Doug Ross

Doug Ross ia a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.

Ray and Leann Benninger arrive for the dedication of improvements to the Shirley Heinze Land Trust’s Ivanhoe South Preserve in Gary on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Shirley Heinze Land Trust is moving its headquarters to the former Trailyard Restaurant site in Valparaiso. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Shirley Heinze Land Trust moving to former Trailyard site in Valparaiso

September 30, 2026 at 5:14 p.m.

Shirley Heinze Land Trust is moving its headquarters to the former Trailyard Restaurant site in Valparaiso.

Portage City Hall. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage zoning board approves Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros Coffee

September 30, 2026 at 10:02 a.m.

Chick-fil-A and Dutch Bros Coffee got quick approval by the Portage Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday for side-by-side locations.

The Portage Township School Board is considering a $98.9 million budget for 2027. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Portage School Board considering $98.9 million budget

September 29, 2026 at 11:33 a.m.

The Portage Township School Board is considering a $98.9 million budget for 2027. A vote on the budget will be held Oct. 12.

Tinsley Moffitt, 7, plants one of the nearly 100 marram grasses during the National Public Lands Day event at the Indiana Dunes State Park campground in Chesterton, Indiana, Sept. 26, 2026. Moffitt, of Plainfield, Indiana, was camping with her mother and father and decided to join other volunteers for the event. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Volunteers transplant marram grass at Indiana Dunes State Park

September 28, 2026 at 4:56 p.m.

Marram grass growing in a parking lot was transplanted into a more appropriate spot Saturday at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Jan Cubic’s new book, “Burdick: Where the Trains Once Stopped,” tells the story of the sleepy area that was an early Porter County settlement. (Jan Cubic/provided)

New book turns Chesterton’s Burdick Road into Memory Lane

September 26, 2026 at 11:47 a.m.

Jan Cubic fondly remembers visiting her grandparents in the Burdick neighborhood. Now those visits, and more, have turned into her first book, “Burdick: Where the Trains Once Stopped.” Today, Burdick...

The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., looks over the audience at Valparaiso University’s Chapel of the Resurrection shortly after being inaugurated as the 20th president during ceremonies in Valparaiso, Indiana, Friday, September 25, 2026. The event drew students, staff, alumni and Konkol’s former coworkers from across the United States. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

‘The world needs more Valpo grads’: VU’s 20th president stresses building character, servant leaders

September 26, 2026 at 10:50 a.m.

The Rev. Brian Konkol, sworn in Friday as Valparaiso University’s 20th president, stressed the need to build character and faith, not just prepare students for careers.

Developer pulling plug on problematic Portage detention pond

September 26, 2026 at 10:16 a.m.

A “temporary” detention pond around for 20 years will be drained in a deal between Simon CRE and the Portage Redevelopment Commission.

Rosemarie Gomez, 99, center, with her nieces Kathleen Linsey Gabrielson, left, and Renee Spain, right, during an honorary street naming in East Chicago at 138th and Grand on July 25, 2025. Gomez, the city’s first Hispanic councilwoman, died Saturday at age 100. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

East Chicago’s first Hispanic councilwoman Rosemarie Gomez dies at 100

September 23, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

Rosemarie Gomez, who died Saturday at age 100, is remembered as the first Hispanic woman to serve on the East Chicago City Council.

Ricardo Camarena lifts his neighbor Rayshawn Hackey, 6, while playing on the roots of a tree outside their homes on 26th Ave in Gary, Indiana on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. The tree was toppled during the Aug. 11 storm that swept through Northwest Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

NWI leaders react to IURC’s confirmed NIPSCO investigation

September 23, 2026 at 3:32 p.m.

In a Tuesday filing, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission announced its investigation into NIPSCO will begin with a Sept. 28 virtual conference.

J.J. Weinberg, wearing a Bob Ross wig, discusses his painting of a man wearing a “Make America Paint Again” hat in support of public broadcasting. Weinberg had his art on display Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in downtown Valparaiso as he invited others to support restoring federal funding for public broadcasting. (Doug Ross/for the Post-Tribune)

Valparaiso resident planning second Million Bob March for PBS

September 22, 2026 at 10:25 a.m.

J.J. Weinberg is planning a second Million Bob Ross march in Washington, D.C., even though last year’s inaugural event fell far short.

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