The Salvation Army of Northwest Indiana has announced the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. LLC has donated $25,000 funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation for areas affected by the June 11 tornado, according to a release.
The donation will be used to provide food and other relief to households in Lake and Porter counties. The additional funds from NIPSCO will help to purchase more cleaning supplies and items for the hygiene kits, as well as a variety of gift cards.
Additionally, about 30 NIPSCO employees gathered June 22 to volunteer with the Salvation Army, the release said, and assembled hygiene kits, passed out 350 box lunches and assisted with other relief efforts. For information, call the Salvation Army Northwest Area Command at 219-838-0380.
Portage man wins first place in Catholic book awards
Author, educator and leadership strategist Len Clark, of Portage, as earned first place in the Church Professional category in the Catholic Media Association Book Awards for his book, “Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership.”
The award was announced recently at the Catholic Media Association national conference in Atlantic City, according to a release.
The national honor recognizes Clark’s book as a values-driven leadership guide for students, educators, coaches, professionals and organizations. Clark also oversees the Larry Casbon Leadership Project at Portage High School, which is designed to help develop a shared language of leadership rooted in character, communication, service and accountability, the release said.
Broadway restaurants mark Gary food, music, culture
The Broadway Restaurant Coalition is hosting Brunchin’ on Broadway, a culinary and cultural experience showcasing eight locally owned restaurants along Gary’s Broadway Corridor, from 11 a.m-2 p.m. July 11.
Brunchin’ on Broadway is an invitation to rediscover the heart of Gary through its food, music, entrepreneurship, art and hospitality, a release said.
Adding to the excitement is the Brunchin’ on Broadway Passport Challenge, encouraging guests to experience the entire Broadway Corridor. Visitors can pick up a passport at any participating restaurant and collect a stamp or scan a QR code at each of the eight participating locations. Visit participating restaurant social media for more information.
Participating restaurants include: J’s Breakfast Club, 2601 Broadway; Paige & Charlie’s Coney Island, 2490 Broadway; Treecey’s Health Blend, 2448 Broadway, Suite 103; Kings Wings & Thingz, 3347 Broadway; Katrina’s Kitchen, 621 W. 25th Ave.; Nephew’s, 3101 Broadway; D&K Soul Food, 3669 Broadway; and Steel & Spice Caribbean Restaurant, 752 Broadway.
PNW students earn spring Dean’s List honors
The Purdue University Northwest spring 2026 Dean’s List recognizes 1,834 undergraduate students for their academic achievements, according to a release.
Qualifying students sustained an overall grade point average of at least 3.5 and a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Domestic students from 21 different U.S. states and international students from 42 countries were recognized on PNW’s spring 2026 Dean’s List, the release said.
For a full listing, visit pnw.edu/deans-list.
Finalists announced for Influential Women Awards
The finalists for the 15th annual Influential Women Awards have been announced, with 186 women recognized for their achievements, release
said.
Influential Women alumni and industry leaders reviewed each nomination and selected this year’s finalists from a group of more than 500
nominees. During the September awards banquet, presented by the Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA), two winners
in each of 13 industry categories will be selected from this year’s group of finalists. Each finalist will receive a commemorative medallion during the banquet, the release said.
This year’s Influential Women Awards Banquet is set for Sept. 24 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. A list of this year’s finalists can be viewed under the Influential Women tab at NWIIWA.org.
Save the Dunes adds leadership
Save the Dunes recently added Daniel King as Deputy Director.
King, a Northwest Indiana native, most recently served as Development Officer at the Juneau Economic Development Council, leading fundraising efforts
to support economic and community development initiatives in Alaska’s capital city, according to a release. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in History from Purdue University and formerly served as an interpretive park ranger at the then-Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
His professional experience includes project management, strategic planning, fundraising, operations and stakeholder engagement, among others, the release said.