News

Yesterday, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced nearly 70 schools were recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as model programs. Indiana surpassed the record number of schools for one state in a given year receiving the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation with 69 schools receiving this honor. RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools committed to delivering an exemplary comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program. Since the program’s inception, more than 800 schools across the United States have been designated as RAMP recipients. This year, 140 schools nationwide will

FOP #75 hosting an All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast!!! (Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage and Orange Juice) • Price : $7.50 for Adults and $5.50 for Children 5-12, Ages 4 and Under Free!!! • K- 9 Demonstration at 10am • Airplanes & Helicopters • Classic Cars on Static Display • MC Police Vehicles, MC Fire Trucks and "EDITH" House Will Also Be On Display • Airplane Rides and Skydiving will also be Available for an Additional Cost (Weather Permitting) Sunday, July 22, 2018 @ 7:00 AM -12:00 PM Michigan City Municipal Airport 1300 St. Road 212, Michigan City, IN 46360

The Indiana Broadcasters Association is, again, recognizing the outstanding local work of their member stations with 2018 Cardinal Community Service Awards. Named after the Indiana state bird – the Cardinal – and organized by Congressional districts, the awards are a symbol of dedicated service by membership. Team WIMS will be an award recipient for Stuff A Bus. WIMS along with First Trust Credit Union, Salvation Army of Michigan City, and Al’s Supermarkets partner for an event called “Stuff A Bus” to raise money and collect food for families in La Porte County. Over the course of several weeks, listeners and

The South Shore Line announced that 10th street will be closed between Willard Ave. and Kentucky St. for track repairs in Michigan City. The closure will begin on August 13th and reopen on August 31st.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host their annual State of the Chamber & Community Awards Wednesday, July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Allure on the Lake in Chesterton. With a lively welcome from Ric Federighi of WIMS Radio, the event will kick off with an update on what the Chamber has accomplished so far this year and what their goals are moving forward. Immediately following are the Community Awards portion of the program. Many local organizations, businesses, and individuals are being awarded for their efforts in making the Duneland community a better place to live,

Porter County is accepting applications for the position of Truck Driver / Laborer. The work hours are from M-F 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Incumbent serves as Truck Driver / Laborer for the Highway Department, responsible for operating various trucks, tools and equipment in clearing and maintaining county roads and right-of-ways. Applicants must submit an application to the Human Resources Director, Rhonda Young, at the Administration Building, Room 205, or by email, ryoung@porterco.org. Accepting application until the position is filled. For more information and to download an application visit: www.porterco.org/jobs.aspx

The summer is the traditional time for students to take time off and relax from the rigors of the school year. The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are spending part of their time away from the classroom supporting the Michigan City/LaPorte County community. During June, the cadets participated in three events: the Michigan City KiIddie Parade, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Michigan City Summer Festival Parade. Besides the community service, the cadets have already participated in two week-long camps. One was a Leadership Camp in

Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced yesterday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $267 million in 103 infrastructure projects to upgrade water and wastewater systems in rural communities. USDA is making investments in 35 states through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The funds can be used to finance drinking water, storm water drainage and waste disposal systems for rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents. Locally, the Town of North Judson will use a $4,892,000 loan to convert a portion of the town's combined sewer collection system into separate

The Valparaiso Police Department will be participating in the 35th annual National Night Out on Tuesday August 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. National Night Out is an national event designed to unite community members and police against neighborhood crimes. Police Chief Jeff Balon is inviting community members to organize an activity for the event. “This is a great night for community members, neighborhoods and crime watch groups to organize special activities in their neighborhoods”, explained Chief Balon. Valparaiso Police Officers will be visiting the special activities planned in each neighborhood to show their support. Officers from the K-9

The Indiana State Police (ISP) All Crimes Policing Team (ACP) based out of the Lowell District joined forces with Pulaski County Sheriff Department (PCSD) to conduct a multi-jurisdictional enforcement effort in Pulaski County this past weekend. Friday, July 13th from 1:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., officers saturated the roads in Pulaski County.  This combined effort led to 19-traffic citations issued, 125-warnings, with a total of 144 traffic contacts. There were 8 criminal arrests, 2 driving suspended prior, 2-operators never licensed, and 4-warrant arrests (one being a felony warrant). Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department with the success of this enforcement effort are planning similar enforcement

On Thursday, Porter County Multi-Enforcement Group (PCMEG) executed a search warrant in the 800 Block of Elkhart Street in the Aetna Area, with the assistance of the Gary Narcotics Unit and Gary S.W.A.T. PCMEG recovered 3 handguns, ammunition, drugs (including cocaine, marijuana and steroids), paraphernalia, scales and approximately $1,500.00 in cash from the residence. Arrested on initial charges of Felony Possession of Narcotics, was 47 year old Gary resident, Marshall Brown. PCMEG is filing additional charges with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for Dealing. Brown was transported to the Lake County Jail.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce will host their annual State of the Chamber & Community Awards Wednesday, July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Allure on the Lake in Chesterton. With a lively welcome from Ric Federighi of WIMS Radio, the event will kick off with an update on what the Chamber has accomplished so far this year and what their goals are moving forward. Immediately following are the Community Awards portion of the program. Many local organizations, businesses, and individuals are being awarded for their efforts in making the Duneland community a better place to live,

The Dunes Summer Theatre presents the Tony-Award winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opening Friday, July 20. The show runs for three weekends, ending August 5. Performances are Friday/Saturday at 7 PM CST and Sundays at 2 PM CST at 288 Shady Oak Drive, Michiana Shores, Indiana 46360. Tickets for the show are $15 for Seniors and Students, and $18 General Admission. To order tickets, visit dunesartsfoundation.org or call 219-879-7509. The newly air-conditioned Dunes Summer Theatre is operated by the Dunes Arts Foundation a 501(c)3 organization.

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as one of five finalists for the statewide Indiana Chamber of the Year for 2018. The organization was judged by a panel of five professionals located outside of Indiana in the areas of leadership and organization; finance; advocacy; membership; and programming, and finalists for the award were announced during the Annual Conference of the Indiana Chamber Executives Association. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst organization committed to ensuring that its member communities are vibrant places to live, work and play. Through service to the towns of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor,

The Valparaiso Board of Works recently approved an Emergency Hiring Process for the police department. This is due to the immediate need for an experienced police officer. The Emergency Hiring Process allows the department to hire an experienced police officer expediting the training time, which typically takes up to one year. The department is accepting applications for current certified sworn police officers who are Indiana Law Enforcement Academy graduates and currently members of the Indiana Public Employee/Police Retirement Fund (PERF). Experienced officers may also be eligible for the department’s lateral transfer program. Applications must be completed and returned to the

The Michigan City Police Department is asking for assistance by dropping off book donations for both children and adults at the Michigan City Police Department for the “Little free Library” located at the playground behind MCPD. Please feel free to drop off the books at the little library or the front desk of the police department. Also the Gardena Park location is in need of books. MCPD gives thanks again to the Michiana Lions Club for their work and partnership with this community project.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led 14 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the leaders of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees yesterday, urging the chairs and ranking members to support the Burmese military sanctions provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act as the bill heads to conference before Congress is able to send it to the president. Burmese military officials have been implicated in gross human rights abuses and other atrocities against ethnic minorities in Burma, particularly a horrific campaign against the Rohingya people. Earlier this year, Senator Young

Delve into the history of Gilded Age America and the Barker family through the lens of fashion on Friday, July 20 from 7-9pm.This lively discussion will go in-depth on the types of materials that were popular, and the strict social norms that dictated the clothes and the various outfits that would be worn for certain occasions. The talk will also feature a collection of original Barker clothing being publicly displayed for the first time. Guests can design their very own Victorian and Gilded Age clothing by using various patterns, clothing examples and events to inspire you. Paper and colored pencils

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce has been recognized as one of five finalists for the statewide Indiana Chamber of the Year for 2018. The organization was judged by a panel of five professionals located outside of Indiana in the areas of leadership and organization; finance; advocacy; membership; and programming, and finalists for the award were announced during the Annual Conference of the Indiana Chamber Executives Association. The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst organization committed to ensuring that its member communities are vibrant places to live, work and play. Through service to the towns of Beverly Shores, Burns Harbor,

The Valparaiso Board of Works recently approved an Emergency Hiring Process for the police department. This is due to the immediate need for an experienced police officer. The Emergency Hiring Process allows the department to hire an experienced police officer expediting the training time, which typically takes up to one year. The department is accepting applications for current certified sworn police officers who are Indiana Law Enforcement Academy graduates and currently members of the Indiana Public Employee/Police Retirement Fund (PERF). Experienced officers may also be eligible for the department’s lateral transfer program. Applications must be completed and returned to the