Doug Ross – Page 14 –

Lighthouse Pier at Washington Park Beach Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Michigan City, Indiana. Swimming near the pier and similar areas is dangerous because of the way the water moves, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Executive Director Dave Benjamin said Wednesday during a presentation to the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project leader stresses need for water safety training

July 2, 2026 at 4:42 p.m.

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Executive Director Dave Benjamin offered warnings about water safety given the recent heat.

Portage City Hall. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage seeks input on Central Avenue rebuild plan

July 2, 2026 at 11:15 a.m.

Construction of the Central Avenue west rebuild in Portage is still three years away, but public comment is being accepted now.

Portage Indiana Mayor Austin Bonta speaks during his State of the City address, Nov. 19, 2025. He has invited NIPSCO to a public meeting for a presentation on infrastructure and reliability in Portage and Northwest Indiana. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage Mayor Austin Bonta urges NIPSCO to meet with public on infrastructure, reliability

July 1, 2026 at 12:05 p.m.

Portage Mayor Austin Bonta used his “bully pulpit” to invite NIPSCO to a public meeting for a presentation on infrastructure and reliability.

Crews clean up the extensive damage from a 13-car freight train derailment on June 24, 2026. Replacing the supports and overhead wires for the catenary system that powers the electric passenger trains will take time. (South Shore Line/provided)

No end date for South Shore Line busing after derailment last month

July 1, 2026 at 11:50 a.m.

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District has no end date for busing South Shore Line passengers after a derailment near the East Chicago station.

Valparaiso University meteorology professor Craig Clark explains the science behind climate change and what to expect in the future. Clark spoke at the Living With Lakes seminar Saturday, June 27, 2026, sponsored by the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Nature, science intersect at Living With Lakes seminar in Valparaiso

June 30, 2026 at 1:46 p.m.

From changing climates to disappearing insect species, experts offered a peek at the science behind phenomena in nature at the annual Living With Lakes seminar.

Portage RDC planning to issue $15 million bond for city projects

June 28, 2026 at 2:18 p.m.

The Portage Redevelopment Commission is getting ready to issue a $15 million bond for a variety of construction projects.

Erica Stiscak, left, blows bubbles with her grandson Brooks Stiscak's helps during the first Sand + Steel Art Fest at Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso, Indiana, Saturday, June 27, 2026. Brooks' aunt and uncle Timi and Justin Rospond were on hand to help. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

New Sand+Steel Art Fest draws crowds to downtown Valparaiso

June 29, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.

Wes Thorn used sandpaper as he talked about his wood art demonstration Saturday at the inaugural Sand+Steel Art Fest in downtown Valparaiso.

Veteran Shawn Sherwood, second from right, his wife, Rosa, and his daughters, make their way up the stairs in their new home after it was presented to them by the Building Homes for Heroes program on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘Now it’s my home’: Disabled Navy veteran given free home in Portage

June 27, 2026 at 5:05 p.m.

Shawn and Rosa Sherwood and their daughters received a Portage home through Homes for Heroes, which helps veterans and first responders.

Jes Skillman, regional GIS manager with Ducks Unlimited, consults the manual on entering a culvert’s condition into a database while Joe Exl, coastal resources coordinator for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Lake Michigan Coastal Program, holds a laminated instruction sheet for volunteers being trained to survey potential barriers to aquatic life in Northwest Indiana Friday, June 26, 2026. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Teams build inventory of culverts’ conditions, check to see if fish can go with the flow

June 27, 2026 at 3:38 p.m.

Crews hit the road this week to create a database of conditions at culverts and other manmade structures in Northwest Indiana streams.

Portage Planning and Community Development Director Tom Cherry and others look at information about the city during a public input session Wednesday, June 24, 2026, on the city’s comprehensive plan being developed. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage begins public input for comprehensive plan; survey available online

June 26, 2026 at 2:10 p.m.

Mayor Austin Bonta is hoping 5,000 residents will answer the survey on the city’s website to offer their input on the future of Portage.

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