
Local news
Valparaiso
Porter County, Indiana

Valparaiso opens Vale Park West Link Pathway
Valparaiso has opened the Vale Park West Link Pathway, adding a connection between northwest neighborhoods, schools, and downtown to the city’s 27-mile trail network. Mayor Jon Costas marked the opening with a…

Why lemon rice soup in Northwest Indiana good for the soul
Lemon rice soup has become a beloved comfort food staple in Valparaiso, Indiana, particularly at local establishments like Suzie's Cafe. Beyond its culinary appeal, the dish is celebrated for its ability to warm the…

Wendy's abruptly closes another Northwest Indiana restaurant
A Wendy's restaurant in Valparaiso, Indiana, has abruptly closed following the bankruptcy of its franchisee, the Meritage Hospitality Group. This is the latest in a series of closures by the company as it works through…
Northwest Indiana mom creates support group for mothers
Victoria Monahan, a young mother from Valparaiso, has established a support network called Friends of Moms NWI to help local mothers find community and friendship. The group, which started a year ago, organizes regular…

'An extraordinary day to pause': Valparaiso honors Veterans Day
The city of Valparaiso held its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Foundation Meadows Park on Friday. Mayor Jon Costas and keynote speaker Nicolette Huber led the event, which honored military service members and those who…

Indiana Owl Week Begins Today: 8 Species Featured Before Festival
Humane Indiana Wildlife has launched its annual eight-day 'Owl Week' educational campaign in Valparaiso. The event highlights the state's eight native owl species through informational posts and community engagement…

Check out prep results from Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
This article provides a summary of high school sports results from Thursday, November 5, 2026, in the Northwest Indiana region. The report covers various athletic competitions, including basketball and other seasonal…
New job board highlighting employment opportunities around Northwest Indiana
The Crossroads Chamber of Commerce and United Way Northwest Indiana have launched a new regional job board to connect local employers with job seekers. The free online resource lists openings across various industries…

A 'who's who' of history: Old Valparaiso cemetery comes alive with stories
Valparaiso’s Old City Cemetery hosted a special Halloween-themed tour, bringing local history to life for hundreds of attendees. The event highlighted the stories of notable figures buried at the site, including 47…

Valparaiso girls basketball begins post-Lillian Barnes era
The Valparaiso girls basketball team begins its season tonight, marking the first year without star player Lillian Barnes. Coach Kelly Kratz acknowledges the transition period for the Vikings, who have seen significant…

Two new faces will represent Calumet Region in Indiana House
Two new Democratic representatives, Ryan Kominakis and Nick Neal, will join the Indiana House following their victories in Tuesday's election. Kominakis defeated 20-year incumbent Ed Soliday, while Neal outperformed…
Valparaiso's PoCo Muse to feature exhibit highlighting Civil War
The Porter County Museum in Valparaiso, Indiana, is launching a new exhibit titled “Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair,” which includes a special focus on the Civil War. The display honors the more than 1,000…

Democrats find opportunity in Porter County
Democratic candidates achieved significant success in Porter County during Tuesday's election, winning all five contested county-wide offices according to unofficial results. Victories included the re-election of…
Porter County clerk becomes first Democratic state comptroller in 40 years
Porter County Clerk Jessica Bailey has been elected as Indiana's first Democratic state comptroller in 40 years. Bailey defeated Republican incumbent Elise Nieshalla with a margin of 60% to 40%. She has already…

Northwest Indiana candidate wins after dying in crash
Jeff Schultz, a candidate for the Morgan Township Board in Porter County, Indiana, received the most votes in Tuesday's election despite dying in a two-vehicle crash three days earlier. The 41-year-old was killed on…

2 Democrats, 2 Republics win Porter County Council election
Two Democrats and two Republicans were elected to the Porter County Council in Tuesday's general election. The results confirm a split representation for the council, with three new members set to join the governing…
McCarthy unseats Buckley for Porter County judge seat in wake of incumbent's OWI charge
Democrat Heather McCarthy has defeated incumbent Republican Judge Christopher Buckley in the Porter County Superior Court 4 election. The campaign was significantly impacted by Buckley's recent arrest for operating a…

Northwest Indiana natives impress in college hoops openers
Several college basketball players from Northwest Indiana made their season or collegiate debuts during Monday's Division I opening slate. Among those in action was Crown Point graduate Mason Darrell, who played five…

Google gifts Ivy Tech Valparaiso for workforce training
Google has donated $3 million to the Ivy Tech Foundation to establish workforce training programs for fiber optic and network installation. The initiative will support training at several campuses, including Valparaiso…
Charges filed in alleged OWI death of Valparaiso woman
A 66-year-old Valparaiso woman faces multiple charges, including criminal recklessness resulting in death, following a fatal crash on Friday night. Police reports state the driver exhibited signs of intoxication…

Data center growth spurs call for nuclear power plants in Indiana
The rapid growth of data centers in Northwest Indiana is driving discussions about the need for new nuclear power plants to meet rising electricity demands. During the Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable’s annual…
Courtney Boyd’s second Valparaiso team is one she’s proud of
Valparaiso women’s basketball head coach Courtney Boyd is entering her second season with a roster she describes as highly committed. After a busy offseason focused on culture-building and team assembly, Boyd has…

Valparaiso beats Western Illinois 80-58 for its first win
J.T. Pettigrew scored 18 points to lead Valparaiso to an 80-58 victory over Western Illinois in their season opener on Monday. Rajan Roberts added 13 points, and Rakim Chaney contributed 10 points and three steals for…
Valparaiso's Yellowstone Road receives recognition and connection to its past
Residents and city officials in Valparaiso gathered to unveil a new historical marker at the corner of Park Avenue and Yellowstone Road. The plaque commemorates the road's history as a transcontinental marketing route…

Porter County, IN Storm Debris Pickup: New Schedule Nov 2-8
Porter County officials have released an updated schedule for storm debris pickup running from November 2 to November 8. Cleanup efforts continue nearly three months after an August storm caused widespread damage…

News briefs: Veterans Day ceremony, farm equipment demo and more
The Valpo Parks Foundation will host a Veterans Day ceremony this Friday at 9 a.m. at Foundation Meadows, featuring a tribute to military veterans with guest speaker Nicolette Huber. Additionally, the Purdue Extension…
Valparaiso woman dies in alleged OWI crash on Ind. 49
A Valparaiso woman, identified as 66-year-old Elizabeth Barnes, died following a two-vehicle crash on Ind. 49 in Morgan Township late Friday night. Porter County police reported that Barnes was trapped in her vehicle…

Valpo men’s basketball begins season with plenty to prove
Valparaiso University’s men’s basketball team is entering the fourth year of head coach Roger Powell Jr.’s tenure with high expectations. Returning a significant portion of their scoring and minutes from last season…

Science tricks offer a treat at Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University hosted its annual Haunted Science Lab on Saturday, providing a unique educational experience for local families. Students and faculty organized various interactive displays and games, such as…