DNR awards funding for community tree projects

DNR’s Division of Forestry has awarded $145,365 in federal funds to 11 cities, towns and non-profits in Indiana for urban forestry projects.

The projects include tree inventory and analysis for management planning, emergency response planning, and education and awareness campaigns. Urban forests enhance air and water quality, resulting in improved community health and safety.

Funds for tree inventory and analysis were awarded to: City of...

La Porte County Sheriffs Police say two juveniles, age 14 and 17, are in custody after three cows were shot and killed at a rural La Porte County farm. Deputies responded shortly after 10 pm Wednesday to Scipio Township, where they found three Holstein dairy heifers had been killed, their bodies discovered within fifteen feet from the roadway. Both teenage suspects have been charged with three counts of Killing a Vertebrate Animal, and three counts of Criminal Recklessness, all felonies.

The...

[Photo/Farm Credit Administration]

A former northeastern Indiana congresswoman who once taught at Valparaiso University has been appointed by President Obama to lead the Farm Credit Administration. Jill Long Thompson has been named chairwoman and chief executive officer of the federal agency.

Farm Credit Administration News Release: McLEAN, Va., Nov. 28, 2012 — President Barack Obama has designated Jill Long Thompson Chair and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) effective Nov. 27, 2012. S...

The Indiana DNR has announced a controlled burn today at Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve in Lake County.  Motorists are advised to look for restrictions along Main Street and Kennedy Avenue.  Another controlled burn was conducted at Hoosier Prairie November 19; this one is in a different part of the nature preserve.  The burn is expected to take three to four hours to complete, starting at about 11am or noon today.  Here's news release from the Indiana DNR:

(November 29, 2012) The Department of...

News Release: National Park Service Fire Managers from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore will be finishing the Howes Prairie-Lupine Lane prescribed fire today (Thursday Nov 29 2012). Crews initially attempted to conduct the fire on November 15, but were unable to complete the burning due to unfavorable weather conditions. Fire staff expect to start the 180 acre fire at around 10 am, and be burning into the afternoon. Smoke is expected to be visible from Burns Harbor, Porter, Chesterton and I94.

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Hoosier Lottery officials say the record-setting Powerball run has come to an end with two jackpot-winning tickets sold in Arizona and Missouri, but two tickets sold in Indiana -- one of those in Northwest Indiana -- are worth one-million dollars.  The jackpot winning tickets sold in Arizona and Missouri will split an estimated jackpot of $587.5 million. Here's more in the news release from the Hoosier Lottery this morning:

News Release: November 29, 2012

Record-setting Powerball® run comes to an...

The Indiana BMV this month established a new policy that gives qualified veterans a waiver from from the driver skills test needed for a commercial drivers license. Here's more info:

News Release: [November 28, 2012] INDIANAPOLIS – Thanks to the efforts of State Rep. Chuck Moseley (D-Portage), Hoosier veterans who have gained experience driving trucks and other heavy equipment will have an easier time using those skills to find employment once their military service is completed.

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(Photo courtesy INDOT Northwest)

It's officially winter in the Region when... the salt arrives. Indiana Department of Transportation Northwest tweets their La Porte salt dome received five-hundred tons of salt Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest/status/273885474257530880/photo/1

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An attempt to push a medical marijuana bill to a vote in the Illinois House during the veto session will have to wait until next week. Published reports say while the bill passed the Senate in 2010, it had run into opposition from members of the House, but may now have the necessary votes. Illinois is looking to become the 20^th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, with a proposal for a three-year pilot program, reported to be one of the most restrictive in the...

A special election has been approved by the Illinois House to replace Jesse Jackson Junior in Congress, but the Senate must still approve the bill. The Times reports the House vote was unanimous, and that the election would be held on April 9^th. Published reports say Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has scheduled a primary for Jackson's replacement for February 26^th, and wants the election on April 9^th to coincide with municipal elections to save money, which was approved by the General Assembly,...