Amy Lavalley

Senior content editor Amy Lavalley covered Porter County government for more than 10 years.

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley's 2024 Lincoln Navigator, with a sign promoting his campaign for re-election, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, in Michigan City, where police arrested him for operating while intoxicated. (Michigan City Police Department/provided)

‘You just ruined my career’: Police report and body cam footage detail Porter Superior Court judge’s arrest

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

In a police report and arrest videos from Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley's Aug. 15 arrest for drunken driving, Buckley repeatedly emphasized how the arrest will ruin his life...

Allison Mendez, left, and Vahonda Aimutis hold sandwiches ready to pass out during the Portage Township Trustee's Office storm recovery event at Haven Hollow Park in Valparaiso, Indiana, Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The event provided township residents with a variety of items, including tarps, bottled water, hot meals and other essentials, for those hit by the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘This was amazing’: Volunteers, agencies provide post-storm assistance in Portage Township

August 20, 2026 at 2:38 p.m.

Over the span of more than two hours, volunteers loaded cars with much-needed supplies Thursday afternoon in Portage Township.

Attorney Kenneth J. Allen speaks about a class-action lawsuit his firm filed against NIPSCO during a press conference in Chesterton Friday, August 14, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Storm-related lawsuit against NIPSCO amended with additional plaintiffs

August 18, 2026 at 3:22 p.m.

A class-action lawsuit filed against NIPSCO claiming negligence over the utility's vegetation management plan has been amended with additional plaintiffs.

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley

- Original Credit: Christopher Buckley

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley pleads guilty to OWI

August 17, 2026 at 4:24 p.m.

Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor count of operating while intoxicated.

Feed the Region founder Steph Talarek grabs for spices while cooking dinner at Nana Clare's Kitchen in Valparaiso, Indiana, Thursday, August 13, 2026. Talarek said the group usually serves 100 meals but were preparing more than 300 due to Tuesday’s storms. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Feed the Region preps, distributes more than 300 free meals after the storm

August 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Thursday evening, Feed the Region's mission was specific to the moment -- providing more than 300 meals to whoever needed them.

Attorney Kenneth J. Allen, on right, speaks about a class-action lawsuit his firm filed against NIPSCO during a press conference in Chesterton Friday, August 14, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso woman files lawsuit against NIPSCO claiming negligence over tree-trimming

August 15, 2026 at 12:11 p.m.

A Valparaiso woman filed a class-action lawsuit against NIPSCO Friday, alleging the utility's lax vegetation management contributed to widespread power outages after severe storms on Aug. 11.

Tiffany Gonzales, of Chesterton, steps over downed trees while working to clear Median Road after a storm passed through Valparaiso, Indiana Monday, August 11, 2026. NIPSCO reported approximately 288,000 customers without power following the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

Storms knock out power to more than 290K in NWI; one reported dead in Portage

August 11, 2026 at 5:44 p.m.

One person is reported dead in Portage and hundreds of thousands of people in Northwest Indiana are without power after violent storms ripped through the region Tuesday.

The Porter County Courthouse in downtown Valparaiso. (Amy Lavalley/Post-Tribune)

Filing: Decades-old Porter County attempted murder case should be dismissed

August 5, 2026 at 3:22 p.m.

Fred Pewitt, 51, is asking for a Porter County case, for allegedly shooting at a sheriff's deputy, to be dismissed because the delay violates his right to a speedy trial.

Documents: Valparaiso woman charged with stabbing father to death

July 28, 2026 at 5:10 p.m.

Detectives conducting a well-being check at a Morgan Township home Sunday walked into a grisly, blood-filled scene and found the victim covered in stab wounds with his heart cut out...

Valparaiso University President Rev. Brian Konkol laughs as he responds to comparisons between him and Valparaiso popcorn magnate Orville Redenbacher as he speaks about his first months at the college on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘An amazing time’: Valparaiso University’s new president Brian Konkol settles in

July 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Valparaiso University’s new president, the Rev. Brian Konkol, still feels he’s landed his dream job and perhaps with good reason -- university enrollment and donations are on the upswing after...

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