Porter County endowment pitched for hospital sale proceeds

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner President John Evans has invited members of the County Council to attend an Aug. 6 meeting to discuss the potential of placing sale money from the county hospital in a protected endowment and use the proceeds to address funding challenges.

PHIL WIELAND: Here's a Henny Penny for Evans' thoughts

The recent rant by Porter County Board of Commissioners President John Evans about what he called the Chicken Little County Council raises many questions, such as: Which council members was he referring to as Henny Penny, Goosey Loosey and Turkey Lurkey? And is he Cocky Lockey?

EDITORIAL: Easing jail crowding is no easy task

As Porter County continues to talk about how to ease crowding at the jail, among the ideas that has come up is to stop taking in federal inmates. But even that idea has its drawbacks.

Porter County already preparing for next winter

Climate change isn't the only thing having an impact on how the Porter County Highway Department handles the roads in the winter.

Action on Porter County jail medical service contract delayed

VALPARAISO | Porter County Sheriff Dave Lain hopes to have a recommendation at the next county commissioners meeting for providing round-the-clock medical service for inmates, but commission President John Evans warned that Lain also better include a recommendation on how to pay for it.

DOUG ROSS: Porter County Council, commissioners need to talk

This being the start of a new year, Porter County officials have a chance to start off on the right foot, right a few past wrongs, and set a good example for other counties.

County racing against curtain call at Opera House

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency last week that allowed them to bypass the bidding process and hire a contractor for up to $225,000 to address water infiltration problems threatening the 119-year-old Memorial Opera House.

PHIL WIELAND: Would a vampire reality show reflect poorly on county

More real than any reality show ever seen on TV before: it's Porter County Government on Parade.

Porter County adopts budget relying on reserve funds

VALPARAISO | A fractured Porter County Council approved a $38 million budget for 2013 that relies on reserve funding.

County addresses audit deficiencies

VALPARAISO | Porter County officials have addressed several deficiencies brought to their attention during a State Board of Accounts audit.

EDITORIAL: Dollars aren't only jail security cost

Porter County officials are discussing whether to privatize security at the Porter County Jail and the courthouse. Go ahead and collect the information, but numbers must not be the only criteria used in considering whether privatization makes sense.

Hospital opening frees up $160 million for county

VALPARAISO | Five years after the sale of the county hospital, members of the Porter County Board of Commissioners and Council gained access Saturday to the $160 million in sale proceeds.

High-deductible insurance would force change for Porter County employees

VALPARAISO | The type of high-deductible health insurance plan being contemplated for Porter County employees is forcing a change in the way participants view their approach to health care.

PHIL WIELAND: Pet shelter now welcomes all Porter County residents

Porter County residents with mailing addresses in other counties listed on their driver's license can now drop off animals at the county shelter, but bring a backup proof of address, just in case.

Evans defends participation in county insurance plan

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner John Evans, R-North, is challenging calls for him and other members of the Board of Commissioners and County Council to drop out of the county health insurance plan because they only work part time.

John Evans celebrates win

Porter County Commission President joined supporters in celebrating his win in the primary.

EDITORIAL: A recap of our spring endorsements

Over the past few weeks, we've given a series of endorsements in major contested races facing voters in Lake and Porter counties. We recap them today so you can take this handy synopsis of our recommendations with you when you vote Tuesday.

John Evans

John A. Evans

Porter County trying to meet ADA deadline

VALPARAISO | It's been 20 years since the federal government required government entities with 50 or more employees to make public facilities comply with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.

Evans' work for animal shelter shows he's most reliable

I respect John Evans for the good he's done for Porter County, especially with the animal shelter. It's never been as successful before. Jim Biggs thought the way to success was kill as many dogs and cats as he could. If that was his solution to success with the animal care, how much can you…