Local News

Franciscan Health nurses and staff members working at hospitals in Lake County were honored with their hospitals’ annual awards in May during national Nurses Week. Franciscan Health Crown Point Center of Hope Coordinator Michelle Resendez received the Nightingale Award and Patient Care Technician Brikalaya Craig received the Lantern Award. Both awards are peer-nominated and voted upon by the hospital’s coordinating council. The Nightingale Award is the annual award presented to a member of the Franciscan Health Crown Point nursing staff who has outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for patients and fellow co-workers as well as a commitment to the mission

The New Communications Channels, Made Possible Through a Gift from the Health Foundation of La Porte, Demonstrate Growth for Homeward-Bound Villages. LAPORTE, IN - JUNE 2024 - Homeward Bound Villages, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building affordable, cooperative housing solutions, is proud to announce the launch of its new website, HomewardBoundVillages.org, and social media channels. The website aims to educate the public about Homeward Bound Villages’ mission, garner community support, and encourage donations to further its cause of creating accessible, community-focused housing for individuals and small families in need. The organization’s Facebook and Instagram channels were launched in coordination with

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is asking the community for its input on a mural to be located in the downtown area of La Porte at 809 Jefferson Avenue. A community meeting to discuss the mural themes is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 at 11:30 AM-1 PM at La Porte City Hall. Everyone is welcome. East Chicago artist, Ismael "Ish" Muhammed Nieves, will be participating in these meeting, designing and painting the mural with input provided by the community and the building's owners. The mural will be painted in view of onlookers. Ish's works have

BEWARE of out of town roofing vendors in our area since the recent hailstorm- read below for more details. Support Local MICHIGAN CITY – With the influx of roofing vendors since the recent hailstorm, the public is advised that only three contractors have permission from the City of Michigan City to solicit door to door at this time. The City does not endorse any specific company; it only grants licenses to vendors who provide proper insurance and adhere to local ordinances. For example, Michigan City Ordinance No. 1892 dictates vendors must observe the following rules as they relate to handbills

Press Release, Rotary Club of Valparaiso: VALPARAISO – The Rotary Club of Valparaiso will host its annual Changing of the Guard dinner on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 in the Harre Union on Valparaiso University’s campus. Current President Bob Franko will welcome Mary Joe Murphy Jaime as the Club’s next president. Franko is the President/CEO of the VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana and has served as Club President since July 1, 2023. His theme for his presidency was in concert with Rotary International President Gordon R. McInally’s goals of empowering girls, promoting mental health and wellness, and peacemaking. Throughout his term

Press Release, Save the Dunes: Michigan City, IN— On Saturday, June 22nd, residents and visitors who enjoy getting active outside can support the Save the Dunes mission of protecting the Indiana Dunes by joining us for our annual Dunes Dash! Runners will take to the trails of the Indiana Dunes National Park at West Beach for our 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run. This year’s race is sponsored by Porter County Community Foundation, United Healthcare, Cleveland Cliffs, Northwest Indiana Green Drinks, Michigan City Sustainability Commission, Castle Subaru, Encompass Financial Partners and WIMS Radio. All funds raised will be used to

Congratulations to the New Prairie High School Baseball on winning The Class 3A State Championship Friday night. The Cougars defeated Brebeuf Jesuit 7-2. It is New Pariarie's first State Title in baseball. The Cougars' Tyson Greenwood was named the Phillips Mental Attitude Award recipient. New Prairie's final record was 27 and 5. Way to go. #wims #newprairie #localradio #nwi

The City of Michigan City has given a couple of roadwork updates. ADA ramp removal on Lafayette Street will begin on Monday, June 17. Striping on all newly paved streets will begin Monday, June 24. All road construction is weather permitting. The city will provide updates as they become available.  

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