News

Press release by Shirley Heinze Land Trust: Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) is excited and grateful to partner with NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation in 2023 for a second year to continue the Activating Green Spaces initiative. Shirley Heinze Land Trust introduced its Activating Green Spaces initiative at the beginning of 2022 with funding from NIPSCO through the NiSource Charitable Foundation. This program works with a variety of partners to connect communities that have been historically underrepresented in conservation with their local green spaces, which includes nature preserves, parks, greenways and waterways. The goals of Activating Green Spaces include

STARKE COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor has closed State Road 39 and State Road 8 for two culvert replacements. State Road 39 is closed between County Road West 1800 South and County Road West 50 South, and State Road 8 will be closed at the intersection with State Road 39. The project began Wednesday and the closures are in place for approximately three weeks. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, U.S. 35, State Road 10 and U.S. 421.

Governor Eric Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in the State of Indiana in honor and remembrance of Indiana State Trooper Aaron N. Smith who was killed in the line of duty. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, July 7. Gov. Holcomb is asking businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags to half-staff.  

An INDOT contractor will close State Road 4 between County Road S 500 E and Taylor Road on or after Monday, July 10. State Road 4 will be closed for up to two weeks for a culvert replacement over Leroy arm of the Williams Travis Ditch. INDOT says motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow State Road 104, U.S. 6 and State Road 23.  

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - An INDOT contractor has begun an intersection improvement project at State Road 49 and Indian Boundary Road. Work begins in the northwest and northeast quadrants of the intersection for traffic signal improvements and pavement widening, with the right turn lane from southbound State Road 49 to westbound Indian Boundary Road and the right turn lane from westbound Indian Boundary Road to northbound State Road 49 closed. During phase two, work will move to the southwest and southeast quadrants for traffic signal modifications, concrete work, and pavement placement. An intersection improvement project with added turn lanes is

A 19-year-old from Demotte, Indiana has died after a head-on crash in Winfield. It happened just before 4:36 p.m. yesterday (7/4/23) in the 7000 block of East 117th Avenue. Witnesses tell police a Subaru SUV traveling east was tailgating a Jeep when it crossed the center line in an attempt to pass the Jeep. As the Subaru crossed into oncoming traffic, it collided head-on with a westbound Kia sedan. The driver the Kia was a 19-year-old female who was pronounced deceased at the scene. There were two 13-year-old passengers from Lowell riding in the Kia who were treated in Chicago.

Every year, Shirley Heinze Land Trust recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations who have native plant gardens through the Bringing Nature Home Program. This program celebrates local efforts to create gardens free from invasive species and rich with native plants. “Native plant gardens provide crucial connected habitats in an otherwise fragmented world. These gardens not only help to restore native plants, but they also provide critical habitats for native pollinators,” emphasizes Mari Patis, Programs Coordinator. In addition to increasing backyard aesthetics and supporting native wildlife, native gardens are a great way to learn about the region’s unique ecosystems. Patis explains, “Northwest Indiana

From simple flags and heroes’ photos, to elaborate displays of red, white and blue, the 1st Annual Window Decorating Contest drew 21 timely entries (and numerous late entries, which just missed the deadline).  After more than 800 popular votes from the community, 1st, 2nd and 3rd places were awarded to Coachman Antique Mall; Jeff Miller, DDS; and Freckle Farm Primitives & Antiques, respectively.  A special Committee Shoutout for Creativity was awarded to Parkhouse Laundry for "Laundry Day - Reds, Whites, and Blues." The Kiwanis 4th of July Parade Committee wants to thank all those businesses who entered the contest to display their 4th of July Patriotism

CHESTERTON, Ind. -- Old Porter Road between Ind. 149 and South Babcock Road is  closed for re-paving, the Burns Harbor Fire Department is reporting. The intersection of Old Road Road and South Babcock Road remains open. The Town Of Chesterton says residents of Old Porter Road are able to access their homes, but all other traffic should use U.S. Highway 20 and Verplank Road as a detour. Old Porter Road between Ind. 149 and South Babcock Road is scheduled to re-open on Friday, July 7.  

Washington Park Lifeguards rescued two children who were caught in a rip current on Monday July 3rd. After being pulled to shore, the children were checked out and parents refused the need for any further medical care. Thank you to everyone who helped in this effort including the update from the Michigan City Fire Deaprtment.

The newly minted Michigan City Police Department Crime Suppression Unit (CSU), alongside the LaPorte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), an Indiana HIDTA Initiative, the Michigan City Police Detective Bureau, and the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) delivered a large blow to the “Lakeland Street Gang” during a coordinated campaign by numerous law enforcement agencies. In recent months, the Michigan City Police Department began investigating numerous shooting incidents that captivated the attention of the community and law enforcement officials. The Crime Suppression Unit, which was recently installed by Chief Steve Forker and his administration, began a focused effort to identify the

Don’t miss this year's 4th of July festivities tomorrow at Hawthorne Park! Start the day with the Lions Club pancake breakfast, followed by the annual holiday parade. Other activities include the Turtle Derby, the Patriotic Poster Contest, and the Brick Toss Contest. Enjoy live music and plenty of great food from various vendors! Sponsored by Chesterton-Porter Rotary Club and the Porter Parks Department. We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!

On Saturday July 1st, The City of Michigan City and Michigan City Special Events help their 2023 Michigan City Patriotic Parade. Congratulations to all of the winners for the Michigan City Patriotic Parade. Great job Michigan City Special Events and everyone that helped make it possible. WIMS was proud to be a sponsor. Thank you to all of the sponsors. Enjoy your Fourth. #wims #michigancity #localradio

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have mobile food distributions at the following locations: Friday, July 7, 2023 – St. Joseph County 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ET *While supplies last. WHERE: Liberty School, 600 Pregel Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545                                                                                                                     *This

Valparaiso Police Department’s K9 Ryker has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Ryker’s vest was sponsored by Robert and Rosann Gordon of LaPorte, IN and embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The potentially lifesaving body armor for K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and

Larson-Danielson Construction has officially broken ground on the new Chesterton Police station house. Friday morning, Friday, June 30, an excavator was demolishing the public parking lot across from the town hall. A ceremonial groundbreaking will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 6, at 791 Broadway: the new station’s official street address. See more details about money figures on the station house on the Chesterton Police Department Facebook page.

Speeds in excess of 120 MPH along US Highway 20 and State Road 49 -Thank you Town of Porter Police Department for the update On 6/30/2023 at approximately 7:27 p.m., Porter Police Officers learned of an armed carjacking that had occurred around 7:00 p.m. in New Chicago. Officers were advised over police radio that the vehicle taken in that incident had just been captured on a LPR camera (License Plate Reader) heading East on US Highway 20 just passed State Road 49. Furthermore, it was reported that the suspect had shot the vehicle’s owner just before stealing the car. A

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a resurfacing project on State Road 212 between U.S. 12 and U.S. 20 on or after Thursday, July 6. State Road 212 will be reduced to one lane in each direction with alternating lane closures. This project will be ongoing through late September. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Transportation will host public information meetings to provide updates and gather feedback regarding an annual update to the state's Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Deployment Plan. The plan is federally required as part of Indiana's participation in the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and must be updated each year. Created by the passage of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NEVI provides federal funding to states to add DC Fast Charge charging stations along federally designated alternative fuel corridors (AFC’s). Indiana’s effort feeds into a national initiative to create a network of at least 500,000 reliable

ITR Concession Company LLC (ITRCC) has announced that it is accelerating the construction schedule for the closure of the Indiana Toll Road Exit 10 westbound entry ramp and westbound exit ramp. Both ramps will be closed beginning July 11. The exit ramp will re-open on Aug. 31 and the entry ramp will re-open on Sept. 23. The ramps had previously been scheduled for closure beginning in September and extending into the winter months. This accelerated schedule will allow for construction to be completed before any winter weather conditions impact the construction zone or detour routes. “The accelerated schedule will allow