Porter County Board of Commissioners

A "Keep the Region White" protester has prompted Porter County faith leaders to hold their own event in response. The single protester outside the county courthouse earlier this month drew confrontations from residents and a visit from Valparaiso police.

The Porter County Commissioners have found a tenant for the former sheriff's residence, after a year of searching. The commissioners voted two-to-one Tuesday to lease out the main level for up to $25,000 a year.

Porter County continues working on plans to upgrade some of its facilities.

Porter County is stepping up its outreach efforts for those who've lost a loved one to suicide.

Renovations are moving forward at the Memorial Opera House and the former Porter County sheriff's residence. The masonry project at the Opera House is substantially complete, including roofing work on the two turrets. Any remaining cleanup should be done by the end of the month.

Porter County plans to invest in its roads and bridges this year.

The Porter County Commissioners have outlined a process for distributing opioid settlement funds going forward. The commissioners Tuesday established a committee to oversee a grant application process.

Laura Blaney told the rest of the commissioners Tuesday that she would't run again, when candidate filing opened Wednesday. "The advice I received as I was deciding whether or not to run tomorrow from one of the people I respect most in government was to ask myself if I could still make a difference here, and if not, where? Well, 'where' is to be determined, but it's time," Blaney said.

The Porter County Board of Health has another new member.

The proposed Malden Solar farm appears to be dead, at least for now. Developer NextEra Energy Resources did not appeal Porter County's rejection of its application before the deadline, according to County Attorney Scott McClure.