Chesterton High School is hosting a food drive in support of the Westchester Neighbors Food Pantry. The Food Pantry is especially in need of canned fruits, egg noodles, laundry detergent, dish soap, boxed meals, and cereal. Donations can be made through Wednesday, Dec. 7. Those donating are asked to leave their contribution in a drop box located in the foyer of Entrance 1 at CHS.
Statistics from the Chesterton Police Department's 13-day, 20-hour blitz of unbelted drivers on State Road 49 were released by the Town of Chesterton. The blitz took place from Nov. 18-30, with a saturation operation along State Road 49 between I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road. Over those 20 hours, officers stopped 56 vehicles; issued 23 citations and 39 warnings; and made one criminal arrest, on a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana. Other statistics from the blitz: Citations: *Seatbelt violations: 16. No warnings were issued. *Driving while suspended-infraction: 1. *Criminal misdemeanor (not traffic): 1. *Unspecific traffic violation: 1. *Speeding 11-15
The City of Valparaiso has extended leaf pickup to make an additional pass throughout the city, weather permitting. Over the past 5 weeks, Valparaiso City Services (VCS) has collected over 11,000 yards of leaves, which is close to the yearly average, according to the city. Due to the warmer temperatures, VCS will be making an additional pass throughout the whole city for leaf collection, weather permitting. This will give residents an additional chance to place any additional loose leaves for leaf vac collection. After this final pass, leaves will need to be placed in biodegradable bags for collection. VCS will
Detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post on Thursday initiated an investigation at the request of the Westville Correctional Facility into the death of an inmate. The inmate has been identified as 53-year-old Matthew Chester. Investigators are being assisted by the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office. As of Friday, an autopsy had been conducted and the results as well as toxicology were pending. Indiana State Police said Friday that this is an active investigation.
One person died after a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 6 in Porter County County Friday, according to the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department. Traffic was shut down on U.S. 6 between State Road 149 and County Road 200 West in Liberty Township for several hours. Just after 5 p.m., Porter County 911 began receiving phone calls of a serious crash in front of Arbor View Animal Hospital involving at least three vehicles. As Liberty Township Firefighters were responding to the crash, a Portage ambulance was enroute back to the city from the hospital when the call came out and were
As of 12:50 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 2, the westbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road remained closed at the 6.5 mile marker, following a freak accident early this morning, in which a semi-tractor trailer jumped the center median wall while crossing a bridge over the Little Calumet River, the Indiana State Police is reporting. The tractor itself plunged into the Little Calumet River below, while the trailer—empty at the time—became perfectly wedged in the space between the west- and eastbound bridges, the ISP said. According to the ISP, the accident occurred at 2 a.m. approximately two miles east of
LaPorte County Parks announced safety mulch is going in at the new playground at Red Mill County Park. The department says if everything works out the playground should be done by next week. This replaces a playground that was installed in 2002.
Indiana's official snowmobiling season began Thursday and lasts through March 31. The DNR’s four public trails range from “flat and fast to more technical and wooded.” The DNR says that with enough snowfall, the snowmobile trail managers will sign and publicize that their trails are open for riding. Trail passes are not required, but snowmobiles must be registered to ride w/the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Check Indiana’s snowmobile trail status, laws and regulations, safety information and more at on.IN.gov/snowmobiling.
An Indiana State trooper from the Lowell post was injured after being struck by another vehicle on I-80 on Wednesday night. Just after 11:15 p.m., Trp. Riley Hieb was stationary on I-80 eastbound at the 11.3 mile-marker. Trp. Hieb was seated in his vehicle, providing traffic direction in the left lane with his emergency lights activated. There had been an earlier crash just involving a semi and a passenger car. A Chevrolet HHR, driven by 67-year-old Jose Huizar-Hernandez, of Lake Station, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and rear ended the police car. Trp. Hieb and Huizar-Hernandez were
The City of New Buffalo is reminding residents that seasonal leaf pick-up is coming to an end. The last day for curbside leaf pick-up will be Wednesday, Dec. 7. The city is asking residents to plan accordingly.
Students in the Andrean High School Cardinal Flahiff Chapter of the National Honor Society raised more than $1,400 for the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center Crown Point this fall through the organization’s annual sweatshirt sales. The design for the pink sweatshirt with the words “Faith Family Love” and a cross, heart and breast cancer ribbon on the back was drawn freehand by Andrean High School fine arts teacher Bridgette Ruehl. Andrean High School Director of Finance Dr. Melissa Miller, who serves as moderator for the National Honor Society, said the students sold more than 235 sweatshirts. Miller said the National
Two Valparaiso police officers along with K9 Raider, recently completed a food delivery to a local resident after the delivery driver was arrested. On Tuesday, Officer Palleson performed a traffic stop on a vehicle for an infraction. During the traffic stop, it was learned the driver, a food delivery driver out for a delivery, had an active warrant for his arrest. Officer Sprowl and K9 Raider arrived to assist. The driver was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant without issue. Officer Palleson and Officer Sprowl worked to arrange that not only was the arrest warrant served, but the food
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
