Crawpuppies rock region stages

VALPARAISO | Region rock band the Crawpuppies has been hitting the stage since 1995, mixing original tunes with covers of pop rock bands and entertaining audiences throughout Northwest Indiana.

Day of Service

Teams of Ben Franklin eighth-graders and teachers spent the day out in the community including helping clean up the yard at Family House in Valparaiso as part of their day of service.

Day of Service

Ben Franklin eighth-graders' day of service included spending time at Banta Center playing bingo with its senior members.

Day of service spotlights community connections

VALPARAISO | Ben Franklin Middle School eighth-graders recently spent a day of service out in the community creating new connections and giving back.

Food swappers celebrate Cinco de Mayo

CHESTERTON | NWI Food Swap members celebrated Cinco de Mayo in style with their second food swap event at the Chesterton Public Library.

Portage Senior Health Fair

12th Annual Portage Senior Health Fair

PORTAGE | Gwen Kiser, community relations director at Miller's Senior Living Community encourages a grip tester at the 13th annual Portage Senior Health Fair. The fair, sponsored by Mayor James Snyder and the mayor's advisory committee on senior services, featured various vendors, screenings…

DeLaney McGinley continuing achievements at Lewis University

DECATUR, ILL. | Lewis University’s DeLaney McGinley, of Valparaiso, is marking a personal best and top effort for all female throwers at Lewis this year. She recently won the hammer throw (44.85m/147'2") to lead the Flyer women’s track and field team at the Millikin University Big Blue Track…

Bark for Life

Bark for Life supports American Cancer Society

VALPARAISO | The Canine Country Club is hosting a Bark for Life and Dachshund Derby event on Saturday June 1 to help support the American Cancer Society.

Kids Power dog tour supports animal shelter

VALPARAISO | Kids Power is bringing the dog days of summer to spring.

Senior Health Fair Thursday in Portage

PORTAGE | The Mayor’s Advisory committee on Senior Services in Portage is hosting its 13th annual Senior Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday May 2 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road.

Promise connects best friends after diagnosis

CHESTERTON | Best friends Diane Santiago and Denise Francis have a lifetime of shared experiences built on a friendship that began in high school.

Feeding animals at Sunset Hill Farms

Children help feed Lucy the goat at a recent Feeding Time at the Farm event at Sunset Hill Farms.

Mayor seeks support, votes for symphony’s “Magic Baton” competition

LAPORTE | Mayor Blair Milo is vying for an opportunity to conduct the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.

LaPorte Mayor Blair Milo

Tri Kappa book sale

Day of beauty fund-raiser honors Bach, raises awareness

VALPARAISO | Anna McDonald hopes a day of beauty will not only honor the memory of Amanda Bach but also will bring awareness to dating violence and relationship abuse.

Amanda Bach

Sunset Hill Farm County Park feeding time

Kids had a chance to feed the animals at Feeding Time at the Farm at Sunset Hill Farm County Park.

Feeding time at Sunset Hill Farm County Park

VALPARAISO | Mr. T and Lucy had special servers on a recent morning.

Most Vital Seniors

The 2012 Most Vital Seniors include, from left, Kathleen Miller (1st Place); Martha Willis (2nd Runner-up) and Donna Mokol (1st Runner-up).

Comfort Keepers to recognize most vital seniors

PORTAGE | Comfort Keepers of Portage is accepting nominations for its Most Vital Senior Award.

Jupiter Jayde

Jupiter Jayde (Jayde Petersen) celebrates science during a show at the Cooks Corners Elementary School science fair.

A celebration of science at Cooks Corners Elementary School

VALPARAISO | Cooks Corners Elementary School hosted its first science fair in conjunction with its laboratory-themed book fair Friday.

American Sign Language Club

Karen Donah, right, interprets presenter Jan Pool's words into ASL during a recent club event at Cornucopia Coffee Company in Valparaiso.

ASL Club brings together culture, language

VALPARAISO | Blending cultures and languages, Purdue University North Central American Sign Language Club continues to connect community members through its events.

Club members swim to triumphant season

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso Swim Club members are celebrating a season of success.

Michigan City in Bloom

Natalie Keller

Natalie Keller with one of her photographs.

Mayor James Snyder and Sue Lynch

Mayor James Snyder and councilwoman Sue Lynch speak during the reception at the Senior Art Fair at the Portage Public Library.

Seniors’ talent on display at art fair

PORTAGE | Seniors are showcasing their artistic talents again this year during the 13th annual Senior Art Fair at the Portage Public Library.

Ruth Foster

Author brings 14th Century England to life in mystery series

VALPARAISO | It was while living in England that Ruth Foster’s author aspirations first began to take root.

Mary Fox and Tracy Freeze

Outgoing Duneland Chamber of Commerce President Mary Fox, right, passes the gavel to 2013 President Tracy Freeze at the chamber's annual meeting.

Duneland Chamber celebrates growth, looks forward to future

CHESTERTON | Duneland Chamber of Commerce members and leadership team marked a year of growth and development as they look forward to building on their successes in 2013.

Capturing the Crusaders

VALPARAISO | Community correspondent Lesly Bailey captured the game, fans and fun through her camera lens as the Valparaiso University men’s basketball team took on Wright State Saturday and ultimately won the game 69-63 in the final seven minutes at the ARC.

Kids group supports animal shelter

VALPARAISO | Porter County kids are learning the power of a united effort as they embrace the meaning of community spirit.

Porter County Community Foundation Carol Costakis

Foundation continues tradition of giving

VALPARAISO | Carol Costakis is greeted by “the girls” every day.

Gabriel's Horn

Annual dance to support Gabriel’s Horn

PORTAGE | Gabriel’s Horn is hosting its annual dance event to help support the shelter’s mission and goals. The Dance for Gabriel’s Horn is from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at Woodland Park in Portage.

Dayspring benefit

Concert to support Dayspring Women's Shelter

VALPARAISO | The Shades of Gray, a local contemporary folk group, will perform to benefit Dayspring Women’s Shelter at 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church, which is located at the corner of Washington and Chicago streets in Valparaiso.