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Although fireworks displays are considered by most of us to be as patriotic as the American flag and apple pie, they can contaminate our lakes and waterways if not handled properly. Indiana American Water, the state’s largest investor-owned water utility, encourages everyone lighting off fireworks this weekend to keep them away from local water sources to help reduce the amount of contaminants entering Indiana’s waterways. Recent studies have shown that many fireworks and the waste they create, may contain certain hazardous compounds that can contaminate water supplies and present health concerns. This is especially important for Hoosiers, since Indiana is

The public is invited to blood drives scheduled on Tuesday, July 6, at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Chesterton, Friday, July 9, at Franciscan Physician Network Chesterton Health and Emergency Center and Tuesday, July 13, at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers Schererville. The Chesterton blood drives will be conducted by the American Red Cross from 2 to 8PM July 6 at Franciscan Health Fitness Centers, 810 Michael Drive, and from 9AM to 2PM on July 9 at Chesterton Health and Emergency Center, 770 Indian Boundary Road. To schedule an appointment, go online at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Schererville blood drive will

A man was injured after a structure fire in New Buffalo early Wednesday, according to police. Berrien County Dispatch received a call reporting a structure fire at a residence in the 15000 block of Locke Rd in Chikaming Township. The initial 911 call came from a neighbor, who was unaware if the residence remained occupied. Deputy Brittany Garza of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s New Buffalo Twp Patrol, and Sgt. Russ Tillery of the New Buffalo Police Department, were initial emergency responders on scene. Both Deputy Garza and Sgt. Tillery entered the smoke filled residence, subsequently locating the homeowner inside.

Masks are now optional inside Duneland School Corporation buildings, Assistant Superintendent Robert McDermott announced. Pursuant to Gov. Holcomb’s executive order, authorizing school corporations to determine themselves, the COVD-19 mitigation measures and restrictions which they deem “necessary and prudent”, Duneland School Corporation has opted to move to Level 1 or Green. That decision was based on consultation with the Porter County Health Department and daily monitoring of school, community, county, and statewide cases, according to McDermott. Per federal guidelines, students and staff who travel in buses or other vehicles must continue to wear a face covering.

As part of a competitive overall compensation and benefits package to attract and retain the best talent, Franciscan Alliance has increased its lowest starting pay rate to $15 per hour. The increase is effective retroactively to June 6, 2021. “This investment reinforces our efforts to attract and retain the best talent, so that we may serve our patients with excellence while staying focused on our shared mission and values,” said Mary Jo Smith, Franciscan Alliance senior vice president for human resources. “The Franciscan $15 pay adjustment provides coworkers with a minimum rate that’s competitive with the market, and well above

Please be advised, on Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday July 4th, Tamarack will be a ONE WAY. You will need to enter from Shore Dr. and exit on to Diana Rd. All vehicles parked within the restricted area must display a valid 2021 beach area parking permit. Temporary Parking Permits for 4th of July Weekend will begin tomorrow, Thursday, July 1st. They will cover the entire weekend including Monday, July 5th. Town Hall Hours for the holiday are: Thursday, July 1st 8am -3pm Friday, July 2nd 8am -3pm Saturday, July 3rd CLOSED Sunday, July 4th CLOSED Monday, July 5th CLOSED If you are unable to make it

When you think about sun protection, you might think about a day at the beach. But during your lifetime, you get sun exposure doing everyday things like walking the dog, mowing the lawn and even driving in your car. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays adds up over time, and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Every year, nearly five million people are treated for skin cancer, and approximately 9,000 people die from melanoma. "Most people don’t realize that skin cancer is the most common cancer in this country,” says Dr. Shaun Mehdi, an internal medicine physician with Northwest Medical Group in Portage. “If awareness

The COVID-19 vaccination clinics that have operated in Franciscan Health hospitals in Crown Point, Hammond and Michigan City since December 2020 are ending operations as vaccinations shift to sites outside of the hospitals. Beginning July 6, vaccination clinics will open at Franciscan WorkingWell at 8345 Wicker Ave. in St. John and Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center at 1225 E. Coolspring Ave. in Michigan City. The St. John WorkingWell site will be open 8AM to 6PM Monday through Saturday, and the Coolspring Health Center vaccine clinic in Michigan City will be open from 8AM to 6PM Monday through Thursday. Walk-ins

At noon on Sunday, July 4, 2021, all of the churches of Michigan City’s Arts District will ring their bells in unison in a celebration of freedom. For one minute on that most solemn yet joyous day, the air will be filled with the peal of historic church bells. Open your doors and windows, take a stroll downtown and pause as you hear the glorious clamor; take a moment to be thankful for all that America stands for. Immediately following the ringing of the bells the carillon at Trinity Episcopal Church will play a short concert of hymns and patriotic

The Michigan City Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) received approval from the Michigan City Board of Works and Public Safety on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Michigan City (City). The MOU creates an agreement that the Chamber will take on marketing endeavors to promote Michigan City. The MOU was unanimously approved at the Monday, June 21st Board of Works meeting. The MOU provides permission for the Chamber to use a City owned domain name, discovermichigancity.com, as a driver for local marketing efforts. Visual and written content that was previously created for marketing Michigan City, and is owned by the City, will be shared with

The Porter County Sheriff’’s Office says they have again been receiving reports that citizens have been getting telephone calls in which people were fraudulently claiming to be law enforcement officials recently.  Sometimes callers can mask the caller ID information to make it appear as if the call is coming from a police department or other government entity. The Sheriff's Office says If you receive a call from a person claiming to be one of their officers and are concerned they are not who they say they are, please hang up and call 219-477-3000 to verify their identity. The Sheriff’s Office

The City of Valparaiso is hosting a free Guided Art Walk at Cumberland Crossing on June 24 at 6:00 pm. This event celebrates 10 years of the Art Walk and kicks off a weekend of art with the free Valparaiso Art Festival on June 26-27 downtown. Art Administrator Kurt Gillins will serve as guide, sharing details of the 18 sculptures along the walk, including five new pieces installed earlier this month. Registration is not required. You can also vote for the Community Choice award here: tinyurl.com/ValpoArt . For details, visit the event page located on the Valpo Now Facebook page.

NIPSCO is accepting applications for a grant to support local nonprofit organizations who provide public safety education and training across northern Indiana. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Applications are being accepted now through August 13, 2021, with grant awards announced during the week of August 23. Grant opportunities will include, but are not limited to, community and youth public safety education programming and training for first responders, police and fire department fire and carbon monoxide safety programs, education and training in the prevention of damage to underground natural gas lines, and child-related safety education. Grant funding is not intended to cover the purchase of equipment other than tools needed to support public safety

The six regional hospitals that serve the city of Portage publicly support the smokefree air ordinance being considered by the city council. Each hospital CEO signed a joint letter of support that was sent to the council members on Monday, June 21st . Northwest Health, Healthlinc, Northshore Health Centers, Porter-Starke Services, Inc., St. Mary Medical Center, and Franciscan Health Michigan City co-signed the letter. Hospitals and health care facilities bear witness to the significant health burden secondhand smoke places on communities like Portage. Smokefree laws are proven to save lives and prevent disease. Hospital admissions to emergency departments for heart

Northwest Health announced recipients of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing. The team members honored were from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and included: Autumn Reese, RN-BSN; Lauren Haller, ASN-RNC; Jill Volk, ASN-RNC; Elizabeth St. Germain, ASN-RN; Alexis Goebel, Diploma RN-RNC; MaCahlia Reyes, BSN-RN; Julie White, MSN-RNC; Pam Jefferson, BSN-RNC; Cindy Fultz, ASN-RNC; and Becky Skalka, ASN-RN.   They were nominated by a mother whose baby daughter was a recent NICU patient. The mother shared that she was first scared of the phrase “NICU” but has never been more pleasantly surprised. She named each nurse by name - Autumn,