Local News

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – An approximately $20 million mixed-use, mixed-income development project is progressing after the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission’s vote to approve the project’s term sheet. Project Wabash, at 7th and Wabash streets, would include five stories, 45 to 60 apartments and commercial space for three tenants, including an anchor restaurant. Plans for the apartments include units with 1 bedroom/1 bath and 2 bedrooms/2 baths at both market and workforce rates. “As an infill project, the development is poised to transform an underutilized space in our city and spark revitalization with new housing and retail options,” said Economic Development Corporation Michigan City

The Valparaiso Police Department gave the following statement on their Facebook page about holiday safety: As we head into the holiday season, many families in our community will welcome children home from school break and host additional loved ones in their homes. With more activity in the house, it’s especially important to ensure that firearms are stored safely and securely. If you have a firearm in your home, please take a moment to check that it is unloaded, locked, and stored out of the reach of children and visitors. Safe storage saves lives—and even one preventable tragedy is too many.

The National Park Service says it is planning to conduct three prescribed fires at the Indiana Dunes National Park this fall. Approximately 264 acres are planned to be burned as part of the park’s natural resources and fuels management programs. Approximately 181 acres will be burned for natural resources restoration purposes at the Hobart Prairie Grove property on the west side of Lake George near Hobart. This prescribed fire includes NPS property on the north and south sides of the Prairie Duneland Trail and is within the greater Hobart Marsh natural resources area. Fire staff plan to burn 67 acres

St. Joseph County Council Leadership Responds to Inquiry Regarding Attorney PERF Benefits   South Bend, IN Dan Schaetzle, in his official capacity as St. Joseph County Council President, is responding to recent resident concerns regarding Indiana Public Employee’s Retirement Fund (PERF) benefits provided to former County Council attorneys.   “As stewards of the public’s money and trust, we take these concerns seriously,” said Councilman Schaetzle. “Transparency in local government is not just important, it’s essential.”   Following internal questions beginning in January 2024, attorney Pete Agostino researched PERF qualifications for County Council attorneys in late 2024 and early 2025. The

MICHIGAN CITY– The Salvation Army of Michigan City invites the community to its annual Thanksgiving Meal on Thursday, November 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free meal is open to all and is offered as a gathering place for anyone seeking food, fellowship, or a warm and welcoming place to spend the holiday. This year’s meal comes at a time when many families are facing increased challenges, including rising food costs, economic uncertainty, and record levels of food insecurity across La Porte County. The Salvation Army has seen a steady increase in need throughout the year. “Thanksgiving is

The City of Valparaiso Friday gave the following update on the Fall Leaf Pickup Program: We are approaching the end of our 4th week and 4th trip through the fall collection zones for the Fall Leaf Pickup Program. Valparaiso City Services (VCS) has collected nearly 4,000 cubic yards of leaves so far this season. On average we collect nearly 11,000 cubic yards of leaves per season. Due to the winter weather event last week our collection efforts were delayed almost 4 days and the winter event led to an accelerated leaf drop rate. VCS has made operational adjustments and will

The Porter County Sheriff's Office has kicked off its Christmas Gift program for children with incarcerated parents. See the flyer for details:

The La Porte County Health Department announced new office hours for their Michigan City location. The Health Department gave the following information: New Michigan City Office Hours: Beginning Dec. 1st, 2025 Tuesday and Thursday 8am-4pm La Porte Office will still be open Monday thru Friday 8 am-4pm

Please be advised there will be a One Day Delay in the recycling pickup schedule for Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th. Thursday’s pickup will be Friday and Friday’s pickup will be Saturday. Please remember to have your toter curbside the night before or by 5:00 a.m. to insure you are picked-up. The office and Compost Site will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Holiday and will reopen Monday, December 1st at 8:00 a.m.

The Indiana State Police released a statement on social media regarding instances of "swatting" targeting members of the Indiana General Assembly. ISP stated the following: "The Indiana State Police is aware of and are currently investigating multiple instances of the crime known as “swatting” which have recently targeted members of the Indiana General Assembly. "Swatting is an incident in which someone with ill intention notifies law enforcement via phone call, email or other form of communication of a false emergency at a targeted location. The end goal of this is to generate as large a scale law enforcement response as

The City of Michigan City recently announced there will be Sacred Heart Food Pantry, 326 W. 10th St., will host their turkey distribution event beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 24. A list of additional turkey distributions in the area can be found on wimsradio.com.  

🎉Join Ric Federighi and Team WIMS LIVE this Saturday, November 22nd from 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM at Biggby-Michigan City!   😁GIVEAWAYS include Biggby Gift Cards and WIMS Radio Swag!     📍3401 Franklin Street, Michigan City, IN 📲219-809-9912

Press Release, Indiana State Comptroller: STATEHOUSE — Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla is alerting Hoosiers to a mailing involving letters falsely claiming to be from the Comptroller’s Office. Correspondence appearing with official-looking logos are being sent to individuals and business owners requesting immediate action. “An entity posing as the State Comptroller’s Office is dishonest and violates the public’s trust,” said Comptroller Nieshalla, “I want to ensure all Hoosiers are aware of these attempts and how to recognize a legitimate communication from our office to best protect themselves.” What to Know:  The Comptroller’s Office will never request personal payments by mail

Press Release, Office of Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales: Upon the completion of the series of informative public meetings on election issues, Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales has made the finalized report accessible on the Secretary of State’s website. Conducted under HEA 1633, the full report is available online for review by Hoosiers and elected officials. While state law required just three public meetings, Secretary Morales went well beyond that by hosting five, ensuring more Hoosiers had the opportunity to share their feedback. The meetings were livestreamed, and a portal was established to receive additional feedback from citizens.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police is conducting a death investigation, after a 3-month-old girl found unresponsive in her home passed at Northwest Health-Porter, according to a Facebook post from the Town of Chesterton. The Town of Chesterton said the following: According to the PCSP, at 11:47 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, officers were dispatched to the home on C.R. 1050S in Pleasant Township after the infant was found unresponsive. Life-saving measures were initiated by family and EMS at the scene and the child then transported to hospital, but she was subsequently pronounced deceased, the PCSP said. “Detectives are investigating,” Sgt. Ben

As Hoosiers prepare for holiday celebrations, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to keep roads safe and prevent traffic fatalities as part of the annual Safe Family Travel campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Running from November 26 through the end of December, the campaign focuses on impaired driving, aggressive driving, and seat belt violations. During this time, deputies will conduct saturation patrols to deter unsafe driving and encourage seat belt use. “We see the consequences of unsafe driving every day,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of

An Illinois man was arrested after breaking into a hotel room, according to the Chesterton Police Department. On Tuesday, at about 9:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Quality Inn hotel on Council Road after staff reported that an unknown male subject had fled from a room, which had not been rented in nearly 2 weeks. The room had been discovered locked from the inside, and employees noticed movement behind the curtains when checking the exterior window. Moments later, the man exited the room, ignored the hotel owner’s attempts to question him, and fled on foot toward Roberts Road. Police

The Starke County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert on their Facebook page regarding reports of a phone scam where a man claims to be an officer. "We have received reports of a phone scam involving a man claiming to be a Sergeant Smith from the Starke County Sheriff's Office, the Starke County Sheriff's Offce said. "This is NOT a legitimate call. If you receive any calls like this, please call our dispatch center at 574-772-3771, option 2."

November 26th, 2025 to December 31st, 2025 – As Hoosiers prepare for holiday celebrations, LaPorte Police Department is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) tokeep roads safe and prevent traffic fatalities as part of the annual Safe Family Travel campaign,supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Running from November 26 through the end of December, the campaign focuses on impaired driving, aggressive driving, and seat belt violations. During this time, officers will work overtime conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to deter unsafe driving and encourage seatbelt use. “We see the consequences of unsafe driving every

On August 3rd, 2025, at approximately 2:34 AM, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls regarding gunshots being fired and people fighting outside of Matey’s Bar (110 Franklin Street). Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift III and other nearby law enforcement agencies quickly responded to the scene.   Responding officers located 25-year-old LaPorte, Indiana resident Dante Sellers II suffering from a gunshot wound across the street from Matey’s Bar. Officers provided life saving measures before he was transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City with life-threatening injuries. Sellers was then transferred to the University of Chicago Hospital