Local News

The La Porte Park and Recreation Department introduced Cole Smith as their new Recreation Director. “Cole joins us with a wealth of experience in recreational management and a strong commitment to fostering community spirit through engaging activities,” the La Porte Park and Recreation Department said on its Facebook. “As our new Recreation Director, Cole will be responsible for developing and overseeing a variety of recreational activities and events designed to cater to all age groups and interests. From sports leagues and fitness classes to arts and crafts workshops and community gatherings, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.” “Cole's

PORTER COUNTY – A passenger was airlifted to hospital following a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of U.S. 20 and North Brummitt Road in Westchester Township this morning, Friday, June 7, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police reported, along with the Town of Chesterton. According to police, just after 7 a.m. a Honda CRV was southbound on North Brummitt Road when its driver appears to have disregarded the stop sign for U.S. 20 and pulled into the path of an SUV westbound on U.S. 20. The SUV then struck the CRV, the police said. The female passenger in the SUV was

The City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department recently announced that they received five new AEDs through a grant from the Health Foundation of La Porte. “In recognition of National CPR and AED Awareness Week, let’s remember the importance of being prepared to save lives,” the department said on its Facebook page. “Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED can make all the difference in an emergency.” For more info on where to find AEDs, visit www.hflaporte.org/when-seconds-count-aed and look at the La Porte County AED locations or download the Pulsepoint AED app.  

The LaPorte County Drug Task Force (LCDTF), an Indiana HIDTA Initiative, announced the arrest of 29-year-old Laporte resident, Kayla Shaffer, for dealing resulting in death. In September of 2023, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force was contacted by La Porte Police Department regarding an overdose at the 600 block of Tecumseh Street in La Porte. On scene, officers and detectives identified the victim, 22-year-old Cannon Breneman, who was found deceased by family members. The LaPorte County Coroner’s Office also responded. Due to evidence located on scene and witness statements, the case was turned over to the LaPorte County Drug Task

The City of Portage announced that due the inclement weather Wednesday, Airport Road will be closed to through traffic on Monday, June 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for NIPSCO pole placement. A diagram of the suggested detour route can be found  attached to this page. Follow WIMS on Facebook and continue checking wimsradio.com for the latest roadwork updates.

The LaPorte County Health Department announced that on the week of June 17 their office and water laboratory will be moving back to 809 State Street, Suite 401A in the LaPorte County Complex / Annex Building. Since December 2022 the Health Department has been located at 302 W. 8th St. in Michigan City.  

Press Release, City of Valparaiso: The City of Valparaiso is embarking on its largest-ever paving season, appropriating $8.8 million to fund an aggressive schedule of sidewalk and roadway improvements that include collector, arterial and neighborhood streets. “Historically, over the past several years, we have been committing about $3.5 million annually to road maintenance. This aggressive budget of nearly $9 million reflects a renewed priority on roadways,” said Mayor Jon Costas. In further good news, the bids for projected projects came in lower than expected. “Due to the quality bids we received at lower rates than anticipated, we’re pleased to announce

The Ogden Dunes Police Department made the following statement about a companies going door to door soliciting: "It has come to our attention that there is a Pest Control Company going door to door. Ogden Dunes has an Ordinance that prohibits solicitation unless they apply for and receive a permit from the town. Currently, the town has NOT issued any of these permits. This company has been informed that they cannot be soliciting door to door. If anyone comes to your door soliciting, please call Porter County Dispatch non-emergency at 219-477-3170. There is an Ogden Dunes Officer on duty 24

The City of Michigan City is announced that compost pickup is delayed in Michigan City this week. The Refuse Department will be out collecting compost on Saturday in order to catch up. Follow the WIMS Facebook and wimsradio.com for the latest happenings in Michigan City.  

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation will close U.S. 231 between Bell Street and Tenbrook Drive on or after Wednesday, June 12 through mid-August for two consecutive projects. U.S. 231 will first be closed between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive for a pipe lining project. After the first project is complete, the closure of U.S. 231 will be between Bell Street and Fathke Road for a small structure replacement project. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, U.S. 30 and State Road 55. U.S. 231 has been closed between Hendricks Place and

LaPorte County- The Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division at the Lowell Post received a cyber tip of an individual that was possessing and sharing images of child pornography. During the investigation, detectives determined that the suspect had been using the social media platforms of Snapchat and Discord to obtain and share the images.  A thorough investigation showed that the images were being sent from an individual in Michigan City.  The suspect was determined to be William H. King III, 21, from Michigan City, IN. A warrant was issued for Mr. King’s arrest for the charge of Child Exploitation, a

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co Inc will have lane closures on U.S. 30 between Lake St and Clark Rd beginning on or after Monday, June 10. U.S. 30 will be reduced to one lane in each direction through late July for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Plum Creek. Lane closures will alternate so motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns in the area. A detour will be in place for trucks wider than 11ft. Motorists should also be advised that there is a reduced speed limit of 35 mph

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.