Rudy Clay

Mayor Rudy Clay delivers remarks at a ceremony to break ground and start construction for the Marquette Park Lakefront East Project in Gary, April 15, 2011.

Rudy Clay

Mayor Rudy Clay delivers remarks at a ceremony to break ground and start construction for the Marquette Park Lakefront East Project in Gary, April 15, 2011.

New firearms training played role in keeping public, police safe in Hobart incident

Merrillville police Sgt. Robert Wiley gives a Taser demonstration in April during a training program at the Merrillville Police Department. Police credit a new firearms training program in Merrillville and Hobart for their successful response to a crash involving four suspects in a Porter Co…

New firearms training played role in keeping public, police safe in Hobart incident

Merrillville police Sgt. Robert Wiley, right, leads Officer Allison Ellis through a training program earlier this year at the Merrillville Police Department. The program was one of a number of technological advancements funded through a Community Oriented Policing Services grant.

New firearms training played role in keeping public, police safe in Hobart incident

Sgt. Robert Wiley demonstrates the Taser function of a new virtual reality training program at the Merrillville Police Department.

2011 Crown Point Corn Roast

Libby Brown, 2, of Crown Point, enjoys corn during the 2011 Crown Point Corn Roast in downtown Crown Point.

Hammond soldier receives Purple Heart for combat injuries

Brig. Gen. Joe Osburn, 81st Troop Command commander, presents Spc. Doug Rachowicz with the Purple Heart on Friday during a ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Valparaiso. The Hammond soldier returned home a month ago after he was injured in early January in an explosion in Afghanistan t…

Munster police adding canine program

Munster Police honor guard carry out a wreath to honor fallen officers during an annual police memorial ceremony outside the Munster police department, Friday, May 20, 2011.

Yogi Ferrell

Jerry Palm

Schererville resident Jerry Palm runs two websites that use mathematical formulas to predict college football and basketball tournament rankings.

One Region, One Vision approach has many facets

Youngstown, Ohio Mayor Jay Williams speaks during a Gary and Region Investment Project Urban Exchange in Gary on April 27. Williams is now part of the Obama administration, as executive director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers.

Dancing with the Local Stars 2011

Joel Palascha, coordinator for community affairs for U.S. Steel-Gary Works and partner Beth Coberg compete in the Dancing with the Local Stars event at the Merrillville Radisson in this Feb 24, 2011, file photo.

Study: Tourism contributes $1.6 billion to Lake County economy

Great Lakes surfer Jim Hoop rides a wave in Whiting, Saturday, May 14, 2011.

Luke Oil has expansion plans.

Nadia Grisolia fills her car at a Luke gas station on Ridge Road in Griffith in May 2011. Luke Oil Vice President Tom Collins Jr. said the diversified company plans to open at least five new gas stations and convenience stores in 2012.

Times POY 2011 - Blizzard

Lake County Highway Department driver Roger Ohlenkamp walks through deep snow to prepare a chain to tow his snowplow out of a ditch in Crown Point on Feb 2. The truck ended up in a ditch due to a civilian driver that would not move.

Portage's Mackenzie Barcelli No. 2

Portage's Mackenzie Barcelli has advanced to the IHSAA state gymnastics finals in her first two years.

Young and old face biggest challenge to eating healthy foods

A Meals on Wheels employee loads up his car with food to be delivered to people in need.

New Stracks strack and van till Lowell

Kathy Jonkman shops at a Strack and Van Til grocery store in Lowell.

C.P.'s Artful Garden rises again after blaze

Liz Messing holds a pot of flowers at her garden supply store, The Artful Garden in Crown Point. A fire in February 2010 destroyed the original building, but Messing decided to rebuild. The store reopened in May.