News

Valparaiso Police Department and Porter County Sheriff's Department raise almost $10,000 to support

Pictured: United Way of Porter County President & CEO Kim Olesker and Porter County Sheriff Reynolds surrounded by staff and officers from Valparaiso Police Department and Porter County Sheriff’s Office. Officers and staff from the Porter County Sheriff’s Department, Valparaiso Police Department, and United Way of Porter County gathered to celebrate their contribution to local United Way initiatives. Together, the City of Valparaiso and the Sheriff’s Department raised almost $10,000 to support United Way’s

Engineering program at Purdue Northwest announces BP America, Inc. scholarship

Whiting, Hammond and East Chicago school district students eligible  HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) School of Engineering announces the establishment of a BP America, Inc. scholarship fund to benefit future engineering students from Whiting, Hammond and East Chicago. Incoming students from these three communities majoring in civil, computer, electrical or mechanical engineering for the 2020-2021 academic year are eligible for one of the 15 scholarships that will be

Supporting Your Pre-Teen: A Peer to Peer Discussion with Fellow Parents on March 11 at the Thomas Br

Westchester Public Library invites the public to attend Supporting Your Pre-Teen: A Peer to Peer Discussion with Fellow Parents on Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Thomas Branch in the Bertha Wood Meeting Room. This Community Conversations program will be facilitated by Mental Health America of NWI. Registration is required. Reserve you spot online or by calling (219) 926-7696. This is a free and educational event.  Join other parents of pre-teens for a facilitator led, peer-to-peer discussion about

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana’s Youth of the Year Ceremony

PNW celebrates Women’s History Month

Prominent historian presents financial history of the women’s suffrage movement at PNW  HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. – As part of Purdue University Northwest's celebration of Women's History Month, a prominent historian will speak on the financial history of the women's suffrage movement on Monday, March 2.  Joan M. Johnson, director of the faculty at Northwestern University, will discuss the role of female philanthropists in gaining passage in 1920 of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,

StoryPoint Chesterton wins 2020 Best of Senior Living award from SeniorAdvisor.com.

The annual award recognizes the top 2-3% of senior living communities across North America.  Brighton, Mich. —StoryPoint Chesterton is proud to announce that the senior living community has been selected as a winner of the 2020 Best of Senior Living Award from SeniorAdvisor.com, one of the largest ratings and reviews sites for senior care services in the United States and Canada. The award recognizes those communities that represent the highest quality in assisted living, in-home care and other senior

Porter Regional Hospital Offers Mammogram Events in March

Valparaiso, IN – Porter Regional Hospital is offering two events in March to make mammograms convenient and more enjoyable.    “Pink at Portage” will take place from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday March 7 in the Women’s Center on the first floor at Portage Hospital, 3630 Willowcreek Road, Portage.  Women can get their annual mammograms and receive a complimentary brunch while there.  “Think Pink” at Porter Regional Hospital’s Center for Women’s Health is occurring on Thursday March 12 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00

Chesterton Cemetery Tour 2019 Recap

The Duneland Historical Society will present a recap of last fall's Chesterton Cemetery tour at the February meeting of the Duneland Historical Society, Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Westchester Public Library's Baugher Center, 100 W. Indiana Ave., Chesterton, Indiana.  The 2019 Chesterton Cemetery Tour highlighted local families like the Dilles, Osborns, Weidemans, Slonts, Waughs, and more. Most of these graves date from the late-1800s, and the families are some of this area's earliest

February 23, 2020 – February 29, 2020 at Westchester Libraries

Sunday, February 23– 1:00 pm – Mystery Crate Club, Thomas Monday, February 24 – 9:00 am – Mystery Crate Club, Thomas Tuesday, February 25 – 9:00 am – Mystery Crate Club, Thomas   9:30 am – Crooked Seam Quilters, Thomas 11:30 am – Chesterton Porter Rotary, Baugher Center 12:00 pm – Learning Italian, Hageman   3:45 pm – Daisies Girl Scouts, Thomas   4:00 pm – Off the Hook, Thomas   7:00 pm – Trivia Night, Museum Wednesday, February 26 – 9:00 am – Mystery Crate Club, Thomas 10:00 am – Scrapbooking,

Purdue Northwest selects Chris Holford as chief academic officer

PNW dean, faculty member named Provost and Vice Chancellorfor Academic Affairs  HAMMOND and WESTVILLE, Ind. — Purdue University Northwest (PNW) today announced Kenneth (Chris) Holford will become the university’s next Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, effective May 11.  Holford was selected through a nationwide search that began last fall. The current dean of the PNW College of Engineering and Sciences and a professor of Biology, Holford has served the Purdue Northwest campuses for more

Indiana Dunes Tourism’s December Board Meeting Thursday, February 20

PORTER, Ind.—Indiana Dunes Tourism’s monthly board meeting for December will be Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 4 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304. A full agenda can be found using this link  https://docs.google.com/document/d/10e4P-4ikJvNgZTsB9WVE_gQsZywuYu3aDbU7KMXchtw/edit?usp=sharing This is a public meeting, and the general public is welcome to attend; however, public comment is at the discretion of the board. For more

Registration for Spring Storytimes at WPL begins February 24

Children’s Spring Storytimes will return to both branches of Westchester Public Library the week of March 9. Registration is necessary and begins on Monday, February 24. These storytimes help children and caregivers build early literacy skills through the Every Child Ready to Read program. By registering, children are committed to coming every week for a 7-week session, March 9 – April 24, 2020. There will be no Storytime on Friday, April 10. At the Thomas branch, Toddler Time will meet on Mondays at 10:00

Franciscan Health breast cancer programs receive Indiana grants

  The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) has awarded $42,240 in grants to Franciscan Health Foundation to provide free screenings and diagnostic services for low-income Hoosier women, as well as material support for those with a breast cancer diagnosis, including food, transportation and housing payments. Franciscan Health Foundation has received IBCAT funding for several years.   A $16,140 grant will provide breast cancer screenings and diagnostic services for women whose household income is

Mad About Mysteries at the Museum on February 12

Mad About Mysteries takes place on Wednesday, February 12 at the Westchester Township History Museum, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Susan Swarner will discuss mysteries by author Keigo Higashino. Light refreshments will be served.  Higashino is one of the most popular and biggest selling fiction authors in Japan. Both his Detective Galileo and Detective Kaga series will be presented. Detective Galileo is a genius but eccentric physicist. He is often approached by his old schoolmate, who is currently a detective,

Songs of the Heart at the Museum on February 13

Westchester Township History Museum invites music lovers to attend Music at the Museum. Join the musical group “The Flashbacks” as they present the top tunes of the last 500 years on Thursday, February 13, from 2:00 to 3:30. February’s music theme will be “Songs of the Heart.” “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Love Letters in the Sand” and many other popular favorites and obscure treasures will be enjoyed from the deep folk repertoire of the Flashbacks. The group consists of Lynn Edgemon, Jim Nelson, Suzanne Keldsen

WPL Mystery Crate Club at the Thomas Branch

The Thomas Branch of Westchester Public Library will offer a new, self-contained mystery crate for a limited-time special event during the months of February and March. Mystery Crate Club is intended for teens or adults age 13 and up, and typically takes about 2 hours to solve.   February's box is called Copycat. Work together with your teammates to track down a killer who uses the methods of some of the city's most infamous murderers. Gather your group of 2 - 6 aspiring sleuths, and call the reference

Graphic Novel Book Group for Kids on February 28 at WPL Thomas Branch

Do you think graphic novels are lit? Kids, ages 9-12, are invited to join Westchester Public Library's new Graphic Novels are Lit!(erature)--a monthly discussion of a notable graphic novel. February’s title is Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke. Books will be available to checkout at the Reference Desk beginning January 31. We will meet to discuss the book on Friday, February 28, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Bertha Wood Meeting Room at the Thomas Branch. Tasty snacks provided. Registration required, call 926-7696 to

WPL Movies in February: Judy and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil at the Baugher Center

Westchester Public Library presents two matinee films during the month of January. Judy,will take place on Sunday, February 2, at 1:30 p.m., and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil will be screened on Saturday, February 29, at 3 p.m. Both films will be shown in the Baugher Center, located at 100 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton. Attendance is free of charge. Enjoy complimentary popcorn while watching the movies.   In Judy, showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run

February Bits & Bytes Computer Classes at Thomas Branch

Bits & Bytes Computer Classes at the Thomas Branch of Westchester Public Library for February include Android Phones and Tablets, iPhones and iPads, and Computer Security. All classes take place in the computer classroom located in the Serials/Automation Department on the second floor. Registration is required, call (219) 926-7696 to reserve your spot.Android Phones and Tablets takes place on Thursday, February 6 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Do you have an Android phone or tablet and want to get the most out of

Lego Club on February 7 at Thomas Branch Children’s Department

Do your kids dig Lego? Children, ages 6 and up, are invited to imagine, create, and build with the library's Lego collection at WPL’s Lego Club on Friday, February 7 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Lego designs will be put on display in the Children's Department. Registration required, call 926-7696 to reserve your spot. The Thomas Branch is located at 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton.

Tinker and Create at Hageman Branch on February 10

The Hageman Branch of the Westchester Public Library invites children ages 4 - 6 to join them for Tinker and Create. This program is an environment for making, creating, designing, and inventing. Classes revolve around science, design, engineering, and art through hands-on, project-based work. The next session meets on Monday, February 10 from 4 - 5 p.m.   Space is limited to 12 children and registration is required for each month’s session. Parents may sign up for the following month’s session when

Knitting Together at the Museum on February 2

Westchester Township History Museum invites area knitters and those who crochet or do needlework to gather at the Brown Mansion for Knitting Together, a cozy afternoon of knitting, conversation, and refreshments. This group meets on the first Sunday of each month. Knitting Together will take place on Sunday, February 2, from 1 – 5 p.m.   The Westchester Township History Museum is located at 700 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton. The museum is an educational and cultural service of Westchester Public Library

Discuss Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead at the Thomas Branch on February 3

Westchester Public Library invites readers to participate in Popular Books, a book discussion group, which takes place on the first Monday of each month at the Thomas Branch’s Bertha Wood Meeting Room, 200 W. Indiana Avenue, Chesterton.   This month, Popular Books meets on Monday, February 3, at 2:00 p.m., and will discuss Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. In Whitehead’s ingenious conception, the Underground Railroad is no mere metaphor—engineers and conductors operate a secret network of tracks

WPL’s Adult & Teen “Reading in a Winter Wonderland” challenge runs February 1 - 29

Adults (ages 18+) and teens (grades 6-12) are invited to participate in Westchester Public Library’s 2020 “Reading in a Winter Wonderland” challenge. This program runs from February 1 to February 29. Participants are encouraged to read any books, eBooks, or listen to audio books. No registration is required.   Participants will read or listen to a book of personal choice and then complete a simple book review. Book reviews from participants will be displayed at both library locations, for the public to