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Injuries, Arrests at Chicago Mall Melee

Police continue to investigate what was described as a mob disturbance that erupted at the Ford City Mall in Chicago Saturday. It started after an autograph session by the rap group Mindless Behavior and ended with victims being sent to the hospital. ABC's Eric Horng reports there were Chicago police officers inside the mall but witnesses say they were outnumbered. Signs were thrown, vehicles were damaged in the parking lot, they reportedly jumped on top of cars, and as many as 20 people were...

Lake Village Man Sentenced for Distribution of Child Porn

32 year old Lake Village man was sentenced to seven-years in prison and 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to felony distribution of child pornography in Hammond Federal Court this week. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports Thomas Spangle's computer equipment was seized after an undercover FBI agent working in Florida in May of 2010, using a peer-to-peer file sharing program, identified the IP address being utilized to distribute child pornography as that of Spangle, and found...

Porter Co Averaging a Little Over 1 Drug-Related a Week

Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris, who recently released the county's 2012 Coroner's Statistics, says drug-related deaths continue rise. Harris says in Porter County poly-substance abuse is a major problem, with Porter County averaging a little over one drug-related death a week. Harris says the most common drug abused right now is hydrocodone mixed with alcohol or other drugs, and residents in Porter County need to own up to the fact that our teenagers are abusing drugs, and to take action...

McDonald's Mentoring Night this Tuesday

Participating McDonald's restaurants in Northwest Indiana are on a mission--a mission to encourage region residents to come together to support Youth Mentoring Programs. Sam Lubeznik, Owner/Operator of participating Mc Donald's restaurants in Northwest Indiana says once a year during "Mc Mentoring Night" the public is introduced to mentoring in their community.
In addition to local mentoring organizations being present, the McDonald's operators will donate 15-percent of their customer purchases...

New Head of Indiana DCS Delaying Start

The new head of the Indiana Department of Child Services will be starting that position a little later than expected. The Times reports Lake Juvenile Court Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura on Friday stated a case she is presiding over was taking longer than expected. Bonaventura was expected to begin her new duties on March 1^st.
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Hobart Safety Call Network

Hobart seniors who live alone, are disabled, or who are home bound, are encouraged to register for a program designed to provide them with a daily telephone call to check in on them. For registration forms, either call or stop by the Hobart Police Department.
To get started...
1. Seniors residing or visiting Hobart must complete all enrollment/registration to become a
member. Registration includes contact information, any medical information they wish to
inform the police department of,...

1 Dead After Three Semi Crash on I-65 in White County

One person is dead after a three-vehicle crash this afternoon on I-65 in White County that shut down the interstate for several hours. Indiana State Police Lafayette Post reports the crash, involving three semis occurred on I-65 south, approximately five-miles west of Brookston. Authorities report traffic was slowed in the area due to cleanup of a previous crash, when a Freightliner struck the rear trailer of a semi, which in turn was pushed into the rear of another semi. State Police say the...

Portage PD Investigating Alleged Home Burglary

Portage Police are investigating an alleged home burglary. The Times reports authorities were dispatched just before 8:30 Thursday night to 600 West block of County Road 300 North, and learned that the homeowners arrived home to find their front door had been forced open, and the bedrooms ransacked. Published reports say a television, gold watch, a large amount of cash, several weapons, ammunition, and prescription drugs were reportedly taken.
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Franciscan St. Margaret Health Hospitals Seek Volunteers

Franciscan St. Margaret Health Volunteer Services is seeking helpers to assist with various duties at the Dyer and Hammond hospital campuses.
     Assistance is needed in the following areas:
     * Gift Shop or Gift Cart (past retail or cashier experience preferred)
     * Hospitality hosts
     * Information Desk
     * Nursing unit ambassadors
     Volunteers must be dependable, cheerful and be willing to show an interest in patients, families and other visitors. They also must display comm...

Check Cashing Overpayment Scam Circulating

Hobart Police report that the Northern Indiana Better Business Bureau is warning region residents of a check cashing and overpayment scam circulating that takes advantage of those seeking employment. According to the report, you reply to a help wanted ad for a job out of town or overnight, and after you send your resume you get emails from an “agent”stating you got the job, and to start, they mail you a check, using phony shipping labels, that supposedly covers your hours and expenses, but that...

Fatal Crash in Marshall County Kills Plymouth Woman

Authorities say ice and snow covered roads do not appear to be a factor in a fatal crash at U-S 31 and 4A Road in Marshall County this morning. Indiana State Police, Bremen Post, report a preliminary investigation revealed 86 year old Alice Garner, of Plymouth, was heading east on 4A Road, and was attempting to cross southbound U-S 31, when for an unknown reason, she pulled into the path of an oncoming jeep. Authorities report Garner suffered a severe head injury and was transported to St....

Cedar Lake Boil Order for Portions of 133rd Industrial Dr

A boil order remains in effect for businesses along portions of 133^rd Avenue and Industrial Drive in Cedar Lake. Ian Nicolini, Town Administrator, says a water break was discovered Wednesday on the south side of 133^rd Avenue, the leak was isolated, and service shut off. Nicolini says the city repaired the main Thursday morning, and the boil order was issued thereafter. He says the first sample has been sent out for examination, and pending those results passing, the boil order could be lifted...

Efforts to Get Officer at Lake Central HS Continues

St. John, Dyer and Schererville are working with Lake Central schools to assign a student resource police officer at the high school this upcoming school year. Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller was in St. John Thursday to congratulate the Tri-Town communities on their cooperative effort. A federal COPS grant will help place a St. John officer in that role, and the three towns and the school district are contributing funds under an interlocal agreement.
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Whitley Products Could Start Shutting in April

A plant in Plymouth has told the state it will likely close, and nearly ninety people will be losing their jobs. According to the federal "WARN" --Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice -- filed with Indiana's Department of Workforce Development, the Whitley Products fabricated pipe and pipe manufacturing facility in Marshall County could start shutting down in April.
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Two Emissions Testing Sites Closed Sat Feb 23

VALPO AND HOBART EMISSIONS SITES CLOSED SATURDAY
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Clean Air Car Check emissions testing sites in Valparaiso and Hobart will be closed on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The program’s other five stations will observe normal operating hours which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The testing sites that will remain open on Saturday are located at:
• 5777 Melton Rd., Portage
• 755 N. Industrial Blvd., Crown Point
• 3901 W. Fourth Ave., Gary
• 232 Ivanhoe Ct. South, Griffith
• 1231 G...

Hammond Senator Says Bill Will Help Abuse Victims

The Indiana Senate unanimously approved a proposal by Hammond State Senator Frank Mrvan that aims to protect victims of child abuse. Mrvan says Senate Bill 142 would nearly double the amount of time that victims of child abuse have to file civil action or criminal prosecution for certain sexual offenses. Mrvan says doing so would give victims time to mature, leave the dependency of the offender, and "get more courage" . The measure now moves to the House for further consideration.
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Suicides in Porter Co Nearly Double in 2012

The annual coroners report for Porter County was released this week, and twenty-percent of coroners office cases last year involved suicide – County Coroner Chuck Harris says that's an "astonishing" figure. The number of suicides went up dramatically in 2012, Harris said, up 90-percent from the 2011 totals. Harris says from his office's experience suicides are usually directly related to relationship conflicts and economic desperation. You can hear more of our interview with the Porter County...

Accident Closes State Rd 10 Near Bass Lake

915am (CST) --
In Starke County: An accident has closed State Road 10 in both directions at State Road 23, about 14 miles east of North Judson... or about two miles east of Bass Lake. INDOT is advising motorists to avoid the area if you can.
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House Republicans Prevent Vote on Income Tax Cut

Indiana House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath of Michigan City says Governor Mike Pence's proposed income tax cut for Hoosiers is “one of the best ideas” from the governor... Indiana House Republicans, however, blocked taking action on it Thursday using a procedural move. Democrats had also offered an alternative budget, with a tax cut, and that was voted down by Republicans on a party line vote. Though the budget doesn't include it now, the Times reports the governor's income tax cut still migh...

Flu Shots Not As Effective this Season

Did you get a flu shot this year and still catch the flu? The CDC says it happened quite a bit this year, but the shots did prevent millions from getting sick too. ABC's Andy Field reports the Centers for Disease Control says shots were just 56 percent effective this year - for type A and B flu. It gave children slightly better odds -- 67 percent...and not much help for the elderly....only 27 percent effective. Turns out getting the shot worked better if you caught influenza B -- that vaccine...

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