Area students debate fracking at watershed meeting

VALPARAISO | Members of the Chesterton and Valparaiso high school debating teams will debate the pros and cons of fracking at Monday's meeting of the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group.

Corn pops under Argentine heat

On Friday, corn reached the highest price since early December, climbing to more than $7.46 per bushel. Prices rallied as the market grew more concerned about hot and dry weather in Argentina threatening that nation’s crop. Argentina is the world’s fourth-largest corn producer, and its April…

A look back at corn's tumultuous year

Corn prices made a record high this year as drought ravaged crops across the Midwest. Despite the fact that farmers planted the most acres of corn since 1937, this year’s corn crop was relatively small due to drought-induced low yields. As corn baked throughout late summer, market expectatio…

Sandy causes gasoline spike

As Hurricane Sandy approached the Eastern Seaboard this week, there was a rash of panic buying in the gasoline market, as consumers and traders expected supplies would be interrupted. Many of their fears were warranted, as pipelines, ports and refineries were disabled by the storm, with some…

Vale Park path plans proceed despite objections

VALPARAISO | The city's Redevelopment Commission agreed Wednesday to proceed with revised plans for the Vale Park Road west pathway despite continued objections of residents from subdivisions to the south of the proposed route.

Gas explodes higher

Gasoline prices rose to a five-month high this week, gaining more than 25 cents per gallon. Nationwide, gasoline stockpiles are relatively low, nearly 15 percent smaller than at this time last year. Ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has continued to keep prices elevated, but this week’s big…

Gold and silver shine

Gold, silver and platinum prices rose sharply on news early Thursday morning that the European Central Bank will buy an unlimited amount of bonds from struggling European nations on the condition they stick to the rules of the planned bailout. Precious metals are considered safe-havens from …

Metals march higher

Precious metals advanced in trading this week, boosted by an announcement by the Federal Open Market Committee that suggested more economic stimulus may be on the way soon. In the past, Fed action to stimulate the economy has often been interpreted as stoking inflation, causing the price of …

Corm market on fire

Record-breaking temperatures continued to blaze across the Midwest, with little rain falling on the drought-stricken Corn Belt. Corn and soybeans continue to be damaged by hot, dry weather, causing industry experts to further downgrade the quality of this year’s crops. As a result of the low…

World awaits Greek fate

In an election that once again calls into question the fate of euro currency, Greek voters will hit the polls this Sunday. This weekend's vote was scheduled after a May 6 election failed to give any of Greece's seven main political parties enough votes to form a functioning coalition government.

Gold loses its glitter

Gold, known as the premier hedge against inflation, briefly dipped into negative territory on the year, as prospects for inflation across the world continue to appear to wane. The $787 billion economic stimulus package that was approved by Congress in 2009, now mostly spent, failed to cause …

Valpo Tech story to be told at Porter County museum

VALPARAISO | The items cluttering much of the space in the former Valparaiso Technical Institute look like they should be in a museum or the world's biggest garage sale.

Grant approved for former Valpo tech building

VALPARAISO | The eyesore formerly known as Valparaiso Technical Institute got a financial boost Wednesday from the city's Redevelopment Commission.

Warm winter cools natural gas

A report released Tuesday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed January was the fourth-warmest on record for the lower 48 states. Warm temperatures have sapped heating demand for natural gas, causing headaches for already bloated storage facilities. Under the weight o…

Turbulent 2011 sets records

This past year was one of the most turbulent trading periods since 1980, with many markets setting new record highs. Corn, cattle, hogs, gold, silver, copper and cotton all made record high prices this year, driven by myriad crises.

FUTURES FILE: Central banks to the 'rescue?'

Markets worldwide skyrocketed this week on hopes Europe's debt crisis could be alleviated by an infusion of loans from foreign central banks.

Green light for the red metal?

Supported by a lower U.S. dollar and relief over the economic situation in Europe, copper prices shot up 15 percent this week. Early Thursday morning, details were released of a comprehensive bailout package whose primary purpose was to bolster the value of the European currency. In response…

Europeans band together

Optimism surrounding the Europeans' newest solution to the debt debacle sparked a rally across markets worldwide. Led by Germany and France, European nations stated intentions to ensure their banks will remain strong, while calling on international organizations to help aid troubled nations …

Global demand, ethanol fuel food-price hikes

The continued rise in the cost of corn and other commodities on the global market will be serving up higher food prices at the local table. That doesn't mean, however, that higher grain prices will translate into a banner year for region farmers.