Unknown substance triggers water evacuation at Porter Beach

National Park Service employee Mike Bremer speaks to Andrew Avila, right, and girlfriend Natalie Nightingale Monday after an unknown substance triggered an evacuation of the water at Porter Beach.

Unknown substance triggers water evacuation at Porter Beach

Porter firefighters monitor the water Monday after an unknown substance triggered a water evacuation at Porter Beach.

Unknown substance triggers water evacuation at Porter Beach

Porter firefighters and National Park Service employees speak to beachgoers Monday after an unknown substance triggered an evacuation of the water along Porter Beach.

Cloudy night no hindrance for dunes stargazing enthusiasts

Visitors look at a slide showing a comet on Saturday during a presentation in the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center.

Cloudy night no hindrance for dunes stargazing enthusiasts

Calumet Astronomical Society member Larry Maka speaks Saturday during a presentation about astronomy in the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center.

Miller Beach Lake Effect Expo showcases art, music and food

Joe "Kujo" Nelson, of Chicago's RK Crew, adds detail to his work Saturday during the ninth annual Pop Up Art Event in Gary's Miller Beach area. The event was part of the Miller Beach Lake Effect Summer Expo 2013.

Miller Beach Lake Effect Expo showcases art, music and food

Ashley Nash, of Gary's Miller Beach area, views graffiti Saturday with her daughters Armani, 6, and Amaya, 3, during the ninth annual Pop Up Art Event. The event was part of the Miller Beach Lake Effect Summer Expo 2013.

Local farmers markets provide a link between customer, farmer

Valparaiso resident Bob Franko picks out tomato plants with his daughter Sydney, 11, at the Valparaiso Farmer's Market at Central Park Plaza.

Women look to help cemetery rest in peace

Debbie Clem, township cemetery manager, on left, and Kathy Heckman, township historian walk near the nondescript gates of Portage's James Cemetery on Tuesday.

Women look to help cemetery rest in peace

Kathy Heckman, township historian, left, and Debbie Clem, township cemetery manager, stand among vandalized tombstones and momuments at Portage's James Cemetery.

Porter County sheriff to display flag created by Purdue Calumet students

Valyncia Gogins, one of two designers of the Purdue University Calumet Criminal Justice Club's flag, points out features on Thursday as the club presents their flag to the Porter County Sheriff's Department.

Porter County sheriff to display flag created by Purdue Calumet students

Tom Donovan, one of two designers of the Purdue University Calumet Criminal Justice Club's flag, describes the design process Thursday during the presentation of the flag to the Porter County Sheriff's Department.

Porter County sheriff to display flag created by Purdue Calumet students

Porter County Sheriff David Lain accepts a flag from the Purdue University Calumet Criminal Justice Club. The flag, designed by club members, will be put on display in the sheriff's department.

Mike Kosiara to step down in 2014 as T.F. North baseball coach

T.F. North Baseball coach Mike Kosiara will step down after the 2014 season.

Congressman talks to Ivy Tech students about the Constitution

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, at Ivy Tech Community College in Gary.

Disband of brothers: Friends part ways to pursue military careers

From left, Shane Brayton, Tony DeMaria, Norman Sanders, Josh McClellan, and Jon Hudson stand in front of Portage High School before their graduation ceremony.

Portage High grads 'go forth with positivity'

The Portage High School senior choir performs Sunday during the 2013 commencement ceremony.

Portage High grads 'go forth with positivity'

Collin Czilli, Portage High School senior class president, addresses fellow students on Sunday during the commencement ceremony on the school's football field.

Portage High grads 'go forth with positivity'

Portage High School class of 2013 students applaud on Sunday during their commencement ceremony.

Boone Grove celebrates graduates’ diverse achievement and service to others

Boone Grove High School graduates throw their caps into the air after being officially declared graduates on Sunday.

Boone Grove celebrates graduates’ diverse achievement and service to others

Boone Grove High School's Academic Hall of Fame graduates stand to be recognized Sunday during the school's commencement ceremony.

Be 'of service to others,' speaker tells Wheeler High grads

Wheeler senior choir members sing on Sunday during their graduation ceremony.

Be 'of service to others,' speaker tells Wheeler High grads

Wheeler High School students smile as they are introduced on Sunday during their graduation ceremony.

A school that nurtures success

Morgan Township seniors file into the school's gym on Saturday carrying the class flower, the stargazer lily, to present to their parents, a commencement ceremony tradition.

A school that nurtures success

Brandon Ryan hugs his mother Angie Cook on Saturday at the Morgan Township High commencement ceremony.

A school that nurtures success

Morgan Township class of 2013 president Lucia Calderon welcomes students and family Saturday to the Morgan Township Class of 2013 commencement ceremony.

'Catalysts for a better world'

Washington Township High valedictorian Holly Evans speaks Saturday at the school's graduation ceremony.

'Catalysts for a better world'

Senior Washington Township choir member Chaz Steeves performs "Don't Worry, Be Happy" on Saturday during the school's commencement ceremony.

Brickies follow tradition

Hobart High School students touch a statue of their mascot as they enter the Brickyard on Friday for their graduation ceremony.

Brickies follow tradition

Soon-to-be Hobart High School graduates applaud on Friday during their graduation ceremony.

Brickies follow tradition

Hobart High School students touch a statue of their mascot as they enter the Brickyard on Friday for their graduation ceremony.

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Valparaiso - The Festive Singers from Chicago regail visitors on Friday during the Holly Days event in downtown Valparaiso.

Youth Fit Program at Central Park Pavillion

Tyler Youngl, 8, of Valparaiso, hops through an obstacle course in Central Park Plaza on Friday during the Porter Hospital-hosted Fit Friday youth workout event. The program, led by Andrew Wallen of Integrated Movement, was open to kids from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Youth Fit Program at Central Park Pavillion

Owen Daugherty, 9, of Valparaiso, does push-ups under the instruction of Integrated Movement CEO Andrew Wallen on Friday as part of the Porter Regional Hospital-hosted Fit Friday event in Valparaiso's Central Park Plaza.

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Valparaiso - Valparaiso University students Nina Tu, on left, and Amanda Marheine enjoy a special on Thursday at Don Quijote Restaurant in Valparaiso as part of the Eat Up, Wine Down event.

M'ville commencement the last for Superintendent Tony Lux

Merrillville choir members open their commencement ceremony Wednesday by singing the national anthem.

Merrillville Graduation

Soon to be Merrillville graduate Ankobia Ruth hugs her friend Quentin Lacey-Blackwell on Wednesday as Merrillville students prepare for their graduation ceremony at the Radisson Star Plaza in Merrillville.

M'ville commencement the last for Superintendent Tony Lux

Merrillville Community School Corp. Superintendent Tony Lux applauds the class of 2013 during a graduation ceremony at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza. The ceremony was the last for Lux, who plans to retire June 30.

Rudy Clay

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay fills out a form during candidate filing at the Lake County Election Board office in Crown Point.

Valpo Police Department gets two new high-tech rifles

Tim Harmsen with the Military Arms Channel, on left, has video recorded for his Youtube channel as he presents a donated AR-15 to Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner on Tuesday. The rifles, donated in joint by Military Arms Channel and Windham Weaponry, will be assigned to officers that…

Valpo Police Department gets two new high-tech rifles

Tim Harmsen with Military Arms Channel, center, holds up a donated donated Windham Weaponry MPC AR-15 as he talks to Valparaiso police sergeant Jim Tobey, on left, and Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner as the department is presented with two donated rifles on Tuesday.

NIPSCO Interns Welcomed

NiSource senior financial analyst Matt Ninkovich answers questions from interns on Tuesday at the company's headquarters in Merrillville.

NIPSCO Interns Welcomed

Incoming NIPSCO and NiSource interns listen Tuesday as current employees speak about their successes in the field during a kickoff event for interns at the NiSource headquarters in Merrillville.

Recognizing cancer survivors

Breast cancer survivor Elaine Mayerik dances with her husband Richard on Sunday at the Cancer Survivors Day celebration at Hobart's St. Mary Medical Center. The Mayeriks, who are from Portage, are celebrating their 39-year anniversary.

Recognizing cancer survivors

St. Mary Medical Center chaplain Jim Stoel leads visitors in prayer on Sunday during the Cancer Survivors Day celebration at the Hobart hospital.

Local farmers markets provide a link between customer, farmer

Good to Go Deli employee Molly Stauffer hands a sample of olive oil to Sharon Mullins, of Valparaiso, on Saturday the Valparaiso Farmers Market.

Local farmers markets provide a link between customer, farmer

Bottled honey from the Remschneider Honey Farm sits on display at the Valparaiso Farmers Market in Central Park Plaza.

Early shoppers dig in to Valpo farmers market

Chesterton balloon sculptist and entertainer known as Matt makes a balloon animal on Saturday during the Valparaiso farmers market opening day event.

Highland's two-wheel tour takes off

Bikers set off from Wicker Memorial Park on Saturday at the start of the Tour de Highland 10-mile bike ride. The ride took cyclists through downtown Highland via the town's bike path system and ended at Wicker Park for lunch, provided by Texas Corral.