Good morning, Valparaiso.

Claudia Pardo and Guillermo Coatretras own the Lunch Box food truck (serving many types of tasty food) in Valpo and nearby towns.

They will cater Fourth of July events and school gatherings and plan to expand to Chicago and Wisconsin, showing their strong local ties.

For over 15 years, the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation has driven local growth by uniting community volunteers and business experts to support long-term projects—such as the ChicaGO Dash commuter bus service.

Todd Etzler from Horizon Bank said today that this independent, volunteer-led approach guides decisions that benefit local families and businesses.

Indiana's 2025 ILEARN scores showed that math scores improved while reading stayed almost flat, with 42.1% of students passing math and 40.6% passing reading.

Valparaiso Community Schools reached a combined proficiency rate of 52.7% and ranked 14th statewide as schools adapt to the new assessment system.

Ivy Tech Community College Valparaiso Campus has received the inaugural Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana designation, awarded by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize outstanding support for military-affiliated students. The Tier 2 designation—valid for three years—confirms Ivy Tech’s strong commitment to veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

Purdue Federal Credit Union is offering a $400 bonus for new members who will open a checking account and meet eligibility by living in Lake, Porter or La Porte County, being affiliated with a Select Employee Group or a Purdue University alum, depositing $25, setting up direct deposit, and choosing paperless statements—boosting their balance. The Credit Union, with branches in Crown Point and La Porte, focuses on community support by providing free checking features and digital banking.

Valparaiso Clerk-Treasurer Holly Taylor earned the Certified Public Finance Administrator designation from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada on July 16 for meeting rigorous educational standards—her achievement builds on previous credentials as Certified Municipal Clerk and Indiana Accredited Municipal Clerk.

Ludacris Live Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — PIT $60.00 Standing Only — Get ready to Roll Out with Ludacris at the Porter County Fair.

Valparaiso Wine Festival

5-10 p.m. — Central Park Plaza — 21+ event — Enjoy an evening of wine tasting with over 100 varietals from 20+ vendors alongside live entertainment.

Open House at 149 Westchester Lane

3-5 p.m. — 149 Westchester Lane — $559,900 — Explore a stunning 6-bedroom home with exceptional amenities in a desirable lake community.

Zach Top Live Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — Ticket prices vary — Experience Zach Top's authentic country sound at this local favorite event.

ASHLYN Concert at Porter County Fair

12:45-6:45 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — Tickets available at the door — Enjoy an afternoon of live music from local vocalist Ashlyn amidst the fair festivities.

ASHLYN at Porter County Fair

2-8 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — Free entry — Experience live music from vocalist Ashlyn, a rising talent from Northwest Indiana.

July Bike Night

6-9 p.m. — Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso — Free event — Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with live music, food, drinks, and diverse motorcycles.

Sandbergs Towing School Bus & Combine Derby

5-9 p.m. — Porter County Fairgrounds — VIP tickets available — Experience thrilling school bus and combine derbies in an exciting local event.

Daisy Adventurer Day Camp

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Camp Butternut Springs | Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana — Registration required — Dive into nature and craft activities with new friends at this fun-filled junior camp.

Valpo Corn Roast Festival

5-10 p.m. — Central Park Plaza — Ticket required — Enjoy endless locally-grown corn while supporting community charities with live music and food trucks.