Elementary student suicide interventions discussed

VALPARAISO | There were 21 suicide interventions and assessments of elementary students in Valparaiso Community Schools last year, Becky Kirkpatrick, the social work coordinator for the elementary schools, told the School Board on Tuesday.

Church packs bras to fight sex trafficking

CHESTERTON | Tables piled high with bras and cardboard boxes greeted those entering the Duneland Community Church on Tuesday night.

Portage High grads 'go forth with positivity'

PORTAGE | Portage High School co-valedictorian Cody Spoolstra admitted when it came to writing his speech for commencement, he had a problem with procrastination.

'Catalysts for a better world' encouraged at Washington Twp. High

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Of all the pieces of advice Washington Township graduates received at Saturday's commencement, the one that drew the biggest reaction came during a song.

Family touched by hospice shares hope

CHESTERTON | It began 30 years ago with 22 terminally ill patients and their families.

Celebration of Wildlife at Sunset Hill Park joins organizations with future pet owners

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP | Hundreds of pet lovers converged Sunday at Sunset Hill Park, with many hoping to add a furry friend to their families.

Group aims to embrace VU student diversity

VALPARAISO | The city's Advisory Human Relations Council is discussing how the community can welcome Valparaiso University's growing population of diverse students.

Do you live your values? Inspiration Project stories reveal what you believe

VALPARAISO | Porter-Starke Services wants residents to embrace health, balance and hope through an essay-writing activity based on an international series.

Preventing teen suicide key to workshop

VALPARAISO | Social media plays a significant role in the incidence of teen suicide, a social worker said Tuesday at a Family & Youth Services Bureau workshop.

VU graduates urged to unite a diverse world

VALPARAISO | The president and CEO of Lutheran World Relief called on nearly 700 Valparaiso University graduates to help unite a diverse and deeply divided world.

Valpo school board names new band director

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso High School will have a new director of bands this fall for only the third time since 1958.

15 students compete Saturday in Science Olympiad

VALPARAISO | Thomas Jefferson Middle School student Megan Rahn spent a recent evening calibrating her salinometer, a device that measures how much salt is in water.

Valpo schools to explore Mastery Connect

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Community School Board gave verbal approval Monday to a tool said to help teachers better meet individual student learning needs.

Walkers celebrate lives touched by hospice

VALPARAISO | When Paul Keaton's wife, Margaret, died last month, she was at home surrounded by her loved ones and pets.

Residents oppose tree removal for drainage project

VALPARAISO | While most residents agree the Chautauqua Park flood relief project is much needed, several who spoke at a public meeting Monday opposed Valparaiso's plan to remove trees for a proposed detention pond.

Taking steps to raise dimes for healthy babies

VALPARAISO | Chloe Campbell played with a stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear as her family and friends prepared to walk on her behalf Sunday morning.

Valpo diversity group creates 'welcome statement'

VALPARAISO | The city's Advisory Human Relations Council is developing a “welcome statement” in response to racially derogatory comments aimed at minorities in the Valparaiso community.

VU students, others get clipped for child cancer research

VALPARAISO | Sam Simpson clutched in her hand all that was left of her shoulder-length blonde hair.

Valpo schools approve random drug testing for students

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso Community Schools board on Tuesday unanimously approved random drug tests for high school students who participate in extracurricular activities or who have campus parking permits.

VU Welcome Project seeks inclusive community

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso University officials are asking local businesses and residents to consider how they can help make a rapidly diversifying community more inclusive.

Valpo schools drug testing plan draws questions

VALPARAISO | Most of the people who spoke Tuesday night at the Valparaiso Community School Board's discussion meeting expressed support for proposed random drug tests that could begin this fall at Valparaiso High School if approved by the board.

Artists, sponsors needed for Chalk the Walk

VALPARAISO | If you like to draw or know someone who does, the Family & Youth Services Bureau needs your help.

Human relations group responds to racial incidents

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso's Advisory Human Relations Council is moving forward with a response to local incidents involving racially derogatory comments.

Valpo Schools consider random drug testing

VALPARAISO | Random drug testing for high school students involved in extracurricular activities or those who have school parking permits could begin in the fall if the Valparaiso Community Schools Board approves a proposal presented Tuesday.

One Region initiative keeps growing

VALPARAISO | The One Region initiative to improve the quality of life in Northwest Indiana continues to grow as it is embraced by new people and organizations, Times Media Co. publisher Bill Masterson Jr. said Monday.

Students add up costs, learn life is expensive

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Lauren Schmidt had a good job as a physical therapist and was earning $50,000 a year, when she learned that childcare costs for her two kids would take a huge bite out of her budget.

Porter County Council ousts its leaders

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council has a new president and vice president, after members voted 4-3 on Monday to oust their current leaders and elect new officers.

Portage YMCA knocks down pins to build up people

PORTAGE | Cheers and shouts went up as the bowling pins fell down Sunday at Camelot Lanes in Portage.

Kiwanis 'pancake man' has your ticket for breakfast

VALPARAISO | If you've already bought your ticket for Kiwanis Pancake Day, there's a good chance you got it from Tom Lazar.

Collectors seek treasures, appraisals at antique show

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Ginni Uhle learned Saturday her old picture and wooden jewelry box were worth a combined $245.

YMCA, Methodist Hospitals kick off health partnership at fair

VALPARAISO | Kim Jacobs sported a bright red sweater as she perused tables Sunday during Family Heart Health Day at the Valparaiso Family YMCA.

Valpo schools honor science bowl winners

VALPARAISO | The auditorium at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was filled to capacity Tuesday night with parents and others who came to honor student science bowl winners and listen to student singers.

New center helps Down syndrome kids reach potential

VALPARAISO | With toys, books and crayons, it looks like a typical classroom.

Initiative asks how to make a diverse region work together

VALPARAISO | Uniting the diverse region of Northwest Indiana begins by focusing on the positives, an educator and global researcher said Thursday.

Souper event for scholarships

VALPARAISO | Kathy Lundstrom stood behind two steaming crockpots, ladling stuffed pepper soup and corn and crab chowder into bowls presented by hungry diners.

Oscar, Orville statues meet for movie magic

VALPARAISO | Two iconic statues with connections to the movies were united Sunday afternoon in Central Park Plaza, as fans took turns posing for pictures with them.

Porter County Library looking for more 'Friends'

VALPARAISO | For nearly 30 years, a group of volunteers with the Porter County Public Library System has been able to accomplish big things.

Expo Center feasibility study OK'd, but needs funding

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners have approved a feasibility study for the Expo Center that would determine a variety of uses for the center in the future -- if funding can be found for the study.

Hamilton: Civility makes democracy work

VALPARAISO | Political leaders and others will need to practice civility if America is to keep moving forward, former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton said Monday.

Father who lost daughter to drugs speaks to parents

VALPARAISO | Retired Valparaiso podiatrist Mann Spitler shared a message of empowerment with the parents who attended his workshop on drug prevention this week.

Valpo diversity group seeks response to racial incidents

VALPARAISO | The city's Advisory Human Relations Council is discussing how to respond to incidents involving racially derogative comments in the community.

Costas salutes King's talent as bridge builder

VALPARAISO | Of all Martin Luther King Jr.'s talents, his ability to build bridges between people was perhaps the biggest reason for the success of the civil rights movement, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas said Monday.

Show helps gardeners get into the spring of things

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | A table with bright yellow daffodils greeted those attending the 10th annual Gardening Show on Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center.

Valpo schools seek teams to prioritize needs

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso Community Schools Superintendent Mike Berta is looking to create leadership teams to prioritize educational needs and make recommendations to the School Board.

VU law professor among world's most influential Muslims

VALPARAISO | A Valparaiso University assistant law professor has been named to a list of the world's most influential Muslims.

County to create economic development department

VALPARAISO | Porter County is moving forward with an economic development department that will help attract new businesses, encourage expansion of existing firms and improve job opportunities for residents.

Porter County Council mulls using hospital interest money for PACT building

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council on Monday discussed spending $600,000 of interest money from the sale of the hospital to purchase a new building for PACT.

Union Township School Board OKs referendum

UNION TOWNSHIP | The Union Township School Board on Wednesday approved a resolution for a referendum that, if passed by voters, will increase property taxes.

U.S. Embassy official meets with Valparaiso students

VALPARAISO | Dennis Cimbaljevich returned to his alma mater, Valparaiso University, on Tuesday to share details of his career as a U.S. diplomat.

Quilts of Valor help heal wounds of war

MERRILLVILLE | A sea of red, white and blue quilts greeted World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan war veterans Saturday at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza.