East Street improvement project begins in Crown Point

CROWN POINT | Work toward a major fix to a key downtown street began this week, Crown Point officials said.

Hobart working to highlight waterfront downtown, attract visitors

HOBART | Linda Papp didn't know Hobart had a lakefront until she opened her downtown restaurant six years ago.

Hobart working to highlight waterfront downtown, attract visitors

Three Hobart boards have approved plans for a new logo and signs to better director people downtown. The logo incorporates the clock tower, which is identified with Lake George, and the color blue to tie into the lake.

Hobart working to highlight waterfront downtown, attract visitors

Hobart's downtown Main Street has a variety of businesses, new and old. Three Hobart boards have approved plans for a new logo and new signs — at a cost of more than $1 million — to better direct people to the city's downtown.

Lansing awards $72K for Ridge Road businesses to improve facades

LANSING | The Village Board approved $72,000 in grants that will help three Ridge Road businesses pay for improvements to their facades.

Kouts plans to enhance its small-town charm

The Kouts Economic Development Commission's facade improvement program is intended to revive older buildings downtown while preserving their historical flair.

National music college to open campus in downtown Lansing

LANSING | A Memphis-based music college that wants to expand nationally has plans to develop a Chicago-area campus in Lansing.

'Cash Mob' descends on Highland arts supply store

HIGHLAND | Bridget DeYoung brought her four children, ages 14 years to 8 months, to the Cash Mob on Saturday at Hoosier Highlander as a family outing and a way to support local businesses.

No cause found for Valpo fire

Heavy equipment operators with G.E. Marshall of Valparaiso clear debris recently at the site of the March 4 fire that destroyed a historic downtown building on Lincolnway and Michigan Street in Valparaiso.

No cause found for Valpo fire

A fabric-covered fence obscures the view from the corner of Lincolnway and Michigan Street where a historic downtown building burned March 4 in Valparaiso. Investigator reports are inconclusive as to the cause of the fire that started in the basement.

No cause found for Valpo fire

The cause of the March 4 fire that destroyed a historic downtown building on Lincolnway and Michigan Street in Valparaiso might never be known.

No cause found for Valpo fire

A pile of brick rubble is nearly all that remains of the historic building on Lincolnway and Michigan St that burned earlier this month.

Celebrate vibrant, visionary Valparaiso

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

Free rent offer to fill storefronts

LAPORTE | The city of LaPorte is offering several months of free rent to combat a growing number of empty storefronts in the downtown area.

Raw video: Demolition begins of charred building

Demolition crews began dismantling a large building in downtown Valparaiso that caught fire early Monday morning.

Pub crawl, scavenger hunt planned by downtown Valpo businesses

VALPARAISO | Downtown businesses will celebrate citizenship throughout the month of February with events, festivities and prizes.

Crown Point looks to snag share of federal funding for crosswalk improvements

CROWN POINT | City officials took action this week in an effort to snag a share of federal highway funding to improve safety at several pedestrian crossings.

Village mulls business proposal

CRETE | The Village Board on Monday was presented with a plan that would call for municipal investment in a proposed development on the southeast corner of Main and Exchange streets.

Holly Days celebrates the season in downtown Valparaiso

VALPARAISO | Downtown Valparaiso twinkled beneath holiday lights for the annual Holly Days celebration on Friday night at Central Park Plaza.

Holly Days celebrates the season

Brandon Benninger, playing a shepherd, stands near his llama, Whiz-Inkie, during the Living Nativity scene Friday evening at Valparaiso's Holly Days event.