VALPARAISO

Annual Mayor's Charity Ball is set for Sept. 19

For the fourth year, residents of Valparaiso will gather to celebrate at The Mayor's Charity Ball. The Ball will be held 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 19 overlooking the location of the new downtown park.

Reservations are being taken now to join Mayor Jon Costas and the citizens of Valparaiso for an enjoyable evening celebrating the community and the nonprofit organizations benefitted by this event.

The evening is semi-formal and will feature an Asian garden-themed setting in an elegant tent on Lafayette Street overlooking the new park. It also will feature the music of The Jeff Brown Orchestra and a variety of foods from six local restaurants: Bistro 157, Bon Femme, Dish, Restaurante Don Quijote, Pikks and Strongbow.

The evening will benefit First Contact, Porter County Family Counseling Center and The New Downtown Park.

Tickets are $125 per person. Reservations may be made by contacting Nicole Williams (219) 462-6147 or Lori Good (219) 462-1161.

PORTAGE

Winners of Steel Wheels chess tourney announced

Results of the Steel Wheels Festival chess tournament were recently announced.

Winners were:

High school division -- Gwen Murphy, first and Colleen Murphy, second

Seventh- and eighth-grade division -- Duncan Murphy, first; Alexander Hart, second, and Caleb Richards, third.

Sixth-grade division -- Joseph Pimentel, first; George Romero, second; Ian Lloyd and Chris Jordan, tie for third, and Jimmy Lloyd, fourth.

Kindergarten through fifth-grade division -- Ian Kelly, first; Ethan Davenport, second; Stephen Lesher, third, and Megan Kelly, fourth.

VALPARAISO

Valpo prof to appear on Animal Planet program

Valparaiso University law professor Rebecca Huss is scheduled to appear today on the Animal Planet program "Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case."

The program is scheduled to air at 9 p.m. CDT and will focus on the dogfighting investigation of the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

Huss served as the court-appointed guardian of the pit bull terriers in the Bad Newz Kennels case and made recommendations to the court on placement of the dogs.

The program is scheduled for rebroadcast at midnight Monday, at 8 and 10 p.m. Wednesday and at 5 p.m. Aug. 31.

PORTAGE

Willowcreek Road to be closed at CSX crossing

Willowcreek Road will be closed Monday through Wednesday at the CSX crossing for rail repair, weather permitting.