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From delivery of care packages and virtual exercise sessions to staff-led parades, the Franciscan Senior Health & Wellness PACE program has found innovative ways to remain connected to its clientele during the COVID-19 pandemic. Franciscan’s Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a community-based healthcare program created for people 55 or older who prefer to receive their care in their own familiar surroundings. “We work off an interdisciplinary team approach. Every participant is assigned a nurse practitioner, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, nurse and a home care coordinator. We encompass all their care,” said PACE Center

Sheriff John T. Boyd is announcing the promotion of Deputy Andrew D. Hahn to the rank of Sergeant, effective July 4th, 2020. Sergeant Hahn is a 2001 graduate of Michigan City High School and a lifelong resident of La Porte County.  He began his career as a jail deputy with the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2005.  In February of 2008, Sergeant Hahn was transferred/promoted to the Merit (Patrol) Division.  He is an honor graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Basic Recruit Class 2008173.  Upon graduation from the academy, Sergeant Hahn began working in the Patrol

LAPORTE & STARKE COUNTIES, Ind. - The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 8 for seal coating between U.S. 421 and State Road 39 starting Monday, July 13.  Seal coating is expected to be finished in about three days, depending upon weather conditions. During the operation only local traffic will have access.  Drivers should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 421, State Road 10 and State Road 39. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for U.S. 41 between 121st St and U.S. 20 (Indianapolis Blvd) beginning Monday, July 13.  One lane will be closed at a time for a paving project. Weather dependent, the project is expected to be completed on Thursday, July 16. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and follow traffic directions carefully. Drivers are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area. Drivers should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The Michigan City Senior Center will plan to re-open on a limited basis, with limited staffing on Wed, July 15th, 2020.  There will be strict safety protocols and restrictions in place.        Safety protocols are as follows:  #1 IF YOU ARE SICK, STAY HOME! · For activities at the Senior Center, at all times & in all places a STRICT 6-ft social distancing requirement will be mandated. · ONLY MEMBERS, staff, and emergency personnel will be allowed access to the Senior Center during Senior Center hours.  No guests, no visitors, no exceptions.  New memberships will not be allowed in person.  Call us

On Saturday July 4th, 2020 at approximately 7:33 P.M.; the La Porte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call in reference to several shots being fired in the area of the 200 Block of Lake Hills Road on the city’s northend near Washington Park. As Officers were responding to the area, MCPD received a call of a vehicle that had collided with a building at the intersection of East US HWY 12 and Liberty Trail. Officer Adam Brinkman was first to arrive at the scene of the vehicle crash along with the Michigan City Fire Department. Officer Brinkman located

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Tuesday, July 7, 2020 in the following areas:  North Central Indiana – St. Joseph, ElkhartNorthwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorte IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can: Walk, bike, or work from home when possibleCombine errands into one tripAvoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds (e.g., at a bank

On Saturday at 6:45 pm, first responders were sent to the intersection of Red Arrow Hwy and Community Hall Rd in New Buffalo Township for a car vs Motorcycle injury accident. Upon arrival, Sheriff’s Deputies found a female unresponsive lying on the road. 2 Passer by Doctors were already administering CPR. The operator of the motorcycle was taken to Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City where she was pronounced deceased by ER Doctors. Investigators determined that a car going southbound driven by Joyce Collins of Three Oaks was slowing down to pull into a Restaurant. The driver was going to pick

AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FOR SUNDAY JULY 5TH AND MONDAY JULY 6TH FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA... An Air Quality Action Day has been declared by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for Sunday July 5th as well as Monday July 6th for La Porte County in Indiana. Ozone Levels are expected to be in the Orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups range.

Early learning Indiana awarded a $40,000 grant to the LaPorte County Family YMCA. Part of the $15 million Come Back Stronger Fund, supported by Lilly Endowment, to reinforce Indiana’s supply of high-quality early learning opportunities, especially for the state’s most vulnerable children. LaPorte County Family YMCA will use the grant to support safety-related expenses and challenges as it continues to serve families in the wake of the pandemic. More details can be found on the full press release, featured on the WIMS Facebook page

Michigan City’s City Hall and City Departments will be closed today.       There will be no Transit service on Saturday July 4th. The Refuse Department will be working their normal hours and schedules. Washington Park will be open daily until 9:00pm. The boat ramp in Washington Park will be closed. Additional Police and Fire Patrols will be in effect throughout the weekend. Due to COVID -19 and recent spikes in our surrounding States and communities, the city of Michigan City is still asking citizens to practice proper social distancing. The city will resume normal business hours on Monday July 6th. The

The City of La Porte has finalized their plan to reopen meetings the public, according to Mayor Tom Dermody and Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Parthun. Beginning July 6, City Council and Board of Works will resume in-person meetings in City Hall. To ensure social distancing, the number of people allowed in to watch will be restricted to 21. In addition, all guests will be required to sign in, have their temperature taken and wear a face mask. Dermody said they will continue to stream meetings on YouTube and Facebook for those who are unable to attend. City Hall will be open by

TEMPORARY NEW TRANSIT SCHEDULE Recently, a few of the City’s transit bus drivers felt ill and submitted to COVID-19 testing.   Test results indicated that five of the seven employees tested positive for COVID-19.  These employees were immediately sent home to quarantine and self-isolate.  In addition, their respective buses were taken out of service and thoroughly sanitized.   Throughout this whole pandemic, the City has taken and will continue to take numerous precautions recommended and outlined by the CDC to assure the safety of our passengers and drivers which include daily sanitizing of the buses throughout the day, shields between the driver

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Friday, July 3, 2020 in the following areas:  Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan and Shelby North Central Indiana – St. Joseph, ElkhartNorthwest Indiana – Lake, Porter, LaPorteSoutheast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and WashingtonSouthwest Indiana – Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick  IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can: Walk,

Former Wheeler High School Teacher 31 year old Brian Kunze, of Valparaiso, was charged by criminal Complaint with receiving child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II. According to documents in the case, Mr. Kunze, a former Wheeler High School teacher, used his position of authority at the school to coax one of his minor students into taking and sending him sexually explicit photos of herself.  Digital forensic examination of devices seized by federal law enforcement agents from Mr. Kunze’s home also revealed that he knowingly obtained sexually explicit photos of other minor girls who attended the school.   The

A new COVID-19 testing site will set up shop in La Porte for the month of July, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. The testing, starting July 1 and running through the end of the month, will take place at the Civic Auditorium and is completely free to anyone who lives or works in Indiana. Though the number of coronavirus cases in LaPorte County have been trending downwards, Dermody said having access to free testing is critical as neighboring states begin to see a rise in their numbers. “With restrictions loosened and many people back to work, it can be easy

On June 29, 2020 at approximately 11:00 p.m., Michigan City Police Officers responded to the area of 11th Street and Wabash Street for a report of shots fired. Upon their arrival to the area, they located three individuals who had been shot. The injured individuals were taken to Franciscan Alliance Hospital where two of them were treated and released. The third person was severely injured and needed to be flown to a regional hospital for further treatment. To see the full PRESS RELEASE Check out WIMS FACEBOOK page.

 The City of La Porte today announced Tim Werner as its new Water Superintendent, according to Mayor Tom Dermody. Werner began his career with the water department in 2011 as a construction laborer and has worked his way through the ranks, being promoted to Facilities Maintenance Supervisor in 2014 by former Water Superintendent Todd Taylor. Taylor held the position of superintendent for 41 years. Dermody said though Taylor and his experience will be tough to replace, he thinks Werner is up to the task. “Between his positive attitude and leadership skills, I know Tim will be a great fit for

Boaters preparing for the Independence Day holiday should be aware that Indiana Conservation Officers will be on high alert for violations of boating-under-the-influence laws as part of national Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water, a year-round program, will be in heightened effect July 3-5.

DNR’s Division of Outdoor Recreation has launched a new interactive “Where to Paddle” map that is designed to highlight Indiana’s water trails. It can be found at on.IN.gov/wheretopaddle. Public access sites, canoe and kayak outfitters, low-head dam locations and river miles are displayed in the map, which also includes USGS water gauges that display real-time stream flow at stations across the state. The map compiles data layers that were collected over many years and managed by multiple divisions into one location. (For more information on Indiana’s water trails, see dnr.IN.gov/outdoor/4236.htm.)