13 incumbents ousted in Lake, Porter counties

The defeat of Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez is probably the biggest election news in Northwest Indiana, but she wasn't the only incumbent defeated Tuesday.

Kim Poland

Kim Poland, candidate for Hammond City Council, 4th District

MARK KIESLING: Rhetoric heats up over potential gun battle

It was a couple of decades ago when Kim Evans was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who then killed himself in Hammond City Hall.

Council defeats gun ordinance; city exposed to potential lawsuits

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council defeated a proposal that would have changed the city gun and weapon ban to comply with a new state law.

Venecz to take council seat Monday night

HAMMOND | Janet Venecz on Monday night will take her place on the Hammond City council, a seat she earned with the blessing of Hammond's Democratic organization after her predecessor died unexpectedly last month.

Councilwoman to host South Hammond crime watch event

HAMMOND | City Councilwoman Kim Poland, R-4th, will host a South Hammond Crime Watch meeting Thursday that will double as a potluck dinner.

Hammond Fire Chief David Hamm to retire

HAMMOND | The city's fire chief is retiring after 33 years of service to the city, taking advantage of a buyout program the City Council approved earlier this month.

Hammond council gun plan misfires

HAMMOND | The City Council has rejected a measure that would allow elected officials -- and only elected officials -- to carry guns inside Hammond City Hall.

Gun ordinance gains initial approval in Hammond

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council is changing its ban on guns in city buildings to comply with a state law that allows people to conceal guns everywhere except buildings with courthouses.

City makes Mulberry near Flat Rock Tap resident-only parking

HAMMOND | The City Council suspended its rules to allow for instant passage of a plan placing resident-only parking signs near Flat Rock Tap at Calumet Avenue and Mulberry Street.

Council may regulate door-to-door salesmen

HAMMOND | Door-to-door salesmen would have to register with the city before plying their wares under an ordinance given initial approval by the Hammond City Council earlier this week.

Council may regulate door-to-door salesmen

Door-to-door salesmen would have to register with the city before plying their wares under an ordinance given initial approval by the Hammond City Council. "The catalyst was a lot of gypsy-type scams," said one council member.

Council punts on Little Cal funding measure, could delay another month

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council postponed a vote on a controversial measure supporting the creation of a conservancy district early Tuesday morning after hours of contentious opposition from Lake County residents.

Candidates appear to violate state law

Two candidates for Schererville Town Council and one Crown Point council hopeful in Tuesday's primary appear to be violating state law by overseeing two campaign funds, according to a Times review of public records.

Three seek 4th District Hammond Council seat

HAMMOND | The city's 4th District primary May 3 will give one Democrat a chance in November to unseat the Hammond City Council's only Republican: Kim Poland, who is also the city's GOP chairwoman.