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Most Grade Levels See Slight Increase in English/Language Arts Proficiency; Math Proficiency Slightly Decreases Following Significant Growth in Recent Years INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today presented results from the spring 2024 administration of the Indiana Learning Evaluation and Readiness Network (ILEARN). Most grade levels had a slight increase in English/language arts (ELA) proficiency, while math proficiency slightly decreased following significant growth since the pandemic. “While many grades have seen increases in both ELA and math proficiency over the past three years, we must continue to keep our foot on the gas pedal to ensure all students

NIPSCO will close U.S. 12 between Hillcrest Road and Midwest Steel Highway for approximately 5 days starting on or after Monday, July 22 to perform utility work. INDOT says motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 249 and U.S. 20.

For the latest NIPSCO outage information check out www.nipsco.com and view the outage map. To check on the area services by KVREMC visit www.kvremc.com and visit the outage maps. For Indiana Michigan Power customers visit www.indianamichiganpower.com and view the outage maps as well.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Office says they have recently been receiving reports that citizens have been getting telephone calls in which people were fraudulently claiming to be law enforcement officials.  Sometimes callers can mask the caller ID information to make it appear as if the call is coming from a police department or other government entity. “If you receive a call from a person claiming to be one of our Officers and are concerned they are not who they say they are, please hang up and call 219-477-3170 to verify their identity,” the Porter County Sheriff’s Office said in a

Residents of Porter and Elkhart counties are asked to contact Indiana 211 by calling 866-211-9966 to report severe storm damage from July 15, 2024. To help establish a comprehensive assessment of damage, residents can call 866-211-9966 or visit the Indiana 211 website. Collecting assessments via this process will help IDHS determine damage estimates and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process. Currently, only residents in Porter and Elkhart counties should utilize Indiana 211 for July 15, 2024, damage reports. Other counties should reach out to their local emergency manager. Agricultural damage should be reported to the

Gary, IND. – On Monday, July 15, in a press conference within the Gary Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center, Congressman Frank Mrvan (IN-01) and Chief Derrick Cannon announced GPD will receive $264,000 in Community Project Funding. The funding will allow for the acquisition of stationery and mobile License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. These LPR cameras will be used to continue the modernization of the Gary Police Department’s policing tactics and enhance public safety. Ellis Dumas, Chief of Staff for the Office of Mayor Eddie Melton, spoke on behalf of Mayor Melton, who was unable to attend the press conference.

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – The Franciscan Health Foundation of Northern Indiana recently received a $3,000 donation from Horizon Bank to support the Franciscan Health Michigan City Center of Hope program. “When you think about corporate sponsorship in the community, you think about Horizon and Franciscan,” said Steve Kring, regional president for Horizon Bank – Northwest Indiana. “We love to give back to the community by supporting programs that make a meaningful impact in people’s lives.” The Center of Hope program provides a safe environment for survivors of violence, sexual abuse and trauma, including pediatric victims. Financial support for the Franciscan

A 39-year-old Crown Point resident was arrested on a charge of possession of methamphetamine following a traffic stop on Saturday, June 29, the Chesterton Police Department is reporting. According to police, at just after 9:40 p.m. Sgt. Eric Lisoski was northbound on Tremont Road when he observed a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction pass him “at a high rate of speed.” Lisoski executed a U-turn and stopped the vehicle in the westbound lanes of U.S. 20. Lisoski, accompanied at the scene by Officer Darren Conley, made contact with the driver, who was unable to find her license, stating that

Cops Cycling for Survivors TOUR continues throughout Indiana. Mike Kellems has been sharing his journey with pictures and insights with Ric Federighi both on and off the air and with the WIMS extended family. Safe Travels. Hello from the campus at Indiana State University in Terre Haute… we arrived here safe and sound and extremely sweaty. As previously mentioned, this is a long pull and with temps in the 90’s and humidity backing it up along with a steady headwind it was a tough day. Nonetheless, these cyclists, who never cease to amaze, pushed through and here we are. We

The Michigan City Police Department will be hosting National Night Out here in Michigan City on August 6, from 5:00pm to 8:00 p.m. The goal of this event is to build neighborhood unity, awareness, safety and police-community relationships. The location of the event will be Civic Plaza lots at 7th/Franklin Streets.

Severe weather rips through the area Monday evening causing major power outages everywhere. For the latest NIPSCO outage information check out www.nipsco.com and view the outage map. To check on the area services by KVREMC visit www.kvremc.com and visit the outage maps. For Indiana Michigan Power customers visit www.indianamichiganpower.com and view the outage maps as well. Be careful on your journey. Please report downed lines and problems with your service to your provider. Please check on your loved ones, friends and neighbors. Be safe.

Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and the City of Michigan City will be hosting an Opioid Workshop Roundtable Thursday July 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the EOC Room at City Hall of Michigan City. The Mayor’s Office says they plan to discuss the settlement funds and share what the money can be used for.

Beginning on Monday, July 15, through October 15, (weather permitting), Superior Construction will be closing the southbound ramp off Highway 12 that connects into State Road 249 in order to repair the walls of the lower portion of the bridge. The ramp located just west of the Port of Indiana bridge will remain open to connect Hwy 12 to State Road 249 for vehicles/trucks to access. Residents wanting to go south on 249 will need to continue on 12 to the 249 south exit just before the bridge into the port. Beginning on Monday, July 22 crews will be placing

LAPORTE COUNTY — Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission Executive Director Scott Pelath issued the following statement regarding the conditions of the Kankakee and Yellow Rivers in Indiana: “During the month of July, the National Weather Service has recorded far more than the normal rainfall on the Kankakee River Basin. Virtually the entire watershed has been hit with at least twice the usual amount of precipitation, with large portions of the upper watershed enduring triple and even quadruple the typical levels. “While the soil and summer crops absorb some of this water, the remainder discharges to the

The Lake County Tobacco Prevention Coalition recently recognized members, community partners and youth advocates with the organization’s annual awards. This year’s awards included the Bree Wilson Youth Advocate of the Year Award, which was presented by VOICE Indiana in partnership with the Healthy Hoosiers Foundation to Mieka Neely, a 2024 graduate of Thomas Edison Jr./Sr. High School in Lake Station. The award includes a $1,000 scholarship. VOICE is Indiana’s statewide program led by teenagers who seek to engage, educate and empower peers to celebrate a tobacco- and vape-free lifestyle. The Lake County Tobacco Prevention Coalition oversees the Lake County VOICE team

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On July 18th, the dedication of Indiana's 2nd official Shipwreck Nature Preserve -the "Muskegon" will take place just offshore from Indiana Dunes National Park’s Mount Baldy. Dr. Charles Beeker and colleagues from Indiana University's Center for Underwater Science, along with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and National Park Service staff, will visit the site to install a mooring buoy, place a bronze commemorative plaque, and collect high-quality underwater photos and footage. Dr. Beeker notes that “the Muskegon is Indiana’s first shipwreck listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  This Dedication as an Indiana Shipwreck

MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana  -- Shirley Heinze Land trust is teaming up with Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Franciscan Health Michigan City to bring attention to the calming, restorative effects of nature and art. Wellness in the Wetlands -- a free, all ages Nature in the Arts event -- will take place Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central at the St. Francis Nature Preserve, located on the Franciscan Health Michigan City campus at 3500 Franciscan Way. Visitors may park near the trailhead entrance at the west end of the parking lot. Michigan City Transit Bus Route

Cops Cycling for Survivors in Full Swing as they continue their tour throughout Indiana. The Ride started in Indianapolis on July 8th and wraps up on July 20th. Stops have included Richmond, Blufton, South Bend to name a few, The Ride will wrap up in Indianapolis. Mike Kellems has chatted about their current tour with Ric Federighi on WIMS . Mike has also chronicled the journey with some great pictures as well. Cops Cycling for Survivors teams up with Active officers and civilian participant riders to raise awareness and actively support law enforcement survivors through the annual bicycle tour around

The intersection 15th Street and Broadway will close on Monday, July 15, Chesterton Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg is reporting. H&G Underground Utilities, contracted by Indiana American Water Company, will be connecting a water main at the intersection. Schnadenberg expects the intersection to be closed to traffic for about five days. A detour will be posted and signage placed to assist motorists in navigating around the closure. The Town of Chesterton says Schnadenberg and Assistant Street Commissioner Dan Moy will be monitoring progress on the job.

La PORTE, IN - The LakeFest planning committee today revealed a full lineup of fun to kick-off the LakeFest weekend, according to Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber. On Friday, July 26, from 4-11 p.m., LakeFest will host its first-ever Friday Night Live at Fox Park along Clear Lake. This free, pet- and kid-friendly event will include music, food, art, fitness and entertainment for people of all ages. According to Schreiber, the Friday Night Live will not only bring the community together, but it will also showcase the recent renovations to Fox Park to residents and visitors alike. "For the last three