Valparaiso Police Department participated in National Night Out on August 2. National Night Out is an annual event, bringing communities and police together under positive conditions, creating an exchange of ideas and developing partnerships. Officers traveled around the city visiting 11 neighborhoods, while enjoying the opportunity to connect with residents. Learn more about National Night Out and a photo gallery of the city-wide event by visiting Valpo Life.

The City is always looking for ways to upgrade safety for motorists and pedestrians. This year, the City will add several permanent radar feedback signs to alert motorists to speeding, placing them in locations where speeding has been an ongoing concern - such as Harrison Boulevard, Ransom Road and Joliet Road. Additionally, solar-powered flashing beacons and traffic calming bump outs will be installed at key pedestrian crosswalks and intersections. The City has also installed a new traffic signal light at Froberg Road and State Road 130 to enhance safety.

Light up Valparaiso streets and cycle through the city by starlight at the Valpo Night Ride! This family friendly ride begins and ends at Central Park Plaza. Before the 10:00 pm ride, enjoy the Bike Bash pre-party beginning at 7:00 pm with live music, food trucks, bike decorating contest, tricycle races and face painting. You might even see two of our favorite Chiefs go head to head in a tricycle race!

If you are looking for a more competitive ride, consider the Creekside Duathlon on August 27. Learn more about this upcoming cross country run and mountain bike ride.

This long-standing community tradition will return in 2022 for its 43rd year! The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to offer family-fun activities for all ages. Over 250 arts & crafts booths, 35 food booths, the Ultimate Poppin’ Play Zone, live music, a beer tent, and the nation’s first Popcorn Parade are only the beginning of the excitement of this incredible festival brought to you by Valparaiso Events.

Before the parade, join Valpo Parks for Popcorn Panic. A community tradition for over four decades, this event has over 1,000 participants annually, running and walking through our tree-lined city streets. In teams or as individuals, you can choose to run the 5 miles or shorten it up with a 5K run or walk.

After a thorough review of its trash and recycling service as well as competitive data, the City of Valparaiso has announced a proposed rate increase to make the service sustainable. Nationwide, trash and recycling services are seeing substantial increases in costs as fuel, labor and landfill fees increase. Before proposing the rate increase, Valparaiso City Services assembled a committee to study efficiencies, competitive data and the potential impact of privatizing trash and recycling collection. VCS has sent information on the proposed rate increase via US mail to all affected Valparaiso residents. Additional details, including frequently asked questions, are available online.

A lasting look for a forward-thinking city - that was the mission, as the City of Valparaiso looked to update its graphic identity. The new look, which you can see on this newsletter, will be used throughout the city on City Services vehicles, City facilities, communications pieces and the new water tower project at Tower Park.