Amy Lavalley

6 days ago | chicagotribune.com | Amy Lavalley

The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District got an earful from a handful of riders Tuesday night at the last public hearing on a proposed 10% fare increase for South Shore Line passengers. The fare increase would be the first since 2018, the riders were told in the meeting at Hammond Public Library. Riders complained about packed trains and late trains, among other issues. “On top of doing away with the BOGO, you’re increasing the fare,” one rider said.

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Amy Lavalley

A Valparaiso University spokesperson said Monday that the university has “made enough progress” in its plans to sell three cornerstone pieces of artwork from the Brauer Museum of Art on campus to move forward with planned dorm renovations. The exact status of the artwork remains unclear. “More information will be released to campus regarding some of the sale details in the coming days,” Michael Fenton said in a Monday email to the Post-Tribune.

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Amy Lavalley

Dakota “Levi” Stevens’ grave doesn’t have a headstone yet. His family had hoped to have one in place by the first anniversary of his death, on Sunday, but it won’t be ready until later this spring. On a concrete pad where the 10-year-old boy’s headstone will soon sit, his family wrote “We (heart) you” in blue and orange chalk. There’s a shark figure and a snail figurine, a nod to Levi’s love for sharks and bugs, as well as a small bug catcher.

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Amy Lavalley

Valparaiso will not continue to explore expanding Central Park Plaza downtown after Mayor Jon Costas said the owners of the properties adjacent to the park who would have to sell have decided to discontinue their talks with the city. In a statement sent late Thursday afternoon to citizens concerned about the proposal, Costas said he respected the property owners’ decision and the idea cannot be pursued further at this time.

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Amy Lavalley

Donald M. Johnson will remain in the Porter County Jail without bond for another six months after a Friday hearing in which he told the court that he still hasn’t been able to find another attorney and the additional time will allow him to do just that.