Valparaiso University softball celebration

Valparaiso University softball players celebrate after taking the 2012 Horizon League Championship against Loyola University.

SBC_HORIZON

Valparaiso softball player Joylyn Ichiyama celebrates with her son Jayden and her team after VU won the 2012 Horizon League championship.

Chesterton's Meg Modesto

Chesterton sophomore Meg Modesto is 8-1 this season at No. 1 singles.

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Anya Haynes, 5, and her mother Lynn fish off of Wolf Lake Pier.

Munster has always tried to do things right

Stephen Jadrnak, of Hammond, left, and Grasie Noworyta, of Chicago, view art last April during the 38th annual South Shore Arts high school art exhibit and reception at Munster's Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

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SCHERERVILLE - Jeanette Zandstra, on left, and Alicia Tuuk of Smits Farms stand by bundles of herbs in their stand at the Schererville International Farmer's Market at Redar Park.

Hanover Central's Dan Stum

Hanover Central senior Dan Stum is hitting .619 for the Wildcats and is 1-0 on the mound with a 1.67 ERA.

Mary McGee

Gary native Mary McGee has been a fighter all her life and understands the importance of never backing down to fear.

First Crown Point Shop Local video appearing now on local cable access

Crown Point High School senior Nick Kujawski checks composition before filming for a commercial for Geppetto's Toys and Togs as part of the Shop Local campaign.

First Crown Point Shop Local video appearing now on local cable access

Barbara Bonick, owner of Geppetto's Toys and Togs in Crown Point, laughs as Crown Point High School students prepare to film for a commercial as part of Crown Point's Shop Local campaign. The filming was done in February; the spot is expected to air soon.

Portage enjoys both commerce, recreation

A crane operator lifts a steel coil last October in the Portage Feralloy facility. Portage has a strong industrial sector.

Chesterton's Joe Troop

Portage's Alvin Best, left, and Chesterton's Joe Troop race for first place in the 400-meter dash at last year's Valparaiso Regional. Best has graduated, while Troop returns as a contender for the state title in the event.

Porter County benefits from 'random acts of excellence'

Valparaiso resident and longtime Boys & Girls Club volunteer Lenny Corso, left, directs participants in last year's Boys & Girls Club summer instructional basketball clinic for a group picture last summer. It was at an awards ceremony at the Porter County Boys & Girls Club in Va…

Porter County's festive life

Elizabeth Boswell, 3, of South Haven, picks a rubber duck for prizes last summer during the kickoff of the South Haven Volunteer Fire Department's annual Fire Fest at Haven Hollow Park.

Burns Harbor has eye on needs, goals

Visitors gather near a finished apartment building last September for a tour during an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at Traditions multifamily apartment complex at The Village in Burns Harbor.

Porter working on efficiencies, trails, other improvements

Volunteer Marilyn Arvidson, left, introduces Santa Lucia, played by volunteer Amelia Boo, as visitors learn about holiday traditions at Chellberg Farm last December.

Education's goal is to see students flourish in life

Northview Elementary School first-graders raise their hands to ask questions about fire safety during a visit from the Valparaiso Fire Department last fall.

Valparaiso senior Hannah Erwin and Morgan Algozine

Valparaiso senior Hannah Erwin, right, and classmate Morgan Algozine are two of the key gymnasts for the Vikings. Both will be making their fourth appearance at state Saturday.

Valparaiso senior Morgan Algozine

Valparaiso senior Morgan Algozine is the reigning state all-around champion, and she'll try to help the Vikings with their 10th state team crown Saturday.

Chesterton junior Brandi Brandi Tuzinski

Chesterton junior Brandi Brandi Tuzinski returns to the state finals today. She will compete on bars.

Volunteers make Ogden Dunes a great place to live

Ogden Dunes resident Bruce Klimek picks up small sticks and garbage that washed up on the beach as part of a public beach cleanup day.

B.J. Jenkins, Merrillville

Merrillville's B.J. Jenkins takes the ball up against Valparaiso's John Mosser in last year's Class 4A Michigan City Sectional opener last year. The Pirates are the defending sectional champs. Sunday's draw has Merrillville and Valparaiso on opposite sides of the bracket.

T.J. Lux, Merrillville

Merrillville coach T.J. Lux led his Pirates to the Class 4A Michigan City Sectional championship last March. His Pirates, Lux said, are excited for the tournament to begin. The IHSAA draw came out on Sunday and Merrillville opens against Hobart.

Business will pick up in region in 2013

Chicago Fed President Charles Evans speaks to more than 100 local business owners and officials at the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce's eighth annual Business Expo at Dynasty Banquets in Hammond.

Volunteers make Ogden Dunes a great place to live

Ogden Dunes resident Bruce Klimek picks up small sticks and garbage that washed up on the beach as part of a September 2008 public beach clean up day. Volunteerism is strong in Ogen Dune.

Merrillville junior guard AJ Downs

Merrillville junior guard AJ Downs, center, averages 7.2 points and 2.2 steals per game for the Pirates, both of which rank her third on the team.

Starfire

Firefighters stand outside the Star Plaza Theatre in February 2011 after responding to a fire at the building. The owner of the theater is suing New Shanghai Circus and its affiliates over the fire, which started when a stage curtain caught fire.

Merrillville's Amy Govert

Merrillville coach Amy Govert smiles as she poses with her team after beating Michigan City for the sectional championship.

Hobart's Del Grosso headed to IU

Hobart kicker Aaron Del Grosso will be a preferred walk-on at Indiana University next fall.

Portage girls basketball coach Chris Seibert

Portage girls basketball coach Chris Seibert, pictured during a game in November 2009, once weighed 310 pounds. He has lost 120 pounds since August and has gotten rid of all of his old suits.

Chris Seibert, Portage girls basketball coach

Portage girls basketball coach Chris Seibert is shown during a game from the 2009 season. Seibert weighed 310 pounds in August and has since lost 120 pounds. He no longer has the suit he is wearing in the picture.

Former Hammond Baptist Church Pastor Jack Schaap

Former Hammond First Baptist Church Pastor Jack Schaap

Matt Sobczak

Merrillville senior right tackle, Matt Sobczak, left, opens a hole for running back DyLon Collins during a game this season against Chesterton

Andrean's James commits to IUPUI

Andrean center Josh James graduated in 2012. It took him until Tuesday to nail down his college decision. He verbally committed to IUPUI.

Merrrillville's Victoria Gaines

Merrillville's Victoria Gaines drives past Valparaiso's Yasmin Carrillo during a postseason game in February. Gaines was injured in the next game against Michigan City and had knee surgery in April.

Braxton Rice, Crown Point football

Crown Point wide receiver Braxton Rice catches a pass over Portage's Mike Escoe in a game last season. Rice's Bulldogs will meet Merrillville, led by his old friend, quarterback Jake Raspopovich, in tonight's Class 5A Sectional 1 championship.

Hobart's Del Grosso always looking for the 'Sweet Spot'

Hobart kicker Aaron Del Grosso has been a huge part of the Brickies' defense this fall. By putting kickoffs into the end zone, foes have had to go 80 yards for a score much of the season. He hopes to do the same thing Friday when Mishawaka comes to town for a Class 4A Sectional 10 semifinal.

Tommy Kurth, Nick Shelton

Valparaiso University guard Tommy Kurth talks to teammate Nick Shelton during a game in Kurth's redshirt 2010-11 season.

VU celebrates fresh start in season-opener

Valparaiso University senior punter Greg Wood punts during the season opener against St. Joseph last season. Wood participated in a workout with the Bears last week, hoping to extend his football career.

Local economy shows rays of hope

Realtor Carol Dobrzynski, right, leads prospective homebuyers Bryan Cogdell and Jaime Steinkamp through a St. John home last May. July home sales in the region and nation were up. The monthly NWI Index, compiled by IUN economics professors in conjunction with The Times, offers a ray of hope …

Valparaiso's Lauren Reineke

Valparaiso forward Lauren Reineke, right, scored three times in last year's sectional, including her first varsity goal against Portage in the semifinals.

E'Twaun Moore high school jersey

East Chicago Central grad E'Twaun Moore hoists his high school jersey during a ceremony to officially retire his number at the school on Feb. 25, 2011.

Hammond Baptist dismisses pastor for 'sin'

Hammond First Baptist Church pastor Jack Schaap speaks in March 2010.

Hammond Baptist dismisses pastor for 'sin'

Hammond First Baptist Church pastor Jack Schaap speaks of the various ministries his church has spawned during the 47th annual international Pastors' School in March 2010 at the Hammond church.

Alex Lagesse

Alex Lagesse pitched in high school and college.

Cliff Levingston and kid fan

Two-time NBA champion Cliff Levingston, president of the National Basketball Retired Players Association's Chicago Chapter, gives a high-five to Hammond's Bryce Turner, 2, at a recent Gary Southshore RailCats promotion.

Munster's A.J. Gauthier

Munster golfer A.J. Gauthier putts at the LaPorte Regional last season. Gauthier will look to lead the Mustangs to state this year.

Munster's A.J. Gauthier

Munster golfer A.J. Gauthier hits out of the sand at last season's LaPorte Regional. Gauthier will look to lead the Mustangs to state this season.

Valparaiso No. 1 singles player Caitlin Kennedy

Valparaiso's Caitlin Kennedy is 4-1 at No. 1 singles this season for the Vikings.

EDITORIAL: Recognize trash-to-ethanol as the flop it is

Rick Ryfa speaks April 19 during a Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board discussion on the future of the trash-to-ethanol plant at the Lake County Government Complex in Crown Point. Ryfa has said his patience has run out for developer Earl Powers to prove he can finance the plant.