News

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the release of the 2019 Annual Report.  The amount of calls for service in 2019 increased by 15%. Offenses generating an incident report increased by 13%. Statistical data revealed an increase in several violent crime categories. In 2018, zero homicides were investigated.  However, in 2019 a total of three (3) homicides were investigated. Robberies increased by 50% (6 vs. 9) and batteries increased by 11% (211 vs. 235).  Reported rapes decreased by 80% (5 vs. 1). In 2019, a total of 1,378 subjects were arrested by deputies of the Sheriff’s Office.  A total of 3,486 traffic

The number of Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 remains at six, according to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). Two individuals with positive tests announced earlier today are residents of Boone and Adams counties. Five Indiana counties now have cases of COVID-19. The other residents who have been diagnosed live in Marion, Hendricks and Noble counties. Two of the people with COVID-19 are in the hospital; the other four people are in self-isolation. ISDH continues to work with local health departments to identify close contacts of the existing patients and is prepared for the possibility that

In a story WIMS is following, In La Porte, around 7:15 on Sunday morning, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 400 block of Pine Lake Ave for a single vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the victim had collided with a building and sustained severe injuries. The scene was secured, and MedFlight was brought in. Pine Lake Ave was closed until the victim could be airlifted for treatment of injuries.

Liberty Fire was initially called to respond for a fire alarm at a storage/garage building in the late hours of Monday night at around 11:40 PM off of Old State Road 49, just south of the Duneland Bus Barn facility in Liberty Township. Assistant Fire Chief Michael Wineland arrived on scene with nothing showing from the exterior portion of the building initially. Upon investigating, Assistant Fire Chief Wineland noted broken windows on the backside of the structure and requested the response then be changed to a Structure Fire; as a fire was spotted inside the structure. Porter County 911 dispatched

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) will provide daily updates regarding COVID-19 in Indiana as activity has increased across the United States. As of 4 p.m. Monday: ISDH has confirmed four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 since Friday, March 6.Three patients are adults.One patient is a juvenile.The individuals reside in Marion, Hendricks and Noble counties.The Marion and Hendricks County patients are self-isolating. The Noble County patient is currently hospitalized.No other information about the patients or their conditions will be released.In total, ISDH has tested 32 individuals, including 3 individuals whose tests were sent to CDC.Two adult patients have a

In order to accommodate an expected increase in ridership due to the Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dyeing of the river, the South Shore Line will offer additional westbound capacity and extra eastbound passenger trains on Saturday, March 14, 2020. WESTBOUND Westbound Train 502 (Millennium arrival @ 9:13a) and Train 606 (Millennium arrival @ 11:10a) will operate with additional capacity to accommodate passengers heading to Chicago in the morning. EASTBOUND In the afternoon, two eastbound passenger Extras will run after the parade and dyeing of the river: The first Extra will depart Millennium Station at 4:25 p.m. (Van Buren St. at

Millennium Station depot switch effective EVENINGS/OVERNIGHT ONLY through Thursday, March 12:On March 9, 10, 11 and 12: Beginning at 8 pm, passengers will temporarily board/detrain at the Metra Depot (Tracks 5 and 6). This includes Tr 222, 22, 121, 123 and 101. All morning rush and daily trains will return to normal operations in the South Shore Line depot.During this time, platform work will be conducted in the SSL depot.

Join Folds of Honor of Northwest Indiana and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as they pay tribute to America's Vietnam veterans beginning at 6 p.m. March 28 at Wicker Memorial Park 8554 Indianapolis Blvd. Highland. Special Guest Speaker is Gregory Allen Stube, SFC, USA (Ret.) Green Beret. For more information, contact Bob Carnagey at bobcarnagey@msn.com.  

This past Friday the Valparaiso Police Responded to Flint Lake Elementary School, at 1:20 p.m. regarding a suspicious male subject that had entered the building with a parent of a student.  The male and female entered into a minor verbal altercation within the building and the female left the area, leaving the male behind. The male began to act inappropriately on school grounds by exhibiting signs of intoxication and being belligerent with school staff.  His actions continued and elevated as staff requested he leave the property. The male refused and police were contacted. During this time the male exited the

The Porter County Search and Rescue Team has received a donated vehicle from the Union Township Volunteer Fire Department. The former Deputy Fire Chief’s vehicle is a 2004 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 which will be used by the Search and Rescue Team to pull their 17 foot command post and rehabilitation trailer. “We acquired a new truck for our Deputy Chief, and felt it would be good to pay it forward and donate the Tahoe to the Search and Rescue Team”, Union Fire Chief Mark Werno said. The Union Volunteer Fire Department operates two fire stations on the west side of

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order declaring a public health emergency to increase coordination across all levels of government in the state’s response to coronavirus. This is also a step in making Indiana eligible for federal dollars to respond to the outbreak. A copy of the executive order is attached. “With the help of our federal, state and local partners, Indiana is responding to this case as we have planned and prepared for weeks,” Gov. Holcomb said. “The Hoosier who has been diagnosed has taken responsible steps to stay isolated.” This morning, Gov. Holcomb and the Indiana

Valparaiso Police are continuing to investigate the death of Travis Thompson, which occurred on January 29th, in the 700 block of Elm St. The investigation remains open and active, as investigators continue to work with the Porter County Prosecutor’s office. The thorough investigation has produced a great deal of information and evidence. Forensic evidence testing is taking place with results pending. Valparaiso Police are aware of the public interest regarding this case and will provide additional updates as they become available. VPD is confident that this death is an isolated incident and does not represent an ongoing threat to the

The Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission announced that it will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, March 8th, to continue until 4:00 a.m. Daylight Savings Time changes clocks to 3:00 a.m. at 2:00 a.m. and without an additional hour, alcoholic beverages sales would need to cease at that time. To allow the same number of service hours on Saturday night, the ATC is, again, allowing the sales of alcoholic beverages to occur until 4:00 a.m.

Phishing, spoofing and other cyberattacks are on the rise, accounting for 92% of all breaches and the majority of identity theft and financial fraud cases in 2019. Due to this threat, the Indiana Bankers Association has transitioned the IBA website and email addresses to indiana.bank. This step provides you with increased protection that can help prevent future breaches, identity theft and financial fraud. In using .BANK, the IBA joins with 10 member banks that have already transitioned to this valuable security measure. Please bookmark the new IBA website address – indiana.bank – for future use. Past links using indianabankers.org will

Seniors Celebrated for Essays on Sojourner Truth, Huey Percy Newton  Marquette seniors Janaya Blakely and Myah Jackson were recognized by Michigan City mayor Duane Parry last week after the duo were chosen as winners in the 2020 Michigan City Human Rights Commission Black History Month Contest.The contest asked students to express their thoughts on the theme, "African Americans Whose Vision and Works Have Impacted the Future."Blakely addressed the racial and gender-related discrimination faced by Sojourner Truth. "Sojourner Truth impacted the future by decreasing the gaps of intersectional feminism, where white women weren't the only people benefiting from women's rights movements.

LAKESHORE FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM EST /3 AMCST/ TO 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ FRIDAY...* LAKE SHORE FLOODING...Strong northwest winds, possibly gustingas high as 50 mph, will have the potential to produce 10 to 16foot waves, occasionally to 20 feet, and lakeshore floodingalong the northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan shore of LakeMichigan.* TIMING...Late tonight through Friday evening.* IMPACTS...Severe beach erosion and lakeshore flooding will bepossible. Parking lots and roads along the immediate lakeshoremay experience flooding. Vulnerable structures along thelakeshore may also be heavily damaged.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A Lakeshore Flood Warning means that flooding is occurring orimminent along

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City The weather may be warming up this weekend, but the waters of Lake Michigan will still be cold! On Saturday, March 7th, Mayor Duane Parry will brave the cold waters and take the plunge! This event will take place on Saturday, March 7th at 9:00 am at the Trail Creek Kayak Launch at Hansen Park. The Mayor invites you to join him in this event. It is not a fundraising event this year, but a FUN raising event! After the Mayor warms up, he will lead off the St. Patrick’s Day

With employee and company matching donations totaling $136,369, Horizon Bank has been able to help scores of communities the bank serves in Indiana and Michigan through the United Way. Over 850,000 individuals in the states of Indiana and Michigan will benefit from the dollars donated by Horizon Bank through its Advisors and corporate donations. “It's simply my honor and privilege today to present this contribution on behalf of Horizon Bank in support of our ongoing commitment to the United Way,” said Bill Gertner, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. “At the center of every great community, you'll find thriving

OFFICE OF MAYOR DUANE PARRY City of Michigan City Mayor Parry would like to keep everyone informed as to the new bridge construction occurring on U.S. 12 throughout the spring and summer with a projected fall completion. Construction road sign against a blue sky INDOT has contracted Superior Construction to replace the bridge deck, with work having started earlier this week. In addition, as part of the project, the “bump” when heading west over the bridge will be corrected, giving everyone a smooth ride. Now the good news! With the replacement of the deck, the bridge will REMAIN OPEN during

Due to increased demand, South Shore Line’s (SSL) Bikes on Trains program schedule has now expanded to eighteen total weekday trains. This program was previously offered on two morning and two evening rush-hour weekday trains in addition to select weekend trains.Bike icons can be found on the SSL timetable next to specific train times that run equipped with bike-racks. Bike-rack equipped train cars are also clearly marked with a bike symbol prominently located on the windows of the car. Bikes are not permitted during special Chicago events such as Lollapalooza and the Chicago Air & Water Show. For more information on