Community Corner
🌱 What you’ll see at Saturday’s big first responder showcase in Valpo
Also check out 17th World Cultural Festival on the Valparaiso Patch calendar

Greetings Valparaiso! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What you'll see at Saturday's big first responder showcase in Valpo
- How many Valpo-area grads are choosing Purdue Northwest this fall?
- Why Valparaiso University's Turning Point USA decision drew political fire.
Also on today's calendar: Fall Parade of Homes and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Thursday: Humid with a shower or two, with a high of 77 and low of 61 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy and less humid, temps: high: 76, low: 61.
- Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 81 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. MAAC Foundation's First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day to Showcase Over 60 Local, State and Federal Agencies September 19th (wimsradio.com) — Families in Valparaiso can head to the MAAC Foundation campus this Saturday, Sept. 19, for a free First Responder Appreciation & Demonstration Day featuring live rescue demos, helicopter landings, and hands-on activities. More than 60 agencies will showcase emergency vehicles and training, with raffles supporting first responder training and events running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central.
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2. Purdue Northwest enrollment and retention reach new highs (nwitimes.com) — Purdue University Northwest is drawing record numbers of first-year students from Valparaiso-area high schools while also achieving its highest-ever second-year retention rate. With more local graduates choosing PNW and a new residence hall opening, the university's growth could shape future educational and workforce opportunities for Valparaiso families considering college options close to home.
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3. Free speech report: IU Bloomington, Notre Dame rank low in FIRE rankings, but Purdue excels (therepublic.com) — Free-speech watchdog FIRE ranks major Indiana universities, praising Purdue but giving IU Bloomington and Notre Dame failing grades, while noting broader political tensions around campus speech. For Valparaiso residents, the report highlights a recent controversy at Valparaiso University, where student leaders rejected a Turning Point USA chapter as too partisan, drawing criticism from some politicians.
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4. Judge in rehab after DUI conviction, says he has no plans to resign (abajournal.com) — Porter County Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley of Valparaiso is in full-time treatment after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge in Michigan City but says he has no plans to resign. He received probation, a suspended jail sentence, and mandatory participation in Indiana's Judicial and Legal Assistance Program while pausing his reelection campaign and weighing his political future.
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📸 Around Valparaiso
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Valparaiso
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- 17th World Cultural Festival →
Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St, Valparaiso
7:00 pm
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Fall Parade of Homes →
Stonebridge Subdivision of Valparaiso, 465 Stonebridge Parkway, Valparaiso - Beer Pedaler Group Tour →
Beer Pedaler, 359 Jefferson St, Valparaiso - Linwood House Plug Planting @ Indiana Landmarks →
Valparaiso IN
11:00 am - Hob Tub & Swim Spa Sale →
215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso
2:00 pm - Korean Language Group →
LINC (Language & Intercultural Learning Center), 1400 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso
3:30 pm - 2026 Call Conference @ Valparaiso First →
Valparaiso First Church of the Nazarene, 2702 East Glendale Boulevard, Valparaiso
6:00 pm - Co Action Trivia Night Fundraiser →
215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso
6:00 pm - First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day (FRADD) →
MAAC Foundation First Responder Training Campus, 4203 Montdale Park Drive, Valparaiso
9:00 am - Hob Tub & Swim Spa Sale →
215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso
10:00 am - South County Cook Off →
215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso
3:00 pm - Extraordinary Experience: An Introduction to MCPS →
FLUID Coffee Roasters, 260 Franklin Street, Valparaiso
Friday September 18
Saturday September 19
Sunday September 20
📣 Valparaiso Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good morning Hoosiers!
The leaves on the trees are already changing colors. (Nextdoor 200 W and 700 N)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Overnight Team Member in Valparaiso. Apply here.
- Popeyes posted a job opening for Popeyes Team Member - Valparaiso, IN in Valparaiso. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Valparaiso here.
Ok Valparaiso! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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