Sen. Randolph to speak at Robertsdale/Whiting Crime Watch

HAMMOND | State Sen. Lonnie Randolph will speak at the next Robertsdale/Whiting Crime Watch on Thursday at Calumet College.

Council defeats gun ordinance; city exposed to potential lawsuits

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council defeated a proposal that would have changed the city gun and weapon ban to comply with a new state law.

Budget deadline misstated

A story in some editions Tuesday misstated the portion of the city budget that needs approval before the end of September. Only the salary ordinance needs to be approved by then. The rest of the budget needs to be approved by Nov. 1.

Hammond moves 2012 budget that gives raises, cuts council casino cash

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council took its first step Monday toward passing a budget for next year.

Venecz to take council seat Monday night

HAMMOND | Janet Venecz on Monday night will take her place on the Hammond City council, a seat she earned with the blessing of Hammond's Democratic organization after her predecessor died unexpectedly last month.

EPA seeks $2.4 million in fines from Hammond Sanitary District

HAMMOND | The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking $2.4 million in fines from the Hammond Sanitary District for the discharge of pollutants and raw sewage into the Grand and Little Calumet rivers.

EPA seeks $2.4 million in fines from Hammond Sanitary District

HAMMOND | The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking $2.4 million in fines from the Hammond Sanitary District for the discharge of pollutants and raw sewage into the Grand and Little Calumet rivers.

Bridge work in Highland near Wicker Park begins

HIGHLAND | Work to pave the way for eventual demolition of the Indianapolis Boulevard Bridge near Wicker Park is under way.

Family escapes burning home in Hammond

HAMMOND | Five people escaped a burning home early Thursday morning in North Hammond.

Corps officials stress need to maintain Little Calumet River

MERRILLVILLE | The inability of region politicians to cooperate on operating and maintaining Little Calumet River levees could jeopardize future federal money and delay removing homes from a flood plain.

Hammond Fire Chief David Hamm to retire

HAMMOND | The city's fire chief is retiring after 33 years of service to the city, taking advantage of a buyout program the City Council approved earlier this month.

Hammond council gun plan misfires

HAMMOND | The City Council has rejected a measure that would allow elected officials -- and only elected officials -- to carry guns inside Hammond City Hall.

Smoking out their specialties

CROWN POINT | A little bit of grease burned off the grate inside a barrel-shaped grill Wednesday afternoon at the Lake county Fair while Bubba Q Bar-B-Que owner Ed Pierce cracked the front open to turn rib tips and pork loin.

Three file to replace Pucalik on council

HAMMOND | Three candidates are seeking to replace former Hammond at-large City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik, who died last month.

Cops combating daytime break-ins

HAMMOND | Police Chief Brian Miller said his department has taken steps to combat the increase in burglaries over the past three years.

Hammond man shoots gun while fleeing cops, is caught minutes later

GARY | At least 20 police officers helped chase and catch a Hammond man in Gary on Tuesday after he fled from police and fired his gun, police said.

Coroner's office seeks help finding veteran's next of kin

CROWN POINT | Authorities are seeking help finding the family of a World War II veteran who died in a Cedar Lake fire.

Council approves buyout ordinance

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council approved a plan Monday giving retirement-eligible city employees a $1,000-per-year buyout as a way of reducing the city's headcount.

Two injured during three-car wreck Monday in Highland

HIGHLAND | Two people were pulled from a red Ford Focus on Monday afternoon after the car was involved in an accident with two other vehicles about 2 p.m.

Hammond working to beautify main entry point to the city

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. unveiled plans Monday to beautify the city's entrance points.

Failed council hopefuls seek Pucalik seat

HAMMOND | The Hammond Democratic Precinct Organization will vote on a replacement for former Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik at a special caucus meeting on Saturday.

Anthony Stanley named Gary's new police chief

GARY | Mayor Rudy Clay appointed Police Commander Anthony Stanley to replace Chief Gary Carter on Wednesday.

City unveils Carlson Drive at former River Park Apartments site

HAMMOND | The city unveiled changes Tuesday to a road through the former River Park Apartments during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Gun ordinance gains initial approval in Hammond

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council is changing its ban on guns in city buildings to comply with a state law that allows people to conceal guns everywhere except buildings with courthouses.

College Bound students aren't required to report their graduation

Whether the College Bound program has benefited Hammond families or helped students earn an education are not disputed. Almost 700 students have earned about 1,500 single-year scholarships since 2006.

College Bound meeting the grade?

HAMMOND | Catarino Salazar and his wife, Irma, always planned on sending their three kids to college. "Things are so much different now," he said. "It's almost like you have to have some kind of education to succeed."

City makes Mulberry near Flat Rock Tap resident-only parking

HAMMOND | The City Council suspended its rules to allow for instant passage of a plan placing resident-only parking signs near Flat Rock Tap at Calumet Avenue and Mulberry Street.

Gary to hire 15 more cops

GARY | The city will swear in 15 new police officers on Wednesday morning.

Gary man dead after being crushed by semi at truck repair shop

GARY | A mechanic at Bosselman Boss Shop died Friday morning after being crushed by a trailer he was working on about 11 a.m.

Council may regulate door-to-door salesmen

HAMMOND | Door-to-door salesmen would have to register with the city before plying their wares under an ordinance given initial approval by the Hammond City Council earlier this week.

Council may regulate door-to-door salesmen

Door-to-door salesmen would have to register with the city before plying their wares under an ordinance given initial approval by the Hammond City Council. "The catalyst was a lot of gypsy-type scams," said one council member.

Council considers renaming fire station after Pucalik

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council has begun the process to rename a fire station after former Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik, who died earlier this month.

Council opens buyouts to Hammond firefighters

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council has agreed to open the city's buyout program to Hammond firefighters.

Furloughs close Gary offices today; reopening Tuesday

GARY | Gary city offices will be closed today due to a mandatory furlough day. The city will re-open for business on Tuesday.

Dems seek Hammond woman to fill seat

HAMMOND | Former Hammond City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik's death created a vacancy on the City Council and in Hammond politics that will be difficult for city leaders to fill.

Pierogi Fest Parade kicks off 3-day run on Friday in Whiting

WHITING | The Pierogi Festival Parade steps off at 7 p.m. Friday along 119th Street.

PGA pro holds golf clinic Friday during Lost Marsh fundraiser

HAMMOND | PGA professional Dean Gabey will host lunch and a golf clinic before the annual First Tee of Hammond golf outing and fundraiser on Friday at Lost Marsh Golf Course.

Taste of East Chicago slated Aug. 12-14 at Block Stadium

EAST CHICAGO | The city is hosting the Taste of East Chicago from Aug. 12 through 14 at Block Stadium at the corner of 144th and Parrish Avenue.

Cops find possible scene of killing

GARY | Police investigating the brutal death of a 23-year-old woman found in the back of a car believe she was killed behind an abandoned home about one mile east of where she was found.

Councilwoman Pucalik laid to rest

HAMMOND | The procession for Hammond City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik's funeral passed slowly in front of City Hall on Wednesday morning as city workers stood curbside beneath flags flown at half-staff.

Hundreds attend Pucalik's wake

SCHERERVILLE | Hundreds of family, friends and local politicians paid their respects to Hammond City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik at her wake on Tuesday.

Woman found dead in bloody car in Gary

GARY | Police found the beaten and bloody body of a dead woman slumped inside a Mercedes Benz late Monday night in Gary. The woman, whose identity was not available late Tuesday morning, was dead when she was found, according to a police report.

Hammond Sanitary District faces fines, negotiating with EPA on sewage discharges

HAMMOND | The Hammond Sanitary District likely will have to increase sewage rates to pay for $63 million of construction to stop sewage from being discharged into the Little Calumet and Grand Calumet rivers.

Gary could lead conservancy district charge

GARY | The Gary City Council's support for the creation of a conservancy district won't be hampered by the same issues Hammond politicians had to consider when they shelved the plan last month.

'Looking Glass Friends' play slated Sunday at Beatniks

HAMMOND | Beatniks on Conkey will host "Looking Glass Friends," an interactive play at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Hammond Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik dies

CHICAGO | Hammond City Councilwoman Kathleen Pucalik died Friday morning. She was 47 years old. Her family took her off life support on Monday night. She suffered an aneurysm last month and has been hospitalized in Chicago since then.

Hammond Sanitary District removes finance director

HAMMOND | The Hammond Sanitary District has severed ties with Business Manager Alan Arendt.

Taillon addresses Crime Watch tonight at Calumet College

HAMMOND | Phil Taillon, Hammond director of planning and development, will speak at the Robertsdale/Whiting Crime Watch tonight.

Hammond again will offer to buy out employees

HAMMOND | The city of Hammond will offer buyout packages to 54 employees who are eligible for some level of retirement.

SBOA looking Lake County GOP printing in Winfield Township building

WINFIELD | The Indiana State Board of Accounts will examine whether taxpayer money was used to pay expenses for the building that for years housed printing equipment used by Lake County Republicans.