A local state representative will be giving a special speech during the Martin Luther King Day Celebration Commemorative Service at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Democratic State Representative Vernon Smith, of Gary, says the theme of his speech will be, “I Am an American Too”, but that he will deviate from that topic to encourage the spirits of the inmates by sharing bits of wisdom, and things he feels he has been inspired to share with them. The doors for the service at the pri...

Two men accused of shooting a 34 year old Hammond Police officer during an armed bank robbery incident last month were charged in an indictment Wednesday. The U-S Attorney's Office announced 24 year old Brealon Miller Junior and 22 year old David Hardin Junior, were charged with the robbery of BMO Harris Bank and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. The U.S. Attorney's Office also stated that Miller was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm, and that the charges filed...

The Governor's office today announced five inaugural events added up to more than 14-hundred pounds of non-perishable food items for the Midwest Food Bank last weekend. Governor Mike Pence and his wife had asked Hoosiers attending the events to bring donations with them for the food bank. More than 25-hundred dollars was also collected. A news release says thanks to the generosity of people from across the state, Midwest Food Bank can leverage the donations to provide a meal to 25-thousand...

Authorities say a 74-year-old Griffith man was pronounced dead early today after fire broke out at his home in the 400 block of Arbogast. Griffith Fire crews got the call shortly after 2:30 this morning.  The Lake County Coroners office says Maurice Campbell was pronounced dead at his home shortly after 5 am, and Griffith Police, Fire and the State Fire Marshal are investigating.  Griffith Police say there appears to be no indication of foul play.  There is no word on a possible cause at this ti...

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today announced more than four-point-one million dollars in Unclaimed Property was returned to Region residents or former residents of Northwest Indiana last year. Statewide, over 44-million dollars in unclaimed property was reunited with Hoosiers in 2012.... and still, 400-million dollars worth of unclaimed assets remain ... more than 43-million dollars of it in the Region.
Unclaimed property includes investment earnings, insurance proceeds and benefits,...

STATEHOUSE (Jan. 17, 2013) – State Sen. Tom Wyss (R- Fort Wayne) today announced his legislation to protect students while in school moved out of the Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law. Senate Bill 160 passed the committee Tuesday by a vote of 9-0.
Currently, school corporations can request either a national criminal history background check or a background check that searches state records. SB 160 would remove the second option and mandate any prospective school employee to undergo a...

News Release: INDIANAPOLIS— During a press conference Wednesday morning, State Senator Karen Tallian (D-Ogden Dunes) presented her proposal for the implementation of guidelines within the federal Affordable Care Act. Flanked by democrats from both the Indiana Senate and House of Representatives, Sen. Tallian outlined her plan for a state health exchange and expansion of health care to as many as 400,000 more of the state’s residents.
Senate Bill (540) makes provisions for a state-based...

News Release: CLAYTON, Ind. (Jan. 17, 2013) - Gordmans, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMAN), a national apparel and home décor retailer, announced plans today to locate a distribution center here, creating up to 250 new jobs by 2017.
The Omaha, Neb.-headquartered company plans to construct and equip a 545,000 square-foot facility in Hendricks County to support Gordmans' continued growth. The facility will be the company's second distribution center in the Midwest and, including construction and equipment costs,...

Despite a windy day, the ribbon has been cut on the rooftop of Porter County Career and Technical Center completing the latest phase of a student built solar panel collection project.
Along with top management from NIPSCO, including the utility company's president, Kathleen O'Leary, their were faculty members, current and former students at Tuesday's ceremony.  Valparaiso Councilwoman, Jan Dick represented the Valparaiso Redevelopment Corp., which according to the school's principal and...

The Hobart Police Department wants to let you know they are holding a prescription drug take-back program to so you can get rid of expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medication. Police report residents just need to remove all labels and other identifying information from containers before dropping the items off in the drop box installed in their department's lobby, located on the seven-hundred block of East 4^th Street. Police also remind you that syringes and lancets...