EAST CHICAGO

Long Thompson to speak in East Chicago today

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson will hold a news conference this afternoon at an East Chicago union hall.

Long Thompson will discuss her economic recovery strategy at 3 p.m. today at the United Steelworkers Local 1010 Union Hall, 3703 Euclid Ave., according to a news release from her campaign. Residents and the media are invited.

HAMMOND

Woman pleads guilty to firearms violation

The U.S. attorney's office said Theresa Mendez, 23, of Gary, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge she was a firearms straw buyer for someone prohibited from possessing a gun. The government alleges she falsely claimed on a government form she was buying a semiautomatic rifle for herself. An investigation by the Porter County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found evidence she was buying it for an unidentified man.

The government has agreed to recommend she receive minimum punishment when U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen sentences her Dec. 10.

HAMMOND

Gary man gets almost four years for robbery

The U.S. attorney's office said U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced Corinthian Paulk, 19, of Gary, to almost four years in prison this week for armed robbery.

Simon found Paulk guilty of being one of three men who took part in a robbery early Jan. 16, 2007, of Mike's Gas Stop, 2700 Central Ave., Lake Station. They took more than $500 from the station and a customer.

Derrick Kennedy, of Gary, is serving a nine-year term and Jamil James is awaiting sentencing for their roles in the holdup.

HAMMOND

M'ville man gets nearly 22 years for drug deal

The U.S. attorney's office said U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon sentenced Keland Bryant Garner, 31, of Merrillville, to almost 22 years in prison this week.

Garner pleaded guilty last March to a charge of possessing crack cocaine with intent to deliver. The government alleges an informant bought crack from Garner on Feb. 1, 2007, in the 3400 block of Fir Street in East Chicago.

CROWN POINT

Man gets five years for child exploitation

A Hammond man was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday for child exploitation, according to Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter.

Michael Angelo Nelson, 31, pleaded guilty Aug. 29 to the felony.

Carter said over a month period starting on Nov. 26, 2006, Nelson photographed a 16-year-old girl in various sexual positions. Nelson was arrested with the photos for violating a protective order for the victim and her family.

CROWN POINT

Stolen brew nets Gary man two years

Talk about a hangover: a Gary man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for stealing Budweiser and Miller Lite.

Charles Cooper, 42, pleaded guilty last month to stealing a combined seven cases of the two brands from the Merrillville Ultra Foods in June, according to the Lake County prosecutor's office.

HIGHLAND

Police warning of rise in thefts from vehicles

Highland police said in a news release issued Thursday that a spike in thefts from vehicles has been reported.

To that end, they are encouraging people to lock their vehicles and remove all valuables from view. Additionally, residents are encouraged to park their vehicles in a garage. If that is not possible, residents are encouraged to park in a driveway or close to a light source.

Police are asking that any suspicious activities be reported immediately at 911 or by calling (219) 838-3181. Police said it is neither a problem nor a bother to investigate a suspicious activity.

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Volunteers are needed for flood aid centers

The United Way Regional Volunteer Reception Centers in Munster and Portage need individuals and volunteer teams to assist flood victims in cleaning and sanitizing their homes.

Organizers say there is a critical need for volunteers to help in Gary and there is a special need for strong men who can lift, move and carry heavy loads of damaged items to the curb for trash removal.

To help, call the Munster center at (219) 836-5390 or in Portage, (219) 763-3292.

GRIFFITH

Fire Department hosts open house Saturday

The Griffith Fire Department hosts its annual fire prevention open house from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Station No. 3, Ridge Road and Indiana Street.

This year's theme is Prevent Home Fires, and the open house will provide household fire prevention tips and safety techniques. There will be interactive demonstrations for safely escaping a house fire.

The open house also provides an opportunity for the public to meet the department, see the equipment and ask questions.

HOBART

Ruling in teen beating prompts protest Oct. 28

The Concerned Citizens Against Violence in Gary will conduct an informational picket at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 outside the Lake County Juvenile Court courtroom of Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura in Crown Point, according to spokesman Dwight Taylor.

The picket will be in opposition to Bonaventura's recent denial of a waiver petition filed by prosecutors who wanted Brittney McCammon to face charges in adult court for her alleged beating of Jamie Rodriguez, of Hobart, Taylor said.

McCammon, 15, has been accused of assaulting Rodriguez on June 4 outside a Hobart restaurant.

McCammon, whose charges include attempted murder and felony battery, will have her court hearing at 9 a.m. on Oct. 28 in Magistrate Glenn Commons' courtroom.

HOBART

DeMotte man is facing attempted theft charge

Kyle E. Laws, 18, of DeMotte, was charged Wednesday in Lake County with attempted theft.

Court documents state that Laws on Oct. 6 presented a fraudulent Wal-Mart MoneyGram or money order, in the amount of $753.

Laws told police he had received money orders by e-mail after an Internet communication and that the deal was he was supposed to cash the money orders, keep 10 percent and send the remainder by wire transfer.

He further stated he cashed one at the DeMotte State Bank on Oct. 4.

A witness told police that Laws had been advised by her, prior to his trying to cash one at Wal-Mart, that the money orders were fraudulent.

MUNSTER

Fire Department holds open house Saturday

The Munster Fire Department will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Fire Station No. 2, 550 Fisher St.

The open house includes safety information, events, antique fire engine rides, food and demonstrations. Guests have the chance to visit Sparky the Fire Dog and Freddie the Fire Truck.

For more information, contact the Munster Fire Department at (219) 836-6960.

SCHERERVILLE

S'ville cops to inspect child seat installations

The Schererville Police Department is accepting appointments for its upcoming child safety seat inspection event.

Inspections, which ensure that child safety seats are properly installed in vehicles, will be between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Tri-Town Safety Village, 1350 Eagle Ridge Drive. All inspections are by appointment only.

To schedule a safety seat check, call Melanie or Jessica at the Schererville Police Department at (219) 322-5000.

CROWN POINT

Residents can sign up for Oktoberfest events

The Crown Point Oktoberfest is from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 with a rain date of Oct. 19 at Beacon Hill Plaza on Broadway.

A chili cook-off begins at noon. All contestants must be present to win.

A double-elimination beanbag toss tournament will begin about 12:30 p.m. Registration is $10 per team.

To enter the events, contact the parks department by 4 p.m. Wednesday at (219) 661-2271.

There also will be a beer garden, face painting and trolley rides. Each child who wears a costume will get a free pumpkin.

For more information on Oktoberfest, contact the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (219) 662-3290 or jbzdil@crownpoint.in.gov.

MERRILLVILLE

ADA panel schedules organizational meetings

The recently established Americans with Disabilities Act Committee in Merrillville is seeking volunteers to serve on the committee.

Committee members will help the town, businesses and agencies comply with the ADA.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee can attend organizational meetings at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Everybody Counts, 9111 Broadway, or at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, 7820 Broadway.

Applications to serve on the committee are available at www.merrillville.in.gov.

Contact Teresa Torres, the town's ADA Committee chairwoman, at (219) 769-5055.

MERRILLVILLE

Medicare, health care topic Tuesday at Pruzin

Assured Home Healthcare, Inc. will discuss home health care and Medicare at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler Place.

Space is limited to the first 60 people.

Contact the Merrillville parks office at (219) 980-5911 to reserve a spot at the presentation.