Officials: Criminal charges against Michael Ritchie dismissed because of potential impact on victim

Editor's note: This is the second part of a two-day Times investigation into Michael Ritchie, a former region man who has worked with developmentally disabled children under a cloud of allegations pertaining to inappropriate relationships with the youths he was entrusted with serving. He has…

Appeals court: Second region sex offender not required to register

INDIANAPOLIS | For the second time in less than a month, the Indiana Court of Appeals has declared it unconstitutional to require a Northwest Indiana man to register as a sex offender.

Receiver appointed to take control of shuttered McDaniel Fire Systems

VALPARAISO | A receiver has been appointed to take control of Valparaiso fire protection equipment company McDaniel Fire Systems, which closed its doors late last month after 75 years in operation.

Bank seeks more than $2 million from shuttered McDaniel Fire Systems

VALPARAISO | BMO Harris Bank has filed an emergency motion asking the courts to appoint a receiver to take control of Valparaiso fire protection equipment company McDaniel Fire Systems, which closed its doors late last month after 75 years in operation.

Valpo man now competent to stand trial on 2009 murder charge

VALPARAISO | After twice being found incompetent to stand trial in the 2009 shooting death of his mother's fiance, Valparaiso resident Edward Ibarra has been cleared by mental health specialists for his day in court.

Knox man pleads guilty in CDL scam

VALPARAISO | A 26-year-old Knox man pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of forgery stemming from allegations he attempted to buy a commercial driver's license.

Man pleads guilty to stealing Kouts police car

VALPARAISO | A 23-year-old Knox man faces up to six years behind bars after pleading guilty Monday to fleeing from police and stealing a Kouts squad car in January.

Police: Man found in Portage with credit card scanner

PORTAGE | A man arrested last week during a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road may have been using an electronic device to steal financial information from unsuspecting people, police said.

Grandmother of kids who lost mom in fire opposes man's early release

PORTAGE | The mother of a young woman who died in a house fire in December is resisting an attempt by her daughter's former boyfriend to leave prison early to take custody of two children he claims are his own.

Convicted molester allowed to complete sentence at home

VALPARAISO | A 24-year-old Valparaiso man was granted his request Friday to serve the balance of his two-year sentence for child molesting on home detention rather than back behind bars.

Valparaiso man charged with murder again found incompetent to stand trial

VALPARAISO | After undergoing multiple evaluations, a Valparaiso man was found to be incompetent Friday to stand trial in the Oct. 30, 2009, shooting death of his mother's fiance.

Porter man gets 1 year in jail for molestation

VALPARAISO | Porter Superior Judge Bill Alexa followed the recommendation of the adult probation department Friday when sentencing a 30-year-old man to one year in jail for molesting a 13-year-old girl in 2009.

Parents sue East Porter County School Corp. over bullying, harassment of their daughter

VALPARAISO | A local couple are suing East Porter County School Corp., claiming their daughter was bullied and harassed by school staff and fellow students, court records state.

Molestation nets Porter Twp. man 30-year term

VALPARAISO | A Porter Township man was sentenced Monday to 30 years behind bars for molesting a young female relative.

McCall avoids jail time for death of 9-year-old

VALPARAISO | A South Haven man found guilty of two misdemeanors related to the February 2009 death of 9-year-old Elizabeth Grace Miller will serve no jail time.