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New Jersey Man Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison For Drug Offense SOUTH BEND – Juan Aquino, 53 years old, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson. Aquino was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 4 years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, in December 2023 Aquino obtained four kilograms of cocaine from Colorado and was transporting it back to New Jersey in hidden vehicle

City Hall and all other Michigan City municipal offices will be CLOSED to the public on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Michigan City Transit and Refuse departments also will be nonoperational on Monday, meaning no bus service and no trash collection. Those whose normal garbage pickup day is Monday or Tuesday should put your containers out before 7 a.m. Tuesday and leave out until picked up. And one more reminder... Police Chief Marty Corley will be the keynote speaker and Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch will be the emcee at the MLK CommUNITY

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – As the weather turns colder next week and the potential increases for hazards such as ice, snow and frigid temperatures, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is reminding customers to prepare now so that they can keep their homes and families safe and warm this winter.   “Your meters, regulator and outdoor piping can withstand harsh winter weather, but hardpacked snow, icicles and water dripping on outdoor equipment can create a safety risk,” said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. “We encourage our customers to know what to do to protect themselves and their

Update from LaPorte Co Meals on Wheels due to the extreme weather Monday and Tuesday   La Porte County Meals on Wheels NO MEAL DELIVERY on Monday, January 20 or Tuesday, January 21. Northwest Indiana Meals on Wheels (our meal provider) out of an abundance of caution for staff and volunteers; due to the expected extreme cold temperatures will be closed. Clients please use your Blizzard boxes. Remember to check on your neighbors! #wims #nwi #localradio

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) reintroduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any other state that allows concealed carry, while still abiding by that state’s laws. “The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act will protect the constitutional rights of Hoosier gun owners by ensuring any individual who legally owns a gun in Indiana can transport or possess the firearm legally in other states without fear of prosecution,” said Senator Young. More specifically, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would: Allow individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state

Gov. Eric Holcomb (left) presents State Rep. Ed Soliday (R-Valparaiso) (right) with the Sagamore of the Wabash for his service to the state on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the governor's office at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. During his nearly 20 years as state representative, Soliday has chaired the House Roads and Transportation Committee and since 2020 chaired the House Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have

MICHIGAN CITY ANNOUNCES SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2025 MICHIGAN CITY – Michigan City Special Events and Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch are excited to announce the 2025 Michigan City Special Events schedule, highlighted by the return of The Singing Sands Sand Sculpting Festival and Oktoberfest. “Our special events lineup is growing, which is exciting,” the mayor said. “We’ve added a Juneteenth celebration to the list and have expanded some of our returning events, which really showcase our diversity – not only in our people and cultures, but also in our city with our lakefront, downtown district and neighborhoods. We’re looking forward to another

Westville, IN  The Westville Area Chamber of Commerce has opened their yearly award nominations for Community Leader and Education Recognition that will be presented at the Annual Dinner on Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Purdue University Northwest Great Hall. The Chamber is committed to supporting students, educators and educational programsthat have made a significant impact in the Westville Area community over the past year through the Education Recognition Award program, Again this year we are accepting nominations for The Community Leader Award. Please help us recognize a businesses or individual that makes a positive differences in our community. Nominations

Chesterton Police Department now accepting applications for dispatcher   The Chesterton Police Department is now accepting applications for the position of Communications Clerk (dispatcher).   Communications Clerk is a civilian employee assigned to daily shift duties at the radio dispatch center and often the first line of contact with civilians in emergency situations and for requests for services. The Communications Clerk is responsible for the initial receipt of calls for service, dispatching the calls to the shift supervisor or assigned personnel, and data entry of all information related to the initial handling of calls for service.   If you thrive

Keys to Hope Community Resource Center in Michigan City is having an OPEN HOUSE on Friday 01/17/2025 from 5:30p-7:30pm. They are located at 1802 Franklin Street in Michigan City. -#wims #nwi #localradio #michigancity Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc. Grace Learning Center

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – A new renovation project at 711 Franklin St. will link commercial and retail space to a proposed city plaza. The spot will include first-floor spaces to lease that will range in sizes from 860 to 1800 square feet and face an area pegged to provide space for public gatherings, including concerts, festivals and shows. “The plaza will create a space for friends and families to create memories. With the progress happening in Michigan City, we feel such a spot is a vital and important piece of the puzzle for the future growth of the downtown area,” said

PRESS RELEASE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Just before 11:30 a.m. yesterday, St. John, Indiana police received an emergency dispatch call for a domestic disturbance at a home in the 14000 block of W. 93rd Place in St. John. A St. John police officer arrived at the scene.  At some point, a physical altercation occurred and shots were fired. A 40-year-old male was wounded and was transported to a local hospital. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau is investigating. No further information will be released at this time.

The Indiana Dunes National Park remind us the dangers of "Shelf Ice." Shelf ice forms when breaking waves and spray freeze in frigid air temperatures, creating irregularly patterned ice full of cracks, crevices, and holes. Shelf ice is an unstable formation that builds from the beach out to the lake, without freezing to the lake bottom. Due to the nature of its structure and fluctuating temperatures above and below freezing, shelf ice is unpredictable and unsafe to step on. Shelf ice is not a continuous sheet. Thinned or weakened areas may be hidden, and the ice can collapse like a

The Salvation Army of MC Achieves Christmas Goal Raising 104 percent of campaign goal, The Salvation Army continues to meet needs in Michigan City MICHIGAN CITY, January 14, 2025 – As the annual Christmas Campaign comes to an end, The Salvation Army of Michigan City is happy to announce that its goal of raising $235,000 has been met. Thanks to support from the community, The Salvation Army raised 104 percent of the 2024 campaign goal. “When we launched our 2024 Christmas Campaign, we knew we would be facing a steep climb to reach our goal,” said Major Becky Simmons of

La PORTE, IN (Jan. 15, 2025) – Residents in need will soon have access to an emergency warming shelter right here in La Porte, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. Joining forces with Center Township Trustee Lisa Pierzakowski, the City has today announced a partnership with Nest Community Shelter to bring a temporary emergency shelter – dubbed Nest La Porte – to the former train depot on Washington Street. Set to open this Sunday, Jan. 19, the shelter will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 31. Dermody said this project provides a critical resource to those in need this winter.

The 2025 LAPORTE COUNTY FAIR Proudly presents Warren Zeiders on Thursday July 10th, 2025 at 7:30pm. Tickets go sale Friday January 17th, 2025 at 10aCST/11amEST. For tickets and information check out www.lpfair.com.

Five fire departments responded to a residential house fire on Nilewood Drive just outside of La Porte and on Pine Lake Tuesday morning. The home was engulfed in fire when the first firefighters arrived. La Porte, Center, Scipio, Coolspring and Springfield battled the blaze for nearly two houses before it was brought under control; despite the efforts the home was a total loss. The homeowners were not home at the time of the fire which was reported by a neighbor about 9:30 AM. #wims #nwi #localradio Photos and story courtesy of Michael Kellems

Indiana State Police Lieutenant Christopher L. Hill has been promoted to the rank of Colonel and will serve as the Indiana State Police Assistant Superintendent.  Hill was born and raised in Madison, Indiana. After graduating from Shawe Memorial High School in 1986, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Dayton in 1990. Hill graduated from the 53rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in December of 1995.  He was assigned to patrol duties at the Versailles Post before becoming a Detective in the Gaming Division. In 2004, he transferred to the Drug Enforcement Section (DES)

Gov. Eric Holcomb (left) presents State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) (right) with the Sagamore of the Wabash for his service to the state on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in the governor's office at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Since 2020, Pressel has served as chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, working on legislation to improve Indiana road safety, reliability and funding. Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant

The Latest from Ott Haverstock Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services in Michigan City. Barbara E. Bartels, 91, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 4:13 pm in Franciscan Health - Michigan City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, January 17, 2025 at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 606 S. Woodland Ave., Michigan City, IN with  Rev. William O'Toole officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Friday at the Queen of All Saints Catholic Church Legacy Center. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City,