News

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana still have several mobile food distributions taking place this month. The following is a list of local locations and times for mobile distributions: Wednesday, Dec. 7 – LaPorte County 10 a.m. – Noon CT  While supplies last. WHERE: Marquette Mall, 201 W. U.S. 20, Michigan City, IN 46360 This distribution will serve 300 households. Thursday, Dec. 8 – St. Joseph County 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET  While supplies last. WHERE: Ivy Tech Community College, 220 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 This distribution will serve 300 households. Friday, Dec. 9 – St.

The Berrien County Sheriff's Office will conduct overtime speed enforcement to address a rise in speed-related fatalities. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, law enforcement agencies across Michigan have reported an alarming rise in speeding and fatal crashes,” the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office stated. To address this trend, The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and dozens of other law enforcement agencies across Michigan will conduct overtime speed enforcement between Dec. 1, 2022, and Feb. 28, 2023. In 2021, there were 237 speed-related fatalities on Michigan roadways, an increase of 18.5 percent over 2020, when 200 people died.

In Michigan City, 300 North is closed just east of US 421 from approximately 7:00 a.m. each morning until approximately 5:00 p.m. each afternoon through Friday Dec. 2, according to D&M Excavating. The closure will be between 421 and Frontage Road. Like WIMS on Facebook for more local roadwork updates.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) has received $5.9 million in renewed federal funding that will support programs for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented college students over the next five years. Three of the six TRIO programs at PNW, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, will benefit from the funding. “The TRIO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs have a duty and responsibility to the communities of Hammond, Gary and East Chicago by way of Purdue University Northwest to promote higher education,” says Ronnell DuBose, director of TRIO Upward Bound/Upward Bound

Over the past 105 years, the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce has celebrated its members during its Annual Member Dinner. In addition to the recognition of milestone members and legacy businesses, this year we will continue a new tradition of announcing winners in several award categories including Community Impact, Small Business, Large Business, Young Professional, and Ambassador. These five award categories will recognize individual people, businesses, or organizations who have made a difference in our business community during the past year. Nominations will be qualified by the Chamber Awards Committee. Finalists in each category will be notified and invited to

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host fall commencement exercises on Sat., Dec. 10 in Hammond. A total of 833 candidates, representing PNW’s five academic colleges, are eligible to receive their degrees. The total includes 638 earning their baccalaureate degrees, 193 earning their master’s degrees and two earning their doctoral degrees. Two commencement ceremonies will take place at John Friend Court inside the Fitness & Recreation Center on the Hammond campus, 2320 173rd Street. Candidates from PNW’s College of Business and College of Nursing will be recognized during the 11 a.m. ceremony and candidates from the College of Engineering and Sciences,

On November 24th at approximately 7:49 P.M. is when Uniform Patrol Shift 2 Officer Brock Moore was on patrol when he observed a person standing in the parking lot of Virk’s Discount Liquors (1912 East Michigan Boulevard) who he recognized as having an active arrest warrant. Officer Moore was able to identify this person from prior law enforcement encounters as 19-year-old Michigan City resident Julius Bowen. Officer Moore was aware Bowen had an active arrest warrant through LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 for Arson (Level 4 Felony) and Criminal Mischief (B-Misdemeanor). Officer Moore met with Bowen in the parking

Collectors’ tins for 10th Annual Cookie Walk are now on sale!   Residents with a sweet tooth should purchase their tins for the 10th Annual Downtown Cookie Walk this December, according to City Events & Civic Director Brett Binversie.   Collectors’ tins for the 2022 Cookie Walk are on sale and cost $15. According to Binversie, the tins will be larger this year to fit more cookies, as they anticipate even more participation from local businesses.   “The Cookie Walk has become an important holiday tradition in La Porte, and we are excited to work with our local businesses to

Join Ric Federighi and Duneland Chamber of Commerce in downtown Chesterton on Saturday, December 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to experience this year’s Mistletoe Market. This beloved holiday market is moving outside this year, giving the event a more European feel. The Mistletoe Market will feature many of the regular season vendors, from the European Market. There will be mulled wine, and live music along with photo props for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will even be in attendance too! Find that perfect, one of a kind holiday gift and experience a little bit of Europe in

On Sunday November 27, 2022, at approximately 7:00 A.M., Troopers from the Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to a single-vehicle crash that occurred on I-65 at the 240 mile-marker. The 240 mile-marker is the exit ramp to State Road 2. Preliminary investigation by Trooper William Stancy shows that a blue 2013 Chevrolet Cruze was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 240 mile-marker when the vehicle ran off the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck a large tree which caused the vehicle to come to a stop and catch on fire. Witnesses on scene were able to remove the

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 12:04 p.m., Lowell Troopers were dispatched to an SUV traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of I-65 from the 247 mile-marker. The 247 mile-marker is the exit ramp at U.S. 231. Two minutes later a crash was reported at the 248.2 mile-marker involving several vehicles. Crown Point Fire, Crown Point Police and Troopers arrived at the scene and discovered the vehicle that had been reported to be traveling the wrong direction had struck another vehicle head-on. A third vehicle then struck the SUV after the initial impact. Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Russell Hayes shows

Congratulations to the VALPARAISO VIKINGS on their State Title. Great job New Prairie and Andrean. Proud of everyone. Way to go. The Valparaiso Vikings are your class 5A State Champions in football after their 35-31 victory over Whiteland. The Vikings drove 80 yards in 16 plays, capped by a gutty effort from senior Rocco Micciche, whose 11-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Clark with only :1seconds giving Valpo the win. This is the Vikings 2nd state title, with their first being in 1975. Connor McHall of Valpo received the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award. The Vikings finished the season

The Michigan City Festival of Lights Celebration is back. Join the festivities Saturday, December 3 starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy the parade, watch the lighting of the official Michigan City Christmas Tree, visit Santa at his Michigan City Workshop (710 Franklin St.) and drop off your wish list to the big man himself, help pick the Chili Challenge champions, and support Meals on Wheels LaPorte County and Toys for Tots. Space is still available in the parade. See more on the Michigan City Special Events Facebook page ot at https://www.emichigancity.com/1252/Festival-of-Lights.

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is calling for nominations of impactful alumni to be honored in its PNW Alumni Hall of Fame. The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from any time in the 76-year history of the university’s Hammond and Westville campuses. PNW says it is seeking nominations of alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their community, and those who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. The first inductee, David A. Roberts, BS ’74, was recognized in 2022. Roberts is the retired chairman, president and CEO of Carlisle Companies

Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting multiple COVID-19 vaccine clinics in LaPorte County in partnership with Beacon Health through year’s end. From 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at the Franciscan Health Legacy Campus, 301 W. Homer St. in Michigan City From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the Coolspring Branch of the LaPorte County Public Library, 6925 W 500 N in Michigan City; From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at the LaPorte County Main Library, 904 Indiana Ave. in LaPorte; From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Dunebrook, 7451 W.

“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams,” fashion icon, Ralph Lauren, once said. On December 7th, Northwest Indiana’s Innovation Forum 2022 will explore those dreams that propel creativity and everyday fashion. “Fashion: The Language of Creativity” will look at fashion history, its social and commercial value, and its individual expression of innovation. The Emerson House, 3634 North 700 West, La Porte, will host the free, networking event at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. The Center for Creative Solutions annually sponsors the Innovation Forum. Area resident, Dale Cooper, will kick off the program with a commentary about the fashion industry of

Kankakee Valley REMC is partnering again this year with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. Help them assist local families in need by donating a new toy in the collection box located in the cooperative’s lobby.  Donations will be accepted until Dec. 9. This program is just one more way to give a little back to the community and help children have a joyous holiday season.

Michigan City High School Athletics is supporting The Salvation Army Michigan City Corps and Community Center food pantry this holiday season. Now through Dec. 9, you can get $1 off admission to any athletic event when you bring a nonperishable food item. In addition, don't forget the big "Drive Through Food Drive" at Ames Field on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is supporting area nonprofit and community service agencies with its most recent round of ‘Power for Good’ Community Grants, totaling over $265,000 for 91 local projects throughout La Porte County. This surpasses past grant amounts made by Unity. These grants will help local organizations provide vital access to education, literacy, prevention and supportive services for local residents. “Community organizations are doing incredible work throughout La Porte County, and Unity is proud to support their efforts.” said Shannon Walker, Unity Foundation Vice President. This year, Unity Foundation increased the amount of funding available for projects

Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Broadband Office announced that the City of Gary is now designated as an official Broadband Ready Community. The Broadband Ready Communities Program was created as a tool to encourage broadband development throughout Indiana. The Broadband Ready Community certification sends a signal to the telecommunication industry that a community has taken steps to reduce barriers to broadband infrastructure investment. “It is communities like Gary that are trailblazing and making a difference within the connectivity space,” Crouch said. “The many cities, counties and towns throughout the state that are collaborating on behalf of their