Local teams prep for state Science Olympiad

Valparaiso students set up their Mission Possible entry Wednesday as they prepare for Science Olympiad state tournament competition Wednesday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. From left are Allison Skadberg, 13, Nick Bluhm, 15, and Tim Henderson, 15. Middle and high school students will com…

Local teams prep for state Science Olympiad

Valparaiso Science Olympiad coach Richard Bender holds a student entry for the rotor egg drop competition Wedensday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Local teams prep for state Science Olympiad

Megan Rahn, 14, left, and Claire Bartusch, 14, move musical chimes at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. They made two instruments for the Science Oympiad competition, and will participate in the state tournament Saturday at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Local teams prep for state Science Olympiad

Megan Rahn, 14, plays a musical instrument made from plastic pipe and tube Wednesday as she practices for the Science Olympiad state tournament competition at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

'Keytar king' visits Willowcreek Middle School

Sixth-grade teacher Jessica Bahr dances along with students Friday while Jeff Abbott, of Portage, entertains sixth-grade students and teachers at Willowcreek Middle School during a musical presentation with his Keytar as a reward to sixth graders who collected the most pop tabs for Hannah's …

'Keytar king' visits Willowcreek Middle School

Local musician Jeff Abbott, of Portage, entertained sixth-grade students and teachers Friday at Willowcreek Middle School during a musical presentation with his keytar. Abbott, or "Keytar Jeff," visited sixth graders as a reward to them for collecting the most pop tabs for Hannah's Hope duri…

Lake Ridge expanding New Tech

Lake Ridge Middle School Principal Renee Pluchinsky walks through a hallway Tuesday at the school. The middle school will be converting to the New Tech educational system, and is among the first middle schools in the country to adopt the teaching method.

Lake Ridge expanding New Tech

Lake Ridge Middle School social studies teacher Scott Gold stands in a traditional classroom. The school will be converting to the New Tech educational system next school year.

Lake Ridge expanding New Tech

Lake Ridge Middle School will convert to the New Tech educational system next school year.

Lake Ridge expanding New Tech

Lake Ridge Middle School teacher Jim Checkley, right, and his practical arts classroom represent an arrangement similar to New Tech. The middle school will convert next school year to the New Tech educational system.

Tony Hiatt named principal for new Hanover Central Middle School

Tony Hiatt has been hired as the new principal at Hanover Central Middle School. Hiatt, who will begin July 1, most recently served as an assistant principal for South Newton School Corp.

Portage dinner 'like the first Thanksgiving'

Families sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day dinner Thursday at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage as part of the efforts by 11 local churches and community organizations that together provided about 600 free dinners to the community.

Portage dinner 'like the first Thanksgiving'

Tammy McCumber, of Portage, puts on her apron with daughter, Brianna, 9, as they prepare to help volunteer Thursday at Willowcreek Middle School.

Portage dinner 'like the first Thanksgiving'

Ken Steorts, of Portage Township, looks over the dessert tray offered by Patti Coppess, of Portage, on Thursday at Willow Creek Middle School. Open to the community, the turkey dinners were prepared by volunteers from several church organizations, and came entirely from donations including s…

Portage dinner 'like the first Thanksgiving'

Volunteers prepare turkey dinners Thursday at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage. From left are Madolyn Culliba, 16, of Portage, Jami Garzella, of Portage, and Andrew Bauer, 18, of South Haven.

Portage dinner 'like the first Thanksgiving'

Volunteers, at right, serve free Thanksgiving Day dinner to people Thursday at Williowcreek Middle School in Portage.

Valparaiso transit center

Valparaiso has applied for a $25.9 million federal grant to build a $32.3 million bus transit center at Lincolnway and Morgan Boulevard. The corner property where a Round the Clock Restaurant stands would have to be acquired for the project, which would include retail and housing components.

Valparaiso transit center

Valparaiso has applied for a $25.9 million federal grant to build a $32.3 million bus transit center at Lincolnway and Morgan Boulevard. The corner property where a Round the Clock Restaurant stands would have to be acquired for the project, which would included retail and housing components.

Col. Wheeler salute to vets

Students and staff at Colonel John Wheeler Middle School gather in the Crown Point school's gymnsaium to honor local miltary veterans during their Veterans Day program.

Col. Wheeler salute to vets

Christian Ahearn, of Crown Point and a soldier in the U.S. Army, lifts his sister, Mackenzie, 12, a Wheeler Middle School student, during the Colonel John Wheeler Middle School's Veterans Day program. It included presentations of prose by students, and musical selections performed by the eig…