Valpo offers free bus rides on Election Day

The city of Valparaiso will offer free rides on the V-Line intracity bus on election days to encourage voter turnout and community engagement. The idea of offering free transit was introduced by City Council Member Barbara Domer (District 3) who advanced the idea for general elections. When the idea was introduced, the board chose to extend the free service to both general and primary elections. This decision means rides on Valparaiso’s dedicated V-Line will be free Tuesday and for all future elections, until further notice. For bus schedules and routes, go to ValpoTransit.com.

PNW opens nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame awards

Purdue University Northwest has issued its annual call-out for nominations of impactful university alumni to be recognized and inducted into the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame. The PNW Alumni Hall of Fame honors distinguished graduates from across the 78-year history of the university’s campuses. PNW seeks nominations of alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their community and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. Alumni of PNW and its legacy campuses, Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central, are eligible to be nominated in all categories: PNW Alumni Hall of Fame Award; Power Onward Emerging Leader Award; Pride of PNW Alumni Award; and PNW Campus Pride Alumni Award. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 6. To view specific criteria for each category and to access the nomination form, go to pnw.edu/hall-of-fame. Nominees selected for inclusion will be inducted during the annual PNW Alumni Hall of Fame celebration dinner April 3. For more information about PNW, visit www.pnw.edu.

MAAC Foundation Opens S50 K9 fund application process

The MAAC Foundation’s S50 K9 Fund application process is now open. This special fund provides financial assistance to first responder agencies to enhance the training and support of their K9 units. The S50 K9 Fund is named in honor of the late Valparaiso Police Department Sergeant Steve Kobitz, who served with distinction under badge number 50. The fund recognizes his dedication to public safety and ensures that K9 units receive the essential resources they need for effective training and support. The fund supports K9 programs in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper and Starke Counties, aiming to increase the number of well-equipped and highly trained K9 units serving the region. The maximum grant amount per organization is $5,000. Funds can be used towards the purchase of a new K9, acquiring essential equipment for the program, or advancing K9 training. Grant applications are reviewed annually, and notifications are sent regarding proposal deadlines. For more information, including eligibility requirements, or to download the grant application, go to www.maacfoundation.org/S50K9Fund.

Franciscan Health offers free scans for Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Franciscan Health is offering free scans Monday through Nov. 8 at locations in Dyer and Munster. Hours vary by location and appointments must be made in advance by phone. Lung scans are simple, noninvasive computer tomography screenings that use a minimal amount of radiation. To qualify for a lung scan, patients must be over age 50, have smoked an average of at least one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years and have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer. Anyone who meets the qualifications will receive a free lung scan, regardless or income or insurance status. To schedule a scan, call 833-238-0688.

CAC to host ‘It’s All About the Square’ exhibit

Chesterton Art Center (CAC) will host a new exhibition in partnership with The Area Artists Association titled “It’s All About the Square” Saturday through Nov. 30 at 115 S. Fourth St., Chesterton. A reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 9. All are welcome; light refreshments will be served. In honor of its 44th Anniversary, The Area Artists Association challenged its members to explore the theme “It’s All About the Square.” Included artworks will address the concept of the square formally and conceptually in a wide variety of media including painting, drawing, artists books, photography, and sculpture as the artists tackle the topic in creative ways, pushing the boundaries and interpretations of “the square” in this exhibit. Among the 24 featured artists are: Tom Brand and Carole Stodder (Pines); Larry Brechner, Donna Hapac, and Kristina Knowski (Chesterton); Deb Dyer (New Buffalo), Amanda Freymann, Larry Jensen, and Kevin Firme (Beverly Shores), Christine Hubbell (Westville), Teresina Pavel (Gary), Dorothy Graden (Valparaiso); Jane Cowley, ANKO (Anneke Dekker), Bunny Dimke, Diane Grams, Timothy D. Lace, Laurel Izard and Suzy Vance (Michigan City); Carol Estes and Ginny Scott (LaPorte); Kuhn Hong (Chicago); Connie Kassal and George Kassal (Long Beach). The CAC will host a free Family Art Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16. Family Art Day visitors will explore the exhibit and create a series of projects in various media inspired by the works on display. CAC’s Family Art Days are free. All children accompanied by an adult are welcome. Registration information for Family Art Day, CAC classes, and workshops can be found at chestertonart.org.

— Staff report