Local News

Franciscan Physician Network has welcomed new doctors to health centers in LaPorte and Michigan City. Kayla Nebalsick, DO, will provide expert care for women at Legacy Hills Health Center in LaPorte, and Dr. David Maldonado, DO, will practice family medicine at Coolspring Health Center in Michigan City.Dr. Nebelsick is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. She was trained at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colo. She did her residency at University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Nebelsick’s clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, preconception health and obstetrical care, and osteopathic

The Duneland Chamber of Commerce presented the Chesterton Park Board a $1969.00 check from a portion of the proceeds of their fourth annual Corkscrew & Brew festival this past March. Maura Durham, president of the Duneland Chamber said, “We are very pleased to present the Chesterton Parks Department with this donation for all that they do year-round in creating great community spaces for all of the Chesterton residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The Indiana State Police Laboratory Division has successfully completed an international accreditation process, which assesses the quality operations and scientific procedures, to add crime scene investigation to the scope of accreditation. The Indiana State Police Regional Laboratories, located in Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Lowell, have been accredited since 1991. The four Regional Laboratories and the crime scene and field operations at the other 11 Indiana State Districts have successfully met the rigorous forensic laboratory standards of International Standardization for Organization ISO 17025:2017 as recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

A repaving of Route 6 from Union Street (west of County Line Road in Hobart) to Scottsdale Street (near Menards) is taking place. Residents and visitors to Portage should expect lane closures and delays. Portage Police will be patrolling this area carefully in an effort to keep construction workers safe. The estimated date of completion is June 20th.

Friday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced that the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad will receive a $2.83 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to revitalize their rail infrastructure between Michigan City and La Porte. “As the Crossroads of America, it is critical to have a reliable rail network in Indiana for continued investments,” said Senator Young. “The Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad is a vital economic corridor for Northern Indiana. Federal investment in this critical rail corridor will improve rail safety and support continued economic

DNR grants totaling $632,880 will be used to fight aquatic invasive plants in Indiana’s lakes.The grants were awarded by DNR director Cameron F. Clark through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program in the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.The 42 projects involve 62 lakes and one river in 15 counties. The applications were submitted by local sponsors who share at least 20 percent of the total cost.(For a list of 2019-2020 grant awardees, visit wildlife.IN.gov/3304.htm.)

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed more than 70 Walmart stores and 18 Rural King stores in the state have received rhododendron plants infected with sudden oak death (SOD), a fungal pathogen that kills oak trees. Shipments containing infested material were sent to nine other states as well.Workers from the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology have been visiting stores across Indiana to destroy any stock that has been found infested and quarantine any stock that is symptomatic. The DNR has destroyed approximately 1,500 infested rhododendron so far and pulled another 1,500 from stores. The DNR has also ordered

Join United Way of La Porte County on June 27, 2019 from 6-8 PM at the Pottawattomie Country Club for their annual Power of the Purse dinner and silent auction of new and gently used purses. Your support will help continue the fight to end generational poverty in LaPorte County. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/464603767644248/

The South Shore Line announced that construction is set to begin that will add a second entrance/exit to the East Chicago Station platform. The project is expected to continue through December 2019, and will help accommodate the large influx of passengers at East Chicago Station. The improvements include converting the low-level platform to the east of the station into a covered walkway to access a new head house, stairwell and tunnel leading to the eastern parking lot. Additionally, other East Chicago Station projects include improvements to the existing head house, and the installation in 2020 of higher speed track switches

Effective on July 1st a new Indiana law (S.E.A. 333, P.L. 224) establishes a procedure authorizing licensed medical personnel to obtain a body fluid sample or to retrieve contraband from the body cavity of an individual as part of a criminal investigation, and, grants, with certain exceptions, immunity to medical personnel. Provides a method for certain emergency medical services providers and law enforcement officers who have been exposed to blood or body fluids to obtain the results of a test for a dangerous communicable disease. Establishes a procedure for a court to issue an emergency ex parte order for a

Los Lobos will be the 2019 Prairie Magic Music Festival headliner. The Prairie Magic Music Festival, held each August at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, is a celebration of Rock, Blues, and Americana music. Working with long time Porter County Memorial Opera House collaborator Rob Harkel of Brightside Music, the department has grown the festival to attract high quality, national-headlining acts, alongside local favorites as opening acts. The department and Park Board work to increase the number of quality performances at the Sunset Hill Farm County Park amphitheater. This year’s headliner is sure to attract visitors from far beyond Porter

Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects. South Shore Mini Maker Faire takes place on June 22, from 11:00am – 5:00pm in scenic Charles R. Westcott Park – in the heart of the Uptown Arts District of Michigan City, IN. The address is 400 East Michigan Blvd. The event is free to attend! For more information, visit https://southshore.makerfaire.com/

Governor Holcomb announced that Office of Management and Budget Director Micah Vincent will depart from his position and Cris Johnston, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, will replace him. The change is effective June 30. As previously announced, Friday was Jason Dudich’s last day as state budget director. Vincent will take over those responsibilities on an interim basis until a replacement is named. Vincent has accepted a position as vice president, strategy+M&A, with The Heritage Group, in Indianapolis. Among key successes, Vincent assisted with the development of the transportation infrastructure plan approved by the General Assembly in 2017 that fully

The Michigan City Police Kiddie Parade will be taking place on Saturday June 22nd. This year’s theme is “Candyland”  so MCPD is urging participants up to age 12 to dress as their favorite candy or a candy theme entry. Trphies and ribbons will be awarded. A host of celebrity judges will present. After the parade ice cream will be served to all participants. Registration begins at 1pm at Healthlinc located at 7th & Franklin St. Treat bags will be given to all participants. Judging will be at 1:15 pm through 1:45 pm. The parade begins at 2pm and runs north

In spite of a strong economy, the percent of seniors at risk of going hungry remains stubbornly high. According to a new report from Feeding America, five and a half million U-S seniors were food insecure 2017, and the percentage who were missing meals has remained near the same level since the start of the Great Recession. Amy Crumbaugh with Feeding America says the total number of older folks is rising. But she says more important may be the fact that many seniors don't benefit from low unemployment. Crumbaugh says more seniors could get federal food assistance, that they are

The Valparaiso Police Department will be hosting the North American Police Work Dog Association (N.A.P.W.D.A) National Seminar. The seminar will include police canine teams, as well as certified Master Trainers and Trainers from across the country. There will be approximately 150 police personnel in the City of Valparaiso during the week of June 9th—June 13th. The week will include training and certifications for all canine teams. The topics covered will include narcotics detection, explosive detection, cadaver, tracking, building search, area search, aggression control, and search and rescue.Along with the basic training skills, there will be venues set up for scenario

Registration is now available for diabetes education classes now through September at Franciscan Health Hammond and Dyer.These three-day diabetes education classes are a covered benefit for most individuals with diabetes and are covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance plans. Participants each receive a meal plan individualized to their needs. This comprehensive class is recognized by the American Diabetes Association.For more information or to register, call Lisa Vanna, RN, at (219) 933-2144 or Ashley Kuiper, RN, at (219) 865-2141, ext. 42605.Class schedules are as follows: Hammond         July 9, 10, 11; 2-4 PM         Aug. 5, 6, 7; 9-11 AM         Sept. 3,

The Pat Travers Band will be the headliner for the La Porte Firefighters Rock the Park concert! The event will be held on July 20th at Fox Park in La Porte. Doors open at noon and music starts at 3:30pm with The Remedy band, followed by Pointn’ Fingers at 6:00pm, and The Pat Travers Band at 8:30pm. Tickets are $15. Team WIMS will be broadcasting throughout the event! For more updates and details on the event, join the Facebook group athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/276818599037/ Get tickets on line at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/la-porte-fire-fighters-19324118530?fbclid=IwAR3X_CaRFOcdvyfkau0wJh_NT6h8_aMG0KGfLAxMIhgB_J0SIQ1HNKWJW7Q Or pickup tickets at any La Porte fire station or Roxy Music.

The 2nd annual Swale Music Fest –– held in beautiful Charles R. Westcott park of Michigan City’s Uptown Arts District –– is the perfect way to kick off summer. A motley of beer from Burn ‘Em Brewing, Shoreline Brewery, and Zorn Brew Works Co. will be on tap for those over 21 to enjoy. Hungry? Grab a bite from Miller Pizza By The Beach, Smokey G’s BBQ, Pachamama Street Food, and Dagger Mountain Roastery. Online tickets are $15 (after fee) for general admission, free for children ages 12 & under when accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be $20 at the gate, so grab them today! For

Franciscan Health Foundation, on behalf of Franciscan Alliance, has been awarded a three-year, $1.57 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health ServicesAdministration (SAMHSA) to support medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder at Franciscan Health hospitals in Marion and Lake counties.Franciscan Health Foundation has partnered with Prevention Insights, part of the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, on a project to support and expand medication-assisted treatment of patients addicted to opioids.Franciscan stated “MAT is the gold standard of care for patients with opioid use disorder, combining counseling and behavioral therapies with the use of medications, such