News

Indianan State Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA confirmed the 1.7 million automatic taxpayer refund (ATR) checks are printing and the first group of checks should reach mailboxes later this week. On June 30, 2021, when state reserves exceeded 12.5% of state budget general fund appropriations for the following year, an $1.1 billion excess reserve transfer was automatically generated. The transfer was divided equally amongst Indiana taxpayers ($125 each) and teacher pensions. To qualify for the $125 (or $250 if filed jointly), taxpayers would have had to file an Indiana individual income tax return for 2020 with a postmark date of Jan.

Unity Foundation of La Porte County recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations. “Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Unity Foundation of La Porte County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.” The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking

The La Porte Park and Recreation Department announced its maintenance staff started to demolish the playground near Shelter #3 in Fox Park on Tuesday. The playground was installed in 1999 and is being removed in anticipation of construction starting on Truesdell Avenue along with improvements coming with the Clear Lake Greenway. The department plans to rebuild the playground in another location within Fox Park and looks forward to receiving public input on the project this fall. The department is inviting families to enjoy the playground near the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater in Fox Park or any of the other dozen

INDOT announced that there are additional on-ramp closures on southbound I-65 along with the closures of 61st Avenue and Ridge Road on-ramps. The additional on-ramp closures are 15th Avenue and U.S. 12/20. All closures are scheduled to end Sept. 12. INDOT says to consider using S.R. 53 to U.S. 231 to access I-65. The U.S. 30 southbound on-ramp to I-65 is currently open but is scheduled to close in the future for work as well. Visit 511in.org for updates.  

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force, the Michigan City Police Department Detective Bureau, and Michigan City Police Department Street Hawk Team recovered firearms, illegal drugs, and effected one arrest as a result of a residential search warrant that was executed in Michigan City last week. Beginning in June of 2022, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force began receiving complaints of illegal activity happening in the 600 block of Main Street in Michigan City.  Police say that also during this time, the Michigan City Police Department Detective Bureau began investigating “shootings/shots fired incidents that were plaguing the same location.” Police say

The following is a construction update for the South Shore Line NWI project: GARY- MILLER STATION AREA All buildings have been demolished for the construction of the station and parking lots in Miller. Work is underway at the new east lot. Parking is available but temporarily restricted while work near Miller Station progresses. Vehicular and pedestrian access from Melton Road (US 20) is closed, the driveway from Old US 12/Dunes Hwy will remain open with some lane restrictions. Construction activities may occur on the shoulder of Old US 12/Dunes Hwy. Construction of the new Miller Station is expected to begin in

Two recent high school graduates are the first recipients of the Franciscan Health Michigan City Medical Staff Memorial Scholarship for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers. Zayda Messer, a LaPorte High School graduate attending Indiana University in Bloomington, and Emma Heffron, a La Lumiere graduate attending St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, were selected to receive the scholarships. Messer, who hopes to one day be an OBGYN, said the award will make a big difference helping her pay for school. Heffron, who plans on going into nursing, said, “It gives me the chance to go to school so I can

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Northwest Indiana residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias by participating in the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. The event will be held in three locations throughout the region. The Lake County Walk is set for Sept. 18 at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland. The Porter County Walk will be held Oct. 2 at the William E. Urschel Pavilion in Valparaiso. The season will wrap up on Oct. 8 with the LaPorte County Walk at Washington Park in Michigan City. On Walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease

Update: In an update to a story WIMS has been following regarding the Friday arrest of a La Porte police officer, the La Porte Police Department announced Monday that, “The aforementioned officer resigned today, Monday, August 15, effective immediately.” Original story: A City of La Porte police officer was arrested early Friday morning by Trail Creek Police, according to Chief Paul Brettin. The officer was charged with public intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor) as well as public indecency (Class A Misdemeanor). Brettin said the officer has been given an automatic suspension, and further disciplinary action may be taken once the department

Twenty Indiana counties will receive funds for improving local bodies of water, thanks to $1,291,900 in grants awarded by DNR Director Dan Bortner through the DNR‘s Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program. The grants will fund projects benefiting seven lakes and 17 rivers and streams across Indiana. Most of the projects aim to improve water quality by addressing sediment and nutrient inputs into lakes and streams. Improved water quality helps maintain sustainable fish and wildlife populations as well as improve recreational opportunities in Indiana. One new wetland construction and one wetland enhancement project will be completed with this round of

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recovered an unoccupied boat Monday morning. Sometime after 10:30 a.m., officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit spotted a capsized catamaran in Lake Michigan near East Chicago. It was located about 2 miles offshore. There was no sign of any passengers. Members of the Lake County Marine Unit towed the vessel to the East Chicago Marina.

A man was found with meth during a jail intake procedure at the La Porte County Jail on Friday during an intake procedure. On Friday evening, a deputy was called to the 5000 north block of State Road 39 in reference to suspicious activity. Two people matching the description were located in the 1800 block of West U.S. 20. One person was identified as 42-year-old Michael J. Bowen. It was determined Bowen was a wanted person by the Sheriff’s Office and the La Porte City Police Department. Each agency held two outstanding arrest warrants for Bowen. He was taken into

PORTER COUNTY – A fire broke out in an occupied residence in Jackson Township sending one to the hospital for smoke inhalation Friday evening. This happened while the family and several pets were home. At around 6:50 PM (CDT) Porter County 911 started receiving phone calls in the 800 North block of 500 East in Jackson Township for a reported residence on fire. Liberty Township Fire Department (AHJ) was dispatched along with automatic aid units for smoke and flames visible from basement windows involving a 2-story residence. Liberty Fire Chief Brian Duncan arrived on scene with a single occupant out

Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins stopped by the Michigan City Fraternal Order of Police Dunes Lodge #75 on August 12 to accept a ceremonial check from officers Matthew Babcock and Brian Wright. The $2,000 donation will be used to purchase personal hygiene items used for students at all eight MCAS elementary schools. "We are so grateful for this support, and for the partnership of law enforcement officers throughout the school year," said Dr. Eason-Watkins.

A City of La Porte police officer was arrested early Friday morning by Trail Creek Police, according to Chief Paul Brettin. The officer was charged with public intoxication (Class B Misdemeanor) as well as public indecency (Class A Misdemeanor). Brettin said the officer has been given an automatic suspension, and further disciplinary action may be taken once the department sees what comes of the charges. "Here in the City of La Porte, we hold our officers to a very high standard,” Brettin said. “This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable, and our department and Merit Commission will be meeting to

Franciscan Health on Wednesday recognized Horizon Bank for its contribution of $7,500 to the Franciscan Health Foundation in support of the Center of Hope program. “We are so thankful for all that Horizon has done to help us in our mission to minister to some of the most vulnerable in our community,” said Sister Petra Nielsen, vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health Michigan City. “We are grateful to have them as one of our community partners.” The Center of Hope program provides a safe environment for survivors of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. Indiana ranks second in the

The City of Portage says residents can be a part of designing and developing the city's downtown, by attending public input sessions. Consultant SmithGroup will hold open design studios from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 16 and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17. Community meeting/public input sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Aug. 18. All meetings will be held at City Hall, 6070 Central Ave. An event page can be found on the "Portage Indiana Government Page" Facebook.

The opening of the Westchester and Liberty middle schools—and the closure of Chesterton Middle School—will not take place in the fall of 2023 as originally planned, according to the Town of Chesterton. It was reported that at the Duneland School Board’s meeting Monday night, Aug. 8, Superintendent Dr. Chip Pettit announced that “supply chain challenges” are delaying the construction of additions at both the Westchester and Liberty campuses. Neither campus will be ready to add seventh- and eighth-grade students until August 2024. A recently adopted redistricting plan for some students in the Yost and Liberty areas will also be delayed

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced it has awarded $9,054.00 to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra through the Arts Organization Support grant program. During its June 10 Quarterly Business Meeting, the Commission approved funding recommendations for the Arts Project Support and Arts Organization Support grant programs. Over 460 applications were reviewed by 85 Hoosiers from around the state specializing in arts, community development, and finance. “The projects and organizations that are receiving funding are improving the economic and educational climates of the state of Indiana,” said Alberta Barker, Chair of the Indiana Arts Commission. “The Commission is delighted to