Community news: College aid help, suicide prevention and more

Lerner and Rowe present $2,500 to Day of Caring

United Way Northwest Indiana received a gift of $2,500 to support Day of Caring from Lerner and Rowe Gives Back. The 2025 United Way Day of Caring, hosted on August 1st by United Way Northwest Indiana, brought over 650 volunteers to complete more than 80 service projects that strengthened local nonprofits and improved communities. A new volunteer portal will soon make it easier than ever for community members to find and sign up for opportunities to give back year-round. For more information about United Way Northwest Indiana’s Day of Caring or to explore year-round volunteer opportunities, visit unitedwaynwi.org.

Mrvan announces November community conversations

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, will host two community conversations on Saturday, Nov. 1. The first takes place from 1-2 p.m. at the Lake County Government Center Auditorium, 2293 North Main Street, Crown Point. Attendees should go to the second building and enter through entrance S2. The second takes place from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Calumet College of St. Joseph – Room #200, 2400 New York Avenue, Whiting.

PNW hosts College Goal Sunday Nov. 9

Financial aid professionals will be on site at Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond and Westville campuses during the statewide College Goal Sunday programs on Nov. 9. The free event will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will help college-bound students and their families apply for financial aid. The Hammond event will be held in Room 200 of the Student Union and Library Building, 2200 169th St. The Westville campus event will be held in Room 241 of the Library Student Faculty Building, 1401 S. U.S. 421. The Hammond location will offer Spanish interpreters. For additional information, visit pnw.edu/college-goal-sunday, email PNW’s office of Financial Aid at finaid@pnw.edu or call the offices at 219-989-2301 (Hammond campus) or 219-785-5460 (Westville campus).

Upcoming Gary Library programs

The public is invited to attend these upcoming programs at the Gary Public Library Main Library, 220 W. 5th Avenue: The Midweek Horror Hour continues with PG-13 movies and snacks for teens and adults ages 13 and up, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 (double feature). RSVP at 219-886-2484 ext. 105. Fest 2025 comes to the Main Library 12:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 1, an afternoon of fun, food, candy, games and more. Many community organizations will also be available. Costumes and treat bags are welcome but not required. Contact 219-886-8484 ext. 104 or 105 for more information. The Woodson Branch, 501 S. Lake Street, will host The Friends of the Gary Public Library monthly book sale from 1-5 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, through December. Gently used books and DVDs will be available for sale on Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. Main Library hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit or call for more information, 219-886-2484 or www.garypubliclibrary.org.

Franciscan Health Munster offers suicide prevention course

Franciscan Health Munster is presenting a free suicide prevention course aimed at saving lives. The QPR Suicide Prevention Course from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, in the St. Clare Conference Room of the hospital at 701 Superior Ave. The course is free, but registration is required by Nov. 9. To register and for more information, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Coordinator Stacy Zembala at Stacy.Zembala@franciscanalliance.org. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.

Ross Township offers expungement fair

The office of Ross Township Trustee Eric Blackmon Sr. is offering an expungement fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Hidden Lake Park Event Center, 6355 Broadway, Merrillville. No walk-ins will be accepted after 2:30 p.m. For more information, call Doug at the Lake County Clerk’s Office, 219-933-2850.

Recycling & Waste Reduction District sets new compost site hours

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District is changing its compost site hours. Effective Monday, Nov. 3, the Valparaiso Compost Site hours will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Portage and Boone Grove Sites will remain unchanged until winter hours begin in December, at 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The Valparaiso site is located at 2150 W. Lincolnway; Portage is at 6451 U.S. 12; and Boone Grove is at 546 S. County Road 400 W. For more information, contact the district at 219-465-3694, info@portercountyrecycling.org, or contact the district on socials @recycleportercounty on FB and Instagram.

Purdue Extension offers ServSafe food manager program

Purdue University Extension – Lake County is offering a ServSafe™ Food Manager 1-Day Class & Examination on Dec. 10. The training is held at Purdue University Extension – Lake County, 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. For more information, contact the office at 219-755-3240. The link to register for the eight-hour ServSafe™ class and exam is: https://cvent.me/RvEKZg

State police offer tips to avoid deer on the road

Last year in Indiana, there were over 17,000 deer-related crashes, resulting in 707 injuries and nine fatalities. The Indiana State Police Bremen Post offers the following tips to avoid deer on local roadways: drive cautiously at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active, especially during their mating season from October to December; pay attention to deer crossing signs and stay alert and be aware of surroundings since deer are particularly abundant in forested and agricultural areas; remain watchful when spotting a deer since they often travel in groups, so slow down, tap the brakes to warn others, and consider flashing the lights or sounding the horn to alert other drivers; use caution when driving at night and if there is no oncoming traffic, turn on high beams to enhance visibility and increase chances of spotting a deer from a distance; do not swerve to avoid a deer because that can cause greater risk for a more serious collision, so brake firmly and maintain your lane; and lastly, report any deer-vehicle collisions to local authorities, to obtain an accident report for insurance purposes.

IUN’s business school receives international accreditation

The Indiana University Northwest School of Business and Economics has successfully maintained its accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This is the fourth consecutive reaccreditation since the school’s initial achievement in 2005. The AACSB is the world’s longest-serving and most selective global accrediting body for business schools. Accreditation is held by less than 6% of all institutions offering business degrees worldwide.

Holland, Shelton to be inducted into IUN Athletics Hall of Fame

Indiana University Northwest Athletics has announced the induction of two distinguished figures into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Megan Holland, a record-setting women’s basketball standout from 2012-2014, and Ryan Shelton, the winningest coach in school history and current Director of Athletics, will be enshrined as members of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class. The RedHawks Hall of Fame induction for Holland and Shelton will take place next year on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, on the IU Northwest campus before the men’s and women’s basketball games. More information, along with ticketing information, will be released at a later date.