McDermott's new chief of staff to make $94,000

HAMMOND | Mark McLaughlin will earn a $94,000 salary in his new role as chief of staff for Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

County government jobs desireable, tough to get

County government jobs in Northwest Indiana look attractive, if you can get one.

Hammond City Council to weigh regulations for drop boxes

HAMMOND | The City Council is expected to take a final vote Monday on a proposal to regulate donation boxes.

GUEST COMMENTARY: The greatest gift a parent can receive

While taking a walk with the dog the other day, I recalled a somewhat obscure conversation I had with my mother about 25 years ago.

August is high-anxiety month for Lake County government

CROWN POINT | The Lake County Government Center could be an uneasy workplace for those employees traveling to U.S. District Court in Hammond in the coming days to give evidence about their fellow employees in open court or in the grand jury room.

Some mayors rely on chiefs of staff, others do without

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's administration has a prominent vacancy.

Pierogi Fest comes to Whiting this weekend

WHITING | Pierogi Fest, an annual nod to the city's Eastern European heritage, began with a 100-foot stretch of downtown with one booth selling its namesake dumpling.

Pierogi Fest comes to Whiting this weekend

WHITING | Pierogi Fest, an annual nod to the city's Eastern European heritage, began with a 100-foot stretch of downtown with one booth selling its namesake dumpling.

New anti-nepotism law may transform local government employment

INDIANAPOLIS | A new state law that took effect Sunday signals the end of Northwest Indiana's tradition of nepotism in local government jobs.

New option in mix for proposed health insurance overhaul in Hammond

HAMMOND | A less expensive health insurance option for city employees is in the mix as Hammond looks to trim its medical costs.

Hammond Mayor McDermott recaps China trip

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., fourth from right, and a delegation of city officials traveled to China on an economic development trip in March. Pictured, from left, are a guide; Ed Krusa, Mark Kalwinski, Pat Obi, Tom Dabertin, McDermott, Bobby Lendi, Joe Smith and Phil Taillon.

Hammond looks to expand redevelopment area for Potash project

HAMMOND | With Potash Corp. breaking ground on its new facility in June, the city is positioning itself to provide $10 million in incentives to the company.

Hammond delegation travels to Guangzhou

Editor's note: Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. is sending updates to The Times while he's in China.

DABERTIN: Delegation travels to Sister City

We are traveling today from Beijing to Shahe City. The trip by bus takes about 5 hours. We will return to Beijing later in the week. By the way, while I am known as being anything but adventurous when it comes to food, I can unequivocally state that China Big Macs taste just like those in th…

EDITORIAL: A call for help with 911 merger

The Lake County Public Safety Communications Commission, which is facilitating the 911 dispatch consolidation, faces three big challenges. It has to choose and prepare two sites, and it has to equip the dispatch centers and the police and firefighters accordingly.

Mayor McDermott to make economic development announcement Sept. 28

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. will make an important economic development announcement on Wednesday, September 28 at 10:30 a.m. at West Point Plaza Industrial Park, 1515 Huehn Street (Huehn and White Oak).

Talk of consolidate dispatch leaves questions on the table

SCHERERVILLE | Town leaders left with more questions than answers after a discussion Wednesday about a state-mandated 911 dispatch consolidation.

OFFBEAT: Whiting's 2011 Pierogi Fest includes invite to England's William and Kate

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Council punts on Little Cal funding measure, could delay another month

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council postponed a vote on a controversial measure supporting the creation of a conservancy district early Tuesday morning after hours of contentious opposition from Lake County residents.

Sheriff shuffles consultants, discarding some

CROWN POINT | Lake County Sheriff-elect John Buncich wants to replace five legal, medical and information technology consultants now working for the county police and the jail with his own vendors.