Local News

CROWN POINT, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point broke ground Monday for The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center with a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary. The project was made possible in part by a $30 million donation from The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation in November 2023, the largest gift ever received by the Franciscan Health Foundation. "Health and wellness is one of the main focuses for our Foundation,” said Bill Hanna, executive director of The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. “The Cancer Center will add another asset for

Franciscan Health is hosting a virtual diabetes prevention program online starting Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Eastern. Franciscan Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program follows guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that have been proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S., impacting more than 37 million American adults. Few realize type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, like those implemented through the Franciscan Health Diabetes Prevention Program. Groups meet weekly for a total of 16 sessions,

Press release, City of Michigan City: La Porte County Problem Solving Court, better known as “Drug Court,” recently celebrated its 100 th graduate since the program’s 2012 inception. Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch was honored to have celebrated the milestone with this cohort of graduates. The occasion marked not only a personal achievement for the grads but also served as a testament to the program's success in helping individuals transition from substance abuse to sobriety. "The journey these individuals have undertaken is nothing short of remarkable,” Mayor Angie said. "Each graduate has demonstrated resilience, commitment, and a willingness to rebuild their

Press release, Indiana Economic Development Corporation: FAIR OAKS, Ind. – State, regional and local leaders today announced plans to establish Marvella, the nation’s first sports complex dedicated to empowering girls sports and leadership, at Fair Oaks Farms in Newton County. The development, which is being supported by Indiana’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative 2.0 (READI 2.0), is expected to create approximately 1,000 new jobs and fuel tax revenue and economic momentum across the northwest Indiana region. Governor Eric J. Holcomb established the now $1.25 billion READI program in 2021, and it has since been nationally recognized for its success.

VALPARAISO, IN – The MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the graduation of 14 new Emergency Medical Technician students. The ceremony will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM CST at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus. "The EMT profession is a tremendous responsibility, requiring quick thinking, calm under pressure, and a deep understanding of medical procedures, the MAAC Foundation said in a press release. "These graduates have risen to the challenge, demonstrating proficiency in vital areas such as patient assessment, trauma care, and emergency response protocols." "We are incredibly proud of our EMT graduates. Their

The Michigan City Area Schools Transportation Department will hold its annual mum and pumpkin sale on Friday, September 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the MCAS Service Building, 1100 S. Woodland Avenue in Michigan City. The popular sale will feature a large selection of mums and pumpkins, grown locally by Mark's Farm Market. Cash, credit, debit, Venmo, and Zelle payments will be accepted. This year, in addition to mums and pumpkins, items from other vendors will also be featured. Stop 3 Hot Dog Cart will be present at the event, offering hot dogs, chili dogs, chili, and ice

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. - Watch for lane closures on U.S. 20 between Dombey Road and Willowcreek Road beginning on or after Monday, Sept. 23. U.S. 20 will be reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately four weeks for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project over CSX railroad. The eastbound lanes will be closed and westbound converted to two-way traffic during phase one. Traffic will switch to the eastbound side during phase two. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. INDOT says motorists should slow down, exercise caution

Press release, Franciscan Health: MICHIGAN CITY, Indiana – Franciscan Health Michigan City is hosting a free baby shower for expectant families and new parents. The Way to Grow Baby Shower is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Franciscan Health Michigan City, 3500 Franciscan Way in the Maria Theresia Conference Room. Information and education on car seat safety, prenatal care, safe sleep, breastfeeding support and registering for childbirth classes as well as community resources will be offered along with tours of the Family Birth Center, a breakfast buffet and giveaways. Attendees will

PULASKI & STARKE COUNTIES, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be conducting seal coating operations resulting in two road closures on U.S. 35 beginning on or after Monday, September 23. U.S. 35 will first be closed during daytime work hours between State Road 14 and the west junction of State Road 10 for approximately three days on or after September 23. The official detour for this closure will follow State Road 10, U.S. 421 and State Road 14. U.S. 35 will then close between the west junction of State Road 10 and the east junction of State

On the fourth Thursday of September, pet owners join with the Michiana Humane Society to light luminarias dedicated to the memory of beloved pets, and of shelter animals that never found forever homes. Many of them attend our ceremony at dusk, as our kennel staff light all of the luminarias and then watch in silence as the sun sets and the glow emerges. The stories that participants tell about their pets, and the impact they've had on their lives, are truly heartwarming. Many people bring their current pets along so that the entire family can remember the one who died.

A motorcyclist succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash on Ind. 49 early Friday morning, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police and Town of Chesterton are reporting. Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes has identified the victim as 33-year-old Edward Naymon of Westville. According to police, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Naymon was southbound on Ind. 49 when for an unknown reason his 2008 Yamaha went down near the intersection of C.R. 600E in Center Township. Officers found Naymon in the grass and breathing but unconscious. He subsequently passed away in hospital, the PCSP said. “No other vehicles are believed to have been

LA PORTE, Ind. — Local law enforcement brought a fugitive into custody Thursday. On Sept. 19, the La Porte Police Department Emergency Response team (ERT), St. Joseph County Metro SWAT, and the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team executed a felony arrest warrant on a convicted felon in the La Porte Village Manufactured Home Community. During previous encounters and throughout the course of operational planning, it was learned that the wanted subject had several previous arrests for assaulting law enforcement officers and has made various statements about shooting or killing police. During a specific previous incident, the subject attacked two officers while

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Superior Construction Co Inc will be conducting concrete pavement restoration on U.S. 30 between Mississippi St and Rhode Island St at the interchange with I-65 beginning on or after Sunday, September 22. Work will be conducted in three phases, each beginning on Sunday evening at approximately 8 p.m. and ending Friday morning at approximately 5 a.m. Lane and ramp closures will be in place during this timeframe and will reopen over the weekend before the next phase begins. Closures will change for each phase. The schedule is weather dependent and subject

The following is a letter from South Shore President Mike Nolan:   September 20, 2024 Good afternoon, South Shore Line riders. This is my 9th and final of the series of bi-weekly update letters regarding the launch of our new service following the completion of the Double Track project in mid-May of this year. First, I offer a huge thank you to all our riders who have been so patient and understanding as we worked the kinks out of our new schedule. The launch was bumpy for sure, and the delivery of service was not what we expected. We value

Additional burn bans have been issued by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Counties under burn bans can be seen on the map that the DHS updates. There are now 65 counties under burn bans. Restrictions on outdoor burning activities or "burn bans" can be ordered by any local fire chief for his or her jurisdiction, or they may be imposed by the legislative body of a city, town or county. While the Indiana State Fire Marshal does not declare local burn bans, the Fire Marshal supports local efforts to reduce the fire risk escalated by dry weather. County leaders

Work is moving to phase 2 on I-94 between U.S. 20 and State Road 49. Starting on or after the evening of Saturday, September 21, the right lane and shoulder will be closed for bridge deck overlay work. I-94 will remain two lanes in each direction, with traffic on the left and the work zone on the right. Work is ongoing through late November.  

The Ogden Dunes Police Department announced modified dates for paving: 9/21 Shore Drive (Diana to Beach Ln) Beach Lane Ct Cottonwood Ln 9/23 Ski Hill Rd Ski Hill Pl 9/24 Summit Rd Diana Rd (10 Diana to Hillcrest) 9/25 Woodland Trail The Ledge 9/26 Road Shoulder Restoration

The Nominating Committee of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the election of the Board of Directors, who will serve a three-year term starting in January 2025. They encourage all Chamber members to consider nominating themselves or a key member of their organization. "Accepting a seat on the Board of Directors is a significant privilege that requires commitment and responsibility in several key areas," the Duneland Chamber said in a press release. "According to Article III Section 9 of the Chamber’s By-Laws, Board members are responsible for the election of officers and Executive Committee members, establishing

Franciscan Health is hosting a free, live webinar aimed at increasing understanding of heart murmurs and what patients should do if they have one. The “Don’t Ignore That Heart Murmur” webinar is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Central/7 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon J. Michael Tuchek, DO, FACS, an independent physician who chooses to practice at Franciscan Health Crown Point, will help attendees better understand heart valve disease and what they need to know if they’ve been diagnosed with a heart murmur. The one-hour webinar is free and open to the public, but

TEAM WIMS was live at the 12th Annual “Fun-Raising” Car Wash for the United Way of LaPorte County on Thursday. Vehicles were washed at Ames Field in Michigan City.  Michigan City Area Schools , Horizon Bank, Michigan City Fire Department and Michigan City Police Department were all on hand to help. Thank you to our WIMS sponsors NIPSCO Arnett Construction & Roofing Derrick Wayne Arnett and The United Way of LaPorte County. Check out www.unitedwaylpc.org for more about the LaPorte County United Way.