In a joint Hammond Police Department and Homeland Security Investigation, a Morton High School math teacher has been accused in federal court of asking underage female students to text sexually explicit pictures of themselves to him by cellphone. Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller says the investigation continues, and says the department thinks there may be more people who have information on this case. Chief Miller says anyone with information on the case is asked to call Hammond Detective Sgt. Mark Biller at 219-852-2966. Chief Miller says the teacher identified as Jon Erik Lilly was taken into custody this week. Reports say investigation began when the mother of a 17-year-old girl suspected her daughter was sexually active with the man, who told officials he had been a teacher at Morton until very recently. Court documents also say he denied having sexual contact with the girl. A hearing was set for Friday.
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A nationally-known Republican pundit has recorded a video for PETA – asking Indiana lawmakers to vote against the so-called “Ag-Gag” bill, which would ban videotaping on farms without permission. Mary Matalin says “you may be wondering what a meat-eating conservative Republican” like herself is doing in a PETA video. She says she and her husband, Democratic strategist James Carville, believe farm animals should be treated humanely, and want people to think about where their food comes from. Other critics of Senate Bill 373 say undercover videos expose food safety issues and unsafe conditions. Supporters say it's meant to protect privacy.
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In Munster, construction is scheduled to start back up this Monday (April 1) on the Poplar Lane Bridge that crosses over Hart Ditch going into the Twin Creek subdivision. The town says the traffic signal will be activated, and the contractor will be working on one lane while traffic in both directions shares the other lane. The traffic will be controlled by "pavement loops" which will detect a vehicle coming from either direction, the town says. Whoever crosses the loop first gets the green light. Motorists are asked to proceed with caution.  Anyone with questions may contact Munster Town Engineer Jim Mandon at 219-836-6995.
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The Hammond Police Department recently performed an out-of-state plate sweep throughout the city, issuing nearly a-thousand warnings last month to vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods. During three follow up enforcement periods, officers also say they impounded 129 vehicles for failing to transfer their plates to Indiana within the 60 period granted by state law. Hammond Police say additional follow-up enforcement is planned in the weeks to come.
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A Gary high school teacher collapsed at work and passed away Wednesday. Thomas Powell taught at Lew Wallace, where he was once head football coach and assistant basketball coach for the Glen Park school. Several years ago Powell was let go from his coaching position after a medical issue involving his leg. The issue went to court, where reports say it was eventually determined the school corporation violated federal medical leave law by not reinstating Powell.
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Sentencing is scheduled today for 20-year-old Dustin McCowan. A month ago McCowan was found guilty of murdering former girlfriend, 19-year-old Amanda Bach [bahk] of Portage, by fatally shooting her in September 2011. Police say Bach's body was found the day after her car was discovered along State Road 130 in Wheeler. McCowan faces a possible 65 years in prison. The jury deliberated for about six-and-a-half hours before the verdict was read.
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In East Chicago, the city council this week approved a 150-thousand dollar transfer of funds to cover police overtime costs for a new “Stop Team”. East Chicago Police Chief Mark Becker says he instituted a similar program when he was chief in Portage previously, where it freed up officers to do that which patrol officers didn't have time to do... police could respond to community concerns, like speeding in a community, and 'stop' it. You can hear more from Chief Becker online, at Region Newsmakers at regionnewsteam-dot-com.
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With students on Spring break, a different kind of class was being held at Munster High School. Wednesday, police in full gear filled the halls for an active shooter drill, hosted by Munster Police for Region police agencies and area universities and businesses. Nearly three-dozen representatives of law enforcement took part in live drills at the high school. The federally-sponsored exercise was actually scheduled in Munster before the school massacre in Connecticut in December; since that tragedy, the program is now reportedly booked for years.
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An Indiana House panel has approved a measure that more strictly regulates clinics that distribute abortion pills. A facility that provides abortion-inducing drugs would have to meet the same building standards as a surgical unit — like size requirements for halls, rooms and doors, and many other criteria – under Senate Bill 371, approved 8-5 Wednesday by the House Public Policy Committee.
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The Indiana House has approved a bill of special interest to officials wanting to expand tourism opportunities along the Region's lakeshore. Senate Bill 173 allows the alcohol and tobacco commission to issue up to six new permits to sell alcoholic beverages in the city of Whiting to restaurants located within three blocks of Lake Michigan. The bill needs to go back to the House before it can go to the Governor, because the Senate version limits the number of permits and limits them just to Whiting. The measure was introduced by State Senator Ed Charbonneau.
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