Business news: Valparaiso hires six new officers and applications available for plumbing apprenticeships

Smith family honors late umpire with parks gift

Valpo Parks recently received a monetary donation from the family of the late Byron Smith III, a longtime parks department umpire, according to a release.

Smith III, who died on Jan. 6, 2024, spent countless hours on the ball fields at Fairgrounds Park for more than 40 years, officiating more than 10,000 games, the release said. The donation will be used to renovate the diamond ballfields at Fairgrounds Park, which will be renamed the Byron Smith III Sports Complex at Fairgrounds Park, the release said.

A dedication ceremony is planned for May 8. For more information or to donate, contact Kevin Nuppnau at knuppnau@valpo.us.

PNW adds economic development leader

Alejandra Y. Castillo recently joined Purdue University Northwest as the university’s Senior Fellow for Economic Development, according to a release.

Castillo, a leader in federal economic development, is expected to play a key role in advancing economic growth, innovation and community development for the university and the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicago region, the release said.

Castillo most recently served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, the release said, where she oversaw the distribution of more than $6.8 billion in federal investments. At PNW, Castillo will focus on fostering economic engagement and development through the university’s College of Business.

Notice of Grant Opportunity for Lake County residents

The Lake County Master Gardeners are continuing its grant program for 2025, according to a release. The LCMGA will award grants eligible to Lake County applicants and organizations with purposeful gardening projects that benefit the community, the release said.

More information is available through lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com or call the Purdue Extension-Lake County office at 219-755-3240.

The application is on the Lake County Master Gardeners Association website at www.lakecountymastergardeners.org and click on the Grants and Scholarship tab. Grant application deadline is March 1.

Valparaiso Police swears in six officers

Six new officers have joined the Valparaiso Police Department as 2025 begins.

Mayor Jon Costas performed the ceremony within the council chambers of City Hall, welcoming Jacob Bill, Madison Patrick, Nicholas Houston, Kaleb Ellingham, Kevin Flynn and Dominic Iannantone to the police department.

According to a release, Jacob Bill is a 2015 graduate of Warsaw Community High School, and served in the Air National Guard from 2016-2022. Madison Patrick is a 2022 graduate of Hebron High School and is currently enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College. Nicholas Houston is a 2018 graduate of Bloom Trail High School in Illinois and earned his bachelor’s degree from Millikin University in 2022.

Kaleb Ellingham is a 2020 graduate of Calumet New Tech High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana Tech in 2024. Kevin Flynn is a 2015 graduate of Kokomo High School, and served in the U.S. Army from 2015-2023. Dominic Iannantone is a 2020 graduate of Carl Sandburg High School in Illinois and earned his bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst University in 2024.

Plumbers union opens apprenticeship applications

Plumbers Local 210 is accepting five-year apprenticeship applications through Jan. 24, according to a Facebook post.

Candidates must be 18, but can apply at 17 and will need a high school diploma or GED, a driver’s license and have a background screening, the Local 210 website said. A drug screening is also mandatory during the program, the site said.

Successful candidates will attend 8,500 hours of on-the-job training over the 5-year period. The starting wage for 2025 is $16.63, the site said

For more information, visit the website at www.plu210.org and see the Apprenticeship School tab or call the union at 219-942-7224.