News

Vegetable Field Day to Be Held at Pinney Purdue – August 13

The public and those who raise vegetables commercially or as a hobby are invited to a vegetable and high tunnel field day on Tuesday, August 13, at Pinney Purdue Ag Center (PAC), 11402 South County Line Road, Wanatah. This Purdue Extension program begins at 5:00 p.m. CDT.Participants will hear some presentations from Purdue specialists then can choose a track on vegetable production or utilizing fresh vegetables. Laura Ingwell, Purdue Extension entomologist, will provide tips on organic insect management and will discuss the melon pollinator research project she is overseeing at Pinney PAC.  Liz Maynard, Purdue Extension commercial vegetable specialist, will

July 30th, 2019|Local News|

Indiana Election Commission approves first auditable paper trails for electronic voting equipment

The Indiana Election Commission has approved the first voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) for electronic voting systems. This is a security measure that allows voters to independently verify their vote was correctly recorded.In Indiana, almost half of the counties use direct record electronic machines. There is a paper trail in the back of the machines, but it is not visible to the voter. As a security measure, paper trails that are visible to the voter are being added to electronic voting equipment.The General Assembly provided funding to equip 10 percent of electronic voting equipment with a VVPAT. Voters will

July 30th, 2019|Local News|

Valparaiso Officer Sworn to Duty

The Valparaiso Police Department has added a new officer with the swearing-in of Michael Lippelt.  Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony on July 26th, at the Valparaiso Police Department, with Chief Balon, numerous officers, family, and friends in attendance. Michael is a  Valparaiso High School graduate and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from Purdue University.  Michel earned his first degree in Construction Management in 2010 and his second in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2017.  Prior to his swearing-in, Michael was employed with the American Senior Communities as a Clinical Dietitian.

July 30th, 2019|Local News|

Portage Back to School Safety Fair

On Wednesday August 7th, from 5pm to 7pm, the Portage Police Department will host a Back to School-School Safety Fair that covers vaping & Juuling, drug paraphernalia, cyberbullying & social media, and distracted driving. This event is geared to middle school and high school aged students and their parents.

July 30th, 2019|Local News|

Fatal Motorcycle Crash In LaPorte County

In an update to a story WIMS has been following, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of CR 1000 North and Range Road in Galena Township just after 5 am on Monday. When the officer arrived he located a 2016 Harley Davidson and its operator, 46 year old Billy J. Finney laying in a nearby yard, deceased from his injuries. Evidence at the scene showed the motorcycle was traveling east on CR 1000 North when the operator failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway striking two trees before coming to rest. Mr. Finney was

July 30th, 2019|Local News|

New Hunting Guide License now required

The Indiana General Assembly passed a new law this year that is now in effect (Senate Enrolled Act 363) requiring a Hunting Guide License for those that provide hunting guide services for money or other goods or services (barter or trade). The license costs $100 a year. The application for the license and monthly report form can be found at wildlife.IN.gov/2371.htm.While hunting guides (also called outfitters) have not been licensed by the Indiana DNR in the past, fishing guides have been licensed for a number of years.The Indiana General Assembly also modified language for penalties as it pertains to guides.

July 29th, 2019|Local News|

Trail Creek Police Full-Time Police Officer Opening

The Trail Creek Police Department will be accepting applications for a full-time police officer through August 5th. Applications may be picked up at the Trail Creek Town Hall located at 211 Rainbow Trail, Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Applications must be completed and returned to the town hall no later than Monday, August 05, by 2:00 pm. The department is asking for no phone calls.

July 29th, 2019|Local News|

La Porte Hospital Recruits General Surgeon to the Area

La Porte Hospital continues to expand its La Porte Physician Network with the addition of General Surgeon, Blake Hood, D.O..  Dr. Hood’s areas of interest include all general surgery procedures including robotic-assisted and minimally invasive surgeries, endoscopy, colon and anal-rectal surgery, hernia repair, gallbladder removal, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery.  Dr. Hood is accepting new patients in his office at 600 Legacy Plaza West in La Porte, phone: 219-379-3166.  He will also have office hours in Knox, Indiana.

July 29th, 2019|Local News|

Ramp Closure – I-94 and I-65 in Lake County

The ramp connecting westbound I-94 with southbound I-65 in Lake County is closing today for around seven days while crews do a bridge deck overlay.The detour will have drivers use the ramps at SR 53 (Broadway) to get to eastbound I-94 and access southbound I-65.

July 29th, 2019|Local News|

Update: Police Confirm I-65 Pullover Was Real Officer, Portage Pull Over Still A Possible Imposter

In a story WIMS has been following, Indiana State Police have confirmed that the traffic stop on the female on I-65 south bound at the 249 mile marker was in fact a police officer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.  The officer verified he made the traffic stop on I-65 on July 8th. The officer did stress he did not make a traffic stop in Portage on July 17th, and has no knowledge of that contact. The officer saw the article in the newspaper and realized it was a traffic stop he had made and contacted the department. Police have

July 29th, 2019|Local News|

$30 million available in second round of Next Level Trails grant program

Governor Holcomb and Indiana Department of Natural Resources director Cameron Clark recently announced details of the second round of the Next Level Trails grant program, including three workshops in August for interested applicants. Next Level Trails, which will dedicate $90 million of State funds over the life of the program, is the largest infusion of trail funding in state history. The grant program is divided into two components: a $70 million fund for regional projects and a $20 million fund for local projects. Each requires a minimum 20 percent project match, which can include monetary contributions, land value, and in-kind

July 28th, 2019|Local News|

LaPorte County Fugitives Apprehended In Other States

This week Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) officers traveled to Tupelo, Mississippi and Carbondale, Illinois to return two fugitives who had fled from justice and law enforcement officials for lengthy periods of time. Juan Burdine was recently apprehended in Tupelo for a Dealing Cocaine. Burdine remains housed in the La Porte County Jail on a $20,005 cash-only bond through La Porte County Circuit Court. Tiffani Coates was recently apprehended in Carbondale for a Robbery, and Auto Theft. Coates remains housed in the La Porte County Jail on a $25,005 cash-only bond through La Porte Circuit Court. Both fugitives had been sought by FAST

July 28th, 2019|Local News|

Purdue Northwest announces new director of White Lodging School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

The Office of the Dean of the College of Business is pleased to announce Godwin-Charles Ogbeide, Ph.D., as the next director of the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) . Ogbeide comes to PNW after having served as an associate professor and director of strategy and hospitality and founding director of the Events and Tourism Institute (ETI) at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Ogbeide is vice president and immediate past president of the Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE), a nonprofit association working to promote global education, research, service and

July 28th, 2019|Local News|

Rural, volunteer fire departments receive grants administered by DNR Forestry

Rural and volunteer fire departments from 46 counties have been awarded more than $297,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants. DNR Forestry staff reviewed grant applications and selected recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters. Grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires. As in past years, the Wildland Fire category was highlighted.  The awarded grants range from $1,500 to $5,000 and were given to 71 departments. Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grants should

July 28th, 2019|Local News|

Law enforcement agencies come together to promote Bolt for the Heart Family 5K and raise funds for lifesaving AEDs

Law enforcement officials from throughout LaPorte County gathered on Tuesday with organizers of the Bolt for the Heart Family 5K to tout the effort to bring lifesaving automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to every squad car in the county. The inaugural Bolt for the Heart 5K Family Run/Walk, presented by Franciscan Health, will be 8AM on Sunday, Sept. 8th in Washington Park. The eight law enforcement departments in LaPorte County are partnering with Bolt for the Heart and Play for Jake in this event, where 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward the goal of placing AEDs in police cars

July 28th, 2019|Local News|
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