Local News

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northwest Indiana Chapter celebrated the spirit of giving by awarding National Philanthropy Day® honors to local philanthropists at outdoor events in Lake and Porter counties. Awards were presented to Carol Smith for Outstanding Individual Philanthropy; Suncrest Christian Church for Outstanding Organization; Willow Wilson for Young Philanthropist; and Flora Richardson Foundation for Outstanding Foundation. Each award presentation was filmed, in order to be shared via social media. Carol Smith was nominated by the Legacy Foundation to receive the award for Outstanding Individual Philanthropy. Smith was one of the founding members of Friends of Marquette Park, which

During the investigation of a serious violent felony, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department had a possible location of where a rifle was discarded along a 2-mile stretch of roadway. Indiana Conservation Officer K-9 moose and Bohbrink searched and cleared a good portion of the area. K-9 Moose, after cutting his ear, gave ICO K-9 Libby a chance on the second half of the suspected location. K-9 Libby, along with law enforcement personnel, located the firearm a short distance later, in an area that had not yet been searched. A great example of collaboration between agencies with some extra 4-legged help,

HealthLinc has started providing COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 5-11. Earlier this month, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) granted approval of the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is one-third of the dose given to adolescents, teens and adults and is given in a two-dose series, three weeks apart.   Over six million children in the United States have tested positive for coronavirus, 20,000 have been hospitalized and 500 have died, according to the most recent data from American Academy of Pediatrics.   “This is a big step in our efforts to stop COVID-19,” states Beth Wrobel, HealthLinc CEO.

Valparaiso City Utilities once again earned state and national recognition for operational excellence by industry leaders in water management. Valparaiso’s Utility has been recognized with a Peak Performance Award for continued operational excellence by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and awarded distinctions for laboratory excellence, safety and groundwater protection by the Indiana Water Environment Association (IWEA). Presented in Washington, D.C., the NACWA Peak Performance Award was Valparaiso’s second consecutive Gold Award, a recognition for having zero permit violations for the entire calendar year. The award was Valparaiso’s eleventh recognition from NACWA, the nation’s recognized leader on clean

The Westville Police Department announced their partnership with the Unity Foundation of La Porte County, creating the Westville Police Department Scholarship fund. This is an endowment fund, generated through generous donations to provide a local student with an interest in public service, especially law enforcement, another scholarship opportunity. A link with more information can be found on the Westville Indiana Police Department Facebook page.    

Dates: Sunday, December 5, & Monday, December 6, 2021 Times: 7:00–10:00 pm Optional Callback: Tuesday, December 7 at 8pm Location: Memorial Opera House Auditorium, 104 Indiana Ave, Valparaiso IN 46383 Directed by: Michael Glorioso Show Synopsis: The story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Inspired by his twisted genius, the Tony® Award - winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel

Michigan City Police Chief Dion Campbell has requested the Indiana State Police to investigate a crash a crash that occurred as the result of a vehicle pursuit in Michigan City. Preliminary investigation shows that Monday afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Michigan City Police Department was dispatched to an auto theft in progress at the Victory Lane Car Wash on Franklin Street. An officer located the vehicle, a 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora as it was fleeing the scene and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued in the city and eventually went northbound on Hoyt St from Coolspring Ave.  Police say the

Michigan City Area Schools is asking City businesses with a marquee to show their support for the Wolves football team this week.The team is headed to Regionals this Friday, as they take on Valpo at Ames Field at 7 p.m. MCAS asks businesses to change your sign and let the team know the entire city is behind them at Regionals.

Valparaiso Police Chief Jeff Balon has announced the hiring of Samantha Burgett, MSW, as the first Police Social Worker at the Valparaiso Police Department. Burgett obtained her bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from Valparaiso University and her master’s in social work (MSW) from IUPUI.  She has a background in non-profit work, case management, program development and facilitation within the criminal justice system. The Police Social Worker position grew out of a partnership that started in late 2017 when Chief Balon and Caroline Ban, Program Director and Assistant Professor in the Valparaiso University Social Work Department, joined forces to begin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expecting a severe flu season this year, and that could have a negative impact on the nation’s already-struggling blood supply. The American Red Cross continues to address an emergency blood shortage, and donors of all blood types – especially type O - are needed to make an appointment now to help ensure it doesn’t get worse as we move into winter. To encourage donations this month, all who come to give through Nov. 23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday,

Ashley Dickinson, chief executive officer for Northwest Health, has named Keith Nichols chief executive of Northwest Health – La Porte effective today. Nichols will provide operational leadership for Northwest Health – La Porte and will also be involved in operations at Northwest Health – Starke in Knox, Indiana. Nichols comes to La Porte County from Prescott Arizona where he served as the chief operating officer for Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center and was responsible for two acute care hospitals and multiple outpatient care sites. Dickinson shared, “I’m pleased to name Keith as the CEO for Northwest Health – La Porte. I look forward to

Friday 11/12/21 FISH FRY-ALL YOU CAN EAT  from 5-7PM at American Legion Post #21 on Highway 421 in Westville. Dinner includes: HAND BREADED POLLOCK, chicken strips, French fries, baked potato, creamy coleslaw, salad, roll and dessert.  Special veterans and senior pricing:  Adults-$11.00, Seniors(60yrs+) & Vets-$9.00, Kids 12 & under-$5.00, Preschoolers-Free.  Carry-outs available.  Call 219-785-2923 to pre-order for carry-outs, otherwise first come first serve. Wednesday, 11/17/21 TURKEY & CASH BINGO at American Legion Post #21, 107 N. Flynn Road (Hwy 421) in Westville. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m..  The $20 entry includes cards for

The Indiana Department of Labor has released the state’s results from the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses(SOII) report on its website. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2020, Indiana's rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses maintained a historic low of 3.1 per 100 full-time workers. In 2019 there were 3.3 injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time workers, the 2019 nonfatal injury and illness rate for Indiana at the time was tied with the 2018 rate as the lowest rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the state’s history From an all-time

The DNR recently stocked 80,896 Coho salmon in northern Indiana’s Lake Michigan tributaries. Bodine State Fish Hatchery released 29,457 Coho salmon fingerlings measuring approximately 7.2 inches into Trail Creek. Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery released an additional 51,439 Coho salmon fingerlings measuring approximately 6.6 inches into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River. The DNR says Coho salmon stocked this fall will stay in the streams until next spring, when they will migrate to Lake Michigan. They will spend one to two years there feeding and maturing until they return to the streams where they were stocked for spawning. The