THURSDAY'S PREP ROUNDUP: L.C.'s Miklusak commits to Western Illinois basketball team

Lake Central senior Mike Miklusak has signed to play college basketball at Western Illinois.

THURSDAY'S ILLINOIS PREP ROUNDUP: Beecher's Nykaza to 1,600 finals

Beecher's Grant Nykaza had the best time in the 1,600-meter run Thursday at Class 1A boys state track meet preliminaries at Eastern Illinois.

Free child ID kits available at Markham courthouse

MARKHAM | Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's office will provide free child identification kits from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Sixth District Cook County Circuit Court, 16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, allowing parents to store critical identifying information about their children that would ass…

City of Harvey collecting donations for Oklahoma tornado victims

HARVEY | The city of Harvey is sponsoring a donation drive to assist the ravaged town of Moore, Okla., and its many victims, according to a news release.

Chicago man killed in Calumet City shooting

CALUMET CITY | A 35-year-old man was killed early Thursday on the 600 block of Freeland Avenue in Calumet City, police said.

Scouting the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Meet

Where: O’Brien Field, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys

The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.

Porter County crimeTimes

ARRESTS

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys

The Boy Scouts of America threw open its ranks Thursday to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders — a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.

Porter County crime briefs

Man arrested following girlfriend's theft arrest

Central Park Plaza Market opening June 1 in Valpo

VALPARAISO | The Central Park Plaza Market will open for the season at 8 a.m. June 1, with a grand opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Keilman receives United Way Success By 6 service award

VALPARAISO | Daniel Keilman was named the recipient of the 2012-2013 United Way Success By 6 Service to Children award at Thursday’s 2013 United Way of Porter County Campaign Celebration.

Aquatic Play Center slated to open Saturday at Wolf Lake

HAMMOND | The Aquatic Play Center at Wolf Lake will open Saturday for the 2013 season.

Volunteers needed for library's summer reading program

MERRILLVILLE | The Lake County Public Library is seeking volunteers for its summer reading program.

Valpo student earns BSU Whitinger Scholarship

MUNCIE | Andrew J. Miles of Valparaiso High School was awarded the Whitinger Scholarship from Ball State University starting the Fall of 2013.

Honor your military heroes by emailing us their photos

MUNSTER | In honor of Memorial Day, www.nwicommunities.com is celebrating the men and women that make this country the wonderful "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Man charged, accused of severly beating malnourished dog

LAPORTE | A Westville-area man is charged with severely beating his malnourished dog after the pet killed one of the chickens he kept at his mobile home.

IUN plans resource workshop for women, minority business owners

Indiana University Northwest and the Indiana Department of Administration invite minority and women business executives to a resource workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday in the John W. Anderson Library Conference Center, Room 105, on the IUN campus

The Times presents seminar about marketing in a digital age

MUNSTER | The The Times Media Co. is offering solutions to ensure businesses are found in the realm of Internet searches and how business owners and executives can stay on top of how their business is being represented online.

JobSource receives $5,000 from Fifth Third Bank

VALPARAISO | JobSource, the community employment division of Opportunity Enterprises, has received a $5,000 grant from Fifth Third Bank to purchase iPads for its staff.

Opportunity Enterprises seeking volunteers for Mudathlon

VALPARAISO | Opportunity Enterprises is seeking volunteers to work at the Mudathlon 3-mile race on July 20 at Graeber Family Farms in Boone Grove. It will receive $10 for every volunteer who works at the event on behalf of OE.

Griffith Tri Kappa announces state scholarship winner

GRIFFITH | The state organization of Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority awards a variety of scholarships to college students throughout Indiana each spring.

WorkOne helping students land jobs

HAMMOND | Marvin Alvarez is the first member of his family to attend college. He also works part-time and plans to graduate this spring from Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City.

Stay in shape wth Zumba, Pilates and sand volleyball

CROWN POINT | Join the Crown Point Parks and Recreation Department for Zumba and Pilates classes, or stay in shape while having fun on the sand volleyball court.

Youth orchestra names honorees, plans auditions

MUNSTER | Twelve members of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra have been selected to participate in Indiana and Illinois state honor musical groups during the current academic year.

Register at Hobart Y for youth baseball

HOBART | Registration ends Saturday for the Hobart Family YMCA Youth T-Ball /Coach Pitch program, a developmental league for ages 3 to 7.

Deep River Waterpark set to open Friday

MERRILLVILLE | Weather permitting, Deep River Waterpark will open for the season Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will be open daily through Memorial Day.

Exercise, education and support offered to cancer patients

MUNSTER | Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Road, offers free education programs, mind/body/spirit classes and support groups for those with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers. Call (219) 836-3349 to register for all programs.

New Chicago parks sponsor rummage, craft sale June 8

NEW CHICAGO | The New Chicago Park Department is sponsoring a rummage, craft and flea market sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8.

Gary Parole District officials to host open house today

GARY | The Gary Parole District will host an open house at 11 a.m. today at 569 Tyler St., Gary.

New Chicago plans townwide cleanup event June 17 to 22

NEW CHICAGO | New Chicago will hold a townwide cleanup from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 17 to 22.

Carnival mega passes available for 2013 Festival of the Lakes

HAMMOND | Carnival mega passes are now available for the Festival of the Lakes.

Art center offers summer camps

CHESTERTON | Jennifer Martin will be offering five week-long summer art camps from June to August at the Chesterton Art Center. Each session will last 90 minutes and will run Monday through Thursday. The 9 a.m. class is designed for children ages 5-8 and the 11 a.m. class is meant for 9-14 y…

Lansing teen becomes Eagle Scout

LANSING | Kevan Polanski, of Troop 276, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with a project for St. Ann Catholic Church.

Scouting the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Meet

Where: O’Brien Field, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston

Semi crashes into utility pole, trees, Newton County house

LAKE VILLAGE | A semi crashed into a house at 4310 W. Ind. 10 on Wednesday, officials said.

M'ville commission OKs zone change for senior housing

MERRILLVILLE | The Plan Commission granted a zone change request for a proposed skilled nursing and assisted living facility.

Police: Victim in M'ville armed robbery had active warrant

MERRILLVILLE | An alleged victim in an armed robbery in Merrillville was taken into custody late Tuesday after police discovered he had an active warrant.

2 alleged Latin Kings members get prison time in federal case

HAMMOND | Two alleged members of the Latin Kings street gang were sentenced Wednesday to prison in a racketeering case.

Redevelopment Commission meets Thursday in Hammond

HAMMOND | The Hammond Redevelopment Commission will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Hammond City Hall.

Scouting the Valparaiso Boys Track Regional

Advancement: Top three finishers in each event plus any individuals or relay teams meeting the state's Three Participant Standard qualify for the IHSAA State Finals on May 31 at Indiana University's Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex in Bloomington.

Hammond man faces DUI, other charges in crash that injured 1

HAMMOND | Hammond police arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run rollover crash Saturday at 165th Street and Madison Avenue that injured another driver.

22-year-old Valpo man found shot to death in Gary

GARY | A 22-year-old Valparaiso man was shot and killed early Wednesday in Gary.

Thomas Jefferson Middle School competes at National Science Olympiad

VALPARAISO | Students from Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso competed against teams from across the country in Saturday's Science Olympiad National Tournament.

Porter County crime briefs

Vacant house in Portage is found vandalized, items taken

Racing for Babies fundraiser helps fund family needs

CEDAR LAKE |When it comes to show-and-tell, Nathan Splant has no competition.

Preschool teacher ends 24-year career with reception

MUNSTER | Pam Domasica has been teaching preschoolers for 24 years and will complete her career at Westminster Preschool with a reception in her honor from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday. Former students, their parents and friends are invited to the celebration at the school, located at Westminster Pr…

Free seminar for attorneys, legal professionals is May 31

HAMMOND | The Indiana Civil Rights Commission will hold a Continuing Legal Education seminar for attorneys and legal professionals May 31 at Purdue University Calumet.

Business coach set to talk at Lake Station chamber event

LAKE STATION | Larry Galler, known as the "Small Business Greatness Coach," will speak at noon Thursday at the Lake Station Chamber of Commerce meeting at the library, 2007 Central Ave.

VVA sets memorial service for Sunday in Chesterton

CHESTERTON | The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 905 of Porter County, will host a Memorial Day service at 2 p.m., Sunday at the Indiana Memorial Wall, Ind. 49 and Porter Avenue.