A dramatic upswing in vaping among teens and recent reports of severe and even fatal respiratory illnesses have shined a spotlight on the health risks of e-cigarettes. This timely issue will be the focus of a free seminar offered by Franciscan Health. “Clear the Air: The Effects of Vaping and Addiction” will be 6-8PM, Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Franciscan Health Munster Cancer Center in the St. Clare Conference Room. Known by different names, e-cigs, mods, vape pens and a USB flash drive-shaped JUUL are all forms of e-cigarettes that are part of the vaping epidemic. No matter how it’s delivered,

On 10-11-19 at approx. 8:55 am Berrien County Public Safety dispatch received 911 calls of a traffic crash involving a semi-tractor trailer along I-94 westbound in New Buffalo Twp.  Upon arrival, first responders found the semi-truck engulfed in flames and were unable to get to the driver.  Investigators learned thru witness interviews that the semi-truck had struck a guardrail before running off the roadway eventually striking a tree bursting into flames. It is unknown at this time if the driver suffered some type of mechanical issue or possibly a medical emergency causing him to run off the roadway.        The

Attorney General Curtis Hill today announced a multistate settlement involving 41 states and the District of Columbia requiring Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon Inc. to pay nearly $116.9 million for their deceptive marketing of transvaginal surgical mesh devices. A multistate investigation found the companies violated state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting the safety and effectiveness of the devices and failing to sufficiently disclose risks associated with their use. Indiana will receive more than $4.4 million under the settlement. “My office will continue to hold accountable companies that cause harm to consumers through improper practices,” said Attorney General Hill.

On Tuesday at around 7:45 PM a broadcast was put out by the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center regarding a vehicle that was eastbound on US-12 driving erratically near the Michigan state line. Deputy Hureskin with the New Buffalo Township Patrol was able to locate the vehicle on US-12 traveling eastbound with a Long Beach Police patrol vehicle behind it. Deputy Hureskin took over the pursuit and had his emergency lights and siren activated. The suspect, a Michigan City man, failed to stop and was traveling 25 to 30 mph and driving erratically. The suspect failed to stop for

At its Annual Update Luncheon on October 30, 2019 at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, Unity Foundation of La Porte County will award more than $150,000 in grants to 80 local nonprofit projects. Doors will open at 11:00 am for lunch. The Program will begin at 11:30 am and end promptly at 1:00. This public is welcome to attend and costs $20. Registration is required. During the luncheon, Unity will provide a brief update on its 2019 activities and successes, conduct an interactive Community Conversation led by the Vibrant Communities Team, and will end with the celebration of the 2019

Northwest Indiana senior citizens will have the chance to get free health screenings and talk with vendors providing senior services at Franciscan Health’s Senior Health and Wellness Fair. The fair will be 1-3:30PM on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Sand Creek Country Club, 1001 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton. While the event is free, registration is required by calling (800) 931-3322. Dr. Brian Dickover and Rachel Fischer, DNP, will present “Advanced Care Planning and Advanced Directives: Let’s Get Talking.” Free screenings will include glucose, bone density, body fat analysis, fall risk and spirometry. Refreshments and giveaways will also be available for participants.

In Lake County, Indiana State Excise Police (ISEP) officers executed a search warrant Friday evening at a Cedar Lake retailer that resulted in the confiscation of nine boxes of counterfeit Juul pods and Juul starter kits.Excise Officers executed the search warrant for the retail location of Zip Food Store located at 7208 W. 132nd Avenue in Lake County. The location was selling several different Juul pod flavors, Juul pod devices and starter kits. Investigators from JUUL confirmed to ISEP the Mango flavored product being sold at this location is counterfeit. ISEP also confiscated numerous invoices from the location and are

Back for the fourth year, Michigan City’s Barker Mansion is hosting Blackout Tours this month. The tours offer a different look at the mansion: one viewed in near darkness. During the event, tea lights and glow stick necklaces, worn by guests, are the only sources of illumination. Guests are led through the mansion by staff who tell stories of unusual and eerie historic happenings, taking place both at the mansion and throughout Northwest Indiana. The tours were conceived by Heritage Interpreter TJ Kalin in 2016, now serving as Assistant Director. The idea came to him as he realized that many

Fall is an important time for the millions of Hoosiers with health insurance. Not only does the Medicare Annual Enrollment period start today (10/15), but many employers are setting aside a two-week period for workers to choose their health-care coverage for 2020. Vice President of UnitedHealthcare in Indiana John Lurker emphasizes the importance of reviewing plan options, and taking into account any changes in your own health. Lurker says any expected future health events such as having a baby or surgery should be considered as it could impact the total cost of a plan, and not just the monthly premium.

St. Joseph County-On October 13, 2019, at approximately 2:17 a.m., the South Bend Police Department was dispatched to a car v. pedestrian crash on South Bend Avenue just southwest of the intersection with Edison. A vehicle believed, based on witness statements, to possibly be a dark in color larger SUV struck the pedestrian as she crossed South Bend Avenue eastbound. The vehicle was traveling southwest on South Bend Avenue, and did not stop after striking the pedestrian.  The pedestrian has been identified as Hannah Kathleen Turgeon, 27, of Denver, CO. She was transported to Memorial Hospital, where she was subsequently

Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb has declared the week of October 13-19, 2019 be recognized as Indiana Move Over Week.  In 1999 Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane, or reduce their speed by 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit if unable to change lanes safely when driving by an emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road, such as a police car, fire truck or ambulance.  Over the years, Indiana's law has expanded to include stationary towing/recovery, utility service, solid

The Indiana State Police is mourning the loss of one of its own after a single vehicle crash late last night on Old State Road 25 near Stair Road. The crash claimed the life of Trooper Peter R. Stephan, 27, Lafayette, IN, who served with the Indiana State Police Department for four years. The preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Sergeant Rick Brown indicates at approximately 10:25 p.m., Trooper Stephan was traveling northbound on Old State Road 25, south of Stair Road, when his 2018 Dodge Charger police car entered a curve. For an undetermined reason, the Dodge left the

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed to Indiana health officials that a Hoosier in Elkhart County contracted eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, a rare virus transmitted by mosquitoes. The patient died as a result of the infection. This is the first human case in Indiana since 1998 and only the fourth reported since 1964. The CDC says approximately 5 to 10 human cases of EEE are reported nationwide each year, typically from late spring through early fall. Nearly one-third of human cases are fatal. “It’s hard to imagine losing a loved one because of a mosquito bite,

To accommodate an expected increase in passengers for the Chicago Marathon weekend taking place Oct. 11-13, 2019, the South Shore Line will implement the following service update FRIDAY, OCT. 11: The following South Shore Line trains will make flag stops at McCormick Place for the Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo and packet pick-up being held Oct. 11: Westbound (inbound) Train #14, 216, 116, 218, 18, 118, 220, 20 and eastbound (outbound) Train #109, 209, 17, 119, 19, 121, 123. SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCT. 12-13: All weekend trains except #601 serve McCormick Place as a flag stop. If you’d like to to

INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK: Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes Tourism (IDT) have partnered to offer Drop-In Volunteering, a no-hassle volunteer option for those looking to help out at the Indiana Dunes. Opportunities will be available nearly every day of the week and will include stewardship, restoration, park clean-up and more.  Drop-in volunteering opportunities include 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, October 19 (third Saturday of every month), at the Park Connection Office (Chellberg Farm parking lot) and 8:30 am to 4:00 pm during weekdays throughout the year at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (1215 North State Road 49).

Yesterday, authorities announced that additional fetal remains were located in a vehicle (belonging to Dr. Klopfer) in Illinois. In order to dispel concerns or rumors concerning St. Joseph County, this Office advises that no fetal remains have been found in St. Joseph County. All buildings, properties, and vehicles affiliated with the Women’s Pavilion or Dr. Kloper have been searched. The Indiana Office of the Attorney General, in the furtherance of its ongoing investigation, has continued its presence off and on at the Women’s Pavilion. However, no fetal remains have been recovered in St. Joseph County. This matter remains an Attorney

For the third year, Franciscan Health is recognizing Diaper Insecurity during October by hosting its annual Diaper Drive to benefit families in need throughout Northwest Indiana and the South Suburbs. Due to the generosity and support of Franciscan Health employees as well as community organizations and residents, the drive continues to expand. Last year’s effort collected 20,000 diapers, distributing them to local organizations and helping more than 1,000 families in Northwest Indiana. Collection sites span every Northern Indiana and Illinois Franciscan Health hospital campus: Crown Point, Dyer, Hammond, Michigan City, Munster, and Olympia Fields. Drop-off sites are also spread throughout

La Porte County Sheriff John T. Boyd announced the recent hiring of a Merit (Patrol) Deputy.Twenty-six year old Deputy Austin R. Epple was born in Indianapolis. He is a 2012 graduate of La Porte High School. Deputy Epple continued his education by attending Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and was a member of the football team. During the summer of 2016, he completed a college accredited internship with the Sheriff’s Office. In December of 2017, Deputy Epple graduated from Loras with a Bachelor of Arts degree while majoring in Criminal Justice.On August 2, 2018, Deputy Epple began his employment with

To accommodate passengers attending the Notre Dame vs. USC Football game at 7:30p ET on Oct. 12, 2019, South Bend Transpo will offer FREE shuttle bus service between the South Bend International Airport and Notre Dame Stadium for select South Shore Line trains. Two trains will carry eastbound passengers to the South Bend Airport prior to kick-off: Train #503 will arrive at 12:10p ET and Train #505 at 5:06p ET. Arriving South Shore Line passengers may then board a Transpo bus near the South Shore train platform at the Airport for the trip to the stadium. Passengers will be dropped

The Indiana State Police is currently accepting applications for the position of Program Director I for the Missing Children Clearinghouse. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 11, 2019. The successful applicant will serve as a civilian employee for the Indiana State Police whose primary responsibility is to direct and administer the Missing Children Clearinghouse programs. To qualify for the position each applicant must be a high school graduate or possess the equivalent GED. Must have an Associate’s Degree OR five years management experience in a sensitive data driven field. Must obtain and maintain IDACS Operator and Coordinator certifications within