Local News

The Michigan City Fire Department has recently received the improved Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of a Class 2 from a Class 3. This rating has been achieved by less than 1/4 of 1% of Fire Departments Nationwide and is one of only 17 in Indiana. The ISO currently evaluates over 50,000 Fire Departments Nationwide with only 1,597 earning the Class 2 Rating. The new Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating will become effective July 1st, and the improved Insurance Service Office rating will help some homeowners see a lowering of insurance rates, the department announced. Fire Departments across the Nation

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced that 35 Hoosier artists have been selected to participate in the second annual On-Ramp accelerator program for early career creative entrepreneurs.The creative entrepreneurs chosen for the 2019 On-Ramp program represent all corners of the state and a variety of creative disciplines. To learn more about them and their careers, visit: https://www.in.gov/arts/3143.htm.The 35 participants are preparing to expand their creative work with an entrepreneurial approach. A three-day course workshop, will be held May 10 - 12th in Nashville, Indiana focusing on developing business skills, career goals, and community engagement learning. Those completing the course are eligible

Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds announced the dates and open application for the 5th Annual Northwest Regional Sheriff’s Camp for 2019. The dates for this year’s camp are August 6th-8th at the Indiana Dunes State Park from 8:00am-3:00pm. In case of inclement weather each day, the backup location is Wheeler High School in Porter County. The cost of the camp is $40.00 per camper. The camp is put on by the Porter County, Jasper County, LaPorte County and Lake County Sheriff’s Offices as well as Indiana Conservation and South Haven Fire and Rescue. The camp is open to children from

Attorney General Curtis Hill joined a 17-state coalition this week to support farmers and other landowners by urging the Trump administration to adopt its own proposed replacement of the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The 2015 regulation sought to define properties subject to federal management based on whether they contained environmentally significant bodies of water.The coalition, in comments filed late Monday, argued the Trump administration’s proposal would restore respect for the states’ traditional authority to protect local lands and water resources.The coalition believes the new rule will correct flaws in the 2015 regulation, which extended authority of

Thousands of stocked trout will be available to Indiana anglers on opening day of inland stream trout fishing on Saturday, April 27. In order to protect stocked trout, certain streams are closed to all fishing from April 15 until opening day. In addition, some sections of streams are designated as year-round “catch and release only,” and “artificial lures or flies only.”The DNR will have stocked 23,425 rainbow trout in 17 streams covering 12 counties for the opener. The stocked trout come from Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station near Howe in LaGrange County and average roughly 11 inches in length. Anglers

Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) improving transportation services for Hoosier Medicaid patients heads to the governor’s desk to be considered for a new law.Last year, the state contracted Southeastrans, a transportation brokerage company, to provide consistent non-emergency medical transportation services to Medicaid patients across the state. The company schedules rides for patients who may not otherwise be able to make their doctor, dentist or dialysis appointments. According to Pressel, the demand for transportation increased drastically following the promotion of Southeastrans’ services, resulting in many system failures including late rides, missed rides and last-minute cancellations.This legislation would

Valparaiso Police are investigating the theft of miscellaneous items from Wal-Mart, located at 2400 Morthland Dr. The theft occurred on April 11th, at approximately 3:30 p.m. The two males selected merchandise and exited the store making no attempt to pay for the concealed items. VPD say if you have information regarding the subjects please contact Detective Jason Hamilton at 219-462-2135. Information can also be texted to TIP411 (847-411) and enter “Valpo” in the message field prior to sending the message. The photos of the subjects have been shared on the WIMS Facebook page.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) hopes to inspire superheroes among its alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends and students to make a pledge of support during the Purdue Northwest Day of Giving on Wednesday, April 24. The once-a-year event is a non-stop, 24-hour opportunity to support PNW’s student scholarships, academic programs, athletics and more.Designed to provide a convenient, daylong opportunity to make a monetary gift of any amount to PNW, Day of Giving sees gifts from thousands of superheroes who answer that call.Donations can be made online beginning at 11 p.m. CDT, on April 23 at pnw.edu/dayofgiving. Donations will also be accepted

In observance of Good Friday, the following Central Service Departments will be closed on Friday, April 19th.These Departments include:Central Services OfficeVector/ForesterStreet DepartmentThe Refuse Department will be operating a regular schedule.

A device for new mothers in crisis, born out of one woman’s experience as an abandoned infant, is now available at Franciscan Health Michigan City, as the Safe Haven Baby Box received its formal blessing on Tuesday.The Safe Haven Baby Box is available to new mothers who wish to utilize Indiana’s Safe Haven Law, which enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. The anonymity of the Safe Haven Baby Box is a last resort for women in crisis.The baby box at Franciscan Health Michigan City is discreetly located outside the Emergency

A device for new mothers in crisis, born out of one woman’s experience as an abandoned infant, is now available at Franciscan Health Michigan City, as the Safe Haven Baby Box received its formal blessing on Tuesday. The Safe Haven Baby Box is available to new mothers who wish to utilize Indiana’s Safe Haven Law, which enables a person to give up an unwanted infant anonymously without fear of arrest or prosecution. The anonymity of the Safe Haven Baby Box is a last resort for women in crisis. The baby box at Franciscan Health Michigan City is discreetly located outside

La Porte County Emergency Management Director, Larry Butcher, in conjunction with Mayor Ron Meer, came up with a plan to monitor the Michigan City beachfront through a program called, “Beach Safety Monitoring”. With this program numerous cameras have been placed throughout the beach area, parks and our pier and lighthouse. Michigan City Police said the program was designed to not only save potential lives, but also monitor behavior of our visitors. These cameras along with other safety equipment such as life preservers, and a digital warning system was designed and installed in January of this year. The cameras can be

At the April 8, 2019 Meeting, the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved the expansion of the Façade Improvement Program and Upper Story Residential Incentive Program. The original program established in 2013 was limited to areas within the North Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District bounded by 11th Street to the south, 4th Street to the north, Pine Street to the east and Wabash Street to the west. The approved expansion extends the program boundaries to additional areas within the North TIF District including areas along US Highway 12 from Wabash Street to Liberty Trail, East Michigan Boulevard from Highway 12 to

The Michigan City Tree Board will be partnering again with NIPSCO this year to give away some trees to residents of Michigan City at the opening of the Michigan City Farmers' Market on Saturday, May 4. Please follow this link: https://energysavingtrees.arborday.org/#Home to reserve a 1-gallon or 3-gallon tree. If you order a 1-gallon tree it will be delivered to your address. If you order a 3-gallon tree you will need to pick it up on May 4th at the Farmers Market or the next day Sunday, May 5th at Beachside Gardens and Gifts, located at 3725 US-12, Michigan City. (Any that remain

The Valparaiso Police have added an officer with the swearing-in of Jacob Myers. Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony Tuesday at the Valparaiso Police Department, with Chief Balon, numerous officers, family, and friends in attendance.Jacob is a 2013 Wheeler High School graduate, who entered the United States Marines in 2014. Jacob remained in the military until 2018, when he was Honorably Discharged, with the rank of Sergeant. Prior to becoming a Valparaiso Police officer, Jacob was working with the Porter County Sheriff's Department as a Jailer.Jacob will immediately begin his training with the department and will attend the Indiana Law

South Shore Line (SSL) recognizes the continued loyalty of monthly ticket holders and wants to express their gratitude by offering a promotion for monthly ticket holders in early May.Saturday, May 4 through Sunday, May 5, the SSL is offering a “friends ride free” weekend to monthly commuters, inviting one friend to ride free with a commuter who holds a monthly pass. No ticket is required for the friend. The SSL offers other commuter perks, including transit benefit programs, discounts for monthly passes, quiet cars on every rush hour train and onboard Wi-Fi. For more information on train schedules, discounts and

The Youth of the Year Scholarship was started by the Portage Y's founder and first board president, Russell A. Willis. The award is granted yearly to an outstanding person displaying several leadership qualities. This award is a $1,000 scholarship payable upon the student’s graduation from high school and acceptance to and enrollment in, a two or four-year degree program, a vocational training program and/or other continuing education or training program approved by the Portage Township YMCA. The award is paid directly to the educational or training institution on behalf of the winner. Applications are being accepted from now through April

The Valparaiso police announced the promotion of Patrick Yokovich to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. Yokovich is an 11-year veteran of the department, spending his career as part of the Patrol Division. Patrick is a 2004 graduate of Valparaiso High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Franklin College in 2008. Patrick is actively involved in training for the department, having served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, a Field Training Officer, and is the current Coordinator of the Junior Police Academy.

The Michigan City Fire Department has recently received the improved Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of a Class 2 from a Class 3. This rating has been achieved by less than 1/4 of 1% of Fire Departments Nationwide and is one of only 17 in Indiana. The ISO currently evaluates over 50,000 Fire Departments Nationwide with only 1,597 earning the Class 2 Rating. The new Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating will become effective July 1st, and the improved Insurance Service Office rating will help some homeowners see a lowering of insurance rates, the department announced. Fire Departments across the Nation

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced that 35 Hoosier artists have been selected to participate in the second annual On-Ramp accelerator program for early career creative entrepreneurs. The creative entrepreneurs chosen for the 2019 On-Ramp program represent all corners of the state and a variety of creative disciplines. To learn more about them and their careers, visit: https://www.in.gov/arts/3143.htm. The 35 participants are preparing to expand their creative work with an entrepreneurial approach. A three-day course workshop, will be held May 10 - 12th in Nashville, Indiana focusing on developing business skills, career goals, and community engagement learning. Those completing the