News

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) announced following a national search that José R. Sánchez will join the university as dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences, effective May 1, 2025. Sánchez most recently served at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, where he held positions as dean and professor of the School of Science and Engineering and founding dean of the School of Engineering and Computational Sciences. His accomplishments included securing transformative gifts to establish endowed professorships and research initiatives, significant expansion of sponsored research, the addition of several market-responsive undergraduate and master’s programs, and

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department and several other agencies are investigating a house explosion in unincorporated Hebron, Indiana. Police say three men were seriously injured. It happened at about 6:15 p.m. Friday at a home in the 4200 block of West 181st Avenue. Investigators are still trying to determine a cause for the explosion. Two men, ages 49 and 39 are hospitalized with serious burns. A third man, 64 years old, is hospitalized with burns and other injuries from the blast. Preliminary information indicates the men had been working to clean out the home at the time. The house was

The La Porte Water Department's spring water system flushing is set to begin this weekend, according to La Porte Water Superintendent Tim Werner. Beginning Sunday, March 16 and continuing for four to five weeks, crews will be out to flush fire hydrants throughout the community Sunday through Thursday between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Werner reminds residents that this process is a critical part of maintaining the city’s water quality and infrastructure. "Hydrant flushing is nothing new to our residents, as it happens every year," Werner said. "Still, we like to take the opportunity each time to

A police pursuit Wednesday afternoon ended with the fleeing driver fatally crashing into a tree, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Just before 3:50 p.m. on Wednesday, deputies responded to the area of County Road 150 North and County Road 500 West regarding a wanted person, 44-year-old Robert F. Bartels, who was operating a pickup truck. At 4:04 p.m., deputies located a vehicle matching the above description traveling northbound on County Road 500 West. Police say a traffic stop was attempted, however the vehicle failed to yield, and fled westbound on County Road 250 North from County Road

The Indiana Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to watch for crews trimming/removing trees along the state right of way through the end of March. INDOT says trees often need to be trimmed or removed in areas where road construction will occur so many crews will be out ensuring this is done before April 1. Tree clearing can only occur during inactive bat season, generally Oct 1-March 31 in Indiana, unless permission is granted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. INDOT is asking drivers to slow down and give these crews plenty of room to work.

The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public that citizens are again being targeted by subjects calling and claiming to be an employee of the LCSO. The LSCO said on its social media that all unexpected telephone calls from anyone claiming to be affiliated with the agency should be immediately terminated.  

A 30-year-old man died Wednesday after a motorcycle crash in La Porte County, according to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office. Just after 11:30 a.m. deputies responded to the intersection of U.S. 35 and County Road 400 South regarding a personal injury crash. The initial on-scene investigation determined that a 2023 Ford, being driven by 68-year-old of La Porte, was in the process of turning left from southbound U.S. 35 to eastbound County Road 400 South. While doing so the driver of the Ford failed to yield to a motorcycle traveling northbound on U.S. 35 causing the crash to occur.

Get Ready for the 2025 Michigan City St. Patrick's Day Parade this Saturday starting at 1pm-LINE UP below. TEAM WIMS will be broadcasting the Parade on FACEBOOK LIVE starting at 1pm. Michigan City Special Events has released the official line-up for the 2025 Michigan City St. Patrick's Day Parade. The parade kicks off this Saturday at 1:00 PM and will run from 9th St. to 4th St. Don't forget to bring a canned food item for Real Housewives of La Porte County! #wims #michigancity #nwi #localradio Thank you to our WIMS EVENT Sponsors including: Michigan City Special Events Arnett Construction

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: The National Park Service plans to conduct eight prescribed fires at Indiana Dunes National Park this spring. Approximately 1,534 acres are planned to be burned as part of the park’s natural resources and fuels management programs. The prescribed fires will occur through April 30 as appropriate weather conditions allow. Near Porter Indiana, the park intends to burn approximately 147 acres of the Mnoke Prairie. The prairie has been undergoing restoration efforts for over 20 years, making it one of the last tall-grass prairies in the region. West of Dune Acres, the park intends to burn 255

Press release, Michigan City Sustainability Commission: Who wants a FREE tree? Have you ever checked out an electric car? Do you enjoy exploring our environment and making new discoveries? The Michigan City Sustainability Commission, has partnered with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Tree Board to bring you the 4th Annual Earth Month Extravaganza. This FREE, all ages event is on Saturday, April 26 from 12-3 pm. Arrive early for a beach cleanup beginning at 10:30! Supplies will be provided. All activities will take place at the Michigan City Senior Center, 2 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360. Learn from

Construction has begun on INDOT's U.S. 35/Indiana Ave pavement replacement and utilities project from Boyd Blvd to State Road 2/Lincolnway. U.S. 35 northbound is  reduced to one lane between Crescent Dr and Kingsbury Avenue through late April for storm sewer installation. Motorists should also expect single lane traffic with flaggers directing traffic on U.S. 35 between State Road 2 and Kingsbury Avenue on an intermittent/as needed basis through late November. The first main phase of construction will begin with reconstruction of the intersection of Kingsbury Avenue, Woodlawn Drive and U.S. 35 later this spring. Work will then continue with pavement

News release, Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest recognized several exemplary students, faculty and staff members, nominated by their institutional peers, for accomplishments relating to their on-campus community-building and leadership. The awards were announced at the university’s 2025 Founders Day celebration on March 7. PNW’s Founders Day is an annual campus tradition celebrating the anniversary of the university’s founding and the institutional mission of delivering transformational change for the Northwest Indiana region. PNW also honors select employees for their years of service. AWARD WINNERS Two PNW students received awards for their service in the following

Dermody appoints Drangmeister as new Chief of Police La PORTE, IN (Mar. 12, 2025) – Mayor Tom Dermody today announced and swore in Matthew Drangmeister as the new Chief of Police for the City of La Porte Police Department. A 17-year veteran of the department, Drangmeister first got his start at the LaPorte County Jail. Throughout his law enforcement career, Drangmeister has served in numerous roles, including K9 Handler, Field Training Officer, Detective, Evidence Technician, FOP President and Street Crimes Officer. Most recently, he was appointed by Dermody as Assistant Chief of Police in 2024. Dermody said he feels Drangmeister is ready

MICHIGAN CITY – To make the conversation on the Indiana State Prison Re-Imagination Project more accessible, especially to Michigan City’s senior population, the consultants leading the effort will meet at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd., at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13. Farr & Associates has set aside an hour to meet with the public, share updates and answer questions in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on the lower level of City Hall. Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch and representatives from Economic Development Corporation Michigan City (EDCMC) also will be there to participate in the discussion. Again – this meeting

Check out the NEW TOASTED sandwiches at Jimmy John's in Michigan City! 5340 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN (219) 871-0850

Mayor of Valparaiso Jon Costas has announced that the city will cease all efforts toward exploring a data center on the city's east side. Below is a statement from Mayor Costas: “Today I am announcing that the city will cease all efforts toward exploring a data center on the city's east side. Our city council is in unanimous support of this action. Our citizens have spoken decisively that they believe this is a project that is not in the best interests of the city. I will, of course, honor that decision. I have spoken with the potential developer, Agincourt, and

A multi-agency investigation into illicit activity at massage parlors in Michigan City and Trail Creek has led to the arrest of five individuals on prostitution-related charges, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday. The investigation, led by the LaPorte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), an Indiana-HIDTA Initiative, Michigan City Police Department, LCSO, Trail Creek Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office focused on reports of illegal activity occurring within multiple establishments. Police say as part of Operation ‘Heavenly Hands’, undercover officers with the LCDTF booked massages, but instead of deep tissue relief,

The South Shore Line recently gave the following reminder about boarding times: “To maintain efficiency, we recommend that our passengers arrive several minutes before their scheduled train's arrival time and wait on the platform. Once final safety checks are complete and doors are closed, crews are not permitted to reopen the doors for anyone arriving late for the train. If a train time is marked with a “d”, it means the train departs immediately after passengers exit and may leave up to four minutes early. Plan accordingly, and don’t miss your ride!”  

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez is warning the public that Lake County drivers are receiving more scams through text messages. This time it’s about IPass and EZPass. According to a social media post from Martinez, the messages say the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls and include a link to make a payment. Some threaten that’s a final notice. Martinez warns the public to not click on any links or provide personal or financial information He says you may even want to block the sender and delete the information. Martinez is asking the public to stay alert and share this

This Wednesday, March 12, 2025, from 10am until noon, CCH will sponsor and facilitate a mobile food distribution event at the Marquette Mall in Michigan City. Food will be available for 350 families and will include non-perishables, fruits and vegetables and other items. Please see flyer for more information.