DOUG ROSS: Will voters buck at paying more bucks?

Who was the happiest person in Lake County Friday morning? I couldn't reach her by phone to verify this, but I'm pretty sure it was Christine Cid.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Accountability must apply to TQM funds, too

The Porter County Council did not shut down county Auditor Bob Wichlinski’s total quality management program as reported. A majority of councilmen are asking for accountability from the auditor for future expenditures. The minutes of the March 11 meeting reflect the same.

EDITORIAL: Porter County needs to hire HR pro

The Porter County Council's quest to hire a budget and finance specialist is misguided. If the council is looking to add to the payroll, though, there's a more pressing need.

Porter County Council ousts its leaders

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council has a new president and vice president, after members voted 4-3 on Monday to oust their current leaders and elect new officers.

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 Council president defends independent review of Valpo school budget

VALPARAISO | Porter County Council President Dan Whitten is questioning the motives behind a proposal to strip his board of the newly charged task of reviewing and signing off on the budget for the Valparaiso Community School Corp.

Karen Conover

Porter County might give homestead violators some help

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council will have a proposed ordinance on its May 22 agenda that would offer some relief to residents who owe back taxes from homestead exemption violations.

Valpo makes plans to borrow in January

VALPARAISO | As its Rainy Day Fund increases, the city hopes to borrow less -- or not at all -- at the start of each year to meet operating expenses until it receives its first property taxes of the new year.

$2M proposed to start South Haven drainage work

VALPARAISO | The Porter County Council tentatively agreed Monday to begin nibbling away at the estimated $10 million in drainage work in South Haven at the rate of $2 million a bite.

County to file RDA appeal Monday

VALPARAISO | Attorney Mitch Peters said he plans to file a petition by Monday asking the Indiana Supreme Court to hear Porter County's legal battle to withdraw from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.