Local News

On Monday January 6th, 2020; MCPD sworn in eight (8) Probationary Officers at a ceremony at the City Hall Council Chambers.  These Probationary Officers had undergone an extensive hiring process which began with over 30 potential candidates who completed applications and began the hiring process.  These 8 Probationary Officers will endure 6 weeks of in-house training with the Division of Professional Standards.  Upon completion of this training, they will begin the Field Training Officer Program where they will be working within the community with their respective training officers until spaces are available for them to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement

U-Haul says Indiana is a growth state for the third consecutive year, climbing to the #9 spot in the U.S. U-Haul bases its conclusion on one-way rentals leaving the state, compared to those entering the state, by analyzing 2 million one-way U-Haul truck transactions. The company says Indiana climbed 17 spots from its 2018 ranking. It says there was a larger portion of arrivals in Indiana than departures. Neighboring Illinois leads the nation in out-migration with the largest net losses of moving trucks crossing state borders. It’s followed by California and Michigan. To view the complete list, visit: https://myuhaulstory.com/2020/01/06/uhaul-names-top-growth-states-2019-florida-new-1/

.LAKESHORE FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY... The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Lakeshore Flood Advisory, which is in effect from 6 PM this evening to noon CST Wednesday. * LAKE SHORE FLOODING...West to northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 35 mph tonight will diminish to 15 to 25 mph by Wednesday morning. Waves of 6 to 12 feet, occasionally to 15 feet, are expected tonight into Wednesday. Waves subside to 3 to 6 feet by midday Wednesday. TuesdayA chance of sprinkles and flurries before

To help keep passengers as safe as possible, the South Shore Line encourages and depends on riders to send reports any time you see a potential issue with service, maintenance or safety. The new South Shore See Say App will make this easier than ever.Using the app:-Select a report type and the location and then give a brief description – you can even include an image.-Once you submit your report, your information will be passed on to the appropriate party immediately.-In case of emergency, a “Call 911” feature is included. In addition, the new app features include service alert notifications,

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd announced that the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association will again be awarding college scholarships to qualified high school seniors or college students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice studies.  There will be approximately 40 - $750 scholarships awarded to qualifying students throughout the state.The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship Fund was established for the purpose of receiving, investing and dispensing of funds to provide college scholarships to qualified students who are committed to pursuing an education and career in the law enforcement field.To qualify for one of these scholarships, the applicant must be an

The Valparaiso Police are currently investigating an armed robbery at 7-Eleven, located at 708 Lincolnway.  The incident occurred at about 9:30 pm Sunday. It has been reported that a white male with a beard, wearing a tan Texas Longhorns hat, a dark colored long sleeve shirt, and jeans, entered the store, approached the clerk while brandishing a black semi-automatic pistol and requested money.  The male soon exited the store and fled east toward Garfield Ave. Images of the suspect are on the Valparaiso Police Facebook page. If you have any information regarding this incident or the suspect, please contact the

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce newly elected directors and officers to the board for 2020.  During the December Board of Directors meeting, the following directors and officers were unanimously approved.  Approved for her first three-year term is Julie Krause with Patrick’s Grille and appointed to fill a vacant term through 2021 is Scott Newcomb with Sullivan-Palatek.  Elected officers for 2020 are John Wall with Walsh & Kelly as Chair, Bill Gertner with Horizon Bank as Vice-Chair, Brenda Temple with Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa as Treasurer, and Jill Nygren with Franciscan Health Michigan City

The Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) recently presented Ed Merrion of the Public Action Delivering Shelter (PADS) with a $100,000 check for meeting their fundraising goal and meeting the eligibility requirements of the brand new HFL Challenge Grant. PADS has been raising the $300,000 needed to renovate the former Sacred Heart Church into a facility to serve the homeless by providing shelter, food and a network to help people get back on their feet. Without the Sacred Heart renovation, PADS would have had to continue offering overnight services through churches in the area, which means moving church to church

La Porte and Starke Hospitals have announced their 2019 selections for Colleagues of the Year, honoring individuals who were nominated both by patients and their peers for providing excellent, compassionate care and service to the community. CHECK OUT WIMS FACEBOOM page for the full release and picture. The winners are as follows: Lisa Sites, Financial Counselor – Colleague of the Year, Starke Hospital. Sites has worked in a variety of positions during her 25 years with the hospital and has excelled at all of them. Described as being a wealth of knowledge and a valuable source of help to her

On Friday, January 3rd, 2020, at approximately 10:00 AM, Deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 4300 south block of CR 800 East in rural Lincoln Township, reference to a possible body in the water.Upon Deputies arrival, they were able to confirm that an unknown black male was deceased and contacted the Detective Bureau.An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, January 6th at Franciscan Hospital Michigan City.The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the La Porte County Coroner’s Office.Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Gabe

Franciscan Health hosts blood drives in January, February Franciscan Health will host Versiti Blood Center of Illinois blood drives at its Hammond, Dyer, Munster and Crown Point hospitals during the months of January and February. ·        Noon to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Franciscan Health Hammond, 5454 Hohman Ave., in the outpatient surgery conference room on the fourth floor ·        Noon to 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 9 at Franciscan Health Dyer, 24 Joliet St., in the Medical Pavilion North, fourth floor classroom ·        Noon to 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6 at Franciscan Health Munster, 701 Superior Ave., in the St. Claire Conference

The Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission will host a public information meeting in LaCrosse after its regularly scheduled meeting on January 16th from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CST at The Center of LaCrosse, 100 South Washington Street. Executive Director Scott Pelath will make a presentation regarding the current condition of the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers and the Commission’s forty-year work plan to address mounting water resource challenges in Northwest Indiana. Following the presentation, members of the public will be encouraged to ask questions and make suggestions regarding the future of both Indiana rivers. Any questions

Senator Mike Braun announced his team held 309 Mobile Offices in 2019 in 236 Hoosier communities in all 92 counties. Mobile Offices allow constituents to meet directly with staff in a meaningful way in their home communities to discuss legislative and policy issues or to get help working with a federal agency. A mobile office will be set up in Westville on Wednesday, January 15th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Westville City Hall in the Community Room.Basin Development Commission To Host Public Information Meeting In Lacrosse

The state of Indiana saw a slight decrease in the percentage of high school students who graduated last year. The Indiana Department of Education has released the 2019 state graduation rate that shows 87.29% of students graduated in 2019. In 2018, Indiana’s graduation rate was 88.1%. The non-waiver rate also declined to 76.73% last year from 80.78% a year earlier. You can connect to more about the new numbers, including statewide, district and school-level data by clicking: https://www.doe.in.gov/accountability/find-school-and-corporation-data-reports

The City of Michigan City recently said farewell to three Firefighters who have retired. The three firefighters had dedicated more than 97 years of service. Recently Fire Chief Randy Novak 33 years of service, Deputy Chief Jeff Cox 34 years of service and Public Information Officer Tony Drzewiecki 30 years of service have announced their retirement effective January 1, 2020. Retired Chief Novak commented that he along with Retired Deputy Chief Jeff Cox are especially proud to have worked alongside some of the most dedicated men and women in the fire service here, which has made our decision to retire

Attorney General Curtis Hill has released a preliminary report on his office’s investigation into 2,411 medically preserved fetal remains and thousands of medical records discovered in the fall of 2019 among the personal belongings of the late Dr. Ulrich Klopfer, who performed abortions at clinics in Fort Wayne, Gary and South Bend. Amid new details in the report is the fact that, based on the poor condition of the fetal remains and unreliable nature of the accompanying records, it is not possible to make an independent verification of the identities of the individual fetal remains. Accordingly, Attorney General Hill intends

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released the 2019 state graduation rate. In 2019, Indiana’s graduation rate was 87.29 percent, and the non-waiver rate was 76.73 percent. In 2018, Indiana’s graduation rate was 88.1 percent with a non-waiver graduation rate of 80.78 percent. Due to differences between federal and state accountability calculations, IDOE also released 2019 federal graduation rates. In 2019, Indiana’s federal graduation rate was 86.46 percent. Indiana’s federal graduation rate for 2018 was 87.23 percent. To view a spreadsheet with statewide, corporation, and school-level data, please visit: www.doe.in.gov/accountability/find-school-and-corporation-data-reports

The Indiana State Police is offering a unique opportunity to accept additional applications for the 80th Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in beginning a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper shall utilize the following links: For a detailed synopsis of the application process as well as information on additional career opportunities with the Indiana State Police visit: https://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm To go directly to the application login page visit: https://myweb.in.gov/ISP/Recruitment/application/index.php/users/login

Early Wednesday morning, Trooper Carlson was stationary on I-80/94 eastbound under the Burr Street Bridge when he observed a 2016 Chrysler 200 traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was traveling at 103 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. Trp. Carlson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and stopped it near the 9 mile-marker. The driver identified himself as 26 year old Michael L. Peavy from Hammond, Indiana. There was a strong odor of raw marijuana emitting from the vehicle and Peavy appeared to be sweating profusely. Peavy was retrieving documents when Trooper Carlson observed

Monday morning at 12:15 a.m., Trooper Alaa Hamed observed a vehicle driving erratically in the area of 5th Avenue and Jefferson St. in Gary. The vehicle was driving at a very low rate of speed, weaving side to side and made several unsafe lane movements. Trooper Hamed made a traffic stop on the vehicle, and spoke with the driver. While speaking with the driver, he detected the strong odor of alcoholic beverages on the driver’s breath. Field sobriety tests were performed on the driver which lead the officer to have probable cause to place the driver into custody. When asked