Local News

Press Release, Economic Development Corporation Michigan City: MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Family-owned D. Martin Enterprises is laying the groundwork for expanded offerings with a more than $20 million investment in a new manufacturing facility to serve the local and national steel industry. D. Martin Enterprises Vice President of Operations Cassie Martin Graham said the new building will include 112,350 square feet of manufacturing space as well as 4,000 square feet of office space. The company is expected to initially add 30 new employees with the opportunity to hire more workers in the first two years of operation. “My grandfather opened

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have lane closures on U.S. 31 for three bridge projects between Kern Road and County Line Road / Tyler Road beginning on or after Monday, June 10. U.S. 31 will have alternating lane closures through late September for bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance projects at Roosevelt Road, State Road 4 and Heston Ditch. Motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area and delays during peak times. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should

CROWN POINT – The Indiana State Department of Health recertified Franciscan Health Crown Point’s Family Birth Center as a Level III obstetric and neonatal Level of Care facility. Level III hospitals are equipped to care for complex maternal medical conditions and obstetric complications as well as infants requiring neonatal intensive care. “Expectant families and new parents alike can rest easy knowing mothers and their babies receive comprehensive care in a new, state-of-the-art facility right in their own backyard,” said Carrie Renschen, MSN, RNC-NIC, C-ONQS, director of the Family Birth Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Franciscan Health Crown Point.

HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW), through its College of Technology, has again earned redesignation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “This is the third time PNW earned the CAE-CD designation by DHS and NSA, affirming the quality and rigor of our cybersecurity curriculum that meets the national standard,” says Keyuan Jiang, chair of the PNW Computer Information Technology and Graphics department. “We are proud to be a CAE-CD institution producing graduates to meet the growing demand of the cybersecurity workforce.” The

Singing Sands Sculpting Festival 2024 will be in full swing this weekend, starting Friday, June 7th with the fun continuing until Sunday, June 9th. Check the events tab on wimsradio.com and Michigan City Special Events facebook page for more information. Team WIMS will be live all weekend long! Thank you to our broadcast sponsors Visit Michigan City LaPorte, Michigan City Special Events, NIPSCO Arnett Construction & Roofing, Derrick Wayne Arnett, Paladin, Inc., Chesterton Physical Therapy, Inc., Reprographic Arts Inc  

New developments as WIMS follows a fatal accident on June 3rd (Check out WIMS facebook post on June 4th): On Monday, June 3rd, at 8:50 PM, deputies responded to the area of State Road 2 and CR 150 East, reference a motor vehicle crash with injuries. The initial on-scene investigation completed by Deputy Jared Buford and assisting deputies determined the following had occurred. A blue 2012 Honda motorcycle, being driven by Larry CUMMINGS (82 YOA) of Fort Myers, Florida, had been traveling east on SR 2. A silver 2006 GMC sport utility vehicle (SUV), being driven by Angel ALMARAZ (32

VALPARAISO, IN - In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of our latest Fire Academy. The ceremony will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM CST at the Ivy Tech Community College Auditorium. The 39 graduates represent Cool Spring, Cedar Lake, Schneider, Lake of Four Seasons, Kouts, Union, Griffith, St. John, Munster, Boone Grove, Highland, Crown Point, Rensselaer, Lake Hills, Lowell, Morgan, and Dyer Fire Departments. These recruits have completed a rigorous 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and

Camp Atterbury, Ind.—On Friday, May 31st, Senator Mike Braun addressed soldiers from the Indiana National Guard 252nd Support Maintenance Company, as well as their families and friends, at their departure ceremony before the unit deploys to Kuwait. Senator Braun’s remarks below. “I am so proud of the strong National Guard presence we have here in Indiana. Our National Guard are called to action to serve the Hoosier state and the country at a moment’s notice. We cannot thank you enough for your service and sacrifice.”   “The rigorous training and preparation you have endured has prepared you for this very moment.

Gov. Holcomb announces plans for new $1B Microsoft Data Center in Northwest Indiana Announcement marks $14.8B committed to Indiana’s technology infrastructure in 2024, accelerating global cloud and AI innovation LA PORTE, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced that Microsoft will invest $1 billion to establish a new data center in northwest Indiana. The new facility, which will create up to 200 new jobs by the end of 2032 in La Porte, will accelerate cloud computing infrastructure to support growth in technology and artificial intelligence worldwide. “Indiana is committed to being a central hub in the global economy of the future,

Weather permitting, Tilden Avenue will be paved today, Tuesday June 4, and Royal Road and Mayfield Avenue will be milled. To opt in for text message alerts about updates or changes in activity, please text MC2024 (no spaces) to 833-236-7421. Follow WIMS on Facebook and check out wimsradio.com for more roadwork updates.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents of scam phone calls where the scammer represents themselves as a JCSO deputy. The JCSO says these calls request personal information and provide a telephone number to call back. “If you have not requested the Sheriff's Office assistance for service please do not respond to these calls or provide any information and feel free to contact our dispatch center to verify the authentication of any calls from us,” the JCSO said on their Facebook page.  “If our Deputies or Dispatchers are attempting to contact you, our main outgoing telephone numbers are 219-866-7344

MICHIGAN CITY - The Washington Park Zoo is reminding the public of updated Washington Park fees and sticker pick up hours. The zoo says it does not handle parking so they ask the public to forward questions to the Park Office. The deadline to pick up your annual sticker is July 3. See information on Sticker Office hours and fees below:      

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - U.S. 6 will have lane closures between State Road 149 and State Road 49 on or after Monday, June 10. U.S. 6 will be resurfaced through this area through late August. There will be alternating lane closures and flaggers will direct traffic in the area where work is occurring. INDOT says motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

At the YMCA Elston Branch in Michigan City, the Wolf Gym will be temporarily closed this week due to the floors being redone. It will reopen on Monday June 10. The YMCA is asking the public to use Meer Gym.  

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company 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 on or after Thursday, June 6. Motorists should be prepared for overnight lane closures to install the new traffic configurations. Starting on or around June 6, westbound I-94 will have two lanes of traffic to the left of the work zone and two lanes of traffic to the right. Traffic on eastbound I-94 will be shifted to the right with the work zone to the left.

Franciscan Health is hosting a free, live webinar aimed at increasing understanding of the mental side effects of chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients while teaching strategies for managing them. The Coping with Chemo Brain webinar will take place at 5:30 p.m. Central/6:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, June 26. Franciscan Health speech language pathologist Darcy Hughes and occupational therapist Bridget Kress will share signs and symptoms to watch for while teaching techniques for coping with changes to memory, concentration and focus during and after chemotherapy. Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or who have in the past and their caregivers and family members

The Michigan City Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS will host free classes each week in June to teach residents how to handle emergency situations. The series, dubbed “Michigan City Safe Citizens,” will be every Thursday in June from 4:30- 6:30 p.m. at the MCPD, 1201 E. Michigan Blvd. • June 6 – Gun Safety with MCPD Gun safety, proper firearm handling and storage; will provide free gun locks • June 13 – Stop the Bleed with LaPorte County EMS Life-saving techniques for bleeding emergencies • June 20 – Fire Safety with MCFD Fire hazards, escape

Singing Sands Scultping Festival will be in "FULL SWING" this weekend in Washington Park on Friday June7th, Saturday June 8th, and Sunday June 9th. FRIDAY is FREE. All Parking charges apply at Washington Park. Check the EVENTS tab on wimsradio.com for information. To get updates as well chek out the MICHIGAN CITY SPECIAL EVENTS page on FACEBOOK.

There will be a Mobile Food Distribution on Wednesday, June 12, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon at The LaPorte County Fairgrounds in LaPorte. Perishable and dry goods will be offered, FREE of charge. All items are pre-boxed/bagged. First come, first served while supplies last, up to 300 households. One box per household. This event is for those in need of food assistance. Must be present!  This is a drive-thru distribution. Please remain in your vehicle, and pop open your trunk to receive grocery items.

Fonda Owens, Toni Kester, and the La Porte County Public Library  kicked off the Summer of 2024 at the WIFI Garden outside at the La Porte County Public Library. Familes and Children gathered to register for Summer Reading, along with fun from "Lori" the Dinosaur. Fun was had by all with the Story Walk, fossil findings, sand digs, crafts, fun and so much more. TEAM WIMS was out there LIVE to help kick in the fun. For more information check out www.laportelibrary.org. For more pictures and videos check out WIMS's FACEBOOK page.