Nwi-dot-com today reports the Gary/Chicago International Airport won't appeal an F-A-A decision to close its control tower next month. Published reports say airports, like the one in Gary, do have the option of staffing the tower themselves, but according to the airport, coming up with the necessary funds would be very difficult. The Times reports the Gary/Chicago International Airport is the only one in northwest Indiana with a control tower, and that the F-A-A will only consider appeals based on national security, not on local interests. The tower is scheduled to close April 7^th as part of the across-the board sequester cuts.
# # #...

Read more: No Appeal on Tower Closing Coming from Gary Airport

Michigan City Police are urging residents to stay off the ice shelf at Washington Park, as it is not safe. Police officials report even though it looks solid, it isn't, as air pockets and unfrozen areas have made the ice unstable and therefore, unsafe to walk on. Authorities say the water underneath is icy cold, and a person walking on the ice shelf could fall through a thin spot, possibly causing injury, or even death.
# # #...

Read more: Residents Urged to Stay Off Ice Shelf at Washington Park

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
An eight-year veteran of Lake County Sheriff's Department is facing new drug charges on top of previous drug charges, that according to an article in today's Times. Published reports say Deputy Gary Pilipovich faces felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and manufacture of a controlled substance, for steroids. The 29 year old is already facing drug charges related to a search of his Portage apartment last June that stemmed from the deputy's compliant of mold, where cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs and paraphernalia was reportedly discovered. The Times reports Pilipovich is currently suspended with pay pending charges before the police merit board.
# # #...

Read more: Lake County Deputy Faces More Drug Charges

A Crown Point Police Sergeant will remain with the department, but will be suspended for 30-days without pay, due to his handling of a pursuit in May of 2012. The Times reports Sgt. James Poling apologized in a written letter, and his suspension was approved today by the Board of Public Works. Published reports say Poling's lawsuit against the Police Chief and Mayor will be dismissed as a result of today's proceedings.
# # #...

Read more: Poling Suspended 30 Days Will Stay on the Force

The Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Volunteer Fire Force reports the Red Cross is assisting family members after a fire in the basement of their home this morning. Chief Graham Federico says they were dispatched to the home at 7:14 this morning, on County Road 250 South, east of the Lakes of the Four Seasons, and spent about two-hours at the scene. Chief Federico says the fire was contained to the basement, and that there was smoke damage throughout the home. No injuries were reported and at last check the fire remains under investigation.
# # #...

Read more: Red Cross Assisting Family After Fire

In Valparaiso, police say the death of a 31-year-old man remains under investigation. Police say they responded to the 19-hundred block of Linden Drive last Friday night for a male subject not breathing and found the man dead at the scene. Authorities say the man's roommate, a 30-year-old man, was arrested on a felony charge of Possession of a Hypodermic Needle and held at the Porter County Jail.
# # #...

Read more: Valpo PD Investigating Death of 31 year old Man

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
In Hammond Federal Court Monday two Gary residents indicted on charges related to the alleged purchasing of a child to produce pornography pleaded not guilty, according to nwi-dot-com. Arraignment was scheduled today for 39-year-old Christopher Bour and 24-year-old Natisha Hillard. The US Attorneys Office says Hillard is accused of selling her 18-month-old child for the production of child pornography, and Bour is charged with buying a child to produce child pornography. Those and other charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Indiana State Police, and Gary and Michigan City Police Departments.
# # #...

Read more: 2 Gary Residents Plead Not Guilty on Child Porn Charges

[Photo provided/Indiana State Police]
Indiana State Police say a semi taking the ramp from Calumet Avenue to I-80 eastbound too fast, this morning caused a multi-semi crash that blocked lanes for about three hours. Troopers say a preliminary investigation showed the first semi rolled onto its drivers side and slid onto the interstate. A second semi pulling an empty covered wagon trailer hit the rail container, but stayed upright and a third rig pulling a box trailer tried to swerve to avoid the other two, causing it to jack-knife, hitting the second trailer and crashing into and through the concrete median barrier wall. The second trailer ripped open and parts of its load, rolls of Styrofoam came out onto the interstate. Troopers say one of the drivers suffered a fractured knee, and the other two were unhurt.

[Photo provided/Indiana State Police]
###...

Read more: One Injured in Three-Semi Crash

Indiana Regional Silver Alert on Donald Eugene Hickman Sr. has been cancelled as of 9:10 a.m. EST today. Mr. Hickman has been located. This cancellation was requested by the Carroll County Sheriff.
###...

Read more: Silver Alert Canceled

Two public meetings are scheduled this Wednesday in Lake and Porter Counties on the Deep River-Portage Burns Watershed. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is determining the maximum amount of pollutants, or pollutant load, a stream can receive and not violate state water quality standards. The first meeting is 2 p.m.at the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District & Extension Office in Crown Point; the second meeting is 6 p.m. at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk.  Citizens who attend either meeting will also learn about water quality monitoring that will begin this April and how to be involved.
Additional info:
Who:  Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
What:  Public meetings about the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Deep River–Portage Burns Watershed
When and Where:  Wednesday, March 13, 2013
• 2 p.m. (local time), at the Lake County SWCD & Extension Office, 880 E. 99th Court, Suite A, Crown Point, Indiana
• 6 p.m. (local time), at the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk, Riverwalk Drive, Portage, Indiana
On the Web:  www.watersheds.IN.gov/2347.htm    
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is ready to begin developing a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Deep River-Portage Burns Watershed in Lake and Porter counties. To kick-off the process, IDEM will hold two public meetings on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. The first meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. (local time) at the Lake County SWCD & Extension Office, 880 E. 99th Court, Suite A, in Crown Point. The second meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. (local time) at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, Riverwalk Drive, in Portage.
TMDL is the term for a calculation to determine the maximum amount of pollutants, or pollutant load, a stream can receive and not violate state water quality standards. Where streams violate water quality standards, IDEM develops TMDL reports that include calculations and describe sources of pollutants within the watershed, methods used to analyze data, pollutant reductions needed to restore water quality, and actions for improving water quality.
Citizens who attend either meeting on the Deep River-Portage Burns Watershed TMDL will learn about water quality monitoring that will begin in April 2013, steps in the TMDL process, and how the community can be involved.
Water quality can be impacted by “nonpoint source pollution” and “point source  pollution.” Nonpoint source pollution happens when rain water and snowmelt wash contaminants off of the land into lakes and streams. Common nonpoint source pollutants include excess chemical pesticides and fertilizers used in residential, business and agricultural areas, bacteria from animal waste and failing septic systems, excess salt and oil residue on roadways, and erosion and sediment from bare soils. Point source pollution happens when a contaminant is discharged from a specific source into a lake and or stream. Water pollution from a combined sewer overflow is an example of point source pollution. 
More information about sources of water pollution, watershed planning, and Total Maximum Daily Load Reports is available on the IDEM website at www.watersheds.IN.gov
###...

Read more: IDEM Watershed Meetings in Lake, Porter Co