Doug Ross – Page 8 –

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana President & CEO Victor Garcia (center left) holds a loaf of bread as dignitaries break off a piece in the “Bread Breaking Ceremony," marking the acquisition of a building at 6510 Broadway in Merrillville located next to its current one on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana breaks bread to celebrate new facility

August 27, 2026 at 3:16 p.m.

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana recently purchased a 15,000-square-foot facility next to its existing building on Broadway, which will allow the nonprofit to more than triple its capacity to...

Portage resident Teresa Cameron looks back at a line of trees behind her property as she speaks about tree damage to her house and yard, as well as the volunteer work that has helped clean it up, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage volunteers sawing their way through fallen trees

August 26, 2026 at 4:36 p.m.

Portage Planning Clerk Haley Mack is coordinating volunteer efforts for the city, taking calls from residents who need help and sending volunteers their way.

Salvation Army Auxiliary Captain Jim Prichard, right, works with volunteers during a storm-relief food and water distribution event at Portage High School in Indiana on Aug. 13, 2026. School employees will not lose pay for days missed after the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage school employees getting paid for missed days from storm

August 25, 2026 at 2:22 p.m.

Portage Township Schools employees are being paid for their time off because of the Aug. 11 derecho that crippled the district, the School Board decided Monday.

Katie Lukes, of Chicago, paints aluminum panels that will be installed next month at Front Porch Music in Valparaiso. Lukes worked on the panels Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, during the Valparaiso Creative Council’s annual Mural Walk. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso Mural Walk combines professional artists, amateur activities

August 25, 2026 at 3:42 p.m.

As Felix Maldonado began work Saturday on a giant mural on the Smith Ready Mix building on Brown Street, several Duneland Plein Air artists were painting pictures of him.

Portage resident Dominic Rangel, 8, center, plays in bubbles with other children during the Portage Strong event on Saturday, August 22, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘It doesn’t stop our spirits’: Portage comes together to celebrate community response to derecho

August 22, 2026 at 3:21 p.m.

The Chicago Bears and other organizations across the region are assisting Portage and Gary residents impacted by the early August storms.

People take photos and videos of the inaugural run of the South Shore Line’s new Monon Corridor route, March 31, 2026, at the Hammond Gateway Station in Hammond, Indiana. The South Shore Line is offering free rides Sept. 6 through Sept. 11 on all trains to NIPSCO workers, firefighters, law enforcement, doctors, nurses, EMTs paramedics and other personnel. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

South Shore Line offering free rides to NIPSCO workers, first responders

August 21, 2026 at 11:19 a.m.

The South Shore Line is offering free rides Sept. 6 through Sept. 11 on all trains to NIPSCO workers, first responders and medical workers.

Downed trees block traffic on Median Road after a storm passed through Valparaiso, Indiana on Aug. 11, 2026. NIRPC members discussed the storm and what they learned during a Thursday meeting. (Andy Lavalley/for the baiduhai)

NW Indiana officials share experiences and lessons from August storm: ‘We’re still in shock’

August 20, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

Portage Mayor Austin Bonta used the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s Executive Board meeting to share stories about the historic Aug. 11 derecho.

Debris from what remains of her neighbor’s home litters the yard of Barb Corey on Harrison Avenue in Portage, Indiana, Thursday, August 13, 2026. A Saturday event at Founders Square will celebrate the community making it through the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage event to offer food, music, healing and hope

August 20, 2026 at 2:31 p.m.

Saturday’s Portage Strong event is a celebration of coming out the other side from the worst storm to hit the region in recent history.

Sisters Erin Wenneker, left, and Katie Cavinder clear downed trees along Jefferson Street in Portage, Indiana, on Aug. 11, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage’s storm damage compared to category 2 hurricane

August 18, 2026 at 2:50 p.m.

Crews from elsewhere helping Portage recover from last week’s major derecho have experience with storm damage down south.

Phil Seth, of Pittsburgh, paints a mural on the north side of the Valpo Creates Center during the Valparaiso Mural Walk on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. This year's Mural Walk is on Saturday. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso getting its longest, tallest murals during upcoming Mural Walk

August 16, 2026 at 5:29 p.m.

Four new murals are coming to Valparaiso as part of Saturday’s Mural Walk. Visitors can add their touches, too.

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