Local News

According to a press release, Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a near drowning of two children that occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening in Lake Michigan near the Michigan City Pier. Two Michigan City men, Devin Newton, an off duty Superior Ambulance EMT and Myles Wright, an off duty Deep River Waterpark lifeguard were near the Michigan City Pier when they heard screams for help. Both men ran toward the screams for help and saw two young girls struggling in extremely rough water approximately halfway up the pier. Devin Newton attempted to throw a life ring to the two

Yesterday, a bipartisan group of 149 members of Congress called on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross not to put American jobs and economic growth at risk by imposing tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts. In a letter led by U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), and Ron Kind (D-Wis.), the members highlighted the economic benefits of the auto industry and warned of negative consequences if the ongoing Section 232 national security investigation into imports of automobiles and automotive parts results in tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.

Thirty-four year old Portage resident Javan Comer, pled guilty to unemployment insurance fraud in Porter County Superior Court 2 on July 9, 2018. Through the use of agency records, an Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) employee began an investigation and determined that Comer was working and receiving wages while claiming unemployment insurance benefits. Comer was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay DWD $10,140 for the benefits he fraudulently collected. DWD receives wage reports and new hire data from Hoosier employers documenting who is employed and receiving compensation. The agency uses this information to ensure people

In Michigan City, nine local organizations have announced a community-wide school supply drive, which runs through August 7th. Supplies collected during the drive will be distributed to area students who are in need of materials to start the school year. Many area businesses, including major retailers such as Walmart and Al’s Supermarket on Franklin Street, have set up collection bins to accept donations from their employees and the general public. Additional collection sites are located at Captain Ed’s Candy Island & Furniture Showroom, CLH CPAs & Consultants, Dunes Optical, First Trust Credit Union, Jazzercise, Life Care Center of Michigan City,

From July 23-27, the South Shore Line will temporarily be busing weekday (Mon-Fri) passengers between Carroll Ave. and the South Bend International Airport while they upgrade sections of track and overhead wire. During this period, there will be no train service to or from Hudson Lake, and Trains 401, 422 and 424 between South Bend and Carroll Avenue will be canceled. No bikes will be transported via bus for Trains 6 and 11. Train service between Carroll Ave. and Chicago will not be impacted.

The popular Behind the Scenes Tours journey into the nooks and crannies of the building which are normally off-limits. Guests discover remnants of the past such as the central vacuum system, the furnace, and intricate electrical panels. The two-hour tour takes participants on back stairways and into the basement. The Barker Mansion is located at 631 Washington Street in Michigan City, IN. The 38-room mansion was built by freight car industrialist and philanthropist John H. Barker in 1905, after he expanded onto his father’s original 1857 home on the same site. Barker took advantage of the mansion’s location right next

Indiana State Police arrested a Cedar Lake man in connection with a child pornography case on Tuesday morning. Detective Chuck Meyer with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Trooper Butch Crowder served a search warrant at a residence in Cedar Lake. 25 year old Sean Wassird of Cedar Lake, was arrested on two counts of possession of child pornography that stemmed from an investigation that began in September 2017 and resulted in a search warrant being issued for the residence. Wassird was taken into custody and transported to the Lake County Jail in Crown Point.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a Porter County Sheriff’s Officer was stopped at the stop light of US Hwy 6 and McCool Road around 1:00 am, when he observed a 2008 Chevy passenger car westbound on US Hwy 6 turn improperly, north onto McCool Road and abruptly turn into a gas Station. He then observed the male driver quickly walk into the store and a female passenger exit the vehicle and sprint around to the driver seat. The Officer made contact with the male, later identified as 28 year old Jonathan Stone from Portage, as he came out

Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosiers to beware of advertising pitches that mislead consumers into thinking they have won prizes. This tactic is often employed to lure people to locations where they are subjected to used-car sales pitches. Last month, the Office of the Attorney General won a judgment in Marion County Superior Court against The Car Center LLC in connection with such a ploy. Approximately 35,000 people received a deceptive mailing from The Car Center indicating they had won $5,000. The court judgment orders restitution in the total amount of $28,187.76 for six consumers. The judgment also orders

Yesterday, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced nearly 70 schools were recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model programs. Indiana surpassed the record number of schools for one state in a given year receiving the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation with 69 schools receiving this honor. RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools committed to delivering an exemplary comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program. Since the program’s inception, more than 800 schools across the United States have been designated as RAMP recipients. This year, 140 schools nationwide will

FOP #75 hosting an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast!!! (Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage and Orange Juice) • Price : $7.50 for Adults and $5.50 for Children 5-12, Ages 4 and Under Free!!! • K- 9 Demonstration at 10am • Airplanes & Helicopters • Classic Cars on Static Display • MC Police Vehicles, MC Fire Trucks and "EDITH" House Will Also Be On Display • Airplane Rides and Skydiving will also be Available for an Additional Cost (Weather Permitting) Sunday, July 22, 2018 @ 7:00 AM -12:00 PM Michigan City Municipal Airport 1300 St. Road 212, Michigan City, IN 46360

The Indiana Broadcasters Association is, again, recognizing the outstanding local work of their member stations with 2018 Cardinal Community Service Awards. Named after the Indiana state bird – the Cardinal – and organized by Congressional districts, the awards are a symbol of dedicated service by membership. Team WIMS will be an award recipient for Stuff A Bus. WIMS along with First Trust Credit Union, Salvation Army of Michigan City, and Al’s Supermarkets partner for an event called “Stuff A Bus” to raise money and collect food for families in La Porte County. Over the course of several weeks, listeners and

The South Shore Line announced that 10th street will be closed between Willard Ave. and Kentucky St. for track repairs in Michigan City. The closure will begin on August 13th and reopen on August 31st.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host their annual State of the Chamber & Community Awards Wednesday, July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Allure on the Lake in Chesterton. With a lively welcome from Ric Federighi of WIMS Radio, the event will kick off with an update on what the Chamber has accomplished so far this year and what their goals are moving forward. Immediately following are the Community Awards portion of the program. Many local organizations, businesses, and individuals are being awarded for their efforts in making the Duneland community a better place to live,

Porter County is accepting applications for the position of Truck Driver / Laborer. The work hours are from M-F 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 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. Applicants must submit an application to the Human Resources Director, Rhonda Young, at the Administration Building, Room 205, or by email, ryoung@porterco.org. Accepting application until the position is filled. For more information and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs.aspx

The summer is the traditional time for students to take time off and relax from the rigors of the school year. The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are spending part of their time away from the classroom supporting the Michigan City/LaPorte County community. During June, the cadets participated in three events: the Michigan City KiIddie Parade, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Michigan City Summer Festival Parade. Besides the community service, the cadets have already participated in two week-long camps. One was a Leadership Camp in

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities. USDA is making investments in 35 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funds can be used to finance drinking water, storm water drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. Locally, the Town of North Judson will use a $4,892,000 loan to convert a portion of the town's combined sewer collection system into separate

The Valparaiso Police Department will be participating in the 35th annual National Night Out on Tuesday August 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. National Night Out is an national event designed to unite community members and police against neighborhood crimes. Police Chief Jeff Balon is inviting community members to organize an activity for the event. “This is a great night for community members, neighborhoods and crime watch groups to organize special activities in their neighborhoods”, explained Chief Balon. Valparaiso Police Officers will be visiting the special activities planned in each neighborhood to show their support. Officers from the K-9

The Indiana State Police (ISP) All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) based out of the Lowell District joined forces with Pulaski County Sheriff Department (PCSD) to conduct a multi-jurisdictional enforcement effort in Pulaski County this past weekend. Friday, July 13th from 1:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., officers saturated the roads in Pulaski County.  This combined effort led to 19-traffic citations issued, 125-warnings, with a total of 144 traffic contacts. There were 8 criminal arrests, 2 driving suspended prior, 2-operators never licensed, and 4-warrant arrests (one being a felony warrant). Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department with the success of this enforcement effort are planning similar enforcement

On Thursday, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG) executed a search warrant in the 800 Block of Elkhart Street in the Aetna Area, with the assistance of the Gary Narcotics Unit and Gary S.W.A.T. PCMEG recovered 3 handguns, ammunition, drugs (including cocaine, marijuana and steroids), paraphernalia, scales and approximately $1,500.00 in cash from the residence. Arrested on initial charges of Felony Possession of Narcotics, was 47 year old Gary resident, Marshall Brown. PCMEG is filing additional charges with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for Dealing. Brown was transported to the Lake County Jail.