Defending regional champ in 100 and 200 sets sights on huge senior season

MERRILLVILLE | Before Airrica Harper's sophomore season at Merrillville, her grandfather Joseph Davis was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

OFFBEAT: Cathy Rigby is every inch of 'Peter Pan'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Offensive Player of Year Raspopovich

Merrillville High School quarterback Jake Raspopovich is the Times Offensive Player of the Year. He triggeried an attack that broke the state record for yards in a season (6,560).

Offensive Player of Year Raspopovich

Merrillville High School quarterback Jake Raspopovich is the Times Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Offensive Player of Year Raspopovich

Merrillville High School quarterback Jake Raspopovich is the Times Offensive Player of the Year.

Offensive Player of Year Raspopovich

Merrillville High School quarterback Jake Raspopovich is the Times Offensive Player of the Year. He amassed 4,109 yards this season.

Offensive Player of Year Raspopovich

Merrillville High School quarterback Jake Raspopovich is the Times Offensive Player of the Year again, becoming the first athlete on that side of the ball to be honored twice in the history of the award.

End of road: Merrillville, Andrean fall short of trips to state

Merrillville fans have grown accustomed to high-scoring football games this season.

Maholm wins 5th start in row, Cubs beat Pirates

PITTSBURGH | Paul Maholm pitched eight strong innings Tuesday night to win his fifth straight start and lead the Chicago Cubs over the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1.

Cubs lose 12th straight

PITTSBURGH | The Cubs didn't come to close to ending their longest losing streak in more than 15 years.

Hobart softball advances at Chesterton sectional

CHESTERTON | Dana Claussen's second and third home runs of the season could not have come at a better time for the Hobart softball team.

Valparaiso couple circle the globe on freighters

VALPARAISO | Richard and Rosemarie Stith have been traveling the seas of the world for over four decades in an unusual way, and this past summer they really set sail for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Peter Pan Pirates

Captain Hook's band of pirates keeps everyone entertained in "Peter Pan," playing through July 10, 2011 in Chicago.

Kid Picks with Philip Potempa

Our weekly round-up of new children's media.

OFFBEAT: PAAS new egg color kits for 2011 include some unusual design choices

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Adventurous sort

"The Unsinkable Walker Bean" by Aaron Renier ($13.99 First Second Press)

US Navy frigate captures 5 pirates near Seychelles

NAIROBI, Kenya | U.S. naval forces say they've captured five pirates after exchanging fire with them, sinking their skiff and confiscating a mother ship.