LaPorte County Health Department

We invite you to visit all participating vendors at the resource fair scheduled for tomorrow, June 26th, from 3:30-6:30pm at the WAIR Facility, 1912 US Hwy 20, Michigan City, IN. This event offers a unique opportunity to access a wealth of local resources in one convenient location.

Come see us at the Grill N Chill safety event at Franciscan on Wednesday July 1, 2026! Lots of great community partners will be at this event!

Looking forward to the Grill & Chill next week at Franciscan Health Michigan City's Legacy Campus, during the Fresh Start Market! (Same location as our BFFs CoAction WIC, Franciscan Prenatal Assistance Program & Diaper Pantry!) Stop by the Dunebrook, Inc. tent to learn about what we're up to in the community, and grab a FREE book for each of your kiddos!

Advisory posted at Upper Fish Lake beach

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Creek Ridge County Park for the second “Enjoy the Park & Help Your Heart” CPR and AED community training session!

La Porte County Health Department is proud to partner with La Porte County EMS, La Porte County Parks Department, the HEARTSafe Initiative, and Health Foundation of La Porte to help community members learn lifesaving skills.

There are still two free community CPR certification classes coming up this summer:
June 26 at Luhr Park
July 24 at Bluhm Park
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Read more from GreatNews.Life: https://greatnews.life/article/la-porte-county-health-department-and-la-porte-county-ems-support-second-of-four-summer-cpr-and-aed-community-training-sessions/?region=laportecounty

Home GreatNews.Life is a forward-thinking, fast-moving media network founded on the power of good news. Our professional, adaptable, and ethical staff thrives on spreading positive client and community news throughout Northern Indiana and beyond.

Advisories posted at LaPorte County Lake Michigan Beaches

It was a great turn out! Hope everyone enjoyed the movie mosquito free! Hope to see you at Stone Lake beach on the 26th of June!

Please keep in mind that heavy rains that occur after our time of sample collection can cause an increased presence of bacteria.

Heavy rainfall can temporarily make beaches unsafe for swimming because it can potentially trigger a surge in harmful bacteria, especially E. coli and enterococci, which are common indicators of f***l contamination

Why Bacteria Rise After Rain
• Stormwater runoff: Rainwater flows over streets, parking lots, farms, and lawns, picking up animal waste, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, oil, trash, and sediment.
• Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs): In older cities, stormwater and sewage share the same pipes. Heavy rain can overwhelm these systems, causing untreated or partially treated wastewater to discharge into rivers, lakes, and nearshore waters.
• Wildlife and human waste: Runoff can carry f***l matter from animals and people, along with natural sources of bacteria like soil and sand.

Bacteria That Cause Advisories
• Enterococci: Commonly used by public health agencies to indicate f***l contamination; can cause gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, and other health issues FOX Weather+1.
• E. coli: An indicator of f***l pollution; while not all strains are dangerous, elevated levels suggest possible presence of other harmful microbes.

Health Risks
Swimming in contaminated water can lead to:
• Gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps)
• Skin rashes, ear/eye/nose/throat infections
• In rare cases, more serious illnesses from other pathogens.
Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

How Long to Wait
Local beach programs often recommend avoiding swimming for at least 24-48 hours after heavy rain to allow water quality to improve.

What to Do
• Check local advisories: Many states and counties post beach water quality updates online or via email alerts.
• Avoid direct contact with water in affected areas until cleared.
• Shower and wash hands after swimming if you’ve been in contaminated water.

https://portal.idem.in.gov/BeachAlert/

A preventative heart screening event will be held on Thursday, June 25 at Hometown Health & Wellness in La Porte.

Screenings include an ECG, blood pressure check, height and weight measurement, and limited echocardiogram. The cost is $30 per screening.

Learn more or sign up here: https://heartsafelpc.com/event/heart-screening-with-zac-mago-foundation/