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19 years in Prison for Man Convicted of Arson

A 28 year old New Chicago man received 19 and a half years in prison at his sentencing Friday after being convicted in August of felony arson, intimidation, receiving stolen auto parts, and being a habitual offender. The Times reports Brandon Scroggin was accused of setting fire a vehicle belonging to his ex-girlfriend, as well setting fire to her brother's vehicle, after they broke up in March. Published reports say Scroggin has a long list of arrests, including five felony convictions, and...

Read more: 19 years in Prison for Man Convicted of Arson

 

Pretrial Motions Granted in Upcoming Murder Trial

Two pretrial motions were granted Friday in the case of a man accused of killing his former girlfriend. The Times reports a Porter County judge ordered the Porter County Jail to turn over records to be used in the trial of Dustin McCowan, and that a defense witness in prison at Westville be transferred for the trial. Published reports say remaining pretrial motions are expected to be addressed Wednesday, with jury selection to begin February 4th. The Times reports McCowan is accused of killing 19 year old...

Read more: Pretrial Motions Granted in Upcoming Murder Trial

 

Neglect Charges Expected Against LaPorte Woman

A 28 year old LaPorte woman is expected to be charged with felony neglect after her child was left home alone. The Times reports police were called to the five-hundred block of Circle Drive about 5:30 Thursday evening on a report of a child left unattended, and upon arrival, an officer spotted the front door of the home was left slightly open, and when looking through a window, noticed a three year old boy was left unattended. Published reports say an officer took the child to the police...

Read more: Neglect Charges Expected Against LaPorte Woman

 

Second Prison Escapee Captured

Police say an escaped bank robber was captured yesterday afternoon at an apartment complex across the street from a police department. Published reports say Kenneth Conley was one of two bank robbers who staged a daring escape from a downtown Chicago high-rise federal jail last month. Conley, who had been at-large for 17 days, had disguised himself as an old man, when officers approached him Friday in Palos Hills. Authorities reports Conley could not provide any identification, and punched an...

Read more: Second Prison Escapee Captured

 

3 Arrested in LaPorte for Illegal Drug Distribution

Three people were arrested Thursday as the result of an investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics within the City of LaPorte. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office reports 21 year old Vandaze Buchanan and 23 year old Brittany Chapman, both of Chicago, and 26 year old Brett Tanksley, of LaPorte, were arrested at a home located on the 100 block of Jefferson Avenue. Authorities report Buchanan is charged with two felony counts of dealing heroin, and Chapman is charged with two felony...

Read more: 3 Arrested in LaPorte for Illegal Drug Distribution

 

Jasper County Man Wins $100,000 in Lottery

A Jasper County construction worker reportedly broke out into song as he posed with his oversized check for 100-thousand dollars. Hoosier Lottery reports Steve Stone of Rensselaer won the money on January third after playing the Wild Cherry Slots scratch-off game. The Times reports Smith and his wife claimed the prize Thursday in Indianapolis, and that the winning ticket was purchased at the Rensselaer Food Mart, located on the seven-hundred block of McKinley Avenue, in Rensselaer.


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Read more: Jasper County Man Wins $100,000 in Lottery

 

Job Compliance Forum in Gary Wednesday

The Mayor of Gary is holding a “Job Compliance Forum” on Wednesday to discuss guidelines for local, state, and federal projects taking place in Gary, and how Gary residents can be considered for jobs on those projects. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says, “This forum is one of several ways that we intend to keep citizens informed and trained for these job opportunities.” Congressman Pete Visclosky, who will also be attending the forum says, “Such dialogue will not only make government more efficient...

The Mayor of Gary is holding a “Job Compliance Forum” on Wednesday to discuss guidelines for local, state, and federal projects taking place in Gary, and how Gary residents can be considered for jobs on those projects. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says, “This forum is one of several ways that we intend to keep citizens informed and trained for these job opportunities.” Congressman Pete Visclosky, who will also be attending the forum says, “Such dialogue will not only make government more efficient, but will help to ensure that Northwest Indiana tax dollars create Northwest Indiana jobs.”  The forum is scheduled to begin at 5:30 Wednesday evening, January 9th, at the Genesis Convention Center.

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Arnett Named NITDC President

Michigan City, Indiana (Jan. 3, 2013) – The board of Northern Indiana’s official regional tourism organization unanimously named Jack Arnett, Executive Director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau, its new president Thursday at its monthly meeting.
Arnett, who has headed the LaPorte County tourism bureau since 2007, will begin serving as president immediately. In that capacity, he will oversee the seven-county organization, which utilizes a regional approach to help improve...

Read more: Arnett Named NITDC President

 

MLK Drive Bridge Litigation Resolved

Those involved in the litigation over the cause of the closure of the Martin Luther King Drive Bridge over the Borman Expressway have agreed to resolve the claims. INDOT today announced contractor Superior Construction Company, it designer, and primary material supplier, have agreed to a negotiated settlement which has the three paying INDOT a total of one-point-thee-five million dollars. According to the press release, the settlement reaffirms the longstanding relationship between all...

Read more: MLK Drive Bridge Litigation Resolved

 

South Shore Train 18 to Chicago Running Late

Westbound South Shore Train 18 scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 2:24 PM is running 20-30 minutes late.


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Schererville PD Investigating Vehicle Break-ins

Schererville Police are investigating some vehicle thefts after police were dispatched to the 31-hundred block of Wimbledon Drive at 4:45 this morning. Police report officers found the complainant’s vehicle had their window shattered, but a search of the area came up empty. Police report officers found a garage open at another Wimbledon Drive address, and that a vehicle was broken into on the 21-hundred block of nearby Springhill Drive, which had 16-hundred dollars worth of stereo equipment s...

Read more: Schererville PD Investigating Vehicle Break-ins

   

Northbound I-65 Backing Up

The left lane of the on-ramp to westbound Borman (80/94) from northbound I-65 is blocked to a car reportedly in the ditch on the south side of the ramp.  INDOT  reports that the lane may be blocked for about 40-minutes.  Drivers northbound on I-65 should expect delays starting north of 45th Avenue and approaching the 295 Exit.

 

 


Traffic backed up northbound I-65 between 45th Avenue and RIdge Road due to an earlier wreck that closed the left lane of the on ramp to westbound 80/94.
(photo from INDOT)
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Murder Suspect Surrenders Thursday Night

Online reports this morning say a murder suspect surrendered peacefully to police, after allegedly holding four people hostage in Gary for four hours last night. Lake County Sheriff John Buncich tells nwi-dot-com that Hammond and Lake County police had learned 18-year-old Marcus Flanagan was at a home near 24th Avenue and Fairbanks Street, and that when officers arrived, a hostage situation began. Officials say the suspect, who was wanted in connection with a shooting death in Hammond last...

Read more: Murder Suspect Surrenders Thursday Night

   

Troopers Recognized for Life-Saving Actions

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Indiana State Police News Release: The Indiana State Police were proud and flattered to have three state troopers as special invited guests at the January 2nd Indiana Pacers basketball game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers organization publicly recognized these troopers for their life saving actions at a Notre Dame Football game this past October.
Pictured are the three troopers on the basketball court with Pacers mascot Boomer as Pacers fans cheered the trooper’s service to Hoosiers. And...

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'Spirit of Competition' to Visit the Region

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[Photo provided]
Porter County Community Foundation News Release: Valparaiso - The Porter County Community Foundation in partnership with Valparaiso University is sponsoring the “Spirit of Competition” exhibit at the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts from January 9 through February 7, 2013.  Created by Indiana Humanities and designed in partnership with the Indiana Historical Society, the exhibit celebrates both unknown and well-known Hoosier competitors.
“We’re really excited to bring th...

Read more: 'Spirit of Competition' to Visit the Region

   

Widespread Flu Activity Reported in Indiana

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http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
The latest information from the Centers for Disease Control says Indiana and Illinois are among sixteen states reporting high influenza-like illness activity levels, and experts say flu outbreaks are being seen across the country.   ABC News reports there hasn't been a flu season hit this hard and fast in over a decade, with many cases coming from a subtype of influenza that was not included in this year's vaccine  Widespread flu activity is now being reported in mu...

Read more: Widespread Flu Activity Reported in Indiana

   

Ideas for Recycling Real Christmas Trees

Indiana DNR News Release: There are many ways to recycle Christmas trees, but tossing them on a frozen lake to create fish habitat may not be the best idea … and may require a permit from the DNR.
 
“Fish attractors tend to bring fish and fishermen together,” said Bill James, chief fisheries biologist for the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. “They provide cover but don’t necessarily grow more fish.”
 
Better options include taking the tree to a designated Christmas tree recycling site in your...

Read more: Ideas for Recycling Real Christmas Trees

   

Former Pastor Cites Health Issues

Published reports today say the former pastor of First Baptist Church of Hammond cites stress, depression, and other health issues in a new court filing requesting a sentence of less than the mandatory minimum ten year prison sentence. A plea agreement was announced in September, after 55-year-old Jack Schaap was charged in federal court with interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. The Times reports sentencing is scheduled for January 15.
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Read more: Former Pastor Cites Health Issues

   

IFB Disappointed by Legislative Package

Indiana Farm Bureau President, Don Villwock commented on the recently passed fiscal package regarding the farm bill extension.  “Indiana Farm Bureau appreciates the recent efforts of the U.S. Congress whose last-minute deliberations yielded a legislative package that seems to have averted the so-called fiscal cliff.  A number of tax provisions were handled in the agreement, but the spending side of the equation will need more attention in the coming months. The automatic budget cuts that were se...

Read more: IFB Disappointed by Legislative Package

   

Inland Real Estate Corp Acquires Valparaiso Walk

Oak Brook, Illinois-based Inland Real Estate Corporation today announced it has acquired a northwest Indiana shopping center in a deal valued at more than 21-million dollars. The company says Valparaiso Walk at LaPorte Avenue and Silhavy Road on the east side of Valparaiso, is 100-percent-leased, anchored by stores Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, Best Buy, and Michaels, and shadow-anchored by Aldi and Menards. Inland Real Estate Corporation is an owner and operator of shopping centers located...

Read more: Inland Real Estate Corp Acquires Valparaiso Walk

   

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