Jim Biggs

Porter County residents will have a chance to learn more about a proposed solar farm later this month. NextEra Energy is scheduled to give a presentation about its proposed Malden Solar Farm at the February 27 county commissioners meeting.

On January 26 at 9:13 a.m., a call came into the Porter County E911 center about a "bomb threat and a possible active assailant" at Portage High School. Over the next two hours, calls came in about similar threats at Valparaiso and Wheeler high schools.

The Porter County E911 center wants residents to more fully take advantage of its emergency communications technology. E911 Director Debby Gunn told the county commissioners last week that the agreement with Rave Mobile Safety includes a number of tools.

A vocal critic of mask mandates has been appointed to the Porter County Board of Health. The county commissioners Monday replaced three of the board's seven members.

The proposed renovation of Porter County's Memorial Opera House continues to face an uncertain future.

Porter County is having trouble keeping 911 dispatchers. E911 Director Debby Gunn told the county commissioners Tuesday that 17 employees have left over the last year and a half.

Plans to renovate and expand the Memorial Opera House are drawing opposition from a Porter County commissioner. The $6.5 million project would replace crumbling bricks and windows at the Opera House and the former sheriff's residence, and build a connector between the two. A proposal to use federal American Rescue Plan funds to pay for it drew backlash from residents. Now, some county officials want to use foundation money, generated by the interest earned on the proceeds of the hospital sale.

The proposed 146-home Heirloom subdivision has gotten zoning approval from the Porter County Commissioners, despite one commissioner's attempt to delay a decision. The commissioners voted two-to-one Tuesday to rezone an 80-acre property near county roads 325 East and 500 North for medium density single-family residential development.

Plans for a new subdivision in Porter County continue to move ahead, despite opposition from several local residents. The proposed Heirloom subdivision could bring 146 homes to an 80-acre property near county roads 325 East and 500 North.

A new report explores the issue of suicide awareness and prevention in Porter County. The county commissioners recently hired the Pyrce Healthcare Group to conduct a community assessment.