Local News

News Release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites prospective college students and their families to attend their choice of Preview PNW open house events, offered free of charge at both the Hammond and Westville campuses in April. The events provide valuable information about the university’s academic programs, admissions process and paying for college. Guests are welcome to attend either of the upcoming events: Preview PNW: The Westville Experience from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on April 23 at PNW’s Westville campus, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, Ind. Preview PNW: Hammond starting 8:30 a.m.

The City of Valparaiso has announced 14 new grants in the 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Grant program, providing $106,256 in funds to support neighborhood unity and community improvements, with projects including tree plantings, disc golf, entry beautification projects and more. "Strong neighborhoods create a more engaged and connected city. We established the Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program in 2018 to strengthen neighborhoods, and the program continues to elevate Valparaiso,” said Mayor Jon Costas. “Each of these projects gathers neighbors together for a common cause of their own choosing." The neighborhoods receiving grants in 2026 are Beauty Creek Villas, Berkley, Bridgewater Estates, College

In La Porte County, U.S. 35 has an additional closure between South Ave and Kingsbury Ave through the end of August. The intersection of Kingsbury Ave is closed but is anticipated to reopen at the end of April. The other intersections within this section will be closed through the duration of this phase of work. U.S. 35 remains closed between State Road 2/Lincolnway and Maple Ave, including the intersection at Jefferson Ave, through late May. INDOT says to plan alternate routes or utilize the official detour of State Road 2, State Road 39 and U.S. 6. INDOT's project team will

(Michigan City, IN)- Right now, thousands of sandhill cranes are gathered in the Great Marsh at Indiana Dunes National Park—and it’s an incredible reminder of what habitat restoration can achieve.   For thousands of years, the Great Marsh was a place where land and water converged, migratory birds took refuge, and other wildlife – including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects – called home.   However, during the 20th century, the Great Marsh wetland complex’s value was overlooked, and much of its 4,000 acres were drained, dug up, or otherwise destroyed. Since 1998, the National Park Service and its partners have

On March 13, 2026, Shawn Akison entered into a plea agreement with the State of Indiana. Mr. Akison pled Guilty to 1 count of OWI Causing Catastrophic Injury, a Level 4 Felony, and 1 count of OWI Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Level 5 Felony. Mr. Akison and the State agreed to a 12 year sentence, 9 years executed in prison. Sentencing will be in late April 2026. Mr. Akison was originally charged in May 2025, stemming from a serious crash with New Prairie School buses. This incident involved players and staff of the New Prairie High School baseball team

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ MONDAY TO 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ TUESDAY...   * WHAT...Lake effect snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.   * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.   * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT /7 AM CDT/ Monday to 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ Tuesday.   * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening commute.   * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Lake effect snow and northwest wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph

Awesome time at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Michigan City with Michigan City Special Events and TEAM WIMS. Great crowd. Wonderful floats. Family fun. For FACEBOOK IVE Complete coverage of the parade and a ton olf pictures check out the WIMS FACEBOOK page. Thank you to all of the sponsors and to our WIMS Events Sponsors including Michigan City Special Events Arnett Construction & Roofing Derrick Wayne Arnett NIPSCO Highstreet Insurance & Financial Services #wims #localradio #supportlocal #nwi #michigancity

Lake County, Ind. – Construction will soon begin on 80/94 FlexRoad. To prepare, limited tree clearing is needed along the corridor. Trees will be felled in March and picked up at a later date. Most of the work involves clearing shrubbery from the area. Shoulder closures on I-94 and closures on adjacent local roads will be needed through the end of March. Starting on or after today, March 16, intermittent shoulder closures will be in place on I-80/94 from the I-65 interchange to the Illinois state line. Additional closures will occur on local roads during this timeframe. Access for local

Incredible time with Maura and Rachel and their crews with the Duneland Chamber of Commerce and Chesterton's European Market at Corkscrew & Brew on Saturday afternoon at Thomas Centennial Park in Chesterton. Awesome vendors. Tons of fun. Great music. TEAM WIMS was LIVE. For more pictures and FACEBOOK coverage visit WIMS FACEBOOK. Thank you to all of the Sponsors and to the WIMS EVENT Sponsors Duneland Chamber of Commerce Chesterton’s European Market NIPSCO Arnett Construction & Roofing Porter Bank #wims #whfb #duneland #localradio #nwi

News Release by Michigan City Area Schools: MCHS MCJROTC Competes At 2026 Ft. Wayne Military Skills Comp Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) competed in a military skills competition at Concordia High School in Fort Wayne on Saturday, March 7. The cadets did marksmanship and a color guard drill with some of the best JROTC programs in Indiana. The Wolves have put in much practice time and effort in preparing for this event, with the Color Guard practicing mornings before school and the marksmanship team practicing after school. “Marksmanship is a great tool

WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ THIS MORNING TO MIDNIGHT EDT /11 PM CDT/ TONIGHT... * WHAT...South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts between 45 and 55 mph expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern Indiana, southwest Michigan, and northwest Ohio. * WHEN...From 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ this morning to midnight EDT /11PM CDT/ tonight. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

The City of Michigan City has announced details for the 2026 Spring Clean-Up Program, giving residents several opportunities to dispose of unwanted items, reduce household clutter, and help keep neighborhoods clean. The annual program includes curbside bulky item collection and the Waste Not, Want Not airport drop-off program, designed to make spring cleaning safe, organized, and environmentally responsible. Curbside Spring Clean-Up Collection Residents may place bulky items and furniture at the curb during their scheduled Spring Clean-Up week, based on their normal garbage pickup day. 2026 Spring Clean-Up Schedule Normal Garbage Day Spring Clean-Up Week Monday March 23 – March 28 Tuesday March

Sugar Camp Days -St. Joseph County Parks from 8am-3pm on Sunday March 15th Today is the final day for the 53rd annual Sugar Camp Days and join us in celebration of the end of winter! Watch sap cook into sweet syrup in the Sugar House, tour the Sugar Bush, observe indigenous and pioneer methods of maple syrup and maple sugar, enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast (a New Carlisle Lion’s Club fundraiser), purchase homemade baked goods made with pure maple syrup, try maple kettle corn and cotton candy, enjoy family music, and so much more! Most vendors are cash only.

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) announces information for their 46th Annual Youth Leadership Camps this year. The first session, serving the southern part of the state will be held June 15 - 17, at the Indiana FFA Leadership Camp in Trafalgar (Johnson County).  The second session, serving the northern part of the state, will be held June 22 – 24 at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village (Warren County). The ISA Youth Leadership Camps are a program for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more about a

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced today that its athletics teams will compete as the PNW Lions, effective July 1, 2026. The shift is based on input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, who indicated strong attachment to the university’s distinctive “Leo the Lion” mascot representing the university community’s grit and determination. “As PNW celebrates its 10th year, we proudly reflect on how we continue to change students’ lives through nationally recognized academics, unique applied research opportunities, high-level NCAA Division II competition, unparalleled local economic impact, and so much more. We are excited to

This morning at 12:40 AM, Deputy Dylan Hisick was working a grant-funded overtime project targeting the identification and removal of impaired motorists. As he was traveling east on US 20 approaching Wilhelm Road, he observed a passenger vehicle traveling westbound in excess of the posted speed. An in-car speed measurement device confirmed the passenger vehicle was speeding. A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle along US 20, west of SR 39. As Deputy Hisick was exiting his patrol vehicle, the passenger vehicle began traveling west on US 20 again triggering a motor vehicle pursuit (MVP). The fleeing vehicle conducted

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says a 50-year-old man lost his life following a crash early Friday in Center Township. At 4:17 a.m., deputies responded to U.S. 35 in rural Center Township for a single vehicle personal injury crash. A deputy located the crash scene on U.S. 35 north of Stonehedge Way. The initial on-scene investigation completed by the deputy and assisting deputies determined a 2006 Hummer had been traveling southbound on US 35 when the vehicle left the west side of the roadway, traveled along a grass covered shoulder area, contacted a gravel surface, and went airborne before

The #LCSO announces the arrest of 34-year-old Joseph A. YAW following a criminal investigation.On January 12th an adult female and her 13-year-old niece came to the Sheriff’s Office regarding the teenager having received inappropriate messages. Detective Alex Pishkur completed an initial interview with the adult and juvenile and thereafter initiated a criminal investigation.Over the next several weeks Detective Pishkur applied for and executed search warrants. Pertinent evidence related to the investigation was obtained that identified YAW as the suspect.On February 17th Detective Pishkur forwarded his investigation findings to the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Probable Cause was found in La Porte

Construction to begin on I-94 between State Road 49 and U.S. 421 PORTER AND LA PORTE COUNTIES, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors LP will have lane closures on I-94 between State Road 49 and U.S. 421 beginning on or after Sunday, March 15. Overnight lane closures will occur during the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one evening to set up a median work zone to the west of U.S. 421 for approximately three miles. The left shoulder and lane will then be closed in each direction through early April while a median crossover is constructed

BEN-HUR-A live radio play is coming to Theatre at the Center in Munster on Saturday March 28th at 2pm and 7:30pm   PROVISION & UNSHACKLED present BEN-HUR-A live radio play coming to Theatre at the Center in Munster on Saturday March 28th at 2pm and 7:30pm.   Step into the Roman Empire – where betrayal, vengeance, and faith collide. Judah Ben-Hur, a young nobleman of Jerusalem, is falsely accused and condemned to slavery by his childhood friend and now powerful Roman officer. Years of suffering and endurance forge a burning desire for revenge in Judah. Yet, across his journey Judah’s