News

The Valparaiso Police will once again sponsor the Junior Police Academy in 2020. The department is seeking high school age students that represent good citizenship, a positive attitude, and may have an interest in a career in law enforcement. The academy consists of two classes per week, and will begin in mid February and continue through April. Each class will be scheduled for 2-3 hours, per topic presented. The course is designed for high school students to meet officers and learn about the daily activities of police work. The topics presented include: traffic enforcement, crash investigation, crimes against young people,

In a Philanthropy Day ceremony at the Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, IN, the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte was awarded the prestigious 2019 Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), IN, Northwest Chapter. The Award recognizes excellence in philanthropy and honor foundations for exploring creative ways to advance the common good and to finding solutions for complex issues. The Philanthropy Day award ceremony is an annual event hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), IN, Northwest Chapter. (To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at https://community.afpnet.org/afpinnorthwestchapter .)

The ramp connecting southbound Kennedy Avenue to eastbound I-94 in Lake County has reopened. This ramp originally closed in July for a bridge deck overlay project. Once work began, crews quickly discovered a washout under the bridge that needed a more complex project to address. Work to address that washout has now finished and the ramp is now open to the motoring public.

Shop with our Cops TODAY 11a-1p TEAM WIMS LIVE with Ric and Alex The Michigan City Police Division Records Division will be closed today between the hours of 09:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. The record division staff will be assisting with the annual Shop With Our Cops program. Check WIMS FACEBOOK and Social Media for more pictures

This past Thursday, LaPorte County Sheriff’s deputies completed a 4.5 hour countywide traffic blitz. The blitz was designed to increase public safety and awareness and targeted known problem areas. During the blitz, deputies conducted 33 traffic stops on violators resulting in several warnings and citations being issued. In addition, these same deputies continued to answer the other calls for service countywide. Additional shift blitzes will be planned in the future as traffic safety remains one of the top priorities of the LCSO.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags in the state of Indiana to be flown at half-staff for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.  Flags should be flown at half-staff from midnight to midnight on Saturday, December 7. Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents in Indiana to lower their flags to half-staff on Saturday.

This holiday season, the South Shore Line plans to operate an eastbound Extra train on select Saturdays to help accommodate holiday shoppers and travelers.  On Dec. 7, 2019, the eastbound Extra will depart Millennium Station at 4:25p (Van Buren St. at 4:28p), run non-stop to Hegewisch and make all local stops terminating at Carroll Avenue. The train will not serve Hudson Lake or South Bend.

A group of Valparaiso University alumni has sent an open letter to university leadership regarding what it calls a "short-sighted" decision to cut the school's men's soccer program. The authors say they and other current and former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters are "utterly perplexed and disappointed" by the move. Valpo announced last month it was discontinuing it's men's soccer and men's tennis programs. The group has asked the university to respond to the letter by the end of the day Friday.

Parade starts at 4:00 PM Saturday December 7th Parade route Starts at 9th & Franklin and ends at the Library with the tree lighting.  Michigan City High School choir will be performing a few Christmas Carols during the tree lighting and Firefighters Local 475 will be providing Hot Chocolate and Cookies.  Santa will be available after the Parade at 7th & Franklin to visit with Children.  Santa will also be available every Saturday & Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM during the month of December at 7th & Franklin staring this Sunday.

The Indiana State Board of Education (Board) met yesterday for its December business meeting and to consider approval of three teacher preparation programs. The Board unanimously approved teacher preparation programs at Holy Cross College, Indiana State University, and Indiana University Southeast. The Board considered additional issues at the meeting. Board members voted 8-1 to approve a resolution regarding Emma Donnan Middle School that is consistent with the other recommendations provided by the Community Task Force. The Indiana Charter School Board will consider the request for a charter for Emma Donnan at its December 13, 2019 meeting. The Board voted to

INDOT has been working on adding a center turn lane between Woodland Avenue and Johnson Road, as part of a larger resurfacing project between U.S. 421 and SR 212. The resurfacing between U.S. 421 & Woodland and Johnson & SR 212 is done for now, needing only the final surface layer that will go down along the entire corridor. The road widening portion for the new center turn lane is not nearly as complete. Work in this area started back in April and was scheduled to wrap up this fall. But, beginning early on, INDOT encountered many delays related to

On December 3rd, at around 6:00 p.m., troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on I-65 at the 261.6 mile-marker about two miles north of I-80/94. An investigation showed that a 1998 Ford Ranger driven by 63 year old James Miller of Markham, IL was northbound on I-65. Witnesses stated that the Ranger was driving normally in the left lane when the vehicle suddenly drove into the median striking the concrete barrier. The vehicle continued over the barrier and into the southbound lanes. The pickup then struck a guardrail and another concrete barrier on the west shoulder of the southbound

Michigan City Police Operation Pull Over Blitz ResultsDuring the month of November the Michigan City Police Department participated in Operation Pull Over Blitz #100 (Safe Family Travel) which focused on promoting seat belt usage and reducing impaired driving. During that time period officers worked over 14 hours of overtime patrols which resulted in 25 citations and 25 written warnings being issued for various traffic violations including occupant protection violations and speeding. Additionally, 1 driver was arrested for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license. During the remainder of the holiday season the Michigan City Police Department will continue to

Washington Park Zoo celebrates new attendance recordThe Washington Park Zoo has set a new record for attendance during its 2019 season with 103,123 visitors, up from the zoo’s all-time record attendance in 2017 of 100,122. While many of the zoo attendees came from Michigan City, about 88% were from out of town and their impact on the local economy is estimated at $7,734,225.00. 2019 was the zoo’s 91st season and brought with it many other celebrated highlights, including earning its re-accreditation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). To be accredited, the zoo underwent a thorough review to ensure it

FOOD GIVEAWAY, THURSDAY DECEMBER 5, 2019. CCH has been asked by Food Bank of Northern Indiana to distribute 40,000 pounds of food for Laporte County Bonus Distribution. On Thursday morning, December 5, from 10AM UNTIL NOON, volunteers from Sand Castle Shelter, Keys to Hope and from the community will be outside the Carson Pirie Scott store at Marquette Mall distributing Non-Perishable food items, FREE OF CHARGE. First Come First Served, while supplies last. Please bring bags or boxes to carry items home. We will have volunteers on hand to help anyone needing assistance get your food to your cars!!! SEE

Vibrant Communities of LaPorte County Summit On The FutureJoin your friends, neighbors and the broader LaPorte County Community on December 4th from 6-8 P.M. in the La Porte Civic Auditorium where they will share what theye’ve learned and take the next step in the process. The summit will be a special moment for communities to come together, define their vision and establish a roadmap for community growth and investment. For more information and to register check out www.VibrantLPCounty.org .MCCEC website back up for grant applications

On Monday afternoon, all lanes of US 20 between State Road 39 and Fail Road were closed due to a two vehicle minor personal injury crash. An overturned tractor-trailer near Wilhelm Road was blocking the eastbound and westbound lanes causing the complete closure. One subject involved in the crash sustained a minor injury. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the LCSO. Check WIMS' FACEBOOK for pictures and information.

The state of Indiana has launched an initiative to help adults who didn’t graduate high school earn a diploma. The Indiana Workforce Diploma Program also helps the students earn certain skilled trade certifications for free. Governor Eric Holcomb signed the Workforce Diploma Reimbursement Program into law in May and it launched in October. The program is run by a for-profit education company called Graduation Alliance, but it is overseen by the Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet. Visit: www.indianadiploma.com to learn more about the program.

To accommodate passengers attending the Chicago Bears vs. Cowboys home game at 7:20p on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, the South Shore Line plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway. In addition to our regular service to nearby Museum Campus/11th Street, the following trains will also serve 18th Street Station on Dec. 5: Westbound: Train 220 will arrive at 18th St. at 5:27p, and Tr 20 at 6:06p. Eastbound: Train 123 will depart 18th St. at 11:06p, and Tr 101 will depart at 12:51a. These trains

Chesterton Police are now accepting applications for the position of Patrol Officer. This application process will be used to fill two openings in early 2020. A hiring list will then be established for the remaining of 2020. For more information check out the Chesterton Police Department’s Facebook page.