As excitement builds for the opening of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” Franciscan Health staff joined the celebration by providing newborns with hand-knit caps inspired by the “Baby Yoda” character from the TV series “The Mandalorian.” Michigan City, Crown Point and Hammond hospitals took part in giving out the knit-hats. The “Yoda” caps are created by Erin Ollis of Crown Point, Her favorite childhood movie was Star Wars and she is grateful to the Crafty Grannies of First United Methodist Church of Crown Point for donating some of the yarn for this project.

Two outstanding La Porte County students have been named recipients of full tuition, four-year scholarships as Unity Foundation of La Porte County 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. Katelyn Adams and Logan Crawford will receive tuition to an accredited public or private Indiana college or university of their choice, and an annual $900 stipend for required books and equipment. Katelyn Adams will graduate with academic honors from South Central High School, having taken both advanced placement and honors courses. She has been involved in a diverse group of activities involving school and community, and has held many leadership roles. She has

On Tuesday, Porter County Commissioners declared an emergency disaster for the Porter County lakefront in response to the significant erosion of the Lake Michigan shoreline. State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) gave the following response to the emergency declaration: “The substantial erosion of the shoreline this season is threatening private homes and public infrastructure. Porter County rightfully just declared an emergency, and Beverly Shores is expected to pass a resolution declaring an emergency this evening at their town council meeting. I know that other towns along the lakefront are also expected to follow suit with emergency declarations. With this crisis

Start a new family Christmas tradition at the Barker Mansion’s Glowing Lights Night! Explore all three floors of the historic Barker Mansion—lit only by the glow of Christmas lights—at your own pace during this special self-guided tour. Refreshments will be served in the mansion’s elegant, 1905 Drawing Room and local musician, Bill Halliar, will be playing Christmas carols on the Barker family’s original pump organ in the mansion’s third-floor Ballroom. This year features twelve Christmas trees, nine of which have been decorated by local nonprofit groups; vote for your favorite tree at the end of the tour and the Friends of

DYER | It may not be the North Pole, but Santa’s elves have nothing on the group of volunteers who gathered recently inside an auto shop to box and wrap 375 presents for needy families in Northwest Indiana. The gathering is an annual holiday tradition that goes back 20 years when Rachael Martinez of Dyer decided for her birthday that she’d rather have people provide gifts that could be donated to those in need. Her brother and sister-in-law, Jose and Kelly Martinez, provide use of their Dyer auto repair shop, ASC II, as a location for family, friends and coworkers

The Excel Center, a free public high school for adults, is currently accepting enrollment applications for the next term at its South Bend, Hammond and Gary locations.  Applications must be received by Monday, January 6th for classes beginning January 15th.  Those interested can apply online at: www.ExcelCenterHS.org.  The application is free and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.  New students are encouraged to contact The Excel Center for more information and assistance completing their application.  Visitors are welcome at the South Bend, Hammond and Gary locations from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm any day they are open.  The Excel Center is

Class of 1,225 graduates honored during three Commencement Exercises Saturday (12/14) and Sunday (12/15) Graduates were encouraged to make choices that lead to individual fulfillment and cause a positive difference in the world during Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) fall 2019 commencement ceremonies. Gary R. Johnson, president of Portage-based Mortar Net Solutions, shared his professional journey and personal commitment to community in his keynote address during two ceremonies at PNW’s Hammond Campus on Saturday, Dec. 14. Johnson, a Gary native, is an accomplished leader of for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises and active volunteer in Northwest Indiana organizations. “You are going to come

Detective Gabe Struss recently conducted four (4) separate investigations of subjects who were determined to be non-compliant on the Sex and Violent Offender Registry. As a result, criminal arrests warrants were issued for Arthur E. NEWKIRK Sr., Matthew A. WUNDER, Robert D. RAYMOND and Harry E. WILSON for the offense of Failure to Register as a Sex or Violent Offender, a Level 6 Felony.Midnight Patrol Shift Deputies overnight conducted Operation Santa Sweep. Deputies rounded up and arrested NEWKIRK, WUNDER, RAYMOND and WILSON.At approximately 2:44 AM, NEWKIRK (74 YOA) of Rolling Prairie, was arrested and transported to the La Porte County

The Michigan City WorkOne office at 302 West 8th Street will be closing at 4:30pm on Monday, December 16. They will reopen at their new location at 301 East 8th Street, Suite 120 on Friday, December 20, at 8:00am.Office hours will remain the same and are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm; closed 12:00-1:00pm for lunch each day.Your local WorkOne office provides no-cost services and assistance to anyone exploring a career change, looking for a new job, or training opportunities and those currently unemployed. For more information call the Michigan City office at 219-809-0575 or visit www.gotoworkonenw.com.

CITY HALL HOURS In observance of the Christmas Holiday, Michigan City, City Hall will be closed on Monday, December 23, 2019, Tuesday, December 24, 2019 and Wednesday, December 25, 2019.  City Hall will reopen and resume normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on Thursday, December 26, 2019. In observance of the New Year’s Holiday, Michigan City, City Hall will be closed on Monday, December 30, 2019, Tuesday, December 31, 2019 and Wednesday, January 1, 2020.  City Hall will reopen and resume normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on Thursday, January 2, 2020. The City of Michigan

The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced the approval of 72 projects for the 2020 Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites program. The 72 grants to individual artists and organizations, totaling $208,071.59 were approved by the Commission during its December 6, Quarterly Business Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites is a partnership between the IAC, Indiana State Parks, and Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites and funds art activities that encourage visitors to create and experience art that celebrates the uniqueness of Indiana’s historic sites, parks, lakes and forests. The program draws upon traditional and

Today, December 12, 2019 Michigan City Mayor-Elect Duane Parry announced the date on which he will be sworn in to assume the duties of Mayor of Michigan City.  The swearing in will take place on December 28, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. CST in City Hall in the Council Chamber.  In addition to Mayor-Elect Parry, Michigan City Common Council members Bryant Dabney (1st Ward), Paul Przybylinski (2nd Ward), Michael Mack (3rd Ward), Sean Fitzpatrick (4th Ward), Tracie Tillman (5th Ward), Gene Simmons (6th Ward), Angie Nelson Deuitch (At-Large), Donald Przybylinski (At-Large), Johnny Stimley (At-Large), and Gale Neulieb (Michigan City Clerk) will

Franciscan Health’s third annual Diaper Drive had distributed 30,000 diapers to help meet the needs of families in Northwest Indiana and the South Suburbs. The effort has become a tradition during Diaper Insecurity Month every October, with the goal of making sure that families receive this need prior to the holidays. A total of 17,167 diapers were collected among every Northern Indiana and Illinois Franciscan Health hospital campus and community partner, Goodwill Industries – Nurse Family Partnership. Drop-off sites were also spread throughout Franciscan’s Physician Network offices and fitness centers within the region. Multiple monetary donations allowed the purchase of

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce along with Hobart Chamber of Commerce and Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, are hosting a breakfast workshop and networking event to answer the question: During times of accelerated change in the workplace, what can we do to solve our workplace challenges more quickly and continue strengthening our skills and abilities to keep up with demand? The Peer Learning Roundtable Program is an opportunity to learn and collaborate with experts in their industry and your peers. Attendees will be broken into groups, based on the topic of interest selected when registering, to have round table discussions.

LaPorte County Commissioner Rich Mrozinski was re-elected Vice President of the Indiana Association of County Commissioners (IACC) Northwest District during the annual conference last week. As District Vice President, Mrozinski will represent the elected county commissioners in the Northwest district of the state, which includes the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Cass, Fulton, Howard, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Miami, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, St. Joseph, Starke and White. The IACC is represented by six districts in the state. Mrozinski will serve on the IACC’s board of directors, which determines policies and legislative goals for the Association. Marshall County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer was

Two environmental groups have filed a federal lawsuit against ArcelorMittal accusing the steelmaker of more than 100 permit violations at its Burns Harbor steel mill. The Hoosier Environmental Council and the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center cite among the violations excessive pollution that killed 3,000 fish and closed beaches on Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. The groups say ArcelorMittal is in violation of the Clean Water Act by, among other things, exceeding its permit limits for cyanide and ammonia, which rendered waters unsafe for human or aquatic life. The company's Burns Harbor facility is located along the

According to a report released by LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau the tourism and travel industry contributed nearly $713 million to LaPorte County’s economy in 2018.  Direct expenditures by tourists accounted for $544.9 million of this total – an annual increase of 1.9 percent since 2016. The purpose of the study was to quantify the magnitude of the economic impact of the LaPorte county tourism and travel industry and to show any changes since 2016.  The tourism industry generated over $204.5 million in tax revenues to government - $82.9 million to the state, $42.4 million locally and $79.1 million to the

Today, Mayor-elect Tom Dermody announced his administration’s department leaders, including a new Police Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. Police Chief: Paul BrettinAssistant Police Chief: Nate ThodeFire Chief: Andy SnyderAssistant Fire Chief: Kelly BurkePark Superintendent: Mark SchrieberHuman Resources Director: Jen NollWastewater Director: Jerry JacksonWater Director: Todd TaylorCity Engineer: Nick MinichCity Planner: Beth SchraderStreet Department Mike Fraze “This team has the energy and experience to lead La Porte on day one,” Mayor-elect Tom Dermody said. “Each one of these department heads and public safety chiefs have high expectations to take La Porte to the next level to compete with the best Indiana

For his compassionate work with trauma patients, Franciscan Health Crown Point Emergency Department physician Michael Todd, MD, was recognized by the hospital’s nursing staff with the St. Raphael Award on Dec. 5. Dr. Todd was given the award in recognition of outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for the nursing staff and commitment to the mission and values of Franciscan Alliance. Michelle Resendez, RN, SANE-A coordinator for Franciscan Health, presented the award to Dr. Todd, praising his compassion, kindness and sensitivity when treating patients who have experienced sexual assault, child abuse and domestic abuse. “He’s patient while he’s listening to them,

Indianapolis-based Celadon Group, Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and shut down all of its business operations. This will affect approximately 4,000 employees. Celadon’s former chief operating officer and chief financial officer were indicted on multiple federal fraud charges last week, related to an alleged securities and accounting scheme that resulted in a more than $60 million drop in shareholder value. Founded in 1985, Celadon grew into the largest provider of international truckload services in North America with a fleet of 3,300 tractors, 10,000 trailers and nearly 4,000 employees.