Doug Ross – Page 6 –

Katie Lukes, of Chicago, paints aluminum panels that will be installed next month at Front Porch Music in Valparaiso. Lukes worked on the panels Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, during the Valparaiso Creative Council’s annual Mural Walk. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso Mural Walk combines professional artists, amateur activities

August 25, 2026 at 3:42 p.m.

As Felix Maldonado began work Saturday on a giant mural on the Smith Ready Mix building on Brown Street, several Duneland Plein Air artists were painting pictures of him.

Portage resident Dominic Rangel, 8, center, plays in bubbles with other children during the Portage Strong event on Saturday, August 22, 2026. (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

‘It doesn’t stop our spirits’: Portage comes together to celebrate community response to derecho

August 22, 2026 at 3:21 p.m.

The Chicago Bears and other organizations across the region are assisting Portage and Gary residents impacted by the early August storms.

People take photos and videos of the inaugural run of the South Shore Line’s new Monon Corridor route, March 31, 2026, at the Hammond Gateway Station in Hammond, Indiana. The South Shore Line is offering free rides Sept. 6 through Sept. 11 on all trains to NIPSCO workers, firefighters, law enforcement, doctors, nurses, EMTs paramedics and other personnel. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

South Shore Line offering free rides to NIPSCO workers, first responders

August 21, 2026 at 11:19 a.m.

The South Shore Line is offering free rides Sept. 6 through Sept. 11 on all trains to NIPSCO workers, first responders and medical workers.

Downed trees block traffic on Median Road after a storm passed through Valparaiso, Indiana on Aug. 11, 2026. NIRPC members discussed the storm and what they learned during a Thursday meeting. (Andy Lavalley/for the baiduhai)

NW Indiana officials share experiences and lessons from August storm: ‘We’re still in shock’

August 20, 2026 at 3:15 p.m.

Portage Mayor Austin Bonta used the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission’s Executive Board meeting to share stories about the historic Aug. 11 derecho.

Debris from what remains of her neighbor’s home litters the yard of Barb Corey on Harrison Avenue in Portage, Indiana, Thursday, August 13, 2026. A Saturday event at Founders Square will celebrate the community making it through the storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage event to offer food, music, healing and hope

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

Saturday’s Portage Strong event is a celebration of coming out the other side from the worst storm to hit the region in recent history.

Sisters Erin Wenneker, left, and Katie Cavinder clear downed trees along Jefferson Street in Portage, Indiana, on Aug. 11, 2026. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage’s storm damage compared to category 2 hurricane

August 18, 2026 at 2:50 p.m.

Crews from elsewhere helping Portage recover from last week’s major derecho have experience with storm damage down south.

Phil Seth, of Pittsburgh, paints a mural on the north side of the Valpo Creates Center during the Valparaiso Mural Walk on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. This year's Mural Walk is on Saturday. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso getting its longest, tallest murals during upcoming Mural Walk

August 16, 2026 at 5:29 p.m.

Four new murals are coming to Valparaiso as part of Saturday’s Mural Walk. Visitors can add their touches, too.

State Line Bridge, which spans the Kankakee River at the Indiana/Illinois state line, hangs over the river so low that it collects heavy debris, which can lead to flooding. River levels have been holding steady despite recent heavy rainfall. (Scott Pelath/provided)

Kankakee River is holding its own despite rainfall

August 13, 2026 at 2:33 p.m.

Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission Executive Director Scott Pelath has been watching conditions throughout the watershed.

Jaden Lee, right, and Willie Collins remove a cut portion of tree while working at Southeastern and White Oak in Hammond, Indiana on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The pair were working for the Hammond Parks and Recreation to clear downed trees following Monday’s storm. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

NWI communities start process of digging out of widespread storm damage

August 12, 2026 at 6:38 p.m.

With most of Northwest Indiana without power after Tuesday's severe storms, residents and public works employees encountered numerous challenges while starting to recover from storm damage caused by vast numbers...

A passenger boards a Gary Public Transit Corp. bus in 2019 photo at 15th Avenue and Broadway in Gary. Tuesday's storms impacted service for the bus line and other modes of public transit. (Carole Carlson/for the Post-Tribune)

NWI storm fallout halts buses, affects trains

August 12, 2026 at 4:17 p.m.

Tuesday’s storm affected public transportation, as well as everything else in Northwest Indiana.

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