Life in the Spotlight

Cheri Ford, owner of Old Dog Coffee House, has cemented herself as not only a confident business owner, but a strong figure in the Lowell community. For Ford and her husband, the idea to start their business came out of the blue. On a visit to Frankenmuth …

After 30 years with the Valparaiso Police Department, Steve Jackson has pursued several significant career changes. Today, he’s an entrepreneur completely invested in his gaming business. “I retired from the Valparaiso Police Department and went into a …

Joel Crain serves as executive director of La Porte County Habitat for Humanity. He has worked for the organization for several years, but has been in his current role with the organization for just a few months. Previously, he served as project lead for La …

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder — and in this case, that beholder is behind the camera, capturing some of life’s most intimate and memorable moments. The camera handles the technical work, but it’s the photographer who is trusted to seek …

For Joel Justin, music has never simply been a hobby or career choice — it’s the passion that has guided many major decisions in his life. Justin has built a career as a singer, songwriter and producer in the Region by following his creativity, embracing …

Growing up, Hammond native Dominque Petrovic-Melendez had a tough start to life. At the age of 9, she was already exposed to very mature content and activities. “I didn’t really grow up having parents,” she said. “My mom was in and out of my life …

The local government and its politicians fly under the radar. The work they do to keep our communities running is often strenuous and unseen. This certainly applies to La Porte County Assessor Mike Schultz, who is an important cog in the county government’s …

Joy Shurman, co-owner of Lowell Carpet and Coverings, finds herself most involved when she can connect with other people. For 30 years, Lowell Carpet and Coverings has operated as a family business, started by Shurman’s parents. The business prides itself …

Music has never been just a hobby for Dominick Travis. It’s a journey of constant growth, new opportunities, and performances on increasingly larger stages. Travis started his musical journey in Texas, playing the saxophone in the sixth grade band. He moved …

Building a business has been about more than lawn care for Steven Hochstetler – it’s a passion that he’s always had within him that has since turned into a dream job. After spending part of his childhood in an Amish family, moving to Arkansas at a young …