HAMMOND

Adult Ed offers classes at Area Career Center

The Adult Education Department of the School City of Hammond is offering classes in adult basic education classes, including GED (General Educational Development) test preparation classes, citizenship, and English as a second language.

Classes are held year-round and are free to Indiana residents age 19 and older. Indiana certified teachers instruct all classes, which are held in the Area Career Center, 5727 Sohl Ave., Hammond, and in other community facilities.

Those 16 to 18 years old may participate if they are not currently enrolled in high school.

Enrollments in the winter-spring session of Hammond Adult Education classes are now being accepted. Space is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call (219)-933-2419 or come to the Adult Education Office, Room 336, in the Area Career Center.

HAMMOND

Pediatric research is focus of Friday meeting

The Hammond INnovation Center, the new Hammond business incubator, which is a joint partner of Purdue University Calumet and the city of Hammond, hosts via a live interactive its "New Economy, New Rules" format.

"Pediatric Research at Work - Connecting Research with Kids" is offered from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Friday at the INnovation center, 5209 Hohman Ave., next to the Towle Theatre.

Registration and continental breakfast are at 7 a.m.; the presentation is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Call (219) 750-1200 or e-mail innovate@calumet.purdue.edu.

MUNSTER

BZA, planners meet Dec. 9 at Town Hall

The Munster Board of Zoning Appeals meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Town Hall, 1005 Ridge Road.

The Munster Plan Commission meets a half hour later the same night, also at Town Hall.

HIGHLAND

Police seek donations for Shop with a Cop

The Fraternal Order of Police Donald R. Sheppard Lodge No. 122 is asking the public and business community to support its Shop with a Cop program through cash donations.

Officers will shop with needy children Saturday at Wal-Mart in Schererville.

Checks can be made payable to Donald Sheppard Lodge No. 122. They can be dropped off at the Highland Police Department, 3333 Ridge Road, or mailed to P.O. Box 1743, Highland, IN 46322.

LAKE STATION

Seniors invited to meal at Edison High School

Lake Station Lions Club will hold its annual senior citizens dinner at noon on Sunday at Edison Junior/Senior High School, 3400 Parkside Ave.

All Lake Station residents 62 and older are invited to attend this annual event, which includes dinner and door prizes.

Reservations can be made by calling the Senior Citizens Center at (219) 962-6284 or the mayor's office at (219) 962-2081.

INDIANAPOLIS

Indiana BMV sponsors food drive at 140 sites

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will again sponsor a holiday food drive in coordination with food banks across the state.

Collection boxes will be placed in all 140 license branches from today through Dec. 24. BMV Commissioner Ron Stiver says the agency is encouraging everyone who visits a branch to bring in nonperishable food items to support the needy during the holiday season.

More than 27,000 items were donated and distributed as part of last year's food drive.

This year, the AAA Hoosier Motor Club and Environtest, the state's emission testing contractor for Lake and Porter counties, also will collect food items at some of their locations.

The items will be distributed to 11 food banks across the state.

MERRILLVILLE

Library collects clothing for needy area families

The Lake County Public Library will be collecting new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for area families in need through Dec. 19.

The donations can be dropped off at the central branch, 1919 W. 81st Ave., Merrillville.

Contact the library at (219) 769-3541 for more information.

MERRILLVILLE

FOP needs donations for Christmas baskets

The Merrillville Fraternal Order of Police and its associate members will once again sponsor an annual Christmas Basket fundraiser for the needy.

The project committee collects turkeys, hams, canned goods and cash to help fill baskets for up to 60 needy families in Merrillville and Ross Township. Donations can be dropped off at Walter Cook Insurance Agency, 7195 Broadway. Baskets will be assembled Dec. 17 at the Merrillville Fire Station on 73rd Avenue. Jim Nolan and William Berrier are the project's co-chairmen.

For information, call (219) 769-2387.

CROWN POINT

School, YMCA partners in run/walk program

Crown Point High School and the Southlake YMCA have formed a partnership to make the CPHS field house available to residents from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays through Feb. 26 for walking or running indoors during the winter months.

It is open to Crown Point Community School Corp. faculty, support staff and residents. There is no charge for running/walking on your own, but a release form must be signed. The YMCA will have a certified running coach available for supervision at a cost of $15 for Y members, who can reside outside the Crown Point school district, or $30 for nonmembers.

Enter through the Wellness Center entrance (W1) on Circle Drive and see the supervisor to sign up. For more information, call (219) 663-4885.

CROWN POINT

Foundation accepting applications for grants

Grant application packets are currently available from the Crown Point Community Foundation Inc. with an application form and guidelines for proposal evaluation.

The application deadline is Jan. 1. Grants from the Crown Point Community Foundation, Inc. Endowment Fund will be made to organizations and community projects that help the area served by the foundation.

Fields of interest that will be considered for funding include education, health and human services, civic affairs, preservation, conservation, arts and culture.

The Crown Point Community Foundation is interested in funding projects to improve the quality of life for residents in the Crown Point area, said Patricia Huber, the foundation's president/executive director. Request a packet by calling (219) 662-7252. Written requests should be sent to: Crown Point Community Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 522, Crown Point, IN 46308-0522.

MERRILLVILLE

Two C.P. men charged in fracas at nightclub

Police filed charges against two Crown Point men they said hit a police officer after a dispute early Thursday at Hooligan's Nightclub, 1506 E. 83rd Ave.

Police said Atta Musleh, 24, and Muayad Musleh, 23, were fighting with security personnel at the nightclub when an officer arrived at the scene about 1:45 a.m.

The men allegedly began to hit the police officer when he tried to stop the altercation.

The two face charges of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct in Merrillville Town Court.