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Violent Crime Reduction Initiative to Start Soon

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 7:46 pm

Patrols could start as soon as this weekend for three region communities who have decided to combine officers for special patrols to deal with crime. Highland Police Commander George Georgeff says an organizational meeting was held Monday, and now Griffith, Highland, and Munster are all on the same page, and have created the “Violent Crime Reduction Initiative”. Commander Georgeff says each town will determine the focus in their own jurisdiction, and the project needs to be results driven. Geo...

S Shore CVA Write a Theme Winners Announced

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 6:15 pm

Three theme winners have been announced from the 2012 “Write a Theme” contest, held annually in conjunction with the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit, paying homage to Ralphie's theme requesting a Red Rider B-B Gun. The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority reports 5 year old Hailey Robbins, of Buchanan, Michigan, won the nine and under category, 13 year old Nicole Lukasiewicz, of Highland, won the ten to 18 year old category, and 33 year old Dawn Carden, of Gary, won the 19 and ol...

Guilty Plea for Doctor on Drug Tax Evasion Charges

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 4:28 pm

A Tinley Park, Illinois, couple who own and manage Doctors Weight Loss Clinics in Merrillville, and two Illinois locations, pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to dispensing amphetamine-based pills to patients without proper examinations and tax evasion. The Times reports as part of their tax evasion plea agreement, the 57 year old doctor and his 53 year old wife, have agreed to forfeit and pay five-point-two million-dollars, with the judge waiting to address the conspiracy to distribute...

Demolition Work Begins on Old School

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 2:25 pm

A historic piece of Lowell history is starting to come down. Crews are in the process of taking down the old Grade School at 525 E. Main Street. Prior to the start of the demolition work could even begin, artifacts from the historic, 117 year-old structure including leaded glass windows, bricks from the foundation and the schools nameplate were removed and given to the Three Creeks Historical Association. According to the Times, the buildings cornerstone was removed in 2011.
This morning,...

Spirit of Competition Exhibit Starts Tomorrow

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 2:21 pm

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 this to Porter Cou...

Two Northern Indiana Sites 'Shovel-Ready'

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 |12:31 pm

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation says the designation paves the way for businesses to quickly locate new operations on property ready for development. The two sites in Plymouth and Elkhart join the list of more than 85 other 'shovel ready' sites identified by the state since 2006 that have undergone extensive title work, proof of ownership, legal and environmental review and qualify for expedited permitting with state regulatory agencies.
News Release (Jan 08 2013):
INDIANAPOLIS...

Funeral Services Set for Former Mayor Krentz

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 |12:25 pm

Funeral services are Wednesday for former LaPorte Mayor Carl Krentz. Krentz served as mayor of LaPorte from 1996 to 2000, and was Chairman of the Board of LaPorte-based Thanhardt-Burger Corporation. Krentz had served as a member of a number of local boards, and his obituary notice also says he was an actor/director for the LaPorte Little Theatre Club. Krentz passed away Friday at Settlers House in LaPorte the age of 84.
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Indiana 2013 State of the State: Jan 22

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 |12:23 pm

Indiana Governor-elect Mike Pence today announced information regarding the 2013 State of the State address. Additional details will follow in the coming weeks. Pence will deliver the speech January 22, 7:00 p.m. EST, at the Indiana Statehouse, House Chamber. Inaugural events begin this Saturday (January 12) and continue through Monday. The Inauguration Ceremony is this Monday morning, January 14
For more information on Inaugural Events: www.indianaworks.eventbrite.com
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Death Penalty Trial Begins in Lake County

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 8:39 am

Trial began Monday in Lake County for a Gary man charged with murder and facing the death penalty in the shooting deaths of his wife and two teenage stepchildren more than five years ago. The Times reports 47-year-old Kevin Isom is also accused of the attempted murder of four of the police officers who responded to the standoff at the family's apartment in the Miller section of Gary in August of 2007.
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Whiting Downsizing City Council Membership

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 8:36 am

The city council in this far north Lake County community is downsizing, as the number of council members will drop by two by the time the next municipal election comes around in about two years. The Whiting City Council recently voted to cut their membership from seven to five. Whiting City Council President Chris Sarvanidis says the move will save the city money, and put them more in line with other similarly-sized communities. "I looked at as many of the less than ten-thousand population...

Sports, Conventions Bring Tourism Dollars in 2012

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 8:29 am

South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority says the estimated local economic impact of sports, conventions and other events last year was about 29-percent higher compared to 2011. They say the nationally televised Leon’s Triathlon and the National Softball Association’s Girls Fast Pitch ‘B’ World Series attracted visitors to Lake, Porter and La Porte County from all over the country. Lake County tourism officials today announced sporting-event-related visitor spending on restaurants, hotels,...

Lawmaker Files Cursive Writing Bill

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 8:24 am

Indiana lawmakers will again take up the topic of teaching cursive writing this session. Senate Bill 120, penned by Oldenburg State Senator Jean Leising, would require each school corporation and accredited nonpublic elementary school to include cursive writing in its curriculum. The measure's been referred to the Committee on Education and Career Development. The issue became an issue last year when the state said schools didn't have to teach it... though they could if they wanted to. Leising...

Caucus Seeks 2-Yr Moratorium on 'Social Issues'

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 8:17 am

House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath of Michigan City spoke before House members as they reconvened for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly Monday, calling for a two-year moratorium on certain issues. "On behalf of my caucus, " Pelath said," I am calling for a two-year moratorium on social issues. And you know what they are: they involve the deeply sensitive matters of who loves who, of human reproduction, and women's health." Pelath briefly outlined areas he and the Democratic c...

Flu Season Hits Indiana Hard

Written by Indiana 105

Tuesday, January 08, 2013 | 6:35 am

Influenza is hitting early and hitting hard in the Hoosier state. According to the most recent weekly flu report from the Indiana State Department of Health, seven deaths have been reported since November. No influenza-related deaths had been reported at this time last year.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Gregory Larkin says it's not too late to get vaccinated. And, he says anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their health care provider, even if they did have a flu shot.
Health...

Man Steals Car, Leads Hammond PD on Chase

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 7:55 pm

Charges are expected to be filed Tuesday against a man police allege stole a vehicle from a business parking lot, flipped the vehicle, and escaped on foot only to be captured a short time later. The Times reports charges of resisting arrest and car theft are expected against 58 year old Larry Hunter, of Hammond. Published reports say police received a report, just after 10am Monday morning, of a man acting suspicious and looking into vehicles, in the 13-hundred block of 141^st Street in Hammond,...

Realtor Safety Program this Thursday

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 7:38 pm

In response to the horrific attack of a realtor by two men posing as prospective clients, the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors will be presenting the “Realtor Safety Program” on Thursday for their their affiliate and realtor members. Chief Operating Officer Pat Pullara says those in attendance will be learning about client screening techniques, realistic steps and new insight into work safety, how to implement and execute a safety plan, dealing with showings and open houses, vac...

Man Shot in Hammond While Sitting in his Vehicle

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 6:42 pm

An investigation continues after a man sitting in his vehicle was shot late this morning in Hammond. The Times reports the incident occurred around 11:40 this morning, near State Street and Calhoun Avenue, and at this time, it is unknown if the man who was wounded, and drove himself to an area hospital, was the intended target. Published reports say no one else was injured, and the man's injuries are considered non-life threatening.
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Defense Seeks Separate Trials for Liberty Twp Man

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 6:28 pm

A man accused of mutilating an animal and causing the death of his girlfriend's seven-month old son is asking to have the two charges separated when heis scheduled to go to trial in May. The Times reports a hearing on the matter will held on February fourth for 24 year old Benjamin Willis II. Published reports say Keagan Fishel died on March 10, due to blunt force trauma to the head, while animal abuse charges reportedly stem from incidents in 2009, and between February 21^st and March 8^th, of...

INDOT: Watch for Potholes as Temps Increase

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 5:41 pm

With temperatures expected to rise above freezing later this week in Northwest Indiana, INDOT says the likelihood that potholes will form increases. INDOT says as the ice melts and contracts, heavy highway traffic loosens the pavement, forming potholes. INDOT says with most of Indiana's hot-mix asphalt plants closed until spring, they're using a cold-mix, which is a mixture of small stone and liquid asphalt, as a temporary patch, which does require ongoing maintenance, as they can reopen...

Health Organizations Form Tobacco Free Indiana

Written by Indiana 105

Monday, January 07, 2013 | 3:33 pm

A new organization has been formed to work on multiple fronts to reduce disease and death caused by tobacco in Indiana. The Tobacco Free Indiana Coalition is made up of representatives from more than 100 local, state, and national public health organizations, as well as faith-based organizations. Campaign Coordinator Lindsay Grace says cigarettes and other tobacco products lead to chronic health diseases, and death, and their goal is to, “promote proven strategies that can help adults quit t...

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