A lawsuit was filed today by an Indianapolis attorney accusing the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles of overcharging state residents. According to the article in the Indianapolis Star, Attorney Irwin B. Levin asked the Marion Superior Court to give the suit “class-action status”, so the alleged overcharges can be returned to those who paid for a driver's license over the last six-years.
# # #...

Read more: Lawsuit Accuses Indiana BMV of Overcharging Residents

First District Congressman Peter Visclosky and New Jersey Congressman Frank LoBiondo have introduced a four year reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program. Created in 1999 by the two lawmakers, the program provides funds to state, local and tribal law enforcement officers to buy protective gear. The last reauthorization in 2008 expired in October 2012.
More info: WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) and Peter Visclosky (IN-01) have introduced a four year reauthorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program. Created in 1999 by the two lawmakers, the bipartisan BVP program provides state, local and tribal law enforcement officers with needed protection by aiding the purchase of protective equipment. The last reauthorization in 2008 expired in October 2012.
“The men and women in our local law enforcement play an essential role in safeguarding our communities and protecting the freedoms all of us enjoy. Bulletproof vests and body armor have saved thousands of law enforcement officers. However, they cannot protect the lives of those who do not have access to them,” said LoBiondo. “As protectors of our lives and our property, it is imperative that we give law enforcement the critical tools they need so they may do their jobs and carry out their duties safely and effectively. The Bulletproof Vest Partnership program is one of those critical tools.”
"Our families have entrusted the men and women of state and local law enforcement with the responsibility of protecting their lives, their homes, and their property. We must ensure that each and every officer has access to the equipment, training, and support they need as they place their lives on the line for us. Bulletproof vests are crucial, lifesaving tools, and the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program helps local law enforcement agencies acquire them. I am proud to support the Bulletproof Vest Partnership program," said Visclosky.
Since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions across the country have participated in the BVP program with nearly $300 million in federal funds committed to support the purchase of more than 1 million vests. Additional information on the BVP program can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi
The lawmakers’ bipartisan bill, “The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 2013” (H.R. 988), was introduced on the House floor yesterday.
###...

Read more: Bulletproof Vest Pgm Reauthorization Introduced

The U-S Attorney's Office in Hammond says a 44-year-old Gary man is facing additional bank robbery counts. Officials say Stacy Davis, who was charged earlier with robbing banks in Merrillville in Munster, has now been charged with the October 2^nd, 2012, bank robbery of TCF Bank in Munster, and the robbery of Chase Bank in Merrillville October 3rd, 2009. The charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.
News Release:  Stacy Davis, 44, of Gary, Indiana, was charged in a superseding Indictment adding two additional bank robbery counts to the original indictment; the bank robbery of TCF Bank in Munster, Indiana on October 2, 2012 and the robbery of Chase Bank in Merrillville, Indiana on October 3, 2009.    These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation GRIT Task Force.  This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Chang-Adiga.
###...

Read more: Additional Bank Robbery Charges Filed

We have an update on a story we ran earlier about a bride-to-be in Alaska who didn't know her wedding dress was among the items destroyed by fire that consumed a commercial building in downtown Valparaiso earlier this week. Anita's Alterations was in that building for 22 years, and owner Anita Hall tells us their customer contact information and the back ups were all lost -- and they've trying to reach everyone, including that bride-to-be who's thousands of miles away. Today Hall tells us they have located her "through your radio station. The message that you put out yesterday, there were people that heard," Hall said, and said that sounded like somebody they knew and "they made their phone calls and they got through to her for us."  Hall says she's asking all her customers to call her regular business number to get in touch with her -- 219-477-5307.   She also says they are planning to be opening again.
###

...

Read more: Update: Burned Business Finds Bride in Alaska

In Schererville, officials have approved financing incentives for the eagerly-awaited Shops on Main. Construction could begin this Spring on the project at US 41 and Main Street which is expected to include high-end retail and restaurants, though details on what shops might be moving in have not yet been disclosed.
###...

Read more: Another Step for Schererville's Shops on Main

A new gambling expansion plan is being proposed across the state line. The Illinois Senate is considering a measure calling for five new casinos including one in the south suburbs and Chicago, as well as Danville, Rockford, and Lake County, Illinois, and slot machines at horse racing tracks. It also sets up online gambling, called “i-gaming". The measure also includes a provision Illinois Ggovernor Pat Quinn has been seeking -- a ban on political contributions from gaming interests. The bill passed an Illinois Senate committee and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote.
###...

Read more: New Gambling Plan Proposed

Gary city officials with this reminder -- every Thursday at 5:00p.m -Region time- until April 25th Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson invites you to call in for a legislative update – and you can ask questions, too . Gary state lawmakers Representatives Charlie Brown and Vernon Smith and Senator Earline Rogers will also be on the calls as their schedules permit.    The call-in number is toll-free (866) 320-4709.  The call-in number will remain the same each week but the access code will go up by one number each week. For March 7 the access code will be 281996. [ Last week's access code was 281995. ]
###...

Read more: Gary Legislative Phone Updates Continue

In Hammond Federal Court, two Gary residents have been indicted on charges related to the purchasing of a child to produce pornography. The U-S Attorney's Office announced the indictment against 39-year-old Christopher Bour and 24-year-old Natisha Hillard Wednesday. The charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Indiana State Police, and Gary and Michigan City Police Departments.
From the US Attorneys Office:  Christopher M. Bour, 39, and Natisha Hillard, 24, both of Gary, Indiana, were charged in a five count Indictment alleging buying/selling, production of and possession of child pornography.  Bour is charged with one count of purchase of a child for production of child pornography, one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography featuring a minor under the age of 12.  Hillard is charged with one count of sale of a child by a parent for production of child pornography and one count of permitting a child by a parent to participate in the production of child pornography.  These charges were filed as the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police, the Gary Police Department and the Michigan City Police Department.  This case has been assigned to and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill Koster.
###...

Read more: Gary Man Accused of Buying Child for Porn

Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey is thanking everyone who offered information in helping to locate family members of unidentified decedents at their facility. The Coroner says they had eleven unidentified decedents in mid-September 2012, but through information provided, seven have been identified through DNA and all but one are now at rest and reunited with family members.  The oldest case dates back to 2007.
News Release: CROWN POINT -- Coroner Merrilee D. Frey is grateful to the general public for their help in locating family members and providing information to assist in identifying decedents. Coroner Frey states, “Sadly, as of September 15, 2012, we had a total of eleven unidentified decedents in our facility. Seven have now been identified through DNA, as our Forensic Anthropologist and I have worked closely together on these cases. They have been returned to their loved ones. The oldest case dates back to 2007. All but one are now at rest and reunited with family members. Thank you for responding to our call for assistance to the general public. I am committed to resolving all of our unidentified cases.”
Recently, the Coroner’s office asked the general public for assistance in helping to locate family members for Vincent Demus. Within twenty-four hours we brought closure for his family. The general public was also instrumental in helping the Coroner’s office identify Sherell Clark, who had been missing for several months, bringing closure to her family members. Additionally, the general public was crucial in the bringing closure to the family members of Amy Ellington, a thirty-nine year old female who had been missing for several months.
In early 2012, Derrien Picket was discovered in Lake Station. He had been missing for one year. George Deliopoulos, Meidco/Legal Death Investigator on this case and a twenty-three year veteran of the Coroner’s Office states, ”Our team of professionals worked closely with family members to provide DNA which ultimately led to positive identification of Mr. Picket. Dr. Nawrocki, our Forensic Anthropologist, worked closely with the Coroner, to help the Picket family put the final piece of the puzzle together regarding his death. Coroner Frey’s leadership motivates us to further investigate open cases to help hurting families. ”
“Coroner Frey states,”The generous help of the citizens of Northwest Indiana has allowed families closure regarding their missing loved ones. It is the mission of our office to serve and support our families with the tragic loss of their loved ones.”
###

...

Read more: Lake Coroner Thanks Public for Help

Troopers say routine traffic stops aren't so routine anymore. Indiana State Police say they found an alleged active mobile meth lab inside a 1999 Kia after pulling someone over for an expired license plate near State Road 26 in Lafayette. All three of the occupants, ages 33, 35 and 38, from Lafayette, were booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail.
###...

Read more: Police: Expired Plate Uncovers Mobile Meth Lab