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The Portage Police Department and their officer Lt. J. Maynard were recently recognized with awards for community outreach. The Portage Police Department says that several years ago they had set goals to become more involved in community outreach, to increase positive interactions with their citizens, and to increase their partnerships with local groups working to improve the community. Thursday morning, at an awards ceremony hosted by the Porter County HUB Coalition (Substance Abuse Council), the Portage Police Department and specifically, Lt. J. Maynard were recognized for some of the work done in these areas during 2022. PPD received a Community

Longtime La Porte County Sheriff’s Office employee Vern Hohnke recently retired.  He served the Sheriff’s Office for 35 years, having been hired in August of 1987. Vern served for five Sheriffs and worked in the jail for several years before transitioning to Courthouse Security where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The La Porte County Sheriff's Office says Vern was a dedicated employee who was extremely passionate about his duties.

The Indiana Health Department’s Labor of Love Summit focusing on maternal health took place Thursday in Indianapolis. Indiana’s infant mortality rate rose slightly in 2021 primarily due to an increase among Hispanic infants, while the rate for non-Hispanic white infants improved slightly and the rate for non-Hispanic Black infants remained unchanged, the Indiana Department of Health announced Thursday. The statewide 2021 infant mortality rate rose to 6.7 per 1,000 live births, up from 6.6 in 2020. The Hispanic infant mortality rate rose from 6.0 to 8.1 per 1,000 live births, while the rate for white infants fell from 5.5 to

Michigan City Transit made the following statement on Thursday regarding a service detour on Route # 4: “Due to South Shore double track project, Route # 4 is unable to provide service to Cooper St., Willard Ave., and 10th Street. “Route #4 will resume regular route service at Willard Ave. and 9th Street. “Michigan City Transit apologize for any inconvenience to our riders, we are unable to safely and timely re-route service to this area.”

HAMMOND, Indiana – Northwest Indiana families facing food insecurity will have extra help thanks to a $20,000 grant from Old National Bank Foundation to Franciscan’s Health’s Fresh Start Market and new Food Rx Program. The Franciscan Health Foundation partnered in 2021 with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to create a three-phase Food Insecurity Program to address food insecurity across the region. Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development MinDee Richard said the expansion of the Food Insecurity Program would not be possible without the financial support from Old National Bank Foundation. “The program will directly partner with vulnerable populations to

Michigan City Area Schools on Wednesday addressed a fix to a glitch in the PowerSchool app. MCAS stated on their Facebook page, “Attention, Families: We've been made aware of a glitch with the PowerSchool Mobile parent portal app that is causing data not to sync. The fix for this is to uninstall and then reinstall the app on your phone. (This free app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.)”

The South Shore Line announces that it will again offer a “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” promotion, applicable for January monthly tickets. All monthly tickets purchased for the month of January 2023 will remain valid throughout February 2023. Passengers purchasing a paper January monthly ticket should plan to keep that ticket and use it through February, and passengers purchasing a digital January monthly ticket via the mobile app will see a February ticket uploaded to their accounts prior to Feb. 1. For passengers who receive tickets through an employer benefit program such as Wage Works or Commuter Benefit Solutions, these

La Porte County Parks announced that the Red Mill playground is complete. The Department stated, “We know it’s cold but come on out and check this out!” A grand opening is planned in the spring. See a 360 degree photo on Facebook on the La Porte County Parks Facebook page.

Mayor Duane Parry is proud to announce the award from the Indiana Department of Transportation grant match for street paving. Michigan City received the full amount requested, just under $700,000.00. Below are the streets that will be paved in 2023 using the grant match. Cherry Street from Hendricks St to S Woodland Ave (there are no homes with Cherry St addresses) Cloud Street 200 – 400 blocks               Dewey Street 100 – 700 blocks Douglas Ave: 200 – 400 blocks   Fir Street 100 – 600 blocks Francis Street 100 - 200 blocks  

NIPSCO is encouraging income-eligible customers struggling to pay their gas utility bill to apply for additional energy assistance programs available beginning Dec. 1 through May 31. Programs such as NIPSCO Hardship, SERV (Supply Energy Resources to Veterans) and SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resource) offer a one-time benefit of up to $400 per year to those who qualify. SERV is an income-eligible assistance program available for active military and eligible veteran NIPSCO customers who need financial assistance with gas residential utility charges. To participate, customers must be an active member of the United States Armed Forces or

The Town of Chesterton announced it has been awarded another 50/50 Community Crossings state infrastructure grant. This grant is in the amount of $383,772.75, which is the full amount for which it applied, according to the Town of Chesterton. The grant will be used next year for three paving projects: East Porter Ave. between South Calumet Road and Ind. 49: East Porter Avenue between Indiana 49 and 250 East; and four streets in Westchester South, Primrose Circle, Olivia Court, Grace Lane, and Kathryn Court. The Total estimated cost of the three projects: $757,297.06. More information on the grant can be

The City of La Porte stated on Tuesday that the street department has begun the second round for leaf pick-up this week. As they did with the first round, they will work clockwise around the city. The city noted there were several factors that pushed the pickup back this year with “leaves falling late, early snow and heavy winds, to name a few.” See the City of La Porte Facebook page for additional updates on leaf pickup.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez on Tuesday joined the United States Secret Service Chicago Field Office in thanking dozens of Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers for helping bring down a “large-scale” counterfeiting suspect to justice. “The work of these officers was critical to the investigation, and execution of a search warrant,” Martinez stated on social media.  “More than $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency was recovered along with rifles, handguns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.” Almost 30 Lake County police officers participated, including SWAT operators, SWAT snipers, Drug Task Force Regional Enforcement Team, Uniformed Patrol Division, Aviation Unit and a police

A traffic stop led to several drug charges and the discovery of a wanted felon in South Bend, according to Indiana State Police. On Monday, troopers with the Indiana State Police Bremen Post All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) and officers with the South Bend Police Department Strategic Focus Unit (SFU) arrested a South Bend man and woman on numerous drug and gun charges. At around 1:30 p.m., a trooper stopped a Chevrolet for a moving violation as it traveled east on East Ireland Road near Irish Hills Drive.  During the traffic stop it was discovered that the passenger in the

Franciscan Health’s partnership with the Lake County Courts to provide volunteer advocates for elderly and incapacitated adults who are unable to represent themselves now has four new members. Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou swore in a class of four Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) in a ceremony Nov. 30. Jack E. Dusek, Jr. of Munster, Renee Gougis of Calumet City, Cynthia Moore of Gary and Rhonda Smith of Hammond were sworn in during the ceremony at Lake Superior Court. “The program is so vital to the community,” Ballou said. “You’re a voice for those who

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department says a limited number of balcony tickets remain for the 28th annual Holiday at the Pops, presented by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. The event is taking place Saturday at 7 p.m. at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults or $5 for ages 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lcso.net.

La Porte County Family YMCA members will have FOB access to the Long Beach Branch starting Jan. 1. All members 18 and older will have access to the cardio and strength training area from 5 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Special membership key FOB access is required for entry, which can be purchased for $50. Contact member services for more details, or to enroll.

The victim of a fatal crash that occurred Friday on U.S. 6 in Porter County has been identified as 61-year-old David Klemp, according to the Town of Chesterton. A 69-year-old man from Liberty Township was traveling west on U.S. 6 when, according to Porter County police he had a "sneezing fit, causing him to sneeze three times," according to Porter County police. The Liberty Township man reportedly advised investigators that he “did not realize” that a second vehicle westbound on U.S. 6—waiting to turn left into the Arbor View Animal Hospital, 244 U.S. 6—was stopped in traffic, Porter County police

Monday morning the Michigan City Police Department had the opportunity to shop with the Share Foundation, Social & Learning Institute, and Michigan City High School in the "Shop With Our Cops" event. WIMS Radio supported the event along with several others. See additional photos from the event on the WIMS Facebook page.

The Downtown La Porte Ice Rink, located at Monroe and State streets, opens Friday, Dec. 9. Skate rentals will be available in both figure and hockey style. Reserve your skate times on-line at www.laporteparkandrec.com, or use the QR code on the flyer. Also see the flyer for opening weekend times and costs. See more on the City of La Porte Park and Recreation Facebook page.