Brett Riley

Northwest Indiana Forum Promotes Region Advantages

A view of interstate 80/94 looking eastbound from Wentworth Ave. in Lansing, Ill.

Times POY 2011 - Soldier Skype

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Ralph talks to his family via Skype from Virginia Beach, Va., while wife Sherri Ralph prays before dinner with daughter Samantha Ralph, 1, and sons Matthew Mendoza, 8, left, and Ryan Ralph Jr., 2, right, at the family's home in Highland, February 9. Ryan married Sher…

The mission continues: Challenger Learning Center

Sixth graders from Scott Middle School took part in a simulated flight mission at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond last winter.

The mission continues: Challenger Learning Center

A student tries on a toy astronaut helmet during a tour of the Challenger Learning Center.

Legacy of the Steel City

A view of U.S. Steel in Gary

Government shutdown could halt military pay

Sgt. Ryan Ralph joins his family for dinner via Skype at the Ralph's home in Highland in this Feb. 9, 2011 file photo. Sherri Ralph is worried about a possible government shutdown that would cause her husband's military paychecks to be halted.

AmeriClean celebrates 25 years

MERRILLVILLE | Ruth Kaluf, an AmeriClean employee of 23 years, cleans a fire-damaged table at the company's headquarters in Merrillville.

AmeriClean celebrates 25 years

MERRILLVILLE | Robert Eriks, center, founder of AmeriClean, stands with sons and employees A.J., left, and Anthony at the company's headquarters in Merrillville. Robert Eriks founded the restoration company 25 years ago.

POTW Mar. 13-Mar. 19 - Business Hall of Fame

The Times Media Co. Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame 2011 class features (left to right) James Jorgensen, partner at Hoeppner Wagner & Evans in Valparaiso; John Barney, CEO of Crown Point-based Barney Enterprises; Gary and Shar Miller, owners of of Prompt Ambulance in Hig…

The Homewood-Flossmoor girls water polo team

The Homewood-Flossmoor girls water polo team has four returning starters from a team which finished fourth in the state last year. Those starters are, from left, Rebecca Matthews, Michelle Mayer, Sophie Schloen and Hannah Ongman.

Homewood-Flossmoor's Luke Dobben

Homewood-Flossmoor boys water polo players including Luke Dobben, left, tread water with weights above their heads during practice Monday.

Homewood-Flossmoor senior Caleb Peterson

Homewood-Flossmoor senior Caleb Peterson takes a shot during a drill at practice Monday.

The Homewood-Flossmoor boys water polo team

The Homewood-Flossmoor boys water polo team made it to the Elite Eight of the state tournament last year and is hoping for a return visit. H-F has four seniors, from left. Jacob Bodnar, Shay Banton, Luke Dobben and Caleb Peterson.

Business Hall of Fame

Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob speaks Tuesday at a reception for The Times Media Co.'s Northwest Indiana BusINess and Industry Hall of Fame awards at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

Business Hall of Fame

Northwest Indiana BusINess and Industry Hall of Fame class of 2011 includes from left, James Jorgensen, John Barney, Gary and Shar Miller and Dave Wilkinson. Leigh Morris, back right, was named as the recipient of this year's Partners in Progress award. Hall of Fame inductee Mike Brennan is …

Business Hall of Fame

The Times Media Co. handed out awards to Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame recipients at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.

POTW March 6-March 12 - PACZKIDAY

Juan Martinez, left, and Juan Lazino make paczkis in preparation for Fat Tuesday at Calumet Bakery in Lansing on Monday, March 7. Between the bakery's three locations they will make around 3,000 paczkis.

POTW March 6-March 12 - Munster Regionals

Munster senior Joe Crisman, right, is fouled by South Bend Riley senior Marcus Moody in Munster's 52-48 win during regionals at Michigan City High School, Saturday, March 12. Munster eventually defeated Valparaiso 40-38 in the Michigan City Regional and will advance to play Kokomo at semistates.

Merrillville sisters deliver on the same day, three hours apart

Newborn cousins Rashi Bell Jr., left, and Jailah Jones were born hours apart Wednesday to Merrillville sisters LaShana Stanley and Jerrona Jones at the Methodist Hospital Southlake Campus in Merrillville.