Local News

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospitalist Ahmer Festok, DO, was recently presented with the St. Raphael Award from the hospital’s nursing staff. Dr. Festok received the award in recognition of his outstanding dedication, teamwork and respect for the nursing staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point and for his commitment to the mission and values at Franciscan Alliance. Tisha Casey, Julie Kruzan and Mindy Palmquist, all of whom are RNs in the Progressive Care Unit, nominated Dr. Festok for the award. Casey, Kruzan and Palmquist noted Dr. Festok’s respect for the nursing staff and his compassionate care for

Chesterton Police Department Officer Nolan Mancera, a 3-year veteran of the department, graduated last week from the Indiana DECP and is now an Indiana Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). In Indiana, a DRE is an officer that is highly effective and skilled in the detection and identification of persons impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. DREs are trained in a systematic and standardized 12-step evaluation process that incorporates physical, mental, and medical components. The DRE certification process encompasses over 70 hours of classroom training followed by 40 hours of field certifications. There are only approximately 8,000 DREs nationwide, equating to 1.1% of

Last Friday, Barker Middle School became the first school in the MCAS district to be Project Adam certified. Project ADAM is a nationwide initiative that has saved the lives of more than 200 children, adolescents, and adults who went into sudden cardiac arrest. According to their website, immediate CPR and the availability of an AED can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. To learn more, visit https://www.projectadam.com  

News release by Purdue University Northwest: HAMMOND, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) fall 2023 graduates may have just had their degrees conferred, but it will not mark the end of impactful lessons for their budding careers. Work experiences, unexpected upheavals in their personal lives, new relationships and more will all likely be sources of unique learning opportunities that enhance what they gleaned as college students. That was the advice imparted by Indiana state representatives Harold (Hal) Slager and Mike Andrade, who served as keynote speakers during morning and afternoon ceremonies, respectively, at PNW’s fall commencement on Dec. 9 in

The Valparaiso Police are recognizing the efforts of the 2023 Officer, Supervisor, and Investigator of the year. The awards, given annually, are voted on by the membership of the department, and awarded each December.   Congratulations to this year’s recipients. Officer of the Year - Patrolman Ethan Biggs Supervisor of the Year - Lieutenant Jon Watson Investigator of the Year - Detective Eric Pickford  

The Indiana Department of Insurance on Friday issued a warning to Hoosiers seeking health insurance coverage through the Federal Marketplace. The department advises caution regarding websites offering rewards like debit or cash cards in exchange for signing up through them. These “lead generating” websites collect users’ personal information and may provide inaccurate information about insurance coverage. The department urges Indiana residents to exercise skepticism regarding third-party websites promoting marketplace health plans and incentives. “Consumers should verify information directly through official marketplace resources before entering any personal details or selecting a plan,” stated Alexandria Peck, Indiana Department of Insurance Chief Deputy

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced Friday that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will receive up to $500,000 to support the assessment and potential development of the Indianapolis - Chicago passenger rail corridor through the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program. "This is a first step toward expanding passenger rail in Indiana," said INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith. "Receiving this funding allows us to gather essential information to make more informed decisions going forward." INDOT put forth its application in the spring. The federal funds will go toward preliminary work in preparation for a Service Development Plan. The plan would

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Dec. 8) ratified the appointment of Kenneth C. “Chris” Holford as chancellor of Purdue University Northwest, effective Jan. 8, 2024. Holford has served since May 2020 as PNW’s provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs. As provost, he has prioritized the quality of the student experience, the importance of developing a highly trained workforce and the enrichment of the regional community. He has emphasized the importance of academic and research quality at PNW, leading to a tripling of sponsored research activity at the institution over the past three

Press release from Michigan City Area Schools: The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) participated in many civic events in support of Michigan City Area Schools (MCAS) and the LaPorte County community.  Among those activities were supporting the Salvation Army with food donations, helping the Deserving Children’s Shopping Tour, and assisting with the set-up and clean-up of the One City One Sound MCAS Holiday Concert.  Cadets also led the Michigan City Festival of Lights Parade, along with providing Color Guards for the LaPorte County Veterans Court graduation and the MCHS home boys basketball

A North Judson man has been charged in connection with the theft of St. Jude’s donation jars from the front counters of two local gas stations, according to the Chesterton Police Department. The Chesterton Police Department said on its Facebook page the man has been identified as 43-year-old Joshua Todd. According to police, at 1:36 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, a male subject driving a silver Dodge Avenger—with a license plate whose number was indistinct on the video surveillance footage—entered the BP at 525 Indian Boundary Road and asked the clerk for a can of tobacco. When the clerk turned to

Update: The Newton County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that Christian Fritts has been located and is safe.   Original post: Silver alert declared overnight for Newton County man A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared. The Newton County Sheriff Department is investigating the disappearance of Christian William Fritts, an 18-year-old white male, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 108 pounds,  brown hair with brown eyes, last seen wearing a brown carpenter jacket, brown khakis, white/grey sketchers. Christian is missing from De Motte, Indiana which is 124 miles northwest of Indianapolis and was last seen on Thursday, December 07, 2023, at 1:00pm. 

Press release from The Salvation Army of Michigan City: La PORTE COUNTY, IN – The mayors of Michigan City and La Porte are ready for a friendly battle of their respective cities in support of The Salvation Army. A “Red Kettle Ring Off” is set for Wednesday, December 20 during which Mayor Duane Parry of Michigan City and Mayor Tom Dermody of La Porte will each man a red kettle in their cities, competing to see who can raise the most funds to support the Christmas campaigns in each city. In Michigan City, Mayor Parry will staff the red kettle

The Valparaiso Police department is proud to announce the hiring of two new Parking Enforcement Team Members.  Jessica Stacy and Madison Patrick have assumed the responsibilities as of Nov. 16, and have begun their training. Jessica is a 2014 graduate of Chesterton High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary of the Woods College in 2020.  While in school, Jessica majored in Criminology and completed an internship with the Terre Haute, IN Code Enforcement.  Jessica will be working full-time in her new role with VPD. Madison is a 2022 graduate of Hebron High School and is

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced that the deadline for submitting Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grant applications is Jan. 15, 2024. The LARE program strives to protect and enhance aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife while ensuring continued use of Indiana’s publicly accessible lakes, rivers, and streams. The program provides technical and financial assistance to qualifying projects that reduce nonpoint sediment and nutrient pollution. Qualifying projects include logjam removal, wetland creation, dam removal, and others. To view a full list of qualifying project types, along with additional information about the LARE program, see lare.dnr.IN.gov. Applicants are encouraged to

Press release from Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch's Office: Establishing her priorities for her approaching term, Mayor-elect Angie Nelson Deuitch is announcing another set of city department heads. “I want to make sure that this administration is really focused on monitoring our spending while managing our assets,” Nelson Deuitch said. “A key to that is making sure we identify revenue sources that support our community’s needs and priorities. “I’ve worked and built relationships over the past several years with Amber Lapaich, Mary Lynn Wall and Tamiko Smith, and I trust them to help guide that process.” Lapaich will retain her position

The City of Valparaiso is inviting artists to submit designs for the expanding utility box art program before the end of the year. Artist Maria Overlay’s utility design can be found at the corner of Valparaiso Street and Vale Park Road. The utility box art program is funded by the City’s Redevelopment Commission. For more information and how to submit designs, visit https://www.ci.valparaiso.in.us/1571/Public-Art. See more of Overlay's art at: https://www.mariaoverlayfineart.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariaoverlayfineart and Instagram: @mariaoverlay_art  

The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF), Porter County Public Library System and Westchester Public Library System have brought Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to Porter County. Registered children ages zero to five will be mailed a free book monthly. “The Porter County Community Foundation, along with First Things First Porter County, is pleased to partner with our library systems to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to our community.” said Bill Higbie, PCCF's President and CEO. “The earlier we get books into the hands of kids, the better off we all will be.” Families can now register eligible children, Porter County

The Michigan City Police Department has announced the recent passing of retired Master Patrolman Anthony Pishkur.  Officer Pishkur served the community for 28 years as an officer with Michigan City Police Department. “We want to thank the Pishkur family for his dedicated service to the Michigan City Police Department. We would also like to send our deepest condolences to the Pishkur family during this difficult time. Rest in peace, you will be missed…,” MCPD said in a Facebook post. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, in the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., in Michigan

One person was airlifted and two others were transported to the hospital late Monday afternoon, following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Ardendale Avenue in Pine Township, the Porter County Sheriff’s Police is reporting. The Town of Chesterton said on a Facebook post that according to the PCSP, at 5:45 p.m. the driver of a 2017 Nissan SUV was northbound on Ardendale Avenue when he pulled in front of a 2009 Dodge Ram westbound on U.S. 20. “The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to go off the roadway into a ditch on the

Crown Point, Ind. -- Gastroenterologist Rida Aslam, DO, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Crown Point. Dr. Aslam completed her training at the New York Institute of Technology – College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, N.Y. Her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology were both completed at what is now Franciscan Health Olympia Fields in Olympia Fields, Ill. Her clinical interests include chronic liver disease, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Aslam is accepting new patients at 1205 S. Main St., Suite 201 in Crown Point. To make