Arbor Day sprouts saplings

LaPorte County Landscaping workers plant one of six trees on the south end of Knickerbocker Parkway on Monday as part of the city's Arbor Day celebration.

Arbor Day sprouts saplings

Workers from LaPorte County Landscaping plant a tree Monday on Knickerbocker Parkway as part of Hammond's Arbor Day celebration. NIPSCO donated the six trees planted on the south end of the parkway. Last week, the Hammond Parks Foundation donated 18 trees that were planted north on Knickerbocker.

East Chicago celebrates new homes in Washington Square

The Vincent family stands outside their new home in the city's Washington Square neighborhood. City officials on Tuesday celebrated the completion of six new model homes in the neighborhood.

East Chicago celebrates new homes in Washington Square

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland speaks Tuesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday in the Washington Square neighborhood. City officials celebrated the completion of six model homes in the area.

Chicago Heights reaches settlement agreement with Hammond over water issue

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | The City Council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance that allows Mayor David Gonzalez to execute a settlement agreement to resolve all pending litigation with the city of Hammond and the Hammond Water Works.

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

The amount region residents pay for water flowing from their faucets varies widely between communities, a Times analysis shows.

Hammond city councilman injured in crash into tavern

The Calumet Tap at 5516 Calumet Ave., Hammond, was the site of an accident Thursday morning involving a Hammond city councilman. The bar apparently had been closed.

The Roller Dome rink

The Roller Dome rink closed in 2008 and was converted into an indoor soccer facility. The building at 730 Gostlin St. is now vacant, and its owners are seeking a new tenant or a buyer.

Charges filed in Munster homicide

CROWN POINT | The former husband of a Munster woman was charged Wednesday with her slaying early New Year's Day, police said.

Donations still coming in for Cheer Fund

Cheer Fund organizers John and Dan Gescheidler are joined by family members Grant Gescheidler, 9, and Isabelle Kandalec, 7, to count donations Wednesday at The Times office in Munster. More than $27,000 has been raised this year to help local families afford Christmas dinner.

Humane society hosts Black Friday promotion

Emily Watroba, of Schererville, pets Willie, the new family dog she and her husband, Carl Watroba, adopted on Friday. The Humane Society Calumet Area held Black Friday specials on its adoption fees.

Humane society hosts Black Friday promotion

Emily and Carl Watroba greet Willie, the new family dog, they adopted Friday at the Humane Society Calumet Area with help from volunteer Julie Przybyla. The organization held Black Friday specials on its adoption fees.

Humane society hosts Black Friday promotion

Makayla Togtman holds a kitten Friday at Humane Society Calumet Area. Togtman with her sister, Savannah Togtman, and dad, Mike Togtman, came to the shelter to look at cats. The Munster facility waived the adoption fee for cats with black markings on Friday for a Black Friday special.

Purdue Calumet students, members of Jewish community hold counter protests

Members of the Northwest Indiana Jewish community stage a counter rally Monday at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond in support of Israel. They rallied next to a student-led protest organized by Students for Justice in Palestine.

Purdue Calumet students, members of Jewish community hold counter protests

Members of Students for Justice in Palestine hold a "die in" Monday at Purdue University Calumet in protest of deaths in the Gaza Strip. Members of the Northwest Indiana Jewish community rally near them in support of Israel.

Purdue Calumet students, members of Jewish community hold counter protests

Members of Students for Justice in Palestine hold a "die in" Monday at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond in protest of deaths in the Gaza Strip.

Purdue Calumet students, members of Jewish community hold counter protests

Richard Katz, of Crown Point, attends Monday's rally in support of Israel at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond.

Secretary of state speaks to North Twp. seniors about investment fraud

Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson speaks Wednesday to North Township seniors at the Wicker Park Social Center. Her message detailed how they could avoid investment scams.

Monon Trail project nears completion, signs to be added

Marcela Andalon, of Hammond, walks Tuesday with her kids, Aaron, 3, and Aaden Eli, 1, on the Monon Trail. Future plans are to expand the trail south over the Little Calumet River to connect to a Munster trail.

Monon Trail project nears completion, signs to be added

Contractors work to place a curb Tuesday near the Monon Trail at Waltham Street and Lyman Avenue.

Monon Trail project nears completion, signs to be added

Contractors work Tuesday to place a curb near the Monon Trail at Waltham Street and Lyman Avenue. The trail, which runs parallel to Lyman Avenue, should be complete this fall.

Residents without power look for ways to beat the heat

Georgia McClellan's Merrillville home was warm Wednesday afternoon because it had been without power since early Tuesday, but her attitude stayed cool.

More new units opened in ongoing transformation of Hammond's Columbia Center

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and Hammond Housing Authority officials commemorate the opening of 40 new units at the city's Columbia Center complex along 173rd Street. The project was the latest in an effort to update the 1940s-era complex.

More new units opened in ongoing transformation of Hammond's Columbia Center

Hammond Housing Authority Executive Director Carmen Paniagua speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for American Heartland Homes 2 project at Columbia Center. The phase includes 40 newly constructed housing units and nine remodeled units.

E.C. boy dies while swimming with friend in Wolf Lake

HAMMOND | The East Chicago boy who died Friday night from an apparent drowning has been identified by the Lake County coroner's office as Antwain Hall.

Lincoln Elementary plants trees in honor of 10-year-old Hammond boy

Leslie Zoliner-Gradi and Debbie Dolato, grandmothers of Jason DeGroot Jr., help plant trees in his honor on Tuesday at Lincoln Elementary School in Hammond.

Hammond dealing with manhole cover thefts

Thomas Burns, an inspector with the Hammond Sewer Department, lifts a manhole cover recently. Thieves have stolen at least eight manhole covers this year. A standard round manhole cover costs $120 to $200 to replace.

Hammond dealing with manhole cover thefts

Scott Mitchell, Hammond superintendent of sewer maintenance, shows the types of manhole covers thieves are targeting. At least eight manhole covers have been stolen this year from city streets. Last year, 31 manhole covers were stolen.