News

Franciscan Health’s third annual Diaper Drive had distributed 30,000 diapers to help meet the needs of families in Northwest Indiana and the South Suburbs. The effort has become a tradition during Diaper Insecurity Month every October, with the goal of making sure that families receive this need prior to the holidays. A total of 17,167 diapers were collected among every Northern Indiana and Illinois Franciscan Health hospital campus and community partner, Goodwill Industries – Nurse Family Partnership. Drop-off sites were also spread throughout Franciscan’s Physician Network offices and fitness centers within the region. Multiple monetary donations allowed the purchase of

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce along with Hobart Chamber of Commerce and Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, are hosting a breakfast workshop and networking event to answer the question: During times of accelerated change in the workplace, what can we do to solve our workplace challenges more quickly and continue strengthening our skills and abilities to keep up with demand? The Peer Learning Roundtable Program is an opportunity to learn and collaborate with experts in their industry and your peers. Attendees will be broken into groups, based on the topic of interest selected when registering, to have round table discussions.

LaPorte County Commissioner Rich Mrozinski was re-elected Vice President of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) Northwest District during the annual conference last week. As District Vice President, Mrozinski will represent the elected county commissioners in the Northwest district of the state, which includes the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke and White. The IACC is represented by six districts in the state. Mrozinski will serve on the IACC’s board of directors, which determines policies and legislative goals for the Association. Marshall County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer was

Two environmental groups have filed a federal lawsuit against ArcelorMittal accusing the steelmaker of more than 100 permit violations at its Burns Harbor steel mill. The Hoosier Environmental Council and the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center cite among the violations excessive pollution that killed 3,000 fish and closed beaches on Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. The groups say ArcelorMittal is in violation of the Clean Water Act by, among other things, exceeding its permit limits for cyanide and ammonia, which rendered waters unsafe for human or aquatic life. The company's Burns Harbor facility is located along the

According to a report released by LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau the tourism and travel industry contributed nearly $713 million to LaPorte County’s economy in 2018.  Direct expenditures by tourists accounted for $544.9 million of this total – an annual increase of 1.9 percent since 2016. The purpose of the study was to quantify the magnitude of the economic impact of the LaPorte county tourism and travel industry and to show any changes since 2016.  The tourism industry generated over $204.5 million in tax revenues to government - $82.9 million to the state, $42.4 million locally and $79.1 million to the

Today, Mayor-elect Tom Dermody announced his administration’s department leaders, including a new Police Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. Police Chief: Paul BrettinAssistant Police Chief: Nate ThodeFire Chief: Andy SnyderAssistant Fire Chief: Kelly BurkePark Superintendent: Mark SchrieberHuman Resources Director: Jen NollWastewater Director: Jerry JacksonWater Director: Todd TaylorCity Engineer: Nick MinichCity Planner: Beth SchraderStreet Department Mike Fraze “This team has the energy and experience to lead La Porte on day one,” Mayor-elect Tom Dermody said. “Each one of these department heads and public safety chiefs have high expectations to take La Porte to the next level to compete with the best Indiana

For his compassionate work with trauma patients, Franciscan Health Crown Point Emergency Department physician Michael Todd, MD, was recognized by the hospital’s nursing staff with the St. Raphael Award on Dec. 5. Dr. Todd was given the award in recognition of outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for the nursing staff and commitment to the mission and values of Franciscan Alliance. Michelle Resendez, RN, SANE-A coordinator for Franciscan Health, presented the award to Dr. Todd, praising his compassion, kindness and sensitivity when treating patients who have experienced sexual assault, child abuse and domestic abuse. “He’s patient while he’s listening to them,

Indianapolis-based Celadon Group, Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and shut down all of its business operations. This will affect approximately 4,000 employees. Celadon’s former chief operating officer and chief financial officer were indicted on multiple federal fraud charges last week, related to an alleged securities and accounting scheme that resulted in a more than $60 million drop in shareholder value. Founded in 1985, Celadon grew into the largest provider of international truckload services in North America with a fleet of 3,300 tractors, 10,000 trailers and nearly 4,000 employees.

Shop With Our Cops 2019 was in full swing on Monday. The Michigan City Police Department, volunteers, community sponsors, Team WIMS, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and even clowns gathered for “Shop With Our Cops” at Walmart yesterday. For pictures of the event check out the WIMS Facebook page!

Hunger-fighting groups say they're disappointed the head of the U-S-D-A used an Indiana visit to tout cuts to food assistance. U-S Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue made several stops in Indianapolis on Monday, including a WorkOne Indy Training Site. That's where he discussed a new rule tightening work restrictions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or "SNAP" that he said would move participants toward self-sufficiency and into employment. Emily Weikert Bryant with Feeding Indiana's Hungry disagrees. The finalized U-S Department of Agriculture rule revokes states' ability to issue waivers on the three-month limit for SNAP benefits to people who aren't either

Shipshewana On The Road -LAST MINUTE UNIQUE HOLIDAY SHOPPING IDEAS! Greg will be back on with Ric Federighi this Thursday at 7:15am and Friday at 7:45am to unveil some very cool features and gifts December 14th and 15th, 2019Saturday 9 am to 6 pm & Sunday 10 am to 5 pm Porter County Expo Center and Fairgrounds215 East Division RoadValparaiso, IN 46383 Accessories, decor and great holiday gifts abound at the Shipshewana On The Road – Gift, Food and Craft Show event, held at the Porter County Expo Center and Fairgrounds. Hundreds of booths will be filled with the latest products,

On Saturday December 7th, at approximately 8:38 AM the Michigan City Fire Department and Coolspring Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Edgebrook Drive in Weatherstone Village.  Upon arrival, firefighters found flames coming from the South side of the structure.  Flames were visible coming from under the house extending up the side and into the soffit.  While enroute it was reported that everyone was out of the structure and a dog was missing.  Eng. 4 from Cleveland Ave fire Station was the first to arrive and started an initial interior attack and search for the Dog. 

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.