Local News

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser every year. However, due to COVID-19, the American Cancer Society has reinvented the event this year. The walking, running, and fundraising by teams in La Porte County will be taking place as a “virtual” event. Donations to the Relay for Life fund everything from breakthrough cancer research to free rides for cancer treatment appointments. In honor of those touched by cancer, this year the annual luminaria display will be placed on the La Porte Hospital front lawn, at 1007 Lincolnway. Relay for Life teams will drive their decorated vehicles from

Michigan City volunteers and community members donate school supplies for local children returning to school during the pandemic – whether online or in the classroom (MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana) (August 3, 2020) – Walmart and The Salvation Army are teaming up to provide new school supplies to hundreds of local children in need during the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event at Walmart, 5780 Franklin Street, Michigan City on August 7, 8 and 9. For kids preparing for the upcoming school year, school supplies remain critical to their success. In light of COVID-19, The Salvation Army has adapted its services to ensure

In Berrien County this past Thursday, a few minutes before 9pm eastern, first responders were called to the Warren Dunes State Park for a water rescue involving a 13 year old girl from Otsego, Michigan that was missing and last seen in the water. First Responders and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a search for the victim but were unable to locate the female in the water. The search was suspended after dark and resumed the following morning. On Friday the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Dive Team along with the Lake Township Fire Department and Great Lakes

In New Buffalo this past Thursday, just after 7:30 pm eastern, first responders were dispatched to the New Buffalo City Beach to assist with a subject who had gone missing in the water near the US Corp of Engineers break wall. Rescuer’s searched the water and the rocks in the break wall and were unable to locate the individual. The missing individual is a 24 year old from Villa Ridge, Missouri, who was a contractor working in the area. A helicopter and UAV were used to do aerial searches. There were nearly 6tf waves and strong rip currents at the

The Michigan City Police Department (MCPD) currently has two K9 Officers: Officer Mike Petrie and his K9 Edo and Corporal Mike Oberle and his K9 Axel. K9 Edo is a one-year-old Belgium Malinois that was born in Poland. K9Edo is certified in the detection of illegal drugs, tracking, criminal apprehension, and article/area searches. K9 Axel is a 4-year-old German Shepherd that was born in Hungary. K9 Axel is also certified in the detection of illegal drugs, tracking, criminal apprehension, and article/area searches. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Corporal Oberle is unable to continue to be the handler for K9 Axel.

City Hall will continue to do business online and over the phone throughout the next month, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. Dermody said City Hall was set to open by appointment only starting August 3. However, Governor Eric Holcomb announced Thursday that Indiana will remain at Stage 4.5 on the Back on Track Indiana plan until the end of August. Dermody said this extension means City Hall will remain closed to the public for a while longer. “As the numbers begin to rise again throughout the state and nation, we must practice caution and do all we can

Bolt for the Heart announced the second annual 5K Family Run/Walk and inaugural Half Marathon at a kickoff event yesterday. The event was hosted by event sponsor Franciscan Health Michigan City. The race is set for 9AM, Sunday, Sept. 27 at Washington Park in Michigan City, and 100 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. Also, Bolt for the Heart will be donating 25 AEDs today to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. As the presenting sponsor of Bolt for the

People across the country are receiving unsolicited packages of unidentified seeds in the mail that seem to be coming from China. The Office of Indiana State Chemist, located at Purdue University, is urging Hoosiers not to plant or dispose of the seeds since they could be spreading noxious weeds, plant diseases or invasive species. Anyone in Indiana who receives a package is told not to open the seed packet and to mail it and any packaging materials to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Indiana office. Weed seeds, invasive species and disease pathogens can

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags statewide to be flown at half-staff to honor former Governor Joe Kernan. Flags should be flown at half-staff from now until sunset on Wednesday, August 5. Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents across the state to lower their flags to half-staff to honor former Gov. Kernan and his service.

The Ogden Dunes Beach is closed effective immediately until further notice per the Ogden Dunes Town Council due to Covid concerns. Ogden Dunes Police are asking the public to not go onto any beach accessways or the Ogden Dunes Beach until this closure is lifted.

The MCAS Board of Trustees approved a virtual start to the 2020-21 school year for all students. The first day of school will be Monday, August 24. This is a change from our previous start date of August 12. The school board meeting that was held last night is available online at https://educateMC.net/youtube. More information about MCAS Online (the new online learning program for all students)  will be shared with families soon. This will be different from the eLearning provided in the past. MCAS will be sharing information about options for working families in need of daytime supervision for students.

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