Friday, May 1st, 2026
Good morning, Valparaiso. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 1st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Horizon Bank donated $6,000 to Opportunity Enterprises on April 30 to expand essential services for people with disabilities; local bank leaders presented the check (reinforcing its ongoing community support). Valpo Life
- ➤ Havyn Homes and its trade partners broke ground yesterday in the Scianna subdivision to build the first St. Jude Dream Home in Valpo. Once completed and sold, net proceeds will support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. NWI.LIFE
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Gas prices in Indiana increased by 84 cents last week and now average $4.41 a gallon, affecting local drivers. A weekend power loss at BP's refinery (in Whiting) and global tensions drove the jump, and no relief is in sight. ABC 7
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Ivy Tech Community College will honor 1,700 graduates at its commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 7 at 6pm CT at the Valparaiso University Athletics Recreation Center (students earned over 2,000 degrees and certificates during the 2025-2026 academic year) and the event will include keynote Lisa Daugherty. Valpo Life
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Franciscan Health has partnered with US HealthVest to manage behavioral health services at its Lake County hospitals starting today. US HealthVest will oversee adult and adolescent inpatient units, detox and outpatient care at Franciscan Health Dyer, and provide psychiatric consultations in the emergency departments at Crown Point, Dyer and Munster. Valpo Life
- ➤ During Donate Life Month in April, Franciscan Health encouraged staff to register as organ donors at its local facility. The health system hopes the effort will boost donor numbers and save lives. NWI Times
- ➤ Franciscan Health partners with Strack & Van Til supermarkets to launch Mindful Markets, a grocery store tour that will teach shoppers healthy eating. NWI Times
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Four Winds Casinos will host events and promotions in May: Cinco de Mayo dining at Kankakee Grille on May 4-5, Mother's Day specials at The Buffet and Copper Rock Steakhouse on May 10, a Tacos & Tequila Fiesta on May 16, and a $150k Drive to Win on May 24. NWI.LIFE
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Glass Flower Cocktails & Canvas
12-2 p.m. — Four Corners Winery — Priced per participant — Unleash your creativity while sipping cocktails and painting a vibrant 'Glass Flower'.
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A Little Night Music
8-11 p.m. — Memorial Opera House — $60 • Loge, $30 • Adults, $27 • Senior/Student/Military — Experience a romantic musical journey through love, longing, and regret with Sondheim's enchanting score.
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Early Summer Car, Truck & Bike Show
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — $5 vehicle registration, $5 general admission — Celebrate local automotive culture with displays and swap meet opportunities.
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Sewing Class: Make a Tote Bag
5-7 p.m. — Valpo Creates Center — $40 — Create a spacious tote bag while learning the basics of sewing and quilting.
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A Little Night Music
8-11 p.m. — Memorial Opera House — $60 Loge, $30 Adults, $27 Seniors/Students/Military — Experience the enchanting musical journey of love and regret with Sondheim's iconic score.
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A Little Night Music
2-5 p.m. — Memorial Opera House — $60 Loge, $30 Adults, $27 Senior/Student/Military — Experience a moonlit journey through love and longing with Sondheim's enchanting musical masterpiece.
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Annual Memorial Day Service May 25 at 11 a.m. at Graceland Cemetery
Graceland Cemetery will host its annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Valor Hill, honoring all who have served with a special tribute to veterans laid to rest at Graceland over the past year. Conducted by American Legion Post 94, the free public ceremony will include the reading of each veteran’s name and will move indoors to the mausoleum in the event of rain.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.
~ Andrew Carnegie
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