Local News

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

Yesterday members of the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST), arrested 35-year-old Darryl A. Fields Jr. at his residence in the 200 Block of Detroit Street on an active warrant. Fields’ warrant stems from a shooting that took place back on January 12th near the intersection of DeWolfe Street and Franklin Street that injured two people. The investigation was thoroughly investigated by Detective/Sergeant Royce Williams of the MCPD Investigative Division. Fields was arrested on charges of: • Attempted Murder Level 1-Felony • Two Counts of Aggravated Battery Level 3-Felony • Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon Level 4-Felony

A completed Healing Garden is now a place of prayer and solitude at Franciscan Health Michigan City, thanks to a $25,000 gift from the NECA/IBEW 531 Powering America team of Northwest Indiana. The gift funded three Healing Garden features: ·        * $10,000 for the Prayer/Family Conference Space, home to a statue of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel, foundress of the congregation that established their healthcare system. ·        * $10,000 for a Mosaic Paver Band of stone that resembles water near the Grotto Wall. ·        * $5,000 for a wall seat area in the Prayer/Family Conference Space. The objects of the International

Check out WIMS FACEBOOK for full release on all of the closures.

Yesterday the Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) announced a new partnership with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business to support the long-term economic recovery of Hoosier small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through a new program, eligible companies may apply for no-cost assistance to help establish or increase their online presence through website development, e-commerce support and other digital tools and services. The Indiana SBDC and Kelley launched Project HOPE to support Indiana small businesses negatively affected by COVID-19. Under the program, Kelley students and recent graduates are offered paid internships to assist eligible companies in expanding their online

In St. Joseph County on Tuesday officers and first responders were dispatched to the U.S. 31/U.S. 20 bypass, at the bridge over Lincoln Way, for a three-vehicle crash involving a truck/semi-trailer. All vehicles involved in the crash were traveling northbound on the bypass. A semi was traveling in the right hand lane and changing lanes into the left lane when the crash occurred. The front of the semi collided with the rear of a F150 pickup truck, causing the F150 to spin into the right lane, where it hit a Mazda Miata. After the impact, the Miata and the F150

Governor Eric Holcomb announced he will sign an executive order requiring Hoosiers to wear face coverings in most public settings, beginning Monday. A mask or other face covering may be factory-made, sewn by hand, or improvised from household items such as scarfs, bandanas and t-shirts. The mouth and nose should be covered. The executive order will require face coverings for anyone 8 years old or older in the following places: -          Public indoor spaces and commercial entities -          While using public transportation or other vehicle services such as a taxi or rideshare -          Outdoor public spaces when it’s not possible

The results of the first statewide random sample study in the United States to measure the spread of COVID-19 indicated a general population prevalence of about 2.8 percent in Indiana. This closely monitored study was conducted by the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI in collaboration with the Indiana State Department of Health. The findings were published July 21 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's scientific publication. Between April 25 and May 1, researchers tested more than 4,600 Hoosiers for viral infections and antibodies of SARS-CoV-2, the

In Porter County, watch for lane closures on State Road 149 at the intersection with U.S. 12. The inside lanes of State Road 149 in both the northbound and southbound directions are closed near the intersection. Motorists will still be able to turn onto and from U.S. 12. This closure is expected to last until the beginning of August. After that, traffic will be shifted to the southbound lanes while work on the bridge in this location begins in the northbound lanes. The entire project is expected to be completed in early November.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is warning and alerting citizens of a ruse by subjects purporting to be NIPSCO employees. Last Friday, an elderly homeowner who resides in the 100 block of Longwood Drive, La Porte, had a white male subject show up at his residence. The subject told the homeowner he was a NIPSCO employee and needed to trim some trees away from wires located on the property. The homeowner and subject walked through the residence to the backyard to view the trees. As this wasoccurring, a black male subject entered the residence and committed a burglary.

The City of Valparaiso and Police Department have decided that daily, downtown parking enforcement will return on August 3rd. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, this enforcement has been set aside to aid in access to downtown, providing various parking options for entry into restaurants and businesses. As activities have started a return to normalcy, parking needs have increased and are initiating calls for enforcement to be resumed. If any changes are presented by Governor Holcomb, or his Executive Order, alternate considerations may be taken.

Wednesday, July 29 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CDT WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 W. US 20 (outside of J.C. Penny), Michigan City, IN 46360 Thursday, July 30 – St. Joseph County 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. EDT WHERE: Food Bank of Northern Indiana, 702 Chapin Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Fresh perishable items and dry goods offered free of charge. All items will be pre-boxed and pre-bagged. First come, first served, for up to 400 households while supplies last for those in need of food assistance. One per household. This will be a drive-thru distribution. The food bank

Monday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., Indiana State Trooper Brant Goubeaux was dispatched to an injury involving a crash on I-80/94 at the 1.8 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation by Trooper Goubeaux shows that a Nissan was traveling eastbound in lane #2 when the driver of the Nissan failed to slow for the traffic congestion that he was approaching. It appeared that the driver may have taken evasive action and lost control of the Nissan. The Nissan then merged to the right, striking the driver’s side of a semi’s trailer.  The Nissan struck the trailer with such force that it rocked the

Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry has deployed the City’s “Work from Home Policy” for all employees of City Hall until August 3rd, due to an employee recently testing positive for COVID-19.   All the various departments within City Hall will continue functioning with basic services, and the public may contact a specific department via email and phone. These measures are precautionary and are intended to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.   City Hall will undergo a deep cleaning and disinfection during this closure.   At this time, Mayor Parry is requesting that all City Boards and Commissions resume virtual meetings

Indiana’s unemployment rate dropped by 1.1 percent  to 11.2 percent for June. The national rate is 11.1 percent. The monthly unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people seeking employment within the prior four weeks as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 53,484 over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 28,747 unemployed residents and an increase of 82,231 employed residents. Learn more about how unemployment rates are calculated here: https://www.hoosierdata.in.gov/infographics/employment-status.asp.

This past Friday, NIPSCO, announced the next phase of its plans to transition to lower-cost, cleaner energy resources, with the addition of two new solar farms that will be based in central Indiana.The announcement is part of the energy provider’s “Your Energy, Your Future” initiative which is  a customer-centric effort focused on delivering a more affordable, reliable and sustainable energy mix for the future. NIPSCO plans to be coal-free by 2028, and the company is adding a combination of renewable energy sources including wind, solar and battery storage technology to its existing natural gas generation resources. Several Indiana-based wind projects

The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross is looking for people to help sew and distribute face coverings during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, face coverings are needed within many communities and organizations; Red Cross volunteers are stepping up. In Indiana, more than 8,000 face coverings have already been sewn and distributed over the past seven weeks to agencies providing childcare, senior and veteran services. Non-sewers are needed too—for ironing, cutting out patterns, disinfecting and packaging, and inventorying and delivering to organization. To learn more, visit the Red Cross website, or contact jeffrey.imel@redcross.org