Storm Help for Local Veterans + Red Ribbon Week Contest + Titans Head to Championship

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for haunted homes, trunk-or-treats, family activities and more!

Stayed tuned for Wednesday’s Rewind where i will cover more about the local legend.

Red Ribbon Week is underway, and Lake County students have a chance to turn their message about staying drug free into something thousands of people could see.

SAFE for Lake County is holding its annual Virtual Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest for youth ages 5-18, with this year’s theme: “Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.” The contest is open to young people throughout Lake County.

The grand-prize winner will receive a prize valued at more than $250 and have their artwork displayed on a Lake County billboard. Nine additional winners will also be selected.

Students can create their poster by hand and submit a photo or design it digitally. Entries must be 11-by-17 inches, horizontal, fill the page and avoid copyrighted material. Only one entry is allowed per student.

Although Red Ribbon Week runs Oct. 23-31, students have a little more time to finish their artwork. Poster submissions are being accepted through Nov. 8, with SAFE coalition members voting Nov. 9-15. Winners will be announced on SAFE’s website and social media pages.

Highland families may also notice Red Ribbon Week showing up at school through themed dress-up days and other activities. Those schedules vary by school, but they are part of a nationwide campaign encouraging young people to make healthy, drug-free choices. SAFE says schools across the country participate in Red Ribbon activities each year.

The campaign itself dates back to 1985, when red ribbons began being worn in memory of DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was killed in Mexico. The National Family Partnership later launched the first national Red Ribbon celebration in 1988, and today calls Red Ribbon Week the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign.

🎨 Entries are due Nov. 8.

Highland veterans and active-duty military homeowners still dealing with damage from the Aug. 11 storm may be eligible for financial help through the Wicker Park Memorial Fund.

The fund is offering disaster assistance to qualifying homeowners throughout North Township, including Highland, Hammond, East Chicago, Munster, Griffith and Whiting.

Assistance can help cover weatherhead repairs or fallen-tree damage on the homeowner’s property, with up to $500 available per type of loss. Funds are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while money remains available.

Applicants must provide proof of military service, a paid receipt for the damage, and documentation showing a homeowners insurance claim or coverage denial.

The effort is being supported in part by a $10,000 Lake County Disaster Relief Fund grant awarded to the Wicker Park Memorial Fund for veterans disaster assistance. Proceeds from this year’s Victory for Veterans Memorial Ride are also being directed toward helping veterans affected by the storm.

Applications must be submitted before Nov. 1.

Completed forms can be mailed to the Wicker Park Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1562, Highland, IN 46322, or delivered to the North Township Trustee’s Office at 5947 Hohman Ave. in Hammond.

For questions or help applying, contact Kelly Bridges at 219-670-0764..

🍴 Want to nominate more Highland favorites? Head back to Tuesday’s Tasty Tuesday and add your picks for pizza, wings, burgers, coffee, soup and the rest of our Best of Highland Food & Drinks categories.

The Highland Pop Warner 8U Titans are championship-bound after winning their postseason matchup Saturday and keeping their undefeated season alive.

The victory sends the 8U team to the championship game next weekend in Crown Point, where they will have one more chance to bring home a title for Highland.

It has already been an impressive postseason for Highland Pop Warner. Earlier this month, the organization announced that the 9U and 12U Titans had earned spots in their championship games, while the 8U and 10U teams still had semifinal games ahead.

Now the undefeated 8U Titans have punched their ticket too.

Highland Pop Warner has been calling on the community to show up in blue and gold as its teams continue their postseason runs.

For the 8U squad, there is now just one game left and one goal - a championship.