News

The Center of Workforce Innovations and the Northwest Indiana Forum are excited to share that our seven-county region has been recognized and will receive the state’s designation as a 21st Century Talent Region. See attached Save the Date with guest speakers. The special designation presentation will take place on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 11:00am (CST) via Zoom. The State of Indiana identifies 21st Century Talent Regions as areas that commit to using a systems approach to attract, develop, and connect Hoosier talent. In addition, they recognize regions that are working toward building and implementing a plan to increase educational attainment, raise household income, and

In January, the Michigan City Police Department and the Indiana State Board of Accounts began a joint investigation into an overpayment from the Michigan City Police Department’s pension fund. It was reported thatpension funds were being deposited into an account belonging to a deceased beneficiary. Through the course of the joint investigation, it was determined that the beneficiary passed away in 2015, however; the pension board was not notified of their passing. The deposited funds were being managed by the executor of the deceased beneficiary’s estate. Detective/Sergeant Anna Painter was assigned to investigate this overpayment along with an Indiana State

On Saturday September 12th at approximately 11:45 P.M., MCPD Shift 3 Patrol Officers were dispatched to the area of East Michigan Blvd. and Warnke Road for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Officers arrived and found a 46-year-old female unresponsive in the roadway being tended to by civilians that were in the area when the accident occurred. Officers began assisting with life saving measures until La Porte County EMS arrived. MedFlight was then summoned and transported the victim to an area hospital for treatment. Read the entire release on WIMS FACEBOOK page

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) once again has been recognized among the best regional universities in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, released today (Sept. 14, 2020). PNW ranks 60th nationally among the Best Engineering Programs, of engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s degree. For the first time, PNW is included in the ranking of top performers on social mobility, among regional universities. The social mobility indicator measures how well universities graduated students who received federal Pell Grants. “Purdue Northwest is committed to helping our students with the greatest financial need achieve their academic goals. Many of

On September 10th around 7pm, the Chesterton Police Department received a report of a driver being pulled over near Dogwood park by a subject presenting themselves as a Police Officer.  Officers on scene determined that no Police agencies working in the county had any reports of an officer making a traffic stop in that area around the time of the incident.  The driver of the vehicle stated that a dark SUV had pulled behind them with a red and blue flashing light on the front of the vehicle. The driver stated that a male subject wearing a black hooded sweatshirt

Michigan City Police Department welcomed Officer Steve Wiegel and K9 Axel back to MCPD, as they have successfully completed their training and certification of the North American Police Work Dog Association. They began on August 31st, and for the past 2 weeks have undergone extensive training and certification with Michael McHenry and his staff at FMK9 in Berrien Center, Michigan. Officer Wiegel and Axel successfully completed training and certification in narcotics detection, obedience, building searches, area searches, article searches, tracking and aggression control. K9 Axel is certified in the detection of Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, and Methamphetamine

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) will begin making Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payments to eligible claimants beginning the week of Monday, Sept. 21. LWA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). LWA funding will only cover the six-week period from the week ending Aug. 1 to the week ending Sept. 5. No LWA funding will be available to states beyond that time period. Indiana will make payments the week of Sept. 21, covering the period of Aug. 1 to Sept. 5, for those eligible. For those claimants with issues holding payment, DWD will make payments, pending

In observance of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Franciscan Health Michigan City will host a free car seat safety clinic. The clinic at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way, will be by appointment only from 11AM-3PM, Sunday, September 20th. Free car seats, provided by generous grants from ArcelorMittal and Geminus Regional Health Systems, will be installed by a certified technician while supplies last. Some qualifications are required to receive the free car seat, maximum two free car seats per vehicle. To schedule an appointment, call (800) 931-3322. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends that whether you’ve just installed

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced the funding recipients of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program. Over $10 million will be allocated to 45 out-of-school learning programs, including 16 new to the program, and 29 that have been renewed. The 21st CCLC grant is continued through implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Twenty-first CCLC funds help support local programs providing a safe and enriching learning environment to bolster regular school-day learning and programming. In addition, parent, family, and community engagement activities also receive support. Funding is made available to support the

Two City of La Porte police officers were promoted this week, according to Chief Paul Brettin. Captain Joe Blake has been with the department for 15 years, and has served as a detective, field training officer and field training director. He is also a United States Air Force veteran. Blake will assume his duties as the afternoon shift commander. Sergeant Brian Favia is 14-year veteran of the department. He has served as a detective and is the main firearms instructor for the City of La Porte police. He will assume the duties of afternoon shift Sergeant. Brettin said the department

The City of La Porte Water Department will begin its biannual water system flushing this weekend, according to Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 13 and continuing for the next three to four weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Friday. Werner said this process is critical to maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. “Though it can be a bit of an inconvenience for residents, water flushing is a necessary part of the upkeep for our water system,” Werner said. “The process usually takes about

The Indiana Department of Health is partnering with local health departments around the state to add nearly 100 community testing sites for COVID-19. The state Department of Health is providing more than $30 million in funding to increase access to COVID-19 testing for Hoosiers over the next two years. All 94 local health departments in Indiana were invited to apply to the state for the grants to launch testing operations. Three dozen local testing sites are scheduled to be open by the end of this week, with nearly 60 other locations scheduled to open by Oct. 1. Some counties are

In Michigan City, CSX Railroad began conducting repairs to the crossing at Ohio and Harrison Streets Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, they discovered the crossing was worse than anticipated. Further work needs to be accomplished and they are predicting a two-day repair and replacement. At this time, traffic will now be detoured to Arthur Street heading east to Buffalo Street, then headed back west to Ohio Street. The City will post updates on www.emichigancity.com

In Michigan City, CSX Railroad began conducting repairs to the crossing at Ohio and Harrison Streets Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, they discovered the crossing was worse than anticipated. Further work needs to be accomplished and they are predicting a two-day repair and replacement. At this time, traffic will now be detoured to Arthur Street heading east to Buffalo Street, then headed back west to Ohio Street.The City will post updates on www.emichigancity.com

In Michigan City, CSX Railroad began conducting repairs to the crossing at Ohio and Harrison Streets Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, they discovered the crossing was worse than anticipated. Further work needs to be accomplished and they are predicting a two-day repair and replacement. At this time, traffic will now be detoured to Arthur Street heading east to Buffalo Street, then headed back west to Ohio Street.The City will post updates on www.emichigancity.com

Recently a group of vintage car enthusiasts from Four A’s Car Club turned out at the Orak Shrine in Michigan City to donate $1,500.00 for the Shriners Children's Hospital. Club member Donna Parquette said, “Our group loves doing parades and fund raiser and while we didn’t get to do our favorite  free car show at the Great Lakes Grand Prix, we still raised enough money to make a donation to Shriners.  Four A’s Car Club looks forward to seeing you at the Great Lakes Grand Prix Car Show Saturday, August 4, 2021 from 10 am-4 pm and then at the

Add title On Sunday September 6th at approximately 7:00 P.M., Officer Matt Babcock was patrolling the area of Barker Avenue and Oak Street, when he observed a dark colored Chevrolet Impala traveling at a high rate of speed on OakStreet. Officer Babcock began to follow this vehicle and observed several more turn signal related traffic infractions. Officer Babcock then conducted a traffic stop on this vehicle in the area of Maple Avenue and Greenwood Avenue. The vehicle came to a stop at which time Officer Babcock made contact with the driver and four (4) otherpassengers who were not wearing their

On Sunday September 6th at approximately 7:00 P.M., Officer Matt Babcock was patrolling the area of Barker Avenue and Oak Street, when he observed a dark colored Chevrolet Impala traveling at a high rate of speed on OakStreet. Officer Babcock began to follow this vehicle and observed several more turn signal related traffic infractions. Officer Babcock then conducted a traffic stop on this vehicle in the area of Maple Avenue and Greenwood Avenue. The vehicle came to a stop at which time Officer Babcock made contact with the driver and four (4) otherpassengers who were not wearing their seatbelts. Officer

Diet is thought to be responsible for about 30 to 40 percent of all cancers. A Franciscan Health Cancer Center dietitian will describe the role nutrition plays in cancer prevention at a free online seminar. The seminar will be 9-10:30 AM CST on Saturday, Sept. 19. Online registration for this free event must be done by Sept. 18 at FranciscanHealth.org/Events. No food or diet can prevent cancer, but some foods can reduce your cancer risk and improve your overall health by boosting your immune system. At the virtual seminar, Abby Emerick, RD, CD, CSO, a registered dietitian, will explain the benefits

Voices of Vets provides free live music by professional musicians to veteran homes across America. With the onset of COVID-19, veterans are on lockdown and many cannot leave their home. Live Voices of Vets is seeking assistance to help fund the purchase of digital devices like iPads and tablets to donate to veterans homes so that veterans may have access to =their livestream concerts and other virtual experiences while maintaining social distancing practices. Voices of Vets, Inc. is a non-profit organization and contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. IRS tax code. Nothing in this