Local News

Dollars 4 Doodles, the fundraiser that will turn your pet into a meow-sterpiece has begun! Here's how it works: Donate $25 online here: https://bit.ly/3AABS28 Send us a photo of your pet. You'll get a confirmation email with a link to upload your pet photo. Our doodle volunteers will create a one-of-a-kind portrait of your pet! We’ll call you when your doodle is ready or send it to you in the mail (your choice). Enjoy! Guaranteed to be a great conversation piece in your home or a fun surprise gift. You never know what you’re going to get! Our Doodlers have

MICHIGAN CITY OKTOBERFEST THIS WEEKEND Friday August 30th-Monday September 2nd will take place in Washington Park, Michigan City 6 On the Lake, Michigan City. Join Michigan City Special Events, The City of Michigan City for a fun packed Labor Day weekend. Team WIMS will be LIVE all weekend long! Oktoberfest is back in Michigan City! Oktoberfest features over 50 live entertainment acts on three stages, multiple full bars and a wide variety of food, art, craft and merchandise vendors as well as a Kids Zone. Labor Day weekend fun for the whole family! Check out The Michigan City Special Events FACEBOOK

Swanson Road will be closed to thru traffic between Rt. 20 and Evergreen Avenue during the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., beginning Monday, August 26 – August 27, 2024 (weather permitting) for NIPSCO pole replacement. The City of Portage is asking the public to use Dombey Road as your detour route.    

In Portage, Swanson Road will be closed to thru traffic between Rt. 20 and Evergreen Avenue during the hours of 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., beginning Monday, Aug. 26 – Aug. 27, 2024 (weather permitting) for NIPSCO pole replacement. The City of Portage is asking the public to use Dombey Road as your detour route. Follow WIMS on Facebook and check back at WIMSradio.com for more roadwork updates.

Monday, August 26, Milestone Contractors will be milling the south side of Independence Avenue and the east side of Blake Road. See more details on the Portage Government Facebook page. Follow WIMS on Facebook and check back with WIMSradio.com for more roadwork updates.

CROWN POINT -- Area residents can lace up their walking shoes for a healthy dose of information and exercise as Franciscan Health’s free Walk With A Doc program steps off in Crown Point on Sept. 12. The free, one-hour walks will start at the main entrance of the Lake County Health Department at 2900 W. 93rd Ave. in Crown Point at 3 p.m. Central each Thursday Sept. 12 through Oct. 17. The walks begin with a brief health talk by a physician or clinical staff member followed by stretching and walking. Registration takes place on-site only beginning at 2:45 p.m.

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor LGS Plumbing Inc will close U.S. 6 between Mander Road and County Road 350 East on or after Monday, August 26. U.S. 6 will be closed through late December for two consecutive small structure replacements. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 49 and State Road 2.      

Valparaiso, IN – On Thursday, August 22, the MAAC Foundation proudly hosted its Excellence in Public Service event with area community leaders celebrating individuals whose dedication and service have made a profound impact on public safety across Northwest Indiana. This year’s event honored Bill Hanna, Executive Director of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, and Phil Griffith, recognized as Volunteer of the Year for their unwavering commitment to the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus. “We are proud to honor Bill Hanna and Phil Griffith, two exemplary servant leaders whose remarkable contributions have strengthened our community and set a

Last week, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan joined with Colonel Kenneth Rockwell, Commander of the US Army Corps of Engineers – Chicago District (USACE), Superintendent Jason Taylor, Indiana Dunes National Park, and Ryan McCoy, Port Director of the Ports of Indiana - Burns Harbor, in a tour of certain federally funded projects across Northwest Indiana. Specifically, Rep. Mrvan toured the Michigan City Harbor, the Indiana Dunes National Park, and the Ports of Indiana - Burns Harbor. Congressman Mrvan stated, “Thank you to all the leaders with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Indiana Dunes National Park, and the Ports of

Westville, Ind. - Legacy Sign Group and The Duneland Chamber of Commerce invite local students to learn more about the signage industry and what training/skills/education will facilitate their journey into the field. This marks the third year that Legacy Sign Group will host this event, an annual initiative by the International Sign Association (ISA). Our objective is to expand participation with more students and industry partners, aiming to make it an educational and impactful experience. "We want to help bridge the gap between students seeking alternative degrees or training programs and show them how to equip themselves with the necessary

News release, National Park Service: INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Join park rangers for some fishing fun on Friday, August 30th, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. In addition to fishing, meet U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologists Eric Brossman and Biological Science Technician Jake Kessel to learn about the invasive Asian Carp and what they are doing to stop it from getting into Lake Michigan. During this morning of catch and release fishing, learn about the basic techniques, as well as the different fish species found in these waters. Kids can even

All lanes of U.S. 20 to close between Highway Street and Beam Street on Sunday night Aug 25. All lanes of travel on U.S. 20 will be closed between Highway Street and Beam Street at 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, the Indiana Department of Transportation is reporting. U.S. 20 at that location will remain closed until approximately 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. “No traffic will be able to pass through this location during this time while crews grind down the road and repave it to make more clearance space for semis to pass under the bridge,” INDOT said. “This is

Portage Police said Thursday that a report of a child being approached by a vehicle was unsubstantiated. The original report  caused Portage Township Schools to go into a lock-out, prior to contacting law enforcement. Patrol Officers and Detectives have concluded their investigation, which included interviewing the student, speaking with a witness and reviewing video footage from cameras in the area. Investigators do not believe there was any contact between the child and any person and no abduction was attempted. Police do not believe there is a threat to public safety at this time.

The Valparaiso Police Department announced the recent graduation of Captain Melanie Sheets, Detective Sergeant Chris Allison, and Patrol Lieutenant Jerame Simpson from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. The officers have successfully completed the (22) week Staff and Command program. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 21,000 students both nationally and internationally. Captain Sheets and Detective Sergeant Allison were students in SPSC Class #564, while Lieutenant Simpson was a student in SPSC Class #572. The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction

Global Engineering and Land Surveying is notifying the public that there will be several roadways under construction during the next four months. They estimate each section of roadway taking no more than 2 weeks. See the full statement including the construction schedule below for more details.

Join Team WIMS live this Saturday for Tour de La Porte. Tour de La Porte —taking place Friday, August 23 through Sunday, August 25 — is a walking, running, and cycling event that raises money to support the mission of the La Porte County Family YMCA. Every year, the YMCA helps thousands of people lead a happier, healthier lifestyle through programs that promote healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility. With your help, we can make La Porte County a better place to call home! For more information check out www.tourdelaporte.org and www.lpymca.org. Thank you to our sponsors: La Porte

Last week Starke County Deputy McKee with his K9 partner Robby, Deputy Hudgens with his K9 parter Mack, and Pulaski Deputy Leszek with his K9 partner Tiko all participated in the K9 Olympics at Vohne Liche Kennels. During this week long training seminar & competition, participants compete in various events such as narrcotics, tracking, obedience, and apprehension. For the 2nd year in a row, K9 Robby won the Hardest Hitting Dog. WIMS congratulates all of the officers involved.  

Chesterton High School announced that on Friday, Aug. 23, it will become the first school in Porter County to receive the Heart Safe School Designation from Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory), the Town of Chesterton is reporting. Project ADAM is a nationally recognized program dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in schools. Named in honor of Adam Lemel, a high school student who tragically lost his life to SCA, the initiative focuses on raising awareness, training staff, and providing schools with the necessary tools to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies. One of the requirements of the designation

Press release, Michigan City Special Events: The City of Michigan City and Michigan City Special Events is proud to announce the return of Michigan City’s most requested event, Oktoberfest. The four-day festival, being held in Washington Park over Labor Day weekend, August 30 through September 2, will feature over 50 music and entertainment groups, as well as local and regional food, art, craft and merchandise vendors. "Since its return in 2022, Oktoberfest has doubled in size, and this year is set to be the biggest yet,” said Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch. “In addition to 51 bands, 60 art, craft and

Franciscan Health is hosting two events on Sept. 12 aimed at helping increase awareness of and helping prevent suicides. Franciscan Health Olympia Fields is hosting a free suicide prevention course from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central on Thursday, Sept. 12 in GME 2 at 20201 S. Crawford Ave. in Olympia Fields. The entry level Question, Persuade and Refer or QPR Suicide Prevention Course, is based on curriculum developed by the QPR Institute. The course aims to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. According to the Centers for Disease Control and