Steve Poulos

Valparaiso residents will see a jump in their trash pickup rate. The city council voted six-to-one Monday to raise the monthly rate from $12 to $19.50, starting with bills due in November. It's the first increase to that rate in 10 years.

Valparaiso residents would pay more for less service, under the city's proposed trash rate increase. Valparaiso City Services is asking the city council to raise the rate from 12 dollars to $19.50 a month, starting this fall.

Valparaiso city government buildings will soon be getting solar panels. The city's board of works and utilities board have selected Solar Energy Solutions to install solar arrays at a cost of more than $780,000 dollars.