Lawyers, businesswomen come to aid of former inmates

CROWN POINT | Prison inmates on the path to re-entering their communities and the job market will have more than 700 pieces of "gently used" professional clothing to choose from, thanks to the Lake County Bar Association and local businesswomen.

Grants fund projects for school, youth and community programs

CROWN POINT | The Crown Point Community Foundation awarded $54,032.87 in community grants for the first grant cycle of 2013

South Suburban College to get $41.6M for new medical training center

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, left, thanks Illinois state Sen. Donne Trotter after Trotter spoke to the audience. Quinn on Thursday announced a grant of $41.6 million for expansion at South Suburban College in South Holland. Quinn said Trotter was instrumental in providing the funding.

Funding of Hobart's Maria Reiner senior center comes under attack

HOBART | The city's funding of the one-year-old Maria Reiner senior center came under attack Wednesday by resident Larry Brown.

Army Corps completes flood control work in Cal Twp. subdivision

CALUMET TOWNSHIP | Elected officials joined the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday for what they said is "the successful completion" of flood control construction in the Randburn Woods subdivision.

Competition stiff for bike trail funding

Bike trails have grown to become a mini highway system in the region in the past 20 years, but the funding used to build them has some interesting competition.

Church offers to fund its day care center to make up for state cuts

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | While the Illinois General Assembly considers restoring funding to day care centers across the state, the Chicago Miracle Temple Church decided this week it must tap into its own funds to keep open a day care center in its facility.

Lake commissioners give green light to road work loan

CROWN POINT | Lake County commissioners gave their approval Wednesday to a plan to borrow $5 million to repair crumbling rural road.

High-speed rail service to St. Louis on track

The construction of the high-speed railway between Chicago and St. Louis will move forward, officials said, despite Congress' decision to eliminate funding for high-speed rail projects.

Thankful for life's second chances: Campagna Academy's history of helping others leaves many grateful

Since its dedication in 1947 as Hoosier Boys' Town, Campagna Academy in Schererville has been helping youths escape neglect and abuse and return to safe, more stable homes.

South suburbs hope to learn from Denver in developing new Metra train line

LANSING | South suburban officials who hope to develop a new Metra southeast commuter train line between Chicago and Crete are hoping to learn from the example of Denver, where officials are developing a new system of commuter trains and buses.

Lake County rises on broad back of industry

A restoration project at Marquette Park in Gary will focus on dredging the East Lagoon and renovating a pavilion. Restoration of lakefront property has been a focal point of development in the region in recent years.

Marquette Park restoration garners EPA grants

Visitors tour Marquette Park after a news conference Friday about the awarding of federal grants at the Gary park.

Marquette Park restoration garners EPA grants

U.S. Rep. Pete Visklosky, D-Ind., talks about a restoration project at Marquette Park on Friday during at a news conference at the Gary park.

Marquette Park restoration garners EPA grants

A group takes a short tour of Marquette Park on Friday after a news conference at the Gary park to announce the awarding of federal money to a restoration project.

Marquette Park restoration garners EPA grants

Mark Reshkin, a retired Indiana University professor, talks about some of the history of Marquette Park on Friday after a news conference at the Gary park.

Marquette Park restoration garners EPA grants

U.S. Rep. Pete Visklosky, D-Ind., right, chats with Richard Whitman from the U.S. Geological Survey on Friday before a news conference at Marquette Park to announce the awarding of federal money to the restoration effort at the Gary park. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also awarded…

Porter Twp. enrollment down slightly

PORTER TOWNSHIP | Preliminary figures show a small enrollment decline in Porter Township Schools.

Hands in for Head Start

MERRILLVILLE | The recent federal budget bill passed by the U.S. Congress includes an increase of $340 million for Head Start over the fiscal year 2010 funding level, which means all children currently in Head Start will be able to remain enrolled.