K-9 comfort on the way for Porter County courts

VALPARAISO | Charged with the responsibility of handing many of the county's sex crimes and some of the other more violent offenses, Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek knows firsthand how stressful the legal process can be on victims, witnesses and even courthouse staff.

Bond set for Dr. Agusti in sex assault case

VALPARAISO | Bond was set at $25,000 Friday for Dr. Jose Agusti on charges he sexually assaulted a female patient in his Valparaiso office.

Reactions to guilty verdict in McCowan trial

Attorneys and the family of Amanda Bach responded to the guilty verdict handed down to Dustin McCowan in the her murder.

Early release denied in thefts from Valpo senior's residence

VALPARAISO | A 22-year-old woman who stole money and rings from a 96-year-old Valparaiso woman while working in her home was denied early release from prison Tuesday.

Judge: No delay in Aug. 13 McCowan murder trial

VALPARAISO | Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa called a special hearing Friday to make it clear he would like to see the Dustin McCowan murder trial begin as scheduled on Aug. 13.

Lake Station man denies role in South Haven shooting

VALPARAISO | Lake Station resident Jason King told jurors Thursday morning he did not shoot a Gary resident Feb. 4, 2011, at The Warehouse bar in South Haven.

Prosecutor: No altercation before shooting

VALPARAISO | Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek told jurors Monday afternoon there was no altercation before Lake Station resident Jason King shot a Gary man in the face while at The Warehouse bar in South Haven.

Valpo mom to join daughter in prison for heroin dealing

VALPARAISO | It turns out a Valparaiso woman will not be going to drug court while her daughter sits in prison after the pair pleaded guilty to dealing heroin together.

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.

Zagorac's battery conviction upheld

INDIANAPOLIS | The state appellate court upheld the misdemeanor battery conviction of Munster resident Brett Zagorac, who was found guilty last fall by a jury that cleared him on a count of felony child molesting.

Judge denies bail in murder case

VALPARAISO | Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper denied a request Thursday to make the unusual move of granting bail in a murder case.

Man gets seven years in prison for sex attack

VALPARAISO | A Portage Township man was sentenced Tuesday to the maximum seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to sexually abusing his girlfriend's sister.

Portage workplace shooter given 15 years

VALPARAISO | Nearly one year after Edgar Tillery opened fire with a shotgun at his Portage workplace, the 61-year-old was sentenced Monday to 15 years behind bars.

Special terms set to allow local doctor to work after sex battery charge

VALPARAISO | A special arrangement was made Wednesday to allow Dr. Abdus Lakhani to continue treating his patients at the Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation Center while avoiding contact with a nurse he is accused of sexually assaulting on the job Sept. 12.

Rape charge dropped against man

VALPARAISO | A felony rape charge was dismissed against a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman he used to work with at the local Bartholomew Funeral Home.