Lowell Trooper Named 2024 Trooper of the Year
Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott named Trooper Kaylee G. Galvan the 2024 Indiana State Police Trooper of the Year, the first time a female has gotten the award, according to a release.
Galvan is a two-year Trooper and in 2024, was a midnight unit assigned to the Lowell District’s Zone 1. In 2024, Galvan had 1,868 total traffic contacts (1,129 citations and 739 warnings), 154 criminal defendants, 484 criminal charges, 80 felony charges, 118 O.W.I. arrests, 22 felony O.W.I. arrests, 95 crash investigations, 181 police services, and conducted 91 vehicle searches. Galvan also worked special project hours (overtime shifts) resulting in 188 traffic contacts with 123 citations and 65 warnings, 21 criminal defendants, 54 criminal charges, 18 O.W.I. arrests, and 1 felony O.W.I. arrest.
Also at the awards ceremony, Galvan received the 2024 Life Award in recognition for exceeding expectations by removing 118 impaired drivers off Indiana roadways in 2024.
Cardiologist joins Franciscan in Dyer, Munster
Dr. Amit Kumar, an interventional cardiologist, recently joined the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Dyer and Munster, a release said.
Kumar completed medical school at All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. His residency in internal medicine was completed at State University of New York at Buffalo. His fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology was completed at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts. His fellowship in vascular and endovascular medicine was completed at Brown University Health in Providence, Rhode Island.
He is accepting new patients at Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology Medical Pavilion South, 2150 Gettler St., Suite 400 in Dyer and Franciscan Physician Network Cardiology, 701 Superior Ave., Suite J, in Munster. Call 219-865-0893 (Dyer) or 219-934-4080 (Munster).
Foundation awards $163K to Porter County groups
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations as part of its spring Community Fund grant cycle, a release said.
The following organizations and programs are receiving funding:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support the renovation of the Portage Club kitchen and concession stand
Call-A-Ride – $10,000 to support the purchase of a new ADA van
The Caring Place – $5,750 to support strategic planning
Chicago Street Theatre – $2,200 to support the purchase of wireless microphones
Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support the replacement of bunk bed mattresses
Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited – $2,120.65 to support the purchase of horse saddles for therapeutic riding
Family & Youth Services Bureau – $9,108 to support water leak mitigation and repairs
Family House – $10,000 to support replacement of the front porch and entrance
Gabriel’s Horn – $2,940 to support implementation of a post-shelter transition program
Hagrid’s Hope Cat Rescue – $2,500 to support spay and neuter procedures for rescued cats
Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation – $9,816 to support a developmental milestone training program for teachers and caregivers
Lakeshore Public Media – $10,000 to support Building Blocks, a multimedia project exploring the science of early childhood development
MAAC Foundation – $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders
MAKS Corp. – $10,000 to support the provision of critical resources to local foster children
Memorial Opera House Foundation – $5,000 to support accessibility in the dressing rooms
Our Greater Good – $3,950 to support parenting programs
Portage Recovery Association – $10,000 to support the transformation of their new substance recovery and mental health facility
Portage Township Autism Action Coalition – $10,000 to support autism training for first responders, sensory kits, and resources
Porter County Aging and Community Services – $5,000 to support individuals and families facing unexpected crises
Reins of Life – $5,000 to support the purchase of a horse carriage for equine-assisted programs
Shirley Heinze Land Trust – $10,000 to support technology upgrades
Shults Lewis Child & Family Services – $5,000 to support facility renovation and modernization
St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center – $5,000 to support repairs of the fire protection and suppression system
Valpo Parks Foundation – $5,000 to support 2030 Vision, a strategic planning initiative.
The next Community Fund grant cycle will open in July with an application deadline of Aug. 15. More information is available online at PCCF.gives.
MAAC to graduate 15 firefighters
In partnership with the Northwest Indiana District 1 Firefighter Training Council, the MAAC Foundation recently announced that 15 new firefighters will graduate from the Career Fire Academy. at 6 p.m. May 2 at the MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus in Valparaiso, according to a release.
The 15 graduates, representing the Portage, Whiting, Dyer, LaPorte and Michigan City fire departments have completed an 11-week training program that included instruction in fire suppression, hazmat operations, and technical rescue, along with other firefighting skills.
Graduates include: Levi Thurmond, Andrew Himan, Evan Shaughnessy, Justin Morgan, Caiden Mowery, Evan Kuehl, Julia Simition, Malachi Kristoffand Mitchell Bleck, Portage Fire Department; Dennis Hensley, Whiting Fire Department; Tyler Marick, Dyer Fire Department; Owen Barsic, LaPorte Fire Department; Phillip Baker, Kody Stroud and Josiah Griffin, Michigan City Fire Department.
For more information about the MAAC Foundation, visit www.maacfoundation.org.
Social impact program funding applications open May 5
Franciscan Health’s Social Impact Partnership Program is opening applications for funding to support healthcare-related programs for nonprofit health and human service organizations in at-risk communities, a release said.
Funding applications will be accepted from May 5-30. Partner agencies will be announced in mid-July. Organizations may apply for up to $10,000 in monetary support. Organizations may complete an application online starting May 5.
Serving populations most in need and in accordance with Franciscan’s mission should be the focus of supported activities, the release said. These include people who have endured systemic racism; refugees and immigrants; the chronically low resourced; at-risk youth and others impacted by poor societal supports. For additional information or application support, contact Franciscan Health Community Health Improvement Director Danielle Crowder at Danielle.Crowder@franciscanalliance.org.
