Local News

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the opioid epidemic by improving access to non-opioid pain treatments. The Dr. Todd Graham Pain Management Improvement Act (H.R. 5722), named for the South Bend doctor shot to death after refusing to write a prescription for opioid painkillers, aims to reduce overprescribing of opioids by examining ways to expand the use of non-opioid alternatives in Medicare. Walorski was joined by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) in introducing the bill. “Opioid abuse is devastating families and communities across the country, and the senseless murder of my dear friend Dr. Todd Graham was a

On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) met with top officials from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in Indiana to discuss ways to boost staffing at the Mishawaka VA clinic and improve services and care for Hoosier veterans. “My top priority is always to make sure Hoosier veterans get the timely, quality care they earned,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “I asked the leaders of our local VA facilities to update me on efforts to restore a culture of accountability and ensure the VA works for all our veterans. We had a productive discussion, and I look forward to continuing to

On Tuesday afternoon, a multi agency effort saved seven dog's lives from an active residential fire at 535 South 500 West in Porter Township. Quick thinking by these 1st responders resulted in their entering the smoke filled structure and removing a total of 7 dogs that were all unconscious. Two of the dogs were pregnant. The dogs appeared to be unresponsive as a result of smoke inhalation. None of the 1st responders were injured. All of the dogs have survived the incident as a result of everyone’s brave actions. The dogs are all Labradors and the owner is a local

In the Indiana primary election Tuesday night, here are some results from LaPorte County: for US Representative District 1, Pete Visclosky won easily over Larry Chubb and Tony Daggett Sr. with almost 73% of the vote. In the race for US Representative District 2, Mel Hall defeated the other 5 candidates vying for that spot with 44% of the vote. In the State Rep District 9 contest, Pat Boy with 46% of the vote outlasted Sean Fitzpatrick (32%) and Duane Parry (22%). For Prosecuting Attorney 32nd Circuit Court, John Espar and John Lake went down to the wire with Lake

Early Tuesday morning, a semi pulling double trailers was involved in a property damage crash on I-80 that caused early morning delays. Preliminary investigation by Trooper James Brasseur revealed that a semi driven by Michael Bowles of Chicago, Illinois, was westbound on I-80 at the 6.8 mile marker 2 miles east of Cline Ave. INDOT was in the area performing roadway maintenance and had sign trucks with illuminated arrow boards indicating lanes 3 and 4 were closed. The semi disregarded the lighted arrow board/attenuator and attempted to swerve at the last moment, striking the portable impact attenuator with the right

The La Porte County Drug Task Force, with the assistance of The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department ERT Team executed a search warrant last Friday at a residence located on the 300 block of State Street in the city of La Porte. The LCDTF began an investigation into this residence, after numerous citizen complaints about suspected narcotics activity occurring at this residence. Evidence was presented to La Porte Circuit Court, through The La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, that resulted in the issuance of a search warrant for the residence. The below 7 individuals were arrested, at the residence: 49 year

According to a study released by Niche.com, Indiana has 3 of the top most affordable cities across the country. Fort Wayne took the top spot with South Bend 2nd and Evansville 5th. Fort Wayne Representative Bob Morris said these findings reinforce Indiana's quality of life both now and in the future. The Rich States, Poor States report from the American Legislative Exchange Council says Indiana is ranked third in the nation for the 2018 economic outlook. According to State Representative Todd Huston, this ranking didn't happen by accident. Another study shows that Indiana's unemployment rate remains at 3.2% which is

INDOT announced the closure of State Road 23, in Knox, between CR E 300 S (Toto Road) and CR E 400 S on Wednesday for a culvert replacement. Northbound drivers on SR 23 will be detoured east on State Road 10, north on State Road 17 and west on State Road 8 back to SR 23. Southbound drivers on SR 23 will be detoured east on SR 8, south on SR 17 and west on SR 10 back to SR 23.

SBA Administrator Linda McMahon issued the following statement after the announcement of the Presidential disaster declaration for several counties in Indiana affected by severe storms and flooding from Feb. 14 through March 4, 2018: “The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing Indiana residents the most effective and response possible to assist businesses, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans. Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority.” The disaster declaration covers the counties of Carroll, Clark, Elkhart, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Marshall, and St. Joseph in Indiana which are eligible for

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the drowning of a LaPorte County man. On Saturday, at around 3:50 PM, Sheriff’s Office Deputies and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the 7100 West block of Joliet Road for a drowning that occurred in a pond. Members of the Westville Volunteer Fire Department were the first to arrive on scene and confirmed the drowning death.The investigation determined that 61 year old Glenn F. Zeman had been out on the water in a watercraft. Family members who had been at the pond with Zeman reported being unable to find him. It was

Later this month, the La Porte Police Department will join law-enforcement agencies across Indiana and the nation to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of high-visibility patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night. Click It or Ticket continues through the start of the summer travel season, including the Memorial Day holiday. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Before the school year is finished, the Marquette Catholic High School Music Department has one final act. The group will be putting on its Spring Concert next Thursday, May 10th at 7 pm inside the Rudy Hart Theatre and all are invited to attend. The concert will feature a wide compilation of music from classical, a cappella, solos, and duets. Tickets cost $8 for an adult while seniors and students are $5 each. Children 12 and under are free.

La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd and Michigan City Chief of Police Mark Swistek have announced that the 19th annual Peace Officer Memorial Service will take place on Friday, May 11th at 12 pm in the auditorium of the former Elston High School, which is located at 317 Detroit Street in Michigan City. This year’s keynote speaker will be newly appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II. United States Attorney Kirsch was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate with the President our signing his commission on in October. He

INDOT announced daily lane closures on State Road 23 (Sample) in South Bend, between Olive and Fellows streets, as crews resurface the roadway. Traffic may be down to one lane in each direction at times beginning today, through mid-June. Drivers should expect back-ups at times and avoid the area, if they’re able. This is part of an $875,000 investment in the South Bend community, which will see State Road 23 resurfaced from Olive Street to Michigan Street upon completion by mid-June.

The Chesterton European Market returned on Saturday for the beginning of the Market’s fourteenth season in downtown Chesterton. The market features artisan cheeses to baked goods, crafts, and fresh produce every Saturday through the end of October. Team WIMS was at the market with a live broadcast from 9am-11am Saturday morning brought to you by General Insurance Services of Laporte Michigan City and Valparaiso and Jimmy Johns of Michigan City and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for great pictures of the event.

Yesterday at the Statehouse, Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signed a bill into law authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) and sponsored by State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) helping victims and their families obtain trial records at no cost. Pressel said this law will allow a victim, an immediate family member or the spouse of a deceased victim to obtain an electronic copy of transcripts in the victim’s case at no cost. The prosecuting attorney or local victim assistance program will be required to notify the victim or family members of this right and help them obtain the

Later this month, Porter County TSP will join law-enforcement agencies across Indiana and the nation to increase enforcement of seat-belt laws for Click It or Ticket. Multiple weeks of high-visibility patrols will be watching for unrestrained passengers in cars and trucks, both children and adults, the front seat and back, both day and night. Click It or Ticket continues through the start of the summer travel season, including the Memorial Day holiday. Overtime police patrols are paid with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). 2018 marks 30 years since Indiana’s seat-belt law

Wednesday May 9th is National Bike to School Day, and before millions of kids across the country rush out the door, safety advocates are reminding parents to make sure they're wearing a helmet. Dr. Marcee White, medical adviser for Safe Kids Worldwide, says preventable injury is the number one killer of children, and many are hurt on bicycles, skateboards and scooters. Her group surveyed parents about why kids aren't wearing helmets, which can protect against serious head injuries and concussions. As for the kids, they said they don't wear them because their friends don't, or that the helmet doesn't fit

La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd and Michigan City Chief of Police Mark Swistek have announced that the 19th annual Peace Officer Memorial Service will take place on Friday, May 11th at 12 pm in the auditorium of the former Elston High School, which is located at 317 Detroit Street in Michigan City. This year’s keynote speaker will be newly appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II. United States Attorney Kirsch was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate with the President our signing his commission on in October. He

In less than one year, Indiana’s Next Level Jobs initiative has obligated $5.2 million in funds to 247 employers for training almost 2,300 Hoosiers around the state in six high-demand industry sectors. Friday, Gov. Holcomb shared these milestones, as well as plans to enhance the Next Level Jobs’ employer training grant, at a roundtable discussion and tour of Custom Concrete in Westfield. Custom Concrete is one of the Indiana companies actively participating in a program to receive Next Level Jobs funds for training new employees. Based on employer feedback, Indiana will double the funds available per employee trained from $2,500