Business news – Chicago Tribune

Munster team wins startup pitch tournament at PNW

The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest recently hosted the inaugural Uthiverse StartUp Madness Business Pitch Tournament at the
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Hammond campus.

Student teams from Hammond Central, Lowell and Munster high schools pitched their businesses for an opportunity to win $2,500 in seed
money from Uthiverse, according to a release.

Scent Seal, a team from Munster High School, was named winner of the event. Team members include Josephine “Fifi” Pirok, Nabeel Rabie and
Brooke Weatherly. Scent Seal aims to “shake up the cosmetics and fragrance industry,” the release said.

Uthiverse StartUp Madness is designed to give high school students participating in a diversity of entrepreneurship programs an opportunity to win seed money, the release said.

U.S. 231 to close for projects

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close U.S. 231 between Bell Street and Tenbrook Drive on or after Monday, April 15, through mid-June for two consecutive projects, according to a release.

U.S. 231 will first be closed between Hendricks Place and Tenbrook Drive for a pipe lining project. After the first project is complete, the closure of U.S. 231 will be between Bell Street and Fathke Road for a small structure replacement project, the release said. The official detour will follow U.S. 41, U.S. 30 and Indiana 55.

$100,000 donation boosts VU partnership with Opportunity Enterprises

A $100,000 gift to Opportunity Enterprises (OE) by Robert Reisinger will help Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing and Health
Professions and OE prepare students to fill much-needed roles in the field of occupational therapy (OT), according to a release.

The current partnership began in 2023 and will continue through at least 2026.

Valparaiso University’s occupational therapy program prepares students to enhance the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds
by finding ways to help them engage in meaningful occupations, the release said. Opportunity Enterprises is a non-profit organization
that strives to help individuals with developmental disabilities reach their fullest potential.

Reisinger’s daughter, Marcie, has been a long-time OE client, the release said. The donated money will fund the hiring of a part-time occupational therapist who will serve as a mentor and clinical educator for the university’s OTD students. OE will continue to seek additional funding to continue the part-time OT position. To learn more about Opportunity Enterprises and its programs and services, visit oppent.org.

Closures on U.S. 30 and U.S. 41 start Monday

Two contractors will be conducting repair work on sections of U.S. 41 and U.S. 30 starting Monday.

LGS Plumbing Inc. will have lane closures on U.S. 41 between 77th Avenue and 82nd Lane, while Superior Construction Co. Inc. will close lanes on U.S. 30 between the Illinois State Line and U.S. 41.

On the first project, U.S. 41 will be reduced to one lane in each direction through mid-June for a pipe replacement project. Lane closures will alternate so motorists should be prepared for changing traffic patterns.

The second project is a concrete restoration project, with full-depth patching and joint repairs. There will also be a preventative maintenance bridge deck overlay done on the Plum Creek bridge between Hart Street and Moeller Street, according to an INDOT release. Work will be ongoing through mid-May, with alternating lane closures and changing traffic patterns. During phase one, the left passing lane and left turn lanes will be closed in both directions.

Faculty promotions announced at Purdue Northwest

Five Purdue University Northwest (PNW) faculty members recently received academic promotions starting in the 2024-25 academic year,
according to a release. The faculty members’ promotions are effective Aug. 12.

PNW faculty members promoted to the rank of professor include:

Ricardo A. Calix, professor of Computer Information Technology

Mohammed Errihani, professor of English

Meden F. Isaac-Lam, professor of Chemistry

PNW faculty members promoted to the rank of associate professor:

Amanda L. Kratovil-Mailhiot, associate professor of Nursing

Julia L. Rogers, associate professor of Nursing

Duneland sets school job fair

The Duneland School Corp. will host a job fair event featuring classified (non-teaching) positions in Transportation and Child Nutrition services from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Chesterton High School, 2125 S 11th St., a release said.

The Transportation Department will offer an opportunity to drive a bus around the parking lot with one of Duneland School’s bus trainers.
Personnel will be available to answer questions and provide information on hours, benefits and other opportunities within the Duneland School Corp., the release said.

In addition, staff members will also be available from Duneland’s Child Nutrition Department for those attendees who may be interested
in a job opportunity in the school kitchens, the release said.

Borman Expressway bridge deck work will cause ramp closures

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dunnet Bay Construction Company will begin bridge deck overlay preventative maintenance projects on I-94 near U.S. 41/Indianapolis Boulevard and Kennedy Avenue starting Monday.

Work will begin at the I-94 bridges over U.S. 41/Indianapolis Blvd and over Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad just west of Kennedy Avenue. There will also be future work at the eastbound I-94 to northbound State Road 912/Cline Avenue ramp bridge. This work will be conducted in phases and will be ongoing through late August.

During phase one, the right lane of I-94 eastbound will be closed between U.S. 41/Calumet Avenue and Kennedy Avenue. Traffic will be shifted to the left to maintain four travel lanes. Phase one will be in place through approximately mid-May.

The following ramps will be closed on or after Monday through late June: eastbound I-94 to northbound Indianapolis Blvd, northbound and southbound U.S. 41/Indianapolis Blvd to eastbound I-94, eastbound I-94 to northbound and southbound Kennedy Ave, and northbound and southbound Kennedy Ave to westbound I-94

Franciscan Health Michigan City joins 12th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative

Franciscan Health Michigan City will provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and body mass index screenings at three Michigan City
barber shops on April 20 as part of the 12th Annual Indiana Black Barbershop Health Initiative, according to a release.

The events, which are free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sharper’s Image inside Meijer at 5150 Franklin St., Platinum Designs at 1801 Franklin St. and Marvelous Cuts at 4327 Franklin St. Health education and giveaways will also be part of the events.

According to organizers, Black-owned barbershops represent a cultural institution that regularly attracts a large number of Black men, providing them with an environment of trust, the release said. For more information, contact Franciscan Health Michigan City Community Health Improvement Coordinator Nila Williams at Nila.Williams@franciscanalliance.org or call 219-283-9649.