LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Times Shore Best of the Region contest is about 20 years old---we always have to give or take a few years with that number, we have occasionally taken a year off, back in the day before digital balloting---and takes on added importance each year as competition grows and our voters and ma…

Chicago couple charged with theft of iPads at Hobart store

HOBART | A Chicago couple broke into a display case at Best Buy and stole iPads valued at more than $3,000, police said.

Ex-employee charged with theft from Hobart business

HOBART | A former Best Buy employee stole five televisions from the store while working there in December, police said.

Chicago woman charged with thefts at Best Buy in Hobart

HOBART | A Chicago woman gave away more than $4,000 in unpaid merchandise while employed at Best Buy, police said.

Best Buy 2Q profit drops 90%, misses estimates

NEW YORK | The news just keeps getting worse at Best Buy each day.

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

BEST OF THE REGION 2012

Philadelphia woman charged with attempted card fraud

HOBART | A Philadelphia woman allegedly attempted to buy items from local stores using a stolen credit card, police said.

Valparaiso High School Students win $10,000 DoSomething.org e-Waste Educational Grant

VALPARAISO | Do Something leverages communications technologies to enable young people to convert their ideas and energy into positive action. They inspire, empower and celebrate a generation of doers: young people who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it do…

Village gets TV gift for youth center

LANSING | The video games played by kids at the Patti Leach Youth Center look a lot bigger and better these days, as do the DVDs.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Mobile devices will dominate our lifestyles this year

The Great Recession might have delayed the onslaught of mobile devices as a driver of our digital culture, but 2011 will be the year when many aspects of our lifestyles are influenced by mobile communications:

Local retailers hope Black Friday turn sales golden

Holiday shoppers could find better-than-average Black Friday bargains when they begin their hunt early -- very early, when retailers are expecting eager crowds.

Holiday shopping battle starts earlier

SIOUX CITY | As most everybody knows, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day is not just an ordinary shopping day. Year after year, hordes of bargain-hungry shoppers gather in the cold outside stores in the wee hours of the morning.