Heart healthy foods can be delicious and nutritious

Eating a heart-healthy diet is essential in maintaining good health, dietitians say, and by following some easy tips, is entirely possible.

Joe Ferguson of Gus Bock Ace Hardware in Lansing Stocks Bags of Sidewalk Salt

Joe Ferguson, 17, of Dyer, stocks bags of sidewalk salt Monday at Gus Bock Ace Hardware on Ridge Road in Lansing, Ill.

Salt Blends for Preventing Slips and Falls

Today's blends of salt-based products for eliminating ice on sidewalks and driveways includes additives to prevent harm to pets, concrete and landscapes.

Winter Salt Treat Road Concerns

Blends of salt and chemical combinations create better options today for not only keeping winter roads safe, but also to prevent harm to vehicles and vegetation.

Meltdown: Ice thaw for slippery sidewalks includes salty consideration

Valparaiso University student Abby Accettura said she plans her winter footwear based on how much "white" she sees on the sidewalk outside her window.

'Smitten Kitchen' plum poppyseed muffins

From "The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook" by Deb Perelman

Fire destroys Union Township home

Homeowner Millie Stephan, right, and friend Debbie Hager hug after a fire at Stephan's home on Sassafras Drive in Salt Creek Commons. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Fire destroys Union Township home

A firefighter walks away from a home at 424 Sassafras Drive in Salt Creek Commons on Wednesday after it caught fire.

Fire destroys Union Township home

A burned couch sits outside of 424 Sassafras Drive after a fire at the home Wednesday in Salt Creek Commons in Union Township.

Fire destroys Union Township home

No one was injured after a home at 424 Sassafras Drive in Salt Creek Commons caught fire on Wednesday.

Unexpected sources

Blood pressure cuff and salt

Let is snow -- area road crews say they're well stocked with salt thanks to state bidding

Crews prepare sand for transport at the Lake County Highway Department facility in Crown Point. The county also has 7,000 tons of road salt ready for winter's worst.

Let is snow -- area road crews say they're well stocked with salt thanks to state bidding

About 4,800 tons of road salt are stored for the winter at the salt shed at the Lake County Highway Department facility in Crown Point. The department also has a salt shed in Lowell.

Let is snow -- area road crews say they're well stocked with salt thanks to state bidding

A stockpile of sand and a mixture of sand and road salt, right, sit next to the salt shed, far left, at the Lake County Highway Department facility in Crown Point. The shed holds 4,800 tons of salt. The county applies a mixture of three parts sand to one part salt to area roads.

Let is snow -- area road crews say they're well stocked with salt thanks to state bidding

A stockpile of sand and a mixture of sand and road salt, right, sit next to the salt shed at the Lake County Highway Department facility in Crown Point.

Take a pass on salt for better health

Most Americans are putting themselves at risk for several health problems by eating too much salt. According to a study, the vast majority of Americans consume more than the daily recommended amount of sodium.

Salt order means it's almost road seasoning season

VALPARAISO | It's never too soon to start planning for snow, especially when forecasts call for at least a possibility of it this week, and that means stocking up on salt.

Hebron hoping for extra salt in its road diet

HEBRON | The town is looking for a partner in salt.

State of emergency declared in Porter, LaPorte counties; meetings, events canceled

A private truck carrying road salt is stuck in the snow Monday morning on a service road off of Main Street in Crown Point.

State of emergency declared in Porter, LaPorte counties; meetings, events canceled

A private truck carrying road salt was stuck in the snow Monday morning on a service road off of Main Street in Crown Point before being pulled free. A state of emergency remained in effect Monday evening in Porter and LaPorte counties, with blowing and drifting lake-effect snow on top of ic…