County: Consolidated E-911 system not an option – it’s a law

CROWN POINT | Consolidating Lake County’s E-911 networks into one countywide system isn’t an option; it’s state law. And it will cost all 17 municipal units most of their public safety funds whether officials agree with the mandate or not.

RICH JAMES: It's OK for a politician to change his mind

Mike Repay’s yard signs prior to the 2012 Lake County commissioner’s Democratic primary were emphatic — “No new taxes.”

Lake County commissioners OK money for state flyover data

CROWN POINT | When the state conducts a flyover of Northwest Indiana later this year, Lake County will be able to capture extensive geographic data.

Lake commissioners defer action on E-911 system

CROWN POINT | At its first meeting of 2013 on Wednesday, the Lake County Board of Commissioners deferred action on contracts for the county’s state-mandated E-911 consolidation until the Lake County Public Safety Communications Commission meets later this month.

Drainage Board tackles collapsed culvert on Spring Ditch

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Drainage Board on Wednesday declared an emergency situation involving a collapsed culvert along the Spring Street Ditch that’s threatening Joliet Street in downtown Schererville.

Proposed park in Merrillville would honor area unions

MERRILLVILLE | A piece of property some Merrillville officials have viewed as an eyesore is expected to be improved.

Former Hammond fire chief is political first responder

HAMMOND | David Hamm, former city councilman and fire chief, is a candidate for an upcoming vacancy on the Lake County Council.

EDITORIAL: We pick Tippy, Repay for Lake commissioners

Lake County is guaranteed at least one new county commissioner next year and should get another newcomer as well.

Lake officials unlikely to change jail doctors

CROWN POINT | A Merrillville physician appears ready to get another year to bring the Lake County Jail back to health.

Lake Dalecarlia dam rehab project kicks off

LAKE DALECARLIA | After three years of working toward a dream of rehabilitating dams in this unincorporated community, local leaders and Lake County officials gathered Monday to watch their project get under way.

Lake commissioners split over suit enriching former jail inmates

CROWN POINT | Lake County commissioners voted Wednesday to borrow $7,226,000 to settle a lawsuit over unsanitary conditions in the county jail.

Judge gives candidate time to challenge defeat in 3rd District

CROWN POINT | A judge has given North Township Board member Richard J. Novak time to fully challenge the outcome of last month's Democratic primary election in the 3rd District Lake County commissioner race.

Lake 911 panel to ask for taxing district to pay for dispatching merger

CROWN POINT | Lake County public safety officials are proposing a new county taxing district to pay for the infrastructure of consolidating 911 police dispatchers.

Lake officials to award jail work contract

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to award a contract for reconstructing a section of the Lake County Jail.

Special prosecutor to examine Lake special assistant Raggs' case

CROWN POINT | Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter wants a special prosecutor appointed to investigate an alleged weapons violation against a county official.

Airport official arrested after allegedly pointing loaded pistol during road-rage incident

GARY | The Lake County commissioners' special assistant recently appointed to the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority was being held at the Gary City Jail on Tuesday after allegedly pointing a loaded gun at a motorist Monday night, police said.

Lake County commissioners pursue tax auction cheats

CROWN POINT | Lake County commissioners want to bring the gavel down on deceptive bidders at their tax sales.

Lake County tax-delinquent property auction takes in $3.4 million

CROWN POINT | Lake County Commissioners made a killing in real estate this week.

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.

Spring work set to stem future Lake Co. floods

CROWN POINT | Lake County commissioners gave their approval Friday to three flood-control projects intended to protect homes in Lake Dalecarlia, Lowell and near Schererville from future inundations.