News

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently released its statewide teacher survey. Aimed toward all K-12 classroom educators in Indiana, the survey will provide the necessary information to help guide future legislative priorities and professional development opportunities. Under the Office of Educator Effectiveness, IDOE worked to develop the statewide teacher survey. The survey will provide comprehensive data to help drive legislative priorities related to teacher compensation and employment factors. In addition, the information received will also help craft professional development opportunities at the local and state levels. The survey is open to all Indiana K-12 classroom teachers and closes June

Every year, summer travelers hit Indiana’s roads in droves to enjoy barbecues, picnics, lakes and pool  parties. This also increases impaired driving on the way home from summer festivities. Every August, more than 230 Indiana police agencies join thousands nationwide for Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement. This year, the La Porte County DUI Taskforce will be performing sobriety checkpoints and patrols all summer long. Police will be working overtime using federal funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Impaired driving includes alcohol and prescription or illegal drugs. In every state, it is illegal to drive with a

In a story WIMS has been following, La Porte Hospital will be removing several vacant homes it owns on the hospital’s property along State Street, between Teegarden and Tyler streets to begin preparing land for staging and construction of the new La Porte Hospital. The hospital has offered the La Porte City Fire Department the opportunity to conduct training on several of the homes before they are removed. The La Porte City Fire Department was practicing ventilation techniques, communication, search and rescue skills, fire hose management, and evacuation techniques. Jackie Beissel from Team WIMS was live on the scene covering

The DNR will stock additional rainbow trout into nine northern Indiana streams before Memorial Day weekend. Locally, in St. Joseph County, Potato Creek will be stocked inside Potato Creek State Park, at North Liberty Town Park, and at Smilax Road. In LaPorte County: Slocum Ditch will be stocked at Hunt Park and U.S. 30 in Wanatah (The east side of Slocum Ditch through Wanatah is owned by the town from U.S. 30 to the railroad tracks.); Little Kankakee River will be stocked at County Road 500 East, at County Road 100 South and at State Road 4. The bag limit

The Indiana State Police Post at Lowell held their annual memorial service today to honor those members of the department who gave their lives in the line of duty. Troopers were brought to attention and prepared for roll call by Lowell District Assistant Commander First Sergeant Terrance Weems. Invocation was given by Indiana State Police Chaplain Warren. Members of the North Region Honor Guard then displayed the national and state flags as Lieutenant Terry Gose, Commander of the Lowell District and Region One Captain David Kirkham, read each fallen member’s name, along with a description of the circumstances surrounding their

As the unofficial start of summer, the Memorial Day holiday weekend is a busy time for Americans. Each year, the highways fill with families in vehicles, on their way to start their summer vacations. To help keep drivers and passengers stay safe, the Indiana State Police is reminding motorists to Click It or Ticket. Aimed at enforcing seat belt use to help keep families safe, the national seat belt campaign will take place May 21 through June 3, concurrent with the busy travel season. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly half (48%) of the passenger vehicle occupants

Following reports that gas prices are on the rise, U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly on Monday urged President Trump to take an important step towards addressing the price surge by reducing regulatory burdens around the blending of biofuels. Current regulations on Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) prevent most retailers from selling American-made fuels like E15 during the summer months, driving up the cost to consumers at the pump. In March 2017, Donnelly, along with Agriculture Committee members Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. The bill would extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP)

Indiana State Troopers Alaa Hamed and William Carlson made a traffic stop at Calumet Avenue and Lyons Street in Hammond on Sunday morning that resulted in the driver and one of his passengers being arrested on multiple charges. After 26 year old Raynard Headd of Gary gave false information initially to the Troopers, he then identified himself and was found to be suspended prior as well as an active warrant through Lake County. A fully loaded 9mm handgun was discovered under the driver’s seat and an open bottle of alcohol was also in the Jeep. They also found two fake/false

On May 25th, The Food Bank of Northern Indiana Mobile Food Pantry will honor area veterans. The effort brings food directly Fresh perishable items (dairy, grains, produce and protein) and dry goods are offered free of charge to northern Indiana residents. Mobile food pantries are first come, first served for those in need of food assistance, based on available product, while supplies last. Patrons are asked to bring bags or boxes to transport their items home. If weather conditions are adverse or product is not available, there is a possibility that a mobile food pantry could be cancelled.This mobile will

Governor Eric. J. Holcomb and the Indiana delegation to Europe joined Slovak government officials Monday to discuss opportunities to deepen defense relations and encourage economic cooperation between Indiana and Slovakia. In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Gov. Holcomb and Slovak Minister of Economy Peter Žiga, Indiana and Slovakia will build on its established defense and academic relationships while advancing collaborative efforts toward two-way investment, trade and workforce development. The two will also share best practices and identify opportunities to partner in advanced manufacturing, defense, automotive, energy, agriculture technology, information technology and cybersecurity. Under the MOU, Indiana will also

National Doughnut Day, celebrated on the first Friday of June, harkens back to the days during World War I when Salvation Army volunteers would bring doughnuts – along with spiritual aid and comfort – to American soldiers stationed in trenches throughout France. These days, it is still the mission of The Salvation Army of provide comfort and spiritual aid to those in need, and what better way to do this than by celebrating National Doughnut Day. This year, the local Salvation Army will hold its third annual Doughnut Eating Contest. Four teams will compete to eat the most donuts in

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb announced that he has appointed Stefanie Krevda to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) created by the expiration of Angela Weber’s term. When a vacancy occurs on the IURC, applications are solicited from the public and accepted by a seven member nominating committee. After conducting the public interviews, the nominating committee recommends three candidates to the governor who then names a new member to the commission. For nearly ten years, Krevda has worked in public service and in the non-profit sector. Currently, she serves as the executive director of external affairs at

Regina Biddings-Muro, Ed.D., a 14-year administrator at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and longtime regional leader, has been appointed vice president of University Advancement at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif. "This is an outstanding opportunity for Regina to continue to advance her progressively successful career in higher education," said Purdue Northwest Chancellor Thomas L. Keon. "Regina has proven herself to be the master of many skills and successes. This has made her a much sought after leader by many institutions. She has found the right fit to continue her career journey, and for that we should be pleased for

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a wanted noncompliant sex offender. In 2011, Darell L. ECKWOOD (aka Darrell), 25 years of age, was convicted of Child Molestation, in La Porte County. ECKWOOD is an Offender Against Children/Serious Sex Offender, with residency restrictions. ECKWOOD is currently wanted for two (2) counts of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, both Level 5 Felonies. ECKWOOD is 5’7” inches tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds. ECKWOOD has multiple tattoos, including a star on the front of his neck and a large marijuana leaf on his

The NICTD board has approved the proposed fare increase and it will take effect on July 1st, for the South Shore Line rail passenger service, including July monthly tickets. The new fares would apply to all stations but Hegewisch. Metra controls Hegewisch fares and approved an increase effective February 1, 2018. According to a press release the fare increase will enhance safety on the SSL through supporting implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC). According to the South Shore Line’s website, “PTC is an unprecedented, advanced set of technologies that will automatically stop a train before certain human error incidents occur.

Command staff at the Indiana State Police Lowell District were recently notified by concerned citizens that they had received possible scam phone calls from a phone number that appears as the Lowell District phone number of 219-696-6242. In a statement the police said, “There are many phone scams currently in our area, and know that the Indiana State Police do not serve arrest warrants by phone and will never call you to request money. One popular phone scam in our area currently is the "Jury Duty" or “FBI” where the caller tells you there is an arrest warrant for you

Governor Eric Holcomb named Michael J. Drenth as his appointment to the Porter County Superior Court #3. He will succeed Judge Julia Jent, who retires June 1. Drenth currently serves as a deputy prosecutor in Porter County and has been with that office since 1992. Drenth received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

Shortly before noon Saturday, Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a call of a drowning in progress on a private body of water known as Chestnut Lake in Porter County. Upon arriving on scene, Conservation Officers found two men on shore being evaluated by Porter EMS personnel. Both men refused medical treatment and were released by EMS to be interviewed by Conservation Officers. According to investigating officers, 48 year old Doug Colvin, and his father 71 year old Anthony Colvin, both of Chesterton, were fishing in a 10 foot aluminum boat approximately 100 yards from shore when one of the men

Team WIMS was broadcasting live from the Spring Out to Sunset Festival at Sunset Hill Farm in Valparaiso on Saturday, May 19th!  The Fest was full of events and fun for the whole family!  The Sunset Hill Colonels played a game of old fashioned baseball while families watched and enjoyed.  Attendees could also check out the exotic animals, the tractor rides, live music by John Derado, a train set up by the Illiana Garden Railway, food trucks, and much more!  The event was also complete with a BBQ Contest and a Homebrew contest!  Team WIMS was also giving out a

U.S. 41 (Calumet Avenue) is closed in Hammond between Michigan Street and Sibley Street. This is the site of a bridge project that has been underway since early April with lane closures in place. Thursday, crews identified a pavement concern that needs to be addressed, requiring a complete closure at this location. It's possible this closure could last through the end of May. INDOT will continue to update the public as details become available.