GARY

Speakers on tobacco prevention honored

The Lake County Minority Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Coalition will hold its second annual Speakers Bureau graduation ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Gary Community Health Foundation, 1021 W. 5th Ave., second floor. The event honors certified speakers.

"The public's interest has demanded the need for certified professionals who can effectively deliver the powerful, thought- provoking and life-changing, anti-tobacco message," said Irene Phillips, coalition coordinator.

Training also emphasizes messages regarding stopping smoking and the dangers of secondhand smoke, she said.

The coalition invites schools, groups, or organizations to request one of the trained and certified tobacco education speakers to speak to the public.

Representatives can provide interesting and age-appropriate information at no cost.

Phillips noted Lake County is on its way to being smoke-free with Crown Point becoming smoke-free April 1.

To get more information or reserve a speaker, contact Phillips at (219) 883-7848.

DYER

Managing stormwater proposals under review

Six engineering firms have submitted proposals for a comprehensive stormwater management plan, the Stormwater Board reported recently.

Four of the responding firms were represented at this month's meeting. The board expects to review them at a special meeting on April 24.

Since a stormwater management plan will be both time-consuming and expensive the board will make no monetary commitments prior to the final review.

Engineering costs associated with the plan could cost the town anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. Once completed, the plan could result in such public improvements as additional pumping stations.

Last year's flooding produced some unexpected results, stormwater officials have said. For example, Plum Creek overflowed while many area retention ponds took in little water.

Officials hope that a comprehensive plan will help them avoid such problems in the future.

SCHERERVILLE

Town asks residents to oppose railroad sale

Schererville officials are asking residents to get involved in the remonstrance of a pending business acquisition that would more than triple train traffic through town.

The sale of the EJ&E Railroad to Canadian National Railway Co. would increase the number of trains going through town to more than 30 a day.

As Schererville leaders continue to work with like-minded community leaders in Northwest Indiana and Illinois, residents are being asked to get involved.

In this month's water bill, the town explained the acquisition and asked residents to sign a petition opposing the sale. Signatures will be presented to the Surface Transportation Board in the town's official remonstrance.