Washington, D.C.— Senator Joe Donnelly spoke with Indiana media today about the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the Senate.  VAWA, which Donnelly co-sponsored, passed with bipartisan support of 78 senators including Indiana’s Senior Senator, Dan Coats.
“The FBI estimates that a rape occurs in Indiana every five hours,” said Donnelly.  “That is a tragedy, and we owe the survivors of rape, sexual assault, and stalking our full support and protection.  Last year, this bill failed...

A crash on the Borman had eastbound traffic backed to the Indiana/Illinois state line. The right 2 lanes of eastbound I-80/94 are, at last check, closed near Indianapolis Blvd due to a crash. Expect delays as you travel eastbound on I-80/94 near mile 2.2. Also, all lanes of westbound I-80/94 were moving very slowly near Burr St due to heavy traffic. Expect delays as you travel westbound on I-80/94 near mile 7.6.
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(Photo Courtesy of the Times)

Sentencing is scheduled for March 22^nd for a 27 year old Highland man found guilty today of murdering his live-in girlfriend. The Times reports a Lake County jury returned the guilty verdict on Douglas Smith, in the death of 28 year old Jacqueline Williams, on January 14^th, 2012, in their Highland apartment, after deliberating less than three-hours. The Lake County Prosecutor's Office reports Smith faces anywhere from 45 to 65 years in prison.

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(Photo Courtesy of the Lake County Coroner's Office)
The Lake County Coroner's Office is once again seeking your help in locating the family of 63 year old Gary man, who died at Methodist Hospital, Northlake, in Gary, on January 12. The Coroner's Office reports Vincent Lamont Demus was a black male, six-feet tall, weighing 250-pounds, with no tattoos or scars, balding, with a receding salt and pepper hairline, and had a goatee. Authorities says Vincent Lamont Demus, whose last known address was...

The Crown Point Board of Public Works and Safety today voted three-to-nothing to suspend a police officer with pay, pending his termination, regarding the results of an investigation into the officer's handling of a police chase in May of 2012. The Times reports Officer James Poling in October submitted his resignation, after learning the results of the investigation, and in December, applied for an early separation incentive from the city, worth 13-thousand-200 dollars, which the city...

City of Gary Launches Social Media Contest "How Do You Love Gary?"
 
Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of this “Day of Love,” Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and the City of Gary social media team are launching an exciting online contest called “How Do You Love Gary?” The City of Gary is looking for the citizen with the most Love for Gary! Upload your video nominating yourself or someone you know for the chance to have lunch with Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. Winners will also receive a FREE “I Love Gary...

(Photo Courtesy of Portage Twp YMCA)
The Senior Program Director of the Portage Township Y-M-C-A, is among 27 executives from youth organizations across Indiana selected for the 2013 Executive Journey Fellowship. The Executive Journey Fellowship provides Indiana's youth workers greater opportunities to bring meaning to their lives and make stronger commitments to the field of youth work. Amber Alexander completed her first leg of the journey last week in Terre Haute, saying she made a lot of...

[Photo/Indiana State Police]
Indiana State Police say a semi rolling over this morning in Gary caused the contents -- approximately 40-thousand pounds of plywood -- to smolder. Troopers say the vehicle was on the I80/94 eastbound to I65 southbound ramp, and a prelminary investigation showed the rig was changing lanes when it went out of control and tipped over, and as the semi, hauling a rail container, slid against the concrete barrier wall for about six-hundred feet, the friction caused the...

(Daniel Wright, Marcus Sharod Harris/Photos from Schererville Police] Authorities say two Chicago men –who are in custody in La Porte County – have been charged with an armed robbery in Lake County at the T Mobile Cellular on US 41 in Schererville last month. Schererville Police say a customer and five employees were ordered to the back of the store and held at gunpoint while one of the suspects filled a large duffel bag with cellular phones. Police say the female customer was kicked by one of t...

[Courtesy INDOT cameras]
http://pws.trafficwise.org/ipws/nw/index.html
The Indiana Department of Transportation reports the ramp of eastbound Interstate 80/94 is closed near Interstate 65 due to a crash.  INDOT is urging motorists to seek alternate routes traveling eastbound on 80/94 (Borman Expressway) near mile marker 11.0 in the Gary area.
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