Gary man pleads guilty in Hammond bank robbery

HAMMOND | A Gary man on Friday admitted in federal court he took part in a Hammond bank robbery where an officer was shot in December.

Disband of brothers: Friends part ways to pursue military careers

PORTAGE | The five friends dubbed the "important guys" gathered in Jennifer Hudson's home for pancakes before their last day of high school.

Pair charged in child porn case accused of abusing second girl

HAMMOND | A Gary pair accused of using a toddler to produce child pornography were additionally charged in federal court this week with using another girl, according to court records.

Missing East Chicago man found dead in Grand Calumet River

EAST CHICAGO | A 41-year-old man was found dead Sunday in a canal near the 5500 block of Indianapolis Boulevard, police said.

Lightning sparked fire at S'ville condo building, official says

SCHERERVILLE | Several local fire departments spent more than six hours Thursday battling a blaze at a Schererville condominium building that started when lightning struck the roof.

Environmental groups give Enbridge project mixed review

Local environmental groups expressed concern Wednesday about a project to reconstruct a pipeline for Canadian tar sands oil that will span Northwest Indiana.

Ex-E.C. library director working on plea deal in federal case

EAST CHICAGO | The federal trial of the former director of the East Chicago Public Library was pushed back to August while both parties continue negotiations on a plea deal, according to court records.

Police investigating shooting outside North Hammond Walmart

HAMMOND | At least two people were hurt in a three-vehicle crash and shooting Sunday outside the North Hammond Walmart, police said.

Dyer man dies following construction accident at Northwestern University

DYER | A Dyer man was killed Thursday in a construction accident at Northwestern University, officials said.

Federal agents examining Lake County surveyor's payroll records

CROWN POINT | Nearly 10 years worth of payroll records of the Lake County surveyor's office were subpoenaed recently by federal agents, officials said.

Lowell man, 86, dies after accidentally setting himself on fire

LOWELL | An 86-year-old man died late Monday after accidentally setting himself on fire, officials said.

Gary man sought in Orland Park home invasion

GARY | Orland Park police are searching for a Gary man who is the second suspect in a home invasion and shooting.

Daniel Yovich, retired PUC professor, inventor, dies at 83

HAMMOND | A popular Purdue University-Calumet professor and former paint manufacturing businessman died last week.

Hammond man killed at party early Sunday

HAMMOND | A 21-year-old man was killed after being gunned down early Sunday at a party on the 600 block of Sibley Street in Hammond, police said.

Dolton officer convicted on federal civil rights charges

DOLTON | A Dolton police officer was convicted in federal court Thursday on charges he used excessive force on two people leaving a nightclub in May 2009.

Ex-Lake Ridge Schools business manager accused of stealing $133K

CALUMET TOWNSHIP | A judge has frozen the assets of the former business manager of Lake Ridge Schools amid allegations he pocketed more than $130,000 of school funds, officials said.

Memorial honors World War II vet

MUNSTER | Snapshots of George T. Okamoto's life — from his time as a soldier to being a grandfather — lined a blackboard at his memorial Monday.

Man injured in Hammond house fire dies

HAMMOND | A Hammond man injured in a house fire in the 4300 block of Torrence Avenue died late Saturday, officials said.

Alleged Latin King member sentenced to 20 years

HAMMOND | An alleged Latin King gang member was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Thursday in a sweeping racketeering case.

Man accused of beating child to death sentenced to 40 years in prison

MICHIGAN CITY | A Michigan City man accused of beating to death a 4-year-old boy was sentenced to 40 years in prison, officials said.

Visclosky introduces bill requiring public projects to use American steel

MERRILLVILLE | U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., introduced a bill last week that would require the government to use U.S.-made steel for public projects.

Whiting businessman is linked to federal mail fraud inquiry

HAMMOND | Three people were charged in federal court with mail fraud and are accused of illegally obtaining vehicles that were later resold, according to court documents.

Region native named Navy Shore Sailor of the Year

CRETE | Region native Shannon McQueen is a busy woman.

E.C. sees increase in property crime, decrease in violent crime

EAST CHICAGO | Police saw an increase in property crimes and a decrease in violent crime during the first three months of the year.

Horse saved from scary situation on I-65

LAKE STATION | David Beckham was driving Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 65 to his daughter's track meet when he spotted a wandering horse on the road.

C.P. man accused of ripping off seniors; cops seek more victims

GARY | A Crown Point man was arrested Wednesday and is accused of selling insurance without a broker's license to the elderly in Gary, police said.

Questions surround incident at Lew Wallace school

GARY | A Gary parent is seeking answers to why her son was injured Tuesday during an altercation with a resource officer at Lew Wallace STEM Academy.

Police release photos of casino homicide suspect, ask for public's help

GRIFFITH | Police released photos Wednesday of a man believed to be the suspect in the homicide of Mary C. Austgen.

Fire departments work to put out brush fire

GRIFFITH | Fire crews were working Tuesday night to put out a brush fire near the 900 block of Avenue H in Griffith.

Hammond officials investigating two house fires

HAMMOND | Officials are investigating two separate house fires that occurred early Monday and appear to have been started intentionally.

E.C. School Board wants properties sold to the city back

EAST CHICAGO | The School City of East Chicago wants to regain ownership of four properties previously sold to the city for $1 each.

Man charged in fatal shooting of Hammond teen

CALUMET CITY | A 20-year-old man was charged Thursday in the homicide of a Hammond teen, police said.

Investigation now a cold case

MUNSTER | Promila Mehta-Paul’s Munster home was once swarmed with investigators searching for evidence that could lead them to her.

One man killed, another injured in Gary shooting

GARY | A man was shot to death and another was injured Sunday afternoon on the 2550 block of West 13th Avenue in Gary, police said.

E.C. mayor's brother stabbed to death

EAST CHICAGO | The brother of the East Chicago mayor was stabbed to death Sunday morning, officials said.

Feds: Mother accused of selling baby for porn was present during abuse

GARY | A mother accused of selling her baby daughter to create pornography was present when some of the abuse took place, according to an unsealed complaint in federal court.

Gary mayor featured in video about gun control

GARY | Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson is featured in a video produced by Mayors Against Illegal Guns demanding stronger gun regulations.

Alleged gang member could face death penalty

HAMMOND | Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against an alleged gang member accused of aiding in the homicides of six people.

E.C. man stabbed after asking homeless man if he was OK

EAST CHICAGO | A 61-year-old man was stabbed 10 times Wednesday night outside his apartment by a homeless man, police said.

Fire chief: No injuries or fatalities in Chicago Heights fire

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Firefighters were still battling a blaze at 8:30 p.m. in an abandoned warehouse but Fire Chief Jamie Angell said there were no reported injuries or fatalities Tuesday night.

Teen charged in Gary homicide

GARY | Officials filed charges Thursday against a 17-year-old boy accused of gunning down a 32-year-old man earlier this month in Gary.

Missing man found dead on Gary service road

GARY | A man who had been missing since January was found dead Thursday on a Cline Avenue service road in Gary, police said.

Fire in E.C. injures firefighters, damages house

EAST CHICAGO | Two East Chicago firefighters were injured Tuesday while putting out a fire in the 4300 block of Northcote Avenue.

Coroner's daughter charged in burglary at mother's house

CROWN POINT | The daughter of Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey was arrested Monday and accused of breaking into her mother's home, sheriff's police said.

Elderly C.P. man dies in fire while burning yard debris

CROWN POINT | A Crown Point man died Sunday while burning debris in his yard, officials said.

Driver of SUV woman fell out of faces charges

DOLTON | Police filed charges Thursday against the driver of a vehicle that a woman fell out of and was killed by a semi on the Bishop Ford Freeway.

Twins charged with first-degree murder in September homicide

HARVEY | Police announced Wednesday the arrest of twin brothers who are accused of killing a 20-year-old Harvey man in September.

Sauk Village man sentenced to 75 years in 2008 murder

SAUK VILLAGE | A Cook County judge Wednesday sentenced a man convicted of sexually assaulting and killing a Sauk Village teen in 2008 to 75 years in prison.

Gary officials, residents discuss legislation concerns

GARY | Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, spoke with residents by phone Thursday about three bills they say will affect residents.