News

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

Northwest Medical Group has welcomed four new physicians to Northwest Indiana. They include Hematologist Oncologist Dr. Yaseen Alkaddoumi, General Surgeon Dr. Taylor Coleman, Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Anne Hollingsworth and Urologist Dr. Subba Rao Nagubadi. Alkaddoumi and Coleman are at the Valparaiso location. Hollingsworth is at the Michigan City location and Nagubadi is at the La Porte location. 

A beach hazards statement is in effect for our area. Life-threatening waves and currents are expected tonight into Friday evening. These water level fluctuations will increase the likelihood of dangerous current development, even during periods of low wave heights. Wave heights will be greater during or in the vicinity of thunderstorm activity. Life-threatening rip and structural currents can pull swimmers into deeper water. High waves can sweep people off piers. 

The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra was recently awarded an Operation Round Up Grant from the Kankakee Valley REMC to support the 33rd Annual Drayton Family Children’s Educational Concerts to be held Wednesday, October 13 , at the Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St., La Porte. Ed Marks , a board member with Kankakee Valley REMC Operation Round Up, presented the check to La Porte County Symphony Orchestra Interim Music Director Chuck Stuck , and Executive Director Tim King. Kankakee Valley REMC Operation Round Up joins Healthcare Foundation of La Porte, Michigan City Community Enrichment Corporation, Psi Iota Xi La Porte Chapter, Walmart # 2276 and Kappa Kappa Kappa Westville Chapter in supporting the Children’s Educational Concerts

Board-certified internal medicine physician James Pickford, MD, is welcoming new patients at Franciscan Physician Network 400 North Health Center, after previously practicing at Franciscan ExpressCare in Portage. Dr. Pickford received his training at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and had his residency in internal medicine at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. His clinical interests include congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes care, primary care, longitudinal care management and patient-centered, holistic plan focused on disease prevention. Franciscan Physician Network 400 North Health Center is located at 8733 W. 400 North in Michigan City. In-person or virtual visits are available. For

The Indiana Sheriffs’ Association and La Porte County Sheriff’s Office are proud to announce that La Porte County student, Logan NOTARO, was recently awarded a scholarship from the Indiana Sheriffs’ Association. He was one of 39 students from throughout the State of Indiana who were selected to receive the scholarship from the Sheriffs’ Association. It was recently presented to him at the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office by Sheriff John Boyd. Logan NOTARO is an incoming sophomore at Purdue University majoring in Law and Society. In addition, he is a member of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC). He

Following the retirement of longtime pediatrician Clark Kramer, MD, Franciscan Physician Network has closed the clinic at 300 W. 80th Place in Merrillville. In conjunction with this change, nurse practitioner Kimberly Lichtenfeld, NP-C, is now seeing patients at Franciscan Physician Network Winfield Health Center, 11161 Randolph St.; and infectious disease physician Suk Chul Kim, MD, has moved to Franciscan Physician Network Crown Point Internal Medicine and Specialty Center, in the Burrell Professional Building, 1205 S. Main St., Suite 201. Nurse Practitioner Lichtenfeld received her Master of Science in Nursing at Purdue University Northwest. Her clinical interests include obesity and nutrition, pediatric

 The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest has opened nominations for the 2021 Innovators Awards. In addition to inducting Individual and eam Honorees into the Society, three unique awards will be considered: Richard C. Sussman Prize for Team Innovation, Society of Innovators Fellows, and the John H. Davies Lifetime Achievement Award. “The last 18 months have been a time of mass disruption. One silver lining during this period has been the realization that innovation can occur anywhere and across all sectors. We have seen creative problem-solving in every facet of life which illustrates that disruption can create the opportunity to

 A location that has provided healthcare to the community since 1904 began a new chapter on July 22 with the blessing and dedication of Franciscan Health Michigan City’s repurposed Homer Street campus. Franciscan Health Michigan City Behavioral Health, a 14-bed unit, will relocate from the current hospital and open for operations later this summer. In the fall, Prenatal Assistance and Senior Health & Wellness (PACE) will begin operations. Franciscan Health Michigan City President and CEO Dean Mazzoni said Thursday’s dedication represents the culmination of planning, discussions and work that began in 2016, when Franciscan Health, city leaders and the local

The Dunes Arts Foundation and Friendship Botanic Gardens have teamed up to host “Cabaret at the Gardens Benefit” on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Central in The Gardens, 2055 E. Highway 12 in Michigan City. Guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets; however, there will be chairs on site for use. Refreshments will also be available for purchase on site, cash or credit card.* Tickets are $40, with free admission for those under 18, accompanied by an adult.** The special musical evening, performed at The Gardens’ Celebration Pavilion, will

Michigan City Chamber of Commerce President Katie Eaton has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors for the Indiana Chamber Executives Association (ICEA), the statewide organization serving the professional development needs of local chamber of commerce staff leaders across Indiana.   "We are thrilled to add Katie to the leadership team," said ICEA President Shelli Williams.  "She is passionate about this profession and will be a great mentor to peers across the state.  Her mission-driven professional thought process will be a great asset to advancing the organization."   ICEA's purpose is to establish a strong network of

On Friday July 23rd 2021 at 7:43 am the Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Fire Department and LaPorte County Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the intersection of Chastleton Drive and Lakeshore Drive reference a personal injury accident. Within one minute of the dispatched call Long Beach Deputy Marshal Tobin Babcock and Chief Marshal Mark Swistek arrived on scene. They were advised by witnesses that a female operating a 2016 Mazda CX5 SUV drove off Lakeshore Drive into Lake Michigan. First responders discovered the vehicle was partially submerged in Lake Michigan and was drifting further into the Lake. Chief Mark Swistek and Deputy Babcock entered the

Kankakee Valley REMC recently awarded United Way of Porter County $10,000 to support United Way’s Backpacks United program, thanks to CoBank $5,000 Sharing Success matching grant program.   “Kankakee Valley REMC is guided by values that support the community and allow us the ability to work with others to improve the quality of life for all residents,” said Scott Sears, CEO of Kankakee Valley REMC. “Partnering with United Way of Porter County for programs like Backpacks United is a wonderful way to give back to families and youth who might need a little extra help throughout the year. We appreciate