Local News

Today, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined Department of Homeland Security Director Bryan Langley for a tour of recent flood damage in Clark, Jefferson and Dearborn counties. They will meet with local officials to learn about response and recovery efforts already underway. The governor returned yesterday from the National Governor’s Association Winter Meeting in Washington D.C. Gov. Holcomb on Saturday declared a disaster emergency for 11 counties in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall, including Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties. This disaster emergency declaration likely will

The La Porte Police Department is joining law-enforcement agencies across Indiana this March to increase dangerous and impaired driving patrols for the NCAA Tournament and St. Patrick’s Day. Last year, the weekend beginning St. Patrick’s Day had the highest number crashes involving impaired drivers. With March 17, 2018 falling on a Saturday, police are conducting random patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints intended to make our roads safer. “If you’re watching March Madness or celebrating St. Patrick’s Day from a bar or pub, draft a sober driver, cab or ridesharing service to get home safely,” said Captain Pat Hemphill. “Our

As a proactive approach to the recent tragic school shootings, the Michigan City Police SWAT Team (Special Operation and Tactics), will take their monthly training to the Michigan City High School this Tuesday evening February 27th. Corporal Jeff Piotrowski, Officers Dave Cooney and Steve Forker, commanders for the elite SWAT team, approached the administration and Michigan City Area Schools to receive permission to conduct their Active Shooter “walk through” and “training” inside the grounds and building of the high school. With this practice it will instill greater knowledge to the SWAT members of the layout of the building and inner

In partnership with the College Board and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE), the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced another year of increases in the number of Advanced Placement (AP) exams offered, as well as the number of students taking and passing AP exams. Since 2007, the percentage of graduates taking an AP exam during high school increased from 18.9 percent to 38.9 percent. For more information regarding IDOE efforts to expand AP in Indiana schools, and AP related data, please visit: https://www.doe.in.gov/ap

On Saturday morning, two people were killed after they got out of their car after crashing on I-80/94 east bound at the 8.8 mile marker (Grant Street). 31 year old Nathaniel McIntee of Merrillville and 34 year old Jason Howard of Fairmont, West Virginia were killed in the crash. The Indiana State Police is asking for assistance from anyone who may have information on the driver of the VW or his vehicle and evidence left at the scene, as a black Volkswagen four door, possibly a Passat. It has heavy front end damage. Please contact Detective Gary Runde at 219-696-6242.

On Sunday, Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued a disaster emergency for 11 Indiana counties in response to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage caused by sustained heavy rainfall. The governor signed an executive order to include Carroll, Dearborn, Elkhart, Fulton, Lake, Marshall, Perry, St. Joseph, Starke, Switzerland and White counties. This disaster emergency declaration may be expanded to include other counties in the days ahead, with more rain expected and thunderstorms predicted in the southern part of the state. The disaster declaration means the state Department of Homeland Security can take necessary actions to provide expanded emergency services and is a

The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit (CMHU) has notified next of kin for Raymond McCarty, age 52, the inmate who was discovered unconscious in a medical cell yesterday afternoon at the St. Joseph County Jail and subsequently pronounced deceased.  An autopsy is scheduled for this morning in Fort Wayne, IN. This remains an active and ongoing CMHU investigation. On Sunday, an inmate at the St. Joseph County Jail was discovered unconscious in his cell during a routine check in the afternoon.  The inmate was housed alone in a medical cell. Around 1:40 PM, a correctional officer was unable to

The Michigan City Police Department is joining law-enforcement agencies across Indiana this March to increase dangerous and impaired driving patrols for the NCAA Tournament and St. Patrick’s Day. Last year, the weekend beginning St. Patrick’s Day had the highest number crashes involving impaired drivers. With March 17th, falling on a Saturday, police are conducting random patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints intended to make our roads safer.

South Bend is one of 35 cities selected as finalists in the 2018 U.S. Mayors Challenge. The nationwide competition encourages cities to "uncover bold, inventive ideas that confront the toughest problems cities face." As a finalist, South Bend advances to the six-month "Test, Learn, and Adapt" phase of the competition, during which it will receive up to $100,000 to refine its ideas and receive personalized support from innovation experts. The proposal from South Bend centers around a lack of reliable and affordable transportation from workers. The city says at least 35 percent of low-income workers cite a lack of reliable

On Saturday morning, Marquette Catholic High School's girls basketball team competed for the state title against Vincennes.  The Lady Blazers won 38 to 31 and are now state champions!  Congratulations to the Team and the Marquette coaching staff!   Tune in to WIMS for a recap of the action on Monday during the local news updates at the bottom of the hour. Photo Credit: IHSAA.

This weekend, students from the A.K Smith Career Center competed in a welding competition where their fabrication team of 3 students took second place advancing to the state finals in Indy!  There was also a junior student who took 3rd and a senior who took 4th, which will allow both of them advancing to state.  Two students also competed for a construction competition and they placed 3rd and 5th moving on to state. Stay tuned in to WIMS for more updates on the A.K Smith Career Center

Hoosier homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations that sustained uninsured damage caused by severe storms and flooding starting on or after February 15 can report damage online at: https://bit.ly/2018rainfall. A link to the form is also available on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) website at dhs.in.gov. In the middle of the page under "Featured Topics," click on " Heavy Rain and Flooding; February 15, 2018 and continuing.” Individuals will be asked to provide their name, address, phone number and type of damage the property sustained. Losses can include structural damage to homes and loss of personal property. Information

The Valparaiso Police Department is searching for community members that would like to learn more about the police department. The department’s annual Citizens’ Police Academy is currently accepting applications. The Citizens’ Police Academy is designed for community members to meet officers, learn what officers do on a daily basis and become involved in their community. Topics featured in the academy include; investigations, Indiana law, daily traffic laws and enforcement, crash investigations and patrol division duties including many specialties within the patrol unit such as, K-9 presentations, bicycle team, taser usage and firearms scenarios. The academy class will meet on every

On Friday, The Indiana Department of Education announced the 2016-2017 Four Star Schools. The Four Star Schools designation is designed by the Department to recognize great schools in Indiana. “Receiving designation as a Four Star School signifies a pursuit of academic excellence among students, educators, and the administration,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I am honored to recognize these Four Star Schools for their hard work and dedication in preparing their students for a bright and prosperous future.” The Four Star School Award has been in existence for 30 years. To receive Four Star designation, a

Celebrate the migration of bird life through the Indiana Dunes region this May 17-20 at the fourth annual Indiana Dunes Birding Festival.   The four-day festival includes over 65 guided field trips and car pool tours to view migrating birds within the dunes area, over 50 bird related programs, from live bird of prey talks to species ID workshops, and special workshops for both new bird watchers and educators.  Evening events include special excursions for night birds, and a family friendly “birds and brew” social event on multiple nights.  The Saturday night keynote speaker is Greg Miller, who’s real life was portrayed

Congressman Banks has been selected as finalist for the 2018 Democracy Awards, which recognize non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices and by Members of Congress. A full press release from the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation, which oversees the awards, is below. The Banks office is a finalist in the “Constituent Service” category, which focuses on how an office interacts with and serves constituents, especially how it utilizes and leverages specific, methodical and consistent processes for achieving measurable results in constituent service. A total of 20 Members of Congress are finalists for awards in five different categories. Congressman Banks is

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana was the recent recipient of new and gently used tools from Milwaukee Tool.  The donation included power tools, hand tools, accessories, and batteries.   Tools will be used on the current home build sites in Lake County to continue Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing decent, affordable homes for working families. Since 1924, Milwaukee Tool has been an industry leading manufacturer of heavy-duty power tools, accessories, and hand tools for professional users worldwide.

The La Porte County Drug Task Force announces that charges have been filed against a La Porte County man, for allegedly dealing methamphetamine. Kyle R. COUCH (26) of La Porte was charged with Dealing Methamphetamine Level 4 Felony (two counts), and Dealing Methamphetamine Level 5 Felony. The LCDTF began an investigation into COUCH in early 2018, after numerous complaints from citizens in La Porte, as well as the southern La Porte County area, indicated that COUCH had been manufacturing/distributing methamphetamine, throughout La Porte County. Sgt. Andy Hynek, lead detective in the case presented evidence to The La Porte County Prosecutors

Because of a Department of Natural Resources release of water from a dam in Starke County, a possible surge of water may be imminent along the Kankakee river. The Porter County Government is advising residents along the Kankakee to closely monitor water levels and exercise all possible caution. They are also asking residents to avoid travel in this area and be aware that all county road bridges across the Kankakee may be closed depending on water levels. The Porter County Sheriff’s Department is in the area monitoring the situation. Porter County Emergency Management has obtained a limited supply of sandbags

The Valparaiso Police are investigating the theft of wallets from local stores. The wallets were taken from purses while the victims were shopping. The incidents took place on February 19th between 1:00-1:30 p.m. at Kohls and Walmart. Shortly after taking the wallets the two female subjects went to other local stores and used the victims credit cards to purchase numerous items. This has occured in previous months and police are seeking the identification of the two female individuals in the photos, (One white female and the other African-American female). For more photos of the suspects, visit the Valparaiso Police Department