Observors: Van Til's indictment adds to region's political corruption stain

CROWN POINT | Prominent Lake County Democrat George Van Til's indictment Friday on felony fraud charges has local politicos wondering just how many more black eyes the party will take in the federal government's ongoing corruption probe.

No Schock: Decision doesn't faze fellow Republicans

SPRINGFIELD | U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock’s decision to forgo a run for Illinois governor cut to four the number of Republicans publicly mulling a bid for the state’s top office in 2014.

Obama has done much despite Republican opposition

When President Barack Obama was inaugurated in 2009, Republican leaders vowed to make him fail even though the economy was in the most dangerous collapse since 1929 through 1932.

Dan Dernulc named GOP county chairman

Dan Dernulc

Caucus set to fill Center Twp. Board seat

VALPARAISO | A replacement for retired Center Township Board member Charles Hazlett will be chosen at a caucus to be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 29 in the commissioners' chambers at the Porter County Government Center in Valparaiso.

Nicholas Gasparovic will leave Lake County elections board

CROWN POINT | The changing of the guard continues at the Lake County elections board.

Snyder recounts first year in office as Portage mayor

PORTAGE | James Snyder says his first year as mayor of the region's third largest city has been exciting, full of challenges and a learning experience.

Caucus scheduled Dec. 12 for S'ville Town Council vacancy

SCHERERVILLE | A caucus has been set to select a person to fill the vacant 2nd Ward Town Council spot in Schererville.

Nation's real problem is spending, not low taxes

We keep hearing that the fiscal cliff is coming, and if we don’t do something now, we will go into another recession.

I have the way to get America on right track again

I read David Binkowski's letter with interest. First he talked about everything he feels the president has done wrong. Then he criticized society for everything he feels is wrong and says how ashamed our Founding Fathers would be. To end it all, he tells us to stop placing blame, get our pri…

Soliday responds to claims of Valpo school petition leader

VALPARAISO | If those seeking to change to an elected Valparaiso School Board hoped to do so by replacing either state Sen. Ed Charbonneau or state Rep. Ed Soliday, both Republicans, they were naive of the workings of the state legislature, Soliday said.

OFFBEAT: Region's own Mary Matalin back, minus hubby, for pre-election fun

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Political strategists James Carville and wife Mary Matalin in 2007

Political strategists James Carville and wife Mary Matalin attend a party held by CNN celebrating Larry King's 50 years of broadcasting in New York, Wednesday, April 18, 2007.

County candidates square off in forum

VALPARAISO | Candidates for contested Porter County Council and commissioner seats pretty much agreed with each other Tuesday night during a forum sponsored by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce.

Commissioner candidate fundraising down by nearly half from two years ago

VALPARAISO | The two candidates for South District county commissioner raised about half the money this year as was generated by the candidates in the last contested general election race for the board in 2010.

Pence stumps for area GOP candidates in M'ville event

MERRILLVILLE | Indiana GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence stepped out of his red pickup and into a warm reception Saturday outside Pinnacle Hospital.

Cloud computing brings education down to earth

Hobart Middle School teacher Matthew Whiteman asked a question via Twitter and had it answered by candidate Newt Gingrich in January during the Republican presidential debate in South Carolina. Whiteman tweeted, "Ask whether NCLB (No Child Left Behine) has been a success or a failure, and wh…

Romney nominated; wife Ann convention star speaker

TAMPA, Fla. | Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept to the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday night, praised lovingly by his wife from their national convention stage as the "man America needs" and cheered by delegates eager to propel him into the fall campaign against Presiden…

When partisan politics stretch parent-child bonds

When David Burrows took on Barry Goldwater and Ayn Rand as "mentors" at age 14, his parents wanted to know what else he was doing that they might be ashamed of.

Union Township Republicans seek Advisory Board member

UNION TOWNSHIP | Union Township Republican precinct chairs will hold a caucus to replace Union Township Advisory Board member Tim Vojslavek at 7 p.m. Thursday. The caucus will be at the Porter Township trustee's office.