Griffith is one-step closer to possibly being able to leave Calumet Township, after the Indiana House today approved the House Bill 15-85. The Times reports the Northwest delegation vote was split, with six representatives voting “yes”, and seven voting “no”. A recent investigation by the Times found that each year, Calumet Township spends 45-million dollars on administration to distribute 64-million in relief to the poor, which reportedly is the highest proportion of any Indiana township. The l...

Read more: House Approves Bill to Let Griffith Leave Calumet Twp

A bill to make buyers more aware of vehicles previously used as mobile meth labs has passed the full Senate, and now heads to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 277, co-authored by Democratic Senator Jim Arnold, of LaPorte, would require sales persons who have knowledge of vehicle's use in methamphetamine production to disclose that information, in writing, prior to the sale, while those who are unaware will not be held responsible. Those who fail to comply may face civil action,...

Read more: Senate Approves Bill to Increase Consumer Protection

A 41 year old Gary woman was charged in an indictment with embezzlement and theft of funds of a labor union. The U-S Attorney's Office announced that Tracey Tigner had an indictment returned on February 7^th, which was unsealed today in Hammond. Tigner is accused of embezzlement and theft from the Painters District Council 91 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, as the result of an investigation by the U-S Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, as well as by the...

Read more: Indictment Returned Against Gary Woman

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning is developing a revised Public Participation Plan, updating the Participation Plan that was adopted in 2007.  The new Plan reflects NIRPC’s continuing commitment to reach out to and engage residents in the regional planning and decision-making processes relative to NIRPC’s three planning domains of transportation, economic development and the environment.  The Plan has been in development for over 8 months, with the advice and guidance of a Task Force...

Read more: NIRPC Participation Plan Extended through March 29th

Crown Point Fire-Rescue is looking for some volunteers. The City's website reports the fire department is accepting applications for a volunteer firefighter. Those interested must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Crown Point or Center Township, able to pass a medical and physical exam, have a valid driver's license, with a good driving record, complete an intensive training program, and submit to a background check. Applications, which are due by February 15^th, at 4pm, can be found at...

Read more: Crown Point Fire-Rescue has Open Volunteer Position

A new police station could be in store for Highland. The Times reports the Highland Town Council Monday night approved authorizing two professional appraisals of a property on the 33-hundred block of Ridge Road, which could potentially clear the way for a new police station, since this acquisition would clear the land from the Town Hall west to Cottage Grove Avenue. Published reports say town officials will revisit a 2003 study which laid out plans for a new station, measuring about 26-thousand...

Read more: Highland Setting Stage for New PD Station?

(Photo Courtesy of Portage Police)

Officers responding to a burglary call over the weekend ended up uncovering an illicit drug sale operation. Portage Police report they were called out just before 7am Saturday, to the 57-hundred block of Brookview Avenue, in Portage, in reference to a burglary to a garage, where officers ultimately learned a 17 year old male was selling drugs, and 18 year old Seth White, of Valparaiso, had allegedly stolen drugs from the garage. White, and an 18 year old male who admitted to driving White to...

Read more: Portage Garage Burglary Uncovers Drug Sale Operation

(Photo Courtesy of the Lake County Coroner's Office)
The Lake County Coroner's Office needs your help in locating any possible friends or family of Michael Bleck. Coroner Merrilee Frey says they have exhausted all leads in locating any family members, after her office responded to the 52-hundred block of Hohman Avenue in Hammond, and found Bleck dead on January 4^th. The Coroner's Office describes Bleck as last seen wearing a black ski jacket, blue jeans, a light blue long sleeve shirt, with...

Read more: Lake Co Coroner Seeks Help in Finding Victim's Family

A fire in the hallway of a eight-unit apartment building in East Chicago is under investigation at last check. Chief Inspector Henry Ventura, of the East Chicago Fire Department, says they were dispatched at 2:46 this morning to the 44-hundred block of Indianapolis Blvd, and found flames on the third floor, in front of the stairwell. Chief Inspector Ventura says the fire was contained to the hallway, and while there were no injuries, there was smoke damage, and he says the Red Cross and the...

Read more: Fire in Hallway of E.C. Apt Complex Under Investigation

Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas is quoted in today's Times as saying it's “the most involved and interactive process any city has undertaken” referring to the development of a strategic plan for the city, one that will involve “extensive interaction” with residents to envision what Valpo would be a decade or two down the road. At last night's city council meeting, residents learned the city has opted for a consulting team headed by ACP Visioning and Planning out of Columbus, Ohio, to develop that plan, with their work be...

Read more: Valpo Looking Forward to Strategic Plan