Valparaiso plans for the winter weather season
While winter snow accumulation patterns have adjusted over the last five years during the months of January and February, Valparaiso City Services is continually monitoring the weather for snow, sleet, ice and cold temperatures that impact public safety and transportation. The winter event priority map is available at: tinyurl.com/ValpoWeather. Valparaiso reminds residents of the following procedures in winter weather events. Per city ordinances, vehicles must be removed from city streets when there is 2 or more inches of snow. Park vehicles in garages, driveways, or parking lots until the streets are cleared of snow. Do not push snow into the roads for your safety and the safety of others. The plowing process inevitably results in some snow being pushed back into already cleared driveways. (Please note that Public Works will not remove snow from driveway entrances.) To reduce the chance of this happening and creating more work for residents, Public Works recommends that residents clear an open area to the left of their driveway. This open area gives the street snow a place to land without blocking driveways. During winter weather events, main thoroughfares and emergency routes will be cleared first and will remain the focus in overnight hours. Side streets, neighborhoods and cul-de-sacs will be cleared once the emergency routes are safe to travel. Keep an eye on neighbors, particularly seniors and others who may have difficulty clearing snow or accessing help.
The Valparaiso Police Department offers a Contact Assistance Referral Program (CARE) to check on residents with special needs when the weather is severe. To register yourself or a loved one, contact Natalie Kasberger at nkasberger@valpopd.com or 219-462-2135.
Four Chesterton HS students named Class of 2025 Rising Stars of Indiana
The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) has announced the Class of 2025 Rising Stars of Indiana. Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four students currently in the eleventh grade, based on their academic achievement. Among the 940 high school Juniors from 235 schools being honored are four Chesterton High School junior recipients: Mara Huneryager, Mackenzie Kania, Patrick Mochen and Jany Zhang. The IASP congratulates these students on all they have achieved, and offers support and encouragement as they continue their accomplishments well into the future.
Dunes Arts Foundation presents ‘The Writer’s Room’
The Dunes Arts Foundation will offer two introductory sessions of “The Writer’s Room” from 1 to 3 p.m. CT on Jan. 25 and Feb. 8 at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. Fourth St., Michigan City. After these two introductory sessions, the members will meet in smaller writing groups every third Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Michigan City Public Library. The “Writers Room” project will provide opportunities for showcasing new work, collaboration, and professional and artistic development for writers through an ongoing series of monthly meetings and special events. Membership is open to all writers in the following areas: playwrights, poets, fiction and nonfiction writers and lyricists. The project also is open to those in the literary arts who are interested in exploring contemporary themes and issues of diversity in their own creative writing. There is no cost for membership. For more information and to register, visit dunesARTS.org/writers, email dunestheatre@gmail.com or call 219-879-7509.
Presentation, concert explores railroad’s history
The Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group will host an audio-visual presentation and brass band concert exploring the history of the Valparaiso and Northern Interurban Railroad at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church, 1507 E. Glendale Road, Valparaiso. The event coincides with an exhibit at the Porter County Museum, “The V&N: Porter County’s Electric Interurban Rail Line.” Built in the early 1900s, the Interurban Railroad accommodated tourists and vacationers visiting hotels and cottages along the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes. The 30-piece South Shore Brass Band has teamed up with the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group to offer this historical presentation including a live musical program and performance by the Indiana Ballet Theatre covering the era from 1911 to 1938, the heyday of the Interurban railroad. The event is free, handicap accessible and open to the public. Volunteers needed to help with this event. For additional information call or text Walt Breitinger at 219-477-7526.
Registration open for Valpo’s Beacon Engineering Academy
Registration for Valparaiso University’s Beacon Engineering Academy is now open. The camp will take place from June 22-28, 2025 and is open to students entering the 10th or 11th grade. This hands-on week will allow participants to explore the world of engineering through projects, activities and team challenges. Two options will be available: an overnight camp from June 22 to 28, and a day camp from June 23 to 27. Cost per-student is $800 for the overnight camp and $400 for the day-camp, with a limited number of partial scholarships are available for qualifying participants. Led by expert engineering faculty and current undergraduate students, the overnight camp features four key components: introductions to various engineering fields, development of real-world skills, social activities and collaborative large-scale engineering projects. Returning projects include robotics, biomechanics and prosthetics challenges, along with a new environmental engineering project. Participants are encouraged to have completed courses in physics or chemistry prior to attending. For more information, details about scholarships, or to apply to attend, click https://www.valpo.edu/college-of-engineering/engineering-camp/. For any questions regarding Beacon Engineering Academy, contact engineering.camp@valpo.edu.