PORTER COUNTY

Group collecting old cell phones for seniors

Porter County TRIAD is collecting old cell phones at various locations in Porter County. Porter County TRIAD provides emergency cell phones at no cost to senior citizens in this area.

Numerous law enforcement and victims services agencies across the country operate independent 911 cell phone programs. Many, such as Porter County TRIAD, use the 911 Cell Phone Bank emergency cell phone program. This program allows these agencies to focus on helping the community, rather than spending time testing cell phones or charging batteries.

Thanks to the support of hosting locations, Porter County TRIAD will accept cell phones for use in the 911 Cell Phone Bank program and recycling at the Portage Police Department, the Porter County Sheriff's Department, Valparaiso Fire Department on Vale Park Road and the Visiting Nurse Association. All phones collected that cannot be used in the emergency cell phone program will be responsibly recycled.

PORTAGE

City police accepting applications for officers

Application packets for the position of probationary patrol officer with the Portage Police Department will be available from 9 a.m. Monday through 9 a.m. Aug. 11. All applications must be completed and returned to the Portage Police Department no later than 9 a.m. Aug. 22.

Application packets are available at the department, 2693 Irving St.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

- must be a U.S. citizen.

- must be 21 years old, but no older than 36 by the date of hire.

- must possess a valid driver's license.

- must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

- must have no felony or domestic battery convictions.

- must have weight in proportion to height.

- must pass a written examination, physical standards test, memory test, medical examination, drug screen and psychological examination.

- must submit to a polygraph examination.

- must submit to a background investigation.

- must submit to an oral interview.

- must successfully complete basic instruction at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

The 2008 salary for a probationary officer is $32,032. After one year of satisfactory service, the salary increases to $41,476.

LAKE MICHIGAN

Coastal program taking applications for grants

The Department of Natural Resources' Lake Michigan Coastal Program is accepting preproposals for the 2009 funding cycle until Sept. 10.

Preproposals that receive favorable recommendation will be eligible to submit a full proposal for funding, which will be available in July 2009.

The annual competitive grants program awards up to $700,000 to local government, regional and state agencies, colleges and universities, and other nonprofit organizations.

Funds may be spent on low-cost construction, land acquisition, planning and coordination, education and outreach, and applied research projects. Projects must be located entirely within the coastal area of northern Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

Application information and materials are available electronically at www.in.gov/dnr/lakemich/grants/index.html.

For more information, visit www.in.gov/dnr/lakemich/.

VALPARAISO

Counselor will discuss teen issues at school

Susan Magestro, a criminologist, counselor and University of Alaska instructor, will share insights and discuss how parents and educators can help avert teenage tragedies in a presentation at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.

Magestro has worked with at-risk teens, parents, schools and police departments for more than 25 years. Her work with juvenile offenders, targets of crime, law enforcement agencies and school shooters has given her special insight into the realities facing teenagers today.

The presentation is open to all interested adults. Register online by Monday at www.valpo.k12.in.us.

PORTAGE

National Night Out helps promote safety

Mayor Olga G. Velazquez invites Portage area residents to join in the 25th annual National Night Out.

On the evening of Aug. 5, Velazquez encourages area residents to turn on porch and patio lights; go outside and visit with neighbors; meet new neighbors and reacquaint with existing ones; offer refreshments or consider a neighborhood cookout; and remember to lock doors and windows when not at home.

The National Night Out provides a unique opportunity for the city of Portage to join forces with thousands of other communities across the country in promoting cooperative police/community partnerships and neighborhood safety awareness.

VALPARAISO

Senior citizens can audit courses at VU

Courses in a variety of topics at Valparaiso University are open to senior citizens interested in exploring new or ongoing interests through the Senior Adult Growth through Education program.

With VU's fall semester beginning Aug. 26, senior citizens have the opportunity to audit undergraduate and graduate courses on a space-available basis at a special low tuition rate through SAGE, a program designed for persons ages 60 and older, or retired.

SAGE students are not required to complete readings, write papers, take examinations or participate in class discussions and they do not receive academic credit for classes they audit.

A complete schedule of courses offered this fall is available online at www.valpo.edu/registrar/schedindex.html.

Costs are $60 per credit, with most courses being three credits, and an administrative fee of $80 per semester.

For more information, e-mail continuing.ed@valpo.edu, visit valpo.edu/gce/ce/programs/sage or call (219) 464-5313.