News

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will resume bridge work on I-65 between State Road 2 and State Road 10 on or after Monday, March 17. Overnight lane closures will be utilized during the hours of around 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approximately ten days to set up the traffic configuration for phase three of this project. Overnight lane closures will begin on the northbound side first and then continue southbound. The phase three traffic configuration will have northbound traffic shifted to the right. Southbound traffic will be split, with the left lane as a counterflow lane on the

Rep. Frank J. Mrvan on Friday announced the details of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District. Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition as an opportunity to promote the artistic talent in each Congressional District. Congressman Mrvan stated, “I look forward to hosting the Congressional Art Competition in Indiana’s First Congressional District again this spring.  This competition is an opportunity for high school students to showcase their artistic skills, creativity, and passion for our region with a work of art to

Press release, Indiana State Comptroller: STATEHOUSE — State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla recently voted to further ensure investment options for the State’s deferred compensation retirement plan, Hoosier START, are chosen and monitored for the prioritization of objective financial factors over non-financial environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. “By focusing solely on financial factors, we not only prioritize the best possible retirement investment options for State of Indiana employees and retirees, but also uphold our fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of plan participants,” said Comptroller Nieshalla. “This policy amendment adds an additional safeguard for participant’s retirement funds.” The Indiana

The Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club is announcing up to $10,000 in scholarships for 2025 CHS graduates. Five scholarships will be offered at up to $2,000 each: *DIRK BAER SCHOLARSHIP: For a student seeking a degree in liberal arts with demonstrated financial need. *GEORGE KRIVISKEY SCHOLARSHIP: For a student seeking a degree in the sciences. *WARREN H. CANRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP: For a student seeking a degree in a vocational or trade field. *WARREN CARMICHAEL SCHOLARSHIP: For a student seeking a degree in a public service field. *ALFRED P. NELSON SCHOLARSHIP: For a student seeking a degree in education. “Chesterton-Porter Rotary is pleased to

A man was arrested after allegedly setting a hotel room on fire in Michigan City, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Thursday night at 11:24 p.m., a deputy responded to the Microtel Inn (9834 West 400 North) just beofre regarding an unknown problem in Room 214. From the second-floor hallway, the deputy attempted to make contact with the room occupant, 50-year-old Calvin Kinney. The attempts to check the status of Kinney were unsuccessful and gray smoke began to emanate from underneath the room door and out into the hallway. The fire alarm was activated for the safety of

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announced lane closures will be taking place on U.S. 6/State Road 51 at I-94 beginning on or after Monday, March 17. Alternating lane closures will occur between Old Hobart Road and 22nd Avenue for approximately two weeks for traffic signal work. There will also be lane closures on the ramp from westbound I-94 and eastbound and westbound I-90 (Indiana Toll Road) to northbound State Road 51. This is pre-work ahead of the U.S. 6/State Road 51 bridge replacement over I-94. This extensive bridge project will be ongoing through 2026.

La Porte, IN – Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL), La Porte County Family YMCA (the Y), and City of La Porte are thrilled to announce the beginning of an exciting new chapter: the development of a new community recreation center, managed by the Y, in the city of La Porte. This initiative marks a significant step forward in HFL and the Y’s commitment to be a driving force and a major influencer for a healthier La Porte County. The new community recreation center will be the Y’s La Porte center of operations. The Y team looks forward to providing

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced following a national search that José R. Sánchez will join the university as dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences, effective May 1, 2025. Sánchez most recently served at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, where he held positions as dean and professor of the School of Science and Engineering and founding dean of the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences. His accomplishments included securing transformative gifts to establish endowed professorships and research initiatives, significant expansion of sponsored research, the addition of several market-responsive undergraduate and master’s programs, and

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department and several other agencies are investigating a house explosion in unincorporated Hebron, Indiana. Police say three men were seriously injured. It happened at about 6:15 p.m. Friday at a home in the 4200 block of West 181st Avenue. Investigators are still trying to determine a cause for the explosion. Two men, ages 49 and 39 are hospitalized with serious burns. A third man, 64 years old, is hospitalized with burns and other injuries from the blast. Preliminary information indicates the men had been working to clean out the home at the time. The house was

The La Porte Water Department's spring water system flushing is set to begin this weekend, according to La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, March 16 and continuing for four to five weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Werner reminds residents that this process is a critical part of maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. "Hydrant flushing is nothing new to our residents, as it happens every year," Werner said. "Still, we like to take the opportunity each time to

A police pursuit Wednesday afternoon ended with the fleeing driver fatally crashing into a tree, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Just before 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies responded to the area of County Road 150 North and County Road 500 West regarding a wanted person, 44-year-old Robert F. Bartels, who was operating a pickup truck. At 4:04 p.m., deputies located a vehicle matching the above description traveling northbound on County Road 500 West. Police say a traffic stop was attempted, however the vehicle failed to yield, and fled westbound on County Road 250 North from County Road

The Indiana Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to watch for crews trimming/removing trees along the state right of way through the end of March. INDOT says trees often need to be trimmed or removed in areas where road construction will occur so many crews will be out ensuring this is done before April 1. Tree clearing can only occur during inactive bat season, generally Oct 1-March 31 in Indiana, unless permission is granted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. INDOT is asking drivers to slow down and give these crews plenty of room to work.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public that citizens are again being targeted by subjects calling and claiming to be an employee of the LCSO. The LSCO said on its social media that all unexpected telephone calls from anyone claiming to be affiliated with the agency should be immediately terminated.  

A 30-year-old man died Wednesday after a motorcycle crash in La Porte County, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Just after 11:30 a.m. deputies responded to the intersection of U.S. 35 and County Road 400 South regarding a personal injury crash. The initial on-scene investigation determined that a 2023 Ford, being driven by 68-year-old of La Porte, was in the process of turning left from southbound U.S. 35 to eastbound County Road 400 South. While doing so the driver of the Ford failed to yield to a motorcycle traveling northbound on U.S. 35 causing the crash to occur.

Get Ready for the 2025 Michigan City St. Patrick's Day Parade this Saturday starting at 1pm-LINE UP below. TEAM WIMS will be broadcasting the Parade on FACEBOOK LIVE starting at 1pm. Michigan City Special Events has released the official line-up for the 2025 Michigan City St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade kicks off this Saturday at 1:00 PM and will run from 9th St. to 4th St. Don't forget to bring a canned food item for Real Housewives of La Porte County! #wims #michigancity #nwi #localradio Thank you to our WIMS EVENT Sponsors including: Michigan City Special Events Arnett Construction

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service plans to conduct eight prescribed fires at Indiana Dunes National Park this spring. Approximately 1,534 acres are planned to be burned as part of the park’s natural resources and fuels management programs. The prescribed fires will occur through April 30 as appropriate weather conditions allow. Near Porter Indiana, the park intends to burn approximately 147 acres of the Mnoke Prairie. The prairie has been undergoing restoration efforts for over 20 years, making it one of the last tall-grass prairies in the region. West of Dune Acres, the park intends to burn 255

Press release, Michigan City Sustainability Commission: Who wants a FREE tree? Have you ever checked out an electric car? Do you enjoy exploring our environment and making new discoveries? The Michigan City Sustainability Commission, has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Tree Board to bring you the 4th Annual Earth Month Extravaganza. This FREE, all ages event is on Saturday, April 26 from 12-3 pm. Arrive early for a beach cleanup beginning at 10:30! Supplies will be provided. All activities will take place at the Michigan City Senior Center, 2 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360. Learn from

Construction has begun on INDOT's U.S. 35/Indiana Ave pavement replacement and utilities project from Boyd Blvd to State Road 2/Lincolnway. U.S. 35 northbound is  reduced to one lane between Crescent Dr and Kingsbury Avenue through late April for storm sewer installation. Motorists should also expect single lane traffic with flaggers directing traffic on U.S. 35 between State Road 2 and Kingsbury Avenue on an intermittent/as needed basis through late November. The first main phase of construction will begin with reconstruction of the intersection of Kingsbury Avenue, Woodlawn Drive and U.S. 35 later this spring. Work will then continue with pavement

News release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest recognized several exemplary students, faculty and staff members, nominated by their institutional peers, for accomplishments relating to their on-campus community-building and leadership. The awards were announced at the university’s 2025 Founders Day celebration on March 7. PNW’s Founders Day is an annual campus tradition celebrating the anniversary of the university’s founding and the institutional mission of delivering transformational change for the Northwest Indiana region. PNW also honors select employees for their years of service. AWARD WINNERS Two PNW students received awards for their service in the following

Dermody appoints Drangmeister as new Chief of Police La PORTE, IN (Mar. 12, 2025) – Mayor Tom Dermody today announced and swore in Matthew Drangmeister as the new Chief of Police for the City of La Porte Police Department. A 17-year veteran of the department, Drangmeister first got his start at the LaPorte County Jail. Throughout his law enforcement career, Drangmeister has served in numerous roles, including K9 Handler, Field Training Officer, Detective, Evidence Technician, FOP President and Street Crimes Officer. Most recently, he was appointed by Dermody as Assistant Chief of Police in 2024. Dermody said he feels Drangmeister is ready