Toyota of Merrillville: Second year in a row NWI dealership wins President’s Award

Toyota of Merrillville, offering Northwest Indiana drivers new Toyota vehicles alongside pre-owned models from a variety of automakers, has received the President’s Award from Toyota for the second consecutive year, signaling the local store's continuing commitment to excellence in products,…

Hobart wants uniform ZIP code to end identity crisis

HOBART | Westfield Southlake mall and the nine square miles that surround it have been part of Hobart for nearly 20 years.

Feds: Online date kidnapped, robbed

MERRILLVILLE | A Merrillville woman used a dating website to woo an Illinois man to her town where an accomplice helped her kidnap the unsuspecting suitor, federal authorities said.

Merrillville couple charged in federal insurance scheme

MERRILLVILLE | A Merrilliville couple stole more than $86,000 through false claims filed with home and vehicle insurance companies, federal authorities allege.

Samardzija, Cubs win home spring opener

MESA, Ariz. | Valparaiso native Jeff Samardzija made a strong spring debut and the Cubs scored four unearned runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giants ace Matt Cain, then held on for a 4-3 victory Sunday at HoHoKam Stadium.

Lake Station man charged with fraud after using stolen credit cards

HOBART | A Lake Station man used stolen credit cards to make purchases in Hobart, Merrillville and Porter County, police said.

'Liberty' group appears to take liberties with Visclosky's voting record

A self-described region activist group claiming liberty as one of its pillars appears to have taken liberties with the facts behind a Northwest Indiana congressman's voting and legislative record.

Dealing with grief, sadness at the holidays

The egg nog is flowing, the lights are twinkling and words like "joy" and "jolly" are in season. But not everyone feels that joy or is in the mood for holiday festivities.

2012 Influential Women of NWI to be recognized Thursday

MERRILLVILLE | Women who make significant contributions to the workplace will be honored Thursday at the 2012 Influential Women of Northwest Indiana dinner at the Radisson Star Plaza.

Civil War preservation group hosts celebration

MERRILLVILLE | With 20 new veterans' headstones installed and 41 secured from the federal government, a region Civil War historical preservation group is looking to thank the public and asking for more help.

Crown Point lawyer answers call to serve others in Ukraine

CROWN POINT | Connie Postelli knows she's going to Ukraine to teach English as a second language with the Peace Corps, and that she leaves Northwest Indiana on Sept. 19. Her research has told her the winters will be brutal, with temperatures 20 to 40 degrees below zero.

Centier Bank takes back Shannon Bridge lots

CROWN POINT | Centier Bank bought 23 lots Friday that were part of the stalled Briar Ridge development called Shannon Bridge in a Lake County Sheriff's Department property sale.

MARK KIESLING: Ownership, not race, is the key to a better town

The decision last week by the Merrillville Town Council to put a moratorium on the construction of new apartment buildings was wise leadership.

Cancer society looks for local volunteers to participate in study

MERRILLVILLE | The American Cancer Society is looking for local residents to participate in a cancer prevention study.

Lab manager who pleaded guilty now claims innocence

HAMMOND | Two days before he was to be sentenced for health care fraud, a Chicago lab manager moved to withdraw his guilty plea.

Former doc facing fraud trial dies in prison

HAMMOND | A former Merrillville pediatrician facing a health care fraud trial died over the spring while in prison in Texas.

Reconstructing history

As a child, Alice Smedstad clipped weeds and tall grass away from the headstones of Merrillville Cemetery, wondering about the people buried in the shadow of her father's garden.

Region racial divide blurring -- slowly

Alicia Rios grew up in the Harbor, surrounded by Mexicans and native Texans who shared her Hispanic heritage.

Book signing planned for Portage author

A book signing to celebrate the publishing of Barshea Lowery's first novel, "Nothing Like Family," will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Slovak Club, 6920 Broadway, Merrillville.