News

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.  

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.