Police departments across the Region... including Indiana State Police Lowell Post... Lake, Porter, Newton County Sheriffs Departments... Schererville Police and Valparaiso Police.... just to name a few are joining law enforcement agencies around the country taking part in the Drug Enforcement Administration's 6th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, April 27, 10 am to 2 pm local time. The Drug Enforcement Administration says it's a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
In the five previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. 
To find a dropoff location near you, visit: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/ntbi-pub.pub?_flowExecutionKey=_c68649A82-E101-20E0-2F23-08D417E30217_kB178F636-74CF-105D-4248-0537F61205CE   You can contact the Call Center at 1-800-882-9539 if you require assistance.
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Police in Hammond are warning residents about recent home invasions where people impersonated police officers. It happened Monday in the 43-hundred block of Baltimore where two men, one reportedly displaying a handgun, said they were on a raid, then went inside and took money. Another incident happened Tuesday in the 44-hundred block of Ash Avenue, where officials say someone came to the door saying he was an officer, and two other people got inside through a back door. Police report nothing appeared to be taken in that case.
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Freshman Indiana US Senator Joe Donnelly introduced his first bill Thursday, the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act of 2013. Donnelly says last year, our nation lost more troops to suicide than to combat in Afghanistan. He says the legislation would create a pilot program integrating mental health assessments into a servicemember’s health assessments and involve first-line supervisors’ input to identify risk factors in evaluating readiness to serve. Sexton was a 21-year-old National Guard soldier from rural Farmland, Indiana, who authorities say fatally shot himself while watching a movie at a theater with friends in October of 2009 while on a 15-day leave from Afghanistan.
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[Photo by John Scheibel of The Times http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/suv-plows-into-upholstery-store-in-valparaiso/article_753baf97-ab83-5cbd-a1f7-2e451e5c81ff.html]
No reports of injuries when an SUV crashed into and through the front wall of an upholstery business in Valparaiso Thursday morning. Officials say the driver apparently hit the accelerator instead of the brake while pulling into a parking space near an area of small businesses off Formula Drive.
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Multiple police agencies were involved in a pursuit that ended with the arrest of two teens from Gary and Merrillville Thursday at the Lake/Porter County line. Officials say the chase down Interstate 94 involved juvenile suspects in a burglary on North Goldring Road outside La Porte. Police say a third suspect, a teen from LaPorte County, was not in the car that fled the scene. Police say one of the suspects in the car, a 16-year-old girl, had a gun, but did not threaten to use it.
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The state of Indiana is poised to cut taxes by a billion dollars. The largest package of tax cuts in state history is up for vote as lawmakers Thursday announced the budget plan now includes a combined five-percent income tax cut, with the first reduction beginning in 2015, followed by an additional two percent two years later. House Bill 1001 also eliminates the inheritance tax, and contains tax relief for businesses as well.
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long and House Speaker Brian Bosma [bahz-muh] issued a joint statement Thursday, regarding House Bill 1001, which they say will provide a three percent individual income tax cut for Hoosier taxpayers on January 1, 2015 and an additional 2 percent cut on January 1, 2017. Long says the measure represents single largest tax cut in the history of the state. Bosma says they have reached a budget that meets their goals of “prioritizing education and road funding while maintaining strong fiscal reserves. “
Governor Mike Pence, who had sought a ten-percent reduction in the income tax rate, called the agreement reached between his administration and legislative leaders for a 5 percent income tax cut... along with repeal of the inheritance tax ...and additional tax relief for businesses... a “great victory” for Hoosier taxpayers.
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Starting the first of May, you'll need extra time traveling through Calumet City, A signal modernization project begins, weather permitting, at the intersection of River Oaks Drive and Burnham Avenue. The Illinois Department of Transportation says traffic signal improvements, patching and resurfacing will require weekday lane closures between 7am and 3:30 pm, with lanes reduced to one lane in each direction.The 582-thousand dollar project has a tentative completion date of mid July 2013. Find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1 at www.dot.state.il.us . Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com
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State Sen. Ryan Mishler, Bremen (Photo provided)
Northern Indiana lawmakers are urging the federal government to repeal a new excise tax on the sale of medical devices in the United States, the tax is a provision of the new federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act. The Indiana Senate has approved a resolution authored by Columbia City State Representative Kathy Heuer and sponsored by Bremen State Senator Ryan Mishler to that effect. Mishler says Warsaw, Indiana, is commonly known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World, and the tax would hurt residents of his district. The medical device industry is a strong component of Indiana's economy and employs 26-thousand Hoosiers.  “Firms like Biomet, Zimmer, DePuy, Medtronic, Orthopediatrics and supporting companies account for $11 billion of the world’s $38 billion orthopedic industry and employ 13,000 people. I sponsored this resolution in an effort to preserve this great industry in Indiana,” Mishler said. A copy of House Concurrent Resolution 51 can be found at Mishler's website, www.in.gov/senator.mishler  by clicking on the 2013 Legislation link
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Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance acknowledged that through tips received by the public, several people were viewed as possible suspects early in the murder investigation of former
Griffith businesswoman, 76 year-old, Mary Austgen. 
Police Chief Mance said one of those suspects, the same man appearing in the surveillance photos released shortly after the crime, was identified as 57 year-old Ralph Perez Martinez of south suburban Alsip, Illinois.  Mance said with additional publicity about the case Martinez became the main suspect, which lead to a search warrant of his residence and subsequent arrest and charges.
The Lake County Prosecutor's office this afternoon returned charges of Murder, Robbery and Criminal Confinement against Martinez for "acts that occurred Mary Austgen during the evening hours of march 28th, 2013." 
Chief Mance revealed that the suspect, a mechanic by trade, had been a past tenant at property owned by Austgen in the 800 block of E. Main Street in Griffith.  Meanwhile, Mance said the investigation is no longer pursuing information about the black sedan seen other security photos picking up the suspect at the Majestic Star Casino, as  the driver has cooperated with police and is no longer a person of interest in the investigation.
The victim's son, Jeff Austgen spoke at the press conference saying the family was "elated" that the suspect was in custody.  But Austgen also said that the family had gone through a lot emotions including "glad he's (the suspect) apprehended" and "sad the next minute" because "it doesn't change what has happened."  He also expressed the families appreciation, thanking, "the press, people out there that have extended offers to us to help us anyway they can.  It's been great."  He added, "it really make  think there are still good people out there."
Mance said investigators are still seeking a motive in the case and the missing two rings the victim reportedly was wearing the night of her murder and photos of which have been featured by the media.  Chief Mance asks that if anyone has information about the movements and actions of Martinez in the days before and after the murder of Mary Austgen, and in particular the two rings taken, are asked to contact the Griffith Police Department's non-emergency line; 219 924-3141, the Griffith Police Tip Hotline 219 922-3085 or Gary Police Detective, Lorenzo Davis at 219 881-4738. 

Griffith Police Chief, Greg Mance at today's press conference at Griffith Town Hall

Murder victim's son, Jeff Austgen expresses the family's appreciation of the media and public for making the suspect's arrest possible

Griffith Police Chief, Greg Mance (center), victim's son, Jeff Austgen (left) among investigators at today's press conference announcing the arrest on three charges including murder of their main suspect, Ralph Perez Martinez

The murder investigation's prime suspect, 57 year-old, Ralph Perez Martinez of Alsip, Illinois seen in rear seat leaving the Griffith Police Station and being transported to Lake County Jail.
(photos courtesy of Jay Stevens)
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Just as Porter County residents are itching to begin the gardening season, Valparaiso’s Public Works department has announced that it will provide free loading of mulch for Porter County residents, while supplies last. The loading fee for compost remains in place, as does the delivery fee for either mulch or compost.
There are 3 options for obtaining mulch and compost:

• Residents may self-load the materials for free at two locations. Self-loading locations and hours are: Valparaiso Compost Site (2150 West Lincolnway) - Monday – Friday, 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm, and Department of Public Works (406 Don Hovey Drive) – Monday – Friday, 7 am - 4 pm and Saturday, 7 am - 3 pm. Please bring your own shovels and containers.
  
• Bulk loading is available for any Porter County resident or business at the Public Works location only (406 Don Hovey Drive, Monday – Friday, 7 am – 3:30 pm and Saturday, 7 am – 2:30 pm) Public Works will load your pickup or open trailer. Mulch is free and compost is $10.00 per cubic yard for residents/non-profits and $15.00 per cubic yard for businesses.
  
• Delivery is provided by Valparaiso Public Works to those Valparaiso residents inside the city’s garbage service area only. (There is no delivery service provided to County residents outside the city service area.) The price for delivered mulch is $15 per cubic yard to homes and non-profits, and $20 per cubic yard to businesses. Minimum for delivery is two yards and must be arranged in person at the Public Works office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm. The homeowner must sign a permit for delivery and pre-pay by cash or check. In most cases delivery will occur on the following business day. At this time Public Works is requesting residential delivery be limited to 10 cubic yards.
  

Please see the city’s website at www.valpo.us/pw or call Public Works at 462-4612 for more information.

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