Local News

Yesterday Paladin, Inc. announced the sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals at no separate charge. Free and reduced-price meals will be provided to participants meeting the approved eligibility criteria. Meals are available to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability at the following sites: Imagination Station, La Porte County Head Start- Niemann, Knapp, and La Porte Presbyterian Church. Children who are members of households that receive TANF or Food Stamp benefits, are Head Start Participants, or are Foster children are automatically

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the retirement of Patrolman Ronald Chapman and Patrolman Michael Cairns, effective July 31st. Ronald Chapman has served the City of Valparaiso for over 22 years. Ronald was an active member within the department, spending his entire career within the Patrol Division.  During this time, Ronald attained many certifications that aided the department’s firearms and training programs. Ronald further joined the Porter County Emergency Response Team (ERT) in 2012 and was awarded three Honorable Mention awards as a member of the Valparaiso Police Department. Ronald has accepted a position with ArcelorMittal Steel as a shift manager

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) has distributed 1,000 new RADAR and LIDAR speed measurement.  Devices among 162 state and local police agencies. The units are being purchased with $1.6 million in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds.Dash-mounted RADAR systems may be used while patrol vehicles are moving or stopped and can measure traffic speeds in the same and opposing directions. Hand-held LIDAR devices help officers spot speeding drivers through several lanes of traffic or obstructions such as trees and bushes. The Michigan City Police Department received six new moving radar units and a LIDAR from the Indiana Criminal Justice

On Tuesday evening, the Valparaiso Police responded to the 360 block of Garfield Ave. due to a vehicle crashing into a nearby apartment structure.  Upon arrival, Officers located a vehicle that had crashed into the south side of the apartment, penetrating the exterior wall of a bedroom within the apartment.  Contact was made with 59 year old Stephanie Ramsey, of Valparaiso, who confirmed she was the driver of the vehicle when the crash occurred. Ramsey exhibited signs of intoxication and could not recall what happened while speaking with officers.  An investigation into the incident was conducted, resulting in the arrest

Porter County is now accepting applications for the position of Truck Driver / Laborer. The incumbent serves as Truck Driver/Laborer for the Highway Department, responsible for operating various trucks, tools and equipment in clearing and maintaining county roads and right-of-ways. Serves on 24-hour call as needed. For a complete job description and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Mike Braun offered an amendment to America’s Highway Infrastructure Act which strengthens the Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements to use “made-in-America” products in taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects. According to a statement from Braun’s office, “Buy America requirements have been applied for decades to most federal transportation projects, but some projects that receive federal Department of Transportation (DOT) discretionary dollars are not subject to Buy America.  To ensure that the economic benefits of taxpayer spending go to American workers and businesses, Buy America should apply to American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products in all DOT funded infrastructure projects. The Braun

Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosier consumers to beware of scams perpetrated by online posers in the wake of a recent Equifax settlement following the company’s 2017 announcement of a data breach affecting approximately 147 million people.Scammers have been setting up fraudulent websites that imitate the appearance of an authentic site created to enable people affected by the breach to file claims.The website www.equifaxbreachsettlement.com is authentic. (See the Federal Trade Commission’s recent post about this website.)Would-be scammers, however, have begun setting up imposter websites – misspelling “breach” as “breech” in one URL, for example, and misspelling “settlement” in other web addresses.Online

WHM Racing owner Billy Mauff has indicated he will be making a donation to the Michigan City Zoo. A check presentation has been planned during the Race Team Reception this Friday evening  at Blue Chip Casino. WIMS will be at the event. 

The right two lanes of eastbound I-94 will close starting Wednesday afternoon for bridge joint repair.The bridge is located over U.S. 20 just east of the Indiana Toll Road and the Lake/Porter county line. The traffic switch will take place in phases beginning Wednesday afternoon and eastbound traffic will be down to one lane for a short period of time late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. However, by 6 a.m. Thursday, it’s expected the new configuration will be in place with two lanes of traffic flowing in the left lane and shoulder. Work is anticipated to be complete in

Walmart and The Salvation Army are joining forces to provide new school supplies to local children of Michigan City Area Schools during the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event at Walmart, 5780 Franklin Street, on Saturday, August 3 from 9am to 6pm. As part of a nationwide effort, the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event in Michigan City is one of nearly 3,000 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country.  In-store shoppers on August 3 will receive lists of supplies needed, and all they have to do to participate is purchase and drop off the requested items at collection bins

The regular monthly meeting of the Michigan City Human Rights Commission will be held on Tuesday, August 6, at 4:30p.m. In the West Conference Room, City Hall, 100 E. MichiganBoulevard. This meeting is open to the public.

The public and those who raise vegetables commercially or as a hobby are invited to a vegetable and high tunnel field day on Tuesday, August 13, at Pinney Purdue Ag Center (PAC), 11402 South County Line Road, Wanatah. This Purdue Extension program begins at 5:00 p.m. CDT.Participants will hear some presentations from Purdue specialists then can choose a track on vegetable production or utilizing fresh vegetables. Laura Ingwell, Purdue Extension entomologist, will provide tips on organic insect management and will discuss the melon pollinator research project she is overseeing at Pinney PAC.  Liz Maynard, Purdue Extension commercial vegetable specialist, will

The Indiana Election Commission has approved the first voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) for electronic voting systems. This is a security measure that allows voters to independently verify their vote was correctly recorded.In Indiana, almost half of the counties use direct record electronic machines. There is a paper trail in the back of the machines, but it is not visible to the voter. As a security measure, paper trails that are visible to the voter are being added to electronic voting equipment.The General Assembly provided funding to equip 10 percent of electronic voting equipment with a VVPAT. Voters will

The Valparaiso Police Department has added a new officer with the swearing-in of Michael Lippelt.  Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony on July 26th, at the Valparaiso Police Department, with Chief Balon, numerous officers, family, and friends in attendance. Michael is a  Valparaiso High School graduate and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Purdue University.  Michel earned his first degree in Construction Management in 2010 and his second in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2017.  Prior to his swearing-in, Michael was employed with the American Senior Communities as a Clinical Dietitian.

On Wednesday August 7th, from 5pm to 7pm, the Portage Police Department will host a Back to School-School Safety Fair that covers vaping & Juuling, drug paraphernalia, cyberbullying & social media, and distracted driving. This event is geared to middle school and high school aged students and their parents.

In an update to a story WIMS has been following, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of CR 1000 North and Range Road in Galena Township just after 5 am on Monday. When the officer arrived he located a 2016 Harley Davidson and its operator, 46 year old Billy J. Finney laying in a nearby yard, deceased from his injuries. Evidence at the scene showed the motorcycle was traveling east on CR 1000 North when the operator failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway striking two trees before coming to rest. Mr. Finney was

St. Peter Church in La Porte will hold a blood drive on Wednesday from 09:30 AM - 03:30 PM. Walk-ins are welcome or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for availability.The church is located at 1101 Michigan Ave.

The Indiana General Assembly passed a new law this year that is now in effect (Senate Enrolled Act 363) requiring a Hunting Guide License for those that provide hunting guide services for money or other goods or services (barter or trade). The license costs $100 a year. The application for the license and monthly report form can be found at wildlife.IN.gov/2371.htm.While hunting guides (also called outfitters) have not been licensed by the Indiana DNR in the past, fishing guides have been licensed for a number of years.The Indiana General Assembly also modified language for penalties as it pertains to guides.

The Trail Creek Police Department will be accepting applications for a full-time police officer through August 5th. Applications may be picked up at the Trail Creek Town Hall located at 211 Rainbow Trail, Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Applications must be completed and returned to the town hall no later than Monday, August 05, by 2:00 pm. The department is asking for no phone calls.

La Porte Hospital continues to expand its La Porte Physician Network with the addition of General Surgeon, Blake Hood, D.O..  Dr. Hood’s areas of interest include all general surgery procedures including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgeries, endoscopy, colon and anal-rectal surgery, hernia repair, gallbladder removal, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery.  Dr. Hood is accepting new patients in his office at 600 Legacy Plaza West in La Porte, phone: 219-379-3166.  He will also have office hours in Knox, Indiana.