MUNSTER

Fees set for 3-acre Centennial Dog Park

The Munster Board of Parks and Recreation has amended its ordinance on the proper use of the 3-acre dog facility inside Centennial Park.

Cards to access the facility for residents are $50 annually for one dog, plus $75 for the second animal. The cost also includes the town license fee of $10.

For nonresidents, the fee is $175 for the first dog and $50 for the second. Rates went into effect March 1.

The annual fee assures the dogs using the facility are properly immunized and licensed, according to the ordinance.

Individuals or groups found in violation are liable for $500 for violations and forfeiture of further use of the Dog Park.

Patrons are urged to avoid using the facility without authorization to ensure public safety of park users and their dogs, according to the ordinance.

Users can purchase an electronic card for opening the gated system recently installed to assist in the control and use of the park.

Unauthorized use includes admission without the proper identification card or transferring cards to people without a card.

EAST CHICAGO

Bogus utility worker robs woman at home

An Indiana Harbor senior citizen reported she was robbed by man claiming to be utility worker on Friday.

The 79-year-old resident told police that a man came to her door in the 4300 block of Parrish Avenue at 11 a.m. and told her he was a Water Department employee checking pipes in the neighborhood.

While in the home's basement, the resident said the man received a call on his cell phone and asked to check the water line in her garage, and she led him there.

Once inside the garage, the man took another call, the resident said, then pointed out a burned-out light bulb and told her he would get her a new bulb out of his truck.

When the man never returned to the garage, the woman said she went back inside her home and found that a large safe containing thousands of dollars in gold and silver coins and jewelry was missing from her upstairs linen closet.

The fake city worker was described as approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with dark hair and eyes.

Police are reminding residents that all city employees and legitimate utility workers carry official identification and will show it on demand, and recommend calling 911 if a suspicious person comes to their door.

EAST CHICAGO

Teen arrested, handgun recovered after robberies

A Hammond teenager was taken into custody and a stolen handgun recovered after a pair of armed robberies on the city's south side early Sunday.

Officers were taking a statement from a woman who said she had been robbed at gunpoint by three men as she entered a tavern shortly before 2 a.m. in the 4800 block of Homerlee Avenue, when a second robbery was reported.

Police converged on another tavern five blocks east in the 4800 block of Olcott Avenue after two people said they had been robbed by three men as they entered the establishment.

Three men were spotted running south on Tod Avenue by police who gave chase. Officers said one of them threw a silver-colored semiautomatic handgun into some bushes before he was brought down by a police canine officer.

The .25 caliber pistol was found to have been reported stolen out of South Bend in 2006, and the man, Lorenzo Garcia, 18, of the 4800 block of Pine Avenue, was positively identified by victims in the Olcott Avenue robbery, police said.

Garcia was booked on probable cause armed robbery charges after treatment at a local hospital for what police said were scratches and bites suffered during his flight and arrest.

HAMMOND

Chicago Avenue lanes restricted for road work

Chicago Avenue will be restricted to only westbound traffic between Calumet Avenue and Sheffield Avenue beginning this week through June, the Indiana Department of Transportation said.

The restrictions will allow work to begin on the Major Moves Preservation project on Calumet Avenue between Hoffman and Huehn streets in Hammond.

During the closure, eastbound Chicago Avenue traffic will be detoured to Sheffield Avenue south to Hoffman Street east to Calumet Avenue north and back to Chicago Avenue.

This Major Moves project includes replacing pavement and constructing sidewalks, curb and gutter on both sides of a half-mile stretch of Calumet Avenue. New storm sewers will be constructed and all existing signage and traffic signals will be upgraded or replaced. Construction is scheduled to be completed by fall.

HAMMOND

City flushes hydrants beginning April 14

Hammond's hydrant flushing program begins April 14.

The flushing starts on the north end of the city and proceeds south. The whole process is expected to take four to six weeks.

During the flushing, residents may notice some discoloration in their water. If that happens, city officials recommend running cold water for a few minutes. They advise the water will be safe to drink during the flushing.

EAST CHICAGO

Library hosts reading raffle for 50th anniversary

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of National Library Week, the East Chicago Public Library is hosting a reading raffle open to all East Chicago residents.

To enter, check out a book at the Main Library or the Pastrick branch. Filling out an entry form is required. The raffle runs from Monday through April 19. Drawings will be held April 21 at both locations. Winners receive a $25 Borders gift card. There will be one winner at each location.

For more information, call Myra Maldonado, associate director of public relations, at (219) 397-2453, ext. 17.

MUNSTER

Blood drive scheduled Wednesday at hospital

Heartland Blood Centers hosts a drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at The Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd.

Donors can make an appointment or just walk in. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with written parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

For more information, call (800) 7TO-GIVE.

CROWN POINT

Region Idol competition returns at Hall of Justice

The fourth annual Region Idol contest will be held at 7 p.m. consecutive Fridays beginning April 11 and ending May 23 at the Hall of Justice, 220 S. Main St.

Admission to the auditions, from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and competition nights, is a $5 donation at the door and a $10 donation on the final night of competition. Higher donations will be accepted. Proceeds benefit Multiple Sclerosis Society, Indiana chapter. Since 2005, Region Idol has raised more than $30,000 toward charitable programs.

To learn more about multiple sclerosis, go to www.nationalmssociety.org/ini.

For more information, call (219) 661-1811.

GARY

Region's chess players can brush up on skills

Chess players of all levels are invited to improve or test their chess skills at 5 p.m. Thursdays at the Gary Public Library's main library, 220 W. Fifth Ave.

Centennial Chess Tournaments are scheduled for 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday and May 4, Sept. 28 and Dec. 21 at the library. Register.

For more information, call (219) 886-2484, ext. 335.

HIGHLAND

Blood drive is set for Wednesday at church

Heartland Blood Centers hosts a drive from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 8727 Delaware Ave.

Appointments may be made but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be at least 17 years old (16 with written parental permission) and be in good health.

For more information, call (219) 923-9211