Local News

A Franciscan Health physical therapist who specializes in treating cancer patients is one of the first professionals in the country to earn board certification as a specialist in oncologic physical therapy. Paula Stout, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, who treats patients at Franciscan Point Rehabilitation in Crown Point, was part of the first class of certified oncology specialists in 2019. Today, just over 100 nationwide have the board certification, which was approved by the American Physical Therapy Association in 2016. Dr. Stout received her Bachelor of Health Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Missouri in Columbia, and her Doctorate in

We received a call from Michigan City Animal Hospital about a Chihuahua named Miracle. She had a severe eye injury and needed help that the owner could not afford. We were asked if we could we take her in, care for her, and find her a home.Miracle was very frightened after her surgery. She needed a lot of love and patience to help her adjust to losing her eye, and her home. Luckily, we had a foster family with Chihuahua experience to care for her. It only took a few days before they fell in love and decided to adopted her. She has recovered extremely

The local Knights of Columbus Council # 5929 (of St Patrick’s Parish, Chesterton, IN) is hosting a free fish fry in Gary, IN on Friday, Dec 18th from 5pm to 8pm. (donations are being accepted)This will be a PICK UP only event, you drive up…They bring the food to your car. Dinner will be served until they run out of fish.It will be held at 6004 Miller Ave in Gary, IN (Parking lot of St Mary of the Lake Church). More information can be found in the flier that is on wims facebook.If you have any questions, you can email

Thursday afternoon, a LaPorte County Deputy responded to a personal injury crash at the intersection of SR 2 and Fail Road. The crash investigation revealed that a 2021 Lincoln, driven by 56 year old Bertina K. Sleppy of La Porte, was stopped in the westbound SR 2 driving lane waiting for the traffic control device to cycle at the aforementioned intersection.  Sleppy reported her vehicle was suddenly rear-ended by another motor vehicle traveling westbound on SR 2.A 2001 Ford, driven by 57 year old Kiven L. Francis of La Porte, was traveling westbound on SR 2.  Francis stated there was

The Indiana State Police has the following information to release in regard to the officer involved shooting that took place on November 26, 2020 in LaPorte County.  Charges have been filed against Siad H. Berry II, 42, from Knox, IN.  The charges include the following: Attempted Murder- Level 1 Felony (3 counts)Aggravated Battery- Level 3 Felony (2 counts)Criminal Recklessness- Level 5 Felony Mr. Berry is being held at the LaPorte County Jail where his bond was set at $100,000 cash. The LaPorte County Sheriff has asked for the names of the officers involved to be released.  The officers that were

On November 29th , at 11:43 AM, officers from the Michigan City Police Department initiated a motor vehicle pursuit with suspects from a theft from Meijer (5150 Franklin Street). The pursuit of the Nissan sport utility vehicle traveled on various streets in Michigan City, before eventually traveling eastbound on Michigan Boulevard and onto US 20.Deputies Wade Wallace and Jon Samuelson, while out working the Domestic Highway Enforcement initiative/project, became involved in the pursuit as it traveled east on I-94 from US 20. Deputies pursued the vehicle into Michigan on I-94. The vehicle exited I-94 at Exit 1 and began to

Michigan City High School Student Council President Reese Attar (right) and Student Council Advisor Mrs. Elaine Rivich presented a $1,200 donation to Major Becky Simmons of the Salvation Army of Michigan City on Thursday, December 3. Funds were raised last year through several special events and projects organized by the group. The MCHS Student Council invites families from all Michigan City schools and the larger community to join them in supporting the Salvation Army's food pantry by bringing a canned good or other nonperishable food item to Ames Field on Saturday, December 19 from 9:00am to Noon for a "drive

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its quarantine guidance for people exposed to COVID-19, providing two options for shortening the standard 14-day quarantine period. A person who has been exposed to and is identified as a close contact of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to quarantine, which involves staying home and away from other people, for a designated period in order to prevent further spread of disease. The CDC guidance, which is posted here, retains the option of a 14-day quarantine but allows people who do not have symptoms to reduce their quarantine

More than 1,000 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) students have successfully completed the requirements of their undergraduate and graduate degrees as the fall 2020 semester draws to a close. PNW celebrates with its graduates their determination in persisting to earn their degrees. “You’re in a very unique situation in that you’ve had to adapt and change significantly during the final period of time that you have been here at PNW,” Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said in a video address to the graduates. “You have … a big advantage over many, because you’ve had to adapt, you’ve had to change, and I’m

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) once again has been designated by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Northern Indiana and Chicago StormReady Advisory Boards as a StormReady.The certification applies to both the Hammond and Westville campuses, as well as the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, and makes PNW one of only eight universities in Indiana that have been recognized as StormReady. PNW has been a StormReady university for more than eight years with certifications issued every three years.“We are proud to have earned this designation,” stated Brian Miller, director of Public Safety at PNW. “We have worked hard to develop

The treasures that had been first embedded in the stones of the old St. Anthony hospital a century ago, were finally revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 1, with the opening of time capsules at Franciscan Health Michigan City. Sister Petra Nielsen, Vice President of Mission Integration, carefully opened the containers in a conference room of the current hospital as other hospital officials watched. Crews from Tonn and Blank Construction removed the capsules as they continue work to reconfigure the Homer Street campus. A glass container had been originally placed in the original hospital building when the cornerstone was laid in 1903.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City has launched an online auction to help support its annual Christmas Campaign. This year, The Salvation Army has set a goal of $200,000 which would help provide Christmas toys and food to local families in need, as well as year-round services. The Rescue Christmas Holiday Auction is only available on social media by visiting The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center page on Facebook. Twenty-four items are up for bid, several of which would make a wonderful Christmas gift, said Major Becky Simmons of The Salvation Army of Michigan City. “For those

This holiday season, the IBA is again partnering with Foster the Need for its annual giving project. Foster the Need was developed in 2018 by IBA-member bankers as part of an IBA Leadership Development Program project. The program provides much-needed items to foster children across Indiana, such as hygiene products, clothing and books, in coordination with the Indiana Department of Child Services. The need for diapers at local foster care agencies and DCS offices is extensive, and diapers are often the most expensive supplies that Foster the Need provides. For this reason, the IBA has selected the FTN Diaper Drive for this

The Indiana State Police - Public Information Office is now accepting applications for the 81st Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in beginning a career as an Indiana State Trooper must apply online at the link provided on the WIMS Facebook post. This website will provide a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police.Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted for the 81st Recruit Academy.Basic Eligibility Requirements and consideration factors for an

INDOT Northwest says that yesterday they had a close call with one of their maintenance crews working on Cline Ave. A vehicle crashed into the back of a truck mounted attenuator, causing major damage to the attenuator and the vehicle that struck it. Thankfully, the attenuator did it's job and there were no serious injuries reported.INDOT says they use truck mounted attenuators (TMAs) as a safety precaution when a crew is out working in the roadway. They help signal to traffic that workers are present and that motorists should slow down and move over. When struck, TMAs absorb the impact

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed Executive Order 20-49 to extend the public health emergency an additional 30 days. Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

With blood supplies at critically low levels during the COVID-19 pandemic, an emergency appeal to donors is being made for three December blood drives scheduled at Franciscan Health Michigan City and Franciscan Health Fitness Centers in Schererville. The blood drives held by Versiti Blood Center will be 10AM to 3PM on Monday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 18 at Franciscan Health Michigan City. Donations will be taken in the Versiti Blood Drive Bus, which will be located outside Entrance A at the hospital at 3500 Franciscan Way. A third blood drive will be 3-7PM on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Franciscan

On Friday, at 12:58 AM, deputies were dispatched to Franciscan Health - Michigan City Campus (3500 Franciscan Way), reference a subject being observed on camera exposing himself in the parking lot.   Captain Andy Hynek arrived and encountered hospital security staff near a subject in the parking lot.  The subject was identified as Eric K. MAJIED (56 YOA).  Captain Hynek quickly learned MAJIED had just defecated on a curb near his vehicle.  MAJIED was uncooperative and soon taken into custody.   Deputy Slawek Czupryna arrived and transported MAJIED to the LaPorte County Jail (LCJ).  He was arrested for Public Nudity (B-Misdemeanor) and remains

On Friday (11/27/20) at 2:35 PM, Deputy Wade Wallace was traveling west on US 20 in the 3500 east block.  Just ahead, a passenger vehicle was traveling west in the driving lane.  Near the 2800 east block, the vehicle merged from the driving lane to the passing lane.  While executing said lane change, the vehicle committed a traffic infraction.   A registration check conducted by Deputy Wallace determined the registered owner, Jeffery W. WADE, was a wanted person by authorities in Elkhart County.   In the area of US 20 and CR 150 East, Deputy Wallace paced the vehicle and noted it was exceeding the

Thank you INDOT NORTHWEST for the update on the roads Here is a look at U.S. 35 north of U.S. 6 and Boyd Blvd in LaPorte County. National Weather Service has indicated that the worst road conditions for traveling will occur this evening through mid-morning tomorrow.