Valaparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner has been appointed the President of the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police for 2013. According to the press release, Chief Brickner has been very active in previous years with the organization, which promotes professionalism, training, and networking to enhance public awareness of law enforcement and public safety issues.
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Read more: Valpo Police Chief Named President of IACOP

Influenza deaths in Indiana have held steady at 43 after consistently rising earlier this month. The Indiana Department of Health reports most of the deaths have involved those 65 years of age or older, and those with underlying health issues, which is why health officials are strongly encouraging those 65 and older to promptly seek medical attention if they are experiencing flu symptoms. Meanwhile health officials say Hoosiers should still get vaccinated, and practice the three C's: clean your...

Read more: IN Influenza Deaths Holding Steady at 43

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
A life-long Lake County resident has been named the head of the Department of Child Services. Governor Mike Pence today announced Mary Beth Bonaventura to the position, saying she is uniquely qualified, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Bonaventura has been serving as Senior Judge of the Lake Superior Court, Juvenile Division, reportedly one of the toughest court systems in the state, and was appointed Senior Judge by then Governor Evan Bayh in 1993....

Read more: Pence Names Bonaventura Head of Indiana DCS

Cedar Lake is looking for public input for their "green corridor" plan.  Ian Nicolini, Cedar Lake Town Administrator says the first public work session will take place starting 6pm tonight at the Cedar Lake Town Hall.  Nicolini says "we're inviting people to meet with our consultants, meet with representatives from NIRPC and staff as we look at how we can develop a green infra-structure corridor along Founder's Creek and Cedar Creek."

The town manager says the plan has two goals, "one; to...

Read more: Green Corridor Public Session in Cedar Lake Tonight

Valparaiso Police say the city's crime rate dropped by 14-percent last year, compared to 2011 statistics. The data show the department experienced a decreased in major crimes, a category that includes homicide, robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson. Police say a major element in the decrease was the drop in thefts last year. As for any initiatives for 2013, Sergeant Michael Grennes says the Chief has made it a priority to focus on school safety.
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Read more: 14% Crime Drop in Valparaiso in 2012

Strack and Van Til at Parrish Avenue and 133rd Avenue in Cedar Lake, January 28, 2013.

Cedar Lake's first "green" business, the new Strack and Van Til supermarket will open its doors later this spring.  Ian Nicolini, Cedar Lake Town Administrator, says the town is proud to have the new store be the town's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) built project.   Nicolini says along with evergy efficient LED lighting, the 50,000 square foot facility will feature skylights to take advantage of natural...

Read more: Cedar Lake Welcomes More Green Development

Two burglary suspects are dead and a third hospitalized after their getaway vehicle crashed and struck two trees in Gary this morning. The Lake County Sheriff's Office reports the deceased were pronounced by the Lake County Coroner's Office staff at 11:10 this morning. Authorities report a burglary in progress was reported in the four-thousand block of Connecticut Street, and as Gary Police approached, the three male suspects fled in a vehicle and the pursuit ended on the 44-hundred block of...

Read more: Two Burglary Suspects Die in Crash, 3rd Hospitalized

Authorities are asking motorists to avoid northbound State Road 49 at County Road 500 North due to a crash. Valparaiso Police Sergeant Michael Grennes says if possible, try to avoid that area until about 2:15 this afternoon. He says the crash did cause minor injuries, and no further information is available at this time.
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Read more: Crash at State Road 49 County Road 500 North

Published reports say as many as ten showdogs... champion Shetland Sheepdogs and Chinese crested dogs... are believed to have died in a house fire in the 16-hundred block of Elm Street in Calumet Township Monday night. Fire crews from Lake Ridge, Griffith and Merrillville responded, and authorities say no humans were injured. Officials are still trying to determine the cause.
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Read more: No Cause Yet for Calumet Twp House Fire

Indiana State Police Lowell Post say a traffic stop south of the Winamac/Fair Oaks exit in Jasper County sent two people from Chicago and Bolingbrook, Illinois, to jail after the alleged discovery of forty pounds of a substance called “Khat” worth approximately 20-thousand dollars. Police say “Khat” is a flowering plant mostly grown in the Horn of Africa that users ofte3n chew it for a “stimulant-euphoric effect” . Troopers say both suspects were charged with with Dealing a Schedule 1 Drug Class...

Read more: ISP Bust Two Illinois Men with Khat in Jasper County