McDermott prepares for four more years at helm of Democratic Party

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. can comfortably settle in for four more years as Lake County Democratic party boss.

Cops will target Crown Point gun shows in stonger weapons monitoring

GARY | The Lake County Fairgrounds gun shows are an example of a potential source of guns that fall into criminals' hands, Indiana and Illinois law enforcement officials said Thursday.

RICH JAMES: Commissioners, not NRA, run Lake County

Starting today, Times readers will see a new columnist, Rich James, on A3 on Sundays and Wednesdays, in the spot formerly occupied by the late Mark Kiesling's columns.

Calumet Twp. vendors receive $24M over 10 years

GARY | The Calumet Township trustee's office kept more than just the poor housed and fed, 10 years of financial data analyzed by The Times show.

PHIL WIELAND: Big wind brings blowhard Wielando's annual visit

It's an ill wind that blows no good, and this week's storm blew in the no-goodest prognosticator of them all: The Amazing Wielando.

President Clinton praises Hammond Mayor McDermott

INDIANAPOLIS | Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. learned Friday what it's like to hear a former president of the United States praise you in front of more than 3,000 people.

Former Gary Mayor Rudy Clay positive despite hospital stay

GARY | Former Gary Mayor Rudy Clay was admitted to the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus on Saturday to be treated for a low blood count.

Gary's Mister Lucky's Lounge was once a musical hotspot in Northwest Indiana

Fans of the iconic Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 can still share a piece of their musical performance history in the region.

Former Gary mayor worked alongside MLK

Editor's Note: For the past 31 years, the Gary Frontiers Service Club has presented its Drum Major Award at the group's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast.

PHIL WIELAND: Get ready for some more Amazing predictions

The new year dawned full of promise and hope and other delusions, which means it's time again for the soothiest of soothsayers, the man who puts the "dam" in Nostradamus, the Amazing Wielando.

Clay views his lifetime of public service as 'clarion call'

GARY | Rudy Clay, a fixture in local, county and state politics for decades, took a long look at his life's work as his days as mayor of the region's once-largest city waned.

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Gary Mayor Rudy Clay gives a proclamation to certified executive life coach Lynn Johnson, a Gary native, on Thursday at City Hall. The proclamation declared Thursday, Dec. 22, "Coach Lynn Johnson Day."

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Gary Mayor Rudy Clay signs paperwork Thursday in his office at City Hall. Clay's last day in office will be Dec. 31.

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Gary Mayor Rudy Clay walks to a meeting Thursday at City Hall.

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Gary Fire Chief Donald Williamson shows Mayor Rudy Clay one of two new mini-pumper firetrucks Thursday before a news conference.

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Gary Mayor Rudy Clay waits for the elevator Thursday at City Hall. A portrait of Clay hangs on the wall along with all of Gary's past mayors.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: It takes a village in Gary

"It takes a village." That is how Lisa Daugherty, advertising director and Crown Point general manager for The Times, discussed the popularity of our mostly unknown yet extremely popular community websites we are developing on nwi.com. Her point is we have so many cool things that not only t…

Gary leadership baton ready to be passed

GARY | The baton is nearly passed, and the ball is ready to be carried over the goal line.

Clay still holds key to city and supporters' hearts

GARY | Mayor Rudy Clay delivered hugs and handshakes to those crowding into the Genesis Center on Friday evening to bid farewell to him after 40 years in the public eye and mind.

Clay still holds key to city and supporters' hearts

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay, center, talks with Lake County Prosecuting Attorney Bernard Carter, right, during a celebration Friday honoring Clay's 40 years of public service.