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New Porter County Organization Names It's Leader

Porter County’s new initiative to address substance abuse now has a name and a leader. Heather Harrigan has been named Executive Director of Empower Porter County, a unified organization committed to empowering the community to prevent and overcome substance abuse.

Empower Porter County is a single organization, uniting the efforts of many sectors of the community toward a common goal. “We’re pleased to bring together a coalition of 12 organizations – healthcare, government, education, law enforcement, business, faith-based organizations, youth organizations and more,” said Harrigan. “We’ll be working together to maximize efforts in our county, helping each organization to be even more effective and finding new ways to meet the community’s needs.”

Harrigan brings 25 years of management and public service experience to her new role at Empower Porter County. She most recently served as Director of Marketing and Sales at Prudential Executive Group, one of the region’s most successful real estate organizations. She has also successfully led a nonprofit organization, led alumni affairs at Valparaiso University and served on the boards of directors for several community organizations, including the Porter County Community Foundation, and Pathway Family Center. “I feel a personal interest in the mission of Empower Porter County and look forward to partnering with others to reach our common goal of overcoming substance abuse,” she said.

Empower Porter County is a limited liability organization founded through the Porter County Community Foundation and funded through the generous support of governmental entities, nonprofits and local businesses committed to addressing this important issue. The new organization will initially be housed at the Porter County Community Foundation, 57 Franklin St., in Valparaiso. To learn more, you may contact the Foundation at 219-465-0294.
HeatherHarrigan
Heather Harrigan, Executive Director of Empower Porter County
(photo courtesy of Porter County Community Foundation)
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Scam Protection for Hoosier Military Service Members

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller recently helped launch a legal toolkit to assist state attorneys general in cracking down on those who prey upon military service members.
Zoeller worked with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Consumer Protection Working Group of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force and attorneys general from Kentucky, Illinois and North Carolina to develop the toolkit. The kit outlines issues impacting the military community and how states’ consumer protection officials can effectively combat these types of financial predators and scammers.

“Scammers and illegitimate businesses often target service members and their families because of their steady paychecks and deployments,” Zoeller said. “Issues impacting our military include topics ranging from predatory mortgage lending to auto financing and from GI Bill related scams to identity theft. It’s important that state and federal officials use the resources available to crack down on those who prey on individuals serving our country.”

The toolkit is intended to serve as a guide for relevant statutes and regulations, as well as a platform to discuss best practices and developing trends. Zoeller said his colleagues in offices of state attorneys general nationwide will be better equipped to navigate the diverse issues and complex laws concerning the military community.

"I want to thank Attorney General Zoeller for his efforts to protect our service members from financial predators who attempt to take advantage of those serving our country," said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard. "I also want to encourage every soldier and airman to look closely at the resources available to protect themselves and their families, so they understand situational awareness in the world of finance can be just as important as it is on the battlefield."
Zoeller said there are some important resources available to those in the military to help prevent financial harm including:

Active-Duty Alerts: These alerts can be placed on a service member’s credit report to inform a business it is obtaining information from an individual away on active duty. The alert requires the business to first obtain permission from an authorized third party like a family member or friend before proceeding.

Caps on interest bearing debt: Those on active duty may cap the interest rate on most outstanding loans at 6 percent under the provisions of the Service members Civil Relief Act. To have your interest rate reduced to 6 percent, you must write a letter to each creditor letting them know about your orders and your intent to invoke the 6 percent cap.
Vehicle and property lease terminations: Deployed military members are able to legally terminate some vehicle and property leases. If you are currently leasing a vehicle or home/apartment and wish to terminate your lease, contact the leaseholder and inform them of your deployment.
Foreclosure and eviction relief: Under the Service member Civil Relief Act and the National Mortgage Settlement, service members are granted special relief when facing foreclosure. For example, a person may be able to obtain a “stay” or temporarily delay in a foreclosure or other civil court proceeding if he or she is called up to active duty. In addition, service members have special eligibility for loss mitigation relief such as a modification of their loan or a short sale. Similarly, service members and their families who rent their home may obtain a temporary stay of eviction proceedings while the service member is on active duty.
Atty Gen. Greg Zoeller
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller (file photo)
(photo provided by Jay Stevens)
Military service members can visit www.IndianaConsumer.com/military/ to learn more about resources available to them.
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Tier Two Illiana Corridor Study Public Meeting #1

Based on technical analysis done as part of Tier One Illiana Corridor studies (completed in January 2013) and public comments, Corridor B3 and the No-Action Alternative have been identified and carried forward into the second tier of the project.

IDOT and INDOT and are now hosting open house public meetings regarding Tier Two where the focus will shift from the original broad 952 square-mile study area to the communities, landowners and access needs along the preferred corridor.

The purpose of these meetings is to explain the Tier Two process which includes the refinement of the preferred corridor, interchange locations and layout, and determining overpass and underpass opportunities, environmental analysis and continued stakeholder outreach. IDOT and INDOT will consider your input as the detailed planning process moves forward. The meetings will be an open house format, and interested persons may attend anytime between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. There will be a continuous PowerPoint presentation, and attendees will have the opportunity to view study exhibits and speak with IDOT, INDOT and study team representatives on a one-on-one basis. A question and answer forum will be held at 6:00 p.m. each day.

ILLINOIS
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Peotone High School
605 West North Street
Peotone, IL 60468

INDIANA
Thursday, April 18, 2013
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lowell Middle School
19250 Cline Avenue
Lowell, IN 46356

* The meeting will be accessible to handicapped individuals. Anyone needing specific assistance should contact Sarah Copeland of Images, Inc. at (630) 510-3944. Persons planning to attend who will need a sign language interpreter or other similar accommodations should notify the TTY/TTD number (800) 526-0844/ or 711; TTY users (Spanish) (800) 501-0864/or 711; and for Telebraille dial (877) 526-6670 at least five days prior to the meeting.
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Gary Woman Found Guilty in Boyfriend's 2009 Murder

The fate of a Gary woman on trial for the 2009 shooting death of a man she had been involved with for some time, has been determined. The Times is reporting that it took less than 90-minutes Friday for a Lake County`jury to find 34 year-old Kaneda Kidd guilty of murder. Prosecutors had argued Kidd had opened fire on the victim, 37 year-old Jermaine Ellis, after the couple left a party held by friends in Merrillville.

The defense countered that the shooting was the result of years of domestic abuse. However, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michael Toth said Kidd methodically shot Ellis 10 times.

Kidd will next be sentenced on May 10th, according to the article. Read more at:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/gary-woman-found-guilty-in-boyfriend-s-murder/article_030e52c3-972b-523e-818d-a4806073a24b.html
Kidd

Kaneka Kidd, found guilty Friday, April 4, of murdering her longtime boyfriend in 2009
(photo courtesy of the Times of Northwest Indiana)
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Bridge Work Continues on I-94 Between US-20 SR-49

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces continued lane closures for both northbound and southbound I-94, between U.S. 20 and State Road 49, beginning Monday, April 8th.
The shoulders of I-94 in this area will also be closed. Lane restrictions will continue until the completion of this bridge rehabilitation project in late fall 2013.
An alternative route has been posted for drivers wishing to avoid potential travel delays. Eastbound I-94 traffic may take the U.S. 20 exit and travel east to State Road 49, then south to eastbound I-94. Westbound I-94 traffic may take the State Road 49 exit and travel north to U.S. 20, then west to westbound I-94.
INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest road closures and project updates like us at www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and follow us at www.Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.
You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov. Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT.
Indot Logo color

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Emergency Repairs Continue on Indiana Toll Road

On the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), the eastbound driving lane is closed at Milepost 14-15 until Sunday evening, April 7, while crews repair a joint failure on the Broadway Bridge. Additionally, the repairs will close the eastbound Broadway entry ramp (Milepost 14) from approximately 4 a.m. CST Saturday until 10 p.m. CST Sunday.
According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, The joint failure caused a gap in the roadway, and maintenance crews have been working diligently to correct the issue; however the length of time is greater than first anticipated. During this time, patrons wishing to enter at Broadway will be detoured to Gary East (Milepost 17).
Traffic-Alert
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Police Release New Photos of Casino Murder Suspect

There are new surveillance photos released by police investigating the murder of the 76 year-old Griffith businesswoman, whose body was found inside the passenger-side of her SUV at Gary casino parking lot. The Times is reporting the new photos show the suspec that police believe is the same male subject seen leaving one of the victim's family businesses appearing in security photos walking into the casino.

Additional photos show a black sedan, believed by police to contain the suspect, leaving the casino through the front valet parking area.

According to the article, 76 year-old, Mary Austgen of St. John, was found dead of a gunshot wound inside her vehicle parked in the Majestic Casino garage March 29^th. Both gary and Griffith police continue to investigate the homicide. Anyone who has any information concerning the incident is asked to contact Gary or Griffith police. Read more at:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/st-john/police-uncover-new-clues-in-austgen-slaying/article_db7c8031-0d18-5b12-8981-fafa927e7076.html
surveillance photo
Security photo shows male suspect, holding black bag, entering casino from the parking garage.
(photo courtesy of the Times of Northwest Indiana)
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Investigation Ends Concerning Killer's Father

An investigation into any role the father of convicted murderer Dustin McCowan might have had in the death of Amanda Bach, has ended. Sgt. Larry LaFlower, Public Information Officer of the Porter County Sheriff's Department says his department and the County Prosecutor based their decision to not pursue charges against the father, Ellliot McCowan, because there is no probable cause at this time.
However, Sgt. LaFlower says if new information is received, the investigation could be reopened.
According to an article in the Times, Dustin McCowan was sentenced to the near-maximum 60-years in prison for the Sept 2011 murder of his former Portage girlfriend. Last month the younger the younger McCowan was sentenced after being convicted of shooting Bach during the early morning hours after she showed up at the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father, according to the article.
Read more at:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/no-charges-will-be-filed-against-elliott-mccowan-in-bach/article_4cc8eb8a-2b8d-5081-ace6-12d495e177fc.html

Elliot McCowan rev

Elliot McCowan
(photo courtesy of Times of Northwest Indiana and John Luke)
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Fire Destroys Home in Lake Dale

A suposed empty house that was under rehab burned to the ground Wednesday. At around 12:26 pm. Lake County Police responded to a house fire in the 4700 block of W. 153^rd Avenue in Lake Dale. Upon arrival Officers found the structure to be completely engulfed by fire. An area resident indicated an explosion had been heard just prior to the fire starting. Nothing remains of the residence. Mr. Richard Stone of Cedar Lake is listed as the homeowner.

Detective Michelle Dvorscak and Detective Sgt. Edward Jenkins indicated there was one reported injury resulting from the fire. They are investigating his role in the incident. The male subject that was injured was airlifted from St. Anthony Hospital in Crown Point to Loyola Medical Center. His condition is unknown at this time.

The residence was under rehab, and it is believed there was no one living in the home at the time of this possible arson fire.

This case remains under investigation.
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Call To Hotline Tips Police to Suspected Drug Activity

On Thursday, April 4th, at approximately 12:38 pm, the Lake County Police responded to the residence at 648 New Jersey Street in the Aetna section of Gary reference to information provided on the Lake County Sheriff’s Department Tipline indicating there is suspected drug activity at that location.
Upon arrival at the location, officers discovered the rear door of the residence to be standing open and could not raise any occupants to come to the door. Officers noticed an extremely foul odor coming from the home. Observations made through the open back door included children’s clothing laid throughout the residence. The residence smelled of filth, and observed urine, feces, rat/mouse droppings, and molded food.
Officers entered the building due to the circumstances to secure a possible crime scene. They found no one to be home. Officers located in plain view marijuana and pills. The marijuana field tested positive. A total gross weight of 113.5 grams was confiscated. There was morphine pills along with other prescription medications as well as field test confirmed PCP.
Admitted gang member Daniel P. Thomas was located in the area who indicated he was the occupant of the residence and was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and incarcerated in the Lake County Jail. Contact was made with Code Enforcement for the City of Gary and the Building Commissioner Steven Marcus. Mr. Marcus advised that the residence was inhabitable and ordered the City to board up the residence immediately.
Contact was also made with Lake County Department of Child Services due to the children living in the residence. An investigation will ensue with that agency. An area resident indicated there were at least four children living in the home and other children were brought there for babysitting services.
Sheriff Buncich stated, “We continue to encourage other area residents to call the Hotline. If you see something like this in your neighborhood, please call us and we will see what we can do.” Lake County Sheriff’s Department Tipline telephone number is 1-800-750-2746.
Daniel Thomas Sr

Daniel P. Thomas
(photo provided by Lake County Sheriff's Department
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Lane Restriction Start Monday on US 41 in Newton County

NEWTON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces lane restrictions for U.S. 41 just north of State Road 10, beginning Monday, April 8^th. U.S. 41 will be restricted to one lane in each direction near the project site so crews can install a pipe. All lanes are expected to reopen in early July.
INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest road closures and news from INDOT, “like us” at www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and “follow us” at www.Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.
You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov. Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT
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DNR Grants to Address Invasive Aquatic Vegetation

Department of Natural Resource grants totaling 693-thousand dollars is set to be used to fund the battle against invasive aquatic vegetation in 53 Indiana lake, including a half-dozen in northwest Indiana. Several lakes in LaPorte, Porter, and Starke County will receive DNR grant money, which comes from the LARE fee paid annually by boat owners to the BMV. The DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife reports the projects also provide economic benefits to the associated lake communities by offering increased opportunities for those who fish or pleasure boat.

April, 2013 LARE Invasive Aquatic Vegetation Management Grant Awards
Water body (County)	Project type	Grant award

Bass Lake (Starke)

Aquatic vegetation management treatment

$5,000

City of LaPorte Area Lakes-Clear, Pine, and Stone lakes (LaPorte)