Memorial Day ceremony in Valparaiso

The Rev. John Wolf speaks to the crowd about his experiences during World War II at the Memorial Day observance at Foundation Meadows Park on Friday afternoon.

Memorial Day ceremony in Valparaiso

From left, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, Doug Peirce and Bill Wellman lay a wreath at that the war memorial at Foundation Meadows Park on Friday afternoon during the Memorial Day observance ceremony.

Purdue Coaches Caravan

Former Purdue basketball player and NBA standout Brian Cardinal signs autographs for fans Thursday at the Radisson in Merrillville.

Purdue Coaches Caravan

Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter talks with Joe Busovsky of Lowell on Thursday during the annual Purdue Coaches Caravan at the Radisson in Merrillville.

Purdue Coaches Caravan

Purdue coaches Matt Painter and Darrell Hazell, along with former Purdue standout and NBA standout Brian Cardinal, sign autographs for fans Thursday at the Purdue Coaches Caravan stop at the Radisson.

Purdue Coaches Caravan

New Purdue head football coach Darrell Hazell talks to Sam Tilden, left, and his little brother Jack Tilden, right, both of Chesterton, Thursday at the Radisson during the annual coaches caravan.

581 'inspirations'

Graduates of Purdue University North Central file down a walkway to be seated for their graduation ceremony Monday evening at Valparaiso University.

581 'inspirations'

Purdue North Central Chancellor James B. Dworkin welcomes graduates to the commencement ceremony held Monday evening at Valparaiso University.

Region's ecological history is etched in the landscape

John Drake, kneeling, explains a type of plant to Martha Bolyard, left, Susan MiHalo, center, and Ann Bochnowski on Monday during a biodiversity tour at Ivanhoe Dune and Swale in Gary.

PCC Baseball

Dan Connelly lays down a bunt for Washington Township in the first game of the PCC semis against Hanover Central on Saturday.

PCC Baseball

Hanover Central's Evan Garthus just misses a pop up bunt Saturday against Washington Township.

PCC Baseball

The Senators' Tyler Byerly hits the dirt safely at home plate Saturday against Hanover Central.

PCC Baseball

Washington Township's Justin Landgrebe delivers against Hanover Central in the first semi-final game of the PCC tournament Saturday.

PCC Baseball

Washington Township's Bob Ross tracks down a foul ball along the first base line Saturday against Hanover Central.

PCC Baseball

Washington Township's Troy Kwiatkowski slides into second, beating the throw to Hanover Central's Jesse Wilkening on Saturday.

Portage’s Jeron Blake pulls away from the competition in the 100-meter finals, winning in 11.27 seconds Thursday at the Portage Sectional.

Valparaiso's Andrew Kittridge and Joahua Marciniak battle it out in the finish of the 110-meter hurdles

Valparaiso's Andrew Kittridge and Joahua Marciniak battle it out in the finish of the 110-meter hurdles Thursday at the Portage Sectional. Marciniak won in 14.95, while Kittridge was second (15.07).

Valparaiso's Muyenda Burnett was second in the pole vault at Thursday's Portage Sectional.

Washington Township's Thamarr McGee placed third in the high jump at Thursday's Portage Sectional.

Valparaiso's Xavier Reed leads the pack on the second lap of the 1,600 meters. He finished third in 4:26.96.

Students serving city

Devin Jaremczuk, an eighth-grader at Ben Franklin Middle School, picks up some pine needles that have been raked up and deposits them into a trash bag so they can be properly disposed of.

Students serving city

Students from Ben Franklin Middle School in Valparaiso clean up some brush and pine needles Wednesday behind the Valparaiso Fire Station on Evans Avenue.

Implanted device curbs Valpo man's seizures

A car crash nearly 13 years ago put Valparaiso resident John Camacho in a coma for two weeks. Regular seizures interrupted his progress toward recovery. That changed 14 months ago. After undergoing an hour-long procedure at Methodist Hospitals Southlake campus in Merrillville, Camacho now ha…

PCC Softball Championship

Hebron's Dani Heath tries to make it to first before Boone Groove's Kirsten Spangenberg throws her out Saturday afternoon in the Porter County Conference tournament championship game.

PCC Softball Championship

Hebron's Maggie Linderman delivers against Boone Grove Saturday afternoon during the Porter County Conference tournament championship.

PCC Softball Championship

Boone Groove's Kayla Yadron throws to first base for an out Saturday afternoon against Hebron in the Porter County Conference Championship game.

PCC Softball Championship

Hebron's Kyle Doelling watches the ball for a catch at shortstop Saturday in the Porter County Conference tournament championship game against Boone Groove.

Lake Central's Ryan Dahlkamp watches at No.18 as his ball rolls onto the green Friday afternoon the Uebele Invitational.

Valparaiso's Andrew Gariup tries to chip his ball onto the green on No. 9 Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Valparaiso's Kyle Meihofer watches his putt on the the No. 18 green Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Valparaiso's Kyle Meihofer watches his putt on the the No. 18 green Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational. He finished with a 75 for the champion Vikings.

Crown Point's Patrick Mudd tees off Friday afternoon during the Uebele Invitational. He finished with a 77.

Chesterton's Brandon Martin shot a team-low 78 Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Chesterton's Eric Richardson watches as his tee shot soars through the air on No. 1 Friday afternoon the Uebele Invitational.

Andrean's Jack Musgrave looks away after missing a short putt on the front nine Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Highland's Nick Canham tries to sink a long putt on the No. 9 green Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Chesterton's Josh Kelly lines up for his putt on No. 18 green Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Lake Central's Rob Barker reacts after he realized his tee shot went out of play on No.18 Friday afternoon at the Uebele Invitational.

Megan Tymorek, Chesterton

Megan Tymorek jumps into her teammates at home plate last year after hitting a home run against Lake Central in the Class 4A regional. The state tournament draw was released on Thursday and Chesterton will open against Crown Point in the sectional.

PCC Track

Isaiah Thomas from South Central, thrusts his chest across the finish line of the 200-meter dash final Thursday during the Porter County Conference track meet at Hebron High School.

PCC Track

Kouts' Zach Birky lets loose a throw in the finals of the discuss event Thursday afternoon at the Porter County Conference track meet at Hebron High School.

PCC Track

Morgan Township's Mike Bigott gives his best effort during the shot put event Thursday afternoon during the Porter County Conference track meet.

PCC Track

Runners line up at the starting line for the 1600-meter race Thursday afternoon at Hebron High School during the Porter County Conference track meet.

PCC Track

Alec Kosrelnik from Morgan Township powers through in the 800-meter final Thursday afternoon at the Porter County Conference track meet at Hebron High School.

PCC Track

Washington Township's Mike Koselke launches himself into the air Thursday afternoon at the Porter County Conference track meet at Hebron High School.

Majestic Star honors nonprofit directors at Mother's Day service

Renae Tomczak, left, representing Danita Johnson Hughes of Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living, and Sister Peg of Sojourner Truth House were presented with plaques Wednesday during the annual Mother's Day Reception at Majestic Star Casino in Gary. The women were honored for their contribut…

Majestic Star honors nonprofit directors at Mother's Day service

A table is filled with items donated for mothers and children served by Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living and Sojourner Truth House.

Mother, daughter getting double dose of doctorates

Amie Burns-Scharnke and her mother, Nadine Burns, look at one of their text books for nursing. Both be graduate together May 19 from Valparaiso University with doctorates in nursing.

Mother, daughter getting double dose of doctorates

Mother’s Day will be a little more special for Amie Burns-Scharnke and her mother Nadine Burns as they are both set to graduate from Valparaiso University with doctorates in nursing.

Twin Lakes Softball Tourney

The Crown Point softball team hoists the Twin Lakes Invitational Trophy for the second straight year after knocking off Twin Lakes 3-1 on Saturday night.

Twin Lakes Softball Tourney

Crown Point's Ali Rock uses her body to keep the ball from getting past her while Twin Lakes' Morgan Gutwein crosses the plate to take 1-0 lead in the first inning of the championship game of the Twin Lakes Invitational.