Lake County Councilwoman Christine Cid is holding an information meeting Saturday morning at 11 at the Lincoln Center in Highland to answer questions about the proposed one-and-a-half percent local income tax. The tax has won preliminary approval from the county council, who are expected to consider it again this Monday afternoon. If approved, it next goes before the Lake County Commissioners, who have scheduled a special meeting a week from today, May 10th, at 8:30am. If commissioners veto it, the county council could override that, with a super-majority. Lake County is the only county in the state without a local income tax.

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Read more: Tax Info Meeting Saturday

Congressman Peter Visclosky, Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and other city officials from Gary, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction for the Gary Black Oak phase two sewer improvement project which officials say will alleviate commonly recurring cases of road and basement flooding for a number of businesses. It will involve the full reconstruction of 25th Avenue between Calhoun and Burr Street, and will extend Gary's storm sewer system to part of the Black Oak section on the southwest side of the city.
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Read more: Groundbreaking for Black Oak Project

An Indiana Conservation Officer who serves as a SCUBA diver for Indiana DNR Law Enforcement saved a man from drowning last night. Officer Jet Quillen was checking fishermen Thursday evening along the White River in Indianapolis when he was approached by someone saying a person was drowning. Quillen rushed to the riverbank where he saw someone about fifteen feet away, removed his duty belt, jumped into the water, and successfully brought a 52-year-old Indianapolis man back to shore. The officer was assisted at the bank by an unknown individual. Officer Quillen learned the man could not swim and was walking on the rocks on the dam when he slipped into the water.
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Read more: Man Saved from Drowning

Indiana State Police say an 88-year-old Lafayette man working in his flower garden near the road was taken to the hospital Friday afternoon after being struck by a driver making a food delivery from a restaurant to a mobile home park. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver was cited for unsafe lane movement, and the investigation is ongoing.
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Read more: Man Working in Garden Hit

The Hobart Plan Commission has approved the site plan for a 40-million dollar expansion at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. The hospital plans to build a new surgical pavilion at its main campus on South Lake Park Avenue, a two-story building that will replace the current surgical department and intensive care unit. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
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Read more: Hospital Pavilion Plan Approved

Indiana's latest state revenue report shows general fund revenues were 71-point-three million dollars above the April 2013 forecast, and 81-point- 4 million, or nearly four-and-a-half-percent above collections for the same period last year. The Indiana State Budget Agency also says through the first ten months of the fiscal year, state revenues are one-point-two-percent, or 136-point-eight million dollars above the April 2013 forecast.
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Read more: Indiana Monthly Revenue Rept for April

Indiana Conservation Officers and the DNR Division of Forestry are providing useful tips to landowners that can assist in protecting their valuable timber resources.
Indiana hardwoods, such as black walnut, red and white oak, and other valuable species are sought by the timber industry. Landowners should follow some simple steps before signing a contract with a timber buyer.
“Some Indiana landowners are taken advantage of every year, and they lose money and resources because they are not aware of the value of timber or the steps needed to protect themselves,” said Duane McCoy, timber licensing forester with the DNR Forestry Division.
To protect forestry resources, landowners should follow these steps:
1. Hire a consultant forester to represent you and mark and advertise your timber sale.
2. Always get several bids from different timber buyers.
3. Ask questions and get references from the timber buyer.
4. Mark the trees to be cut with a paint mark on the stem and at ground level.
5. Know and understand the fine details of the contract.
6. Never make an oral agreement.
7. Know how much you will be paid and the method of payment.
8. Be a good neighbor and work out any property line disputes prior to harvesting.
“Marketing the mature timber from a family property is generally something that will only occur once in a person’s lifetime, and it must be done with knowledge that protects the interest of your investment,” said Lt. Tony Stoll, DNR Law Enforcement District 9 commander.
The DNR offers a free information packet titled “callb4ucut” to Indiana citizens considering harvesting their timber. See www.callb4ucut.com for further information.
Any suspicion that a timber theft is occurring citizens are urged to contact Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.
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Read more: Advice for Landowners Looking to Sell Timber

Chesterton’s European Market will open for its 11th Season on Saturday, May 4th.  The Market is located at Third Street and Broadway in historic downtown Chesterton, and is held every Saturday from May 4 through October 26, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Each weekend this season, the Market will boast more than 90 merchants, live musical performances from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, fresh food served on-site throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to enjoy gatherings with friends and family at picnic tables in nearby Thomas Centennial Park. “Last year, we had a dozen Seasonal Merchants – vendors who came to the market every weekend. This year, we’ve accepted 44 Seasonals, and 35 Semi-Seasonals,” says Allyson Baughman, Chamber Marketing Director and Market Manager. “We’ve also welcomed several new artists, chefs and musicians to our ranks. The interest we’ve seen this season has been phenomenal. The Chamber receives several calls each day from locals and tourists wanting to learn more about the market – especially when it’s going to open!”
 
New to the market this year will be downtown Chesterton merchant Chelle’s, as well as TAJ Indian Curry House and Valpo Shrimp Company – a local business that raises salt-water shrimp for local restaurants. Market favorites Bit of Swiss, Rolling Stonebaker, Espress Yourself, Good to Go by Lucrezia, Butler Winery, Ivy’s Catering, Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Lehman’s Orchard, Flagel’s Sugarhouse, Pa’s Workshop and Marilyn’s Pies also will be returning. “The Market wouldn’t be the same without everyone’s favorite coffee, pizza, pretzel and croissant merchants,” says Baughman.
 
While booth space at the Market is nearly booked for the entire season, a few spaces remain in October. “We’re always open to receiving applications, since sometimes our scheduled merchants have conflicts and can’t attend,” Baughman explains. “We especially love seeing applicants with new or unusual products – especially savory food items.” For more information about applying to or visiting Chesterton’s European Market, please call the Chamber office at (219) 926-5513, visit www.dunelandchamber.org, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
 
To hear our interview with Allyson Baughman  and discover more going on this year at Chesterton's European Market visit News Audio On Demand at www.regionnewsteam.com
You can also visit the event's website: http://www.chestertonseuropeanmarket.com

(photo provided by http://www.chestertonseuropeanmarket.com }
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Read more: Chesterton's European Market Opens this Saturday

(Photo Courtesy of State Senator Jim Banks)
STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2013) — Gov. Mike Pence signed Senate Enrolled Act 177 into law today – a bill authored by State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) to give returning veterans access to a more affordable college education.
The legislation grants in-state tuition eligibility to honorably discharged veterans and active National Guard members who enroll in one of Indiana’s state colleges within a year of settling in Indiana. Currently, veterans serving in a different state or country may not qualify for in-state tuition upon returning home, increasing their college costs by thousands of dollars.
To be eligible, veterans are required to enroll in a state college or university no later than 12 months after their discharge or separation from the armed forces. They will then have to take steps to establish Indiana residency within 12 months of enrollment.
“Indiana has always advocated for its veterans, and now, we have an opportunity to extend that advocacy to their college education,” Banks said. “As tuition costs skyrocket and more jobs require a four-year degree, this is the right time to enact legislation that helps our veterans access affordable tuition options. My hope is that with this advancement, more veterans will be encouraged to pursue higher education.”
Pence praised the efforts of Banks and others in passing this legislation.
“Veterans and their families make tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and protect our freedom,” Pence said. “It is essential that we support and encourage these brave men and women to pursue a higher education and earn a college degree.  I applaud the members of the General Assembly, and I am especially appreciative of the leadership of Sen. Jim Banks, one of the authors of the bill.”
The bill signing ceremony took place at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Members of veterans groups from the campus and community were in attendance.
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Read more: Veterans Tuition Bill Signed Into Law

All lanes reopened to traffic just before 5pm this evening, about four-hours after a semi overturned and lost its load on the ramp of Michigan Avenue forced the shut down of the southbound lanes of Cline Avenue.  Authorities were called out to the scene just before 1pm, and no injuries were reported.
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Read more: Overturned Semi Closes Sothbound Lanes of Cline Ave