LAPORTE

Woman admits addiction, faces 2 years in prison

Kristina Hartmann stole from a man she met on a riverboat then later professed to have a gambling problem, records said.

She pleaded guilty Friday in LaPorte Circuit Court to Class C felony forgery.

According to court documents, the 40-year old woman met the victim downstate in 2007 at a floating casino.

In February, she began living at his Wanatah residence.

She made at least three withdrawals of $300 apiece with his Horizon Bank ATM card and siphoned another $368 with one of his personal checks, police said.

If the plea is accepted by the judge, Hartmann will receive a two-year prison sentence and three years probation.

LAPORTE

Man accused of helping gunman in shooting case

A 20-year old LaPorte man was charged in a crime involving gunshots when the victim stood up to the robbers.

Thomas Arthur made his initial appearance Friday in LaPorte Circuit Court and is accused of assisting the alleged gunman, Jeremie Hammonds.

In July, both men were inside the man's home when Hammonds demanded prescription pills that were inside a safe.

The victim refused and Hammonds, after fleeing, allegedly put three bullet holes into the man's Laurel Street residence, court documents revealed.

Arthur was being held on $3,500 cash bond.

LAPORTE

City receives salt bid of 3 times more than 2007

Unlike many communities, LaPorte has received a bid on salt, which has more than tripled in price.

The lone bid opened this week from Morton was $106 per ton.

Last year, the city paid about $30 per ton, said Dale Clingerman, LaPorte's director of engineering.

Because of a severe financial pinch from statewide property tax relief, not as much salt can be purchased this year, meaning supplies this winter likely will be stretched with more sand, he said.

Clingerman said the city is lucky, though, because communities that aren't receiving bids will be forced on the more expensive open market.

A salt shortage is to blame, officials said.

MICHIGAN CITY

Parks department head voluntarily steps down

Michigan City will have to look for a new parks superintendent.

Darrell Garbacik is leaving voluntarily but his next job choice has not been disclosed.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie credited Garbacik with advancing the department in areas such as park offerings and efficiency.

"To a great extent, he inherited an area that was not very functional. He's done a great job. We're going to miss him," Oberlie said.

Garbacik could share more about his future plans at the Sept. 19 park board meeting where his written resignation is expected to be officially acted upon.