EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Become a resident tourist, tour guide

Every year my nieces make the trek from Seattle, Wash., to visit me in Porter County.

RICH JAMES: Remove fences, end tourism turf war

There are no walls, no checkpoints and no border guards asking for residency cards when you pass from Lake County into Porter County. The same can be said when you slip from Porter County into LaPorte County.

PHIL WIELAND: Tourism power play just political horse manure

Mr. Ed gave himself a case of email hoof-in-mouth when he sent comments complaining about Indiana Dunes Tourism lobbyist Brett Ashton and saying he had informed the mayors and Porter County commissioners that if Ashton's client, presumably Porter County tourism poobah Lorelei Weimer, wasn't …

Development of Dunes-Kankakee Trail clips along

Another small piece of the planned Dunes-Kankakee Trail can be built this summer now that Porter County has agreed to maintain it after it's built.

Voices of Vision: Lorelei Weimer

Lorelei Weimer talks about 2012 and shares the organizations plans for the new year.

Visitor spending means big business in NWI

I was lucky enough last summer to enjoy a wonderful vacation, one with plenty of beach time, lots of great hiking, fun attractions and dining at some of the best restaurants.

Indiana Dunes Tourism officials tout report, 5.9 percent growth

PORTER | Visitors to Porter County attractions helped grow the county’s tourism and travel industry by 5.9 percent annually from 2009 to 2011, Indiana Dunes Tourism officials said Tuesday during a newsconference at the Indiana Dunes Visitors Center.

Lorelei Weimer

Lorelei Weimer is executive director of the Porter County Recreation, Convention and Visitor Commission.

Indiana Dunes Tourism provides $45,135 in grants in effort to spike interest in Porter County

PORTER | Indiana Dunes Tourism selected 32 nonprofit organizations, schools and government agencies to receive $45,135 in grant money to help promote festivals and events, sporting competitions, conferences and other tourism-related projects during 2013.

Chamber Network Night scares up some business

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | Held for over 20 years around Halloween, the Porter County Chamber Coalition’s Chamber Network Night features plenty of scary decorations and employees dressed in costume.

Commission provides funding for Elvis fest

PORTAGE | The city's Redevelopment Commission this week approved a grant of $4,000 to help defray the costs of the annual Elvis Fantasy Fest this year.

Portage nominated in Ultimate Fishing Town contest

PORTAGE | The city's waterways and its annual celebration of a regional fish favorite may net it $25,000 and an appearance on cable television.

April Fast Track Luncheon features Indiana Dunes Tourism

CHESTERTON | Join us at 11:30 a.m. on April 25 for our Fast Track Luncheon, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Chesterton. Keynote speaker Executive Director of Indiana Dunes Tourism Lorelei Weimer will be presenting "Waves of Progress." We will enjoy catering by Zing Pizzeria.

County is building on strong economic base

VALPARAISO | Porter County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, hopes the county's decision to once again take an active role in the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority will pay off in a big way.

Porter County historical roads given star treatment in film

VALPARAISO | Three Porter County roads have starring roles in a 90-minute IMAX film featuring some of the state's historical highways.

Residency of Porter County tourism board appointee under review

VALPARAISO | Porter County Commissioner John Evans said he planned to re-evaluate Richard Riley's appointment to the county tourism board after questions were raised about Riley's residency.

EDITORIAL: Help DNR restore landmark pavilion

The landmark pavilion on the beach at Indiana Dunes State Park has been an enigma to visitors for decades. There are showers and restrooms on the first floor of the building, but what about the rest of the structure?

Heritage corridor could connect for residents, visitors

There are undeniable connections between Northwest Indiana and Chicago.

MARK KIESLING: Porter County board wisely reconsiders consultant request

Say what you will about economic recovery, but a lot of us have yet to feel it in our wallets.

Artful chairs on display in town of Porter

PORTER | Area residents are invited on Friday to the cupola-gazebo near Porter Bank, 230 Lincoln St., to see the entries in the Town of Porter’s Adirondack Chair Public Art Contest.