News

Franciscan Health Dyer and Franciscan Health Olympia Fields were both recently named Bariatric Centers of Excellence (COE) by Optum. Bariatric departments belonging to the Optum bariatric COE program perform more successful bariatric procedures than many other facilities nearby. The Optum COEs also have fewer complications and readmissions, with 15% lower mortality rates, 16% lower inpatient hospital readmission, 12% lower reoperation rate for bariatric procedures and $4,239 lower average cost per surgical episode. To ensure COEs continue to meet professional standards for top specialty care, Optum takes the added step of annually reviewing and recertifying each bariatric COE program. Bariatric services

LAPORTE COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct seal coating operations resulting in a road closure on U.S. 421 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 421 will be closed between U.S. 30 and State Road 8 for approximately three days. The detour will follow U.S. 30, State Road 39 and State Road 8. Through traffic should utilize the detour or seek an alternate route. Local access will be maintained so traffic should exercise caution and follow directions carefully in the area where work is occurring. This work is weather dependent, and the schedule is

The following is a statement from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office about their participation in Operation Dry Water: The July 4th holiday means time on the water for boaters across La Porte County. The heightened public presence on the water can lead to an increase in boating incidents, and even fatalities. In response, from July 4 - 6, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the national Operation Dry Water awareness and enforcement campaign. During this time, Marine Patrol Deputies will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, including the importance of sober boating. As the leading

City Hall of Michigan City will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. The Michigan City Transit and Refuse departments will be closed as well, meaning bus service will not run on Thursday, nor will trash and compost pick-up. Trash and compost pickup will resume on Friday, July 5; and any incomplete routes will be finished on Saturday, July 6.

The LaPorte County 4-H Fashion Revue was held on Friday, June 28th at the Westville High School. Below are the results:   2024 Senior Fashion Revue Informal or Casual Wear – Champion – Paige Bannwart Reserve Champion – Chloe Fasshauer A-Honors – Paige Bannwart, Chloe Fasshauer, Mary Minich A’s – Kaitlyn Duttlinger   Free Choice – Champion – Leah Eskridge A-Honors – Leah Eskridge   Suits Coats – Champion – Madison Scarborough A-Honors – Madison Scarborough   Dress Up Wear – Champion – Kate Minich Reserve Champion – Caroline Wildfang A-Honors – Kate Minich, Caroline Wildfang   Senior Grand Champion

The LaPorte County Health Department has issued a Swim with CAUTION Advisory for a number of Lakes. Read below for the details. Thank you City of La Porte Park and Recreation Department for the update. The LaPorte County Health Department has issued a Swim with Caution Advisory for the water in Pine Lake off Waverly Road (Ski Beach) and Kiwanis-Teledyne Park. The water tested Tuesday showed above satisfactory bacteria levels in those locations. All areas of Stone Lake tested well within the satisfactory range. The water will be retested on Friday with results available by noon Saturday. Under the Swim

Press Release, La Porte Community School Corporation: La Porte - The La Porte Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Sandra Wood as the new Superintendent. With a rich background in educational leadership and a steadfast commitment to student success, Dr. Wood has committed to leading the district toward excellence and growth. With 19 years of experience in public education, Dr. Wood has established herself as a dedicated educator invested in the communities she serves. Her commitment to empowering others and promoting successful outcomes has been a cornerstone of her leadership philosophy.

LA PORTE, Indiana – A new Franciscan Health building housing a variety of services is now open in the City of La Porte. The building at 400 Legacy Plaza West houses a Franciscan Physician Network orthopedic surgeon’s office, a Franciscan WorkingWell location and a HEALTHeACCESS office. “We are thrilled to be able to provide these services in this location for the La Porte community and beyond,” Franciscan Health Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said. “Our newest La Porte location offers easy access for patients and the business community to additional Franciscan Health services right here in their own

Light the Path auction event will benefit case management for local families MICHIGAN CITY, July 2, 2024 – The Salvation Army will continue to “light the path” for local families with an annual auction fundraiser to support its case management program. The Light the Path Auction, which supports The Salvation Army’s Pathway of Hope program, will take place on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Uptown Social, 907 Franklin Street. This event benefits an intense case management program that helps break the cycle of generational poverty. “We work closely, one-on-one with families who are ready to

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have shoulder closures and overnight lane closures on I-65 just south of State Road 114 beginning on or after Monday, July 8. Crews will be conducting bridge deck patching and scour protection at Martindale Ditch, approximately 0.5 miles south of State Road 114, through early September. Shoulder closures will be in place through the duration of work. One lane will be closed in each direction overnight. Overnight lane closures hours will take place during the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Thursday evenings and 7 p.m.

Citywide Back to School Rally set for Aug. 10, organizers seeking community support Community organizations are teaming up to provide school supplies and an end-of-summer celebration with the annual “Citywide Back to School Rally.” This event is set for Saturday, August 10 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Elston Gill Field. It provides free school supplies for students in Michigan City and/or Michigan CityArea Schools students. The rally will also include games, food, fun, and prizes; as well as vision screenings and school vaccinations. The City wide Back to School Rally is coordinated by a collaboration of community focused

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close U.S. 231 between C.R. W 700 S and C.R. W 750 S on or after Monday, July 8. U.S. 231 will be closed through early August for a bridge deck overlay over Watson Ditch. Motorists should seek alternate routes. The official detour will follow State Road 114, I-65 and State Road 16.

PORTER COUNTY- A Chicago woman allegedly threatened and bit an Indiana State Trooper during a traffic arrest, according to the Indiana State Police. On Saturday, June 29, at about 6:40 p.m., the trooper was patrolling I-94 east of the truck weigh station when he observed a vehicle approaching him from behind at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle, a Hyundai with Illinois registration, passed the trooper in his fully marked police car as the trooper was also traveling eastbound. The trooper caught up to the vehicle and paced the vehicle at 105 mph.  The speed limit on I-94 in

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. - An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will close U.S. 231 between C.R. 1700 N and 8th Ave on or after Monday, July 8 for two bridge projects. U.S. 231 will be closed between 15th Ave/C.R. 1400 N and 8th Ave for a bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance project at Tyler Ditch starting on or around July 8. U.S. 231 will then also be closed between C.R. 1700 N and C.R. 1600 N for a bridge replacement project at James Krucek Ditch starting on or around July 15. U.S. 231 will remain closed through mid-October. Motorists should

The Portage Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance on information regarding two vehicles being struck by gunfire last week. On Thursday, June 27 at about 2:50 p.m. officers responded to the 6700 block of Daniel Burnham Drive in reference to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of a business.  Upon arrival officers determined that no one was injured but two vehicles were struck by gunfire.  Witnesses reported a lone male wearing an orange safety vest and a black mask entered into the parking lot on foot before firing several rounds from a handgun toward the vehicles

Press Release, MAAC Foundation: The MAAC Foundation is proud to announce the receipt of a $2,000 grant funded by Legacy Foundation’s Lake County Community Sponsorship Fund. This generous contribution will support the upcoming First Responders Appreciation and Demonstration Day, set to take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus. The First Responders Appreciation and Demonstration Day is a FREE family-friendly event dedicated to honoring the dedication and bravery of our first responders. The day will feature live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, and activities designed to showcase the skills and technologies used by emergency personnel.

CROWN POINT, Indiana – Franciscan Health Crown Point and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago are expanding their partnership with the addition of a Lurie Children’s pediatric hospitalist to serve young patients admitted to the Crown Point hospital. The collaboration, effective July 1, helps to ensure Northwest Indiana children and adolescents receive comprehensive care closer to home. “As an emergency physician and Northwest Indiana parent, I am thrilled that our partnership with Lurie Children's is bringing expanded emergency and inpatient pediatric care close to home,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point Vice President of Medical Affairs Ryan Misek,

Stones Blow Through Windy City with Hackney Diamonds Tour By Damian Rico Timeless seems obnoxiously cliche when describing the genius of The Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones continue to defy the passage of time with their energetic and dynamic performances, drawing multigenerational audiences to celebrate their enduring hits. On Sunday, June 30, the iconic band brought their Hackney Diamonds tour to Soldier Field in Chicago, delivering a show that thrilled fans with over two hours of music. Original members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood commanded the performance, mixing classics and new material from their latest studio album, "Hackney

La PORTE, IN (July 1, 2024) – U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan and La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody today announced the funding of a major infrastructure project along one of the city’s main thoroughfares. The City of La Porte is the recipient of over $959,000 in Community Project Funding from the federal government, which will assist the city’s ongoing efforts to replace combined sewers with new, separate sanitary and stormwater sewer facilities. Mrvan, who was key in securing these dollars for the city, said he was glad to assist in the funding of such a critical project. Mrvan stated, “Thank you to Mayor

On Saturday June 29, 2024 at 5:18 PM, the Porter County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the area of Smoke Rd and Division Rd for a SUV vs motorcycle crash. Two people were on the motorcycle at the time of the crash, one was pronounced deceased on scene and the other was transported to an area hospital and pronounced deceased, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Preliminary investigation / witness statements revealed that the SUV was traveling northbound while the motorcycle was traveling westbound. The motorcycle proceeded through the intersection failing to yield the right of way, when it collided with