If there’s one thing that held true throughout all of 2020, it’s that our Northwest Indiana community stayed strong and stayed together. We distributed meals to thousands of families and frontline workers, made our voices heard by voting, reprioritized what is important, and above all, supported those around us. It can be seen in the countless community articles that we published this year, but we could not have continued to share good with you if it wasn’t for our community.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 community articles from NWI.Life in 2020:
Pulaski County teems with up to 30,000 Sandhill Cranes annually
With up to 30,000 Sandhill Cranes visiting Pulaski County annually, one would never guess that the birds were once on the threatened species list. Nick Echterling, Property Manager at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area, said Sandhill Cranes went from being a scarcity to a staple in the community.
They say in life that the littlest things often have the greatest impact. A sudden smile, an unexpected moment of kindness, or a small act of generosity can often have a wonderful and positive impact on someone’s day. The amazing people from Big Shoulders Fund seem to understand this idea well as they put kindness into practice this weekend when distributing 10,000 meals at more than a dozen locations across Northwest Indiana this Father's Day weekend.
Civic Engagement Series: a guide to casting your ballot in the 2020 primaries
All the dates around Indiana's primary elections have been pushed back by 28 days due to the challenges presented by the recent pandemic. By this time in normal situations, we would know our November front runners, and while state and local officials have taken this extra time to adjust policies and procedures to make voting safe, voters would do best for themselves and their communities to take this extra time, too, to get engaged and be informed about local elections.
NIISSA unifies public, private sectors for cooperative front against COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis challenging the Region in ways never before seen. Yet, Northwest Indiana is handling the situation with a united front and a great deal of success. One of the reasons things are proceeding relatively smoothly is the Northwest Indiana Information Sharing and Security Alliance (NIISSA).
NWI Cares: GreatNews.Life highlights COVID-19 stories by local businesses, organizations
If there is something positive to come out of the 2020 pandemic, GreatNews.Life will find it. And we have. We’ve compiled a list of resources, services, and ways that our partners are making a positive impact on our communities in the wake of the health crisis. We encourage everyone in the region to join us in celebrating, supporting, and utilizing these incredible resources designed to lift us up during a time of need. Thank you, GreatNews.Life partners, for driving the good.
McDermott highlights promising developments for Hammond at State of the City 2020
Big things are coming to the City of Hammond. More than 400 members of the city and other nearby communities came together this morning for the State of the City address to hear Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. give a detailed synopsis of the city’s successes and what’s to come, including his take on the “best thing he’s done as a public servant.” And, famed rapper Snoop Dogg also made his way into the discussion.
Hobart Parks and Recreation works to update poolhouse and build nine playgrounds
After the completion of 3rd Street Bridge, residents may think that Hobart would take a break from renovating its outdoor spaces. According to the Director of Parks and Recreation, Kelly Goodpaster, there are more outdoor updates to come. Hobart Parks and Recreation took out a bond that will last from 2017 to 2023 to work on a variety of projects. Goodpaster is working on two projects within that bond: updating the poolhouse and installing new playgrounds.
IUN helps veterans thrive on campus and advocates their skills in the workplace
While only one day each year is devoted to celebrating veterans, U.S. vets devote themselves to ensuring that America and its values are safeguarded year-round. Despite the hard-earned peace that vets return to after their service, many find it difficult to find their place in civilian life. Senior business major at Indiana University Northwest (IUN) Daniel Riordan knows just how hard that transition can be. He had intended to go to college right after his service time was up, but he found it more of a challenge than he previously anticipated.
NITCO supports local schools with reliable service
Eighty years ago, the Northwestern Indiana Telephone Company began to specialize in voice systems. As decades passed and technology advanced, what began with telephone lines developed into digital voice lines, and within the last few years expanded into high-speed broadband networks that connect many buildings. This is especially useful for school corporations where Wi-Fi and connectivity are crucial to success, and where NITCO has provided service for over 25 years.
Senior living communities in the Region devoted to continuity of care
While the details and daily operations of the numerous senior living communities across the Region may vary, they all have the same goal - to provide exceptional care for seniors. Senior care for these communities is all-encompassing. The physical health and safety of residents certainly fall under the umbrella term, ‘senior care,’ but other crucial areas include mental, emotional, and relational care.
