News

La Porte's Veterans Day service will be held online this year, according to La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody. "With the number of COVID-19 cases rising in our area, we decided we could not gather for our traditional ceremony at the Civic Auditorium," Dermody said. "However, our teams put their heads together to find a way to still honor our veterans with a virtual service. After all they have sacrificed, they deserve recognition, and we are so glad we found a way to make it work." Dermody said his team partnered with local veterans’ groups to pre-record the service. Despite the

Plans are in full swing for this year’s Downtown for the Holidays. The LaPorte Santa Parade will be happening in downtown LaPorte on Saturday, November 28, 2020 beginning at 11 a.m. The format for the parade will be a drive-thru style this year with all parade entries lined up on either side of State Street. Patrons will enter State Street through Jackson Street and drive West toMichigan Avenue. Families have the option of taking a right turn ontoMichigan and proceed to the train depot at 809 Washington where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be waiting in their chalet to take

Michigan City Police say they Seized five illegally possessed firearms in eight days. On Halloween, an officer was dispatched to the 100 West Block of Fulton Street for a report of a subject pointing a firearm. The officer arrived and located the vehicle and suspect believed to be involved. The suspect, 29 year old Charles Pheal, of Michigan City was found to be in possession of a firearm that was reported stolen. Pheal was placed under arrest for Theft of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm without a Permit. On Tuesday November 3rd, an officer was in the area

  INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: On August 19, Secretary of the Interior, David Bernhardt, visited Indiana Dunes National Park during a tour of the Midwest. In addition to learning about possible projects that could be funded through the Great American Outdoors Act, he wanted to meet with park employees for a question and answer session. During the session, Ryan Koepke, the park’s Fee Program Supervisor, asked why there wasn’t a free pass to the national parks for military veterans. Mr. Koepke’s question prompted the Department to testify to Congress that veterans should be added to a proposed bill that would

The Indiana State Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred on November 5th, at the home of a Michigan City firefighter, while a group of firefighters were off duty. Mayor Parry has released both the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief from their duties, in part due to their handling of this incident. The Mayor will be announcing future leadership of the Michigan City Fire Department in the upcoming days.

The Salvation Army of Michigan City is offering the opportunity for the public to learn more about volunteering this holiday season through a volunteer orientation. On Friday, November 13th, an in-person orientation will be held at The Salvation Army, 1201 S. Franklin Street, at 1pm, with social distancing guidelines in place.  For those who prefer to learn about these opportunities from home, the event will broadcast via Facebook live, as well. Major Dale Simmons of The Salvation Army said the purpose of this orientation is to inform the community of the various ways to help support the annual Christmas Campaign. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020, United Way will facilitate a food giveaway event for Food Bank of Northern Indiana at the Marquette Mall. These events have been instrumental in helping our community battle food insecurity with FRESH healthy food delivered right to your car. To ensure these critical services continue, United Way has partnered with Food Bank of Northern Indiana to provide financial resources. In front of the old Carson's store, from 10-12 (or until supplies run out), volunteers from CCH and from the community will load your trunks with fresh perishables as well as dry goods. Please enter the Mall

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) would like to alert all Hoosiers of a tax scam reported by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This scam is sent through text message and is trying to trick individuals into providing personal information in order to receive a $1,200 Economic Impact Payment. The scam text message reads: "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …" The text includes a link to a fake web address. The IRS has advised people who

State Road 2 is closed between Thornhill Dr and Thornapple W through approximately Saturday, November 14. This closure is to rebuild a culvert under the road. Drivers should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 49, and State Road 8.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction Friday announced a series of pilot programs designed to increase access to mental health care for inmates in Indiana county jails. The pilot programs will focus on individuals found incompetent to stand trial who are awaiting placement in the state psychiatric hospital network. Currently and historically in Indiana, these individuals are forced to await the availability of a bed in a state psychiatric hospital before they can receive the competency restoration services required by law. DMHA’s pilot programs will work with a variety of partners to provide

Attorney General Curtis Hill said Friday that a court’s default judgment against Wildlife in Need should demonstrate to all nonprofit organizations that they must use donations for their intended purposes and cannot misrepresent their activities to would-be donors. Last week, a Marion Superior Court judge affirmed that the state’s allegations against Wildlife in Need are correct and ruled that the organization is now officially dissolved. Attorney General Hill sued Wildlife in Need in February over owner Timothy Stark’s misrepresentations of the nonprofit organization’s activities. He alleged that for years, Stark embezzled the nonprofit’s assets for his own purposes. The lawsuit

Washington, DC - Friday, Congressman Pete Visclosky announced the following closure schedule for his offices in Merrillville and Washington, D.C. Due to Congressman Visclosky’s impending departure from the House of Representatives, his Merrillville and Washington, D.C., offices will cease to be able to respond to general inquiries after November 13, 2020. This action is consistent with the standard protocols of shutting down the offices of a departing Member of Congress, which includes the removal of government-issued property and electronics. Individuals with general inquiries, including inquiries related to casework, legislation, tours, and flag requests, are encouraged to communicate their request and

Indiana Department of Transportation: is offering civil engineering students scholarships of up to $3,125 per semester, and paid employment during summer breaks and upon graduation. Students must be accepted or enrolled full time in one of Indiana’s certified civil engineering schools and apply using the form at www.INDOTScholarship.IN.gov. Applications for the 2021-2022 school year must be submitted by December 31st. INDOT’s scholarship program uses federal funds to offer $3,125 per semester or $2,083 per trimester for up to five years of post-secondary civil engineering education. Scholarship funds can be applied to educational expenses, fees and books. In return, recipients will

WIMS congratulates Michigan City Area Schools Coolspring teacher Angie Dydo and MCHS junior Lance Corporal Emily Pacheco on their award earlier yesterday from The Rotary Club of Michigan City. WIMS also congratulates: Police Officer of the Year (co-recipients) Lt. Tim Richardson and Sgt. Jeff Piotrowski of the Michigan City Police Department, nominated by Chief Dion Campbell Firefighter of the Year Brad Kreighbaum of the Michigan City Fire Department, nominated by Chief Craig Krivak Teacher of the Year Angie Dydo, teacher at Coolspring Elementary School, nominated by principal Kim Palmer Michigan City High School JROTC Student of the Year Cadet Emily

Franciscan Health will offer a free virtual seminar on a new, minimally invasive treatment for severe emphysema patients and those with certain types of COPD. Franciscan Health is one of the few hospitals in Indiana to offer the PulmonX Zephyr® Valve. This FDA-approved device is used during a procedure that places tiny valves in the airways to block damaged areas of the lung, thereby causing that area to deflate and redirect air to the relatively healthier parts of the lungs. With air no longer trapped, pressure is lifted off the diaphragm, making breathing easier. “PulmonX Zephyr Valve: Breathing Easier with

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, MCPD is suspending its inked fingerprinting service effective immediately.  This will NOT affect those that need fingerprinting for a pending handgun permit through Identigo.  MCPD says this decision was made in order to protect the health of the community that we serve as well as our valuable staff.  Follow their Facebook page as they will post when they initiate this service again in the near future. The Records Division remains open for all of your other needs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

New Prairie United School Corporation issued an attendance plan update. LaPorte and St. Joseph counties have both posted "Orange" on the state COVID Metric. As a result, NPUSC will use the 50% Attendance hybrid for the week of November 9th.  Late Starts will not occur on the 50% Attendance Hybrid. Schedule information can be found on the New Prairie United School Corporation Facebook page. NPUSC also made an announcement about Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs). NPUSC has made the decision that if at any time LaPorte County posts Red on a Wednesday in the state COVID metric, ECAs for the next week

Unity Foundation Announces 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists: Check the WIMS FACEBOOK page @wimsradio for the full release and names

To help meet the unprecedented level of need this holiday season, Walmart and The Salvation Army of Michigan City are working together to make it even easier for people to help others this Christmas. Building upon a 40-year relationship of supporting people in need during the holiday season, Walmart and The Salvation Army are bringing hope and joy to families through the expansion of programs like Angel Tree and Red Kettles, which will be out earlier, and, for the first time ever, round-up donations to The Salvation Army in-store and online. The economic fallout of the ongoing health crisis has

The MCAS Food Service Department is excited to announce that meals will be provided for “in-person” learning students during the Hybrid schedule on Mondays and Fridays, beginning Friday, November 6th. Because all Michigan City Area Schools are CEP (Community Eligibility Program) schools, all students receive free meals. A breakfast and lunch will be provided that will be ready to eat for children to enjoy during these scheduled hybrid online learning days. For students who ride the bus: Food Service is partnering with MCAS Transportation to deliver meals to the child’s bus stop.  Your child’s driver will contact you to see