Valpo schools report on 21st century goals

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso schools have come a long way in the past year, but a lot more needs to be done to define and prepare for what education will be like in the century ahead.

Hebron starts year with new businesses, major sewer project

HEBRON | Reaping almost $600,000 from the sale of the use of its water tower and of a cellphone tower on town property made last year a profitable year for Hebron.

Fewer people needed Center Twp. help in 2012

VALPARAISO | With the first decrease in several years in the amount of money given out for township assistance, Township Trustee Chuck Conover said he hopes the economy has turned the corner to recovery.

Hebron joins fight to reverse tax exempt status

HEBRON | The Town Council voted Tuesday for an ordinance supporting the effort by Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder to remove the tax exempt status from the Misty Glen apartment complex.

Valpo gets good news in EDIT, parking budgets

VALPARAISO | Although property tax collections remained lower than was levied, not all the financial news was bad at Monday's council meeting.

Valpo to get snow plow from INDOT for $1

VALPARAISO | As part of the agreement between the city and the Indiana Department of Transportation turning over care of Lincolnway to the city, the state promised the city a snow plow to help with the maintenance.

Celltower leases boost Hebron budget

HEBRON | The town's budget will be a little bigger in 2013 than this year, but it won't be because of a tax increase.

High health care costs giving Valpo fiscal headache

VALPARAISO | The city is having such a bad year with health care costs that it's, well, sickening.

Valpo OKs $20M pact with INDOT

VALPARAISO | The city's Board of Public Works and Safety approved the agreement with the state that will give the city control of Lincolnway and provide $18 million for improvements to U.S. 30.

Valpo is flush with riverboat casino cash

VALPARAISO | Don't bet that Porter County officials aren't glad to have casino gambling in Northwest Indiana.

Valpo, INDOT agree to U.S. 30 improvement plans

VALPARAISO | Construction of improvements to the U.S. 30 corridor is expected to begin in 2013 under a $20 million agreement announced Wednesday between Valparaiso and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Valpo OKs borrowing to pay 2012 bills

VALPARAISO | The city's $3.7 million rainy day fund isn't enough to pay to run the government until the first property taxes are received next year, so the city is planning to borrow to make ends meet.

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.

Costas coasts to third term in Valpo GOP sweep

VALPARAISO | Mayor Jon Costas easily won a third term over independent challenger Bob McCasland by a more than 2-1 margin Tuesday.

Valpo to ask state for increase in property tax levy

VALPARAISO | The City Council approved a 2012 budget Monday and at the same time adopted a resolution to ask the state Department of Local Government Finance for more money.

Hebron to live on less in 2012

HEBRON | The town is planning a 2012 budget that has $90,000 less in the general fund than it had for this year because of new tax caps and a drop in assessed value.

Valpo Fire Department to get funding help from township

VALPARAISO | The Center Township Board has tentatively agreed to help the Valparaiso Fire Department with extra funds this year and next.

Valpo makes old money new again

VALPARAISO | It's almost like finding an uncashed check in an old coat when you were wondering how to pay for a big car repair bill.

Saving hospital funds might be best medicine

Porter County officials are trying to figure out how best to spend $11 million. We should all have such a problem.

Valpo's Mayor Costas announces bid for third term

VALPARAISO | Saying he delivered on the promises he made when he first ran seven years ago, Mayor Jon Costas announced Monday he still has work to do and will seek a third term.