City prepares for red light cameras

PORTAGE | As state legislators are working through a proposed new law that would allow cities and counties to use red light cameras, city officials here are examining the issue, hoping to be one of the first to utilize the system.

Fee proposals to advance

PORTAGE | The proposed stormwater management fees will take two steps forward this week as both the Water Reclamation Board and City Council begin their consideration.

Local man publishes first book

SOUTH HAVEN | Mark Cusco Ailes always knew he had a book in him.

Residential development slowed, not stopped

Nationwide, the housing industry took a hard hit in 2008.

Portage: City 'has barely touched its possibilities'

PORTAGE | Over the 18 years Robin Wilkening and her family have lived in Portage, she's seen many changes.

Changes continue for PFD

PORTAGE | Portage Fire Department Division Chief Andy Himan has become the third casualty in an apparent shake up in the department's administration.

Volunteer work helps Dune Acres flourish

DUNE ACRES | A quiet enclave on Lake Michigan's shores, this town of some 200 residents doesn't look at progress as new buildings or business endeavors.

Portage in midst of projects that will change its future

PORTAGE | The development in Portage the past five years and what's coming in the future has been no chance of luck.

Portage officials kick-start process for linking trails

PORTAGE | The city's Redevelopment Commission took the first step Wednesday toward developing a trail that could help link Chicago to Michigan.

Second PFD assistant chief resigning

PORTAGE | For the second time in four days, a Portage Fire Department assistant chief has turned in his resignation.

Business license proposal on hold

PORTAGE | Businesses will get at least a short reprieve from having to obtain a license from the city to operate.

Committee considers fee hikes

PORTAGE | The City Council Ordinance Committee is reviewing a request to add some new and increase some old fees now being charged by the city's planning office.

City buys Street Department equipment

PORTAGE | A better solution to the city's pothole problem is on the way.

Portage BZA delays decision on bar

PORTAGE | The Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday continued a public hearing on a use variance for the operation of a bar/nightclub at 6291 Central Ave. due to the improper notification of neighbors.

Backup dispatch services an issue in consolidation

PORTAGE | While officials from Portage and Porter County consider consolidating the city's 911 dispatch center with the county's center, some emergency workers question whether the city's facility should be maintained in some fashion as a backup.

911 consolidation negotiations continue

PORTAGE | It will likely be months before the Portage 911 dispatch system consolidates into the county's operations.

Assistant Portage fire chief 'asked to resign'

PORTAGE | Mike Bucy has resigned his post as Portage Fire Department's assistant chief of fire operations effective today.

Portage assistant fire chief 'asked to resign'

PORTAGE | Mike Bucy has resigned his post as Portage Fire Department's assistant chief of fire operations.

Pappas disputes stormwater fees

PORTAGE | Resident and former Stormwater Management Board member Tom Pappas told the City Council this week that it's either being naive, deceptive or just plain wrong in calculating its figures for the proposed stormwater management fee.

911 consolidation sparks concern

PORTAGE | Mayor Olga Velazquez reiterated her intent to consolidate the city's 911 dispatch department with that of Porter County's Tuesday night along with a vow to maintain public safety as her first priority.

Sewer has environment in mind

PORTAGE | A newly installed filtration system at the city's sanitary sewer plant means cleaner water is being discharged back into local waterways.

City to consolidate 911 center with county

PORTAGE | The city's 911 dispatch center will merge with the county's dispatch center.

City lists needs for coming year

PORTAGE | Equipment for the streets and sanitation department and establishing a separate IT department headed the list of city needs at this week's meeting of the City Council's Strategic Planning and Ways and Means Committees.

Sewers approved for assisted living center

PORTAGE | The Water Reclamation Board on Wednesday approved the connection to the city's sanitary sewer system for a 120-unit senior living community south of U.S. 6.

Developer proposes residential project

PORTAGE | Developer Ben Houser said his newest proposal is "my version of the stimulus plan for the city of Portage."

Stormwater fees still undetermined

PORTAGE | The City Council Ways and Means Committee thought it had finished its part in establishing stormwater fees, but the issue arose again Tuesday night.

Portage: Dance club out of moves

PORTAGE | The city's Board of Zoning Appeals closed the controversial Pure Dance teen club Monday night, voting to deny the land use appeal the club needs to operate.

Owner upset police shot dog

PORTAGE | Margaret Mihal says her five-year-old black Labrador, Sully, is anything but vicious.

City receives Willowcreek Road funding

PORTAGE | It's been talked about and studied for years, but it appears something will finally be done to address safety concerns along Willowcreek Road between Central and Evergreen avenues.

Fate of Pure Teen club today

PORTAGE | The fate of the Pure Teen Dance Club will be decided at today's Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.

Weather break gives people a break

Saturday's weather gave winter-weary Porter County residents -- and people throughout the region -- a much needed break.

Seniors exhibit their art

PORTAGE | For the last 30 years, Linda Wells has dabbled in watercolors, but this was the first time she chose to exhibit her work at the ninth annual Senior Art Exhibit at the Portage Public Library.

City, county tag home 'uninhabitable'

PORTAGE | City and county health department officials tagged a house at 5222 Sherwin Ave. "uninhabitable" Thursday morning and are looking for someone who has authority over the future of the house.

Cancer patients battle finances as well as disease

PORTAGE | Roseanne Nabhan and her husband, Dan, were getting to a comfortable place in life.

Fate of old Crisman school could be determined this spring

PORTAGE | In their day, the two school buildings that stood at the northwest corner of Crisman Road and Portage Avenue were the center of the community.

Portage now receiving FEMA funds

PORTAGE | It's the good news-bad news scenario for the city.

U.S. Steel gets first business park parcel in swap

PORTAGE | The city's Northside Business Park has its first taker.

Candiano named city's top cop

PORTAGE | Michael Candiano can't explain why he wanted to go into law enforcement.

Teaching his students well

PORTAGE | Long-time Portage High School government teacher Ralph Mundt has always tried to encourage his students to be active participants in government.

Fire chief answers final call

CHESTERTON | Former Fire Chief Warren "Skip" Highwood was a fireman's fireman.

Teen club given two weeks to comply

PORTAGE | Owners of Pure Teen Club have two weeks to come up with written policies on dress codes and advertising or face being shut down by the city.

City looks to get jump on street paving

PORTAGE | After an early winter prevented the city from paving any roads last year, city officials are hoping to get a jump on paving three major roads this spring.

Fire/EMS responses increasing

SOUTH HAVEN | Calls for service from the South Haven Volunteer Fire Department increased in 2008.

Traffic citation proposal making progress

PORTAGE | The City Council's Ordinance Committee is making progress on a proposed ticket violation ordinance, but likely won't present the proposal to the full council for action until its March meeting.

City enforcing citing, towing vehicles

PORTAGE | It has been on the city's books for more than two decades, but some residents aren't taking seriously the city's ordinance requiring them to not park their vehicles along city streets when there is 2 inches or more of snow.

Stormwater fees debated at meeting

PORTAGE | The two residents who attended the city's first public meeting on the proposed stormwater projects and fees weren't too pleased with the idea.

Confusion over board membership

PORTAGE | Mark Sulski maintains he's a member in good standing of the Portage Park Board. Official city records say otherwise.

Portage enforcing city parking restrictions

PORTAGE | It has been on the city's books for more than two decades, but some residents aren't taking seriously the city's ordinance requiring them to not park their vehicles along city streets when there is two inches or more of snow.