Portage City Council

A Portage faith leader is calling on the city council to take steps to reduce gun violence.

Portage Mayor Sue Lynch welcomed residents to the newly-renovated City Hall Tuesday.

The City of Portage is about to get bigger. The city council voted four-to-two this week to annex property in the 600 block of Porter County Road 700 North, between Willowcreek and Swanson roads. It's the first of two annexations required for a proposed 240-home subdivision.

The City of Portage is tightening restrictions on mobile food vendors. Under an ordinance amendment passed by the city council Tuesday, those selling food within a city park will still need to get a permit from the county health department and fill out an application with the Portage Park Department. But now, they'll have to stay at least 200 feet away from any special events, unless they have specific permission to be there.

The Portage Park and Recreation Department is running out of money. Last year, the city council put more than a million dollars in the park department's 2022 operating budget, only for the state to cut it down to $609,000. Park Board President Paul Ciesielski told council members Tuesday that's less than what it was in 1995 and not enough to run the city's current park system.

The Portage City Council is narrowing the list of projects to receive American Rescue Plan funding. The city has already spent more than $364,000 dollars and allocated another $800,000. On Tuesday, Council Member Scott Williams presented a plan for the other $7.2 million Portage expects to get.

A few Portage city government departments have new leaders. Mayor Sue Lynch told the city council last week that the sanitary plant superintendent, building commissioner, and chief deputy clerk-treasurer are all retiring this month.

PORTAGE - The Portage City Council has done its first reading of a proposed ordinance to turn the city smoke free. But there could likely be amendments to…

PORTAGE - The Portage City Council is considering a ban on smoking in public places in the city. The Tobacco Education & Prevention Coalition for Porter…