5 days ago
Business news: Scholarship awarded and PNW lauded for veteran efforts
The Franciscan Health Mobile Market program is getting a boost from local roofing company Korellis, according to a release.
The Mobile Markets provide food to those in need with drive-through events at various Franciscan Health locations, but had been reduced this year due to state and federal funding cuts, the release said. Since July 2021, the Franciscan Health Food Insecurity Program's Mobile Markets have served more than 10,000 individuals and 3,000 families in North Lake County.
The drive-up Mobile Market sponsored by Korellis is scheduled to take place from 3-5 p.m. Aug. 20 at 5454 Hohman Ave., Hammond on a
first-come, first-served basis. Participants must provide a valid photo ID. Those seeking food assistance should call 219-407-6948 to
learn more.
The Syd Garner Scholarship Committee and Lake County Council recently named Sierra Barron of Hobart the 2025-2026 recipient of the Syd Garner Scholarship, a release said.
Councilman Pete Lindemulder, R-4th, presented Barron, who currently works at Lake County Community Corrections, with the scholarship on behalf of the council at the council's July 8 meeting. Barron is a senior at Indiana University Northwest where she is majoring in criminal justice and minoring in sociology.
The Syd Garner Scholarship provides funds to students at IUN who are employees or children of current employees of the Lake County
Government with five or more years of service. Barron has a 3.697 GPA, the release said.
Steinhafels, an employee-owned company, recently opened a Furniture and Mattress Superstore in Merrillville, a release said.
Located at 1600 E. 80th Ave. in Merrillville Plaza, the 50,000-square-foot showroom replaces the former RoomPlace site. This marks Steinhafels' first location in Indiana and its seventh in the greater Chicagoland area, the release said. The Merrillville store becomes Steinhafels' 16th
location overall.
The superstore features Steinhafels' signature room settings, decorating services and top-brand mattresses, the release said. To learn more visit
Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor has earned the designation of Certified Public Finance Administrator by the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada in recognition of her commitment to excellence in public treasury standards, a release said.
Taylor has also earned the designation as Certified Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks Inc. and the designation as an Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk awarded by the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers. Taylor joined the City of Valparaiso as a Deputy Clerk-Treasurer in 2012 and was first elected as Clerk-Treasurer in 2019. She is a graduate of Purdue University.
Purdue University Northwest has been designated a Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana institution by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The designation recognizes PNW's commitment to supporting the military-affiliated student population at the university — from application to graduation, a release said.
PNW is one of 28 colleges and universities in Indiana to be recognized as a Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana institution and one of just six
institutions to be awarded Tier 1 status, a list that also includes Purdue West Lafayette and Purdue Fort Wayne, the release said.
Designations and tier status are based on 37 standards across eight categories. PNW earned a 91% overall performance score on the
Collegiate Purple Star Summary Report.
PNW's Veteran Services program ensures a smooth transition from military life to academic success, the release said. For additional information on PNW's Veteran Services, visit
Northwest Health – Porter will host an open house to give community members a look at its newest high-tech surgical robot and how it's
transforming the future of surgery from 1-3 p.m. July 29 in the Community Room at Northwest Health – Porter, 85 E. U.S. 6, Valparaiso.
Area residents are welcome to drop in any time during the open house and 'test drive' the latest technology used in minimally invasive
robotic-assisted surgeries, while talking with some of the surgeons who use it, the release said.
All ages are welcome to attend the open house, including children accompanied by parents. The 'Meet the Robot' community event is free,
and registration is encouraged, which can be completed by going to
Valparaiso City Attorney Patrick Lyp has accepted a job in the private sector and will leave his position, according to a release from Mayor
Jon Costas.
Lyp joined the City of Valparaiso in January 2014 as General Counsel/Economic Development Director although his service with the Redevelopment Commission dates back to 2004. He was named City Attorney in January 2020, the release said. Lyp worked on city projects including the redevelopment of the County Seat Shopping Center, the former Anco facility into Journeyman; and the downtown amphitheater and pavilion.
Lyp was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
from 2020-2024.
