Local News

Franciscan Health honored the late Dr. John Lanman with a blessing and dedication of the clinic in his name this past Thursday. From its opening in 1996, John Lanman, MD, was a fixture at the Catherine McAuley Clinic, volunteering his time to help the uninsured and underinsured patients who walked through the doors. Dr. Lanman, who practiced internal medicine in Northwest Indiana for more than 40 years, continued treating patients at the volunteer-based Hammond medical clinic until six weeks before his death in 2014 at age 88. Many of those patients attended his funeral to pay their final respects. His

Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ (LCA) mission is to integrate art, education and community to provide access to compelling exhibitions and programs that explore contemporary ideas. LCA programs reach thousands of students and adults in local communities. Thanks to the support of the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, LCA will continue to direct its efforts toward expanding art education in the La Porte community. These education and outreach programs expand horizons, improve literacy and fight adverse impacts of poverty by creating youth connections. One of LCA’s successful initiatives has been the delivery of Student Learning Tours to school children who were

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there are currently 97 large wildfires across 13 states. The American Red Cross is providing wildfire relief through shelters and evacuation centers, meals and snacks, and more. As the fires continue to grow, so does the need for more volunteers to support relief efforts. The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross has sent two volunteers with more in the pipeline to be deployed. If anyone is interested in becoming a disaster action team member, visit the Red Cross website for details.

The countdown is underway to the twelfth annual Great Lakes Grand Prix in Michigan City this weekend (August 7-8) with a double bill of offshore powerboat racing and personal watercraft action. The Grand Prix has become the city’s largest event and it returns to the delight of racers and fans alike. Jack Arnett, Executive Director of La Porte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said: “After the enforced break last year, we are coming back bigger and better and have a full program of much-needed entertainment in store for everyone over the four days. There is a huge wave of anticipation

Horizon Bank awarded the Urban League of Northwest Indiana with 10 scholarships for graduating high school seniors totaling $10,000. The donation was presented on June 9th, 2021 to the following recipients: Josiah Miller, Jade Murphy, Alyssa Noland, Amanda Werner, Peter Webb, Melia Gordon, Zahrya Grimes, Justyce Reed, Damaari Rozier, and Mareeya Scully “Higher education is a key component to helping our students succeed in their future career pursuits,” said Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, President and Chief Officer at Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc. “We are thankful for Horizon Bank investing in the future of our youth. These scholarships will help make

Michigan City Police are investigating the deaths of three people who were found at an E. 6th Street apartment. On Wednesday July 28th at 3:45pm officers were dispatched to the 400 Block of E. 6th St for a welfare check. After arriving, police began their investigation and spoke with witnesses and confirmed that 50-year-old Debra Anderson, 59-year-old Mary Wilson, and 68-year-old Donnie Dennis, all Michigan City residents, were found to be deceased in an apartment. Officers immediately secured the scene and began canvasing the area for evidence. Detectives were contacted to assist. The initial investigation has ruled out foul play,

Teachers are invited to apply for grants to make learning and teaching more fun and impactful. Unity Foundation manages three grant programs for Michigan City school teachers established by caring donors who believed in teachers as the critical factor for learning. Together the programs have invested in more than 1,000 educators for projects of their own design, since the mid-1990s. These grants of $350- $400, aim to support teachers as they find innovative ways to make learning possible for students. Teachers are invited to complete a brief application at uflc.net/grants/teacher-grants for projects during the 2021-2022 academic year. The application deadline is September 10, 2021. The Michigan City Education Foundation (MCEF) makes

Between IN 149 in Burns Harbor and Beam St in Porter. Bridge construction work is in progress. The left lane is closed. Until Friday, at about noon. The left lane closures are for construction at the bridge on I-94 over US 20. In addition to the left lane closures, the two lanes remaining open will shift as motorists approach the work zone and then shift back after passing the work zone. The traffic restrictions will then flip for the next phase of work the following week. The two left lanes of I-94 eastbound and westbound will be closed from approximately

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Northwest Health – Porter for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients receiving transcatheter valve repair and replacement (TAVR) procedures. Northwest Health – Porter is the first hospital in Northern Indiana awarded Transcatheter Valve Certification and one of only three hospitals in the state to earn this honor. The hospital received this certification In July based on evaluation of the staff’s ability to meet standards for multidisciplinary teams, formalized training, shared decision-making and registry performance. The ACC’s Transcatheter Valve Certification is an external review and certification process that pairs with established national clinical databases to monitor

Aerospace engine manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce will expand its already large footprint at Purdue, thanks to a new commitment among the university, the Purdue Research Foundation and the company. The enhanced partnership, announced Monday (Aug. 2), calls for Rolls-Royce to further expand its facilities in the Purdue Aerospace District, which is adjacent to the university. The new test facilities will be used to develop high-altitude and hybrid-electric engines to power the next generation of U.S. military aircraft. Rolls-Royce West Lafayette will be developed through a multimillion-dollar investment from the research foundation, Purdue University and Rolls-Royce North America. The partnership is a major

The Michigan City Area Schools Board of School Trustees recently approved the district’s COVID Response Plan for the 2021-22 school year.  The school district says based on new guidance from the CDC, face masks will be required for all individuals at schools and on school buses, including students, staff, and visitors. This is regardless of vaccination status. Masks will not be required for school activities taking place outdoors. When MCAS is made aware of a confirmed positive case at school, they will notify any close contacts. However, based on guidance from the Indiana State Department of Health, individuals wearing masks

Effective Monday, Aug. 2, face masks will again be required in all indoor spaces for everyone on the Purdue University campus, including students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. “We have a shared duty, part of the Protect Purdue Pledge, not only to preserve a manageable level of infection on campus so that we don’t have to suspend operations and interrupt our students’ education, but also to protect our surrounding community by doing everything we can to lessen the stress on local health care infrastructure, especially hospital capacity,” said Dr. Esteban Ramirez, chief medical officer of the Protect Purdue Health Center. On Tuesday,

The La Porte Police are investigating a suspicious death that reportedly occurred at the Maple Tree Apartment Complex located on W. 18th Street. A person of interest was detained pending further investigation. Police say at this time there is no immediate danger to the public. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details were released.

Obstetrician and gynecologist Kirthika Vijayakumar, DO, is welcoming new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Family Wellness Center in Munster. Dr. Vijayakumar received her training at Midwestern University-Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in Downers Grove, Ill. Her residency was at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago. Her clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, routine obstetrical and prenatal care and gynecological office-based procedures. Franciscan Physician Network Family Wellness Center is located at 9800 Valparaiso Drive in Munster. In-person or virtual visits are available. For more information or to make an appointment, call (219) 934-9818.

Multiple dead fish were observed at Stiebel Pond in Michigan Thursday. Just before 1p.m. Thursday,  the Michigan City Sanitary District (MCSD)  received a  report of dead waterfowl in Striebel Pond. The pond is a stormwater control facility owned and operated by the MCSD. The MCSD immediately responded and observed what appeared to be dead waterfowl far from the shore. After closer inspection, the dead animals were determined to be carp. The MCSD contacted the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the DNR and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to report  its observations.   As of Thursday the City of Michigan City

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the addition of Laura Francesconi, Stephanie Oberlie, Dale Parkison and Seth Spencer to its Board of Directors.    Laura Francesconi recently retired from Meridian Title Corporation where she served as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Development. Francesconi is the Chair of the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership GLEDC Board and serves on the Women’s Care Center Advisory Board and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Merit Commission Board. On joining the Unity Board Francesconi said, “I am honored to be a part of something so impactful in our community.”    Stephanie Oberlie is the President & Chief Operating Officer of