This is the Official Government page for the City of Portage, Indiana.
Operating as usual
Thanks Portage.Life for the feature on our Portage Police Department (Indiana) Chief Mike Candiano.
With all the moving parts of the police system, it is important to have someone in charge to make sure everything is running smoothly. It is even more essential that the person placed in this role is...
All City of Portage offices will be closed today, Monday, Jan. 16 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
All offices will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Trash and recycling pick up will be delayed one day this week.
All City of Portage offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16 in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Trash and recycling pick up will be one day late next week.
The City of Portage offers it condolences to the family and friends of Leon West, who served the city as a member of the City Council for 18 years.
A veteran and steelworker, Leon served on the first City Council in 1968. He was dedicated to Portage and its residents.
He will be missed.
Leon West, 88, McKinney, Texas and formerly of Portage, Indiana died peacefully supported by family on January 4, 2023.
Born and raised in Luxora, Arkansas he was one of 6 children. Leon is survived by his wife Beverly West (Calvert) of 66 years marriage. He is survived by his daughters Kerri Nelson (Craig), Kathy Maehling (Bob), and son Ken West (Ann) and by six grandchildren: Blake Nelson (Jessica), Paige Nelson (Ryan), Andrew Schneider (Megan), Claire West, Duncan West, and Lou West and by three great grandchildren: Lydia Schneider, Scarlett Schneider and James Nelson. He cherished his family.
Leon was known for his strong work ethic and unwavering devotion to his community. He was deeply proud of his service in the United States Army from 1957-1959 (Fort Lee, VA) and again from 1961-1962 (El Paso, TX). He started his forty-two-year career in United States Steel Company in Gary, Indiana rising eventually to General Foreman of the US Steel Machine Shop, one of the largest in this country at the time.
Leon served on the Portage City Council for eighteen years as well as the Portage Board of Zoning Appeals, Porter County Council, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board, among others.
Leon was widely revered by his party as a fundamental part of the success of the Democratic Party in Porter County. He was a Democratic precinct committeeman in Portage when it was incorporated as a city in 1968 and is consider as one of the main founders. Leon served as the Porter County Democratic Chairman from 1994 to 2007 and as First District Chairman for the State of Indiana. He was instrumental in many people becoming active locally, regardless of their party. He took a person-to-person approach to politics from knocking on doors to involving as many people as possible eventually helping to unite democrats in the Porter County Region. Leon was thrilled to serve as a delegate for numerous Democratic National Conventions.
In addition to Leon’s civil service, he also was a devoted volunteer. Leon was a member of the Portage Jaycees, The Exchange Club, Dunes Lodge #741 and the Shriners. He was a forming member of a local homeless shelter for women and their children, Gabriel’s Horn, which is still in existence today serving unhoused women in Porter County.
In 1997 Leon was awarded the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash (the highest honor of the state) by the late governor Frank O’Bannon of Indiana in recognition of his volunteerism.
Leon embraced life and family with enthusiasm. In 2007 Leon and his wife moved to McKinney Texas to be closer to family. His caring spirit went with him. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, tutored second graders and was active in the Kiwanis Club in McKinney. His grandchildren each endured his fun teasing (biting of toes), chasing and laughter. He was often seen in the front row of sporting events and marveled at each of their accomplishments. He was known for his smile, laughter, and wit. When Leon entered a room with a smile, he left others with a smile on their faces. He will be remembered as a loyal and loving husband, a loving and supportive father, a dear and warm grandfather, a mentor, and good friend to many.
A remembrance and celebration will be held Saturday March 4 at 1:00, at Creekwood United Methodist Church, 261 Country Club, Allen, Texas 75002. He will be cremated and buried at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation Gabriel Horn’s Homeless Shelter (gabrielshelter.org/donate-now--contact-us - PO Box 943, Portage, IN 46368 – 219.364.8018) or Creekwood United Methodist Church (creekwoodumc.org/give/ - 214.544.8050)
Portage Township Schools is excited to welcome Michele Gay for her dynamic presentation "Engaging the Community in School Safety" on February 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the PHS L3 Lab (enter door E). PTS would like to invite our families, organization leaders, community residents, business owners, and anyone who engages with schools and students to attend this valuable presentation.
RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949aaab2daafd0-engaging
The safety and security of our schools is always a priority, and best way to support this is through dynamic school community collaborations. Our goal is to provide all attendees with ideas for supporting our students and staff as well as a fresh understanding of school safety and security.
Mother, educator, and co-founder of Safe and Sound Schools, Michele Gay chose to take action after losing her daughter Josephine Grace on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary. Now a nationally and internationally recognized public speaker and school safety expert, Gay reaches audiences and consults with all levels of community institutions. Through her work, and always with a goal of helping others increase the safety within their own communities, Gay shares her personal experiences and the lessons she has learned.
The Portage Youth Commission has played a huge part in representing the heart of the community.
The group disbanded a few years ago but is now making a comeback. One of our goals as the new Portage Youth Commission is to engage the people of Portage in their community and, hopefully, create a sense of pride and togetherness.
Part of that goal is to spotlight people from our community whom we feel should be recognized for their many contributions to the city.
This article is the first in a series highlight these individuals.
Influential Women of Portage - Meet Ameenah Abdulla
By Makenlie Hamlin
I had the amazing opportunity to meet a Portage business owner recently.
Ameenah Abdulla is the owner of NuU Beauty Supply on Willowcreek Road and she is quite a woman.
Her personality and energy radiated throughout the entire interview and her laughter is contagious.
Abdulla shared that her main inspiration for starting a business was to care for her children and create something for them.
Of course, I had the curiosity of why a beauty supply store? She said "One, we needed on in Portage; two, there aren't many African Americans who own one and three, there aren't many African American women who own one."
Abdulla accomplished many things when opening her beauty supply shop. Not only did she inspire diversity, but she broke down the barriers for women in business, especially in Portage.
She noted that she wants all of her customers to "walk in and feel welcomed and like a part of her family." She agrees that the customers are the heart of her store.
For those not familiar with NuU Beauty Supply, when you walk in, you are greeted by exuberant smiles.
I asked Abdulla what she thought make her stand out from the rest of the businesses in Portage and she responded with her personality, she stated, "I've never met a stranger. I have a genuine love for people.
She is being 100 percent honest. You walk in and genuinely feel like you belong. The conversations that you can have with this woman, oh my goodness, are amazing.
This story is only the beginning of the Portage Youth Commission recognizing greatness in our very own home and one that will inspire many.
Ameenah Abdulla is a motivating figure and we are so lucky that she is a part of our Portage pride, changing people one product or smile at a time.
Thank you American Legion for your contribution to the community.
Portage American Legion Post 260 presented a $2,000 donation to the Portage Historical Society to purchase a new computer, monitor, external disc drive and printer to assist the volunteers at the PHS in tracking donated items and other business necessary to operate the Museum. Pictured Barbara Borg Jenkins, Valeria Roach and Rudy Miller, Commander of Post 260.
The city is happy to announce that it's street and sanitation department has received a $72,130 Community Recycling Grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Street and Sanitation Department Superintendent Randy Reeder said the funds will be used to purchase additional toters; develop educational decals/wraps for the new CNG trucks to encourage recycling and develop other educational materials such as fliers and a video.
Residents in the area of Stone Avenue and Marbella Avenue may be seeing some unusual activity in their areas this week and, perhaps, beyond.
NIPSCO/CCSI’s has returned to Stone Avenue to inspect the remaining sewer laterals of approximately 80 homes in the area. The inspections began this week and are weather dependent.
They will have a minimum of one crew with traffic control (if needed) for this project. CCSI will be “door tagging” each address with a phone number to call in an
effort for the property owner to assist with the inspection of each sewer lateral. This may require residence entry to gain an access point to the sewer lateral to insert push cameras to inspect out towards the sewer main.
NIPSCO/Bloodhound will be also inspecting the City of Portage’s sewer lines in the area on and surrounding Marbella Avenue.
For any further information or concerns, please contact NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
Congratulations to Joe Cappello for winning the 2022 Portage House Decorating Contest sponsored by the Portage Event Partnership.
Mr. Cappello, 3183 Teresa St., has been decorating his home for nearly 25 years.
This year, his efforts garnered 400 likes on the PEP page and bested three other entrants.
Thanks to all who entered and all who voted.
The South Shore Line has issued the following service advisory announcing the temporary relocation of the Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot effective Monday, Jan. 9.
In order to accommodate construction for the Double Track NWI project, the South Shore Line announces the temporary relocation of the Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot and bus stop, effective Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, until the project’s completion in spring 2024.
As passengers continue to be bused between Carroll Ave. and Gary Metro Center stations, the Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot and bus stop will be located in the recently completed south parking lot (entrance located on Stagecoach Road. Please see attached map). The existing Portage/Ogden Dunes parking lot will be temporarily inaccessible beginning Jan. 9.
Mayor Sue Lynch swore in three new Portage Police officers Tuesday night.
Welcome to Portage Dylan P Umbs, Brandon F Stroup and Jacob R Hill.
We're happy to have you onboard.
Congratulations to the new officers and their families who attended the swearing in ceremony at the City Council meeting.
Congratulations and thank you for your service.
We'd like to congratulate Officer N. York on his one-year anniversary with the Portage Police Department. Officer York is currently assigned to the Patrol Division where he is proving to be a valuable team member. Officer York has already received one commendation for his performance during a response to a home invasion earlier this year. We are proud of Officer York and are grateful he has chosen to work for the citizens of Portage.
Just a reminder that all city offices are closed today, Monday, Jan. 2 in recognition of the New Year's holiday.
Trash and recycling pick up will be one day late this week. This is bulk trash pick up week.
Happy New Year from Mayor Sue Lynch, members of the Portage City Council and all city employees.
May 2023 be a happy and healthy year for you and yours.
Just a heads up! All city offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 in recognition of the New Year's holiday.
Trash and recycling will be delayed one day from the normal route. The week of Jan. 2 is also bulk pick up week.
Portage Avenue, between Crisman Road and Willowcreek Road, will be closed to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29 for rail repairs.
Detour routes will be marked.
A reminder that all City offices will be closed today, Monday, Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday.
Trash and recycling pick up will be one day late this week.
From Mayor Sue Lynch, members of the Portage City Council and all city employees, we wish you a Merry Christmas.
May your holiday be full of family and fun. Stay safe and enjoy.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 2:05PM EST until December 25 at 7:00AM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to blowing and falling snow tonight and early Sunday morning expected. * WHERE...Porter County northeast of a line from Dune Acres to Otis, including portions of Interstate 94.
AFFECTS: Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE28224.WinterStormWarning.12641EF0B100IN.LOTWSWLOT.0324d5f89f893d1d41002002cfa6a135
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 1:05 PM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/25/22 6:00 AM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to
blowing and falling snow tonight and early Sunday morning
expected.
* WHERE...Porter County northeast of a line from Dune Acres to
Otis, including portions of Interstate 94.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing
snow could significantly reduce visibility. The cold wind
chills as low as 20 below zero could result in hypothermia if
precautions are not taken.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 12:33PM EST until December 25 at 7:00AM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to blowing and falling snow expected. * WHERE...Porter County. * WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Plan on difficult travel conditions with low
AFFECTS: Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE23EF4.WinterStormWarning.12641EF0B100IN.LOTWSWLOT.0324d5f89f893d1d41002002cfa6a135
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 11:33 AM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/25/22 6:00 AM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to
blowing and falling snow expected.
* WHERE...Porter County.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on difficult travel conditions with low
visibility and snow-covered roads.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 10:32AM EST until December 25 at 7:00AM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to blowing and falling snow expected. * WHERE...Porter County, northeast of a line from Dune Acres to Otis, including portions of Interstate 94. * WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Sunday.
AFFECTS: Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE1F070.WinterStormWarning.12641EF0B100IN.LOTWSWLOT.0324d5f89f893d1d41002002cfa6a135
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 9:32 AM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/25/22 6:00 AM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST SUNDAY...
* WHAT...Low visibility and difficult travel conditions due to
blowing and falling snow expected.
* WHERE...Porter County, northeast of a line from Dune Acres to
Otis, including portions of Interstate 94.
* WHEN...Until 6 AM CST Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on difficult travel conditions with low
visibility and snow-covered roads.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 7:15AM EST until December 24 at 1:00PM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY... * WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibilities, wind gusts to 40 mph, and wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero are expected. * WHERE...Lake IN, Newton, Jasper and Benton Counties.
AFFECTS: Benton; Jasper; Lake; Newton; Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE1749C.WinterStormWarning.12641EE25920IN.LOTWSWLOT.4f62aa36c3095c26a1c081eee1a91762
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 6:15 AM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/24/22 12:00 PM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
TODAY...
* WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibilities, wind
gusts to 40 mph, and wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero are
expected.
* WHERE...Lake IN, Newton, Jasper and Benton Counties.
* WHEN...Until noon CST today.
* IMPACTS...Blowing snow will result in significantly reduced
visibility and possibly near white out conditions in rural and
open areas along north to south oriented roadways. In
additional to greatly reduced visibility, snow will drift over
north to south roads, resulting in snow covered roads and
hazardous travel conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dangerously cold wind chills can cause
frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 7:11AM EST until December 24 at 1:00PM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY... ...BLIZZARD WARNING HAS EXPIRED... * WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibilities, wind gusts to 40 mph, and wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero are expected. * WHERE...Porter County.
AFFECTS: Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE1730C.WinterStormWarning.12641EE25920IN.LOTWSWLOT.0324d5f89f893d1d41002002cfa6a135
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 6:11 AM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/24/22 12:00 PM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.....BLIZZARD WARNING HAS EXPIRED...
* WHAT...Blowing and drifting snow, reduced visibilities, wind
gusts to 40 mph, and wind chills of 20 to 30 below zero are
expected.
* WHERE...Porter County.
* WHEN...Until to noon CST today.
* IMPACTS...Blowing snow will result in significantly reduced
visibility and possibly near white out conditions in rural and
open areas along north to south oriented roadways. In additional
to greatly reduced visibility, snow will drift over north to
south roads, resulting in snow covered roads and hazardous
travel conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dangerously cold wind chills can cause
frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️
Winter Storm Warning issued December 24 at 4:19AM EST until December 24 at 1:00PM EST by NWS
SUMMARY:
--------..BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY THIS MORNING... ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO NOON CST TODAY... * WHAT...For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions with westerly wind gusts of 45 to 50 mph primarily over far
AFFECTS: Porter
INSTRUCTION: [None]
URL TO LIVE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFO:
https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=IN12641EE100FC.WinterStormWarning.12641EE25920IN.LOTWSWLOT.0324d5f89f893d1d41002002cfa6a135
URGENCY: Expected
SEVERITY: Moderate
CERTAINTY: Likely
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/24/22 6:00 AM CST
EXPIRATION DATE: 12/24/22 12:00 PM CST
FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------..BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY THIS
MORNING.....WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO NOON
CST TODAY...
* WHAT...For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions with
westerly wind gusts of 45 to 50 mph primarily over far
northeastern Porter County expected. For the Winter Storm
Warning, west wind gusting to 35 to 40 mph, blowing and
drifting snow, and dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25
below zero expected.
* WHERE...Porter County.
* WHEN...For the Blizzard Warning, until 6 AM CST early this
morning. For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM this morning
to noon CST today.
* IMPACTS...Blowing snow will result in near white out conditions
in rural and open areas along north to south oriented roadways.
In additional to greatly reduced visibility, snow will drift
over north to south roads, resulting in snow covered roads and
hazardous travel conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25
degrees below zero can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as
little as 10 to 20 minutes.
6070 Central Avenue
Portage, IN
46368
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Portage High School JROTC Lance Cpl. Mia Alexander sang the National Anthem to open the Veterans Day Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 260 Friday morning at Woodland Park.
Here's to all the Veterans who have served our country in particular those who continue serving the City of Portage in its various departments. Thank you for your service.
COP City Council Special Mtg 11-08-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 11-08-2022
COP Planning Commission Mtg 11-07-2022
COP City Council Mtg 11-01-2022
COP City Council Special Mtg 10-25-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 10-25-2022
COP Redevelopment Commission Mtg 10-27-2022
Everyone had a great time at tonight’s Community Carving Event. All the pumpkins carved will be placed along the Light Up the Gourds! illuminated pumpkin trail Saturday night at Imagination Glen. Come on out to see what your community has done!
COP City Council Mtg 10-03-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 10-11-2022
Workers from Gariup Construction worked to place a 120-foot bridge across Salt Creek Wednesday morning. It is part of the construction of the Marquette Greenway Trail. The bridge weighs about 70,000 pounds. The construction of the trail should be completed in late November.
COP Planning Commission Mtg 10-03-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 09-27-2022
COP Redevelopment Commission Mtg 09-22-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 09-13-2022
COP City Council Mtg 09-06-2022
COP Redevelopment Commission Mtg 08-25-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 08-23-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 08-09-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 07-26-2022
COP City Council Mtg 07-06-2022
COP Board of Works Mtg 07-12-2022
COP Planning Commission Mtg 07-06-2022
City of Portage Street and Sanitation Departm
Hamstrom RoadPortage FD Water Rescue, Search and Recovery
Swanson RoadPortage Township Schools Transportation
Airport RoadNorthwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commis
Southport RoadPortage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee
Willowcreek Road
City of Portage Clerk-Treasurer's Office
Central Avenue
Portage Township - Brendan Clancy, Trustee
Willowcreek Road
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commis
Southport Road
City of Portage Street and Sanitation Departm
Hamstrom Road
Portage Township Schools Transportation
Airport Road
Portage FD Water Rescue, Search and Recovery
Swanson Road