Local News

News Release, Indiana Department of Environmental Management: HAMMOND, IND. – The Northwest Indiana Partners for Clean Air honored regional air quality leaders and winners of three college scholarships at the organization’s annual awards luncheon held at the Hammond Marina on Friday. “On behalf of Partners for Clean Air, we congratulate all of the recipients on your awards and scholarships,” said Michele Murday-Pariso, director of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's Northwest Regional Office. “Through their advocacy, each recipient has encouraged others to support initiatives or projects that lead to cleaner air throughout our region." Four recipients received awards for voluntary actions

Michigan City Police Department Social Worker, Jocelyn Colburn, recently received the Michigan City Human Rights Commission Unsung Hero Award. The MCPD says Colburn was nominated and selected due to her work with the community. The award was presented to Colburn at a banquet that recognized the Humanitarian of The Year and winners of two scholarships presented by the commission. WIMS congratulates Jocelyn.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in LaPorte County in honor of volunteer firefighter Kenneth Caldwell. 63-year-old Caldwell tragically lost his life during a medical emergency after controlling a nearby brush fire. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset in LaPorte County on Monday, June 17. Gov. Holcomb is asking businesses and residents in LaPorte County to lower their flags as well.

Press Release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte - Congratulations to Allison Younggreen, the 2024 La Porte Community School Corporation Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Jason Remmel, the 2024 Secondary Teacher of the Year! We are fortunate to have such incredible teachers in our corporation. Elementary Teacher of the Year - Allison Younggreen With a 12-year tenure with the La Porte Community School Corporation, Allison Younggreen has taught multiple grade levels, including 5th grade (5 years), 2nd grade (3 years), 1st grade (1 year), and 3rd grade (3 years). This diverse experience has enriched her teaching methodology, allowing

The City of Portage announced rolling lane closers will take place between June 17 and June 28: On Willowcreek Road from the U.S. Highway 6 to Houston Avenue On Willowcreek Road / the Crisman Road Bypass from Houston Avenue to Old Porter Road On Crisman Road from Old Porter Road to U.S. Highway 20   The city says to expect delays periodically. Flaggers will be present.

Don't miss the two day Juneteenth celebration hosted by MBA of NWI. Day 1 takes place in Washington Park on Sunday, June 16 and day 2 takes place at Charles Westcott Park on Wednesday, June 19. See the flyer for more information.  

The City of Portage has announced that Old Porter Road near 5760 Old Porter Road will have a lane closure June 17-18 (weather permitting). The closures will be from 7:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days, according to a statement. Flaggers will be present.

The Chesterton Town Council voted unanimously at its meeting Monday night, June 10, to approve bylaws for a Chesterton Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Town of Chesterton announced on its Facebook page. “The creation of a park foundation has long been sought by the Park Board as well as friends of Chesterton’s municipal parks,” the Town of Chesterton said. “Park foundations have the potential to act as the catalysts of significant capital improvements to a park system’s holdings. The Porter County Park Foundation, for example, was instrumental in the establishment of the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary, before that site and

The South Shore line announced Thursday that busing between the Miller and Dune Park Stations have concluded ahead of schedule. Regular weekday train service has been restored for Eastbound Trains 131, 133, 135 and 101/601. More information about the South Shore Line can be found at MySouthShoreLine.com.

The Michigan City Police Department Administration presented officers with Life Saving Awards and Letters of Commendation Thursday at the Michigan City Police Commission meeting. Assistant Chief Steve Forker and Officer Anthony Santoro were presented with Life Saving Awards. Corporal Mark Galetti, Officer Louis Gallegos and Officer Taylor Tillman were presented with Letters of Commendation. Also, recognized at the meeting but unable to be present were the following: 15 years of service: Sergeant Ken Eguia Letters of Commendation: Leuitenant Jeff Ramion, Corporal Matthew Babcock, Corporal Mike Elkins, Corporal Deshone Harris, Detective Maximiliano Hernandez, Detective Brock Moore, Officer Anthony Brown, Officer Douglas

The City of Michigan City has announced that the CSX railroad crossing on Jackson Street north of Greenwood Avenue near the east end of Gardena Park will be closed Tuesday, June 18 through Thursday, June 20. Follow WIMS on Facebook and check back at wimsradio.com for the latest roadwork updates.

The Porter County Expo has issued a scam alert about a scam involving a fake prepaid hot air balloon show. The scam said the fake event was to take place the weekend of June 28 on the grounds of the Porter County Expo Center. “We sincerely apologize to anyone who bought tickets or secured vendor spots,” the Porter County Expo Center said on its Facebook page. “We take pride in hosting events that are safe and secure. We were scammed also. If you bought tickets or were going to be a vendor, we ask that you email our Director, Lori

The Chesterton Police Department says it successfully concluded an investigation into a series of spray paint vandalism incidents that occurred between June 3 and June 6. The acts of vandalism were reported at several Chesterton Town Parks and businesses in the 200 block of S. Calumet Avenue, the 200 block of Broadway, and the 1500 block of Broadway. During the early morning hours of Thursday, June 6, the Chesterton Police Department's patrol division responded to a report of a suspicious person in the area of Broadway and 15th Street. Responding officers located and questioned several juveniles, who were subsequently released

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will move to the next phases of bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance work on I-94 eastbound and westbound near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Blvd and Kennedy Ave. Motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures on or around Thursday, June 13 on westbound I-94 to install a new traffic configuration. Westbound I-94 will then have two lanes of traffic to the left of the work zone and two lanes of traffic to the right through late June. The traffic configuration on I-94 eastbound will change after overnight lane closures on or around

The Lacrosse Volunteer Fire Department has announced the passing of their own Ken Caldwell. The LVFD released the following statement below: It is with deep anguish and regret that we must inform you of the passing of one of our own. 2023 Member of the Year, Firefighter Ken Caldwell, Unit 1016, unexpectedly passed away on June 6th, 2024. Ken was sworn in on August 1st, 2001 and quickly became an exceptional department asset. Ken was an Owner / Operator and logged over 2,000,000 miles in his famous Red Peterbilt with his beloved boarder collies riding shotgun. When he was home,

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join them for the ribbon cutting of the Urban Pollinator Project on Friday, June 21st, at 4:30 PM. The event will take place at the Westchester Bird Sanctuary, located at 1150 S 11th St, Chesterton. The Urban Pollinator Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to planting pollinators in urban areas for the community's enjoyment. These pollinators, including native wildflowers and grasses, support local wildlife, insects, and birds, creating a thriving natural environment within the town. “The Westchester Bird Sanctuary is the first location where we have planted these pollinators,” says Scott

Ben Bachmann wins 9th annual Donut Eating Contest with 11 donuts MICHIGAN CITY, June 11, 2024 – The Salvation Army of Michigan City has a new Donut Champion. Ben Bachmann, representing Phi Delta Kappa, was crowned the champion of the 9th annual Donut Eating Contest, eating 11 donuts in 10 minutes. A crowd of about 200 spectators filled the Stardust Event Center at Blue Chip Casino to watch as 13 competitors vied for the trophy. Coming in second place, with 10 donuts in 10 minutes, was Landon Roberts from Warsaw, Indiana. Trooper Ken Payonk of the Indiana State Police set

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will celebrate Juneteenth from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 in Founders Plaza north of the Student Union and Library Building, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN. PNW’s Juneteenth celebration is free and open to the public. The event will include live music entertainment, laser tag and other games, inflatables, food, a photo booth and a haircut vendor. Engagement stations with educational and historical materials will be on display from the PNW Library, the Celebrating Naomi Anderson project of Michigan City and the League of Women Voters. “Juneteenth represents

News Release, Northern Indiana Public Service Company: NIPSCO, a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), today announced the deployment of upgraded gas communication modules through installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology. Approximately 870,000 residential and commercial meters are eligible to be updated with the new AMI gas communication modules. Gas meters will be upgraded to AMI technology by installing a communications module onto an existing gas meter set that enables the automated and remote collection and sending of gas metering information. Exchanges are expected to begin around July 2024 and extend through the end of 2026. "We are continuing

In order to accommodate INDOT construction near Portage/Ogden Dunes, the South Shore Line will provide busing substitution for eastbound train passengers between 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. now through Friday, June 14, between Miller, Portage/Ogden Dunes, and Dune Park stations. The temporary busing includes the following trains: Weekday EB Tr 131, 133, 135 & 101 Weekend EB Tr 601 early morning June 15 Buses will arrive and depart with passengers to match the SSL published train schedule between Miller, Portage/Ogden Dunes, and Dune Park stations. Passengers on Tr 131, Tr 133, Tr 135 & Tr 101/601 will detrain at Miller