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The La Porte County Career and Technical Education program hosted a “CTE Signing Day” on Tuesday, May 22 at the A. K. Smith Center in Michigan City. In the tradition of “signing days” for college-bound athletes, “CTE Signing Day” spotlighted 15 seniors from county high schools who are accepting job offers and apprenticeships following graduation. In addition, two education careers students attended the ceremony, accepting placement in Ivy Tech’s Associates Accelerated Program (ASAP), where they will complete an associate’s degree in 11 months. Several representatives from area employers extending offers, which included New York Blower, Golden Living Centers, the International

The American Legion Riders Chapter 451 in Michigan City, in conjunction with other Chapters in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan Legion Rider Chapter will host the first annual Warrior Remembrance Ride on Sunday before Memorial Day. The ride will start from Post 451 in Michigan City with making stops at American Legion Posts in Bristol, Indiana, Sturgis, Michigan and Battle Creek, Michigan. Then will head to Fort Custer National Cemetery to pay our respects to those who have served in the Armed Forces by participating in the annual Memorial Day ceremony. There is no entry fee for this ride however

The Michigan City Refuse Department will be closed Monday, May 28th to observe the Memorial Day Holiday. Trash and Compost pickup will resume on Tuesday, May 29th and the normal pickup day will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. All Central Service Departments will be closed on Monday May 28th including: Forester Department, Street Department, Vector Control and Central Maintenance. Normal work schedules will resume on Tuesday, May 29th. In observance of Memorial Day, the Michigan City Transit Department will be closed on Monday May 28th with normal schedules resuming on Tuesday, May 29th.

Last weekend the Gary/Chicago International airport reopened ahead of schedule the main runway (at Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) following a massive four week rehabilitation and rebuild of more than 4,000 feet of the 8,859 foot runway. The $7.9 million runway rehabilitation project was critical to extending the lifespan of the runway and increasing weight limits to allow the airport to service bigger and heavier aircraft.  Approximately 22,000 man hours of labor were logged to complete the project early and on budget.

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

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a wanted person. 25 year old Maurice J. Williams is currently wanted on an active criminal arrest warrant by the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office for Level 3 Felony Armed Robbery. Williams has been positively identified as the perpetrator of an armed robbery that occurred on the night of April 28th, 2018, at Next Door Foods located at 10210 North US Highway 12 in Michigan City. Williams is to be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information pertaining to whereabouts of Williams is encouraged to contact the

Governor Eric Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb met with Austrian businesses and government officials yesterday in Vienna to thank them for their commitment to Indiana's economy and Hoosier jobs and to pitch the state as a destination for continued international investment. Indiana is home to 12 Austrian business establishments, including Danzer North America, Emarsys North America, Fronius USA, Red Bull Distribution and Voestalpine. Trade between Indiana and Austria reached more than $230 million last year, with the largest exchanges occurring in pharmaceuticals, machinery, chemicals, and semiconductors and electronic components.Tuesday, First Lady Holcomb, Mrs. Bosma and Mrs. Long traveled to

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