Shelley Jones

Shelley Jones is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.

Volunteer Kathy Micka hands a box of crackers to a visitor during the Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana storm relief meal distribution event at Porter County Aging & Community Services in Valparaiso, Indiana, Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Micka, of Valparaiso, said she enjoys volunteering since recently retiring in July. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘A lot of heartbreak’: Porter County residents get post-storm food assistance

September 23, 2026 at 11:53 a.m.

Valparaiso resident Teresa Smith changed the way she shops for food in the aftermath of the Aug. 11 derecho that smashed through the region.

Valparaiso City Hall is pictured. (Philip Potempa/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso council carries ordinances for Pratt Industries expansion

September 16, 2026 at 1:41 p.m.

Plans by Pratt Industries to expand on land annexed by Valparaiso for a converting plant, along with a zoning change, will have to wait.

Porter County Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso.
- Original Credit: Porter County

Porter County commissioners support locked out BP workers with resolution

September 15, 2026 at 12:31 p.m.

The Porter County Board of Commissioners made a public declaration of support for the 800 families still being affected by the ongoing BP lockout.

Ryan Moore selected to replace Peter Anderson on Valparaiso council

September 16, 2026 at 1:48 p.m.

A caucus of Republican precinct committee members selected Ryan Moore to finish the Valparaiso City Council term of Peter Anderson.

Freida Graves, of Faith Farms and Orchard in Gary, right, talks about her farm's inability to access all its self-generated solar power during recent storms at an Agricultural Advisory Council meeting with U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, at the Porter County Administration Building Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Shelley Jones/for the Post-Tribune)

Farmers share needs, concerns with U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan: ‘It’s just not fun anymore’

September 13, 2026 at 4:07 p.m.

Area farmers gave U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan the lay of their land Friday afternoon and the reports were discouraging to say the least.

The Valparaiso Police Department. (Philip Potempa/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso board approves expanded policy on license plate readers

September 12, 2026 at 2:35 p.m.

The Valparaiso Board of Works and Safety approved an amendment to the police department’s automatic license plate reader policy Friday.

Porter County Attorney Scott McClure gives his opinion to the Porter County Council on the legality of borrowing from the Cumulative Bridge Fund to cover storm recovery costs during a meeting Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (Shelley Jones/for the Post-Tribune)

Officials: Porter County storm cleanup could cost almost $11 million

September 11, 2026 at 1:36 p.m.

Storm cleanup in Porter County could cost between $7 million and $10.75 million, though the funds have yet to be appropriated.

Porter County Council gets recap of storm effort after Aug. 11 derecho

August 27, 2026 at 12:05 p.m.

The Porter County Council spent a large portion of its meeting focusing on the aftermath of the Aug. 11 derecho that swept through the region.

Lee Farabuagh, of Chesterton, pulls downed trees of Meridian Road while helping clear the area after a storm passed through Valparaiso, Indiana, Monday, August 11, 2026. NIPSCO reported well over 300,000 customers without power immediately following the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

Porter County commissioners get update on storm recovery

August 25, 2026 at 3:08 p.m.

Porter County Emergency Management Agency Director Lance Bella gave the Board of Commissioners a report on the Aug. 11 storm and recovery efforts Tuesday.

Debby Gunn remaining as E-911 director until replacement is found

August 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Embattled Porter County Central Communications Executive Director Debby Gunn has agreed to stay on while the county seeks a new director.

All Stories