Local News

To increase awareness of a new procedure that helps eliminate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Northwest Health will present “Got GERD? Turn down the Heat on Heartburn” at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 28. The event will take place at the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, 140 E. Shore Parkway in La Porte. According to The National Institute of Health, “more than 60 million Americans experience GERD at least once a month, and it’s not only painful but can be potentially dangerous. GERD can burn the esophagus, cause chronic inflammation and lead to major damage and potentially result in cancer of the

Pipe lining project to begin on I-65 south of S.R. 114 in Jasper County An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will begin a pipe lining project on I-65 in Jasper County between mile markers 212 and 213 (between U.S. 231 and State Road 114) on or after Tuesday, July 19. Work will begin with overnight lane and shoulder closures on I-65 to install lane shifts. Two travel lanes in each direction will be maintained through the area during daytime hours, but motorists should navigate these lane shifts carefully. Additional overnight lane closures may be used to modify the work zone.

Early this morning, crews responded for a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Crews arrived in scene and initiates patient care. Crews then handled traffic control and set up a landing zone for a medical helicopter for patient transport. Good job by all involved this morning. Assisting agenies: Northwest Health EMS Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department UCAN - University of Chicago Aeromedical Network Indiana State Police - Public Information Office

Family FUN at the LAPORTE COUNTY FAIR all week long. Bring your kids to THE CURIOUS KIDS TRAIL. Check out www.lpfair.com for more information on what's going on all week long. SEE SCHEDULE BELOW Tuesday 7/12 fair schedule 8:00am: 4-H Beef Judging Begins (Livestock Arena) 8:30am: 4-H Poultry, Duck, Geese, & Turkey Judging Begins 9:00am: Open Class Draft Horse Halter 9:00am: 4-H Horse and Pony Judging begins (Horse and Pony Arena), 4-H Rabbit Judging Begins 9:00am: Little Peeps Poultry Judging 10:00am -5:00pm: The Curious Kids Trail 11:00am: All Buildings Open, Petting Zoo Open 11:00am: Dino Encounter (Near Pioneerland) Noon: 4-H

Four states have began steelhead broodstock collection, including locally.  The Bodine State Fish Hatchery has begun its annual collection of adult Skamania steelhead. DNR personnel collect the fish at the sea lamprey barrier in Trail Creek. They transport the collected steelhead to Bodine, where they remain until the fish produce eggs for collection in January. The DNR says the broodstock program serves as an integral part of a cooperative effort between Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan to raise more than 200,000 Skamania for Lake Michigan’s waters. Skamania steelhead begin their annual spawning migration in June as 3-year-old fish weighing eight

Franciscan Health is offering grief support group sessions at some of their locations beginning Aug. 2. Those experiencing the loss of a loved one can often find support and wisdom by meeting with others who are finding their own way through the grieving process. The Palliative Care Department at Franciscan Health Dyer/Hammond/Munster offers grief support groups, which are open to the community. The 10-week summer session will be 6-7:30PM on Tuesdays from August 2 to October 4 at a Franciscan Health location to be specified after registration. The groups use the book “Understanding Your Grief” by Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., as

The theme of this year’s Michigan City Patriotic Parade was “United We Stand,” and the community came together and showed that unity and patriotism are still alive and well in Michigan City. “What an incredible display of patriotism,” said Michigan City Special Events Director Terry Greetham. “It was really emotional for me to see our community come together and put our differences aside to celebrate our independence. This is something we have needed for a long time, and it was great to be a part of it.” This year’s parade featured multiple high school bands and several traditional floats, which

Michigan City AquaX Grand Prix at Washington Park Beach is Round 1 of the Michigan City Series and Round 3 of the National Championship Series. Watch the top riders battle it out for their qualifying spot for the World Championship. There will be food, brews, bands and more at this family friendly event. Racing Schedule: Saturday, July 9th 9am-11pm – AquaX Race 1 11am-1pm – Closed Course Racing 1:30-3:30pm – AquaX Race 2 3:30-5pm – Closed Course Racing Sunday, July 10th 9:30-11:30am – Closed Course Racing 11:30am-1:30pm – AquaX Race 3 1:30-3:30pm – Closed Course Racing 4:30pm – Awards

The Washington Park Zoo is giving notice that The African Lions and Bengal Tigers will be off viewing until November.  The zoo is undergoing a construction project on the African Lion and Bengal Tiger habitats which will temporarily shift pathways, and close off areas. During the process, the zoo says it  is working to minimize impacts, while continuing to maintain the best experience possible for both guests and the health and safety of the animals.  

The La Porte County Family YMCA is offering the public to become certified in American Red Cross Lifeguarding through their 3 day certification course from July 14-16 at 102 Spring St. Door L in Michigan City. Students will learn professional responsibilities, First Aid, CPR for the Professional rescuer, AED, and lifeguarding. The prerequisite swim test includes the following skills: continuous 300 yard swim, tread water for 2 minutes without hands, and must complete a timed swim to retrieve a ten pound object from 7-12 feet of water. The cost for this is $100 for members and $125 for non-members.  They

Grants from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to the Franciscan Health Foundation totaling $432,433 will enable Franciscan Health hospitals to continue their work to assist victims of domestic violence through the Centers of Hope. ICJI is supporting Franciscan Health’s Centers of Hope with three awards through their Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding. These grants will help fund SANEs (sexual assault nurse examiners) nurses. The aim of the Centers of Hope is to create a safe environment for victims of violence, sexual abuse and trauma. The need for such services is urgent in Indiana, with the latest available data

Thursday, Governor Holcomb announced that the State of Indiana, Indiana Sports Corp, and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (SSCVA) collaborated to relocate the men’s Ukrainian Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling Team to Indiana to serve as its training location this summer. “We are so happy to play our small part in providing these world-class athletes with refuge to continue their training in such a fantastic facility,” said Gov. Holcomb. “This confirms what we have known all along – that our strongest state export has, and always will be, our Hoosier Hospitality.” The team traveled to Hammond on Thursday where they

CHESTERTON– The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), operator of the South Shore Line railroad, will temporarily close the Calumet Trail in both directions in the immediate vicinity of Dune Park Station in Chesterton beginning on July 25 for a duration of 28 days. The expected reopening date is Monday, August 22. This work is required to add the new second train track, a wall, and reconstruct this segment of the Calumet Trail in a slightly modified location as part of NICTD’s Double Track Northwest Indiana Project. The trail closure will also close the trail connection across NICTD’s tracks just

Franciscan Health has announced that grants from the Indiana State Department of Health (IDOH) totaling over $788,000 will enable them to continue its work to address health issues and challenges faced in the communities it serves. Franciscan Health is one of more than 150 entities to receive funding for the Health Issues and Challenges program, which focuses on tobacco use, food insecurity/obesity, lead exposure, hepatitis C, chronic disease, public health prevention programs, and substance use disorder and community health workers. Priority was given to applicants that demonstrated high need and high impact in their grant proposals. “Franciscan Health is privileged

The Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County (TEPC) recently held a volunteer appreciation event to thank their volunteers and community partners for all that they have done to provide smoke free air and to end smoking and vaping in Porter County. Valparaiso Police Department’s Captain Joe Hall, Chair of the executive committee of the coalition, recognized the dedicated volunteers by presenting them with awards. Many of the volunteers are involved in healthcare and behavioral health as the issue is constantly presenting itself in their fields. Donna Golob, Executive Director of A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH), along

The Leadership Institute at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) congratulated 27 local business professionals on their completion of the 2021-22 Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI) program. LNI is the premier professional leadership program in Northwest Indiana, offered annually by professors and staff at the Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest. It is a highly sought-after professional development program that offers a deep dive into the fundamentals of leadership in multiple domains — work, community and personal life. “One of the most rewarding aspects about being part of this LNI program is being part of a larger group of business professionals in this area,

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter is offering a new caregiver support group in Michigan City. The support group will meet the last Thursday of each month beginning in July at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church on 1237 E. Coolspring Ave. Additional support groups are already offered in Dyer and Porter County. “When the pandemic began, we had to switch to a virtual format for all of our programs, including support groups,” said Julie Collins, Northwest Indiana program manager, Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. “Now that we are back to offering in-person programs, we’re excited to add another caregiver

In just a year since Franciscan Health’s Family Birth Centers introduced their patients to the YoMingo pregnancy app, about 1,100 new moms and moms-to-be have benefited from the free online tool’s information and support. YoMingo is a free parent education program available through a smartphone app and website. The medically accurate content covers pregnancy, labor and birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and newborn care, while tools include a contraction timer, kick counter, feeding log, diaper log, journal and more. “The app is something that our patients, especially this tech-savvy generation, want. It’s information at their fingertips, and we’re happy to provide that,”