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Unwanted Appliance, Electronics, Tires Drop Off on 5/18

(Photo Courtesy of the Recycling & Waste Reduction Dist of Porter County)
Porter County, Indiana – The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will help Porter County residents with their spring cleaning by providing a One Stop Drop collection event that will accept old and unwanted appliances, electronics, tires and household hazardous waste.
The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the Porter County Expo Center/Fair Grounds, 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso.
Restrictions or fees may apply. For more information, call the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County, 465-3694, or visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org to learn more.
The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission will be at the event to present new environmentally friendly 2.5-gallon gas cans to residents who bring their old gas cans in for disposal at the collection. Limit one new gas can per vehicle/family, while supplies last.
The One Stop Drop is an opportunity for residents to properly discard materials that are harmful to the environment. Appliances accepted include refrigerators, stoves, dish and clothes washers, dryers, water heaters, air conditioners, freezers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, furnaces, and just about anything metal. Water softener holding tanks will not be accepted.
Not only do old appliances contain hazardous components, including used oil, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury, they are much less energy-efficient. Additionally, the refrigerant used in refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, water coolers and air conditioners is extremely harmful to the environment and must be extracted safely.
Many companies certified to remove refrigerants from appliances often charge for the removal of this toxic substance, leaving residents to dispose of the remaining appliances. Once old appliances are brought to the One Stop Drop, the refrigerant is extracted and properly discarded. The appliances will ultimately be taken apart and recycled.
According to Indiana law, households can no longer mix unwanted computer monitors, computers, televisions, printers, computer peripherals (such as keyboards and mice), DVD players, video cassette recorders, or fax machines with trash that is intended for disposal at a landfill or intended for disposal by burning or incineration.
Electronics can contain lead and other toxic materials that pose serious threats to human health. Porter County residents can bring their old electronic devices to the May 18 event for safe disposal. Accepted items include anything with electrical cords or run by batteries.
Porter County residents also can drop off electronics at the Valparaiso and Boone Grove compost sites any time during their hours of operation. Additionally, Porter County residents can drop off their electronics at the following locations: Portage Street Department: 2302 Hamstrom Road, 762-4564; Valparaiso Public Works: 406 Don Hovey Drive, 462-4612; Porter Street Department: 550 Beam Street, 926-2771. Residents should call the departments to determine hours of operation. Visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org for more information, or call 465-3694.
Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive ingredients are considered to be “household hazardous waste” or “HHW,” and require special care when they are discarded.
Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash, which can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.
HHW items accepted at One Stop Drop include aerosols; anti-freeze; oil; batteries (household and automotive); corrosives; mercury containing products (fluorescent tubes, CFLs, thermometers, thermostats, etc.); oil-based paint, thinners and solvents; pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and other poisons; diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, other flammable liquids; ammunition and expired medications.
Explosives, commercial hazardous waste and radioactive materials (like smoke detectors) will not be accepted. Old smoke detectors should be sent back to the manufacturers for recycling. Though latex paint is not considered household hazardous waste, it will be accepted at the collection thanks to the district’s intergovernmental agreement with the City of Hobart for paint recycling.
Approximately 300 million used automobile and truck tires are discarded by Americans annually. At landfills, tires take up large amounts of space and have been known to damage landfill linings. Around town, discarded tires become prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents that carry diseases such as West Nile virus and encephalitis.
Tire storage piles pose fire hazards that are extremely difficult to extinguish. Burning tires release toxic gases into the air and leave behind a hazardous oily residue that pollutes streams and ground water. Once recycled, the rubber in tires can be used for paving material, fuel, mulch, floor mats, drain pipes, and more!
Porter County residents can dispose of their first four tires up to 20 inches for free at the One Stop Drop. The disposal fee for each additional tire up to 20 inches is $3. Residents can dispose of tires from 20 to 25 inches for $5 each, and tires over 25 inches for $15 each.
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is a government agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction services. Visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org for more information or call 465-3694.
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Tips Lead to Arrest of 3 Gary Residents for Dealing Drugs

(Sylvia Branch)

(Randy Martin)
Melvin Walker Junior
(Melvin Walker Jr. Photos Courtesy of Lake Co Sheriff's Dept)
Three Gary men involved in drugs and gangs were each arrested today after search warrants were executed based on tips from the public. The Lake County Sheriff's Office reports warrants were issued in the 44-hundred block of Buchanan Street and in the 19-hundred block of West Ridge Road. Arrested were 43 year old Sylvia Branch and 48 year old Melvin Walker, both charged with dealing in narcotics, and 29 year old Randy Martin, charged with dealing a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Sheriff John Buncich they will continue to conduct raids on a weekly basis, says thank you to those who called their anonymous hotline, 800-750-2746, and encourages others who desire to clean up our communities to do the same. ...

Family Attacked in Porter County Home Invasion

A man, his girlfriend, and two children suffered bruises and declined medical treatment after an alleged home invasion early this morning. The Porter County Sheriff's Office reports the incident occurred just before 4:20am, in the 15-hundred block of North County Road 375 East, in Pine Township, where two men reportedly forced their way into the residence and attacked those inside using a crowbar. The Sheriff's Office says the suspects fled the scene empty handed, and an investigation continues.
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ISTEP Testing Suspened Again Today, Maybe Tomorrow

For the second consecutive day system errors have prevented students in the region and across the state from taking their I-STEP Plus testing. Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Glenda Ritz, says they monitored the situation this morning, and while 150-thousand test session were completed, a spike in test interruptions occurred at approximately 11:15 this morning, causing the suspension of testing for the rest of today. Ritz says the test suspension was done to minimize further disruptions for schools, and at last check CTB McGraw-Hill believes testing will be able to continue tomorrow. Ritz called the testing interruptions "frustrating and unacceptable" and says they will conduct a thorough review to determine the exact cause of this issue.
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Repairs Being Made to Broken Gas Line in Valpo

NIPSCO crews were on the scene early this afternoon repairing a gas line break under the 400 block of Weston Street in Valparaiso, NIPSCO said the break apparently occurred when an earlier crew from the city's water department was digging in the area to repair a broken water line. As a precaution to the gas leak, Ben Franklin Middle School located directly across the street from the gas line break, evacuated their students earlier today. The gas line leak has since been secured and students have returned to their classes.
gas leak 1
NIPSCO repair crews at work on a gas line break in the 400 block of Weston Street in Valparaiso
gas leak 6
The gas line break is located in the area city's water department crews were excavating earlier in order to repair a leaking water line
gas leak 3
The gas line that broke under the 400 block of Weston Street in Valparaiso
Gas leak 5
Looking south from Park Avenue where Weston Street is closed to Chestnut Street while repairs are being made to a broken gas line
(photos provided by Jay Stevens)
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Valpo School Evacuated as a Precaution

Valparaiso Police and Fire responded to a gas line break this morning that led to a precautionary evacuation at Ben Franklin Middle School. Police say crews were dispatched at 9:45 to a strong smell of natural gas in the 500 block of Weston Street, directly behind the school. Valparaiso City Utilities Director Steve Poulos says a city utility crew working on a water main leak in the 400 block of Weston struck a gas line during trenching operations. Police say due to a strong smell of natural gas inside the school the students were evacuated and eventually bused to the Valparaiso High School fieldhouse as a precaution. NIPSCO arrived on scene and stopped the leak. As of 11:15 a.m. the gas line had been repaired. School and fire department officials will be determining when the students will return to the school. No injuries were reported.
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New Student Center for PNC

Construction is expected to begin next year on a new student services and activities complex at Purdue North Central in Westville. University officials say the new budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly includes a key provision that will allow for the issuance in 23-point-7 million dollars in bonds to help finance construction of the proposed 34-point-7-million-dollar facility. The remaining funding will be generated through student fees and gift donations to PNC. Along with meetings, conferences, and exhibits, P-N-C says commencement will also be held there. The May 2013 graduation ceremonies for PNC, for instance. will be at the Valparaiso University ARC. Athletic teams that now must hold practices and games off-campus will be housed in the new complex.
"We are thrilled the general assembly has allowed us to move forward," said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. "This is a significant step for PNC as we continue our mission to serve the educational, athletic and social needs of the residents of Northwest Indiana. This is a game changer which will enable us to continue to improve our retention and graduation rates."
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Gas Line Hit in Valpo

Valparaiso City Utilities Director Steve Poulos says city utilities field crews were working on a water main leak in the 400 block of Weston Street, where the crews initiated a trench within the street to replace the line, and during the trenching a NIPSCO gas line was hit. Valparaiso Police and Fire crews are on scene and per his communications with field crews, Benjamin Franklin Middle School has been evacuated to the high school field house as a safety precaution. NIPSCO has been called to respond to the leak so it may be repaired. Assistant Distribution Manager Mark Geskey is on site with City Utilities staff.
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IUN Officer Injured in Crash

An 22-year-old Indiana University Northwest officer responding to a police pursuit was among two people injured in a two-vehicle crash near Ridge Road and Van Buren Street in Gary. Gary Police Corporal Gabrielle King says a Gary officer and another IUN officer were in the area of 43rd and Washington Monday afternoon when they noticed an SUV drive by with a passenger not wearing a seat belt, then recognized that person as someone who was being sought by authorities. "In the meantime," Corporal King says, "while they were chasing that car, another Indiana University officer was on his way to assist them, and he was involved in a crash." Corporal King says it's her understanding that injuries sustained by that officer and the other person in the crash are not life-threatening. Police say the suspect being pursued was taken into custody about a half-hour later on warrants out of Lake and Jasper Counties.
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Two Killed, Two Hurt in Crash

Gary Police continue to investigate a crash that left two dead and two others hospitalized. The Lake County Coroners office says ten-year-old Symone Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene in the 700 block of West 4th Avenue around 4:30 Sunday afternoon, and the driver, 53-year-old Charles Thomas died at Gary Methodist Northlake. Gary Police say at approximately 3:48 pm a Ford Econoline van was traveling westbound on West 4th Avenue when for unknown reasons it left the roadway, struck a fire hydrant and came to rest in a house. Gary Police Corporal Gabrielle King says a 32-year-old woman and six-year-old boy were taken to the hospital, and the boy was later transported to Chicago. Police say the girl who died was the woman's daughter. Corporal King says there was no indication anyone was inside the house, which she said appeared to be vacant.
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Prescribed Fire Near West Beach

Fire crews from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will be burning approximately 100 acres of land near West Beach today.

Fire officials with the National Lakeshore say as long as weather conditions remain good, crews will be burning the parcel of land along County Line Road, north of US 12 to improve animal and plant habitats.
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Coast Guard Cutter Restores BH Buoys

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Stephen Elliott
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, a 240-foot icebreaker homeported in Cheboygan, Michigan, is doing some work in the northwest Indiana waters of Lake Michigan. On Monday, as shown in the photo above, they repositioned shoal buoys off the entrance to Burns Harbor, to better mark a shoal created by Hurricane Sandy that covered much of the entrance to the commercial port. The other day the crew also commissioned the Southern Lake Michigan NOAA weather buoy. The crew of the Mackinaw is conducting buoy operations along western Lake Michigan as part of Operation Spring Restore.
buoy2

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Dave Lieberman
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, a 240-foot icebreaker homeported in Cheboygan, Mich., prepares to commission the Southern Lake Michigan NOAA buoy, April 26, 2013.
buoy3

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Ashley
The Southern Lake Michigan NOAA buoy is lowered down to the water by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, a 240-foot icebreaker homeported in Cheboygan, Mich., April 26, 2013.
buoy4

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Dave Lieberman
The Southern Lake Michigan NOAA buoy floats free after being set and anchored by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw, a 240-foot icebreaker homeported in Cheboygan, Mich., April 26, 2013.
The crew of the Mackinaw is conducting buoy operations along western Lake Michigan as part of Operation Spring Restore.
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Two Killed in Crash

A man and a child are dead after a motor-vehicle accident in Gary. There's no indication at this time what caused their vehicle to crash. The Lake County Coroners office says ten-year-old Symone Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene in the 700 block of West 4th Avenue around 4:30 Sunday afternoon, and 53-year-old Charles Thomas died at Gary Methodist Northlake. Gary Police are investigating.
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Chesterton Gas Station Robbed

Police in Chesterton continue to investigate a robbery at the Speedway Gas Station in the 700 block of Indian Boundary Road. Officials say a man who first bought a candy bar came back about 15-minutes later and demanded money from the register around 3:15 am last Thursday, threatening the clerk with physical violence. He reportedly left on foot, and a Porter County Sheriffs Department K-9 unit assisted in a search, but he wasn't located.
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Man Robbed at Gunpoint

In Gary, police are investigating the report of a 61-year-old man being robbed at gunpoint outside his home in the 39-hundred block of Broadway. Authorities say around 10:30 Friday night, six men, one of them armed with a gun, reportedly approached the victim, demanded his car keys, and stole his 2013 Hyundai Accent. Anyone with information is asked to call Gary Police Detective Lorenzo Davis.
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New Fee Ahead?

Indiana motorists who traverse the state line with their E-Z Pass transponders may soon be paying a little extra when they get to Illinois toll plazas. Drivers with the Illinois I-Pass pay a three-cent transaction fee on the Skyway and Indiana Toll Road, which are both operated by the same company. E-Z Pass customers, however, pay no additional fee on the Illinois Tollway, and officials tell the Chicago Tribune they're evaluating their policy in the spirit of fairness. The E-Z Pass system replaced I-Zoom in Indiana last year.
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Hammond Schedules Chicago St Meeting

The City of Hammond will hold a Public Meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. featuring a couple of presentations.........first at City Hall, then a second one that evening at Washington Irving Middle School to discuss a proposed project to reconstruct and widen Chicago Street from South Brainard Avenue, on the Indiana border with Illinois, to White Oak Avenue, at the eastern limits of the City of Hammond. The entire length of the proposed project is approximately 2.1 miles.
The proposed project will include improvements to the existing roadway, including new pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, storm sewers, roadway lighting, and new traffic signals.
Here's more info from the city:
The City of Hammond will hold a Public Meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2013. Two presentations will be offered. The first presentation will be held at City Hall, 5925 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46320, with a formal presentation at 12:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The second presentation will be in the auditorium of Washington Irving Middle School located 4727 Pine Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46327 with a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. An open house will follow each of the presentations. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the project purpose and need, alternatives being investigated, and afford an opportunity for public participation and allow discussion of any views and comments the public may have in relation to the proposed project. Concept plans of the proposed project will be on display for public review. City of Hammond and design consultants will be available during the meeting to discuss the project.
The City of Hammond, Indiana, is developing a federal-aid project to reconstruct and widen Chicago Street (formerly known as State Route (SR) 312) through Hammond from South Brainard Avenue, on the Indiana border with Illinois, to White Oak Avenue, at the eastern limits of the City of Hammond. The entire length of the proposed project is approximately 2.1 miles. Former SR 312 coincides with three separate streets as it traverses the project study area, including Gostlin Street, Sheffield Avenue, and Chicago Street. The project limits, from west to east, begin at the intersection of Gostlin Street and South Brainard Avenue and continue east along Gostlin Street to the intersection of Gostlin Street and Sheffield Avenue, where the project study area continues south along Sheffield Avenue to the intersection of Sheffield Avenue and Chicago Street. At this intersection, the project study area turns east along Chicago Street to the study area’s eastern terminus at the intersection of Chicago Street and White Oak Avenue.
The western end of the proposed project corridor is currently a two-lane roadway. Travelling east along the corridor, the roadway remains two lanes until the intersection of Gostlin Street and Sheffield Avenue, where a left-turn lane is provided for both eastbound and westbound traffic. Turning south, Sheffield Avenue is a two-lane facility. No left-turn lane is provided at the intersection of Sheffield Avenue and Chicago Street. Turning east onto Chicago Street from Sheffield Avenue, Chicago Street is a two-lane facility with striped on-street parking along both sides of the roadway up to its intersection with Calumet Avenue, where both left- and right-turn lanes are provided for eastbound and westbound traffic. East of Calumet Avenue, Chicago Street becomes a four-lane roadway with two eastbound and two westbound travel lanes and striped on-street parking along both sides of the roadway through to the end of the project study area. Left-turn lanes are provided for both eastbound and westbound traffic at the intersection of Chicago Street and Columbia Avenue.
The proposed project will include improvements to the existing roadway, including new pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, storm sewers, roadway lighting, and new traffic signals. Several alternatives are currently being evaluated. The current proposed project includes realignment of Gostlin Street between the Indiana/Illinois state line and Sheffield Avenue, leaving the current alignment of Gostlin Street as a local access road between Clark Avenue and Wabash Avenue. The intersection of Sheffield Avenue and Gostlin Street will be shifted to the southwest and become a roundabout. Sheffield Avenue will be slightly realigned, and the intersection of Sheffield Avenue and Chicago Street will be realigned to eliminate the 90 degree turn. The intersection of Hohman Avenue and Chicago Street will also become a roundabout. Additionally, Chicago Street between Hohman Avenue and Torrence Avenue will be widened to accommodate these improvements. Intersection improvements are also proposed at Johnson Avenue, Pine Avenue, and Columbia Avenue.
This project is being proposed to improve safety, reduce congestion, repair deteriorated infrastructure, and maintain the east-west travel corridor for truck traffic. It is anticipated that new permanent right-of-way will be acquired from residential, commercial, park, and industrial properties.
The proposed project is anticipated to be constructed in two phases with Phase I extending from Brainard Avenue to Calumet Avenue and Phase II extending from Calumet Avenue to White Oak Avenue. It is anticipated that Phase I will be let in July 2015 with Phase II being let in September 2016. Estimated construction costs as of September 2011 were $16 million with 80 percent of this total being provided by federal funding and 20 percent coming from local funding. Maintenance of traffic during construction will be coordinated with the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the City of East Chicago, and the City of Hammond.
Initial investigations, including an assessment of potential hazardous materials sites, historic resources, land use, and ecological resources have been completed. Several sites along the project corridor contain hazardous materials and will be further investigated. One property, the Polish Army Veterans’ Post No. 40 located at 241 Gostlin Street, was recommended as eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its association with the ethnic and military heritage of the Hammond Polish community. Additionally, the project traverses Census Tracts containing both low income and minority populations identified as meeting the criteria for an Environmental Justice population. An Environmental Assessment is being prepared for this project and will be completed in 2013.
This notice is published in compliance with Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 771.111(h) entitled “Early Coordination, Public Involvement and Project Development,” and the Indiana Public Involvement Manual, approved by the Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation, on August 16, 2012.
Please direct any questions or comments concerning this project to Christine Meador, American Structurepoint, Inc., 7260 Shadeland Station, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256. Contact Ms. Meador at (317) 547 5580, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
In accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act,” if you have a disability for which the City of Hammond would need to provide accommodations pertaining to the accessibility to program documents and participation at the public meeting, or if you are a person of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring assistance pertaining to accessing project documents and participating at the public meeting venue, contact Christine Meador at American Structurepoint, Inc., 7260 Shadeland Station, Indianapolis, Indiana 46256, (317) 547 5580, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the project website at GoChicagoStreet.com.
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Stop the Tax Rally

A stop the tax rally was held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point last night, as Lake County sits on the threshold of approving a one-and-a-half percent local income tax.
The tax has gotten preliminary approval, and there's word today that the Lake County Council may hold a special meeting this Monday to consider it again, and if approved, it would then go before the county commissioners for a vote.
Kim Krull, lead organizer of Lake County Taxpayers Against Additional Taxation, the group behind Monday evening's rally in Crown Point, told our Jay Stevens earlier she believes the tax would have a ripple effect on local businesses.
Lake is the only county without one, and for years its property tax levy was frozen because of it. Legislation was just approved lifting that freeze.
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Valpo Woman in Critical Condition After Motorcycle Crash

A Valparaiso woman is listed in critical condition at last check after a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in LaPorte County. Authorities report a 65 year old LaPorte man did not see the motorcycle, and turned into its path at the intersection of U-S 421 and State Road 2 near Westville. 40 year old Angie Oaks was a passenger on the motorcycle and was reportedly airlifted to a South bend hospital today for her injuries, while the driver of the motorcycle, 44 year old Barry Frey, also of Valparaiso, was taken to a Michigan City hospital with less severe injuries. Neither were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
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HIghland PD Accepting Unwanted Drugs, Guns, and Ammo

The Highland Police Department reports they collected 503-pounds of old or unwanted prescription drugs and other medications on Saturday, in participation with the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day campaign. Highland Police says if you missed out, they, along with many other local area police departments, will accept any prescription drugs and medications on a permanent basis, as well as any unwanted guns and ammunition. All information for either items will remain confidential.
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