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.

Aging population drives demand for senior housing

When Frances Wulf, 92, made the decision to stop driving and sell her car, she began to look for her next step.

Hammond commission OKs loan for sign company

HAMMOND | A local sign and printing company is poised to receive a $54,500 loan from the Hammond Redevelopment Commission in exchange for hiring two city residents.

2 Hammond City Council members propose resolution supporting Jupiter employees

HAMMOND | Two Hammond City Council members are throwing support behind Jupiter Aluminum Corp. employees as contract talks with the company continue.

Hammond fire chief named to city board

HAMMOND | Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith is the newest member of the Board of Public Works and Safety, city officials announced this week.

Construction begins on new Gary Boys and Girls Club

GARY | Construction has begun on the new Boys and Girls Club in Gary with the building slated to open this fall.

Water damage temporarily closes bike bridge in Robertsdale

HAMMOND | The pedestrian bike bridge over Indianapolis Boulevard and New York Avenue is temporarily closed after last week's heavy rains damaged one of the ramps, city officials said.

Lack of quorum cancels tonight's Hammond City Council meeting

HAMMOND | A Hammond City Council meeting set for tonight, where a resolution opposing a county income tax was on the agenda, is canceled because of a lack of quorum.

Hammond council requests information on security staffing from AquaVor

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council is questioning whether the AquaVor nightclub will hire extra security officers following reports of a fight at the club in March.

Salinas plea may lead Hammond Council vacancy

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council may soon have a vacancy as beleaguered Councilman Al Salinas agreed to plead guilty last week to two federal charges.

Copeland cancels furlough days for Teamsters Local 142 municipal employees

EAST CHICAGO | City employees represented by Teamsters Local 142 will no longer have to take furlough days, Mayor Anthony Copeland announced Thursday.

Schleicher neighborhood properties removed from flood plain

HAMMOND | Some 229 structures in the Schleicher neighborhood are being removed from the floodplain, the city announced Thursday.

Whiting breaks ground on new track, football field

WHITING | An estimated $1.5 million project to improve the track and football field at the School City of Whiting’s athletic complex is scheduled to begin this month, officials there said.

Hammond robotics team gears up for world championship

HAMMOND | The School City of Hammond's robotics team is preparing to head to the world championship months after the program lost a major sponsor, placing its future in jeopardy.

Hammond councilman says College Bound should end at some point

HAMMOND | A Hammond councilman wants the city to focus its gaming revenue on infrastructure work, contending at some point the College Bound scholarship program must come to an end.

East Chicago plans city university campus

EAST CHICAGO | As East Chicago works to transform the North Harbor, Mayor Anthony Copeland hopes a significant anchor point of the redevelopment is creation of a university.

McDermott names new chief of staff

HAMMOND | Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has appointed Mark McLaughlin, executive director of the Hammond Development Corp., to serve as his new chief of staff.

Council may reconsider Hammond Public Library funding request

HAMMOND | City officials appear prepared to consider a request from the Hammond Public Library to access funds its administrators argue are at their disposal but can't be used without Hammond City Council support.

Visclosky announces support of marriage equality

U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky announced his support of marriage equality Thursday, calling unfair current federal laws that bar same-sex couples from having the same financial and legal benefits as married couples.

Former Hammond teacher ordered held without bond in sex case

HAMMOND | A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a former Morton High School teacher accused of asking underage female students to send him sexually explicit photos by cellphone to be held without bond, his attorney said.

Purdue Calumet to eliminate nearly 50 positions

HAMMOND | Purdue University Calumet will eliminate nearly 50 academic-related positions in the next 18 months as the school deals with a $4 million revenue shortfall, a university spokesman confirmed.

Hammond City Council approves voluntary retirement program

HAMMOND | The Hammond City Council approved terms Monday for a voluntary retirement program, which Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said will serve as a tool in reorganizing the city.

Dabertin to become RDA board member, step down as McDermott's chief of staff

HAMMOND | Tom Dabertin is leaving his position as Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.'s chief of staff at the end of the month to become a board member of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

Hammond councilman questions $4,000 raise for bailiff

HAMMOND | A proposed $4,000 raise for a court bailiff has garnered criticism from a City Council member, who argued approving the increase would set a precedent.

Hammond City Council approves building permit increases, sets exam fee

HAMMOND | While costs for building permits will increase, the Hammond City Council has raised the threshold that a project must meet before residents are required to obtain a permit before doing work.

Marktown residents want answers on revitalization plan

EAST CHICAGO | Marktown residents are seeking answers from East Chicago on why a revitalization plan crafted five years ago for the community wasn't carried out.

Morton High School teacher charged in sex case faces magistrate

HAMMOND | A hearing was continued Friday for the former Morton High School teacher alleged to have requested underage female students send him sexually explicit photos by cellphone.

Cal College to take over Gary's Charter School of the Dunes

Calumet College of St. Joseph will become the new sponsor of The Charter School of the Dunes in Gary effective July 1, 2013.

School City notified law enforcement after allegations surfaced on Morton teacher

HAMMOND | School City of Hammond Superintendent Walter Watkins said the district immediately notified law enforcement and suspended a former Morton High School teacher when allegations arose of his conduct.