Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller recently helped launch a legal toolkit to assist state attorneys general in cracking down on those who prey upon military service members. 
Zoeller worked with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Consumer Protection Working Group of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force and attorneys general from Kentucky, Illinois and North Carolina to develop the toolkit. The kit outlines issues impacting the military community and how states’ consumer protection officials can effectively combat these types of financial predators and scammers. 

“Scammers and illegitimate businesses often target service members and their families because of their steady paychecks and deployments,” Zoeller said. “Issues impacting our military include topics ranging from predatory mortgage lending to auto financing and from GI Bill related scams to identity theft. It’s important that state and federal officials use the resources available to crack down on those who prey on individuals serving our country.”

The toolkit is intended to serve as a guide for relevant statutes and regulations, as well as a platform to discuss best practices and developing trends. Zoeller said his colleagues in offices of state attorneys general nationwide will be better equipped to navigate the diverse issues and complex laws concerning the military community. 

"I want to thank Attorney General Zoeller for his efforts to protect our service members from financial predators who attempt to take advantage of those serving our country," said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard. "I also want to encourage every soldier and airman to look closely at the resources available to protect themselves and their families, so they understand situational awareness in the world of finance can be just as important as it is on the battlefield."
Zoeller said there are some important resources available to those in the military to help prevent financial harm including:
 
Active-Duty Alerts: These alerts can be placed on a service member’s credit report to inform a business it is obtaining information from an individual away on active duty. The alert requires the business to first obtain permission from an authorized third party like a family member or friend before proceeding.
 
Caps on interest bearing debt: Those on active duty may cap the interest rate on most outstanding loans at 6 percent under the provisions of the Service members Civil Relief Act. To have your interest rate reduced to 6 percent, you must write a letter to each creditor letting them know about your orders and your intent to invoke the 6 percent cap. 
Vehicle and property lease terminations: Deployed military members are able to legally terminate some vehicle and property leases. If you are currently leasing a vehicle or home/apartment and wish to terminate your lease, contact the leaseholder and inform them of your deployment.
Foreclosure and eviction relief: Under the Service member Civil Relief Act and the National Mortgage Settlement, service members are granted special relief when facing foreclosure. For example, a person may be able to obtain a “stay” or temporarily delay in a foreclosure or other civil court proceeding if he or she is called up to active duty. In addition, service members have special eligibility for loss mitigation relief such as a modification of their loan or a short sale. Similarly, service members and their families who rent their home may obtain a temporary stay of eviction proceedings while the service member is on active duty.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller (file photo)
(photo provided by Jay Stevens)
Military service members can visit www.IndianaConsumer.com/military/ to learn more about resources available to them.
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Read more: Scam Protection for Hoosier Military Service Members

Based on technical analysis done as part of Tier One Illiana Corridor studies (completed in January 2013) and public comments, Corridor B3 and the No-Action Alternative have been identified and carried forward into the second tier of the project.

IDOT and INDOT and are now hosting open house public meetings regarding Tier Two where the focus will shift from the original broad 952 square-mile study area to the communities, landowners and access needs along the preferred corridor.

The purpose of these meetings is to explain the Tier Two process which includes the refinement of the preferred corridor, interchange locations and layout, and determining overpass and underpass opportunities, environmental analysis and continued stakeholder outreach. IDOT and INDOT will consider your input as the detailed planning process moves forward. The meetings will be an open house format, and interested persons may attend anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. There will be a continuous PowerPoint presentation, and attendees will have the opportunity to view study exhibits and speak with IDOT, INDOT and study team representatives on a one-on-one basis. A question and answer forum will be held at 6:00 p.m. each day.

* The meeting will be accessible to handicapped individuals. Anyone needing specific assistance should contact Sarah Copeland of Images, Inc. at (630) 510-3944. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the TTY/TTD number (800) 526-0844/ or 711; TTY users (Spanish) (800) 501-0864/or 711; and for Telebraille dial (877) 526-6670 at least five days prior to the meeting.
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Read more: Tier Two Illiana Corridor Study Public Meeting #1

The defense countered that the shooting was the result of years of domestic abuse.  However, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michael Toth said Kidd methodically shot Ellis 10 times.

Read more: Gary Woman Found Guilty in Boyfriend's 2009 Murder

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces continued lane closures for both northbound and southbound I-94, between U.S. 20 and State Road 49, beginning Monday, April 8th.
The shoulders of I-94 in this area will also be closed. Lane restrictions will continue until the completion of this bridge rehabilitation project in late fall 2013.
An alternative route has been posted for drivers wishing to avoid potential travel delays. Eastbound I-94 traffic may take the U.S. 20 exit and travel east to State Road 49, then south to eastbound I-94. Westbound I-94 traffic may take the State Road 49 exit and travel north to U.S. 20, then west to westbound I-94.
INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest road closures and project updates like us at www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and follow us at www.Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.
You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov.  Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT.

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Read more: Bridge Work Continues on I-94 Between US-20 SR-49

On the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), the eastbound driving lane is closed at Milepost 14-15 until Sunday evening, April 7, while crews repair a joint failure on the Broadway Bridge.   Additionally, the repairs will close the eastbound Broadway entry ramp (Milepost 14) from approximately 4 a.m. CST Saturday until 10 p.m. CST Sunday.
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, The joint failure caused a gap in the roadway, and maintenance crews have been working diligently to correct the issue; however the length of time is greater than first anticipated. During this time, patrons wishing to enter at Broadway will be detoured to Gary East (Milepost 17).
 
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Read more: Emergency Repairs Continue on Indiana Toll Road

There are new surveillance photos released by police investigating the murder of the 76 year-old Griffith businesswoman, whose body was found inside the passenger-side of her SUV at Gary casino parking lot. The Times is reporting the new photos show the suspec that police believe is the same male subject seen leaving one of the victim's family businesses appearing in security photos walking into the casino.

Additional photos show a black sedan, believed by police to contain the suspect, leaving the casino through the front valet parking area.

According to the article, 76 year-old, Mary Austgen of St. John, was found dead of a gunshot wound inside her vehicle parked in the Majestic Casino garage March 29^th. Both gary and Griffith police continue to investigate the homicide. Anyone who has any information concerning the incident is asked to contact Gary or Griffith police. Read more at:
  http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/st-john/police-uncover-new-clues-in-austgen-slaying/article_db7c8031-0d18-5b12-8981-fafa927e7076.html

Security photo shows male suspect, holding black bag, entering casino from the parking garage.
(photo courtesy of the Times of Northwest Indiana)
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Read more: Police Release New Photos of Casino Murder Suspect

Read more: Investigation Ends Concerning Killer's Father

A suposed empty house that was under rehab burned to the ground  Wednesday.  At around 12:26 pm.  Lake County Police responded to a house fire in the 4700 block of W. 153^rd Avenue in Lake Dale. Upon arrival Officers found the structure to be completely engulfed by fire. An area resident indicated an explosion had been heard just prior to the fire starting. Nothing remains of the residence. Mr. Richard Stone of Cedar Lake is listed as the homeowner.

Detective Michelle Dvorscak and Detective Sgt. Edward Jenkins indicated there was one reported injury resulting from the fire. They are investigating his role in the incident. The male subject that was injured was airlifted from St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point to Loyola Medical Center. His condition is unknown at this time.

The residence was under rehab, and it is believed there was no one living in the home at the time of this possible arson fire.

This case remains under investigation.
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Read more: Fire Destroys Home in Lake Dale

Read more: Call To Hotline Tips Police to Suspected Drug Activity

Read more: Lane Restriction Start Monday on US 41 in Newton County