Yahoo takes big leap with $1.1B deal for Tumblr

Michael Liedtke AP Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO | Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet pioneer that had fallen behind the times.

Tumblr CEO's mom gushes over billion-dollar baby

Meghan Barr Associated Press

NEW YORK | As a teenager, Tumblr CEO David Karp would canvass the streets of New York City's Upper West Side, offering to build websites for local businesses. After his freshman year of high school, the precocious, computer-savvy kid decided …

New angel investment group starts in NWI

Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

CROWN POINT | Northwest Indiana is now home to its own so-called "angel" investment group, the Lakeshore ArchAngels.

PUC students claim awards in information systems competition

Times Staff

HAMMOND | Vying against other Midwestern college and university students, two Purdue University Calumet computer information systems seniors returned from the recent Ball State University Information Systems Project and Case Competition with …

M'ville's CLR Auto Transport receives top award

Times Staff

CLR Auto Transport of Merrillville received a top award and special recognition at Diversity Business’ 13th Annual National Business Conference and Awards Ceremony at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.

STORY OF THE WEEK

Laser technology shaves time off bacteria turnaround

Professionals on the move

By Matthew Saltanovitz

Russ Bereolos, an American Family Insurance agent in Munster, and John Hamilton, an American Family Insurance agent in Portage, and Ken West, an American Family Insurance agent in Hobart, have earned 2013 American Star Excellence in Customer …

Steel execs address strengths, challenges of North American industry

Lu Ann Franklin Times Correspondent

To stay competitive globally and to grow, the North American steel industry needs reasonable, streamlined and effectively enforced policies from the U.S. and Canadian governments, top steel executives said.

Former Indy airport CEO reboots at Gary

Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

One day, he spent five hours straight at City Hall talking to representatives of major investment banks from all over the world. Other days he was on the phone with a $170 billion global hedge fund.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Chicago Health & Fitness

Andrea Holecek Times Correspondent

HOBART | As owner of Chicago Health & Fitness, Mario Daklala has found the perfect balance between career and hobby.

It's more than money for community banks

Andrea Holecek Times Correspondent

Community banks say they are committed to offering more than financial services because they have a symbiotic relationship with the communities they serve.

Bridal shop now offers tuxes, expanded hours

Times Staff

VALPARAISO | Here Comes the Dress, 3907 Calumet Ave., Suite 202, Valparaiso, has added tuxedo rental services.

South Shore CVA receives three awards

Times Staff

HAMMOND | The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority received three awards recognizing its newly updated website and the 2012 South Shore Air Show event poster.

Jobless rate in NWI falls dramatically; Indiana rate bumps down

Times Staff

The unemployment rates in the region dipped dramatically, while Indiana's unemployment rate dipped slightly in April, according to government data released Friday.

Environmental protections hike airport expansion cost

By Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

The Gary/Chicago International Airport's expansion project is facing mounting costs, but officials say it can still be completed within its current $166 million budget.

A year after IPO, Facebook aims to be ad colossus

BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer

NEW YORK | It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering.

Gary airport puts out help wanted sign for director

By Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

Gary/Chicago International Airport is advertising nationwide for an airport executive director as the airport prepares for some of the biggest changes in its history.

Excellence in construction and safety honored

Rob Earnshaw Times Correspondent

HOBART │ Safety and construction excellence in Northwest Indiana was recognized Thursday at Avalon Manor.

Regulators approve Ameristar Casinos, Pinnacle Entertainment merger

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS | Nevada regulators have approved a merger between Pinnacle Entertainment and rival Ameristar Casinos.

Health care data management firm joins Purdue Research Park

Times Staff

MERRILLVILLE | Family caregivers and professional health care providers may benefit from online products developed by a data management firm that has become a tenant in the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana.

Noted entrepreneur joins Elevate Ventures

Times Staff

Elevate Ventures has added Kelly Schwedland as an entrepreneur-in-residence for its Northwest and North Central Indiana regions.

Strack & Van Til opens Cedar Lake store

Melanie Csepiga Times Correspondent

CEDAR LAKE | After hungering in a food desert for three years, residents of this lakeside community happily converged on the first-of-its-kind Strack & Van Til grocery store Thursday following grand opening ceremonies.

Ending gridlock at Calumet Avenue/45th Street still years away

Lu Ann Franklin Times Correspondent

MUNSTER | Beginning to end the traffic gridlock on Calumet Avenue at the Canadian National railroad tracks is still three or four years away, but progress is being made on the first phase of the project, said Town Manager Tom DeGiulio.

Lunch and learn set for OTR diesel truck operators

Times Staff

MERRILLVILLE | South Shore Clean Cities, in partnership with EcoDual LLC, will host a lunch and learn for owners and operators of heavy duty over-the-road diesel trucks from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at the Purdue Technology Center, 9800 Co…

Gas prices could drop in next few days

Rob Earnshaw Times Correspondent

After reports of an increase in Northwest Indiana on Tuesday, retail gas prices are expected to drop by the weekend.

Local banks earn national honors

By Times Staff

The parent companies of Munster-based Peoples Bank and Michigan City-based Horizon Bank have received recognition as ranking among the nation's top community banks.

Rally commemorates 1937 Memorial Day Massacre

Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | Steelworkers and others will gather Saturday to mark one of the tragic events that started the modern labor movement.

Job fair scheduled at South Suburban College

Times Staff

SOUTH HOLLAND | Thornton Township and South Suburban College Community will host its annual job fair from 10 .a.m to 2 p.m. Tuesday at South Suburban College Fitness Center, 15800 South State St.

U.S. boom transforming global oil trade

JONATHAN FAHEY AP Energy Writer

NEW YORK | The surge in oil production in the U.S. and Canada and shrinking oil consumption in the developed world is transforming the global oil market.

NIRPC moves forward to improve public participation

Rob Earnshaw Times Correspondent

PORTAGE │ A committee of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has approved the agency’s new public participation plan.

Convenience stores sue for right to sell cold beer

By Dan Carden dan.carden@nwi.com, (317) 637-9078

INDIANAPOLIS | A coalition of Hoosier convenience stores asked a federal judge Tuesday to declare unconstitutional an Indiana law that gives package liquor stores a monopoly over cold beer sales.

Laporte hospital in top 20 for safety

Stan Maddux Times Correspondent

LAPORTE | IU Health La Porte Hospital is viewed as one of the best in terms of patient safety, according to AARP.

Steel production rises 29,000 tons in Great Lakes states

Matt Saltanovitz matthew.saltanovitz@nwi.com, (219) 933-4089

Raw steel production in the country's Great Lakes region was 686,000 tons in the week ending May 11, according to estimates from the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Indiana legislation gets shout out at NiSource annual meeting

By Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

NiSource Inc. CEO Robert Skaggs told shareholders at the company's annual meeting Tuesday the company will continue with its infrastructure-based growth strategy and highlighted recent Indiana legislation that will help make that possible.

Visclosky: Investing in NWI essential

Lu Ann Franklin Times Correspondent

GARY | Investment by all layers of government, economic development agencies and private industry is what’s needed to secure the future of the U.S., Indiana and Northwest Indiana, said U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky at Monday’s Gary Chamber of Com…

Citizens, First Merchants Corp. to merge

Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

MUNSTER | Citizens Financial Services and Muncie-based First Merchants Corp. announced Monday the two banks have agreed to merge, with First Merchants buying the Munster-based Citizens.

Boeing Corp. concerned about new Gary airport tenant

By Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

The Gary/Chicago International Airport authority took a big step Monday toward landing a new corporate jet operation for its airport, contingent on resolving potential conflicts with its most prestigious tenant.

Grocery delivery company expands to Lake County

Times Staff

Grocery delivery service WeGoShop.com has expanded to include Lake County.

STORY OF THE WEEK

Construction progresses on Community expansion

Professionals on the move

By Matthew Saltanovitz

Tawny Pavese, of Hobart, and Laverne Stidman, of Gary, were announced as Employees of the Year at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. Pavese is a nursing assistant in Same Day Surgery; Stidman is a materials handler in the Storeroom.

VU students distribute eco-friendly take-home boxes

Stan Maddux Times Corrrespondent

Some local restaurants are offering biodegradable containers for customers to take home leftovers as part of a project by some Valparaiso University students.

Another top 5 finish for Purdue Calumet at NASA’s ‘Great Moonbuggy Race’

Times Staff

For the third consecutive year, a team of Purdue University Calumet engineering students recorded a top five finish at NASA’s Great Moonbuggy Race in Huntsville, Ala.

LaPorte County farm family honored for 115 years heritage

Melanie Csepiga Times Correspondent

When Gerald Werner's great-grandfather settled in the rich farm country of Indiana from his native Germany, he planted the seeds of a heritage that continues to bear fruit.

SMALL-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Dance the night away

Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

According to its owner, Madison Street Dance Hall has the best dance floor in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Survey pinpoints workshop topics, timing

Times Staff

The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is looking to improve its program offerings.

Laser technology shaves time off bacteria turnaround

Vanessa Renderman vanessa.renderman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3244

Scientists at a local laboratory say a new piece of technology there can identify bacteria a day earlier than traditional methods.

City/airport committee wants expansion project reviewed

Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326

A joint city/airport committee has recommended the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority hire a firm to perform a comprehensive review of its $166 million expansion project, which is scheduled for completion this year.

NIRPC director discusses region investment

Rob Earnshaw Times Correspondent

SCHERERVILLE │ The new director of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission discussed sustaining a regional vision during Friday’s monthly Lake County Advancement Committee meeting at Teibel’s Restaurant.