Porter County Board of Commissioners

The Porter County Commissioners are explaining their reasons for renting out the former sheriff's residence.

Uproar over an event that would've included a drag show has prompted Porter County to review its rental policies. Rogue Syndicate was planning to hold another "Halfway to Halloween Market and Drag Show" at the Porter County Expo Center — an event it's hosted since 2019.

The Porter County Sheriff's Office is looking to hire a social worker. The county council and commissioners have approved the creation of a police resources and outreach (PRO) coordinator position.

Porter County is inching forward with a project to extend Willowcreek Road south to U.S. 30, although it remains far from certain.

The proposed renovation of the Memorial Opera House is further in doubt, with the Porter County Commissioners' plans to lease out the former sheriff's residence.

With talk of a solar farm heating up in Porter County, the county commissioners are looking to tighten the county's regulations.

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.

Funding has once again been pulled from the Memorial Opera House renovation and expansion.