Pickets in Peotone at a meeting on the proposed Illiana Expressway last night during an open house coordinated by the Illinois Depatment of Transportation and Indiana Department of Transportation. Residents were expressing concern that the proposed east-west highway between I-65 in Lake County and I-55 in Illinois would cut them off from certain routes. A concern over access roads has been voiced in Lowell, too. There's another Tier Two public meeting open house scheduled this week, and it'll be at Lowell Middle School, 19250 Cline Avenue, Thursday, April 18, 2013 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  Lowell Town Council President Edgar Corns talks about this issue, and other community topics, in a recent Region Newsmakers interview that can be heard online here at our website.
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Read more: Pickets at Peotone Illiana Meeting

Emergency managers like Director of Porter County Emergency Management Russell Shirley stress the importance of being vigilant, all the time, in light of the deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon Monday.    "When you're there, you're having a good time, you're not thinking about that kind of stuff," Shirley said. "What you need to do is be more aware of your surroundings. The adage now is, 'If you see something, say something', and that's obviously never been more true. If you see something suspicious, say something to somebody -- let us know that you see something suspicious because the public really is the 'eyes and ears'." Shirley says the public is going to see more than what the police, or the fire, ems, emergency responders are going to see.  You can hear more of our interview with Russell Shirley at News Audio on Demand here at our website.
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Read more: PC EMA Director Says Stay Alert

The discovery in a rural area of northwest Indiana of a body described as severely decomposed has turned into a homicide investigation. Porter County Sheriffs Police say an autopsy Tuesday showed the adult male suffered an apparent gunshot wound, and revealed that the victim was white or Hispanic. Authorities say the body was found in a drainage ditch near County Roads 500 West and 1000 South in Boone Township, south of Hebron, and anyone with information or who may have seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to call Porter County Sheriffs Police Commander Jeff Biggs at 219-477-3141.  Anonymous tips can be phoned into WeTip at 1-800-782-7463. Police say WeTip offers up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of any suspects involved.
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Read more: Body Found Now Homicide Case

A Highland woman is among the more than 170 people injured in the Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people. Beth Roche was taken to the hospital for her injuries. She was in Boston to see her daughter, Rebecca Roche, participate in the race. Rebecca Roche says she crossed the finish line about thirty or sixty seconds before the two bombs went off and says her mother and some friends were injured  in the impact, and are recovering from surgery for broken bones.
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Read more: Lake Co Woman Hurt in Boston Bombings

(Pierre Greer, Photo Courtesy of Michigan City PD)
Police in Michigan City say two subjects have been taken off the Michigan City Top Ten Most Wanted List, as they have been recently apprehended. Officials say Denquise Hart, who was wanted on a probation revocation for receiving stolen property is now in custody, and on Tuesday, police arrested Demetrius Howell without incident, who was wanted for escape and several other failure to appear warrants. Of course this now opens up two spots on the top ten list, which Michigan City Police say is now held by 26 year old Pierre Greer, of Chicago, wanted for felony forgery and identity deception. The other subject added to the list is 33 year old Beecil Minley, of Michigan City, wanted on a felony charge of dealing cocaine.
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Read more: Two MC Top Ten Caught, Two More Added

WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today presented Senator Donnelly of Indiana with the annual Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of pro-jobs, pro-growth policies during the second session of the 112th Congress.
“In the face of high-stakes politics and difficult choices, Senator Donnelly provided America’s job creators with a strong voice in Congress,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “This award recognizes Senator Donnelly for consistently demonstrating his support for pro-growth policies.”
The Chamber’s prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award, in its 25^th year, is given annually to members of Congress based on key business issues outlined in the Chamber publication How They Voted. Members who support the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes qualify to receive the award.
According to the scorecard, Senator Donnelly received a 91% rating with the Chamber this year and collectively holds a 66% ranking during his tenure in Congress.
The Chamber scored Congress on 8 Senate and 12 House votes in 2012, including reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the establishment of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia, and the reauthorization of surface transportation legislation. Also scored were votes to repeal onerous provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, improve the process by which regulations are promulgated, and better secure the United States from cyber threats.
To view a complete list of the 2012 Spirit of Enterprise recipients, please visit www.uschamber.com/soe.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers.
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Read more: Donnelly Receives Annual Spirit of Enterprise Award

(James Baker)

(Michael Baker)

(Jermaine Stanley)
(Photos Courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff's Office)
Three men were arrested today on drug charges as the result of information provided by citizens after raids were conducted by the Lake County Sheriff's Department. Authorities report two raids were conducted in Lake Station where 55 year old James Baker, of Lake Station, was arrested in the 33-hundred block of Minnesota Street and 36 year old Michael Allen Baker, of Lake Station, was arrested in the 33-hundred block of Iowa Street. The Sheriff's Department says the third raid was conducted in Gary, where 40 year old Jermaine Stanley, of Gary, was arrested in the 48-hundred block of Vermont Place. Officials says each face charges of dealing drugs and that drugs were recovered at the scene of each arrest.
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Read more: 3 Arrested on Drug Charges in Lake County After Raids

(Photos Courtesy of the LaPorte Police Department)
A 42 year old South Bend man has been charged with felony theft after exiting the LaPorte Walmart early Monday morning with a laptop computer he failed to pay for. LaPorte Police says Brian Kull was witnessed running to a van by a employee, that fled east out of the parking lot. Police say the employee notified a reserve officer, who then notified police of the suspected vehicle, and followed it until police could intercept it, at State Road 2 East and 900 East. Police say the driver of the suspected vehicle, 45 year old Dianna Krull, of Mishawaka, was also taken into custody and charged with aiding, inducing, or causing an offense, a Class D felony.
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Read more: Pair Caught After Pursuit for Theft from LaPorte Walmart

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced today that Hoosier first responders are training today and tomorrow to react to the aftermath of an explosion similar to the incident at the Boston Marathon on Monday. Officials says over 30 students are participating in medical preparedness and response to bombing incidents at a course at the Brownsburg Fire Territory, which is designed to give public safety professionals the necessary knowledge needed following a bombing incident.
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Read more: Responders Training to Handle Explosion Aftermath

Police in Maywood, Illinois, have confirmed a child abduction that took place today at 6^th and Main in Maywood. An Amber Alert has been issued for Bryeon Hunter, a one-year old, black male, described as two-feet tall, weighing 30-pounds, wearing a two-toned blue stripe long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, blue and brown Nike boots, and that he was last seen by his mother at 2:15 this afternoon. Maywood Police described the suspected vehicle as a black two-door car with tinted windows. Authorities say three Hispanic male suspects were in vehicle, one described as a heavy-set, bald, and with a patch of hair in the back, while the other two are described as stocky. Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1.
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Read more: Child Abduction in Maywood, Illinois