169th Street project to begin impacting traffic on Columbia Avenue

HAMMOND | The 169th Street reconstruction project will impact traffic on Columbia Avenue through early July.

$25 million project to bring retail, restaurants to North Hammond

HAMMOND | Retail and restaurants will spring up on a busy stretch of Indianapolis Boulevard near the Horseshoe Casino and the Walmart Supercenter under an agreement given final approval by the Hammond City Council.

Hammond to launch new mobile phone app for residents to report city issues

HAMMOND | Hammond is preparing to launch a new mobile phone application in August allowing residents to send real-time information to officials on potholes, graffiti and other issues in the city.

Hammond, South Shore CVA partner to collect festival marketing data

HAMMOND | A partnership was announced Thursday between the city and the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority that hopes to gain insight into those who attend Festival of the Lakes.

Hammond Boys & Girls Club celebrates new technology lab

HAMMOND | The Hammond Boys & Girls Club unveiled a new technology lab Thursday made possible by a $20,000 donation from Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

Insurance company files complaint over alleged fraternity hazing

HAMMOND | An insurance company for the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity filed a complaint Wednesday in Hammond federal court relating to alleged hazing activity at a local chapter of the fraternity.

Gary residents charged in child pornography case plead not guilty

HAMMOND | A Gary mother and the man she reportedly met on an online dating website pleaded not guilty Wednesday to new charges surrounding the alleged use of two girls for child pornography.

Hammond City Council debates prayer at government meetings

HAMMOND | Marking a change in tradition, the Hammond City Council observed a moment of silence at Monday's meeting — instead of a prayer.

Hammond schools' superintendent crashes into playhouse

HAMMOND | Hammond's school superintendent ran off the road in a district vehicle Saturday near a city doughnut shop, striking a brick wall, a garage and ultimately plowing into a wooden playhouse in the yard of a residence, police said.

Two men arrested in fight at Forsythe Park

HAMMOND | Police arrested two men Monday after a fight broke out in the parking lot of Forsythe Park, creating a “mob-like” scene, court records state.

Hammond City Council approves library funding

HAMMOND | The Hammond Public Library gained access Monday to the funds necessary to repair the broken air-conditioning system and complete other maintenance items at its downtown building.

State working on detailed analysis of Robertsdale glitter

HAMMOND | State investigators confirmed Friday the glittery substance reported in a Robertsdale neighborhood this week is different from the particle common in the steelmaking process called kish graphite.

BP Whiting Refinery project still on target to meet 2013 end date

WHITING | The $4.2 billion modernization project at the BP Whiting Refinery is on target to end this year, bringing to close a project heralded as the largest single private investment in state history.

Whiting landlords, businesses prepare for end of BP refinery project

The impact on the region of BP's modernization project at its Whiting Refinery is so big, five years down the road it's hard to quantify, Whiting Mayor Joe Stahura said.

Opinker to halt prayer at Hammond City Council meetings

HAMMOND | Hammond City Council President Michael Opinker said Thursday he will end the practice of prayer at City Council meetings pending the U.S. Supreme Court's review of prayer at local government meetings.

Gary pair face additional charges in federal child porn case

HAMMOND | Additional charges were filed Wednesday against two Gary residents in a case dealing with the sale and purchase of a child to create pornography.

Hammond councilman vows to continue prayer before meetings

HAMMOND | City Councilman Anthony Higgs said he will continue to offer a prayer at Hammond City Council meetings, amid the U.S. Supreme Court's review of the practice at local government meetings.

State to investigate glittery substance in Robertsdale

HAMMOND | The state will send investigators to a Robertsdale neighborhood Wednesday after receiving a complaint of a black and silver glittery substance in lawns.

Uylaki wins seat on Hammond City Council

HAMMOND | Lifelong city resident Jack Uylaki easily won a seat on the Hammond City Council on Monday by unanimous support from a caucus of 2nd District Democratic precinct committee members.

4 candidates to vie for Hammond City Council seat in caucus Monday

HAMMOND | Four candidates will vie to represent the city's 2nd District on Monday as a Democratic caucus meets to fill the vacancy on the Hammond City Council.

Hammond commission launching new historic designation sign program

HAMMOND | The Hammond Historic Preservation Commission is launching a new program to bring recognition to historic homes and neighborhoods in the city.

Hammond working to finalize brewery development deal

HAMMOND | The city is working to finalize a deal with the owners of a Flossmoor, Ill., restaurant and brewery to build a second location at Interstate 80/94 and Kennedy Avenue.

Columbia Avenue could reopen to one lane in each direction by June 10

HAMMOND | Columbia Avenue could reopen to one lane of traffic in each direction by June 10, after a stretch of the road near the Grand Calumet River closed in mid-April for construction work.

Views on prayers at local government meetings varied across region

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he has brought the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to review a case dealing with prayer at local government meetings to the attention of the Hammond City Council.

Bicyclists say region trail network growing in popularity, more connections needed

Avid bicyclist Chris Husum can leave his house in Munster and ride out to Chesterton mostly using the region's trail network.

Former Chicago cop sentenced to 12 years in Latin Kings case

HAMMOND | Citing his cooperation in the federal probe of the Latin Kings, a former Chicago police officer will serve 12 years in prison for his role in committing armed robberies for the street gang in Northwest Indiana and Illinois.

Plan in works for administrative stucture of newly merged Ivy Tech regions

A plan for the administrative structure of the north central and northwest regions of Ivy Tech Community College is in the works, with a draft expected to be complete by early June.

Caucus slated June 3 to fill Hammond council seat

HAMMOND | The caucus to fill the vacancy on the Hammond City Council is set for June 3 at the Towle Theater.

PUC students recommend ways to strengthen downtown Hammond

HAMMOND | Downtown Hammond is a key focus as Purdue University Calumet and the city work to forge a stronger relationship, a top university official said.

2 candidates confirm runs for Hammond City Council vacancy

HAMMOND | The pool of candidates vying for the vacant 2nd District seat on the Hammond City Council began to form Thursday.

Hammond councilman plans to bring back resolution opposing income tax

HAMMOND | Hammond City Councilman Bob Markovich will attempt to revive his resolution opposing a county income tax after it died at Monday's City Council meeting because of a lack of support.

Potential candidates for Hammond's 2nd District council seat weigh run

HAMMOND | The day after Al Salinas resigned from the Hammond City Council, one potential candidate confirmed he will run for the 2nd District in the 2015 primary, instead of the caucus slated for June.

Hammond City Council sets public hearing on library funding for June 10

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council has set a public hearing for June 10 on funding for the Hammond Public Library.

Hammond library supporters stage rally

HAMMOND | Holding umbrellas and chanting “Save the Library,” a group of 12 people rallied in support of the Hammond Public Library before Monday’s City Council meeting.

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.

Hammond Redevelopment Commission advances Family Dollar plan

HAMMOND | A new Family Dollar store is being proposed for downtown Hammond near the Strack & Van Til at Hohman Avenue and Sibley Street.

Hammond City Council to weigh library funding at Monday meeting

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council on Monday is expected to discuss funding for the Hammond Public Library.

Hammond planning reconstruction of Chicago Street

HAMMOND | Construction on a $30 million upgrade to Chicago Street is likely to begin in 2015 as the city seeks to improve the safety and mobility of the heavy truck route.

Repairs on pedestrian bike bridge in Robertsdale to start soon

HAMMOND | Repairs on the pedestrian bike bridge over Indianapolis Boulevard and New York Avenue should begin within 10 days.

Cause of fatal Hammond house fire still undetermined

HAMMOND | The cause of a fatal house fire over the weekend in the 4300 block of Torrence Avenue remained undetermined Monday, officials said.

Hammond to buy two new firetrucks

HAMMOND | The Hammond Fire Department is buying two new firetrucks to retire spare rigs that have been in service for nearly 20 years.

Whiting-Robertsdale chamber to launch free shuttle service this summer

WHITING | A free shuttle will service destinations in the Whiting-Robertsdale area from Memorial Day to Labor Day as part of a new Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce initiative.

Hammond officials headed to shopping center conference in Las Vegas

HAMMOND | Beleaguered Hammond City Councilmnan Al Salinas will not be among a group of city officials to attend a conference in Las Vegas this month, though he originally intended to go.

Hammond board upholds denial of business license for tobacco store

HAMMOND | A city board once again has denied a business license for a tobacco store wanting to operate at the southeast corner of 175th Street and Calumet Avenue.

PUC students, faculty rally to save lecturer's job

HAMMOND | A group of Purdue University Calumet students, alumni and professors have rallied to ask the college to reconsider the termination of a well-regarded lecturer.

Charter School of the Dunes expects new relationship to boost student achievement

HAMMOND | Christine Pepa, Charter School of the Dunes principal, says the school's new relationship with Calumet College of St. Joseph will help identify ways to boost achievement in its transient population.

Computer issues force suspension of ISTEP testing for remainder of Tuesday

Indiana online ISTEP+ testing is expected to resume Wednesday after the state suspended testing Tuesday because connectivity issues plagued test takers for a second consecutive day.

Hammond will review status of abandoned grocery store

HAMMOND | A city board has pushed back a decision to order the demolition of an abandoned grocery store to late June.

Technical issues force region school districts to suspend ISTEP testing

Some local school districts were forced to postpone online ISTEP+ testing Monday after students had problems logging onto the exam and being kicked out of the system.