St. Joseph County officials reported unauthorized access to an external fax service used by the county. The fax service is separate from internal systems, and there is currently no evidence of impact on county operations. Investigations are ongoing, with updates to be provided as new information arises.
South Bend Common Council members Oliver Davis and Sherry Bolden-Simpson have urged Indiana Governor Mike Braun to temporarily suspend the state gasoline tax due to rising fuel costs. They highlight that current local prices average $3.80 per gallon, straining residents financially. The council suggests the suspension until prices stabilize.
On March 23, 2026, Proteus, Inc. held the Indiana Farmworker Recognition Breakfast in South Bend, honoring farmworkers and raising funds for their support services. Mayor James Mueller and State Rep. Maureen Bauer acknowledged National Farmworker Awareness Week. Keynote speaker José Padilla emphasized farmwork's significance, while awards recognized outstanding contributions and provided educational support.
Dan Schaetzle, a St. Joseph County councilman and Penn High School teacher, prioritizes community improvement over politics. He aims to secure funding for projects like Anderson Road Park while addressing concerns like leaf pickup and snow plowing. Schaetzle promotes civic engagement among youth and emphasizes maintaining efficient government as a Republican.
Diego Morales, Indiana's Secretary of State, is campaigning for re-election in 2026, emphasizing his commitment to election integrity and security. He highlights his achievements, including stronger voter ID laws and procedural audits. Morales aims to unite Republicans and ensure accurate elections, reflecting pride in his immigration journey and dedication to Hoosiers.
Sandra Ort, a Republican Trustee of Greene Township since 1983, has announced her retirement, effective May 31, 2025. Her impactful legacy includes improving fire protection, advancing education by transferring to the John Glenn School Corporation, and prioritizing food accessibility. Ort’s dedication and community support will be remembered as she steps aside for a younger successor.
Doris Portolese, a Penn Township Trustee since 2015, is recognized for her fiscal responsibility and community-focused leadership. She has saved the township significant funds, negotiated key infrastructure developments, and supported vulnerable residents through partnerships like the Mishawaka Food Pantry. Portolese remains committed to enhancing the quality of life in her community.
Township Trustees play a crucial yet often underappreciated role in local government, overseeing services like emergency relief, fire and EMS, and cemetery management. Olive Township Trustee Will Miller emphasizes the importance of his position in assisting residents during crises and balancing community needs with industrial development, advocating for responsible growth.
St. Joseph County officials reported unauthorized access to an external fax service used by the county. The fax service is separate from internal systems, and there is currently no evidence of impact on county operations. Investigations are ongoing, with updates to be provided as new information arises.
South Bend Common Council members Oliver Davis and Sherry Bolden-Simpson have urged Indiana Governor Mike Braun to temporarily suspend the state gasoline tax due to rising fuel costs. They highlight that current local prices average $3.80 per gallon, straining residents financially. The council suggests the suspension until prices stabilize.
On March 23, 2026, Proteus, Inc. held the Indiana Farmworker Recognition Breakfast in South Bend, honoring farmworkers and raising funds for their support services. Mayor James Mueller and State Rep. Maureen Bauer acknowledged National Farmworker Awareness Week. Keynote speaker José Padilla emphasized farmwork's significance, while awards recognized outstanding contributions and provided educational support.
Dan Schaetzle, a St. Joseph County councilman and Penn High School teacher, prioritizes community improvement over politics. He aims to secure funding for projects like Anderson Road Park while addressing concerns like leaf pickup and snow plowing. Schaetzle promotes civic engagement among youth and emphasizes maintaining efficient government as a Republican.
Diego Morales, Indiana's Secretary of State, is campaigning for re-election in 2026, emphasizing his commitment to election integrity and security. He highlights his achievements, including stronger voter ID laws and procedural audits. Morales aims to unite Republicans and ensure accurate elections, reflecting pride in his immigration journey and dedication to Hoosiers.
Sandra Ort, a Republican Trustee of Greene Township since 1983, has announced her retirement, effective May 31, 2025. Her impactful legacy includes improving fire protection, advancing education by transferring to the John Glenn School Corporation, and prioritizing food accessibility. Ort’s dedication and community support will be remembered as she steps aside for a younger successor.
Doris Portolese, a Penn Township Trustee since 2015, is recognized for her fiscal responsibility and community-focused leadership. She has saved the township significant funds, negotiated key infrastructure developments, and supported vulnerable residents through partnerships like the Mishawaka Food Pantry. Portolese remains committed to enhancing the quality of life in her community.
Township Trustees play a crucial yet often underappreciated role in local government, overseeing services like emergency relief, fire and EMS, and cemetery management. Olive Township Trustee Will Miller emphasizes the importance of his position in assisting residents during crises and balancing community needs with industrial development, advocating for responsible growth.
If you got elected to the South Bend Common Council, then swore under oath in a deposition that you moved out of the district you were elected to represent,...
Amy Drake's comments reflect a consistent pattern of contempt towards constituents and critics. She refers to South Bend disparagingly, describes older homeowners as nearing death, and labels political opponents with derogatory terms. This language indicates a lack of respect and highlights her hostile approach to governance and public discourse.
U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym publicly endorsed Trump's redistricting plan for Indiana but privately opposed it, influencing State Sen. Linda Rogers to change her vote against the proposal. Despite pressure from Trump and GOP leaders, Yakym did not support Rogers' challenger during the ensuing political fallout, further complicating the redistricting debate in Indiana.
Amy Drake is criticized for misleadingly labeling a property tax cap as a "tax cut." Although the program limits annual increases for seniors to 2%, it doesn't reduce taxes, as it may not lower bills in certain scenarios. Drake's language obscures the reality that her policies merely limit increases, not cut taxes.
Amy Drake's tax deferral plan aims to assist older homeowners by allowing them to postpone property taxes, but it is not a tax cut. The plan raises concerns about affordability since it offers minimal benefits while the county budget has increased significantly. Critics argue it merely defers debt rather than providing real relief for those in genuine financial distress.
The decline of local newspapers has significant consequences, as they once provided crucial coverage of community events and fostered civic engagement. The shift to free online news has contributed to this loss, resulting in diminished local discourse. The author calls for more community involvement through thoughtful contributions to restore meaningful conversation.
The "New Energy Ethanol" plant's opening in New Carlisle, Indiana, marked a shift in the community, introducing persistent odors and unfulfilled promises. Federal subsidies supported ethanol as a solution during the energy crisis, yet it led to environmental degradation and agricultural constraints. Today, similar pressures arise with new tech industries, risking local resources and community well-being.
A recent incident during a high school basketball game highlighted significant issues of hate speech when a Penn High School broadcaster used a racial slur. The response from the school's administration was criticized for its lack of urgency and broader community acknowledgment. The author calls for self-sanctioning measures to demonstrate zero tolerance for such behavior and urges the community to unite against hate.
Brian S. Collier critiques the South Bend Common Council's proposal to increase fees for accessing police body camera footage, arguing it disproportionately impacts the poor and lacks transparency. He expresses disappointment in city officials' inadequate responses to council inquiries and emphasizes the need for equal public access to this footage, advocating for a more equitable approach to public services.
The article critiques Mayor James Mueller for diminishing transparency regarding police body camera footage and for misinterpreting the role of the Executive Branch. It emphasizes that the Common Council should oppose the Mayor's dictatorial approach. Furthermore, it calls for better budget planning to avoid financial burdens on citizens seeking access to footage.