Figueroa sentenced to six years for leaving fatal accident scene

VALPARAISO | With little emotion, Reinaldo Figueroa III turned to the family of Frank Ivey on Wednesday afternoon and apologized.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: New court aids in more effective child support collections

The court system in Porter County now has a circuit court judge, five superior court judges and three magistrates. Each of these nine judicial officers has certain types of cases assigned to them. Last year 37,475 cases were filed in our courts, representing 32 separate case types.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Juvenile justice system gives kids a chance

One thing we can all probably agree upon is that our kids are our future and that we must do everything we can to make a better life for all of them.

Man given seven years in church burglary

VALPARAISO | A 30-year-old South Haven man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years behind bars after pleading guilty to a church burglary and auto theft.

Partial power outage delays hearings in fatal hit-and-run

VALPARAISO | A partial power outage Tuesday morning delayed numerous hearings at the downtown courthouse, including several motions in the case of a Portage man accused of fleeing after a fatal crash.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Concerted effort could ease jail crowding

The Porter County Jail, as now configured and staffed, is overcrowded. The number of inmates should not be a surprise when case filings and reasons for incarceration are analyzed.

Church service lands defendant in hot water

VALPARAISO | A 19-year-old Portage man accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal crash is accused of violating the terms of his pretrial supervision just a few days after a judge agreed to lower his bond so he could leave jail.

Porter County turns to feds for help in jail overcrowding

VALPARAISO | Porter County is turning to the federal government for help in tackling overcrowding at its jail.

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.

Not guilty pleas in fatal hit and run

VALPARAISO | A higher-than-normal number of security officers were on hand Tuesday as pleas of not guilty were entered on behalf of a Portage man accused of a fatal hit and run.

Father gets maximum sentence of 11 years in Valpo injured baby case

VALPARAISO | Marlin White Jr. was allowed to modify his plea at the last minute Wednesday to reflect his claim that his 3-month-old son was injured Nov. 13, 2009, by falling from a bed.

Judge: Portage man who molested girl can't blame her mother

VALPARAISO | Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper acknowledged a claim by a defense attorney Monday that there are mothers who place their children in harm's way.

Gary native takes helm as Indiana's acting chief justice

INDIANAPOLIS | A Northwest Indiana native is the top judge in the state.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Shephard has helped families here in NWI

In March, a major change will occur in the landscape of the Indiana court system. Chief Justice Randall Shepard, now the longest-serving chief justice of a state supreme court, will retire. He has been our chief justice for a quarter of a century. As such, I have considered him to be my prof…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Porter County judges face increased caseloads

Porter County's courts are getting busier and busier. The data we are required to collect reflects the increase in our caseloads.

Morgan Township man sentenced to probation in son's death

VALPARAISO | Morgan Township resident James Blum was ordered released from jail Thursday and placed on a little more than two years of formal probation after serving 142 days behind bars for the shooting death of his son.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Indiana Supreme Court made the right decision

The Indiana Supreme Court addresses about a thousand cases per year. The cases are presented to them on a wide range of topics. Their jurisdiction includes matters such as mandates for funds, attorney and judge discipline, tax court matters, civil case appeals and, of course, appeals in crim…

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.