Doug Ross

Doug Ross ia a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.

Jan Cubic’s new book, “Burdick: Where the Trains Once Stopped,” tells the story of the sleepy area that was an early Porter County settlement. (Jan Cubic/provided)

New book turns Chesterton’s Burdick Road into Memory Lane

September 26, 2026 at 11:47 a.m.

Jan Cubic fondly remembers visiting her grandparents in the Burdick neighborhood. Now those visits, and more, have turned into her first book, “Burdick: Where the Trains Once Stopped.” Today, Burdick...

The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., looks over the audience at Valparaiso University’s Chapel of the Resurrection shortly after being inaugurated as the 20th president during ceremonies in Valparaiso, Indiana, Friday, September 25, 2026. The event drew students, staff, alumni and Konkol’s former coworkers from across the United States. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘The world needs more Valpo grads’: VU’s 20th president stresses building character, servant leaders

September 26, 2026 at 10:50 a.m.

The Rev. Brian Konkol, sworn in Friday as Valparaiso University’s 20th president, stressed the need to build character and faith, not just prepare students for careers.

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

Developer pulling plug on problematic Portage detention pond

September 26, 2026 at 10:16 a.m.

A “temporary” detention pond around for 20 years will be drained in a deal between Simon CRE and the Portage Redevelopment Commission.

Rosemarie Gomez, 99, center, with her nieces Kathleen Linsey Gabrielson, left, and Renee Spain, right, during an honorary street naming in East Chicago at 138th and Grand on July 25, 2025. Gomez, the city’s first Hispanic councilwoman, died Saturday at age 100. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

East Chicago’s first Hispanic councilwoman Rosemarie Gomez dies at 100

September 23, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

Rosemarie Gomez, who died Saturday at age 100, is remembered as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the East Chicago City Council.

Ricardo Camarena lifts his neighbor Rayshawn Hackey, 6, while playing on the roots of a tree outside their homes on 26th Ave in Gary, Indiana on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The tree was toppled during the Aug. 11 storm that swept through Northwest Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

NWI leaders react to IURC’s confirmed NIPSCO investigation

September 23, 2026 at 3:32 p.m.

In a Tuesday filing, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced its investigation into NIPSCO will begin with a Sept. 28 virtual conference.

J.J. Weinberg, wearing a Bob Ross wig, discusses his painting of a man wearing a “Make America Paint Again” hat in support of public broadcasting. Weinberg had his art on display Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in downtown Valparaiso as he invited others to support restoring federal funding for public broadcasting. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso resident planning second Million Bob March for PBS

September 22, 2026 at 10:25 a.m.

J.J. Weinberg is planning a second Million Bob Ross march in Washington, D.C., even though last year’s inaugural event fell far short.

Attendees at the annual World Cultural Festival at Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza gather Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, for a parade of nations. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

‘The world under one roof’: Valparaiso festival celebrates many cultures

September 21, 2026 at 1:33 p.m.

Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso took on an international flavor Sunday for the annual World Cultural Festival sponsored.

Girl Scout Troop 35579 member Heidi O’Bannion, of Lake Station, stocks the new pet pantry for dogs and cats Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at Woodland Park dog park in Portage while Scout Brianna Naumann, of Portage, watches. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage Girl Scouts build pet pantry for dogs, cats

September 20, 2026 at 3:18 p.m.

Girl Scout Troop 35579 used the Little Free Library concept to build a pet pantry for dogs and cats. It now stands outside Portage’s Woodland Park dog park.

Charity Sorrells, left, and Deena Stronczek hand out lunches to brothers Preston and Ethan Hawkins during a storm-relief food and water distribution event sponsored by the Salvation Army of Northwest Indiana at Portage High School on Aug. 13, 2026. Even as the response to the Aug. 11 derecho continues, Northwest Indiana leaders are considering how to plan for the next major disaster. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

NWI planning commission suggests preparing for future disasters

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

Even as the response to the Aug. 11 derecho continues, Northwest Indiana leaders are considering how to plan for the next major disaster.

Jackie Schiemann, who is nearly blind due to the disease achromatopsia, gets a kiss from her guide dog Tyrus after the pair waded in Lake Michigan at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk in Portage, Indiana, Friday, September 18, 2026. Schiemann, of Mayfield, Ohio, said Friday’s visit was her ninth national park and she plans to experience as many possible. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Legally blind woman, guide dog visit Indiana Dunes National Park

September 19, 2026 at 4:41 p.m.

Jackie Schiemann enjoyed wading in Lake Michigan on Friday at Indiana Dunes National Park’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Her guide dog Tyrus, not so much.

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