Valparaiso Schools reaffirms Berta as leader

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso School Board President Mark Maassel began Tuesday night’s meeting with a moment of silence to remember the lives lost in Newtown, Conn.

Hobart Pennsy Depot turns 100

This bench marker at the Pennsy Depot in Hobart shows due north and elevation. It was installed by the U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey. The Pennsy Depot is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Hobart Pennsy Depot turns 100

Mike Admas, executive director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, stands inside the Pennsy Depot which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The chamber has occupied the depot since 2005.

Hobart Pennsy Depot turns 100

The Pennsy Depot in Hobart is on the National Register of Historic Places and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Hobart Pennsy Depot Turns 100

The Pennsy Depot in Hobart, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Hobart Pennsy Depot turns 100

Mike Admas, executive director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, stands in the cellar of the Pennsy Depot, which is said to be haunted. The depot is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Hobart Pennsy Depot turns 100

Mike Admas, executive director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce, stands at the Pennsy Depot which marks its 100th anniversary on Thursday with a rededication.

Volunteers spruce up Valpo VFW post

Hammond Home Depot employee Hector Maldonado helps shovel dirt Thursday during a landscaping project at VFW Post 988 in Valparaiso.

Volunteers spruce up Valpo VFW post

Home Depot employees William Ferguson, right, and Hector Maldonado shovel dirt Thursday while landscaping VFW Post 988 in Valparaiso. Home Depot employees from three different stores and a district representative volunteered to help install new lighting and landscaping.

Volunteers spruce up Valpo VFW post

Valparaiso Home Depot Assistant Store Manager Ryne Wheatley shovels dirt Thursday for new landscaping outside VFW Post 988 in Valparaiso. Home Depot donated materials and labor to help the VFW install new lighting and landscaping.

Volunteers spruce up Valpo VFW post

Home Depot employee Claudia Wheatley, who works at the Hammond store, paints Thursday in the entryway to VFW Post 988 in Valparaiso. Wheatley was among a group of volunteers from three Home Depot stores to help spruce up the post.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Home Depot District Manager Chris Wolfe plasters a wall Thursday to prepare it for painting at the Porter County Animal Shelter.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Valparaiso Home Depot worker Kristi Fricke, right, paints a doorway Thursday at the Porter County Animal Shelter with other area Home Depot volunteers.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Lafayette Home Depot volunteer Caleb Ply removes old lighting fixtures Thursday from the Porter County Animal Shelter before installing new ones. The Home Depot gave the shelter $7,000 in new lights, new animal fencing, paint and new cabinets.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Valparaiso Home Depot volunteer worker Bob Dille installs new ductwork Thursday in the ceiling of the Porter County Animal Shelter.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Hobart Home Depot volunteer Joe Villarreal cuts away rusted fencing Thursday before installing a new fence at the Porter County Animal Shelter.

Store brings improvements to animal shelter

Lafayette Home Depot volunteer Sara Meyer, right, pets a Porter County Animal Shelter dog Thursday with 7-year-old Ady Ubl while animal shelter volunteer Stephanie Pocius paints a doorway at the shelter.