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Fire in Downtown Valparaiso; Lincolnway Closed

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, March 04, 2013 | 5:22 am

[Photos/Karl Berner, Region News Team]

In Valparaiso, crews are at the scene of a major fire in the downtown area overnight. Authorities are asking motorists to avoid Lincolnway this morning. Tipsters tell us the fire is at the corner of Lincolnway and Michigan. We do not have confirmed what businesses may have been affected at this time. Lincolnway is shut down just east of the downtown square and it's expected it will be closed for quite some time today.

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Road Closure on LaPorte Ave in Valpo Later This Month

Written by Indiana 105

Saturday, March 02, 2013 | 8:32 am

The removal of an MRI from the old hospital in the 800 block of LaPorte Avenue will require a road closure there later this month. The City of Valparaiso reports they will have to close LaPorte Avenue, in front of the hospital, from the east to the west end, to set up a crane and semi. The closure, which is scheduled to take place either March 20^th or 21^st, will begin at 6am, and the process will reportedly take approximately ten-hours.
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1st Source Bank in LaPorte Robbed Thursday

Written by Indiana 105

Saturday, March 02, 2013 | 7:08 am

The Times is reporting police in LaPorte are investigating a bank robbery. According to the article, 1^st Source Bank, located on the city's east side was robbed Thursday at about 12:30pm. Published reports say a man, who indicated he had a gun, but who reportedly did not display one, handed a note to the teller demanding money, and fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The Times reports this is the fourth bank robbery in LaPorte since November.
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LaPorte Man Arrested for Child Solicitation

Written by Indiana 105

Saturday, March 02, 2013 | 6:31 am

A 23 year old LaPorte man was arrested Friday afternoon on charges of child solicitation. Indiana State Police Lowell Post reports Christopher Albin was arrested without incident at his home in the 800 block of Virginia Avenue. State Police say the arrest stemmed from a joint investigation with Florida authorities into allegations the LaPorte man was having an inappropriate on-line relationship with a 14 year old Florida girl.
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Gary Man Steals Ambulance and Strikes Vehicle

Written by Indiana 105

Saturday, March 02, 2013 | 6:24 am

A Gary Police Department ambulance was stolen Friday afternoon as it was left running while medics where checking on prisoner. The Times reports police medical personnel were dispatched at 2:30pm for an emergency call in the five-hundred block of Polk Street, and while inside attending to a prisoner, 59 year old Ricky Warren, of Gary, reportedly drove off in the medical response vehicle. Published reports say Warren struck a vehicle on 11^th Street, and was finally stopped by police on Ridge...

Zormier Named New Hobart Police Chief

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 5:42 pm

new chief 1
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In a simple ceremony at the Hobart Police Station, Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor named Hobart police officer Rick Zormier as Hobart's new police chief, effective immediately. After nineteen years on the force, Zormier received a law degree from Valparaiso University in 2004 and takes the helm as top cop, vowing to resolve issues that have given the Hobart Police Department some recent negative publicity and to make sure the citizens of Hobart get the integrity and transparency they deserve....

New Study on Asian Carp Potential to Enter Great Lakes

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 4:30 pm

CLEVELAND — A study conducted by the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released Thursday concluded that barge ballast tanks present a minimal risk for incidental transport and introduction of Asian carp into the waters of the Great Lakes.
There has been concern that Asian carp eggs, larvae and fry contained in towboat and barge ballast tanks could be transported past electrical dispersal barriers operated by the U.S. Army...

Schererville Man Sanctioned for Filing Frivolous Lawsuit

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 4:19 pm

A Schererville man has been sanctioned by a federal judge in Indianapolis for filing a frivolous lawsuit against the Lake County Sheriff's Office, claiming they do not have properly trained dogs. The Times reports Kevin Miller, who plans to appeal the decision, was ordered to pay Lake County three-thousand-150 dollars to compensate taxpayers. Published reports say Miller filed a similar lawsuit last year in Indianapolis against 52 police departments, including many here in the region, which was...

Free Dillinger Day Event Tomorrow at IN Welcome Center

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 3:31 pm

Hammond, IN (February 28, 2013) – Visit the Indiana Welcome Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 to explore the life and times of John Dillinger and his gang. Visitors may enter the John Dillinger Museum for free and watch the “wooden gun” clip from Mysteries at the Museum.
The clip from Mysteries at the Museum features the history behind the infamous wooden gun. Visitors may watch the clip inside the In-Vision Theatre every half hour during the event.
The Lake County and Po...

Pack of Cigarettes Up Another Dollar to $11 in Cook Co

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 2:57 pm

Just across the state line, cigarette taxes in Cook County are going up by one-dollar today, boosting cigarette prices to about eleven-dollars per pack. The tax is expected to generate more than 25-million-dollars a year for Cook County hospitals.
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Westbound S Shore Train to Chicago Running Late

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 2:12 pm

Westbound South Shore Train 18 scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 2:24 PM is running 20-30 minutes late due to red signals.
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Lake Village Death Ruled Accidental

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 |11:58 am

The Lake County Coroners office says a 71-year-old woman was pronounced dead shortly after 7-o'clock this morning at a Lake County hospital. A news release says Darlene Denton suffered smoke inhalation in a field just east of her home off of State Road 10 in Lake Village and her death has been ruled accidental. Lake County Police, Newton County EMS and Fire also responded. No other information was available at this hour.
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Indiana Flu Deaths Up to 61

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 |10:29 am

Indiana State Health officials say even though this year's flu shot was less effective than thought, it was still helpful in reducing hospitalizations and deaths. Sixty-one flu-related deaths have now been reported in Indiana, three more than the week before, most of the individuals being 65 and older, according to the latest weekly influenza report from the Indiana State Department of Health.
More info:
INDIANAPOLIS—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that t...

Valpo Chamber Provides Downstate Update

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 9:48 am

[Photo/Nick Russ, Radio One Communications]
The Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce provides regular opportunities for its members to get downstate updates. One of those opportunities was this morning, featuring a conference call with a variety of Region lawmakers. Chamber President Rex Richards says the chamber hosts these calls the first and third Friday of each legislative session, and it gives business owners a chance to ask questions about specific pieces of legislation.
For more info, call the...

Indiana St Police Accepting Applications for Troopers

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 9:28 am

The Indiana State Police is now accepting applications for the 73rd Recruit Academy. Individuals who are interested in a rewarding career as a Trooper with the Indiana State Police may apply online at http://www.in.gov/isp/2368.htm This website provides detailed information about the application process and other important information about the Indiana State Police.
Applications must be received by e-mail by the conclusion of March 31, 2013. Applications received after this date will not be...

Purdue West Lafayette Announces Tuition Freeze

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 9:15 am

Purdue says it will freeze tuition and most fees at current rates for the next two years at the West Lafayette campus. "In this period of national economic stagnation," Purdue President Mitch Daniels said, it's time to "hit the pause button on tuition increases". The last year without a tuition hike was 1976. Tuition at Purdue's regional campuses is determined separately, and today's announcement does not pertain to Purdue Calumet in Hammond or Purdue North Central in Westville.
More info:
Purd...

Portage Mayor Gives 2013 State-of-the-City Address

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 9:01 am

To show how far the city has come in just one year, Portage Mayor, Jim Snyder started his 2013 address by citing last year's theme, which was "Portage is in a state of much-needed correction." Mayor Snyder said "communication" is the key to this year's message.
The mayor said that Washington D.C. is invited to Portage to see how political affiliation can be put aside and real work be accomplished.
The mayor also said Portage's "greatest resource and greatest investment" is its personnel,...

La Porte to Host Small Business Summit

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 8:38 am

Downtown La Porte is hosting a big event for small business -- the 2013 Small Business Summit, meant to jumpstart entrepreneurship in the downtown area. Tiffany Bley, Downtown Director, City of La Porte, the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, says it's free, lunch will be provided, and geared toward current and prospective business owners unaware of the resources available in La Porte County. Bley says the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association will also be there to talk about a new grant...

Lake County E-911 Director Resigns

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 7:58 am

Lake County is in need of a new E-911 Director, after Jeffery Cicillian announced his resignation Thursday morning during the E-911 Advisory meeting. Lake county is in the midst of a state-mandated consolidation of its dispatch centers, that if not completed by the end of next year will mean the loss of E-911 dollars from the state.
Here's more from the Times today:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/lake-s-e--director-hangs-up-on-consolidation-process/article_a7e160be-a3d6-526e-af60-ffd94d70...

Major Indiana Jobs Announcement by Chrysler

Written by Indiana 105

Friday, March 01, 2013 | 7:45 am

Governor Mike Pence joined executives from Chrysler in Kokomo to announce the company's plans to invest 374 million dollars to expand its operations in north central Indiana, creating up to 1,250 new jobs by 2015. The governor called it a landmark project. The company will install additional tooling and equipment to produce eight- and nine-speed transmissions in three of its Kokomo plants.In addition, Chrysler Group will acquire the former Getrag facility in Tipton to establish an additional a...

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