Local News

A message from from Portercountyin.gov -see below for Custodian and Maintenance positions sent over to the WIMS newsroom-FEEL FREE to SHARE-New Government Jobs Maintenance (Part-Time) /New Government Jobs Custodian (Part-Time) for www.portercountyin.govww.portercountyin.gov   Custodian (Part-Time) POSITION: Custodian DEPARTMENT: Commissioners WORK SCHEDULE: M-F 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (Varies upon building) JOB CATEGORY: LTC (Labor, Trades & Crafts) DATE WRITTEN: Nov. 1996 STATUS: Part-Time DATE REVISED: Sept. 2020 FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt   To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or

Michigan City Area Schools Announces Calendar for the 2026-2027 School Year Michigan City, IN - December 30, 2025 - Michigan City Area Schools has released its calendar for the 2026-27 school year. Highlights include: August 12, 2026 - First Day of School for Students September 7, 2026 - Labor Day (No School) October 7, 2026 - Early Release Day October 15-16, 2026 - Fall Break (No School) November 5, 2026 - Early Release Day and Student-Led Conferences/ Parent Conferences November 23-27, 2026 - Thanksgiving Break (No School) December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027 - Winter Break (No School) January

Here are the latest happenings at 219 Taproom in Chesterton-stop by family friendly, great food and service and awesome music. Check out www.219taproom.com. LIKE them on FACEBOOK. #wims

Stop by the HotSpot Cafe La Porte IN and check out some of their upcoming events including: Say Goodbye to 25 which will be happening this Thursday January 1st at Noon OR Watercolors 101 every Saturday in January starting January 3rd OR Turtle Beach 3D Art on Saturday January 10th at 10am. Something’s always happening at The Hot Spot Café! 602 Lincolnway, La Porte 219‑325‑8080 www.hotspotcafe.net Looking for great food, great coffee, and great company? Swing by The Hot Spot Café and check out all the upcoming events that are bringing La Porte together! Stay tuned right here for event

Gov. Braun Announces $207 Million Federal Grant to Launch GROW: Cultivating Rural Health  INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana was awarded nearly $207 million for the first year of a five-year federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to improve health outcomes in the state’s rural communities. The funding will support GROW (Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being): Cultivating Rural Health, a five-year initiative designed to enhance healthcare access and data, quality, and outcomes through system innovation and collaboration. This initial award is more than the $200 million a year the state requested Nov. 4 in its application. The award was based on a variety of factors, including the state’s rural metrics,

Guilty Plea Entered in 2024 St. Joseph County Candidate Petition Forgery Case: Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales Addresses Importance of Election Law Enforcement The Office of the Indiana Secretary of State acknowledges recent developments in the 2024 St. Joseph County candidate petition signature fraud matter, where a 27-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to forging voter signatures on candidate ballot petitions — an election offense charged as a Level 6 felony. In February 2024, the St. Joseph County Election and Voter Registration Office spotted irregularities in a set of 530 voter signatures submitted in support of placing a presidential candidate

LaPorte Community School Corporation Participates in Community Funding Resource Program INDIANAPOLIS – Treasurer Daniel Elliott announced that the Indiana Bond Bank assisted LaPorte Community School Corporation with project financing through its Community Funding Resource (CFR) Program. The funds will be used to finance improvements at facilities throughout the Corporation. “The Community Resource Funding Program gives folks up to 25 years to pay back, with the benefit of Indiana’s strong financial position. It’s got steady payments and helps with new or old projects, so our communities can get the funds they need to get important things done, making life better for everyone,”

Tom Foolery Fun Club is coming back to Michigan City on Saturday 2/14/26 Tom Foolery Fun Club is coming back to Michigan City on Saturday 2/14/25 Returning in February, 2026! Just For Valentine’s Day!! The Tomfoolery Fun Club is back at the Orak Shrine in Michigan City for a special Valentine’s Day celebration filled with laughter, live music, and good vibes! Seating is limited to just 400 guests, and this event always sells out early—so grab your tickets now and don’t miss the fun! For tickets and information call 219-228-0674 or visit www.tomfooleryfunclub.com.

Suspect in South 18th Street shooting charged with attempted murder-from the Town of Chesterton FACEBOOK page The suspect in the shooting on South 18th Street early yesterday morning, Saturday, Dec. 27, has been been formally charged with four felonies, including attempted murder, a Level 1 felony punishable by a term of 20 to 50 years, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. The suspect, Ian Patrick Toole, 37, has also been charged with aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony, punishable by a term of three to 16 years; battery, a Level 5 felony punishable by a term of one to six

WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...West winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph this morning. A few gusts to around 60 mph expected near Lake Michigan. Winds will begin to ease later this morning, though occasional gusts to 45 mph are expected to continue near Lake Michigan into the early afternoon. * WHERE...Porter County. * WHEN...Until 3 PM CST this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can

Here are the latest happenings from the Michigan City Public Library   Winter Reading Challenge   Friday, January 2 – Saturday, February 28   Beginning Friday, January 2, pick up your Winter Reading bookmark at the Reference Desk. Fill in a circle for every 20 minutes you read or listen to a book. Once you’ve filled in all the circles, return your bookmark to the Reference Desk to pick a prize from our prize chest and receive an entry in our drawing! One lucky reader will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card. Limit of five total entries per

Lubeznik Center for the Arts Presents First Friday Open Mic Night Friday, January 2, 2026   MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will host its annual First Friday Open Mic Night on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. CT. All are welcome to enjoy lively performances, complimentary light refreshments and a cash bar. As always, admission is free.   Hosted once again by emcee Tim Rounds, LCA’s Open Mic Night provides a platform for local performers to share their talents with the community. Musicians, singers, poets and stand-up comics interested in performing can

Suspect in custody following a shooting Saturday on 18th Street according to the Town of Chesterton FACEBOOK page. A suspect is in custody following a shooting early Saturday morning  Dec. 27, on South 18th Street, the Chesterton Police Department said. According to the CPD, at 2:33 a.m. officers assisted by Porter County Sheriff’s Police deputies responded to a report of a shooting at residence in the 100 block of South 18th Street. On their arrival officers located an adult female victim with a gunshot wound to the head, the CPD said. “The victim was alert and able to communicate with

Federal Order Delays NIPSCO’s R.M. Schahfer Generating Station’s Retirement MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) has received a federal order requiring the continued operation of R.M. Schahfer Generating Station for at least 90 days beyond its previously scheduled retirement date of Dec. 31, 2025. “We are reviewing the overall impact to our customers and company and will comply with this order, and any subsequent orders, if received,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “We recognize the importance of both reliability and cost management for our customers, and we will continue to engage with

John McCaw Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison   On December 23rd, 2025, friends and family of Nancy Ainsworth gathered in Laporte Circuit Court for the sentencing of John McCaw. Nancy’s family and friends spoke to the Court on how Mr McCaw’s actions have destroyed lives and hurt the community. After hearing these statements, and considering the arguments from the State and Mr McCaw, Senior Judge Thomas Alevizos sentenced Mr McCaw to 60 years in prison. Mr McCaw was originally charged in 2022 for Murder.   Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan commented: “This is Justice.”   Prosecuting Attorney Fagan continued: “My

WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ MONDAY... ...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...West winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana, southwest Michigan, and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ this evening to 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ Monday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially

The La Porte Invitational will take place for three days January 9th-11th at the La Porte Civic Auditorium   The countdown is on! From January 9, through January 11, the LaPorte Invitational takes center stage at the historic LaPorte Civic Auditorium. This action-packed three-day event brings together some of the nation’s elite high school basketball programs, featuring ESPN’s top-ranked recruits. With its nostalgic charm, the Civic Auditorium is the perfect venue to watch future college and professional stars in action.   Feel the intensity live or on national broadcasts, thrilling matchups with local powerhouse La Lumiere.   Known for their

 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites the public to join in celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy through free programming on Jan. 15 and Jan. 19, 2026. PNW will host two opportunities for community members to celebrate and recognize MLK Day 2026. Both programs will feature engaging keynote speakers and opportunities for dialogue. Event and registration information can be found at pnw.edu/mlk-celebration. Jan. 15, 2026 MLK Day Celebration in Hammond PNW’s Jan. 15 MLK Day celebration runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Alumni Hall of the Student Union and Library Building on the Hammond campus, 2200 169th

The City of Valparaiso is developing a Safety Action Plan and is inviting the public to take a survey. The survey can be found at https://bit.ly/ValpoSAP.  

Mary Mela Scheidt July 23, 1935 - December 16, 2025 Mary Mela Scheidt, 90, of Chesterton, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 10:08 a.m. at Chesterton Manor, Chesterton, Indiana. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Otis), 101 N. Church Road, Otis, Indiana, with Rev. Richard Kozak officiating. Private burial will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, Indiana. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington Street, Michigan City, Indiana is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Share Foundation for the Handicapped, P.O. Box