A sign of the times in Crown Point -- questions over signage. With more and more requests for signs, and changes to existing ones, city planners are taking a new look at their local laws governing sign size and placement and brightness and, even what constitutes a sign itself. The city is also pondering the possibility of reducing the amount of space between billboards.
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A Ball State University study says more than half of Hoosier smokers tried to kick the habit and stopped smoking for at least one day in the past year in their attempt to quit. The report, “The Burden of Adult Smoking in Indiana 2012” shows Indiana with the 7th highest smoking rate in the nation. Over a quarter of the adult population were identified as smokers, with the highest percentage per age group being 25 to 44 year olds. Data show 97-hundred people in Indiana died and four-point-seven billion dollars was spent on annual health and other economic costs as a result of tobacco use in 2010.
For more info, visit http://cms.bsu.edu/-/media/WWW/DepartmentalContent/GlobalHealth/PDF/040413v2BurdenofSmokingIN2012.pdf
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April 15 has arrived -- Tax Day.  The Indiana Department of Revenue says filing online is the fastest and easiest way to make sure your return gets processed quickly. Indiana has a free method for filing both your state and federal taxes. It's Indiana freefile. About 1 million Hoosiers qualify for this free service. Go to www.freefile.dor.in.gov  to find out if you qualify.
You can hear more about tax day and filing your state taxes at News Audio on Demand here at our website, from an interview with Chetrice Mosley with the Indiana Department of Revenue.
If you're not going to make the April 15 deadline, you state officials say you will need to file an extension of time to file. Here's more info:
To file an extension, first determine whether you are going to owe state taxes, receive a refund or break even. If you are going to owe taxes:
Download Form IT-9 from the state's income tax form list.
Figure how much you owe and mail your payment with the IT-9.
Pay at least 90 percent of the tax you are going to owe.
You will have until June 17 to file your return along with the rest of your payment.
Note: Penalties for late filing are waived, but you will still be liable for interest accrued or any unpaid amount.
If you are not going to owe taxes and will receive a refund or break even, you will need to keep the following in mind:
If you have filed for a federal extension of time to file (IRS Form 4868), then you won't need an additional extension for Indiana filing purposes. A federal extension of time to file extends your filing period with Indiana to November 15.
If you don't have a federal extension, complete Form IT-9, get it postmarked by April 15 and file your tax return by June 17.
Even if you owe no tax liability, you still must file. You can still be charged late filing penalties if you don't file on time.
If you are in the military, Indiana has special filing considerations. The Indiana Department of Revenue's Information Bulletin #27 provides details about extensions, taxability of income, deductions and a range of information for those serving in the military. If you or your spouse is serving in a combat zone, this bulletin has tax information specific to your situation. You can also visit www.in.gov/dor/4734.htm  for helpful information for military personnel.
The Department of Revenue offers a short video to help taxpayers understand how to file an extension. To watch the video, please visit www.in.gov/dor/4844.htm.
And for more information about filing an extension of time to file, visit www.in.gov/dor/4736.htm
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Indiana Governor Mike Pence will join Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, Senate President Pro Tem David Long, House Speaker Brian Bosma, Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath today// Monday to sign career education bills, SB 465 and HB 1002, which both passed with unanimous, bipartisan support from the Senate and House.
Senate Bill 465 is the Indiana Works Council bill designed to boost vocational education. House Bill 1002, the Indiana Career Council bill, is meant to better coordinate the state's job skills and training systems with what's being sought in today's workforce.
Last week, Governor Pence signed nearly three dozen bills into law, including a measure that increases the fine for illegal parking in a handicapped spot from fifty to one-hundred dollars... and SB 153, which would exempt a child who is employed or works as a youth athletic program referee, umpire, or official from the state's child labor law.
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A new 45-dollar fee is popping up on Spring property tax bills for many residents of Lake County. A measure, signed into law last year, establishes a new annual fee for property owners who live in the watershed of the Little Calumet River and Burns Waterway in Lake County, meant to fund maintenance and repairs of river levees to protect residents and businesses from floodwaters. The fee is 90-dollars for agricultural land, 180 for commercial property, and 360-dollars for industrial or public utilities. House Bill 1264 also established a new Little Calumet River Basin Project Advisory Board to oversee repairs, and required the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission to expand its membership from five to nine.
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Indiana State Police say alcohol is believed to be a factor in a single-vehicle rollover crash on I-65 just south of the 15^th Avenue exit in Gary Saturday night that critically injured the driver. Troopers say 27-year-old Jennelle Taylor of Gary was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle, which police say rolled over four to five times. Authorities say there was no one else inside the car.
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Late Sunday night, the Lake County Coroners office says a Dolton man died at a Hammond hospital after suffering multiple gunshot wounds at his Dolton apartment. Officials identified the homicide victim as 27-year-old Keith Daniels, and Dolton Police are investigating.
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With Spring here and more people out jogging or bike riding, Indiana State Police are warning Hoosiers to beware of meth lab trash that can include things like battery casings, zip style plastic bags, empty blisters pack and containers like pop bottles that contain a granular material.
The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section says the trash may contain chemicals that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, and acidic. The combination of these chemicals could cause an explosion, fire or burns if they come into direct contact with the skin. Police say “meth cooks” use a variety of containers to manufacture the drug, a popular one being a half gallon gas can. Troopers say the cans appear to be new and have been found along the roadside by unknowing people who believe that they have found a new gas can and end up with a working meth lab.
Sergeant Mike Toles and Master Trooper Andy Smith, Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section, have identified some points for the public to keep in mind.
• Meth cooks are using a variety of containers to manufacture their product. A popular container is the one and a half gallon gas can. These cans appear to be new and have been found along the roadside by unknowing people who believe that they have found a new gas can and end up with a working meth lab.
• Other Items to be aware of include battery casings, Ziploc style bags, empty blister packs, and containers (pop-bottles, jars, etc.) that contain a granular material. They may or may not have a tube extending out of the top depending on whether it is a hydrochloric gas generator (HCL) or a one pot reaction. Both of these are extremely hazardous.
• Be aware of any type of cylinder found in an odd place (middle of a field, ditch line, wooded area) that has a modified valve. The valve will typically be modified in some way and will have a bright blue color to it. These cylinders are used to store or transport anhydrous ammonia, which is an extremely dangerous gas when direct contact or inhalation has occurred.
If someone comes across this type of trash, they should not handle it. Instead, contact your local  Indiana State Police Post or call Indiana State Police toll-free (800) 552-0976 (Indiana only). Any questions or concerns about meth can be directed to the Meth Suppression Section at (877) 855-METH or online at www.meth.in.gov.
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Saturday, April 13th

4:00 p.m. - *Kankakee Valley vs. Thea Bowman

7:00 p.m. - *Bishop Noll vs. Lowell

Monday, April 15th

4:30 p.m. - *Lake Station vs. River Forest

Tuesday, April 16th

4:30 p.m. - *West Side vs. Gavit

Wednesday, April 17th

6:30 p.m. - *North Newton vs. South Newton

Friday, April 19th

4:30 p.m. - *Lew Wallace vs. Roosevelt

7:30 p.m. - *East Chicago vs. MC Marquette

Saturday, April 20th

1:00 p.m. - *Michigan City vs. Boone Grove

4:00 p.m. - *Chesterton vs. Griffith

7:00 p.m. - *Victory Christian vs. Calumet Christian

Tuesday, April 23rd 

7:30 p.m. - *Hales Franciscan vs. St. Patrick

*indicates home team
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On July 19th, 2012 Katherine Atkins was negotiating a curve while traveling east on Joliet Road in rural La Porte County, when the vehicle was suddenly struck by a westbound vehicle.  As a result of the crash, Ms. Atkins was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Three children inside Ms. Atkins vehicle were injured as a result of the crash. The other vehicle was found to be driven by Mr. John MIKLE.  Initial responding Deputies from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office at the crash scene activated the newly developed La Porte County FACT (Fatal Alcohol Crash Team). 

An ongoing investigation by FACT members determined that Mr. MIKLE had an extremely high level of the drugs of PCP and Marijuana in his bodily system at the time of the crash.  In August, an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. MIKLE for the offenses of Operating While Intoxicated, causing a death and serious bodily injury.  It was determined that Mr. MIKLE had fled the area.  The assistance of the United States Marshals was solicited who subsequently located Mr. MIKLE within a relatively short amount of time in South Bend, Indiana.
 

Based upon the extensive investigation of FACT, a guilty plea was entered by
Mr. MIKLE. Mr. MIKLE pled guilty to Operating While Intoxicated, B-Felony, and two counts of Operating While Intoxicated D-Felony.  On April 11th, 2013, in the La Porte County Circuit Court, Mr. John Mikle was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Thomas Alevizos.  Mr. MIKLE was sentenced to a total of sixteen (16) years in the Indiana Department of Corrections.  Mr. MIKLE will serve twelve (12) years with four years suspended.  Mr. MIKLE was remanded back to the custody of the La Porte County Sheriff.

The conclusion of this case is a significant event for La Porte County FACT due to its recent establishment.  La Porte County FACT is grant funded by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and is overseen and monitored by the Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving.  
 
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