Industry ready for another productive year

Woman celebrates second chance at life

Patti Lay met her lifesavers Wednesday at Portage Fire Station No. 1. She was working at Portage High School Jan. 7 when she suddenly collapsed from sudden cardiac death. Lay stands with co-worker Lee McCurdy who immediately began CPR and called police and fire.

Woman celebrates second chance at life

Patti Lay talks to some of her life savers Wednesday at Portage Fire Station No. 1. Lay was working at Portage High School when she suffered sudden cardiac death. A nearby co-worker, Lee McCurdy immediately began CPR and called emergency workers. From left are firefighter paramedics Tom Dutk…

Woman celebrates second chance at life

Patti Lay thanks Portage firefighters and paramedics for helping save her life Wednesday during a visit to Station No. 1. From left are Assistant Chief Dan Kodiciek and firefighter paramedics Tom Dutko and Chris Alexander.

Industry ready for another productive year

Work continues on a new stack, at NIPSCO's R.M. Schahfer generating station in Wheatfield in this December 2011 photo. Construction projects at the plant were expected to generate more than 900 trade jobs. NIPSCO is investing about $500 million in environmental improvements at the plant.

Valparaiso residents hope to save historic train depot

The historic train depot at Calumet Avenue and Bush Street in Valparaiso is slated to be demolished soon.

Valparaiso residents hope to save historic train depot

A notice for demolition hangs on a window of the train depot in Valparaiso.

Valparaiso residents hope to save historic train depot

The historic train depot at Calumet Avenue and Bush Street in Valparaiso is slated to be demolished soon.

Valparaiso residents hope to save historic train depot

A Canadian National train passes the historic train depot Monday at Calumet Avenue and Bush Street in Valparaiso. The station is slated to be demolished soon.

Valparaiso residents hope to save historic train depot

Residents who hope to save the historic train station at Calumet Avenue and Bush Street in Valparaiso are facing an Oct. 16 deadline.

WJOB in Hammond ready to celebrate 90 years of region radio fame

Jim Dedelow, owner of WJOB-1230 AM in Hammond, describes the regional radio station as "living history built on listeners."

Lake Station built fields within Field of Dreams but no one came

Lake Station Public Works employee Henry Montes floats concrete for a dugout this past spring at the Lake Station Field of Dreams. No one used the fields due to disagreements.

Field of Dreams near completion

Concrete is poured for a dugout last spring at the Lake Station Field of Dreams. The fields went unused due to disagreements.

Field of Dreams near completion

A concrete truck drives outside the fence for the Lake Station Field of Dreams earlier this spring. The fields were never used due to disagreements between city officials and the Lake Station Little League.

Lake Station Fourth of July parade

Brianna Kaehler, of Lake Station sprays spectators with water as she walks in the city's Fourth of July parade along Central Avenue Tuesday.

Fourth of July events in the region

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, distributes pencils to spectators along Central Avenue Tuesday during Lake Station's Fourth of July parade.

Lake Station launches new farmers market

"Garden flowers" made from repurposed materials stand on display Wednesday at the Garden Art booth during the first Lake Station farmers market.

Lake Station launches new farmers market

Red bell peppers are offered for sale at the La Bodega booth Wednesday during the first Lake Station farmers market.

Lake Station launches new farmers market

Cheylyn Henry, 9, of New Chicago, did face — and camera lens — painting Wednesday during the first day of the Lake Station farmers market. Cheylyn worked with her mother, Devon Kovacik, at the Red Balloon booth, an environmentally friendly charity that supports the community through scholars…

Lake Station launches new farmers market

Victoria Ramirez, 3, peers over a basket of red peppers while helping her mother, Maria, at the La Bodega fruit and vegetable stand Wednesday at Lake Station's first farmers market. The market will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 26.