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.

Former salon co-owner pleads guilty to theft from business

VALPARAISO | A co-owner of the former Bella Capelli Salon and Details faces up to four years on home detention and $150,000 in restitution after pleading guilty Tuesday to stealing from and defrauding the business.

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.

Portage man's attorney seeks trial delay in fatal hit-and-run

VALPARAISO | An attorney for a Portage man accused of fleeing after a fatal crash is seeking to delay the man's September trial and modify the terms of his release so he can work as a cook.

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.

Gary man opts for help after failing as his own attorney

VALPARAISO | After making an ill-fated decision to represent himself last month against a Class A felony charge of dealing cocaine, a Gary man opted Friday for the help of a public defender to appeal his conviction and 38-year sentence.

Portage sues to shut down alleged biker clubhouse

VALPARAISO | Portage officials have filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down an alleged illegal clubhouse along U.S. 20.

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.

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…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Porter County a leader in court reform

For at least the past decade, Porter County has been a leader in Indiana in juvenile justice reform. As one of three family court pilot sites in Indiana, we have implemented many programs designed to assist children and families as they struggle through the juvenile justice system.

Sentencing delayed for Portage Twp. man

VALPARAISO | Sentencing was postponed Tuesday for a Portage Township man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing his girlfriend's sister after she blacked out from drinking.