Become a resident tourist, tour guide

What young child's trip to Indiana Dunes State Park doesn't include making a sand castle?

Become a resident tourist, tour guide

Children splash in the water along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Mount Baldy.

IDEM chief: LaPorte Co. violates Clean Air Act for ozone

Waves pummel a pier at Washington Park beach in Michigan City in October. IDEM Commissioner Tom Easterly on Thursday said LaPorte County no longer meets the Clean Air Act standard for ozone due to high levels at the Michigan City air monitor.

Visitor spending means big business in NWI

Valparaiso resident Jeff Gatz walks his dog Zoe along the Indiana Dunes State Park beach under brilliant white clouds last September. The Indiana Dunes area is a top tourist draw.

Michigan City ready for business, recreation

Waves driven by high winds pummel the historic lighthouse at Washington Park beach in Michigan City in this Oct. 29 file photo.

Beach Cafe

Marash Nikolaj holds a prime rib dish while wife Aga displays their lake perch at the Beach Cafe in Miller. The couple reopened the Miller Beach Cafe in 2011 after the former institution had been bought and sold several times, and then closed for two years.

Beach Cafe

Aga Nikolaj carries a tray of entres at Miller Beach Cafe.

Officials brace for high wind, waves

Waves driven by high winds pummel the lighthouse pier Monday at Washington Park beach in Michigan City.

Officials brace for high wind, waves

A front loader removes sand from Washington Park beach in Michigan City during high winds on Monday.

Officials brace for high wind, waves

Sand is blown around a parking lot at Washington Park beach Monday in Michigan City.

Officials brace for high wind, waves

A man turns away from a stream of wind-blown sand at Washington Park beach in Michigan City on Monday.

Winner announced in South Shore CVA photo contest

HAMMOND | South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority announced the winner of its 2012 summer photo contest Sept. 23 at the Light in the Mind photography seminar.

Windy day at beach

Valparaiso resident Jeff Gatz walks his dog Zoe on Tuesday along the Indiana Dunes State Park beach under brilliant white clouds.

Windy day at beach

Joann Irons, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., walks along the beach despite high winds at the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton.

Windy day at beach

Thousands of beetles along with litter are blown together into piles due to high winds along the beach at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Windy day at beach

Sergio Mendoza, the coastal resource planner with the Lake Michigan Coastal Program, tries to shield his face from blowing sand Tuesday during high winds at the Indiana Dunes State Park beach.

Top wave of training

Brice Fox, of Decator, Ill., is knocked over by a wave Friday at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Top wave of training

Indiana Dunes State Park lifeguard James Halpin practices with other lifeguards, not seen, in high waves along the shore Friday in Lake Michigan. The beach was open to the public, but swimming was not allowed owing to wind-swept swells.