Chiefs, politician clash over choice of E-911 vendors

CROWN POINT | Before Lake County can merge the emergency networks of its 17 municipalities, everyone has to agree on a vendor.

E-911 becoming Lake County's squawk box

ST. JOHN | Efforts to open a clear line of communication among Lake County's police and firefighters were troubled by static over government policy Wednesday.

Dyer man gets 12 years for burning down officer's home

CROWN POINT | A judge sentenced a Dyer man to 12 years of prison and home detention for burning down the home of a Lynwood police officer and her three children.

EDITORIAL: Manage government workforce better

In county government, as with businesses, the employees are the biggest cost. But county government hasn't followed the private sector's lead yet in managing that cost, or those employees, well.

Million-dollar supplements spur income growth in government employees

CROWN POINT | Lake County government officials continue to fortify the salaries of their favorite employees with supplements.

County government jobs desireable, tough to get

County government jobs in Northwest Indiana look attractive, if you can get one.

EDITORIAL: Speak up, train to fight unethical behavior

Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and others offered valuable insight Friday at the annual Ethics in Government breakfast meeting: If you don't report corruption, you're an enabler.

RICH JAMES: Griffith offers wrong answer on Calumet Twp.

I can’t believe Griffith is at it again, wanting to break away from Calumet Township.

EDITORIAL: Calumet Twp. is poster child for reform

Most of Indiana's 1,008 townships have such small budgets and low visibility that many people don't even know what township they live in, much less what the township government's responsibilities are. And then there are statistical outliers like Lake County's Calumet Township.

WILLIAM NANGLE: Lake County Council needs to do what's right

To err is human, and that’s what I’ve done. Lake County's attorney, John Dull, pointed out in an email to me Monday that I was wrong in suggesting he is “passing the buck” by his seeking to have communities throughout the county sign an interlocal agreement facilitating consolidation of 911 …

EDITORIAL: Amnesty is good for county, taxpayers

Offering forgiveness of tax penalties to collect property taxes from delinquent taxpayers is a great way to offer a single chance to make good before properties are subject to tax sales.

MARK KIESLING: Let Santorum onto Indiana ballot

Do the right thing. That was not only the name of a pretty decent Spike Lee film but also what I am urging Dan Dumezich to do.

Times government reporter on Lakeshore Public Radio

Hear Bill Dolan, The Times' Lake County government reporter, talk politics at 11:30 a.m. Monday on WLPR, Lakeshore Public Radio, 89.1 FM.

Questions remain on Choate body's release

CROWN POINT | It remained unclear Tuesday afternoon who will take custody of the body of teenage abuse victim Christian Choate.

Judge frees Christian Choate's body for burial

CROWN POINT | A teenage victim of years of abuse finally may be laid to rest two years after his death.

Authorities investigating Lake County jail check fraud

CROWN POINT | Federal, state and local authorities are investigating a fraudulent check scheme originating from the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

Buzzy week for Gov. (candidate?) Daniels

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels got a bit of a boost in the presidential sweepstakes last weekend, starting with Bill Dolan's story last Friday following Daniels' visit with The Times editorial board.

No freedom for Gary police sting critic

CROWN POINT | A Gary man who drove into a police sting for auto thieves and then claimed his civil rights were violated is now on his way to prison.

Vote trends breaking badly for Democrats

CROWN POINT | Lake County Democrats still rule the roost, if judged by the overall results of this month's general election.

Adams disdains $100-per-hour consultant

CROWN POINT | Lake County Assessor-elect Hank Adams doesn't take office for seven weeks but already has begun making his mark on county government by refusing the services of a $100-per-hour consultant.