CROWN POINT

Lake Station man, 24, pleads guilty to arson

Quentin Clouse admitted Monday he agreed to set fire to a Hobart man's home so the man could collect insurance money, Lake Criminal Court records state.

Clouse, 24, of Lake Station, pleaded guilty to a felony count of arson in return for Lake County prosecutors dropping the other felony arson charge against him.

Clouse was hospitalized last February after he suffered extensive burns to his hands and face when the home's hot water tank turned on and the pilot light ignited the gasoline Clouse had poured in the house, police said. Clouse rode a bike to his home in Lake Station, where his father called an ambulance.

Clouse originally admitted to police that Michael Mance, who owned the Hobart home, offered Clouse $1,000 to set the house on fire.

Mance was also charged with arson, Lake Criminal Court records state. His case is still pending.

Clouse faces up to eight years in prison when he is sentenced Feb. 2.

CROWN POINT

Judge grants motions for medical records

Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray on Monday granted prosecutors' motions for health and vital records of a woman accused of killing her 3-month-old baby, Lake Criminal Court records state.

Nathan Wisniewski, who was born July 28, was pronounced dead in November. The baby's death was ruled a homicide caused by intentional suffocation, the Lake County coroner's office said.

Kimberly Kelley, of Hobart, faces murder, neglect of a dependent and battery charges for the 2008 death, records state.

She is being held without bail at the Lake County Jail.

SCHERERVILLE

Police to hold academy for residents next month

The Schererville Police Department is accepting applications for its citizens police academy.

The academy will offer people an opportunity to see how their Police Department works and what new technologies it has to offer. Patrol functions, criminal investigations, accident investigations, telecommunications, firearms and use of force issues will be discussed among other police-related issues.

Participants will have a chance to tour the police facility and discuss current issues, such as pursuit policies and evidence collection.

Schererville residents and business owners 18 and older are eligible to apply for the 10-week session. Classes will last from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and are scheduled to begin in early February.

For more information, contact Sgt. Diane Peifer at (219) 322-5000.

CROWN POINT

Church offers dinner, performance Jan. 21

First United Methodist Church, 352 S. Main St., will host a series called Midwest Home Companions beginning Jan. 21.

A dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with the program, consisting of music and poetry called "All on a Wintery Night," beginning at 6:30.

To attend the event, call the church by 4 p.m. Monday at (219) 663-1515.

MERRILLVILLE

M'ville woman accused of intoxication, resisting

Police said a 45-year-old Merrillville woman was allegedly walking in and out of traffic early Sunday in the 7100 block of Madison Street.

An officer attempted to stop Jennifer Hastings from obstructing traffic about 12:20 a.m. Sunday, but she argued with the officer, police said.

Hastings allegedly struggled with the officer when he attempted to arrest her, police said. The officer also reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol on the woman.

Hastings faces resisting law enforcement and public intoxication charges in Merrillville Town Court.

CROWN POINT

Debate team competes in event in Indianapolis

The Crown Point High School debate team traveled Jan. 3 to Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, competing for the first time against several schools from southern and central Indiana.

Sophomore Emily Dick placed third in the junior varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate. She debated on whether in cases of crimes against humanity the U.S. should submit to the jurisdiction of the international court. The junior varsity public forum debate team of juniors Stephanie Chan and Adam Caldwell earned eighth place debating whether the federal government should mandate that new passenger vehicles be powered by alternative fuels.

Also earning points for the team were the junior varsity public forum team of freshmen Garret Hogan and Sophie Fleszewski, the varsity policy debate team of senior Cody Reynolds and sophomore Catherine Fleszewski, and the novice Lincoln-Douglas debater, freshman Paul Kendall. Judges for the team were parent Tina Tinsley, grandparent Yvonne Foster, senior varsity member Nile Sobek, and coach Janna Carney.

CROWN POINT

Cheerleaders earn ninth place at national event

Crown Point High School's varsity cheerleaders recently placed ninth at national competition in the medium varsity division.

It was the first time in seven years the team participated at the National Cheerleaders Association’s national competition.

The varsity squad spent five days in Dallas at the event. Jessica Poulton is the coach. She is assisted by Kelli Cornett. Team captains are Kaitlin Cannon and Jessica Modglin; the varsity lieutenant is Maddie Chambers. The rest of the squad consists of Kirsten Airey, Trisha Eberly, Natalie Einikis, Sarah Ferry, Alex Follmar, Danielle Gilliam, Hannah Gurney, Rachel Ignas, Kaleigh Mueller, Brianna Starzak, Jamie Teske, Evie Turner and Kayla Watson.

HAMMOND

Senior robbed Sunday while shoveling snow

A west side senior citizen told police he was beaten and robbed while shoveling snow on Sunday morning.

The 67-year-old resident said he had just finished clearing his driveway shortly after 10 a.m. in the 200 block of Carroll Street when he was suddenly struck in the back.

When he turned around, the resident said a man hit him in the head and face with some sort of blunt object, while demanding his wallet.

The resident said he gave the assailant his wallet, and the man jumped over a fence and fled east. The suspect is described as a tall, thin black man between 20 and 30 years old, over 6 feet tall and around 170 pounds, wearing a red jacket and black pants.

The resident was treated for a laceration above his left eyebrow and a broken nose at a local hospital and released, police said.

A neighbor in the 5600 block of Hohman Avenue reported that her silver Buick Century, which she was letting warm up unattended with the doors unlocked, was stolen at the same time, but police said Monday they were unsure if the two incidents were related.

HOBART

Two break-ins reported at homes over weekend

Two home burglaries were reported to police over the weekend, police said.

In the break-in reported on Friday night, someone entered an unlocked window of a house in the 200 block of North California Street.

Items reported taken included a 40-inch TV and surround sound and a man's watch.

Two remote-control cars were reported taken on Sunday from a house in the 1100 block of West 38th Avenue.

The suspect also entered through an unlocked window, police said.

HOBART

St. Bridget to conduct blood drive on Jan. 26

The Pint Size Heroes organization at St. Bridge School is hosting a blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the school gym, 107 Main St.

Those donating blood must be 17 years and older and at least 110 pounds.

INDIANA

Purdue, IU ranked in 'best value' college list

Purdue University and Indiana University are ranked in the Princeton Review's list of 100 "best value" colleges for 2009.

The list was released Jan. 8. The education services and test-prep company says the ranking, which appeared in USA Today, are an attempt to highlight schools that provide high quality academics at a reasonable price, either by keeping the sticker prices in line or by offsetting the high costs with a great financial package. The survey is based on an analysis using the most recently reported data from each institution for its 2008-09 academic year.

HAMMOND

Sanitary District to elect officers at 4 p.m. today

The Hammond Sanitary District Board of Commissioners will elect new officers tonight during its annual reorganization.

The board's regular meeting will begin at 4 p.m. today at its administration building at 5143 Columbia Ave. The meeting will be preceded by a closed executive session to discuss personnel and litigation.

The board of commissioners typically will meet the second Tuesday of each month throughout 2009.

HAMMOND

Alternative energy to be explored with grant

The city of Hammond and the Hammond Port Authority have received a grant from the Indiana Office of Energy & Defense to fund a wind turbine/renewable education project.

The grant, in the amount of $24,250, was awarded through the 2008 Alternative Power and Energy Grant Program.

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. had asked city entities and departments to investigate ways to decrease utility and energy costs.