News

Valparaiso, Indiana – First responders dedicate their lives to protecting our communities, often facing immense physical and mental challenges in the line of duty. In recognition of the need for comprehensive mental health support, the MAAC Foundation and Responder Strong are proud to announce the First Responder Mental Wellness Conference, taking place on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST at MAAC Foundation 4203 Montdale Park Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383. Doors will open at 8:00 AM CST. Visit bit.ly/maacmentalhealth2025 and register today. “First responders face incredible challenges every day, often carrying the weight of those experiences

Michigan City, IN – Harbor Country Adventures, in partnership with the Michigan City Department of Special Events, proudly announces the inaugural MC Food and Music Festival, set for Memorial Day weekend at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater. The festival will take place on Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, from 11 AM to 7 PM each day. The MC Food and Music Festival aims to celebrate the vibrant culture of food and music, bringing together residents and visitors for a weekend filled with enjoyment. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of local and regional food trucks each day, offering a

LaPorte County Parks will be hosting “Spring Flower Tea Time on Wednesday, April 30 from 1-3 p.m. at Bluhm County Park. Go for a short hike on paved trails to admire native spring woodland flowers. Then join them for tea time with an English tea set complete with scones and elderberry jam.

Check out Tom Lounges' Record Bin FUN Easter Sunday with MIDWEST BEAT BLUES from 3p-5p and NEEDLE DROP from 6p-9p right here on WIMS. You can listen on AM 1420. 95.1FM, and 106.7FM in Valparaiso or stream us 24/7 at wimsradio.com. #wims #nwi #loclaradio

News Release Indiana DNR: Every year more than 12,000 volunteers across the state contribute countless hours on Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) properties. During National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, the DNR will thank and recognize those volunteers for caring for Indiana’s natural and cultural resources and salute their accomplishments on its social media accounts. To follow DNR official social media accounts, see on.IN.gov/dnrsocial. Hoosiers can connect with Indiana’s natural and cultural heritage and the DNR volunteer community by donating their time and talents at their favorite DNR property. To find out how you can help DNR properties and become

The Ogden Dunes Town Council have given a beach closure update. The town beach and accessways are re-opened to the public. There are two areas where equipment and rocks are staged, and they will be taped or fenced off for safety and security reasons. They are located near accessways #18 and #11. The Town says to please avoid entering these secured areas and do not climb on the equipment. Stairs at access #7 will be reinstalled as soon as possible. Further updates will be shared as they become available.

Portage Police are warning of a scam Facebook post that is being shared locally. The person the page belongs to was hacked and no longer controls the page. Police say the "seller" is asking a enticingly low price for a used vehicle but says he cannot meet to complete the sale face to face for a few days. The seller then asked the potential buyer for a downpayment to be sent using Zelle or Apple Pay, promising to hold the vehicle for them even though there is not actually a vehicle for sale.

On April 18th at 12:20 A.M. is when the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call regarding a person who was shot inside building 12 at the Garden Estates West apartment complex. Officers from Uniform Patrol Shift III arrived and located a 15-year-old juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders provided life saving measures to this juvenile before they were transported to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City by LaPorte County EMS for further medical care. This juvenile eventually succumbed to their injuries after arriving at the hospital. Detectives from the Investigative Division were summoned to

The Porter County Sheriff's Office are introducing their newest K9, Quinn The department thanked Jacki Stutzman for a donation helped them get Quinn. Quinn is a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever from Project One Retrievers. She is certified in obedience, explosive detection, and tracking. Officer Peiffer and K9 Quinn recently completed an Advanced Military Working Dog Training as well as a specialized Explosive Detection Course.

Watch for overnight lane closures on i-65 between U.S. 30 and 61st Avenue during the hours of 10 p.m.-6 a.m. The project began on Wednesday and is ongoing through next week for pavement patching operations. Motorists should be alert for road crews and changing traffic patterns in the area.

The Town of Porter and its Environmental Sustainability Commission are inviting the public to celebrate Earth Day by participating in a cleanup of Waverly Road between U.S. 20 and U.S. 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, the Town of Chesterton announced on its Facebook page. High-visibility vests will be made available to all volunteers. They ask those attending to bring gloves, grabbers, and pokers. Those attending should park at the Dollar General, 100 U.S. 20, Porter.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon set for April 25 MICHIGAN CITY –  The Salvation Army of Michigan City will celebrate National Volunteer Month by hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to recognize the hardworking individuals who volunteer at the non-profit organization throughout the year. This luncheon is free and open to anybody who has volunteered with The Salvation Army of Michigan City over the past year. It will take place on Friday, April 25 at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street, Michigan City, from 11:30am to 1:00pm. “April is National Volunteer Month and a great time for us to recognize those

Press Release, City of La Porte: The City of La Porte has recently drawn national attention for its low-cost, high-quality way of living, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. The City took the No. 2 spot for USA Today’s Best Small Town in the Midwest contest this spring. La Porte was one of just 20 communities nominated by the national news outlet’s panel of journalists and experts. In their description of La Porte, USA Today notes the city’s “year-round fun thanks to its three scenic lakes, historic downtown, and vibrant community events.” Dermody said La Porte was in good

The Town of Chesterton made the following statement on their social media regarding the closure of 100N to close between Fifth Street and 100E this summer: NIPSCO contractor Meade Gas should finish the relocation of a natural-gas main on 1100N—and re-open the road between South Fifth Street and 100E to daytime traffic—by the end of next week. Moving that gas main from the north side of 1100N approximately 10 feet to the south is the last pre-construction job in need of completion before work begins on Phase III(A) of the Westchester Liberty Trail: An eight-foot hike/bike trail along the north

During National Volunteer Month in April, the American Red Cross asks donors to help keep the blood supply stable by making an appointment to give blood now. Type O blood and platelets are especially needed to ensure hospitals are fully stocked with lifesaving blood products this spring. The Red Cross depends on thousands of volunteer donors to collect more than 12,000 blood donations every single day. Blood drives and donation centers also depend on the generosity and valuable time of those who make it possible for the Red Cross to help people in need. As spring travel and activities fill

The following is a public safety announcement from the Portage Police Department: "Over the weekend our officers responded to a local restaurant at approximately 9:45pm in reference to a report of a disturbance involving multiple subjects in the parking lot. The initial caller reported that two SUV’s had blocked in a sedan, preventing it from leaving. This caller next reported that one person was being chased through the lot by a group of armed subjects brandishing firearms. This initial report resulted in a significant police response to the area. Once officers arrived on scene, the subjects involved were thankfully compliant

Press Release, Indiana Department of Transportation: INDIANA – Indiana Department of Transportation crews deployed to Michigan over the weekend to assist the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) with cleanup efforts after a catastrophic ice storm in late March caused widespread damage in Northern Michigan. Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a formal agreement between all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 45 INDOT personnel primarily from the agency's Northeast and Northwest districts were dispatched to Michigan. “We are proud to assist our neighbors to the north in this time of need,”

U.S. 20/31 is reduced to one lane in each direction between State Road 23 and U.S. 31 for approximately two weeks (April 30). The left passing lanes will be closed for urgent replacement of pipe and inlets on the inside shoulder.

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- Monday afternoon at 5:11 p.m., Deputy Sawyer Laffoon was dispatched to the 3600 north block of County Line Road in reference to an unconscious subject. A motorist traveling on County Line Road observed an individual lying on an access road just east of County Line Road. The subject was identified as 50-year-old Nicholas E. Irvine of Michigan City. Life-saving services were provided to Irvine at the scene by responding personnel. Irvine was transported by ground to an area hospital. A deputy located a vehicle that Irvine had recently been operating. The vehicle, a 2009 Chevrolet, crashed

La Porte County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a fatal crash that left one woman dead early Tuesday. At 2:51 a.m., deputies responded to County Road 300 East south of State Road 4 regarding a personal injury crash. The initial on-scene investigation determined that a 2019 Ford, driven by 22-year-old Macayla R. Boone of La Porte, was traveling south on County Road 300 East. The vehicle traveled left of center, off the east side of the roadway, and crashed into two tree stumps. Boone was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Boone was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology test