Summit strengthening environmental ties across state line

Clouds pass quickly over the Chicago skyline looking from Whihala Beach County Park in Whiting. This year's Calumet Summit, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, is aimed at strengthening the connections across the state line between groups working on environmental issues.

PUBLISHER NOTES: 2013 PROFESSIONALS TO WATCH

Lisa Daugherty, Interim Publisher at The Times Media Co.

INTERIM PUBLISHER'S LETTER

Lisa Daugherty, Interim Publisher for The Times.

Lake County progress moved to fast lane

South Shore Line conductor Randy Jackson of Chesterton ensures all passengers are on board an eastbound train during a stop at the McCormick Place NICTD/Metra station last March.

Renaldo Thomas, Roosevelt

It's not been the kind of boys basketball season first-year Roosevelt coach Renaldo Thomas was hoping for.

Family Christian Center threatened with foreclosure

Members of the church perform on stage in March 2010 during the Palm Sunday celebration "Living Lord's Supper" at Family Christian Center in Munster.

Family Christian Center threatened with foreclosure

Members of the church perform on stage in March 2010 during the Palm Sunday celebration "Living Lord's Supper" at Family Christian Center in Munster.

U.S. Steel Yard

The RailCats open the season at U.S. Steel Yard in this 2010 file photo.

Merrillville man reunites with Sox skipper at children's hospital

Merrillville resident Ryan Reithel, right, hugs White Sox manager Robin Ventura after the two reunited Monday at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Reithel and Ventura got to know each other when Reithel at age 13 was a cancer patient in 1991 at Children's Memorial and Ventura, then a …

Merrillville man reunites with Sox skipper at children's hospital

Camille Lonzer's eyes grow wide Monday while White Sox manager Robin Ventura, center, explains to her that Ryan Reithel, right, a Merrillville resident, used to be a patient at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Ventura and Reithel originally met when Ventura spent time visiting patien…

Former Hobart football coach expected to head Portage program

Hobart coach Wally McCormack watches from the sidelines in the first quarter of Griffith's 35-10 win over the Brickies in Sept. 2010.

Coach Wally McCormack

New Portage coach Wally McCormack had a 56-37 record at Hobart following a 14-1 season and a trip to the Class 3A state title game in 2002 at Andrean.

Hoosier Daddy Barbecue Sauce

Aidan Creasbaum, 4, Dyer, stands outside U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Tuesday while showing off one of two Hoosier Daddy BBQ sauces now available. This season, Hoosier Daddy will be served at the home of the Chicago White Sox. Creasbaum's grandmother, Kim Foy launched the product using …

Hoosier Daddy

Kim Foy, left, stands Tuesday with family and husband David, right, in front of U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Kim Foy launched Hoosier Daddy barbecue sauce, using her father's recipe, as a way to keep her father's memory alive after he passed away from cancer. Hoosier Daddy is now availabl…

Speakers: Gary crucial to civil rights movement, black empowerment

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., center, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, moderates a discussion during the Saturday Morning Forum at the coalition's center in Chicago. Former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher, from left, current Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Indiana state Sen.…

Speakers: Gary crucial to civil rights movement, black empowerment

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, center, speaks during the Saturday Morning Forum honoring former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher, seated left, at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition center in Chicago. The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the coalition's founder and president, spoke about Gary's history and curren…

Speakers: Gary crucial to civil rights movement, black empowerment

Toni Simpson, artistic director for Purdue University Calumet's Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation, cheers during the Saturday Morning Forum honoring former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition center in Chicago. The Saturday program also marked the 40th anniversary of th…

Speakers: Gary crucial to civil rights movement, black empowerment

The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. speaks during the Saturday Morning Forum at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's center in Chicago. The forum honored former Gary Mayor Richard Hatcher and commemorated the National Black Political Convention, which was held in 1972 in Gary.

Bloom Township's Lejavius Johnson

Bloom Township's Lejavius Johnson, left, shoots past Homewood-Flossmoor's Tyrone Sherman during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor in the Boys Basketball. Class 4A Lockport Sectional final on Friday. The Blazing Trojans are one win from a berth in the state semifinals and …

Third time also a charm

Bloom Township players celebrate Friday after Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor in the Boys Basketball. Class 4A Lockport Sectional final at Lockport High School.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Homewood Flossmoor's Tyrone Sherman reacts Friday after Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Homewood Flossmoor's Tyrone Sherman (10) attempts a shot Friday night past Bloom Township's Johnny Griffin (15), past Homewood Flossmoor's Delvon Rencher (24) and Lejavius Johnson (24) during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Bloom Township head coach Jasper Williams talks to the team Friday during a timeout during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor in the Boys Basketball.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Bloom Township's Donald Moore (3) celebrates in the final moments of the game Friday night during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Bloom Township's Lejavius Johnson (24) attempts a shot past Homewood Flossmoor's Tyrone Sherman (10) during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Bloom Township's Dejahown Freeman (2) jumps up for a shot past Homewood Flossmoor's Antonio Bishop (35) and Delvon Rencher (24) during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor.

Bloom Twp. beats Homewood-Flossmoor 43-32

Bloom Township's Dejahown Freeman (2) and Homewood Flossmoor's Tim Williams (32) both fight for a lost ball during Bloom Township's 43-32 win against Homewood-Flossmoor in the Boys Basketball Class 4A Lockport Sectional final at Lockport High School, March 9, 2012. At left is Homewood Flossm…

Obama shifts G-8 from Chicago to Camp David

Annabel Perez-Juliano, of Chesterton, exits a westbound train Saturday at the McCormick Place NICTD/Metra Station in Chicago. The South Shore, Metra, Amtrak and Canadian National trains all pass under McCormick Place, which was going to host the G-8 and NATO summits. The White House is movin…

Obama shifts G-8 from Chicago to Camp David

Metra South Shore Line train conductor Randy Jackson, of Chesterton, ensures all passengers are on board an eastbound train Saturday during a stop at the McCormick Place NICTD/Metra Station in Chicago. The South Shore, Metra, Amtrak and Canadian National trains all pass under McCormick Place…

NWI commuters, airfields on alert for restrictions caused by NATO summit

The South Shore Line commuter railroad will not make stops at McCormick Place on Saturday or Sunday because of the NATO summit, said John Parsons, planning and marketing director for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

Striking Up a Conversation at the Nerds at Heart Dating Party

From left, Abel Castillo, Lauren Walker, Elizabeth Soles and Renuka Ponnaluri, all of Chicago, break the ice while attending a Dating for Nerds event at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently. Nerds @ Heart is a dating event concept that uses "a simple board game night" theme for singles to connec…

Ready to Play at Game Night at Nerds at Heart Dating Party in Chicago

Josh Youngerman meets other guests at his table during a Dating for Nerds event at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently. Nerds @ Heart is a dating event concept that uses "a simple board game night" theme for singles to connect over cocktails, icebreakers and name tags. After every 20 minutes, g…

Nerds at Heart Dating Party in Chicago

Nerds are welcomed during a Dating for Nerds event outside of 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently. Nerds @ Heart is a dating event concept that uses "a simple board game night" theme for singles to connect over cocktails, icebreakers and name tags. Every 20 minutes, guests "rotate" to a new tab…

All the Dating Answers at Nerds at Heart Dating Party

Participants raise their hands to admit to nerd-like tendencies while attending a Dating for Nerds event at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently. Nerds @ Heart is a dating event concept that uses "a simple board game night" theme for singles to connect over cocktails, icebreakers and name tags. …

Leading the Fun at Nerds at Heart Dating Party in Chicago

From left, Bathsheba Birman, co-founder of Nerds at Heart, addresses the audience next to coworker Anna Allen during a Dating for Nerds event at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently.

Playing the Game of Dating

Ray Martinez of Chicago plays the game "Would You Rather?" with a table of others during a Dating for Nerds event at 404 Wine Bar in Chicago recently. Nerds @ Heart is a dating event concept that uses "a simple board game night" theme for singles to connect over cocktails, icebreakers and na…

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

T.F. South head coach John O'Rourke, right, talks to player Paul Pierce, left, in the final moments of the game during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

Tinley Park's Ryan Bunn, center, catches a rebound past T.F. South's Kenny Doss, left, and Ira Crawford during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

Tinley Park's Tracey Brandy, left, dribbles past T.F. South's Kenny Doss during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

T.F. South's Ira Crawford, right, tries to make a shot past Tinley Park's Eldridge Anderson during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

T.F. South beats Tinley Park in boys basketball

T.F. South head coach John O'Rourke shouts to the team during the final moments of the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

T.F. South beats Tinley Park in boys basketball

T.F. South's, center, Kenny Doss attempts a shot past Tinley Park's Orlando Lewis, left, and Eldridge Anderson during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday, at Tinley Park High School.

0710AIRPREVIEW01

Spectators watch the Aeroshell Aerobatics fly over Lake Michigan during the annual South Shore Airshow.

Mike Neal

Mike Neal, Merrillville grad, Green Bay Packers, defensive end, 2011

Bowman Academy fans

Bowman Academy fans cheer during Bowman Academy's 81-67 win against Elkhart in the 11th annual Region Roundball Rumble on Jan. 1, 2010 at Valparaiso University. Bowman faces Cathedral today at 5:30 p.m.

Designer milk from Fair Oaks to be sold nationwide

Steve Jones, CEO of Select Milk Producers designer division, hopes to reinvent the $31 billion U.S. milk industry by churning out designer dairy beverages such as Athletes HoneyMilk, produced with milk from Fair Oaks Farms. The designer milk is marketed as a protein-rich "recovery drink" to …

Designer milk from Fair Oaks to be sold nationwide

Steve Jones, CEO of Select Milk Producers designer division, is shown in the company's Chicago office. Jones hopes to reinvent the $31 billion U.S. milk industry by churning out designer dairy beverages such as Athletes HoneyMilk, produced with milk from Fair Oaks Farms.

Designer milk from Fair Oaks to be sold nationwide

Steve Jones, CEO of Select Milk Producers designer division, is shown in the company's Chicago office.

Munster High School swimmer Jillian Homans

Senior Jillian Homans, captain of the Munster High School girls swimming team, holds the team record in the 500-meter freestyle (5 minutes, 16.04 seconds) and the 200 (1:52.64). "I truly believe we have a top five team this year," Homans said. "We have a lot of experience coming back and a l…

Philpot, 3 sheriff's officers indicted in separate charges

Lake County Coroner Thomas Philpot reacts to results that show him trailing in the Lake County sheriff's race on election night May 4, 2010, at SS. Helen and Constantine Church in Merrillville. The U.S. attorney's office on Thursday announced an indictment against Philpot on charges related …