Hammond

Kate Silver hugs husband Shawn, of DeMotte, along Deep River where the body of Rodrigo Montes was found Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Lake Station, Indiana. Shawn Silver said his children from a previous marriage were friends with Rodrigo Montes and his family. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Dive team finds missing Lake Station teen, suspect in custody

By Carole Carlson

March 26, 2026 at 4:25 p.m.

Divers recovered the body of missing Lake Station teen Rodrigo Montes in Deep River Thursday...

The Lake Sandy Jo superfund site is pictured Jan. 19, 2022. (Michelle L. Quinn / Post-Tribune)

Lake Sandy Jo site up for seventh five-year EPA superfund review

By Maya Wilkins

March 26, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

The EPA and IDEM are conducting the seventh five-year review of Gary's Lake Sandy Jo...

Cassie Hanson and her husband Michael of Demotte hold a photo of their daughter, Rylee Hanson, who was killed by a wrong way driver in a Feb. 21 crash on Interstate 65. They are pictured on Monday, March 23, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

‘She was a firework’: EMT remembered for her compassion, leadership

By Vivian Richey

March 26, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

At just 20 years old, Rylee Hanson had already begun building the life she always...

Hobart's now-closed Ridge View Elementary has been sold to Geminus Head Start.

Hobart school board approves Ridge View sale to Geminus Head Start

By Carole Carlson

March 22, 2026 at 11:13 a.m.

The Hobart School Board unanimously approved the sale of Ridge View school on Thursday to...

Matt Schuffert, president and CEO of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, announces the company's contributions to the Gary animal control facility at the Public Safety Facility on March 12, 2026. The casino contributed $500,000 to the $1.4 million project. (Maya Wilkins/Post-Tribune)

Gary Police Department is ready for a new city animal shelter

By Maya Wilkins

March 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The city of Gary is moving forward on the construction of a new animal control...

Jonah Peterson, center, cast his ballot for the first time Tuesday at the Lake County Government Center on the first day of early voting. (Alexandra Kukulka/Post-Tribune)

Experts: SAVE America bill would require more documentation to vote

By Alexandra Kukulka

March 22, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

As the Senate began to debate a stricter voter registration bill this week, voter rights...

United Farm Workers President César Chavez talks to striking Salinas Valley farmworkers during a large rally in Salinas, California, on March 7, 1979. A recent New York Times article alleges Chavez sexually assaulted several women and girls. (Paul Sakuma/AP)

East Chicago native, former councilman support Cesar Chavez rename after recent allegations

By Maya Wilkins

March 21, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.

East Chicago officials were unable to comment on if they will rename a bridge and...

A residential building called The Franklin rises next to the new 11th Street Station on the South Shore Line on Sept. 16, 2025, in Michigan City, Indiana. The city is one of several reaping the benefits of a transit development district. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Region’s transit districts attracting housing, retail development

By Doug Ross

March 21, 2026 at 1:28 p.m.

Transit development districts near South Shore Line stations are bearing fruit, TDD steering committee members...

Volunteer Maureen Strombaugh, of Valparaiso, cuts a ribbon dedicating an otter ceremonial bench celebrating the Miami and Potawatomi tribes at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center in Porter, Indiana, Thursday, March 19, 2026. The otter is considered a sacred animal by both tribes. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

State, national parks generate 2,600 jobs, $140 million in economic development for Porter County

By Shelley Jones

March 21, 2026 at 11:44 a.m.

There are lots of projects afoot in the Indiana Dunes, from unearthing Mount Baldy to...

St. John resident Ronda Payne, whose son, Chris, is currently in a detention center in Japan, holds up a blanket with a photo of her first visit with her son in Japan as she speaks about him and the Innocence Project of Japan's efforts to free him, on Sept. 17, 2025. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

St. John mom fights on for son detained for years in Japan

By Amy Lavalley

March 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

Chris Payne has spent nearly four and a half years in detention in Japan, at...

Columnist Phil Potempa, shown in a blue apron as master of ceremonies, was featured with highlighted chefs from throughout Northwest Indiana for promotional photos in 2007 to publicize the 7th Annual Dine with the Chefs Dinner hosted by Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana. (Photo courtesy of Meals on Wheels NWI)

From the Farm: Meals on Wheels 25th annual gala breaks record-setting $200,000

By Philip Potempa

March 20, 2026 at 5:08 p.m.

This year’s $200,000 total can be compared to the equivalent of funding more than 21,000...

Courts roundup: Hammond man may avoid prison for shooting outside bar

By Meredith Colias-Pete

March 20, 2026 at 5:34 p.m.

News from Lake County courts

Jeff Myers (left) and Steve Krajnik were photographed in their Hammond's Robertsdale neighborhood, which sits in the shadow of the former Federated Metals plant, in this 2018 file photo on Tuesday May 1, 2018. Lead and arsenic contamination led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to label the site a federal Superfund site in September 2023. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)

EPA to host public hearing about Federated Metals superfund site

By Maya Wilkins

March 20, 2026 at 12:55 p.m.

The EPA is hosting a public hearing about Federated Metals cleanup efforts at Whiting High...