GPTC announces Veterans Ride Free Program
Starting September 12th, 2022, veterans and disabled veterans who show a valid VIC, Veteran stamp on a driver’s license, or state ID to drivers are allowed to travel on all fixed GPTC bus routes free of charge.
Veterans who registered for travel on our complementary Access219 paratransit service can also ride for free once signed up and approved for the Access219 service.
GPTC will also participate in the 2022 NWI Homeless Veteran Stand Down, hosted by the V.A. Homeless Veteran Program. The event will take from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the RailCats Stadium in Gary, and GPTC will provide free bus transportation to veterans from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event brings resources, such as food, medical, and housing assistance, to veterans that have experienced hardships or homelessness. Veterans can get information and apply for Access219 and other services; veterans are encouraged to apply.
Acccess219 is a complimentary paratransit service provided by GPTC to Gary and other communities to residents who cannot use fixed route bus service because of a disability. Riders can travel to destinations within 3/4 mi of any GPTC transit route. Vehicles include wheelchair lifts and securement devices. Veterans interested in signing up to become paratransit riders can contact the GPTC ADA Coordinator at 219-884-6100 ext. 106. For other questions or assistance, call 219-884-6100 ext. 113. For more information on fares, visit www.gptcbus.com/fares.
Methodist Hospitals appoints new Director of Women’s and Children’s Services
Methodist Hospitals has appointed Susan Marcek as Director for Women’s and Children’s Services. Susan joins Methodist from Franciscan Health/Hammond/Dyer, where she most recently served as Manager of Women’s and Children’s services, including Labor and Delivery, the Newborn Nursery, Post-Partum and Neonatal ICU, as well as the Pregnancy Assistance Program.
Susan brings more than 35 years of nursing experience to Methodist, with hospital experience including posts at Advocate Christ Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She has held nursing faculty positions at Northwestern College, Everest College and the University of St. Francis and is a motivational and educational speaker on women’s health topics such as breast health, breast cancer and complementary and alternative medicine.
Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Masters of Science and Health Administration from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. She is a member of the Indiana Association of Nurse Executives, the American Nurses Association and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
Twisted Sugar cookie shop to open in Crown Point on Friday
Twisted Sugar, a Utah-based dessert shop, will open its first Northwest Indiana location Friday at 10470 Broadway in Crown Point.
Twisted Sugar features fresh baked cookies, monthly specials, and a wide variety of drinks. They will offer weekly “Hump Day” specials every Wednesday. A second Twisted Sugar location will open in Valparaiso in October.
For more information, visit the Crown Point location’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/twisted.sugar.cp or email Owner Megan Thompson at crownpoint@twistedsugar.com.
Humane Indiana’s PAWS marketplace welcomes Maple City Roasters to Highland
Maple City Roasters’ locally roasted coffee is now available at Humane Indiana’s PAWS Resale and Gift Shop in Highland.
PAWS is a resale and gift shop which features a selection of locally made products from the northwest Indiana region’s small businesses. Located at 8149 Kennedy Avenue in Highland, proceeds from PAWS support Humane Indiana’s shelter, clinic, and wildlife rehabilitation center.
Maple City Roasters imports coffees from all over the world and roasts the beans locally several times a week to provide peak flavor and freshness. Maple City Roaster’s products include a variety of original blends, flavored coffees, decaffeinated coffee, green beans for home roasters, cold brew packs, K-cups, CBD-infused coffee, appetite suppressant coffee, tea, a monthly delivery service, and a fundraising program.
New McDonald’s to break ground in Crown Point
The City of Crown Point will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a new McDonald’s at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the southeast corner of Delaware Parkway and 109th Avenue. This new restaurant is the beginning of continued development in the Beacon Hill Business District, which is set to see a TownePlace Suites and a Texas Roadhouse built in the near future.
