Indiana's latest state revenue report shows general fund revenues were 71-point-three million dollars above the April 2013 forecast, and 81-point- 4 million, or nearly four-and-a-half-percent above collections for the same period last year. The Indiana State Budget Agency also says through the first ten months of the fiscal year, state revenues are one-point-two-percent, or 136-point-eight million dollars above the April 2013 forecast.
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Indiana Conservation Officers and the DNR Division of Forestry are providing useful tips to landowners that can assist in protecting their valuable timber resources.
Indiana hardwoods, such as black walnut, red and white oak, and other valuable species are sought by the timber industry. Landowners should follow some simple steps before signing a contract with a timber buyer.
“Some Indiana landowners are taken advantage of every year, and they lose money and resources because they are not aware of the value of timber or the steps needed to protect themselves,” said Duane McCoy, timber licensing forester with the DNR Forestry Division.
To protect forestry resources, landowners should follow these steps:
1. Hire a consultant forester to represent you and mark and advertise your timber sale.
2. Always get several bids from different timber buyers.
3. Ask questions and get references from the timber buyer.
4. Mark the trees to be cut with a paint mark on the stem and at ground level.
5. Know and understand the fine details of the contract.
6. Never make an oral agreement.
7. Know how much you will be paid and the method of payment.
8. Be a good neighbor and work out any property line disputes prior to harvesting.
“Marketing the mature timber from a family property is generally something that will only occur once in a person’s lifetime, and it must be done with knowledge that protects the interest of your investment,” said Lt. Tony Stoll, DNR Law Enforcement District 9 commander.
The DNR offers a free information packet titled “callb4ucut” to Indiana citizens considering harvesting their timber. See www.callb4ucut.com for further information.
Any suspicion that a timber theft is occurring citizens are urged to contact Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.
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Chesterton’s European Market will open for its 11th Season on Saturday, May 4th.  The Market is located at Third Street and Broadway in historic downtown Chesterton, and is held every Saturday from May 4 through October 26, from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.
Each weekend this season, the Market will boast more than 90 merchants, live musical performances from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, fresh food served on-site throughout the day and plenty of opportunities to enjoy gatherings with friends and family at picnic tables in nearby Thomas Centennial Park. “Last year, we had a dozen Seasonal Merchants – vendors who came to the market every weekend. This year, we’ve accepted 44 Seasonals, and 35 Semi-Seasonals,” says Allyson Baughman, Chamber Marketing Director and Market Manager. “We’ve also welcomed several new artists, chefs and musicians to our ranks. The interest we’ve seen this season has been phenomenal. The Chamber receives several calls each day from locals and tourists wanting to learn more about the market – especially when it’s going to open!”
 
New to the market this year will be downtown Chesterton merchant Chelle’s, as well as TAJ Indian Curry House and Valpo Shrimp Company – a local business that raises salt-water shrimp for local restaurants. Market favorites Bit of Swiss, Rolling Stonebaker, Espress Yourself, Good to Go by Lucrezia, Butler Winery, Ivy’s Catering, Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Lehman’s Orchard, Flagel’s Sugarhouse, Pa’s Workshop and Marilyn’s Pies also will be returning. “The Market wouldn’t be the same without everyone’s favorite coffee, pizza, pretzel and croissant merchants,” says Baughman.
 
While booth space at the Market is nearly booked for the entire season, a few spaces remain in October. “We’re always open to receiving applications, since sometimes our scheduled merchants have conflicts and can’t attend,” Baughman explains. “We especially love seeing applicants with new or unusual products – especially savory food items.” For more information about applying to or visiting Chesterton’s European Market, please call the Chamber office at (219) 926-5513, visit www.dunelandchamber.org, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
 
To hear our interview with Allyson Baughman  and discover more going on this year at Chesterton's European Market visit News Audio On Demand at www.regionnewsteam.com
You can also visit the event's website: http://www.chestertonseuropeanmarket.com

(photo provided by http://www.chestertonseuropeanmarket.com }
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(Photo Courtesy of State Senator Jim Banks)
STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2013) — Gov. Mike Pence signed Senate Enrolled Act 177 into law today – a bill authored by State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) to give returning veterans access to a more affordable college education.
The legislation grants in-state tuition eligibility to honorably discharged veterans and active National Guard members who enroll in one of Indiana’s state colleges within a year of settling in Indiana. Currently, veterans serving in a different state or country may not qualify for in-state tuition upon returning home, increasing their college costs by thousands of dollars.
To be eligible, veterans are required to enroll in a state college or university no later than 12 months after their discharge or separation from the armed forces. They will then have to take steps to establish Indiana residency within 12 months of enrollment.
“Indiana has always advocated for its veterans, and now, we have an opportunity to extend that advocacy to their college education,” Banks said. “As tuition costs skyrocket and more jobs require a four-year degree, this is the right time to enact legislation that helps our veterans access affordable tuition options. My hope is that with this advancement, more veterans will be encouraged to pursue higher education.”
Pence praised the efforts of Banks and others in passing this legislation.
“Veterans and their families make tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and protect our freedom,” Pence said. “It is essential that we support and encourage these brave men and women to pursue a higher education and earn a college degree.  I applaud the members of the General Assembly, and I am especially appreciative of the leadership of Sen. Jim Banks, one of the authors of the bill.”
The bill signing ceremony took place at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Members of veterans groups from the campus and community were in attendance.
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All lanes reopened to traffic just before 5pm this evening, about four-hours after a semi overturned and lost its load on the ramp of Michigan Avenue forced the shut down of the southbound lanes of Cline Avenue.  Authorities were called out to the scene just before 1pm, and no injuries were reported.
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Indiana Conservation Officers are reminding anglers to always be mindful of all fishing regulations, including size and bag limits, after a 55 year old Culver man was issued a summons on Tuesday, at Bass Lake, in Starke County, for possessing twice the daily limit of crappie. The Indiana DNR reports the Culver man was in possession of 45 crappie, 20 fish over the daily bag limit of 20. If convicted, the 55 year old faces additional fines of 690-dollars to replace the fish taken. To view Indiana's fishing regulations, visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2347.htm.
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It has been about a month or so since a program that calls senior's and homebound residents to check on their well-being was started by the Schererville Police Department. Chief David Dowling says the "Morning Call" initiative has been well received with about a dozen or so individuals having registered.  Chief Dowling says the program, which runs Monday through Friday, is a first of its kind in the region, and came about as a direct result due to the fact they are an accredited police department and this idea came from those meetings. To register just contact the Schererville Police Department and to hear more of our interview with Chief Dowling,visit http://indiana105.com/index.php/news/region-newsmakers.html.
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(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
No one was injured, but a few roads near the Linde Gas Company in Hammond were blocked off for a time as a precaution after a fire Wednesday afternoon. Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith says they were called out around 2:30, and spent about three-hours at the scene. Chief Smith says there was a flame coming off an acetylene tank at the point where it gets filled, and that it was contained to that one tank, saying they only got involved after a garbage can in close proximity to the tank caught fire. Chief Smith says there was no damage to the building and at last check, no cause for what started the incident. An investigation is being conducted by the company.
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South Shore Clean Cities has announced a competitive grant award program aimed at improving air quality in Lake County through Diesel Emissions Reduction projects. A total of 450-thousand dollars will be available to support qualified projects submitted by Lake County municipalities, schools and not-for-profit hospitals. The program is the result of a cooperative agreement between the BP Whiting Refinery, the Sierra Club, Save the Dunes, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Hoosier Environmental Council, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Environmental Integrity Project and two private citizens. An informational meeting is scheduled later this month in Hammond.  Phase I will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 23 with an informational pre-proposal meeting at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, Ind., 46323.
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Police in Gary are investigating a shooting just before 11-o'clock Wednesday night. Corporal Gabrielle King says a 62-year-old man was in the area of 5th and Colfax when he saw two men at a gas station that he believed had been watching him. The two subjects then later approached as the man was walking south on Colfax and when he got to about  the 700 block, the two subjects approached him, demanding his wallet.  Police say the victim gave them his wallet, then one of the subjects pulled out a gun, fired a shot, striking the man in the leg.  Police say they all left the area, but emergency personnel were able to locate the victim.
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