Local News

The National Park Service, along with the City of Gary, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 4 for the new pedestrian bridge at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. With the new pedestrian bridge in place, the center will again be able to safely host school children attending ranger-led education programs in addition to a wide variety of public programming for the community and national park visitors. During the ceremony, Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent Jason Taylor emphasized, “The bridge isn’t really the main point,” Taylor said. “You can now safely, easily and quickly

Join us this Veterans Day as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. The 37th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Monday, Nov. 11 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium. The program, organized by the Mayor's Veterans Committee, begins at 10:30 a.m. Before the ceremony, donuts and coffee served from 9-10:15 a.m. in the lower level. For more information, see the flyer or call Lesa Rosenbaum at 574-315-8362.

To show our gratitude, all active-duty military personnel and veterans are invited to ride the South Shore Line for free November 8-11, 2024, on all weekday and weekend trains. “We are honored to once again offer free rides to active-duty military personnel, veterans, and reservists, as a gesture of our sincere gratitude for their service and sacrifices,” said Nicole Barker, Director of Capital Investment and Implementation at the South Shore Line. “This small token of appreciation reflects the deep respect we have for those who have served our country, and we hope it makes traveling with us even more accessible

The Michigan City Police Department has focused on the mental and physical wellness of their officers during this year. The department has started a Peer Support Team, which is made up of five police officers and one social worker. The department administration continues to focus on supporting the men and women who protect and serve the community of Michigan City, Indiana. The MCPD Administration has worked with organizations and businesses in the community to get funds and equipment to put together a decompression room that will be used by the department staff. The decompression room will be a private room

The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO), a division of the Indiana Office of Technology, is excited to announce Indiana has received $15 million to implement its statewide Digital Equity Plan. The funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act from 2021.  “We are excited to see Indiana receive funding from the Digital Equity Capacity Grant,” said Chief Broadband Officer Steve Cox. “This program will further bridge Indiana’s digital divide by supporting programming like digital literacy and internet affordability. With many services being delivered online, digital equity and accessibility are

A new traffic signal will be activated the morning of Thursday, Nov. 7 on State Road 152/Indianapolis Boulevard between 167th Street and 165th Street at the new YMCA facility. INDOT asks the public to use caution when navigating the new traffic pattern in the area. Check back with wimsradio.com for more roadwork updates.  

The following are the final but unofficial election results in La Porte County:

Two people have been arrested after theft of a donation jar from a Porter gas station. On Nov. 4 at approximately 10:25 a.m., Porter Police received a call from the Porter Quick Stop gas station. An employee advised three males had entered the store and stole merchandise, as well as a donation jar on the counter. The trio then ran out to their vehicle and sped away Eastbound on U.S. 20. The vehicle used in the theft was a maroon Buick Lesabre with Indiana license plates. Porter Police arrived on the scene within minutes and checked the area but were

A Valparaiso teenager lost his life on Monday evening, when he was struck by a vehicle as he was riding his bicycle on County Road 500 West in Porter Township, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Mitchell Sterling. According to PSCP, Sterling was northbound on his bike, north of State Road 2, when a motorist in an SUV, also northbound on County Road 500 West, struck him. “This area is not well lit and the driver reported they did not observe the bicyclist in the roadway when they collided,” the PSCP said. “The

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK, Ind.:  The National Park Service is planning to conduct four prescribed fires this fall at Indiana Dunes National Park. In the east end of the park, a prescribed fire will cover 77 acres around Dunewood Campground, clearing fallen leaves and branches to reduce wildfire threats for next year’s camping season. This prescribed fire occurs every fall, as conditions allow. Additionally, in the east end of the park, a burn will take place adjacent to Beverly Shores in the Derby Ditch area, covering 150 acres to support wetland restoration by removing overgrown vegetation. This area is bordered

The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department, with assistance from multiple fire departments responded to a house fire in the 600 north block of County Road  50 West on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, the LTVFD and Town of Chesterton Facebook page are reporting. The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire but for the family dog who was rescued, and no firefighter was injured at the scene, LTFVD said. Once it was deemed safe to enter the residence again, firefighters conducted a secondary search and succeeded in rescuing the dog from the house’s lower story and brought it to

The Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest District has given updates on recent roadwork projects that have been completed. U.S. 231 is open between Bell Street and Fathke Road in Lake County after a small structure replacement and utility delays. State Road 312 is open between Parrish Ave and State Road 912/Cline Ave after a box culvert replacement. Check back with wimsradio.com and follow WIMS on Facebook for more roadwork updates.

Press Release, Indiana Department of Environmental Management: $2,500 Scholarships available to qualified Lake, Porter and LaPorte County High School Seniors VALPARAISO – The Partners for Clean Air (PCA) is offering scholarships for students focusing on environmental and health issues to further their education. The application deadline is April 30, 2025. The Partners for Clean Air Scholarship allows the coalition to give back to students in Northwest Indiana communities. One or more scholarship(s) of $2,500 will be awarded to qualified high school seniors in Lake, Porter or LaPorte counties to assist with postsecondary education expenses. Qualified students must have a cumulative

The City of La Porte Police Department is inviting the public to help the department identify families that could use extra support this holiday season. If you know of a family in need, write to the City of La Porte Police Department and share their story, explaining why they may require assistance this year. Letters can be sent to Det. Cpl. Ashley Adams at aadams@lpcitypd.com, and should be submitted by Sunday, Nov. 9. Their goal is to provide a meaningful celebration for a select group of families in La Porte who are in need this holiday season. In addition, the

ST. JOHN, Indiana – Franciscan Health broke ground Monday for a new medical office building in St. John with a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary. The two-story, 82,881-square-foot building is being built by Tonn and Blank Construction at 10323 Wicker Ave. It will house an ExpressCare, primary care and specialty physician offices, diagnostic imaging, CT, MRI, ultrasound and laboratory services. “Franciscan Health has proudly served the St. John community and its residents for decades,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD. “With this exciting new project, we are

News Release, Indiana DNR: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Law Enforcement held graduation ceremonies today at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis. Twenty-three new Indiana Conservation Officers officially joined the division during the event. Conservation Officer Matt Tholen, the 2023 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year, administered the oath of office to the recruits, who will fill positions in various locations around the state. The new officers represent the 41st recruit class of conservation officers, making them members of the oldest state law enforcement agency in Indiana. The officers and their assignment locations (by county) are:

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will stock 157 locations with approximately 51,000 catfish this fall to expand angling opportunities across the state. All stocked channel catfish will be stocked in publicly accessible waters after being raised by state biologists at Cikana Fish Hatchery in Morgan County, Driftwood Fish Hatchery in Jackson County, and East Fork Fish Hatchery in Daviess County. All stocking locations should receive catfish by early November, with quantities subject to change due to production variables. These catfish range in size from 8-10 inches long. “Once stocked, they acclimate to their new environment quickly, they shouldn’t

La Porte—The LaPorte High School (LPHS) Student Athletic Council demonstrated exceptional leadership and community spirit at its annual Trick or Treat Night, which benefitted Special Olympics on Thursday, October 24th. The event, part of the IHSAA Champions Together program, surpassed its fundraising goal by collecting more than $3,100 for Special Olympics. Fourteen council members orchestrated the evening's festivities, coordinating participation from 21 Slicer athletic teams and 11 LPHS clubs and departments. Student-athletes and club members dressed in Halloween costumes to create an engaging atmosphere with various activities for community children. "This event has become a popular tradition that our entire

Press release, BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: ANNAPOLIS, Md., -- In an effort to clean up the nation’s coasts and Great Lakes and rid our shores of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs), the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is creating a new national ADV database in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to track these environmental and navigation hazards to help facilitate removal. The Foundation is asking the public to comment on a short feedback form to help determine and prioritize the type of information that needs to be included

Michigan City Area Schools is reminding students, former students, parents, staff, or community members to nominate a teacher or staff member for the Teacher and Employee of the Year program. There is no limit to the number of employees a person may nominate. To learn more and to nominate a teacher or staff member, visit https://educateMC.net/toy_eoy Nominations are due by Friday, November 22, 2024.