News

In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of their Career Fire Academy. This ceremony will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. CST, at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in the Heroes’ Hangout Building. The 15 graduates representing the Portage, Whiting, Dyer, LaPorte and Michigan City Fire Departments have completed a rigorous 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills. They have also learned about the importance of community service and

Chesterton, IN — The Duneland Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Opening Day of the 22nd season of the beloved Chesterton European Market. The 2025 market season kicks off on Saturday, May 3, and will run every Saturday through October from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM in downtown Chesterton. An annual tradition that draws locals and visitors alike, the European Market offers an eclectic mix of artisan breads and pastries, boutique creamery cheeses, gourmet foods, locally crafted aft, fresh meats, spices, oils, clothing, accessories, handcrafted jewelry, and fresh-from-the-farm produce and flowers. Guests can also enjoy live performances by

United Way of La Porte County is having a PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Kesling Park in La Porte. For more information visit www.unitedwaylpc.org. #wims #makingadifference #localradio #nwi   8:00am: REGISTRATION OPENS   9:00am: TOURNAMENT BEGINS   4:00 pm: RAFFLES END/AWARDS PRESENTATION   Kesling Park   2150 A Street   LaPorte, IN. 46350   LEVELED MIXED DOUBLES   (3.0, 3.5, 4.0)   TEAM: $50   (ONLY open to 36 Teams. This will SELL OUT FAST!)   INDIVIDUALS: $25   (We will assign you a teammate based on player level)   EXCITING Raffles, WIN GIFT CARDS!   Unique

The first Indiana Department of Natural Resources Free Fishing Day takes place Sunday, May 4. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters. All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits apply. Free Fishing Days are an excellent opportunity to learn how to fish, take your family fishing or introduce a friend to fishing. Other Free Fishing Days are scheduled for June 7-8 and September 27. For more information on fishing, visit www.fishing.IN.gov.

When James Nielsen was born 49 years ago at what was then St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point, he needed a little help. Nielsen was born two months prematurely. Fearing he may not survive, Nielsen’s parents asked the hospital priest, the Rev. Tony Janik, to baptize their infant son. “Mom always talked about Father Tony,” Nielsen said. “She said he came in and said, ‘I was a preemie, too, and look at me now.’” Janik initially volunteered in 1975 to help at St. Anthony’s three days a week when another priest was out unexpectedly. That volunteer stint stuck. Janik is

Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department partnered with Rebuilding Together Duneland on Saturday, April 26th to install smoke detectors in homes in their service area. Volunteer Firefighters spent their morning installing smoke detectors in homes that were being worked on by volunteers with Rebuilding Together Duneland. The purpose of this project is to help rehabilitate communities and homes of neighbors in need, focusing strongly on older people, persons with disabilities and those with children. The fire department’s mission is to help ensure families have access to working smoke detectors to make homes safer. This effort is part of an ongoing collaboration

Garwood Orchards opens for the season on Thursday, May 1st. Located at: 5911 W 50 South LaPorte, Indiana For more information visit: https://www.garwoodapplefarm.com/

The 2025 Farmed & Forged Market is BACK in Michigan City and La Porte Starting May 24th and running through the end of September   Farmed & Forged Market will be back in Michigan City on Saturday's from 8a-Noon starting on Saturday May 24th. Also, will be in La Porte starting Sunday May 25th from 10a-1p. SNAP Benefits accepted. FREE admission. All ages are welcome. Check out the Live Music and local products from local farmers. #wims #Michigancity #laporteproud #localradio #nwi

Michigan City Area Schools is excited to welcome all new and returning students for the 2025-26 school year. Enrollment is now open for Little Wolves Early Learning Center (Pre-K), Kindergarten, and the required Online Annual Information Update (formerly known as Registration) for returning students will open on May 1. Little Wolves Early Learning Center Pre-K Enrollment is open for the Little Wolves Early Learning Center, located at 1001 E US Hwy 20 in Michigan City. This high-quality preschool program offers full- and half-day options for children who are potty trained and age three or older by August 1, 2025. Tuition

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) announces information for their 45th Annual Youth Leadership Camps this year. The first session, serving the southern part of the state, will be held June 16 - 18, at the Indiana FFA Leadership Camp in Trafalgar (Johnson County). The second session, serving the northern part of the state, will be held June 23 - 25, at Pine Creek Camp in Pine Village (Warren County). The ISA Youth Leadership Camps are a program for boys and girls who are currently in the 7th or 8th grade of school and are interested in learning more about a

219 Taproom breakfast will be back Saturday, May 3rd! Check out OPENING DAY of the Chesterton's European Market while you are there. 219 Taproom knows you have lots of choices for breakfast, including eating at home! We’re proud of the fact that our prices have not changed from last year’s breakfast and we’ve added a few items under $5. Check out the 219 Taproom located at 109 S 3rd St, in Chesterton. Family Friendly. Great Staff. Call (219) 728-1381 for more information. #wims #nwi #loclaradio #duneland #chesterton

Once again the City of Portage in collaboration with the American Red Cross, will be holding a Blood Drive on Friday, May 2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The drive will be held at Portage City Hall - Council Chambers. They encourage you to register early by scanning the QR Code, visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will begin a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project on State Road 49 over the Indiana Toll Road beginning on or after Tuesday, April 29. This project will be ongoing through late September, with three phases of construction and lane shifts in both directions. Southbound State Road 49 will maintain two travel lanes, but northbound will be reduced to one lane during the first two phases of construction. Motorists should be alert for changing traffic patterns in the area. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area

Stop by Paladin in Michigan City for the Paladin Spring Craft Bazaar Friday May 9th and Saturday May 10th. Enjoy some great vendors on both days between 10am-3pm. To find out more information check out www.paladin.care or email paladin@paladin.care. #wims #makingadifference #nwi #localradio Paladin, Inc.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- Board-certified Infectious Disease Physician John Dougherty, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting patients in Michigan City. Dr. Dougherty attended medical school at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. He completed his residency in internal medicine at New York University in New York. His fellowship in infectious diseases was completed at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. Dr. Dougherty’s clinical interests include sepsis, fungal infections and endemic mycoses. He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Health Medical Pavilion, Suite 3E, 3500 Franciscan Way in Michigan City. To

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) will hold a 30-day public comment period including a series of in person public hearings to gather comments on a proposed across the board fare increase of 10% rounded to the nearest quarter ($0.25). If approved, the new fares would take effect on July 1, 2025, for the South Shore Line rail passenger service including July monthly tickets. The new fares would apply to all stations. The general public may comment in person at the public meetings, via email to comments@nictd.com, or mail their comments to the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, 33

Michigan City, IN— On Saturday, May 31st, 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 support Save the Dunes mission

 Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites community members to support PNW students by making a gift during its annual PNW Day of Giving 24-hour fundraiser on Wednesday, April 30. PNW Day of Giving is the university’s largest and most successful campaign that benefits student scholarships, academic and athletic programs, and resources that benefit PNW students. Supporters are encouraged to save the date and visit dayofgiving.pnw.edu on April 30 to make a gift of their choice to PNW.  Supporters’ generous contributions help expand the many resource offerings that help PNW students pursue their degrees. “Day of Giving is a prime opportunity for our community

On Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Michigan City Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. For more than a decade, the event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—that too often become a gateway to addiction. Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at close to 5,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. What:

Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) and the NiSource Charitable Foundation today announced the winners of its 2025 Environmental Action Grant. The annual grant program awarded 23 local nonprofit organizations to help fund environmental projects and programming across NIPSCO’s service area. Now in its 10th year, the grant program has provided about $700,000 in funding support for nearly 170 projects with an emphasis on environmental education and restoration across northern Indiana. This year’s recipient organizations, selected by a review committee, will each receive a grant between $500 and $5,000 to further their missions. In addition, an expanded grant for