Starting the first of May, you'll need extra time traveling through Calumet City, A signal modernization project begins, weather permitting, at the intersection of River Oaks Drive and Burnham Avenue. The Illinois Department of Transportation says traffic signal improvements, patching and resurfacing will require weekday lane closures between 7am and 3:30 pm, with lanes reduced to one lane in each direction.The 582-thousand dollar project has a tentative completion date of mid July 2013. Find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1 at www.dot.state.il.us . Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com
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Read more: Calumet City Project Starts May 1

State Sen. Ryan Mishler, Bremen (Photo provided)
Northern Indiana lawmakers are urging the federal government to repeal a new excise tax on the sale of medical devices in the United States, the tax is a provision of the new federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act. The Indiana Senate has approved a resolution authored by Columbia City State Representative Kathy Heuer and sponsored by Bremen State Senator Ryan Mishler to that effect. Mishler says Warsaw, Indiana, is commonly known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World, and the tax would hurt residents of his district. The medical device industry is a strong component of Indiana's economy and employs 26-thousand Hoosiers.  “Firms like Biomet, Zimmer, DePuy, Medtronic, Orthopediatrics and supporting companies account for $11 billion of the world’s $38 billion orthopedic industry and employ 13,000 people. I sponsored this resolution in an effort to preserve this great industry in Indiana,” Mishler said. A copy of House Concurrent Resolution 51 can be found at Mishler's website, www.in.gov/senator.mishler  by clicking on the 2013 Legislation link
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Read more: Lawmakers Want Med Device Tax Taken Out

Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance acknowledged that through tips received by the public, several people were viewed as possible suspects early in the murder investigation of former
Griffith businesswoman, 76 year-old, Mary Austgen. 
Police Chief Mance said one of those suspects, the same man appearing in the surveillance photos released shortly after the crime, was identified as 57 year-old Ralph Perez Martinez of south suburban Alsip, Illinois.  Mance said with additional publicity about the case Martinez became the main suspect, which lead to a search warrant of his residence and subsequent arrest and charges.
The Lake County Prosecutor's office this afternoon returned charges of Murder, Robbery and Criminal Confinement against Martinez for "acts that occurred Mary Austgen during the evening hours of march 28th, 2013." 
Chief Mance revealed that the suspect, a mechanic by trade, had been a past tenant at property owned by Austgen in the 800 block of E. Main Street in Griffith.  Meanwhile, Mance said the investigation is no longer pursuing information about the black sedan seen other security photos picking up the suspect at the Majestic Star Casino, as  the driver has cooperated with police and is no longer a person of interest in the investigation.
The victim's son, Jeff Austgen spoke at the press conference saying the family was "elated" that the suspect was in custody.  But Austgen also said that the family had gone through a lot emotions including "glad he's (the suspect) apprehended" and "sad the next minute" because "it doesn't change what has happened."  He also expressed the families appreciation, thanking, "the press, people out there that have extended offers to us to help us anyway they can.  It's been great."  He added, "it really make  think there are still good people out there."
Mance said investigators are still seeking a motive in the case and the missing two rings the victim reportedly was wearing the night of her murder and photos of which have been featured by the media.  Chief Mance asks that if anyone has information about the movements and actions of Martinez in the days before and after the murder of Mary Austgen, and in particular the two rings taken, are asked to contact the Griffith Police Department's non-emergency line; 219 924-3141, the Griffith Police Tip Hotline 219 922-3085 or Gary Police Detective, Lorenzo Davis at 219 881-4738. 

Griffith Police Chief, Greg Mance at today's press conference at Griffith Town Hall

Murder victim's son, Jeff Austgen expresses the family's appreciation of the media and public for making the suspect's arrest possible

Griffith Police Chief, Greg Mance (center), victim's son, Jeff Austgen (left) among investigators at today's press conference announcing the arrest on three charges including murder of their main suspect, Ralph Perez Martinez

The murder investigation's prime suspect, 57 year-old, Ralph Perez Martinez of Alsip, Illinois seen in rear seat leaving the Griffith Police Station and being transported to Lake County Jail.
(photos courtesy of Jay Stevens)
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Read more: Suspect in Mary Austgen Murder Case Faces Charges

Just as Porter County residents are itching to begin the gardening season, Valparaiso’s Public Works department has announced that it will provide free loading of mulch for Porter County residents, while supplies last. The loading fee for compost remains in place, as does the delivery fee for either mulch or compost.
There are 3 options for obtaining mulch and compost:

• Residents may self-load the materials for free at two locations. Self-loading locations and hours are: Valparaiso Compost Site (2150 West Lincolnway) - Monday – Friday, 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm, and Department of Public Works (406 Don Hovey Drive) – Monday – Friday, 7 am - 4 pm and Saturday, 7 am - 3 pm. Please bring your own shovels and containers.
  
• Bulk loading is available for any Porter County resident or business at the Public Works location only (406 Don Hovey Drive, Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3:30 pm and Saturday, 7 am – 2:30 pm) Public Works will load your pickup or open trailer. Mulch is free and compost is $10.00 per cubic yard for residents/non-profits and $15.00 per cubic yard for businesses.
  
• Delivery is provided by Valparaiso Public Works to those Valparaiso residents inside the city’s garbage service area only. (There is no delivery service provided to County residents outside the city service area.) The price for delivered mulch is $15 per cubic yard to homes and non-profits, and $20 per cubic yard to businesses. Minimum for delivery is two yards and must be arranged in person at the Public Works office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. The homeowner must sign a permit for delivery and pre-pay by cash or check. In most cases delivery will occur on the following business day. At this time Public Works is requesting residential delivery be limited to 10 cubic yards.
  

Please see the city’s website at www.valpo.us/pw or call Public Works at 462-4612 for more information.

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Read more: Free Mulch for Porter County Residents While Supplies Last

(Photo Courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities are investigating the disappearance of a 16 year old Cedar Lake girl. The Lake County Sheriff's office reports Skylar Burgess was last seen at the Lake County Public Library, Cedar lake Branch, on March 21^st. Skylar Burgess is described as a white female, 5'8'', weighing 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The Sheriff's Department reports Burgess has some ties out of state, particularly in South Jordan, Utah, and had no money or cloths with her when she was last seen. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to please contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office. For more information visit, http://www.facebook.com/USAsMissingKids/posts/581377941880194.  The Lake County Sheriff's Anonymous Hotline number with information is 800-750-2746.
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Read more: 16 Year Old Skylar Burgess of Cedar Lake Missing

Three juveniles have been arrested on felony charges after a burglary in LaPorte County this morning. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office says a witness reported the incident just before 10am, in the 12-hundred block of Goldring Road, and observed the suspected vehicle flee the area. Authorities report the vehicle was located several minutes later, driving erratically along County Road 400 North, near U-S Highway 421, and continuing onto westbound I-94 at a high rate of speed, until it crashed into a semi and came to a stop at the Lake/Porter County line. The Sheriff's Office says the 17 year old driver from Gary fled on foot, but was captured shortly thereafter, while a 16 year old female passenger from Merrillville was taken into custody without incident. Officials say both are charged with felony burglary, and that a 17 year old LaPorte juvenile has been charged with aiding, causing and inducing a crime.
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Read more: Burglary Suspects Captured After Chase Along I-94

Multiple reports of a 3-car accident in the Hobart area at County Road 130 and 600N; all lanes blocked.  Emergency crews on scene.  No further information is available at this time.
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Read more: Three Car Accident in Hobart, All Lanes Blocked

(Photo Courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities have officially charged an Alsip, Illinois, man with multiple charges, including murder, in the death of a Griffith businesswoman last month whose body was found at a parking garage at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary with a fatal gunshot wound shortly after 2 am on March 29^th. At a press conference this afternoon, Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance says 57 year old Ralph Martinez is being held at the Lake County Jail at last check, and was the suspect in the highly publicized surveillance photos. Police say Martinez was a one-time tenant of Mary Austgen, who was evicted a year or two ago. Authorities say several tips from the public helped lead to the arrest, and Austgen's son, Jeff, thanked the public and media for their help. An investigation continues.
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Read more: Former Tenant of Mary Austgen Charged in Her Death

Indiana Dunes State Park will offer a program on the life and times of Indiana’s amphibians, Saturday, April 27, at the park’s Nature Center at 2 p.m. CDT.
The program will feature the various frogs, toads and salamanders that inhabit the marshes, swamps and bogs in the state, and present information about the unique life changes they undergo each year. The program will be presented by Spencer Cortwright, an Indiana University Northwest professor.
“Our frogs and other amphibians are popular indicators of our own conservation efforts,” said Brad Bumgardner, park interpreter. “Knowing and understanding their life stages and population helps us gauge our own environmental successes.”
The program is free after paying the standard state park entrance fees. For more information call the nature center at (219) 926-1390.
Indiana Dunes State Park is at 1600 North 25 E. Chesterton, 46304.
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Read more: Program on IN's Amphibians Saturday at IN Dunes St Park

(Photo Courtesy of the Governor's Office)
Indiana Governor Mike Pence today joined lawmakers and representatives from veteran advocacy groups to sign into law a bill which expands veteran-owned small business opportunities in Indiana. The new law arranges an executive order by the Governor that requires the Department of Administration to procure at least three-percent of state contracts with veteran-owned small businesses and requires them to adopt rules, develop polices, and set forth guidelines regarding contract opportunities. The law also allows the Indiana Economic Development Corporation to assist the Department of Administration in various aspects of the veteran-owned small businesses initiative.
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Read more: Gov Signs Law Expanding Vet-Owned Buisness Opportunities