Voting centers offer option to streamline elections

Polling place worker Dorothy Vicari chats with voter Gene Anderson after he cast his ballot in precinct 14 at the Faith Church polling place in Dyer on May 8. Lake County officials have combined some precincts to have fewer polling places.

Voting centers offer option to streamline elections

Greg Guidotti gets assistance finding his voting precinct from polling place worker Beverly Zanstra on May 8 at Faith Church in Dyer. The church served as the polling place for more than one precinct, a growing trend.

Shedding light on city government

Hammond resident Doris Busse shades herself from the sun at Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s first outdoor Mayor's Night Out .

Outdoor get-together

Hammond resident Doris Busse shades herself from the sun Wednesday at Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s first outdoor Mayor's Night Out.

Outdoor get-together

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. addresses Hammond residents at his first outdoor Mayor's Night Out.

Outdoor get-together

It was a battle to keep from being blinded by the sun at Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s first outdoor Mayor's Night Out .

Outdoor get-together

Chief of Staff Tom Dabertin addresses Hammond residents Wednesday at Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s first outdoor Mayor's Night Out.

Toll Road exit may close

Indiana Toll Road westbound Exit 21, shown here closed due to construction in August 2011, could be eliminated by the private operator of the Indiana Toll Road. The closure would require public hearings and approval from the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Poll workers say voter turnout shockingly low

Polling place workers Beverly Zandstra, left and Lorraine Warmelink wait for voter to show up Tuesday afternoon at Faith Church in Dyer.

Poll workers say voter turnout shockingly low

Campaign workers wait to greet voters Tuesday outside the polling place at Faith Church in Dyer.

Poll workers say voter turnout shockingly low

Greg Guidotti receives help finding his voting precinct from polling place worker Beverly Zanstra on Tuesday afternoon at Faith Church in Dyer. Voter turnout was low at Faith Church, though it should be very busy in November, precinct official Edward Tilton said. Polling place workers are in…

Poll workers say voter turnout shockingly low

Polling place worker Dorothy Vicari chats with voter Gene Anderson after he cast his ballot Tuesday at a polling place at Faith Church in Dyer. Voter turnout was low at Faith, where voters from precincts 6, 8, 13, 14 and 15 reported to cast their ballots.

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EAST CHICAGO 3-point shotout, Whiting's Brianna Blackwell

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EAST CHICAGO 3-point shootout, Hanover Central's Nick Bollenbacher

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EAST CHICAGO 3-point shotout, Chesterton's Lindsey Gorman

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EAST CHICAGO 3-point shootout, Portage's Tyler Gonzalez

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EAST CHICAGO 3-point shootout, Hobart's Matthew Brown

For early birds, bargain electronics are the 'worm'

Bargain shoppers line up Thursday outside Best Buy in Highland, eagerly awaiting the store's opening at midnight.

For early birds, bargain electronics are the 'worm'

Shoppers line up Thursday outside Best Buy in Merrillville as they wait for the store to open at midnight. Many shoppers were hoping for a chance at a voucher for a $199.99 42-inch television.

For early birds, bargain electronics are the 'worm'

Jesse Black, of Crown Point, adjusts his tent Thursday outside Best Buy in Highland. Black was first in line in Highland after ditching his 16th place in line at the Merrillville Best Buy.