Picking up No. 2 is No. 1 priority for Valpo

VALPARAISO | It's an unpleasant job but cleaning up after your pet is part of the responsibility of ownership, and it's the message behind the city's "Scoop the Poop" program.

Valpo offering discount rate on rain barrels

VALPARAISO | The city again is offering rain barrels to residents at a reduced price.

Valparaiso officials asked to return 2-way traffic to Washington Street

VALPARAISO | Traffic on Washington Street in the city's downtown has been one-way northbound since Dave Smith was a lad, but he thinks it's time for the city to consider making it a two-way street again.

Gin Blossoms to highlight Valpo Popcorn Fest

VALPARAISO | The nationally known pop rock group Gin Blossoms will be the headline act for September's 35th annual Popcorn Fest, the Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events office announced recently.

Central Park Plaza to host Shakespeare, Lazer Ball among varied 2013 events

VALPARAISO | From church services and Shakespeare to Lazer Ball, the upcoming season at Central Park Plaza promises to be busy and varied.

A 'lights out' plan to honor fallen soldiers

VALPARAISO | If you hear taps being played at sunset in downtown Valparaiso soon, don't think the city administration expects you to turn out the lights and go to bed.

Celebrate vibrant, visionary Valparaiso

Valparaiso resident Bob Cunningham and his son Tyler play in the splash pad at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso last May .

Celebrate vibrant, visionary Valparaiso

In Valparaiso, we have so much to celebrate in the way we work and play and live each day.

Valpo's Central Park, its activities, keep expanding

VALPARAISO | Central Park Plaza was a busy place in 2012 with 107 events, but, as Valparaiso prepares to unveil plans for the park's expansion, it's already set for an even busier 2013.

Valparaiso's Costas bullish on city's future

VALPARAISO | Whether he's looking back at the past year or ahead to the next one, Mayor Jon Costas sees plenty of things to be optimistic about.

Parks enhance our quality of life

Orville Redenbacher's daugher Gail Tuminello sits next to a bronze statue of her father unveiled at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso Sept. 4, 2012. The statue now has its own Twitter account.

Parks enhance our quality of life

People gather at Central Park Plaza, awaiting the arrival of the Valparaiso High School homecoming parade.

Valpo's Central Park Plaza to become poster child

VALPARAISO | The downtown Central Park Plaza will become a promotional South Shore commuter rail line poster child, but the city might have to wait until next year to get it done.

Applications for mayor's charity ball funds being accepted

VALPARAISO | Applications are now being accepted from charity organizations interested in sharing in proceeds from the annual Mayor's Charity Ball to be held July 26 at Central Park Plaza.

And the winner of the Oscar visit is ... Valpo

VALPARAISO | Orville is welcoming a very important guest on Sunday. Oscar.

Valpo's come a long way in 10 years, mayor says

VALPARAISO | Many improvements have been made in the city in the last decade, but Mayor Jon Costas promised many more in the coming decade.

The ice is finally nice at Valparaiso's Tower Park

VALPARAISO | The city's skating rink at Tower Park opened for the first time in two years on Wednesday, but it probably won't be around for long.

Valpo redevelopment group forced to cut projects

VALPARAISO | The city's Redevelopment Commission put a hold on funding for any new pathways or facade grants, will spend only about $15,000 to assist expansion of Central Park Plaza and won't fund planned streetscape work on North Calumet Avenue.

PHIL WIELAND: Getting Valpo's vision off to a flying start

It's no secret I'm a big fan of the future, in the sense that I hope we all have one. Keep those Mayans cranking out the calendars, please.

Valpo to build on success at Central Park

VALPARAISO | Central Park Plaza's first full year of operation was a good one with 88 events, but Tina St. Aubin said residents can expect even more things happening at the park this year.