Porter County Board of Commissioners accepting applications

The Porter County Board of Commissioners is currently accepting applications for the following Board positions: Alcohol Beverage Board; Board of Health; Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission; Board of Zoning Appeals; Opioid Committee; Parks and Recreation; Plan Commission; PTABOA; Recycle and Solid Waste; Redevelopment Commission; Stormwater Advisory Board; and West Porter Fire District. Applications are available at the Porter County Commissioners’ office, 155 Indiana Ave., Suite 205, Valparaiso, or online. Applications, more information, and the requirements for all Board positions can be found at www.portercountyin.gov under “Board of Commissioners,” “Citizen Board Appointments.” Applications must be received via email at Melanie.Griffin@portercountyin.gov or in person at the Porter County Commissioners’ office no later than 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Appointments will be announced at the Commissioners’ meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 6.

Senator Young announces nominees for U.S. Service Academies

United States Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) has announced his nominations for U.S. service academy appointments. Applications were received from 150 Hoosier students. A select group of students was then interviewed by an advisory board chosen by Senator Young. Out of the 80 offered interviews, 44 exemplary young men and women from across Indiana received a nomination to at least one service academy from Senator Young. A nomination does not guarantee admission to a service academy, but is required in order to be considered. Nominees are chosen based on personal merit. Criteria considered include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude and extracurricular activities. Three area students are among those named. Nominated for the United State Air Force Academy: Noah Lorincz, Westfield High School; and Cameron Reddick, Lake Central High School. Nominated for the United States Merchant Marine Academy: Bobby Scott, Crown Point High School.

 Nora Burk named Valpo’s Rising Star

The Mayor’s Youth Council has named Nora Burk as Valparaiso’s Rising Star for 2025. The Rising Star recognition celebrates the abundance of responsible, intelligent and hardworking youth that contribute to the success of Valparaiso every day. Burk is a fifth-grader at Central Elementary. Since second grade, she has been a committed member in the community, dedicating her time and energy to the K-Kids program and many others. She crafted colorful dog toys for the local animal shelter, designed holiday placemats for Meals on Wheels and tied blankets for people in need. Burk is a natural leader who values teamwork and helps to foster cooperation and to resolve conflicts among her peers, often sacrificing her own recess to tutor classmates or offer guidance. The Rising Star Recognition program was created by the Valparaiso Mayor’s Youth Council in 2024. The program was created to recognize outstanding youth leadership and involvement. To learn more about the program visit the Community Engagement page at valpo.us.

Communities in Senate District 6 will receive road-funding grants

Communities in Senate District 6 will receive more than $4.4 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG). Established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, the CCMG aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. Since its enactment, the program has awarded more than $2 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects. In Senate District 6, the following communities received grants: Benton County, $796,640.20; Boswell, $217,520; De Motte, $286,084; Fowler, $603,848; Goodland, $177,080; Lake County, $1 million; Lowell, $384,752.97; Morocco, $140,544; and Rensselaer, $802,712. Through the program, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1 million annually when localities invest in road and bridge repairs. Counties with populations fewer than 55,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive an 80/20 match, while counties with populations greater than 55,000 and cities and towns with populations greater than 10,000 receive a 50/50 match. A full list of communities receiving matching funds can be found at https://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/local-public-agency-programs/community-crossing-matching-grant-program/#Past_CCMG_Award_Recipients.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/15/community-news-applications-open-for-porter-county-boards/