Franciscan Health breaks ground on St. John medical office building
Franciscan Health recently broke ground on a new medical office building in St. John, according to a news release.
The two-story, 82,881-square-foot building is being built by Tonn and Blank Construction at 10323 Wicker Ave. It will house an ExpressCare,
primary care and specialty physician practices, diagnostic imaging, CT, MRI, ultrasound and laboratory services, the release said.
A Franciscan Health medical office building with the same footprint and services recently broke ground in Valparaiso. Both construction projects of the new medical office buildings are expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Businesses in Valparaiso are planning the Pink Friday event
Downtown Valparaiso will participate in the nationwide Pink Friday small business shopping experience on Nov. 22, according to a news release.
Pink Friday is a small business twist on traditional Black Friday shopping and reminds consumers to shop small and local first this holiday season, the release said. More than 25 local entrepreneurs are expected to participate in that day, the largest shopping day of the year.
Valparaiso Events has compiled a list of participating downtown retailers and restaurants, including their Pink Friday promotions,
available on the website https://www.valparaisoevents.com/event/pinkfriday.
New conservation officer comes to Porter County
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division recently held graduation ceremonies at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis for 23 new conservation officers, including one from Porter County.
Conservation Officer Matt Tholen, the 2023 James D. Pitzer Officer of the Year, administered the oath of office to the recruits, which
including Garrett Mobley, who will work in Porter County, according to a news release.
The new officers represent the 41st recruiting class of wildlife officers, making them members of the state’s oldest law enforcement agencies
agency in Indiana, the release said.
Ivy Tech Lake County names alum and supporter of the year
The Lake County campus of Ivy Tech Community College and the Ivy Tech Foundation recently presented their Distinguished Alumnus and
Benefactor Awards during a ceremony in Indianapolis, according to a news release.
Each of Ivy Tech’s 19 campuses nominated a graduate and a donor for the Distinguished Alumni and Benefactor Awards, which Ivy Tech
The foundation administers annually, the release said.
Rebekah Arevalo was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. She is the assistant vice president for Spanish at Valparaiso University
Services to institutional initiatives, chief of staff and contact person at the board. Powers Health was also recognized with the Benefactor Award, which
applauds the generosity of donors and volunteers, whose support enables the Ivy Tech Foundation to bridge financial gaps, the press release said.
Valparaiso Legion raises $12,000 for VNA Hospice NWI
The Valparaiso American Legion Riders Post 94 recently held its first Forever Our Heroes ride with nearly 50 riders stopping
at Legion posts in Michigan City, Kingsford Heights and Kouts, where $12,500 was raised for VNA Hospice NWI in recognition of its We Honor Veterans
program, according to a release.
The American Legion Riders began in 1993 in Garden City, Michigan, and now has more than 110,000 riders in more than 2,000 chapters in three
countries, the release said. The Charles Pratt American Legion Post 94 is dedicated to the memory of Sgt. Charles A. Pratt of Jackson Township
who died in action in France on November 3, 1918. Post 94 is located at 4 Monroe St. in Valparaiso.
For more information about VNA Hospice, visit vnanwi.org or call 219-462-5195.
Dunes Learning Center Honors Partnership
Dunes Learning Center recently honored Union Township schools for their long-standing commitment to excellence in environmental education,
according to a release.
“The Green Apple Award is presented during our annual fundraising gala, A Dunes Affair,” said Executive Director Heather Hahn Sullivan.
“This year we chose to honor the incredible teamwork of 5th grade teachers at two elementary schools, John Simatovich and Union Center.
who bring children to the Dunes Learning Center each year to immerse them in nature while learning about local history and the environment.”
Contributions from supporters who attended A Dunes Affair provide scholarship funds that make the experiences possible for more than half of the students participating in an environmental education program on the campus of the Dunes Learning Center at Indiana Dunes National
Park, the release said
VU police receive communications upgrade
The Valparaiso University Police Department (VUPD) has been named a 2024 grant recipient by Firehouse Subs, according to a news release.
Through the grant, the VUPD will receive eight Kenwood mobile radios, four portable radios and accessories valued at up to $31,583, the release
said.
For the past 19 years, charitable donations have been the driving force behind the restaurant’s Public Safety Foundation, which supports first responders and public safety organizations across the country, the news release said.
