Latest news with #SagamoreoftheWabash
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford remembered for fairness, Portage pride
Retired Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford is being remembered for his fairness on the bench, athleticism and Portage pride since his passing Sunday. Porter County Prosecutor Gary Germann has known Bradford since 1970, when they attended Valparaiso University Law School together. 'People do not realize what a really great athlete he was,' said Germann, who played on Nolo contendere, the Porter County Bar Association softball team, with Bradford for over a decade. 'He was our second baseman.' That was a continuation of Bradford's sporting days at Portage Township Schools, where he was nicknamed 'Mr. Machine' in basketball, according to his obituary with Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home. After attending Indiana State University, Bradford taught fourth and fifth grades in Union Township. He married Mary Kaltenbach, with whom he had two daughters and one granddaughter. After graduating from VU Law School, Bradford worked in private practice and was appointed to county court in Portage and then to Porter County Superior Court in 1979. He served on that bench for over 40 years before retiring in 2020. The state awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash. Germann said Bradford was one of the best judges he's ever appeared under. 'He was a great listener, very consistent, which is what you always want from a judge,' Germann said. Even when Bradford ruled against him, Germann always felt his judgment was fair. That's a sentiment echoed by Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon, who used to appear before Bradford when he testified in court as a detective for the Valparaiso Police Department. 'There were cases where I had success in front of Judge Bradford and cases where I did not,' Balon recalled, but either way, he 'was fair overall.' 'Judge Bradford was the epitome of a good judge,' Balon added. 'He was fair. He was firm. He was honest. He was trustworthy. Let's add knowledgeable to that list.' Porter County Chief Public Defender Ken Elwood knew Bradford for 30 years. 'He was just a good person, very even-keeled,' he said. 'The time that he was on the bench, Porter County residents should have definitely felt safer.' Elwood also played in the Porter County Bar Association Golf League with Bradford for several years and said those Wednesday evening games and the Ryder Cup-style tournaments Bradford organized were a lot of fun. Porter County Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, said Bradford was very involved in the community. 'He was everything you wanted a judge to be,' said Biggs. 'He was a very quiet individual, especially if you didn't know him, but he was a consummate professional. You never heard any complaints. He just went about his job.' That community involvement extended to Bradford's lifelong love of Portage. Elwood said Bradford's family had a farm off Willowcreek Road and McCasland Avenue. 'It was pretty neat to hear the Portage roots,' he said. 'I coached Portage High School football in the 90s and he came to every game for years. He was a Portage guy through and through.' Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave. in Portage. The funeral is at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with additional visitation from 4 to 6 p.m.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IURC Chariman Jim Huston announces plans to retire in early 2026
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chairman Jim Huston said he plans to retire by January 2026. (Photo courtesy IURC) Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) Chairman Jim Huston announced his retirement Friday and said he plans to step down in January 2026 after more than a decade with the agency. Although Huston's second term officially ended April 1, he has remained in the role temporarily — and will continue to do so until a successor is appointed. He was originally named to the commission by Gov. Mike Pence in 2014 and reappointed as chairman by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2018. The IURC Nominating Committee is now seeking Huston's replacement, the commission said in a news release. 'It is with a grateful heart that I announce my intent to retire,' Huston said in a written statement. 'It is a blessing to work alongside our incredibly talented professional staff every day, and I am proud of the work we accomplish on behalf of Hoosier families.' CONTACT US The powerful five-member commission oversees more than 600 electric, natural gas, steam, water and wastewater utilities operating in Indiana, according to its website. It regulates rates, financing, bonding, environmental compliance plans and service territories, with final say over changes to the utility bills millions of Hoosiers pay. During his tenure, Huston worked to streamline agency processes and reinstituted semi-annual 'Reliability Forums,' where utility stakeholders assess seasonal preparedness for energy demand. In 2024, he testified before the U.S. Congress on state-level challenges facing electric service reliability. Huston currently serves as co-chair of the Federal-State Issues Collaborative, and holds roles with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and GTI Energy. 'I want to thank Chairman Jim Huston for his service with the IURC over the past decade. He is a lifelong public servant and is leaving the agency in much better shape than when he arrived,' Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement. 'I wish Chairman Huston the best in retirement.' Prior to his IURC appointment, Huston served as chief of staff at the Indiana State Department of Health. During Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration, he separately served as executive director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The office has since been absorbed by Indiana's Department of Workforce Development as the agency's 'Serve Indiana' division. Huston also worked for four members of Congress and former Gov. Robert Orr. He has twice received the Sagamore of the Wabash, one of Indiana's highest honors. Huston said he looks looks forward to 'the next chapter' of his life, which will include 'spending a little more time' with his family and grandchildren. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Randy Gentry receives Sagamore of the Wabash Award
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Vigo County Republican Chairman Randy Gentry was recently honored by former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. Gentry was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash, which is the highest honor that the Governor of Indiana bestows. Gentry has served and has been appointed to various roles by two different Indiana Governors, the Indiana Secretary State, the Indiana State Treasurer, and by President Donald J. Trump. In nearly 50 years of politics, he has served on three U.S. Presidential campaigns, numerous Gubernatorial campaigns, and has helped numerous local campaigns right here in Vigo County. 'It's just an honor to have a governor award a Sagamore of the Wabash to anyone,' Gentry said. 'I felt very honored by the process and the experience, so just kind of coming off of Cloud Nine at this point. It's just been kind of a whirlwind weekend, and lots of text messages and emails and well wishes, so it's been a lot of fun.' Gentry currently serves as the Executive Director of External Affairs for State Treasurer Daniel Elliott. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
