News

The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) hosted a military drill competition on Nov. 12. The Wolves competed against the traditional powerhouse schools of Portage, Indianapolis Ben Davis, and Romeoville, IL. They earned a 2nd place trophy in the Armed Regulation category, and finished third in Unarmed Regulation, Unarmed Exhibition, and Armed Exhibition. The University of Notre Dame Navy/Marine ROTC provided the judges. “This is early in the year to host a drill meet, but our cadets rose to the challenge and represented our school well,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. is alerting the public about a robbery suspect who was taken into custody just over an hour after he escaped from the Lake County Community Corrections Kimbrough Work Program. The program provides work release and residential services for nonviolent felony offenders. Just before 5 p.m. Saturday, 19-year-old Laveris Swanagan, of Gary,  was being searched for contraband when he fought with officers and ran out of a door to the facility. Police officers from the Lake County Police Department, Crown Point Police Department and Merrillville Police Departments searched an area near 93rd and Main Streets

This past Friday the Michigan City High School JROTC cadets hosted the annual MCHS Veteran’s Day Ceremony, featuring the MCHS band and choir. The ceremony, with guest speaker Senator Mike Bohacek, recognized local veterans for their service to our country. See more photos on the Michigan City Area Schools Facebook page.

The Indiana DNR is emphasizing hunter safety, reminding the public that every year, tree stand accidents are the leading cause of hunting related injuries in the state. The DNR is asking hunters to wear a full-body safety harness attached to the tree as soon as they begin to climb to ensure safety.  A video covering the basics when erecting, ascending and descending a stand was posted on the DNR's Facebook page.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2022‐2023 cycle of grants for Michigan City educators. These grants support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning more engaging for students.  Since the mid‐1990s, three grant programs, established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the  critical factor for learning, have awarded grants to over 1,000 teachers for projects of their own design.  This year’s group of recipients is receiving approximately $15,000.   “Our local schools are full of exceptional teachers who go above and beyond for their students. Unity is honored to

The City of Valparaiso announced the Canadian National railroad crossing at Roosevelt Road will close for maintenance for one day, on Monday, Nov. 14 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., weather permitting. A detour will be posted. Follow WIMS on Facebook for the latest local roadwork updates.    

La Lumiere Senior Sean Egan has been named the school winner in the Heisman High School Scholarship Competition, awarded by The Heisman Trophy Trust. The Heisman High School Scholarship extends the Heisman prestige to our nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. These remarkable young leaders set an example and make a game-changing difference every day, paving the way to greatness for everyone around them.

A crash on I-94 left one person with serious injuries Thursday morning, according to Indiana State Police. Troopers responded to an injury crash on I-94 at the entrance to the eastbound scales. This is at the Chesterton weigh station. The investigation showed that a straight truck rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was driving in the ramp lane. The driver of the straight truck had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Pine Township Fire Department and was flown by Lutheran Air II to Chicago for treatment of serious injuries. Indiana State Police did not state the status of the driver

Starting Veterans Day, veterans and their families will be able to visit the park for free with the new Military Lifetime Pass available, with proper identification, at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the Indiana Dunes National Park announced. The pass provides free entrance to national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands. This pass does not expire and covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle. Click here for more information. Military Annual Passes will also be available for current members of the US Armed Forces. Click here for more information.

Volunteer fire department personnel from various townships were battling fires throughout La Porte County on Thursday, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department said on its Facebook page. In the social media post from Thursday afternoon, police said the fires, initially containing just fallen leaves, had been spreading out of control due to the dry and breezy conditions. In addition, the fires were forcing deputies to close roadways while fire personnel worked to contain the spread of the fires, according to police. Property owners were being asked to refrain from burning leaves any further on Thursday. No further updates were posted

Students at Michigan City High School are being introduced to one more avenue of support as they make post-graduation plans. City Connect is a new program, piloted last year, that has officially launched to help City students. Angie Nelson Deuitch, owner of Diversity Squared, is coordinating this initiative at Michigan City High School, focusing on soft skills, job placement, training programs, post-secondary education, and more. “The purpose is to identify students who want to stay local and pursue education or jobs or go into trades,” Nelson Deuitch said. “Our team of career counselors will give them support and walk alongside

A Michigan City woman died after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot Tuesday morning, according to the Michigan City Police Department. The incident happened in the rear parking lot at the Michigan City Fire Department Administration Building at 2510 East Michigan Boulevard. Officers encountered 92-year-old Michigan City resident Virginia Bobillo who was unconscious and suffering from a severe head injury. Responding officers immediately began life saving measures until LaPorte County EMS and Michigan City Fire Department personnel arrived on scene. Bobillo was transported from the scene to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital with life threatening injuries. Bobillo

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is informing the public that it's not too late to prepare for the winter heating season. The office says all consumers should be aware of the tools they can use to mitigate winter heating bills, with utilities throughout Indiana and the United States projecting higher energy costs over the next few months. They gave the following tips and information: Financial Assistance If you need financial assistance, resources are available. The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists qualifying consumers each winter. State statute protects participating customers, and those who have applied

The Porter Police Department announced the passing of K9 “Kilo” on Wednesday.  Kilo passed away peacefully beside his handler, Porter Police Corporal Scott Cornelison at  approximately noon on Wednesday, according to PPD.  The Porter Police department released the following statement Wednesday: “Cpl. Cornelison and Kilo were the Porter Police Department’s sole K-9 Unit from 2012-2021 and were responsible for numerous missing persons and narcotic searches. “Just after retiring Kilo last year, Cpl. Cornelison was involved in a head-on collision while pursuing a kidnapping suspect in November of 2021. While Cpl. Cornelison has fought diligently at overcoming the injuries sustained from

The South Shore Line invites all veterans and active-duty military personnel to ride free of charge on all trains Friday, Nov. 11, through Monday, Nov. 14. At the time of fare collection, passengers are to inform train personnel of veteran or active military status in order to take advantage of the free passage; no identification will be required. On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, trains will follow the regular weekday train schedule. NOTE: Temporary busing to stations between Gary and Michigan City remains in effect. Up to three children 13 years of age and under may ride free with each

Mayor of Michigan City Duane Parry has announced two Veterans memorial statues will be unveiled Friday at Greenwood Cemetery and Swan Lake Cemetery. On Memorial Day, Mayor Parry announced during the Veteran Memorial Ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery that he will use the proceeds from his Golf Outing, to purchase and dedicate a statue to the memory of “ALL THAT HAVE SERVED” Due to the overwhelming response from donors, the city was able to purchase two statues. One statue will be unveiled in Greenwood Cemetery this Friday at 11:00 a.m. At the conclusion of that unveiling, officials will be escorted by

As part of their investment with the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, The Barker Welfare Foundation recently gifted a full year chamber membership to Chef Quayla of Predictable Foodz. At a recent gathering of friends at the Barker Mansion, Chef Quayla catered lunch with a variety of sandwiches, sides, and dessert. Susan DeMaio, Executive Director of The Barker Welfare Foundation was on hand and presented a classic membership package to Quayla shortly after the lunch ended. Predictable Foodz was founded and created in Michigan City, IN by Chef Quayla.  They are a mobile hospitality company that specializes in offering a

Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting multiple COVID-19 vaccine clinics in LaPorte County in partnership with Beacon Health through year’s end. The clinics will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Al’s Supermarket East LaPorte, 702 E. Lincolnway in LaPorte; from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at Grace Learning Center, 1007 W. 8th St. in Michigan City; from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the VFW Post 1130, 181 W. McClung Road in LaPorte; from 1-2:30 pm. Sunday, Nov. 20 at New Hope Baptist Church, 730 W. Sixth St. in Michigan

Installation of the play structure at Ben Rees Park in La Porte was completed Tuesday morning. The structure, funded by the La Porte Park Foundation, includes three slides and a number of climbing options. Additionally, La Porte Park and Recreation maintenance staff recently stained the pavilion and plan to make further repairs this fall.