Purdue Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant have opened registration for American Citizen Planner – Indiana, an online training course for local planning officials and interested residents. Participants learn about core planning issues, practices, and theories related to community planning and service as a public official. After completing online coursework and participation in two workshops, participants will earn the “Master Citizen Planner” certificate. The registration period ends July 30th. Participants are given four months to complete the course requirements and attend two workshops, hosted by a Purdue Extension Educator. The workshops offer deeper dives into course topics and the opportunity to hear

Community Healthcare System and Gabis Arboretum host Walk and Talk with a Family Medicine Practitioner Community Healthcare System and Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest are collaborating to help you walk your way toward wellness. Stroll through the beautiful grounds of Gabis Arboretum as a Community Healthcare System physician offers walkers of all ages health-related knowledge. The inaugural Walk and Talk steps off at 6 pm Wednesday, July 14 with Danielle Harris, DO, a family medicine physician with Community Care Network. She will offer tips on how to enjoy a healthy and safe summer. Attendees will meet at the Gabis Arboretum’s Celebration Rose Pavilion and walk the Heron Pond Trail (0.28 mile). This trail is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers suitable for mulch. Program participation is free and registration is encouraged. Arboretum fees will be waived for those participating in the walk. To register, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/5150998 For more information, call 219-462-0025.

Come for the talk, stay for the walk! Many research studies show walking to be among the most convenient and effective forms of regular exercise when it comes to overall fitness. If you are looking for a way to kick start your day or want to create a habit of daily exercise, join the Northwest Health wellness professionals for Wellness Walk and Talk. Wellness Walk and Talk will be held on Tuesday mornings, July 13 thru September 28, 2021 at Clear Lake Trail located on Clear Lake Boulevard in La Porte. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. Then at 8 a.m. participants will learn about health and

Representatives from Patrick Industries joined Mayor Tom Dermody and the The City of La Porte La Porte City Council on Monday to announce plans to open a new facility in La Porte creating up to 31 new jobs in the community by 2025. “La Porte is a community on the rise. We are thrilled to partner with an industry leader such as Patrick Industries and this project will provide high-quality employment opportunities for our residents,” said Mayor Tom Dermody. Patrick Industries will invest several million dollars to equip a new 60,000 square-foot-facility in the Thomas Rose Industrial Park. The company

Attorney General Todd Rokita is encouraging Hoosiers who purchased consumer products that were recalled in June to take advantage of the remedies available to them. The following consumer products were recalled in June, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission: 4-in-1 Rock ‘n Glide Soothers and 2-in-1 Soothe ‘n Play Gliders from Fisher-Price Children’s Barhee Fishing Hero Toy Games from Blue Star Trading Girls’ Nightgowns from La Paloma 24-inch Built-in Dishwashers from Cove Appliance Kalorik Pro 1500F Electric Steakhouse Grill from Kalorik 2021 Can-Am Outlander and Renegade ATVs from BRP Non-Contact Voltage Tester Model NCVT-1 from Klein Tools Wintergreen Essential Oil, Birch Essential

On Thursday, July 8, at 3:45 P.M. in the Administrative Conference room at the Michigan City Police Department there will be Executive meeting of the Michigan City Police Pension. The purpose of the executive meeting is to review and discuss the Confidential Physical and Psychological examinations of the police applicants’ evaluations. At the conclusion of the Executive session there will be a meeting of the Michigan City Police Pension Board in the Community room at the Michigan City Police Department.

The Indiana Department of Transportation and Purdue University announced plans to develop the world’s first contactless wireless-charging concrete pavement highway segment. The project will use innovative magnetizable concrete – developed by German startup Magment GmbH – enabling wireless charging of electric vehicles as they drive. The project is part of the Advancing Sustainability through Power Infrastructure for Road Electrification (ASPIRE) Initiative, an Engineering Research Center Funded by NSF, the National Science Foundation, and involves the collaboration of universities, government laboratories, businesses, and other stakeholders developing next-generation charging technologies for the electrification of Transportation vehicles of all classes. Phases 1 and

With stiff breezes, potentially heavy seas and small craft advisories expected for parts of this weekend across Lake Michigan, the Coast Guard is urging mariners to use extra caution before heading out on the water. Boaters also can expect to see increased Coast Guard law enforcement this holiday weekend as part of Operation Dry Water, an awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water. The Coast Guard — alongside partners in state, local and tribal law enforcement, recreational boating safety advocates and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators — team up

Although fireworks displays are considered by most of us to be as patriotic as the American flag and apple pie, they can contaminate our lakes and waterways if not handled properly. Indiana American Water, the state’s largest investor-owned water utility, encourages everyone lighting off fireworks this weekend to keep them away from local water sources to help reduce the amount of contaminants entering Indiana’s waterways. Recent studies have shown that many fireworks and the waste they create, may contain certain hazardous compounds that can contaminate water supplies and present health concerns. This is especially important for Hoosiers, since Indiana is

The public is invited to blood drives scheduled on Tuesday, July 6, at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Chesterton, Friday, July 9, at Franciscan Physician Network Chesterton Health and Emergency Center and Tuesday, July 13, at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville. The Chesterton blood drives will be conducted by the American Red Cross from 2 to 8PM July 6 at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers, 810 Michael Drive, and from 9AM to 2PM on July 9 at Chesterton Health and Emergency Center, 770 Indian Boundary Road. To schedule an appointment, go online at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Schererville blood drive will

A man was injured after a structure fire in New Buffalo early Wednesday, according to police. Berrien County Dispatch received a call reporting a structure fire at a residence in the 15000 block of Locke Rd in Chikaming Township. The initial 911 call came from a neighbor, who was unaware if the residence remained occupied. Deputy Brittany Garza of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s New Buffalo Twp Patrol, and Sgt. Russ Tillery of the New Buffalo Police Department, were initial emergency responders on scene. Both Deputy Garza and Sgt. Tillery entered the smoke filled residence, subsequently locating the homeowner inside.

Masks are now optional inside Duneland School Corporation buildings, Assistant Superintendent Robert McDermott announced. Pursuant to Gov. Holcomb’s executive order, authorizing school corporations to determine themselves, the COVD-19 mitigation measures and restrictions which they deem “necessary and prudent”, Duneland School Corporation has opted to move to Level 1 or Green. That decision was based on consultation with the Porter County Health Department and daily monitoring of school, community, county, and statewide cases, according to McDermott. Per federal guidelines, students and staff who travel in buses or other vehicles must continue to wear a face covering.

As part of a competitive overall compensation and benefits package to attract and retain the best talent, Franciscan Alliance has increased its lowest starting pay rate to $15 per hour. The increase is effective retroactively to June 6, 2021. “This investment reinforces our efforts to attract and retain the best talent, so that we may serve our patients with excellence while staying focused on our shared mission and values,” said Mary Jo Smith, Franciscan Alliance senior vice president for human resources. “The Franciscan $15 pay adjustment provides coworkers with a minimum rate that’s competitive with the market, and well above

Please be advised, on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday July 4th, Tamarack will be a ONE WAY. You will need to enter from Shore Dr. and exit on to Diana Rd. All vehicles parked within the restricted area must display a valid 2021 beach area parking permit. Temporary Parking Permits for 4th of July Weekend will begin tomorrow, Thursday, July 1st. They will cover the entire weekend including Monday, July 5th. Town Hall Hours for the holiday are: Thursday, July 1st 8am -3pm Friday, July 2nd 8am -3pm Saturday, July 3rd CLOSED Sunday, July 4th CLOSED Monday, July 5th CLOSED If you are unable to make it

When you think about sun protection, you might think about a day at the beach. But during your lifetime, you get sun exposure doing everyday things like walking the dog, mowing the lawn and even driving in your car. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays adds up over time, and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Every year, nearly five million people are treated for skin cancer, and approximately 9,000 people die from melanoma. "Most people don’t realize that skin cancer is the most common cancer in this country,” says Dr. Shaun Mehdi, an internal medicine physician with Northwest Medical Group in Portage. “If awareness

The COVID-19 vaccination clinics that have operated in Franciscan Health hospitals in Crown Point, Hammond and Michigan City since December 2020 are ending operations as vaccinations shift to sites outside of the hospitals. Beginning July 6, vaccination clinics will open at Franciscan WorkingWell at 8345 Wicker Ave. in St. John and Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center at 1225 E. Coolspring Ave. in Michigan City. The St. John WorkingWell site will be open 8AM to 6PM Monday through Saturday, and the Coolspring Health Center vaccine clinic in Michigan City will be open from 8AM to 6PM Monday through Thursday. Walk-ins