Meredith Colias

Northwest Indiana Outreach Manager Melanie Walker speaks to educators, mentors, youth workers and other members of the community Tuesdsay during a "Youth Worker Cafe" at the East Chicago Education Administration Building.

Indiana Youth Institute examines data and statistics to help children in need

May 13, 2019 at 9:38 a.m.

Even as her mother struggled for years in life, Erika Watkins remembers her pushing her children to get an education. While working for an East Chicago daycare for years, Watkins,...

Andrew and Patti Nowaczyk, parents of David Nowaczyk, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012. The Nowaczyks have raised $97,000 towards their goal of $250,000 for a memorial in memory soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dyer Gold Star family working to honor son killed in Afghanistan

December 17, 2018 at 7:11 p.m.

At Patti and Andrew Nowaczyk's Dyer home, reminders of their son lie throughout the living room — mantels with his military medals, his picture in fatigues, a folded American flag....

Hammond resident Carolyn Elmore casts her vote on Tuesday at the Hammond High School polling location.

Hammond voters appear to favor school capital improvement plans

May 13, 2019 at 9:37 a.m.

Voters in Hammond appear to have approved property tax hikes to pay for a new high school and boost the school district's budget, according to unofficial vote totals. The proposed...

Valparaiso High School principal resigns

May 13, 2019 at 9:37 a.m.

The principal of Valparaiso High School resigned on Monday, according to Superintendent Ric Frataccia. Reid Amones, 43, was promoted to principal in 2012 after working as an assistant principal for...

Two referendums are on the ballot Tuesday for Hammond school district voters.

Hammond voters to decide on new high school, budget referendums Tuesday

May 13, 2019 at 9:37 a.m.

Voters will decide on Tuesday whether to approve two referendum questions that would fund a new high school and boost the School City of Hammond's operating budget. The district is...

St. Paul Catholic Church congregation members visit the Dia de los Muertos shrine before the All Souls' Day Mass on Thursday.

Day of the Dead a chance to celebrate family, culture in Northwest Indiana

May 13, 2019 at 9:36 a.m.

As a child, Maricruz Rivera associated Dia de los Muertos — or Day of the Dead — with eating bread and going to the cemetery. For her, the cemetery was...

State police personnel lead children from the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14, 2012. In a shooting there, 28 people were killed including 20 children.

‘A 1 percent chance is too high’: schools, police take threats seriously

May 13, 2019 at 9:36 a.m.

In an automated voicemail left for Valparaiso High School parents on Friday, Principal Reid Amones said school officials had learned of a threat on Oct. 30 or 31. The threat...

Members of the Griffith Paranormal Club prepare their ghost hunting equipment during a trip to Hebron's Southeast Grove Cemetery.

Ghost hunters from Griffith High School fueled by paranormal pop culture

May 13, 2019 at 9:36 a.m.

Under a fading crescent moon, 90 minutes went by in the dark with nothing. In the woods, the search was fruitless. Now, near the century-old gravestone of Thomas and Mary...

Christine Gillespie, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, talks about the organization's goals in Hammond's Planned Parenthood on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.

New regional Planned Parenthood CEO visits Hammond, discusses needs of low-income women

May 13, 2019 at 9:35 a.m.

The new head of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky said that despite threats to the organization from Washington and Indianapolis, she is pledging that services will continue. "If Planned...

Stacy Burnside points out features she remembers from her childhood as she walks through the Gary home where she grew up.

A small gift to Gary: Former resident works to restore childhood home

May 13, 2019 at 9:34 a.m.

Even with interior walls stripped down to the studs, Stacy Burnside smiled fondly when she walked through her Gary childhood home. The familiarity was still there — her bedroom that...

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