News

Franciscan Health Michigan City and Franciscan Health Munster are presenting free, one-day courses this fall aimed at helping anyone who regularly interacts with young people to better understand and help them when they are struggling. The intensive, free workshops introduce common mental health challenges of youth, review typical adolescent development and teach a five-step action plan to help young people in crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD) and eating disorders. The program provides essential information and training for adults who interact with children aged

To accommodate passengers attending the Metallica concert taking place at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 11 South Shore Line Service Advisory – Metallica at Soldier Field Aug. 9 and 11g. 11, 2024, at Soldier Field, the South Shore Line plans to stop select trains at Metra’s 18th Street Station, which connects passengers directly to the Soldier Field entrance via a pedestrian walkway. As 18th St. Station is not a regularly scheduled stop, SSL passengers utilizing 18th St. for this event should purchase tickets for Museum Campus/11th Street. The following trains will serve 18th St. Station on Aug.

CROWN POINT, Ind. – Casimira Bilinski of Calumet City, Ill. won Monday’s 2024 apple peeling contest at the Lake County Indiana Fair’s Senior Day, sponsored by Franciscan Health. Bilinski, 75, beat out eight competitors with the longest continuous peel, measuring 44 inches. Bilinski is a former winner, winning first place in the 2022 contest. Franciscan Health Senior Day at the Lake County Indiana fair featured free admission for seniors 62 and older with free health screenings such as blood pressure, glucose testing, body mass index and pulmonary function and information on a variety of Franciscan Health programs and services for

The City of Valparaiso has released the following statement regarding flooding that occurred on Monday. “As part of the construction of The Linc Apartments and Lincoln Highway Garage, the City of Valparaiso developed plans for streetscape enhancements and upgrades to existing utility infrastructure. The City’s contractor commenced work on July 8, 2024. As part of the sewer improvements, appropriate bypass pumping was installed to ensure the current sewer system was operational during construction. During the rain event on the morning of August 5, the bypass pumping system failed to operate correctly, causing certain manholes to overflow and the flooding of

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. – Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) is partnering with local artist Bernard Williams and the H.O.P.E. Community Center on the west side of Michigan City to complete another mural, this time on the back side of H.O.P.E. facing Grant Avenue. LCA had three public meetings at the H.O.P.E. Center, giving the community an opportunity to decide on the mural's content. "This mural depicts a vision for the future of the west side. It reflects the optimism that people are feeling about this neighborhood and the hope for a connected and vibrant community," said Janet Bloch, LCA's

A body was found in a pond Wednesday morning in Crown Point, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Crown Point Police received a report of a body in a pond in the Ellendale Farm subdivision. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday they were awaiting formal identification of the deceased from family members and the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Law enforcement is working to determine whether the individual may be connected with the search for a missing dementia patient in the Crown Point area Tuesday, August 6.

A database website to help provide transparency for health care costs and price comparison for various health care services officially launched Monday, Aug. 5, said State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso). The Indiana All Payer Claims Database (APCD), created by a 2020 law authored by Charbonneau, collects insurance claims data from public and private health care payers to track the cost, utilization and quality of health care throughout the state. The APCD connects Hoosiers with a wide range of health care cost data, compiled by the Indiana Department of Insurance, including a list of health care providers that can perform a

UPDATE: The body fo the 17 year old was found early Thursday monring. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. See below for story A search was underway for a swimmer who went missing in Lake Michigan off Beverly Shores on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 6, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Town of Chesterton is reporting. According to the DNR, at 2:10 p.m. a 17-year-old Eagan, Minn., teen was one of multiple swimmers seen to be in distress near the intersection of West Lake Front Drive and C.R. 300E. Numerous agencies responded to the scene and

Michigan City, IN – The historic Barker Mansion is thrilled to unveil an array of exciting events for August, offering something for everyone. This month’s special features include extended hours for First Friday, Games in the Garden, an elegant tea party, captivating history talks, and expert insights into the mansion’s restoration. The Barker Mansion invites visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in the grandeur and charm of this architectural masterpiece.   Gatsby Tea in the Garden – Saturday, August 10th Step back to the Roaring Twenties for an afternoon of sophistication and charm at our Gatsby Tea in the Garden. Enjoy

An Indiana Department of Transportation contractor will have overnight lane closures on I-65 between U.S. 30 and I-94 on or after Sunday, August 11. Lane closures will be in place nightly Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning. Crews will be performing slab jacking operations for approximately three weeks. Motorists should be alert for work crews and changing traffic patterns. INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

Homeownership Program Information Sessions LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity invites you to learn more about our affordable Habitat Homeownership program. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. To apply you must have attended one of our outreach information sessions. Please visit our website at laportehabitat.org to register for the outreach sessions. Come along to collect application information, and be offered help with questions. SPACE IS LIMITED RESERVE A SPOT NOW! Sessions are held in the City of La Porte in August: LaPorte Main Library 904 Indiana Ave, La Porte, IN 46350 - Meeting Room B

LAKE COUNTY - Early Tuesday morning, troopers with the Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to a vehicle crash on I-65 which resulted in multiple injuries and has caused significant traffic delays. At about 4:16 a.m. CST, a crash occurred between three semis near the 238 mile-marker in the northbound lanes of I-65,  two miles south of the Lowell exit. Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2022 Volvo tractor with trailer was traveling north when the vehicle ran off the roadway. The vehicle then attempted to return to the roadway which caused the truck and trailer to rollover onto the passenger

Press Release, NIPSCO: Lawmakers require homeowners and professionals to make a free request two full working days before digging to avoid damaging buried utilities MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Aug. 11 is almost here, and NIPSCO hopes that the 8/11 date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for everyone to contact 811 prior to any digging project to have underground utility lines marked. Every few minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without first contacting 811. On Aug. 11 and throughout the year, NIPSCO reminds homeowners and professional contractors alike to use the free

Indianapolis - The Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI) announces the launch of the Indiana All Payer Claims Database (APCD) website. The Indiana APCD is a statewide database that collects healthcare claims information from various sources, such as health insurers, and provides valuable healthcare insights for all Hoosiers. This interactive tool allows consumers to shop for health care services by comparing price and quality of care across the state. For example, if you are in need of a knee replacement you can select your insurance, procedure, and zip code on the database. You will then see a list of health care providers

At a special meeting held this evening, the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Dr. Wendel McCollum as MCAS Superintendent. He replaces departing MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, who retired August 2. “I am a proud product of the Michigan City Area Schools, and having the opportunity to lead our district as Superintendent is a dream come true,” McCollum said. “I am looking forward to working with students, staff, parents, and community to take our schools to the next level. It’s an exciting time in Michigan City, as we begin to implement the vision outlined

INDOT maintenance crews are scrub sealing State Road 55 between U.S. 24 and State Road 16. The road will be closed to through traffic during daytime work hours through approximately Tuesday or Wednesday. INDOT is asking drivers to seek alternate routes. According to INDOT, a scrub seal is an application that is very close to a chip seal treatment where asphalt emulsion and crushed rock are placed on an asphalt pavement surface. INDOT says the only difference is that the asphalt emulsion is applied to the road surface through a series of brooms placed at different angles, and a fog

CROWN POINT, Indiana – Franciscan Health’s Prenatal Assistance Program recently received a donation of more than 400,000 Huggies diapers – enough to fill a semi -- from the National Diaper Bank Network. The National Diaper Bank Network works in partnership with its network of diaper banks – including those at Franciscan Health -- allied programs, donors, sponsors and elected officials to end diaper need and period poverty in the United States. “The Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program strives to increase capacity in the communities we serve,” Franciscan Alliance Prenatal Assistance Program Director Tristan Kirby said. “This gift will allow the

Press Release Shirley Heinze Land Trust: HOBART, Ind. –  The public is invited to take part in a “Wellness Walk” through prairie habitat and have opportunities to chat with healthcare professionals while learning about the health benefits of nature with Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Purdue University Nutrition Education Program, and Powers Health. This free event will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Saturday, August 10th at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve. Visitors can park at the west entrance, located at 615 W 40th Ave Hobart, Indiana 46342. Wellness Walks will be held on the 10th of each month

DYER, Indiana - Family medicine physician Narayan Prabhakar, MD, is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer. Dr. Prabhakar is board-certified and attended medical school at the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten and completed his residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. In addition to family medicine, Dr. Prabhakar’s clinical interests include management of chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, preventative healthcare, screenings, education and overall healthy living. Dr. Prabhakar is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Dyer Family Health Center, 840 Richard Road, Suite 2 in

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb returned to Indianapolis following an international economic development trip to Australia and Singapore focused on advancing Indo-Pacific relationships and identifying new opportunities to partner across economic development, innovation and talent development. Gov. Holcomb and the delegation met with representatives of government, academia and industry to advance mutually beneficial collaborations across economic development, innovation and talent development. In Sydney, Gov. Holcomb met with U.S. and New South Wales government officials to discuss how Indiana and Australia can work together to expand partnerships. The governor showcased Indiana’s nationally recognized READI program in a meeting with New