News

In an update to a story WIMS is following, nobody was injured in the building collapse that occurred in the 700 block of Lincolnway of downtown La Porte Wednesday night, according to a Thursday video update from Mayor Tom Dermody. Additional statements from Dermody can be found in video updates on his Facebook page. The investigation is ongoing.   Original story: A building collapsed in downtown La Porte on Wednesday according to the La Porte Government Facebook page and Mayor Tom Dermody. The La Porte County Government alerted residents on its Facebook page at 9:53 p.m. that Lincolnway was closed

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office has announced the hiring of two new merit deputies.    Deputy Margarita M. Velazquez, 46, was born in Mexico City, Mexico. She is a 1995 graduate of Gage Park High School, located in Chicago, Illinois. Velazquez is married, has three children, and resides in Schererville, Indiana.     Deputy Jared P. Buford, 23, was born in Mishawaka. He is a 2017 graduate of New Prairie High School.Buford is engaged and resides in La Porte.   Velazquez and Buford are enrolled in an upcoming Indiana Law Enforcement Academy approved South Bend Police Department Regional Academy that begins later this

A La Porte man has been convicted by a jury on drug and gun offenses, according to the United States Department of Justice. It was announced Wednesday that 38-year-old Donta Bridges of La Porte was found guilty following a three-day jury trial. Bridges was found guilty of two counts of distributing heroin; possessing with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; an attempted distribution of heroin; and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to documents in this case, the charges stemmed from events occurring in September and November of 2019. Bridges sentencing hearing is scheduled for

SELLERSBURG, Ind.-- Detectives with the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg have arrested a suspect in connection with the death of the unidentified boy found inside a suitcase in rural Washington County, Indiana, in April of this year.  When ISP detectives originally began the case, there was little information available to assist in the investigation. A local mushroom hunter located the child in a distinctive Las Vegas-themed hard-shell suitcase approximately 80 feet off Holder Road. Holder Road is a dead-end road situated in an isolated area of southeast Washington County in southern Indiana. No family members, witnesses, or acquaintances came

A Michigan City motorcyclist was arrested on multiple charges including dealing methamphetamine after fleeing from police Tuesday, according to police. Officers were patrolling the 400 block of East 10th Street just before 3:30 a.m. when they observed a motorcycle traveling west without a license plate attached. A traffic stop was attempted by officers on the motorcycle for a traffic infraction, but the motorcyclist proceeded to the west side of Michigan City before falling off the motorcycle at West 8th Street and Grant Avenue. The motorcyclist, later identified as 48-year -old John Lowry of Michigan City, then fled from the motorcycle

Albert Naveed, MD, a board-certified pulmonary and critical care doctor, has joined the Franciscan Physician Network in Michigan City and is accepting new patients. Dr. Naveed completed his training at Rawalpindi Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His residency in internal medicine was at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners in Grand Rapids, Mich., and his fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine was at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb. His clinical interests are asthma, COPD, lung cancer, sepsis and hemodynamic monitoring in IUC and ARDS. Naveed also speaks Urdu and Hindi. The Franciscan Medical Pavilion is located

Cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) competed in the first round of CyberPatriot on Oct. 14. CyberPatriot is the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school students in charge of securing virtual networks.  One of the objectives of this program is to inspire students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future. The MCHS team is diverse, including Cadet Sergeant Alexandra Reed, a commander on MCHS’s Military Drill Team, and Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Tristan Sherwood, the starting right

The City of Valparaiso has announced the intersection at Vale Park Road and Silhavy Road, and east through the roundabouts across State Road 49, is scheduled to be closed to traffic on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 7:00 a.m. to Friday, Oct. 28 7:00 a.m. and then again overnight on Friday, Oct. 28 from 7:00 p.m. to Saturday at 7:00 am. The closure is weather permitting, to allow for safe milling and paving of the roadway. The city says detours will be marked.

With the Halloween season upon us, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is urging parents to use online tools to know the identity of registered sex offenders in the area where they plan to trick-or-treat. An online sex offender registry is available for residents of La Porte County allowing parents to conduct a search prior to trick-or-treating to prevent their children from visiting the home of a registered sex offender during door-to-door trick-or-treating. The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department says there are currently about 200 registered sex offenders residing in La Porte County; 63 of which are Sexually Violent Predators

Franciscan Health has announced that two board-certified endocrinologists have joined Franciscan Physician Network. Wafa Dawahir, MD, and Nirmal Nair, MD, have joined the Franciscan Physician Network and are accepting new patients in Munster. Dr. Dawahir received her training at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan, and completed her residency in internal medicine at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. She completed her fellowship in endocrinology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Ill. Dawahir is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Her clinical interests include lipids and obesity, thyroid, pituitary

Eighty rural and volunteer fire departments from 50 counties around the State of Indiana have been awarded more than $351,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants. The awards will be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires. The grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Recipients were selected based on population density, acres of public lands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters. An emphasis was given to projects that involved fighting wildfires.

The Michigan City Police Department announced Tuesday that Corporal Kay Pliske was selected by the Michigan City Exchange Club as Officer of the Year. The department said Pliske was nominated by Captain Urbanczyk for "her great work ethic, commitment, compassion, and dedication not only to everyone she works with but also with the community."  The Michigan City Police Department stated that Pliske “has been a stronghold with the Michigan City Police Department for 22 years and has impacted many lives over the course of her career.”  

Several area police departments are taking part in Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday. Indiana State Police: On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Indiana State Police will be participating in a nationwide initiative headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on the 23nd “Prescription Drug Take Back Day.” The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction. Police say “This service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.” Liquid and pill medications will be accepted. Syringes will not be accepted.  

The Portage Streets and Sanitation will be painting center lines in several areas this week weather permitting. Areas being painted are Dombey Road from Central Avenue to U.S. 20, Airport Road from Central Avenue to Robbins Road and Swanson Road from Central Avenue to U.S. 20. The department is asking the public to use extreme caution when traveling in these areas.  

The Michigan City Police Department announced Monday on its Facebook page that Officer Dion Campbell has retired.  The Michigan City Police Department posted the following statement:  “Thank you Officer Dion Campbell!!! “The Michigan City Police Department family would like to congratulate Officer Dion Campbell his retirement from the Michigan City Police Department.  Officer Campbell was hired on September 20th, 1999, and served the citizens of Michigan City for 23 years with highest level of pride, compassion, and dedication.  During his 23 years of service Officer Campbell was awarded 1 Exceptional Service Star, 20-Year Award, 5 Letters of Commendation, was nominated

The Unity Foundation of La Porte County is recognizing eight local high school seniors as La Porte County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. They will receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual $900 book stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $5 million in tuition and book stipends to 70 La Porte County students since 1998. “Recognizing an outstanding group of students each year is a

Franciscan Health Foundation board members raised more than $19,400 for the Prenatal Assistance Program in Michigan City at a recent reception aimed at matching an anonymous $15,000 contribution. “This combined educational and fundraising reception was completely the idea of two of our incredible Foundation Board members who toured our Prenatal Assistance space this summer and were moved to raise awareness of and funds for the program,” said Franciscan Health Foundation Director of Development Debbie Tatum. “We can’t thank them enough for hosting this amazing event.” Franciscan Health Foundation Board members Kelly Shikany and Jennifer Hogberg hosted the fundraising reception Oct.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. – An Illinois man died in a crash on I-94 Saturday morning, according to Indiana State Police. At around 6:45 a.m., an Indiana State Police trooper was dispatched to a crash on I-94 at the 17.6 mile-marker.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 Cadillac STS, driven by 31-year-old Carlos D. Robinson of Chicago Heights, IL, was reportedly driving westbound on the right shoulder, while passing another vehicle, when it struck a parked semi.  The semi was broken down due to a mechanical issue, police say.  The Cadillac struck the rear of the trailer at a high rate

One person was hurt after being struck by gunfire at Washington Park Lot 1 in Michigan City early Sunday.  Dispatch Center received a call at 04:26 a.m. that a vehicle had been struck by gunfire at Washington Park Lot 1. The caller reported their vehicle was struck by gunfire. Officers met with the driver at the police department and noticed their vehicle was struck by gunfire. Officers interviewed the driver and occupants of the vehicle to gather additional information. An officer was then dispatched to Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital a short time later for a person who had been

Valparaiso City Services will begin leaf pick-up on Monday, Oct. 24 and will continue through Dec. 2.  The city is reminding residents that they are to place only leaves in their pile. For more reminders and the interactive map of pick-up progress see the City of Valparaiso website.