Pence orders cuts in Calumet Township spending

INDIANAPOLIS | Griffith leaders were ecstatic Friday after Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed into law mandatory reductions in Calumet Township spending and a path for Griffith to exit the township if its excessive spending continues.

RICH JAMES: Lake transportation system needs upgrades

If there were snail darters in Indiana, opponents of the Illiana Expressway likely would have used them to block the proposed highway.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Dirty tricks or good public policy?

In a recent editorial, this newspaper speculated that the removal of the property tax freeze might be a political dirty trick.

Veteran college progams among new laws signed by Pence

INDIANAPOLIS | Military veterans should have an easier time navigating the state's universities thanks to a new law sponsored by state Rep. Shelli VanDenburgh, D-Crown Point, that was signed last week by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

House votes to unfreeze Lake property tax revenues

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House has agreed to remove a state-imposed limit on the amount of property tax revenue local governments in Lake County can collect, regardless of whether the county enacts an income tax.

RICH JAMES: Lake Republicans need to meet new reality

It’s time for Lake County Republicans to get in touch with reality when it comes to a county income tax.

Pence signs six laws championed by region legislators

INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov. Mike Pence has signed 25 proposals approved by the General Assembly into law over the past two weeks, including six measures primarily sponsored by Northwest Indiana legislators.

NWI lawmakers shepherd Pence energy plan to governor's desk

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mike Pence will soon sign his energy oversight plan into law thanks in part to the efforts of three Northwest Indiana legislators.

EDITORIAL: Local input should influence Illiana design

Already, opponents are lining up against the Illiana Expressway, even before the actual route is chosen. The opposition is premature at best.

Lieutenant Governor works to bring defense jobs to Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS | Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann is not letting the federal budget sequester, which will slice $492 billion from defense spending over the next 10 years, ruin her plans to lure defense companies to the state through the new Indiana Office of Defense Development.

Lake County officials wish gridlock on plans for Illiana Expressway

CROWN POINT | A state highway official who asked Lake County officials for help in planning the Illiana Expressway instead got an earful of why the proposed highway is a bad idea.

GUEST COMMENTARY: I support Dernulc for Lake County GOP chairman

On Saturday, the Lake County Republican Precinct Organization will meet to elect a new county chairman. It is no secret that Republicans in Lake County have been divided over the past several years. And although we have experienced some success, we have not provided Lake County residents wit…

Shelby residents like life away from busier world

SHELBY | There is a rich history that surrounds this unincorporated community that cozies up to the northern banks of the Kankakee River stretching toward the farmland surrounding it.

Portage mayor asks port to pay for city services

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Port Commission didn't cut a check Thursday after Portage Mayor James Snyder argued the Port of Indiana should pay for city-provided police and fire service, but they didn't rule out doing it someday.

House approves annexation plan that could aid Lowell, Winfield

INDIANAPOLIS | Lowell, Winfield and similarly situated Indiana communities are one step closer to annexing their out-of-town water or wastewater treatment facilities without annexing the land in between.

House panel OKs school, work zone speed cameras

INDIANAPOLIS | Automated enforcement cameras could be deployed in school and construction zones to snap photos of speeding vehicles and sock their owners with a $250 minimum fine under legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee.

House approves Niemeyer's township gov't reform bill

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana House voted 96-0 Monday to approve the first legislative proposal sponsored by new state Rep. Rick Niemeyer, R-Lowell.

Portage seeks payment from Port of Indiana for services

PORTAGE | When a man was injured in an accident at Frick Services at the Port of Indiana last week, the Portage Fire Department responded.

Water, wastewater facility annexation legislation may help Lowell, Winfield

INDIANAPOLIS | A House committee approved legislation Thursday allowing Lowell, Winfield and similarly situated Indiana municipalities to annex their water or wastewater treatment facilities, even if the property is not contiguous to the rest of the community.

Senate votes to double fine for illegal parking in handicapped spot

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Senate voted 45-4 Monday to double the minimum fine imposed on a non-disabled motorist who parks illegally in a handicapped spot.