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By Times Staff | Tuesday, October 21, 2008 | (1 comment(s))
CROWN POINT
Gary man pleads guilty to '07 run-in with police
When Jason Stewart saw the Gary police officer's flashing lights, he stopped his Chevrolet Blazer in front of the patrol car in November, Lake County Criminal Court records state.
Then, revving his engine, the 21-year-old Gary man aimed his Blazer at the Gary police officer and fled the scene.
Stewart pleaded guilty Friday to felony counts of criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement for the Nov. 28 incident in Gary.
He was scheduled for trial Monday to face multiple felony charges. The jury trial was vacated after Stewart's guilty plea, court records show.
Stewart pleaded guilty to the two felonies in return for Lake County prosecutors dropping four other felony charges against him: attempted murder, battery and two counts of resisting law enforcement.
Prosecutors also dropped a misdemeanor charge of operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license, court records show.
Stewart was caught after he showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound.
The Gary police officer shot Stewart as Stewart aimed his SUV at the officer and his patrol car, court records state.
Stewart was injured and the Blazer hit a fire hydrant and tree on Grant Street. He and another man ran out of the car.
Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 25.
INDIANAPOLIS
Long Thompson back on TV, criticizes Daniels
After a six-week hiatus, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson returns to the television airwaves today with a new ad criticizing Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels.
"Governor Daniels would have us believe Indiana is doing as well as can be expected," Long Thompson says in the ad, according to a script her campaign released Monday. "Well, I think we can do better -- much better."
The new spot, which will air on cable television in Northwest Indiana, goes on to accuse Daniels of "using George Bush economics," an apparent reference to initiatives such as the 75-year, $3.8 billion private lease of the Indiana Toll Road.
Indiana Republican Party Chairman Murray Clark issued a statement Monday denouncing the ad.
"Jill Long Thompson had a choice with two weeks left in this campaign," Clark said. "She could have used her last ad to lay out a positive vision for the future of this state, or continue the negative attacks. Obviously, I’m disappointed that she didn’t articulate a vision, but I can’t say that I’m surprised."
HAMMOND
Delivery driver robbed of cash, food, '96 Lumina
A pizza delivery driver told police he was robbed at gunpoint late Saturday.
The 24-year-old driver said he was taking an order at 11 p.m. to a house in the 900 block of Conkey Street when he and a friend were confronted by a man with a handgun.
The man took $60 in cash, miscellaneous pizzas and chicken wings, and the driver's 1996 Chevrolet Lumina, according to police.
HAMMOND
Three men shot while leaving Woodmar club
Three men hospitalized with gunshot wounds told police they were attacked after leaving a Woodmar-area night spot early Saturday.
The men, ages 23 to 27, residents of Hammond, East Chicago and Merrillville, told police that four men followed them out of the Wiggles club in the 2100 block of Summer Street shortly before 3 a.m.
They had driven about a block west of the bar when the men fired into their car and all were hit, the victims told police.
Family members said one of the men was at home Monday recuperating from his wounds, but the other two remained hospitalized.
HAMMOND
Thursday is open house on PUC's MBA program
Purdue University Calumet hosts an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at its Calumet Conference Center.
The open house is to showcase the master of business and master of accountancy degree programs available at PUC. During the event, attendees will learn more about each program, career implications of each degree and admission procedures. Classes within each program are scheduled weeknights, Monday through Thursday.
Faculty members from each program will be available.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
FEMA provides update on flood relief assistance
Some Hoosiers have expressed concern that state and federal grants might cause them to sacrifice Social Security benefits, pay additional taxes or give up income-based benefit programs, but state and federal officials said Monday that concern is unfounded.
FEMA issued a news release saying the federal and state grants to individuals do not add to their taxable income, as long as the grants are given as assistance to recover from a disaster.
FEMA and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security reported that thousands of people have been helped in the aftermath of severe storms and flooding Sept. 12 to Oct. 6.
According to the statistics:
* Nearly $21.5 million in disaster recovery grants were approved for Indiana residents with property damage, which includes $18,346,935 for housing and $3,099,346 for other needs.
* 19,112 residents of Indiana applied for assistance online at www.fema.gov or through the toll free (800) 621-3362 and (TTY) (800) 462-7585.
NORTHWEST INDIANA
Volunteers needed to clean up flooded homes
United Way Regional Volunteer Reception Centers in Munster and Portage are in need of individuals and volunteer work teams to assist flood victims in cleaning and sanitizing their homes.
The first priority is to help senior citizens and those with disabilities. All volunteers are welcome, especially strong men who can lift, move and carry heavy loads of damaged goods to the curb for trash removal.
For more information, call Munster at (219) 836-5390 or Portage at (219) 763-3292.
SCHERERVILLE
Trick-or-treat on Saturday at Tri-Town Safety Village
The Schererville Lion's Club, Wal-Mart and Tri-Town Safety Village are sponsoring a trick-or-treat night for kids this weekend.
Reservations are suggested, as space is limited to 500 children.
The event takes place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tri-Town Safety Village, 1350 Eagle Ridge Drive. The rain date is Sunday.
Winners will be chosen for cutest, scariest and most original costume. First place will win $20; second place will win $15; and third place will win $10. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. and don't need to be present to win.
For more information or to register, call (219) 865-9600.
ST. JOHN
After 10 years of planning, 1.2-mile bike path opens
A 1.2-mile asphalt trail 10 years in the making in St. John now is open to foot and bike traffic.
The path, which is 99 percent complete, opened about two weeks ago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the near future, St. John Town Manager Steve Kil said.
The path includes pavilions, bike racks, benches, signs and more. It begins at Heartland Park and, from White Oak Avenue, it runs east along a power line easement to Bull Run Ditch. It crosses a bridge into Homestead Acres Park and ends at Olcott Avenue.
MERRILLVILLE
Two charged in drinking incident at Deluxe Inn
Police said a complaint of loud noise coming from a hotel room early Monday turned into charges for two men.
Police responded about 1 a.m. to the Deluxe Inn, 732 E. 82nd Ave., after receiving the noise complaint and spoke with Angelo M. Toomey, 26, of Cedar Lake, who was staying in the room.
Police said Toomey was intoxicated and uncooperative with police when they were speaking with him. Police also noticed Charles A. Longoria, 20, of Miami, Ind., who was allegedly drinking in the room.
Toomey was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, while Longoria was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and possession of alcohol by a minor.
All charges were through Merrillville Town Court.
DYER
Blood drive scheduled Wednesday at church
Heartland Blood Centers will have a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 440 Joliet Road
Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental permission; weigh at least 110 pounds; be symptom free of cold, flu and allergies; and be in general good health. Every donor will receive a music download card with five free songs. To schedule an appointment, call the parish at (219) 865-2271.
For more information, call (800) 7TO-GIVE.
CROWN POINT
Fundraiser Saturday for domestic violence victims
The Make a Difference Day fundraiser for the St. Jude House will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart.
Children will have their photos taken by Edda Taylor Photographie Inc. and William Eaton for $30 per package. All proceeds go toward the St. Jude House children's programs.
For more information, call (219) 662-7066.
SCHERERVILLE
Students compete to aid flood victims with items
It was a spirited competition to benefit flood victims.
Last week, students at Homan and Peifer Elementary schools competed buildingwide in a drive to collect items for flood victims. Students were given a list of items, with points assigned to each entry. An individual juice box, for example, was worth one point, but English muffins and bagels chalked up six points.
At the end of the competition, the class at each school with the most points earns an extra recess with the principal, Aaron Itczak. The particulars of the prize will be coordinated between Itczak and the teacher in the winning classroom.
All collected items will be donated to the Lake Business Center, 9200 Calumet Ave. They will be picked up later this week at both locations.
CROWN POINT
Nurses can get free transcript evaluations
University of Saint Francis Crown Point welcomes LPN's to bring in their transcripts for a free transcript evaluation for consideration to the university's LPN-ASN Program.
Students will have the opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. today and Oct. 28 in Suite 201-B, at St. Anthony Medical Center, 1205 S. Main St. No appointment is necessary. USF offers onsite, online, flexible health care programs to meet the needs of working adults, including the LPN-ASN program, RN-MSN Transition Sequence; MSN and MHA.
For more information, visit http://www.sf.edu/CrownPoint, call (219) 681-6800 or e-mail cmioduski@sf.edu.
HOBART
Memberships offered at Y for extended families
Hobart Family YMCA offers household memberships to recognize situations where families are combining households under one roof, with parents, grown children, grandchildren, other relatives and even two or more separate families sharing a home.
A membership fee can be created to meet the needs of a specific household.
For more information, call Dale Polomchak at (219) 942-2183, ext. 13. or e-mail dpolomchak@hobartymca.org.
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According to statistics wrote on Oct 21, 2008 10:37 AM:
Come on mitch that's chump change. "