Local News

News Release, Franciscan Health: The Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana welcomed four new board members in May. Joining the 16-member board are Denise Fithian, RN, of the Franciscan Health Woodland Outpatient Surgery Center Michigan City; Anthony Geisen, operations manager/funeral director for Geisen Funeral Homes in Crown Point; Chase Lowden, financial advisor for Airey Financial Group/One America in Merrillville and Jolanta Moore, DBA, CPA, CGMA, audit partner for McMahon & Associates, Certified Public Accountants, P.C. in Munster. “I am incredibly excited about the Foundation Board Class of 2024,” Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana Executive Director Rick Peltier said. “Denise,

In Ogden Dunes on Memorial Day at 7:50 a.m., the intersections at Hillcrest Road and Diana Road, and Ogden Road and Hillcrest Road will be closed to through traffic due to the Ogden Dunes race. Both children and adults are participating in the race. Police say this race will last for approximately 1 hour, and are asking the public to use caution. Police are also reminding the public that parking restrictions are in place and fines will be issued for those illegally parked.

The Michigan City Human Rights Commission has selected Melvin Meriweather, Jr. as the 2024 Humanitarian of the Year. Meriweather was nominated by Paul and Bunny Dimke, stating, “We nominated Melvin for the Humanitarian of the Year because he is a prime example of a person who is fully committed to the well-being and betterment of all the people in his community.” Meriweather graduated from Elston High School in 1957, and was named Mr. Indiana in 1966 (a bodybuilding recognition). He has been married to his wife, Juliet, for more than 65 years, and has three children, Kristel, Doug, and Dana.

There are shoulder closures on U.S. 30 eastbound and westbound between Hayes Leonard Road and State Road 49 and on northbound State Road 49 between Barley Road and U.S. 30 through October. This is a local project that will include landscaping and wayfinding sign installation. Lane closures may be utilized as needed.

The La Porte County is teaming up with law enforcement agencies from across the state urging motorists to buckle up ahead of a national Click It or Ticket high-visibility seat belt enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, is in effect through June 2, 2024. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). “We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said ICJI the Traffic Safety Director. “Buckling up is the

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close State Road 10 between County Road South 50 East and County Road South 100 East on or after Tuesday, May 28. State Road 10 will be closed through late June for a small structure replacement at Maciolek Ditch. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 39, State Road 8 and U.S. 35.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office would like the public’s assistance to locate a missing person. On Friday May 24 at approximately 7:33 a.m., deputies responded to the 1000 East block of 200 North in reference to a missing person. It was reported that Phillip Wireman’s employer became concerned when he did not report to work. Police are asking the public to contact the Starke County Sheriff’s dispatch center at 574-772-3771 if you see or come in contact with Mr. Wireman.  

Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) announces the opening of its grant portal for 2024 Cycle 2 grants. To advance its mission and vision, HFL invites grant proposals for health and wellness projects and programs within La Porte County twice each year. This year’s second grant cycle will run from May 24, 2024, to July 12, 2024. HFL welcomes grant proposals that impact HFL’s strategic priorities of Healthy Children, Healthy Living, and Healthy Minds. Grant proposals must demonstrate a commitment to measurable results that contribute to positive change in one or more of the community-wide indicators HFL uses to monitor

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announced a road closure for State Road 39 between U.S. 6 and County Road West 800 South beginning on or after Tuesday, May 28. State Road 39 will be closed for approximately 11 days while Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company rebuilds their grade crossing in this location. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 6, U.S. 35 and U.S. 30. This section of State Road 39 is part of the official detour for the U.S. 6 and U.S. 421 intersection closure for roundabout construction. While the rail

A man was arrested earlier this week after identifying himself as his wanted brother, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office. Just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, a deputy responded to the area of Lakeshore Drive and Hudson Boulevard in reference to a disturbance. After arriving in the area, the deputy located a vehicle similar to the provided description parked at Hudson Beach. A man who was present verbally identified himself to the deputy as being 43-year-old Joseph Miller and provided a date of birth. A computer check determined Miller was a wanted person by Marion County authorities for

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co Inc will have lane closures on U.S. 30 between Castlewood Dr and St. John Rd beginning on or after Tuesday, May 28. U.S. 30 will have alternating lane closures through late October for a bridge replacement project over Dyer Ditch. Phase one will be in place through approximately mid-August, with the westbound lanes closed and eastbound converted to two-way traffic. Traffic will move to the westbound side during phase two. Motorists should be advised that there is a reduced speed limit of 35 mph on U.S. 30 between

The City of La Porte announced today that multi-platinum selling rock band Soul Asylum will headline this summer’s LakeFest, according to Park Superintendent and LakeFest Committee Chair Mark Schreiber. The “Runaway Train” and “Someone to Shove” performers will play a free live show on Saturday, July 27, at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park. Soul Asylum will be preceded by renowned local performer Neil Allesee and former La Portean Mike Barthel-led Mike + the Boys, as well as a fireworks show over Clear Lake. After a successful show with alt-rock band Everclear last year, Schreiber said the LakeFest

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors LP will begin a pavement replacement project on State Road 53/Broadway from 4th Avenue (U.S. 12/20) to just north of the Indiana Toll Road on or after Tuesday, May 28. State Road 53 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. During phase one through mid-August, southbound will be converted to two-way traffic, and northbound will be closed for construction. Traffic will move to the northbound side during phase two. The right lane of westbound 4th Avenue will be closed at the intersection with State Road 53

A Michigan City man was arrested after a search warrant was executed at a residence, resulting in firearm and drug related charges. The Michigan City Police Department’s Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) and the LaPorte County Drug Task Force executed a residential search warrant at the 400 block of Hoyt Street in Michigan City. Last week, information was forwarded to the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) regarding a subject who is classified as a “Serious Violent Felon” under Indiana Criminal Code, as illegally possessing a firearm.  Lead Detective, Corporal Matthew Babcock, aggressively followed up with the investigation and obtained a search warrant

State Road 119 will be closed between U.S. 35 and State Road 16 for seal coating operations for approximately three days starting on or after Tuesday, May 28. The official detour for this closure will follow State Road 16, State Road 39, State Road 14 and U.S. 35 Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local traffic should exercise caution and follow traffic directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is subject to change.

A Michigan City man is facing attempted murder charges after police say he fired a shotgun at multiple people during an argument Tuesday evening. At just before 07:30 p.m. dispatch received the first of three 911 calls regarding a person in the 700 block of Plymouth Court who was engaged in a verbal argument with multiple people while armed with a shotgun. Multiple officers responded to the area and encountered 36-year-old Michigan City resident Chad Topa who was armed with a loaded shotgun. Officers were able to quickly deescalate the situation and safely take possession of the loaded shotgun from

U.S. 30 will be reduced to one lane with flaggers directing traffic in the work zone between C.R. 450 E and C.R. 575 E for guardrail repair today, May 23. Motorists should expect increased delays through this area while this important work is underway.  

The Michigan City Department of Water Works will be closing Upland Road, east of 105 Upland Road, to install a water service on Thursday, May 23. The closure is necessary due to the limited work area. The road closure will begin at 8 a.m. and should be completed by 3 p.m. the same day. In the event of inclement weather on Thursday, they will complete the project on Friday, May 24.

One person has been arrested and another person was injured after a shooting Tuesday in Portage. At approximately 9:53 a.m., Portage Police Officers were dispatched to the 6600 block of Old Porter in reference to a report of a shooting. Upon the Officers’ arrival, they located a 33 year old male victim, who had sustained what is believed to be a non-life threatening injury, resulting from a gunshot. During the course of the investigation, it was determined the shooting had occurred as a result of an altercation between several parties who knew each other.  The suspect, a 32 year old

The State Road 39 bridge deck overlay project over the Kankakee River in La Porte/Starke Counties is complete, and the road has reopened to traffic. The project reopened almost 2 weeks sooner than originally announced. Follow the WIMS Facebook page and WIMSradio.com for more roadwork updates.