an emergency to render medical assistance, are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To schedule, visit https://ourshot.in.gov or call 211 if you do not have access to a computer or require assistance. Additional locations and

An Illinois man was arrested on I-94 in New Buffalo on Saturday for narcotics. Just after 11pm Deputy Pellerito of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office New Buffalo Township Patrol was conducting radar on west-bound I-94, when he observed a Volkswagen Jetta traveling in excess of 90mph. When Deputy Pellerio attempted to effect a traffic stop on this vehicle, he observed the front seat passenger open the door and throw something out of the vehicle. After the items were discarded from the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle pulled over. Deputy Pellerito was assisted at the scene by a deputy from

The Ogden Dunes Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 21st Annual Saint Patrick’s event in a COVID-19 safety modified manner. They will be offering dinners on a drive-by pick-up basis on Saturday evening, March 20th, at the Ogden Dunes Firehouse between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm and Super Raffle with the drawing held on Labor Day weekend. The St. Pat’s Dinner (Corned Beef & Cabbage) will be 5:30 to 7:30 PM. School of Irish Dance Troupe & Pipes & Drums Band via remote Internet livestream will be at 6pm. Saint Patrick’s Super Raffle event tickets are $100 each and include

Paladin will have a fundraiser later this month at Fannie May. Consider shopping at Fannie May in Michigan City's store to help Paladin INC. for Easter or just needing something sweet for yourself or family. There will be a fundraiser March 26th from 11am to 6pm at Fannie May located at 102 W. HWY 20 in Michigan City. Visit Paladin.care for more information.

Sad News today from the Michigan City Police Department on the loss of 21 year Veteran officer James Daly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues. The Chicago Police Department lost 21 year veteran Officer James Daly today. Officer Daly was set to retire March 2nd, 2021. The Michigan City Police Department would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Chicago Police Department along with Officer Daly’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) today confirmed we are planning for an in-person fall semester and expect to see a return to robust operations of the university, with significant interactive classroom experiences, by the beginning of the semester on Aug. 23.The announcement is available on our website. Check out www.pnw.edu.

The Chesterton Police Commission is now accepting letters of interest and resumes from persons interested in applying for the position of Chief of Police. Salary: $73,209.20 The Town of Chesterton (population 14,000, 2019 est.) is located in Northwest Indiana in northern Porter County, just off Lake Michigan and a very short drive from Michigan and Chicago. The Chesterton Police Department provides a wide range of services, strong collaboration with the local school district, and a good working relationship with neighboring jurisdictions. The department has 24 full-time officers, four (4) full-time civilian staff, and nine (9) part-time civilians. In 2021, the department operates on

Franciscan Physician Network’s Zohair Ahmed, MD, has received board certification in interventional gastroenterology, demonstrating nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge, experience and skills. Dr. Ahmed practices at Woodland Health Center in Michigan City and Valparaiso Specialty Health Center. He did his residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois, along with a fellowship in gastroenterology and an advanced fellowship in interventional endoscopy at University of Illinois at Chicago. His clinical interests include advanced diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), biliary and pancreatic disease, gastrointestinal stent placement and endoscopic bariatric procedures (balloon placement and endoscopic

Two Indiana State Troopers assigned to the Toll Road Post recently reached a career milestone of 25 years. This milestone is commemorated by receiving a 25-year pin to display on their unforms. Sergeant William (Bill) Jones and Master Trooper Timothy McCormick both attended the 53rd Indiana State Police Recruit School that graduated in December 1995. Sgt. William (Bill) Jones comes from a law enforcement family. His father served on the Gary Police Department for 24 years and he also had an uncle that was a Gary Police Department Officer. Sgt. Jones graduated from West Side High School in Gary, IN in 1989

Orthopedic surgeon Nitin Khanna, MD, who has used cutting-edge technology to treat the back pain of patients at Franciscan Health Dyer, has been recognized with several patient care awards for 2020. The awards from Vitals, a New Jersey-based healthcare database company, included the Compassionate Doctor Award, the On-Time Doctor Award and the Patients’ Choice Award. He also is a five-year honoree for Compassionate Doctor Award and Patients’ Choice Award.  The awards, based on patient reviews and ratings, resulted in Dr. Khanna being rated in the top 1 percent of America’s Most Honored Doctors. Dr. Khanna, an independent physician who chooses

The La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership released its 2020 Annual Report that highlights its efforts to strengthen and support the business community today. “Every year is different and 2020 has really pushed that envelope. It has been a challenge in so many senses of the word. The pandemic has had far-reaching impacts throughout the world and here in La Porte it has been especially challenging. That said, with challenges come opportunities and the resiliency of our community means we have taken advantage of each and every one of those opportunities and our report reflects that,” said Bert Cook, Executive Director. Contents

Motorists encouraged to drive sober during St. Patrick’s Day and the NCAA Tournament The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute announced that more than 200 law enforcement agencies will be cracking down on dangerous and impaired driving in March, as part of a statewide enforcement campaign. Now until March 21, officers will be conducting high-visibility patrols showing zero tolerance for those driving aggressively, over the speed limit or under the influence. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through a grant provided by the justice Institute. “We’re seeing an uptick in dangerous driving during the pandemic,

The City of Valparaiso has refreshed their Neighborhood Toolkit. The City says this is an excellent resource to engage your neighborhood. It is filled with city services that support neighborhoods, a directory of neighborhoods, info on the Neighborhood Grant Program (funding for neighborhood projects) and more. Check it out at www.ci.valparaiso.in.us . For a hard copy and more information and assistance for your neighborhood, contact Maggie Clifton at mclifton@valpo.us.

The Porter County Sheriff's Office says they’ve again been receiving reports that citizens have been receiving phone calls in which people were fraudulently claiming to be Law Enforcement Officials. Sometimes callers can mask the caller ID information to make it appear as if the call is coming from a police department or other government entity. If you receive a call from a person claiming to be one of their officers and are concerned they are not who they say they are, please hang up and call 219-477-3000 to verify their identity. The Sheriff's Office says if you receive a call