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.

Kids Power dog tour supports animal shelter

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

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.

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.

ISP team honors fallen heroes

CHICAGO | Members of the Indiana State Police along with their family and friends joined thousands at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park for the 9th annual Run to Remember.

Bark for Life supports American Cancer Society

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

SMALL-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Compton Customs, Highland

The owner of Compton Customs designs and builds furniture using traditional dovetail joinery and local or exotic hardwood as well as offers special cabinetry work.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Feeding time at Sunset Hill Farm County Park

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

Comfort Keepers to recognize most vital seniors

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

SMALL-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Wings Aviation and Epic Limo

VALPARAISO | Wings Aviation has taken flight since owner Brian Sheely launched the business out of the trunk of his car.

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.

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.

Helmets to Hardhats, apprenticeship program help vets work after service

PORTAGE | With a father and grandfather in the industry, David Brightwell Jr. knew at an early age he wanted to work as an ironworker. After serving in the Army, he has followed in their footsteps to become the third generation of his family with the Iron Workers Local 395.

SPOTLIGHT: Packaging, shipping business adds eBay consignment service

US 30 Postal Express is helping customers navigate the world of online auctions with a new eBay consignment service.

Club members swim to triumphant season

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

Mayor, community members to celebrate successes, look to future

LAPORTE | While Mayor Blair Milo may not be able to pinpoint her top accomplishments, she can speak to the joint effort that went into all of the year’s successes.

Opportunity Enterprises celebrates achievements

Valparaiso - Community members united to celebrate Opportunity Enterprises' mission and goals as well as the individuals and businesses that have made an impact in the last year during an event at Strongbow Inn.

New partnership nurtures entrepreneurs' ideas in Gary

GARY | Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson discovered during sessions of her 15 minutes with the mayor initiative that many residents had entrepreneurial aspirations.

Collaboration cultivates entrepreneurial spirit in Gary

GARY | Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson discovered during sessions of her 15 minutes with the mayor initiative that many residents had entrepreneurial aspirations.

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.

Local Realtors offer a drone with a view

VALPARAISO | Realtors Jeff and Grace Safrin are taking their use of technology to new heights.

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.

Kleckners

Love is laughter for longtime couple

PORTAGE | When I arrive at the Kleckners’ apartment door at Miller’s Senior Living Community, it is appropriately awash in a sea of red.

Munster woman's toffee business featured in Grammy event gift bags

Tiddleywink Toffee is taking center stage this week in connection with Sunday’s 55th annual Grammy Awards.

VU Men's Basketball

Valpo University Crusaders offer great family fun

VALPARAISO | On Friday night, the Valpo Men's Basketball team handled the University of Milwaukee fairly easily 71-40 in Horizon League Conference play.

Book explores connecting with customers as coach

After 30 years on the franchising side of the real estate industry, Tim Burns has learned an important lesson: shifting from a sales to a sounding board role can lead to success.

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.

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.

Former region resident encourages youth to take technology path

David Olivencia, director of IT strategy and planning at Verizon Communications, strives to inspire the next generation to follow in his footsteps.

MADE IN NORTHWEST INDIANA: Figure Eight Brewing celebrating downtown move

VALPARAISO | Tom Uban can name his favorite Figure Eight Brewing beer – it just may not be the same answer as yesterday.

Employees’ generosity supports Gabriel’s Horn during holiday season and beyond

SOUTH HAVEN | Gabriel’s Horn Women’s Shelter brought Christmas cheer to current and former clients thanks to the generosity of U.S. Steel Midwest plant employees.

Holiday memories

Season of memories: community members share what makes their holidays merry

PORTER/LAPORTE COUNTIES | Holiday traditions remain an essential ingredient to create special memories.

Timing, packaging key to smooth shipping process

With the holiday season in full swing, local shipping companies advise gift-shipping customers to keep an eye on the calendar and invest in packaging to ensure a cost-effective, safe delivery.

Dance group brings Mexican culture to life

PORTER COUNTY | Ballet Folklorico Tapatio of NWI has grown from founder Marisella Villanueva Lynch’s early exposure to dance as well as her desire to pass along the cultural experience to her daughter.