Local News

The City of La Porte has finalized their plan to reopen meetings the public, according to Mayor Tom Dermody and Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Parthun. Beginning July 6, City Council and Board of Works will resume in-person meetings in City Hall. To ensure social distancing, the number of people allowed in to watch will be restricted to 21. In addition, all guests will be required to sign in, have their temperature taken and wear a face mask. Dermody said they will continue to stream meetings on YouTube and Facebook for those who are unable to attend. City Hall will be open by

TEMPORARY NEW TRANSIT SCHEDULE Recently, a few of the City’s transit bus drivers felt ill and submitted to COVID-19 testing.   Test results indicated that five of the seven employees tested positive for COVID-19.  These employees were immediately sent home to quarantine and self-isolate.  In addition, their respective buses were taken out of service and thoroughly sanitized.   Throughout this whole pandemic, the City has taken and will continue to take numerous precautions recommended and outlined by the CDC to assure the safety of our passengers and drivers which include daily sanitizing of the buses throughout the day, shields between the driver

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Friday, July 3, 2020 in the following areas:  Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby North Central Indiana – St. Joseph, ElkhartNorthwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorteSoutheast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and WashingtonSouthwest Indiana – Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick  IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can: Walk,

Former Wheeler High School Teacher 31 year old Brian Kunze, of Valparaiso, was charged by criminal Complaint with receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. According to documents in the case, Mr. Kunze, a former Wheeler High School teacher, used his position of authority at the school to coax one of his minor students into taking and sending him sexually explicit photos of herself.  Digital forensic examination of devices seized by federal law enforcement agents from Mr. Kunze’s home also revealed that he knowingly obtained sexually explicit photos of other minor girls who attended the school.   The

A new COVID-19 testing site will set up shop in La Porte for the month of July, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. The testing, starting July 1 and running through the end of the month, will take place at the Civic Auditorium and is completely free to anyone who lives or works in Indiana. Though the number of coronavirus cases in LaPorte County have been trending downwards, Dermody said having access to free testing is critical as neighboring states begin to see a rise in their numbers. “With restrictions loosened and many people back to work, it can be easy

On June 29, 2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m., Michigan City Police Officers responded to the area of 11th Street and Wabash Street for a report of shots fired. Upon their arrival to the area, they located three individuals who had been shot. The injured individuals were taken to Franciscan Alliance Hospital where two of them were treated and released. The third person was severely injured and needed to be flown to a regional hospital for further treatment. To see the full PRESS RELEASE Check out WIMS FACEBOOK page.

 The City of La Porte today announced Tim Werner as its new Water Superintendent, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. Werner began his career with the water department in 2011 as a construction laborer and has worked his way through the ranks, being promoted to Facilities Maintenance Supervisor in 2014 by former Water Superintendent Todd Taylor. Taylor held the position of superintendent for 41 years. Dermody said though Taylor and his experience will be tough to replace, he thinks Werner is up to the task. “Between his positive attitude and leadership skills, I know Tim will be a great fit for

Boaters preparing for the Independence Day holiday should be aware that Indiana Conservation Officers will be on high alert for violations of boating-under-the-influence laws as part of national Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water, a year-round program, will be in heightened effect July 3-5.

DNR’s Division of Outdoor Recreation has launched a new interactive “Where to Paddle” map that is designed to highlight Indiana’s water trails. It can be found at on.IN.gov/wheretopaddle. Public access sites, canoe and kayak outfitters, low-head dam locations and river miles are displayed in the map, which also includes USGS water gauges that display real-time stream flow at stations across the state. The map compiles data layers that were collected over many years and managed by multiple divisions into one location. (For more information on Indiana’s water trails, see dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/4236.htm.)

The Salvation Army of Michigan City celebrated its first graduate of the Pathway of Hope program. LaTonya Troutman, a local activist, public relations specialist and mother of four, completed the year-long program that is designed to help families in crisis regain stability in the home. A little over a year ago, Troutman and her family lost their home due a house fire – something that set back a single mother who was already working hard to set an example of success and self-sufficiency for her children.  She was referred to The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program. Working with case

UPDATE to previous busing notice: Only WB Tr 102 and Tr 104 will be bused between Carroll Ave. and East Chicago. Beginning with WB Tr 106, trains will be permitted to operate through Gary Metro and Dune Park following earlier power line issues.  In order to maintain safe operations, all SSL trains will be operating at a low rate of speed between Carroll Ave. and the Dune Park area. Due to residual impacts from the slow speeds, passengers are advised to anticipate train delays for all trains throughout the day. Please be at your boarding stations on time in the event

La Porte water superintendent retires after 41 years-Thank you Todd Taylor for your service to The City of La Porte. Mayor Tom Dermody on with Ric Federighi Wednesday morning at 7:15am brought to you by Derrick Wayne Arnett and Arnett Construction & Roofing The City of La Porte said goodbye to one of its longest-serving employees this week, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. After 41 years, Water Superintendent Todd Taylor retired Tuesday, June 30. Taylor took the position right after his graduation from Regis University and has served under 10 La Porte mayors. Dermody said his institutional knowledge and experience will be sincerely missed. “Todd has

Beginning with EB Tr 7, South Shore Line passengers will be bused today, June 30, around the Dune Park area due to ongoing pole repairs.  Eastbound passengers will be bused from Gary Metro Center to their destination stations. Trains that terminate at Gary Metro will not be impacted.  Westbound passengers beginning with Tr 116 will be bused from Carroll Ave. to Gary Metro, where passengers will board a new westbound train to their destinations.  Work is expected to last into the afternoon. Updates will be sent as they become available.

Deep River Waterpark, a facility of Lake County Parks and Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and the Chicagoland area's largest waterpark, opens Tuesday, June 30th at 10am for our 25th season!  But due to our COVID-19 dilemma there will be many unique things this season.In compliance with State of Indiana & Dept. of Health regulations we will be…1) Selling all admission tickets online ONLY at deepriverwatrepark.com…NO TICKETS are available at the waterpark.2) Our rides will be limited this season and everyone should be checking it out at  deepriverwaterpark.com before purchasing tickets.3) We will be limiting attendance to less than 50% daily capacity.Our attractions

 After a long break, TransPorte will once again provide rides for trips considered nonessential, according to Manager Beth West. The transportation service began its essential-only rule following the governor’s “stay-at-home” order. Beginning July 6, TransPorte will take full requests, including house-to-house trips. West said they will also resume charging their normal ride rates. “We have been happy to provide free rides for our City’s residents over the last several months,” West said. “This year has been a difficult one, and it has been our pleasure to serve the people in our community. As things begin to settle down and businesses

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) announced that the majority of BMV branches will be closed Saturday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Branches with a Monday through Friday schedule or a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule will be closed on Friday, July 3 in observance of the holiday. All satellite branches and branches with a standard Tuesday through Saturday schedule are closed July 4. Branches will resume regularly scheduled business hours on Monday, July 6. For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk

CAPTION: Mayor Tom Dermody (left) and City of La Porte Police Chief Paul Brettin (right) congratulate Specialist William Bunton (center) on his retirement Friday, June 26, 2020, in La Porte. Bunton served in the city police department for nearly 23 years. A long-serving officer with the City of La Porte Police Department retired this week. After nearly 23 years with the department, Specialist William Bunton completed his service Friday, June 26. Bunton was a patrolman for most of his career and also spent some time working as an evidence technician in the detective bureau. Cheif Paul Brettin said the department will

The City of La Porte condemned two unsafe properties this week, according to Mayor Tom Dermody and Director of Code Enforcement Jeff Batchelor. According to a press release, Batchelor and Code Enforcement Officer Dan Drake inspected the rental properties at 207 Grove Street and 701 Maple Avenue and identified various safety and sanitation issues at each location, including construction and electrical problems, water damage and vermin infestation. Batchelor said he and Dermody are working hard to rid the city of dangerous living conditions like the ones found at these locations. Dermody said the city is working with Center Township Trustee

Indiana State Parks have created a new comment card that lets users share thoughts about service, hospitality and facilities. The Indiana State Parks team has a renewed focus on service and hospitality using an internally developed program called “Service State Park Style” that focuses on hospitality as you camp, stay at an inn or spend a day outdoors in a state park.  New printed comment cards are available in park offices, nature centers and other public buildings to share your thoughts about state park service, hospitality and facilities. The comment card is now also available for easy completion online at

During the month of July, Redwood Roofing and Remodeling is partnering with Heroic Hearts to donate unique hospital gowns to children in the La Porte Hospital and Franciscan Health in Michigan City. Heroic Hearts strives to make children’s hospital stays enjoyable by adding a touch of fun in their uniquely designed hospital gowns. As a child, being in a hospital, regardless of how long, can be an intimidating and energy draining experience. Swapping the drab hospital gown for a superhero or princess gown adds a spark of joy to children by providing a sense of normalcy to their situation. Heroic