Life in the Spotlight

As a mother of three, a marathon runner, a Spanish teacher at Portage High School, and a world traveler, Natalie Krause is a role model for those in her life. “My students are the best part about my job,” Krause said. “I’m a teacher a...

It all comes down to trust. It’s what Michael Kurz believes connects him to the community he serves, which can’t be easy when you’re a police officer working with school children. As a Porter County Sheriff’s deputy and School Resource...

Theresa Buell is passionate about her career as a Special Education Teacher, serving students at Portage High School. She loves helping students find their path in life and watching as they follow their dreams. “Connecting with students and getting...

David Hall grew up playing with Legos and fixing things, which initially led him down an engineering path. Today, he fixes things a little bit differently: with a big heart full of compassion. With his Bachelors in Engineering, David was a natural...

Nancy Detterline makes quilts and collects supplies for the needy. She does it all within her apartment at Miller’s Merry Manor, an assisted living center in Hobart. She was born and raised in Hobart, moved around the country, but returned to her...

Balancing a large family with a successful career takes grace, patience, and passion. Brian Jones, Assistant Principal of Portage High School and father to seven children, makes the balancing act look easy, all while finding opportunities to give...

While it is well known that parents teach their children invaluable lessons, it is often overlooked how much children can teach their parents. Amy Aldrich of Portage, a mother of three daughters, knows firsthand how parenthood can transform how you...

At the heart of every community, there are small businesses that promote the local economy, support families of the neighborhood, and create a vibrant and diverse culture. Northwest Indiana is certainly no exception. With a hearty history of small...

When Ken Elwood looks at his hometown of Portage, he sees a community bursting with the same qualities that his mother personified in Elwood’s childhood: toughness, passion, and grit. “I’ve always loved the Portage community. It’s a tough,...

With over 23 years at the City Council of Portage, Elizabeth Modesto demonstrates how hard work, unwavering determination, and a love for the community can make all the difference. From childhood, Modesto had a close look at the remarkable effect...