Commissioner candidate fundraising down by nearly half from two years ago

VALPARAISO | The two candidates for South District county commissioner raised about half the money this year as was generated by the candidates in the last contested general election race for the board in 2010.

Judge: Keeping woman in jail will be good for her

VALPARAISO | A 21-year-old Portage woman, who pleaded guilty in 2009 to causing the death of her friend while driving drunk, is back behind bars after being accused for a third time since October of violating her probation.

Bond denied to 19-year-old in Bach slaying

VALPARAISO | On the night 19-year-old Amanda Bach was slain, former boyfriend Dustin McCowan spent nearly three hours text messaging a neighbor claiming to be wrapping up chores at his Union Township home before coming over to visit.

Police believe Valpo woman molested at least one other boy

VALPARAISO | Prosecutors believe at least one other boy may have been molested by a 21-year-old Valparaiso woman who made an initial court appearance Monday on charges of sexually abusing a 3-year-old Chesterton boy she was baby-sitting.

Harper, Daly seek nod to serve Valpo's 2nd District

VALPARAISO | Both candidates for the 2nd District council seat think the city has made great strides, but they differ somewhat on where the focus needs to be in the future.

Don't pay attention to GOP's negative ads during campaign

Don't allow negative campaigning to sway your vote. Jim Snyder is a Republican. We know Republicans run dirty, negative, nasty and false campaigns.

Hung jury in sexual misconduct case

VALPARAISO | A mistrial was declared in the case of Steven Vincent who was charged with a single felony count of sexual misconduct with a minor.

OFFBEAT: Valparaiso mother and daughter shedding pounds with region pride on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser'

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Portage schools accused of ignoring school bus abuse

VALPARAISO | Portage Township school officials were slapped with two lawsuits Thursday accusing them of knowing the threat three students posed to others on their school bus and yet failing to head off problems that resulted in high-profile criminal cases.

Evans leaves Gary Airport board

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner John Evans has stepped aside as a member of the Gary/Chicago Airport Authority, saying he is too busy with other commitments.

Bob Harper to begin serving as public defender

VALPARAISO | Bob Harper steps down at the end of Friday as county commissioner only to put on the hat of public defender.

Commissioner wants more for leased farm land

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner John Evans is not opposed to the county continuing to lease 24 acres of its land for farming, but he believes the county should be taking home a little more bacon.

MARK KIESLING: Porter County finally gets representation for taxation

Porter County once again is represented on the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, and it's a good thing.

EDITORIAL: RDA members must be qualified

This is a crucial time for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

Harper's wrong about what Adams believes

You would think Bob Harper authored the tax cap constitutional question. The truth is that the tax cap is a Republican initiative, led by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Nancy Adams fully supports the proposed change to the Indiana Constitution.

Harper has been good for Valparaiso, Porter County

Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper has been good for Valparaiso and Porter County. Economic development guided by good public policy results in something desirable: generally good jobs, low taxes and quality of life advantages.