(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
A 27 year old Michigan City man today had 50 years added to his prison sentence. The Times reports last month, Aaron Windom plead guilty to murder in the shooting death of a 17 year old Gary man that took place in February of 2011. Published reports say Windom is already serving a 20 year sentence for a shooting incident that reportedly took place two days prior to that incident, and a judge has ordered the sentences be served consecutively.
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STATEHOUSE (April 24, 2013) — A bill authored by State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) to improve health-care access for Indiana’s rural residents gained final legislative approval today. 
Senate Bill 554 would require the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning to reimburse health-care providers for telehealth and telemedicine services offered to Medicaid recipients. Telehealth and telemedicine services use telecommunications and information technology to provide remote access to health assessment, diagnosis and information. Becker lauded the legwork from both houses in the bill’s final legislative passage.
“I appreciate the hard work and support that has gone into this bill, from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Providing health care to rural residents through telehealth and telemedicine services enhances both the quality and availability of medical care,” Becker said. “This bill is a common-sense measure that enables medical providers to utilize new technology to increase overall health-care access for Indiana residents.”
SB 554 now heads to the governor to be signed into law.
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The Porter County Council on Tuesday granted Aldi a new ten-year tax abatement for a proposed 100-thousand square-foot expansion of its existing facility. The Times reports the addition would bring with it around 15 new jobs. Meanwhile, a proposed TIF at the northwest corner of Route 6 and State Road 49, which would reportedly include Porter Regional Hospital, had county council members differing on the best way to proceed, according to the article.
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Gary Police are investigating a stabbing incident Monday afternoon in the 54 hundred block of West 25^th Avenue. Lt. Del Stout says a 21 year old employee of the Cricket store sustained deep cuts on his face, cheeks, both legs, and to his left arm, after a suspect, wearing blue hat with a dark hood pulled over it, pulled a knife, and demanded “everything.” Lt. Stout says the incident occurred around 2:30pm Monday, and the suspect, who had acted like he was going to buy a phone prior to the stabbing, fled the scene on foot. Police say they are checking to see if this incident is related to a similar incident on April 18^th at an adult bookstore, also located in the 54 hundred block of West 25^th Avenue. Anyone with information is ask to contact the Gary Police Department.
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Flood warnings continue for the Kankakee River affecting parts of the region with minor to moderate flooding. The National Weather Service reports the Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge was over two-feet above flood stage as of this morning, with the river there expected to change little in the next 24 hours causing secondary roads near the river to flood. Near Kouts, the river was almost two-feet above flood stage as of 9am this morning, and will continue to rise to near 13 feet by tomorrow morning, which could cause some county roads in that area to begin to be affected by high water. The river at Shelby is expected to rise just over 12-feet by early tomorrow, three-feet above flood stage, bring the river closer to spilling over part of U.S. 41.
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INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said consumers should dispose of any unwanted medications during National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27.
Expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications and over-the-counter solid dosage medications such as tablets and capsules will be accepted. Drop-off locations across the state will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
"National Drug Take-Back Day gives consumers an opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets of old or unwanted prescription drugs and dispose of them safely,” Zoeller said. “This effort is especially important if you have children in your home that can access these drugs and potentially misuse or abuse them.”
Zoeller said residents need to be aware of the proper way to dispose of unwanted medicines and not flush them down the toilet or throw them away – which can pose possible safety and health risks.
“Prescription drug abuse continues to be a significant problem. Last year again, more people died from prescription drug abuse than from automobile accidents,” said Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Dennis Wichern, who’s responsible for DEA’s operations in Indiana. “The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day campaign is an important first step in keeping prescription drugs out of the hands of those who may misuse them, as well as helping to raise the public’s awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.”
In the five previous take-back events, DEA in conjunction with state, local and tribal law enforcement partners collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications.
Consumers can find a location by visiting www.dea.gov or by calling 1.800.882.9539. Intravenous solutions, needles and illicit substances like marijuana or methamphetamines will not be accepted.
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The Griffith Police Department in conjunction with the Alsip Illinois Police Department served a search warrant at a residence in Alsip. and a subject was taken into custody for questioning in the kidnapping and murder of Griffith businesswoman Mary Austgen. Investigators say they are continuing to follow up on all other leads and other possible suspects. No further information is available at this time and no charges have been filed. Griffith and Gary Police are investigating, together with the FBI, ATF, and Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force. Earlier this week police announced a $10,000 reward was being offered as authorities were seeking tips in identifying a suspect or suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Austgen, who was found at a parking garage at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary with a fatal gunshot wound shortly after 2 am on March 29^th.
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Tom Liutkus of Travel Centers of America (left), chats with Parks Superintendent Lori Peterson Latham (3rd right) and Workforce Development Liaison Cynthia Pruitt immediately following the jobs press conference. Latham is inviting Travel Centers of America to participate in the upcoming Youth Job Fair on May 3rd .[Photo provided]
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson today announced job opportunities for adults and youth. The city's New Jobs New Day initiative and Work One Northwest Indiana, together with TravelCenters of America will hold a series of job fairs beginning April 29 for 160 full- and part-time positions, including cashiers, deli clerks, mechanics and more at the new Petro Stopping Center at the Grant Street exit of the Borman Expressway. The facility is scheduled to open in late May.
Also, Gary Park Superintendent Lori Peterson Latham announced a Youth Job Fair, for ages 14 to 23, May 3rd at the Genesis Convention Center featuring employers from throughout Northwest Indiana hiring for summer jobs.
“No matter where I travel inside or out of the city, I am consistently asked about our efforts to bring jobs to Gary,” said Freeman-Wilson. “We continue to work at building partnerships with employers, and today is one of those where I am pleased to announce some tangible job opportunities right here in our city.”
Five job fairs will be held from April 29 - May 7 to provide ample time for the selection and training process prior to the opening of the new Petro center. Positions to be filled include cashiers, deli workers, fuel island attendants and porters (janitorial services) for Petro’s Travel Store and fuel business; mechanics and advisors for the Petro:Lube truck service facility; servers, cooks, cashiers and dishwashers for the Iron Skillet® full-service restaurant; crew members and crew leads for the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut quick-service restaurants; and wireless sales associates for the on-site Verizon kiosk.
Job fairs will be held at the following locations and times. Applicants should bring a current resume with them to the job fair.

• Work One Gary, 3522 Village Circle (former Village Shopping Center), Gary, IN 46408
  • Monday, April 29, 5 - 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 30, 5 - 8 p.m.
  • Monday, May 6, 5 - 8 p.m.
  • Monday, May 13, 5 - 8 p.m.

• TA Travel Center, 2510 Burr St., Gary, IN  46406
  • Tuesday, May 7, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Applicants can also apply for positions online at www.indianacareerconnect.com or www.myPETROjob.com, or by phone at (888) 673-8765.  Both full- and part-time employees of Petro have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of healthcare benefits, as well as short-term disability, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement savings plan.  TravelCenters is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
A Youth Job Fair will be held Friday, May 3 from 3:00p.m. – 7:00p.m., Genesis Convention Center in downtown Gary. A host of employers from throughout Northwest Indiana will be on-site ready to interview applicants.  Youth ages 14 to 23 who are Gary residents are invited to interview with potential employers for summer employment. Attendees are encouraged to bring at least 20 copies of their resume. For youth who do not have a resume, Job Ready Workshops have been scheduled April 27 – May 2 daily from 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. Call (219) 886-7099 to reserve an appointment.
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Region residents are urged to never provide any information to an unknown caller and never tell someone you're home alone. Valparaiso Police say a resident on Chicago Street Tuesday morning reported getting a telephone call saying she' won two-and-a-half-million dollars, and asking if she was home alone, telling her he would be there within twenty-five minutes with her 'winnings'. The male caller then proceeded to ask if she could come up with $250 for "insurance" When the female advised she could not, the caller asked if she could come up with $100 instead. Police responded, and the male subject never arrived.
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[Photo from Hoosier Lottery]
 When Ira Zimmer of Schererville presented Hoosier Lottery officials with a $200,000 winning Mix & Match ticket he knew exactly what he was going to do with his winnings.
"I'm going to take my mother to Hawaii," said Zimmer.  "She's 96 and it's the only state she hasn't been to. I'm a history buff so I'd like to see Pearl Harbor."
Zimmer, an assistant principal at River Forest Junior-Senior High School in Hobart Township, matched five numbers on one line in the April 12 Mix & Match drawing to win the game's $200,000 top prize.  He purchased his lucky ticket at Cline Avenue Food Mart at 800 E. Hwy 330 in Schererville. He claimed his prize at Hoosier Lottery Headquarters April 23. Before Zimmer packs his swim trunks and Hawaiian shirts and heads to our 50th state, he plans to pay off some debt and put away some for retirement.
In fiscal year 2012, the Hoosier Lottery generated $211 million in surplus revenue which was used to significantly reduce the motor vehicle excise tax for all Hoosier drivers and also supported the pension funds for retired Indiana teachers, police and firefighters. Player prizes for the fiscal year totaled $533 million and $60 million was earned by Indiana retailers on the sale of Hoosier Lottery products. The Hoosier Lottery reminds all players to play responsibly.
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