Schererville Police have issued a news release regarding the Northwest Regional SWAT Team being called out earlier this week. Police say they got a report of someone holding another person at gunpoint in the 15-hundred block of Demeter Drive, and authorities say a language barrier later became an issue as officers could only determine that a male son had come over with a gun and taken his brother. When officers went to the son's house and were unable to make contact with anyone inside, but...

Police in Munster were reportedly investigating a so-called "sexting" case involving about a dozen high school students. The Times has reported that school officials have not confirmed anything, but that several students are facing possible suspension over partially nude photos that may have been sent via cell phone.
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The issue of gun violence part of last night's State of the Union Address as President Obama, in the final minutes of his speech, called on Congress to at least call a vote on gun control. Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says an upcoming two-state gun summit in her city this week, scheduled after getting a call from Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart in Illinois, is also a result of efforts with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and mayors across the country, and Mayor Freeman-Wilson, in an initiative...

Lake County is the only county of 92 in Indiana without a local option income tax – the Lake County Council is taking another look at that option... and a possible so-called “wheel tax” as ways to generate funds. Today's Times reports the county is having Indiana University analyze tax-wise what's available, given the county's property tax freeze that came about because Lake County has not adopted the local income tax. A wheel tax, meanwhile, could be a flat tax or based on a percentage of a veh...

Griffith is one-step closer to possibly being able to leave Calumet Township, after the Indiana House today approved the House Bill 15-85. The Times reports the Northwest delegation vote was split, with six representatives voting “yes”, and seven voting “no”. A recent investigation by the Times found that each year, Calumet Township spends 45-million dollars on administration to distribute 64-million in relief to the poor, which reportedly is the highest proportion of any Indiana township. The l...

A bill to make buyers more aware of vehicles previously used as mobile meth labs has passed the full Senate, and now heads to the House for further consideration. Senate Bill 277, co-authored by Democratic Senator Jim Arnold, of LaPorte, would require sales persons who have knowledge of vehicle's use in methamphetamine production to disclose that information, in writing, prior to the sale, while those who are unaware will not be held responsible. Those who fail to comply may face civil action,...

A 41 year old Gary woman was charged in an indictment with embezzlement and theft of funds of a labor union. The U-S Attorney's Office announced that Tracey Tigner had an indictment returned on February 7^th, which was unsealed today in Hammond. Tigner is accused of embezzlement and theft from the Painters District Council 91 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, as the result of an investigation by the U-S Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, as well as by the...

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning is developing a revised Public Participation Plan, updating the Participation Plan that was adopted in 2007.  The new Plan reflects NIRPC’s continuing commitment to reach out to and engage residents in the regional planning and decision-making processes relative to NIRPC’s three planning domains of transportation, economic development and the environment.  The Plan has been in development for over 8 months, with the advice and guidance of a Task Force...

Crown Point Fire-Rescue is looking for some volunteers. The City's website reports the fire department is accepting applications for a volunteer firefighter. Those interested must be at least 18 years old, be a resident of Crown Point or Center Township, able to pass a medical and physical exam, have a valid driver's license, with a good driving record, complete an intensive training program, and submit to a background check. Applications, which are due by February 15^th, at 4pm, can be found at...

A new police station could be in store for Highland. The Times reports the Highland Town Council Monday night approved authorizing two professional appraisals of a property on the 33-hundred block of Ridge Road, which could potentially clear the way for a new police station, since this acquisition would clear the land from the Town Hall west to Cottage Grove Avenue. Published reports say town officials will revisit a 2003 study which laid out plans for a new station, measuring about 26-thousand...