MARK KIESLING: Water options for Chicago Heights may be evaporating

Not since the Hoover Dam was completed in 1936 has such a federal case been made about water.

DOUG ROSS: Pence missed a fun opportunity for NWI

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence missed a chance Monday to strike a blow at the Lake County Democratic Party. Instead, he chose state Rep. Sue Ellspermann to be his running mate.

MARK KIESLING: Being an official means never having to say you quit

I am kind of wondering what it takes to remove a public official from his or her position.

MARK KIESLING: Salinas, city part ways, and it's about time

Maybe there is more to this firing of Al Salinas than meets the eye.

MARK KIESLING: PUC prof has worn out his welcome

The time has come for Purdue University Calumet to part ways with professor Maurice Eisenstein.

MARK KIESLING: Maurice, don't throw stones if you can't take them

Apparently Purdue University Calumet professor Maurice Eisenstein can dish it out but can't take it.

MARK KIESLING: Hammond voting may show which way political winds are blowing

Voting in Lake County's largest Democratic organization resulted in a couple of surprises Monday night.

MARK KIESLING: Non-incumbents need to stop whining and start campaigning

I am somewhat surprised that some Democratics candidates for office in the May primary are complaining about the behavior of party chief Tom McDermott Jr.

THURM FERREE: Answers to readers' questions about columns

I know it's popular for many in the state to denigrate Lake County for its political past. Yes, I agree we have had several public officials convicted and imprisoned over the years for things done while in elected office, and I do not try to hide that.

Hammond presents annual parent/child Sweetheart Dance

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s annual Parent/Child Sweetheart Dance takes place on Friday, Feb. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jean Shepherd Community Center, 3031 J.F. Mahoney Drive.

WILLIAM NANGLE: Reviewing 2011, we have lots to celebrate

When I look back over a year about to end, I naturally remember the tough times, but I also recapture the moments of success and accomplishment.

MARK KIESLING: Lake commissioner races finally gets exciting

For years, the race for a seat on the Lake County Board of Commissioners has been anything but a race.

MARK KIESLING: Dems take care of business in Hammond, not in Munster

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr.'s decisive victory might signal the death knell for the city's once-powerful opposition.

MARK KIESLING: Daniels off target on criticism of Northwest Indiana

In kind of a weird way, it was the perfect collision of two ways to view the recent history of Northwest Indiana.

MARK KIESLING: Toll bridges may be a gamble

It's more rare than a vein of pure gold or a flawless diamond -- it's a tax that goes away after its obligation has been met.

MARK KIESLING: Rhetoric heats up over potential gun battle

It was a couple of decades ago when Kim Evans was shot and killed by her estranged husband, who then killed himself in Hammond City Hall.

MARK KIESLING: McDermott consolidates power on council

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. looks like he is consolidating power on the City Council.

MARK KIESLING: Political bickering mires us down, from county to country

Maybe I am out here on a limb on this one, but for some reason I don't think so.

MARK KIESLING: Another Hammond council member, gone too soon

It wasn't all that long ago when a political figure died and I reported that a number of people were already expressing interest in filling the vacancy.