News

News Release, Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Students at 63 Indiana schools will experience the outdoors during the 2025-26 school year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Parks and other state park-managed properties. The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is for all K-12 schools and is administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR. Grants of up to $500 are awarded to fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to the field trips. A recent gift of $10,000 from STAR Financial Bank,

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecast an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for today,  June 5. Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, expected fine particulate matter levels may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas: North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area. Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area. Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond,

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor is conducting lane closures on U.S. 20 between I-94 and C.R. 400 W. The right outside lane is  closed westbound for approximately two days through June 5, followed by the right outside lane on the eastbound side for approximately two days on or after Monday, June 9. No left turns will be permitted within the area of the closed lane. These closures are for utility work ahead of long-term construction in this location. This project consists of road reconstruction with added center turn lanes and shoulders on U.S. 20

Press Release, Valparaiso Police Department: On June 2, 2025, at approx. 7:30 p.m., Valparaiso Police responded to the 1900 block of Chicago Street in reference to the report of a subject being shot.  It was further learned the suspect in the incident may have left the area or had secured himself in a nearby apartment.  Upon arrival, police were directed to the male victim who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.  The victim was confirmed deceased on scene. Police continued an immediate search for the suspect and the Porter County Emergency Response Team responded to assist.  The investigation quickly confirmed the

La Porte Community School Corporation is proud to announce that three schools have received prestigious recognition from the Indiana Department of Education for their commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Crichfield Elementary School and Kingsford Heights Elementary School have earned full STEM Certification, joining an elite group of Indiana schools recognized as leaders in innovative STEM education. Additionally, Kesling Intermediate School has been designated as "Developing" in STEM Certification, highlighting the significant progress the school has made in creating an engaging STEM culture. The recognition of three La Porte schools in a single year demonstrates the district's

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – To patients and co-workers at Franciscan Health Michigan City, Tansel Turgut, MD, is a cardiologist. But in chess circles around the globe, Dr. Turgut is well known as an international chess player, having won multiple championships in a variety of types of chess worldwide. He is also an International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master. In 2023, he became the state chess champion of Indiana, following state championship wins in Louisiana in 1997 and Michigan in 1998. He can even play chess blindfolded, using only his mind to envision the board and his next move. Dr. Turgut said

Throughout time, poets told stories, offered social and political commentary, recorded religious beliefs, and revealed deep, human feelings. This April, northwest Indiana poets did the same as they celebrated World Creativity & Innovation Week and National Poetry Month. Elementary through high school students and adults submitted their poems in this year’s annual “Juried Showcase of Poetry.” The Showcase is sponsored every year by the Center for Creative Solutions, a local non-profit organization dedicated to a community culture of creativity and innovation. The winners read their work to family, friends and community members at the La Porte County Visitors & Convention

On June 1, 2025, at approximately 12:34 am, the FLOCK RAVEN gunshot detection system alerted to a shot being fired near 403 Chicago Street. Uniform Patrol Shift 3 Officer Brock Moore responded to the location as did Officers Robert Dokmanovic and Patrick Lewis from the Crime Suppression Unit. Officer Moore was the first to arrive on scene and as he was walking through the area, he noticed a green laser emitting out of the upper window of 401 Chicago Apt. 2. The laser was consistent with being a laser gun sight and soon after seeing it, a gunshot was fired

State Road 39 will be closed between the Indiana Toll Road and Tiffany Woods Dr on or after Monday, June 9 through the end of June for work being conducted by the Indiana Toll Road. The official detour will follow U.S. 20 and U.S. 35. Questions, comments or concerns about this work on State Road 39 should be directed to the Indiana Toll Road.

AVOID THE AREA -TRAFFIC ALERT Here are more pictures of this HORRIFFIC ACCIDENT which has SR 2 CLOSED at FAIL ROAD-this will be closed for a long time. AVOID the area. Thank you for sharing the closure and pictures La Porte County Sheriff's Office and to everyone working on the scene. #wims FOLLOW THE LCSO FACEBOOK PAGE for details on closures, etc... 2700 east block of SR 2 Deputies are investigating a personal injury crash involving a CMV and a Refuse Truck. The eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 2 are closed in the area. EB SR 2 is closed

COUGARS ARE SECTIONAL CHAMPS!!!!!  Congratulations-Job Well Done-NPHS Baseball Sectional Champs 2025! New Prairie United School Corporation #wims

June is National Safety Month and Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is sharing an important reminder for its customers: when planning and carrying out home improvement projects that involve electricity and natural gas equipment and lines, don’t do it yourself (don’t DIY)! “If you're planning to install a new natural gas stove, dryer, or furnace—or if you're considering adding new electrical outlets or wiring—please don’t attempt to do it yourself,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “Instead, we strongly encourage you to contact a qualified gas or electrical professional to ensure the work is done

LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is now accepting online applications for its 2025 “Power for Good” Community Grants. The application will remain open until 4:59 p.m. on Friday, July 11. Nonprofit organizations and other eligible groups may apply for up to $5,000 to support innovative projects that enhance quality of life and strengthen La Porte County. Fundable projects may address unmet community needs, encourage collaboration, or help attract additional funding or resources. Past grants have supported initiatives in education, public safety, arts and culture, the environment, social services and more. “This is what Unity

An update from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office- On May 31, at 12:29 AM, deputies responded to the 4600 west block of US 20 in reference to a disturbance. Deputy Michael Sweet arrived and located a vehicle that had crashed into a ditch. Present near the vehicle was a 17-year-old female who reported a subject had battered her and crashed the vehicle. Deputy Julian Sanchez located 21-year-old Caleb M. AUSTIN walking westbound along US 20 near CR 525 West. Deputy Austin Wells detained AUSTIN and returned him to the crash scene. Deputies learned the juvenile was operating the vehicle

Melissa "Missy" Ann Bennett October 9, 1965 - May 7, 2025 Melissa "Missy" Ann Bennett, 59, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Franciscan Health - Crown Point. Missy's celebration of life will be held from 2 to 7 p.m., Monday, June 9, 2025 at Red Mill County Park, 0185 S. Holmesville Rd., La Porte, Indiana. Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, Indiana is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Humane Society of Hobart Inc., 2054 IN 130 Hobart, Indiana 46342. To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit

Wednesday June 4, 2025 - Starke County 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. CST *While supplies last. Where: Knox United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shield St., Knox, IN 46534 *This distribution is sponsored by USDA and will serve 200 households. Thursday June 5, 2025 – Kosciusko County 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. EST *While supplies last. Where: The former Helping Hands Food Pantry, 10072 W. 600 S., Mentone, IN 46539 *This distribution is sponsored by USDA and will serve 150 households. Friday, June 6, 2025 – St. Joseph County 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. EST *While supplies last. Where: The former

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has begun maintenance dredging operations in the federal navigation channel in New Buffalo Harbor. The dredging will remove about 15,000 cubic yards of shoaling in the harbor, which will be then used for renourishment about 1,500 feet south of the South Breakwater. Material will be placed from the shoreline to about 8 feet deep in Lake Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy previously approved a water quality certification for sediment to be placed in the area with a Section 401 water quality certification. “Maintenance dredging presents an excellent

Jackson Township - Two motorcyclists passed away due to life-threatening injuries while riding on U.S. Highway 6 in Jackson Township. Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department responded for a multi vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles and motorcycles early afternoon Friday.   A total of two passenger vehicles and two motorcycles were involved in the crash. The crash occurred at the entrance to White Thorn subdivision, about one mile East of Calumet Avenue.   Sadly, despite life saving measures performed from bystanders and first responders on scene, both riders of the motorcycles were pronounced dead. “Our hearts and prayers go out to

On May 29, 2025, at approximately 10:58pm, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a male claiming someone was trying to kill him. The caller was believed to be in the area of Dewey Street & Michigan Boulevard. Officer Dokmanovic located a male subject a block from that location and while speaking with him another male subject exited 1824 E Michigan and advised someone had been shot inside the residence. This incident was rapidly evolving and multiple Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift III, Long Beach, Trail Creek and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist.

Save the Dunes held their Annual 5K at West Bach in Gary over the weekend on Saturday. The site was filled with over 180 Runners and Participants in both the Adult and Children's divisions. Family Fun, Making a Difference, and awesome weather added to a wonderful start of the day. For more pictures check out WIMS' FACEBOOK. To find out more about Save The Dunes visit their website at www.savedunes.org. Thank you to our WIMS EVENT SPONSORS Save the Dunes, NIPSCO, and Arnett Construction & Roofing. #wims