Region News

regionnews

Flash is not supported on this device. If you wish to listen to this audio, you must download and play an mp3 using an mp3 player on your device. CLICK HERE

Press the play button to hear the latest news from THE REGION.

Two Gary Residents Indicted on Child Porn Charges

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Hammond announced a five-count indictment was returned on Wednesday against two Gary residents charged with the buying/selling, production of and possession of child pornography. 39 year old Christopher Bour faces several charges, including one-count of purchase of a child for production of child pornography, while 24 year old Natisha Hillard is charged with one-count of sale of a child by a parent for production of child pornography and one count of permitting a child by a parent to participate in the production of child pornography. Both individuals were charged as the result of an investigation by the FBI, Indiana State Police, Gary Police, and the Michigan City Police Departments.
# # #...

Whiting Dress Shop Fire in January May Have Been Set

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
A January fire in Whiting that destroyed a dress shop and several apartments inside the 100 year old building, at the corner of 119^th and Sheridan Streets, may have been set. The Times reports the State Fire Marshals Office ruled the cause of the blaze points to an incendiary, as evidence found indicates an ignitable liquid had been poured on the floor of the dress shop prior to the fire. Published reports say the case has been forwarded to local law enforcement, and that the cause of the fire will be considered undetermined unless other evidence can be obtained.
# # #...

Lake Co Coroner Grateful for Info Identifying Decedents

Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey is thanking everyone who offered information in helping to locate family members of unidentified decedents at their facility. The Coroner issued a press released today saying they had 11 unidentified decedents in mid-September, but through information provided, all but one are now at rest and reunited with family members, which she says could not have been possible without the generous help of the people of northwest Indiana.
# # #...

Large Cocaine Bust in Michigan City

Michigan City Police announced today that the arrest of two men last week has dealt a significant blow to the distribution of cocaine in the area. Police report an investigation into large quantities of cocaine being distributed lead to the arrest of a 31 year old Elkart man and a 32 year old Gary man, in the area of 6^th and Wabash Streets. Authorities say during the arrests they recovered a kilogram of cocaine, which they say equates to over two-pounds of the drug, with a street value of over 100-thousand dollars, and that additional narcotics were later recovered during the execution of a search warrant in the 23-hundred block of Crest Road in Gary, and an investigation is ongoing.
# # #...

Construction Jobs Info Sessions in MC Next Week

Michigan City officials, in partnership with NIPSCO and the Indiana Plan for Equal Employment, will host two public information sessions aimed at helping northwest Indiana residents get connected with careers in the construction and building trades industry.
Attendees will learn more about construction jobs needed for NIPSCO’s upcoming environmental improvement project at the Michigan City Generating Station intended to improve local air quality. The $250 million investment involves constructing and installing an emissions-control system known as a scrubber. Construction for the multi-year project began earlier this year and is expected to continue through 2016.
A similar partnership was forged between NIPSCO and the City of Gary in 2012, when the utility was preparing for the first phase of environmental upgrades at the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station in Wheatfield, Ind.
“Civic-corporate partnerships such as this not only benefit the local economy, they help strengthen our community and workforce, said Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer.
“The upcoming construction project at the Michigan City Generating Station is not only a plus for the environment, it’s an investment in northwest Indiana’s long-term economic success,” said Mike Hooper, vice president of major projects for NIPSCO. “Once the Michigan City project is complete, NIPSCO will have among the cleanest coal fleets in the state and will have created hundreds of local jobs along the way.”
Applicant requirements:

Must be 18 years old
High School diploma/GED
Valid Driver’s License
Reliable transportation
Mandatory drug screen

About Indiana Plan for Equal Employment:The Indiana Plan’s mission is to help minorities and women gain entry into the building trades by offering comprehensive training and assistance in finding employment opportunities. Visit www.IndianaPlan.org for more information.

WHEN:Session 1: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. CT
Session 2: Wednesday March 13, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Michigan City – City Hall
100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, IN 46360
# # #...

Authorities Searching for Man Suspect of Domestic Battery

(Photo Courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office)
Authorities in Cook County are searching for a 22 year old Homewood man suspected of severely beating his 46 year old mother Monday. The Cook County Sheriff's Office reports Blake Springsteen is a white male, approximately six-feet tall, weighing 240-pounds, and Sheriff Thomas Dart asks that you do not approach Springsteen, but does say anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to please contact the Cook County Sheriff's Department. Authorities report Springsteen is suspected of beating his mother in unincorporated Homewood, then he reportedly bound her, put her in the trunk of a car and drove to Crete, where he is accused of stabbing her multiple times, and leaving her in a ditch in the nine-hundred block of Columbia Street.
# # #...

Snow Removal Parking Restrictions

Some communities in the region are enforcing snow removal parking restrictions after Tuesday's storm. Michigan City Mayor Ron Meer declared that tomorrow, effective at 8am, traffic regulations regarding parking will begin. Police in St. John are reminding motorists that street parking is prohibited when there is snow in order to aid the clearing of streets and will be issued to vehicles in violation. Gary Police are urging residents to follow the posted signs about not parking on snow routes when accumulation is more than two inches or you could end up spending around 200-dollars to get your car back.
Michigan City Parking Restrictions:
Effective at 8:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 7, 2013.
(1) No vehicle shall be parked on a designated “snow route.”
(2) On even numbered days, no parking shall be permitted on that side of the street with even numbered addresses from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.
(3) On odd numbered days, no parking shall be permitted on that side of the street with odd numbered addresses from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.
# # #...

NWS Preliminary Snowfall Totals for NW Indiana

Preliminary snowfall totals from the National Weather Service for northwest Indiana show Valparaiso received the most snow from Tuesday's winter storm, with ten-and-a-half inches on the ground. Porter and Wheatfield also received ten or more inches of snow, Lake Village got nine-and-a-half inches, while Crown Point, Portage, Rensselaer, and St.John all had at least nine inches of snow.
NORTHWEST INDIANA SNOW
LOCATION (COUNTY): FALL(INCHES)
VALPARAISO (PORTER)..........................10.5
PORTER 1S (PORTER)...........................10.4
(W9OPR)WHEATFIELD 1ENE (JASPER)..............10.0
LAKE VILLAGE (NEWTON).........................9.5
CROWN POINT (LAKE)............................9.0
ST. JOHN (LAKE)...............................9.0
PORTAGE 1ESE (PORTER).........................9.0
RENSSELAER (JASPER)...........................9.0
VALPARAISO 2N (PORTER)........................8.8
VALPARAISO 1NE (PORTER).......................8.7
VALPARAISO 1ENE (PORTER)......................8.5
VALPARAISO 5NNE (PORTER)......................8.2
VALPARAISO 5NNE (PORTER)......................8.2
WHEATFIELD 3S (JASPER)........................8.0
DE MOTTE 1NNW (JASPER)........................8.0
DE MOTTE 1SSW (JASPER)........................8.0
VALPARAISO 1NNW (PORTER)......................8.0
DYER 1WNW (LAKE)..............................7.8
HEBRON 4NE (PORTER)...........................7.7
SCHERERVILLE 2WSW (LAKE)......................7.6
LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS 2NNE (PORTER).......7.6
CROWN POINT 2WSW (LAKE).......................7.5
VALPARAISO 1SE (PORTER).......................7.5
CHESTERTON 1ENE (PORTER)......................7.2
LOWELL (LAKE).................................7.2
DE MOTTE 4SW (JASPER).........................7.0
(W9MAL)MERRILLVILLE 2NNW (LAKE)...............7.0
LAKES OF THE FOUR SEASONS (PORTER)............7.0
MOROCCO (NEWTON)..............................7.0
SCHERERVILLE (LAKE)...........................6.6
DE MOTTE 6S (JASPER)..........................6.5
CROWN POINT 1N (LAKE).........................6.5
HIGHLAND (LAKE)...............................6.3
MOUNT AYR 2NNE (NEWTON).......................6.2
(WV90)HOBART 1ENE (LAKE)......................6.0
REMINGTON (JASPER)............................5.8
VALPARAISO 4SW (PORTER).......................5.7
BROOK 4W (NEWTON).............................5.5
VALPARAISO 6WSW (PORTER)......................5.5
REMINGTON (JASPER)............................5.5
KENTLAND 1NNW (NEWTON)........................5.0
# # #...

LaPorte Co Sheriff's Office Investigating 1981 Cold Case

A 1981 cold case regarding the unsolved homicide of a then 31 year old LaPorte woman is being re-examined. The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office reports preserved evidence has been resubmitted to the Indiana State Police Crime Lab, with the hope that modern DNA technology can assist in identifying a potential suspect in the death of Juanita Boyd, who was found strangled and stabbed in the trunk of her vehicle, in a field just off Forrester Road, a half-mile north of the Indiana Toll Road on February 28^th, 1981. Boyd was last seen alive February 22^nd, 1981, at Snyder's Corner Tavern, which had been located at the intersection of 1^st and J Street, in LaPorte. Anyone with potential information about this unsolved death, is asked to contact the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau.
# # #...

Gary Police Investigate Robbery, Attack

In Gary, police say a 58-year-old man was robbed and attacked in his home in the 19-hundred block of Central Drive Monday night. Gary Police Public Information Officer Corporal Gabrielle King says there was a knock on the door around 10:45, and possibly five men, armed with weapons and wearing masks, rushed inside when the door opened, demanding money and jewelry. Police say the man was struck before the men left, and the victim was treated at an area hospital. Police urge residents who hear someone knocking, especially at that time of night, someone you don't know, to call police and not open the door.
###...

Storm Delays Griffith Legislation

A committee hearing scheduled for today regarding Griffith's attempt to leave Calumet Township was canceled due to the snowstorm preventing travel to Indianapolis, according to the Times. Town officials are hoping it'll be rescheduled for next week. The measure has moved to the Senate after being approved by the Indiana House last month. The town says they send significantly more in tax dollars to the township than they get back. The measure would allow voters in town to hold a referendum and vote on whether or not to leave the township.
Here's more at nwi.com:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/griffith/time-has-come-to-leave-calumet-twp-griffith-says/article_d42580f3-58b7-59be-97e4-b4e713073291.html
###...

Indiana State Police Busy During Storm

Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to more that 130 crashes and slide-offs from yesterday afternoon thru 7-o'clock this morning. Seven accidents involved injuries all described as NON-life threatening. Troopers have also gone out on numerous calls to assist motorists in the winter storm and its aftermath. Police urge all Region drivers to slow down in general, and also move over for emergency vehicles, use headlights even during daylight, and allow plenty of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
Specifics:
Since yesterday afternoon until 8 a.m. this morning troopers working investigated 63 property damage crashes, 7 personal injury crashes (non-life threatening), 61 slide-offs and numerous assisting motorists calls.
Safety tips from The Indiana State Police:
It is important to remember to:
 Drive according to road conditions:
 Allow extra time to get to your destination.
 Clear all windows of ice and snow and remove snow from hood, roof and headlights and tail lights.
 Beware of bridges, underpasses, overpasses and intersections where ice tends to form first.
 Don’t use cruise control on slick roads.
 Avoid abrupt stops and starts, slow down gradually and keep wheels turning to avoid losing traction.
 Use headlights even during daylight hours
 Increase the following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
 Decrease your speed according to the road conditions
 Make sure you have a charged cell phone in your vehicle AND NEVER TEXT WHILE DRIVING.
 MOVE OVER AND/OR SLOW DOWN FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
For Indiana road conditions call 1- 800-261-7623, or visit the Indiana Department of Transportation website at www.trafficwise.in.gov. Please do not call dispatch centers for road conditions.
###...

Storm Delays Some Garbage/Recycling Svc

A snow-related announcement from the city of Valparaiso this morning (Wednesday March 6 2013) – Garbage and Recycling service in the City of Valparaiso will be delayed one day. This applies to all Wednesday and Thursday pickups. Republic Services is running on schedule today for their customers in both Porter & Laporte Counties. All roads must be plowed at least 10 feet wide in order for their trucks to be able to service customers.
###...

Snowfall Varies Across the Region

Ruler says... Looks like about eight-inches in northeast Porter County
Preliminary snowfall totals from the National Weather Service for northwest Indiana show from Tuesday's winter storm about six-and-a-half in the Crown Point, Cedar Lake area... about a foot in Valparaiso... five inches in Kentland, and was stilll snowing in some areas overnight and this morning. One person reported to us it looked like about ten-inches in Hanna. The National Weather Service also says they got reports of more than six inches of snow in Highland and Schererville as of early Tuesday evening.
###...

Over Foot of Snow in Parts of Region

[National Weather Service]
After a pretty slow snow start to the season, the Region is making up for it somewhat with Tuesday's storm... and in Chicago, forecasters say huge snowfall deficits that had been running all winter have been “wiped out” in the last four weeks. Preliminary snowfall totals from the National Weather Service for northwest Indiana show about six-and-a-half in the Crown Point, Cedar Lake area... over a foot in Valparaiso... and five inches in Kentland, and it's still snowing in some areas.
There's a warmup in the forecast this weekend - Sunday's high temperature is expected to be near 50.
###...

INDOT Plows Work to Keep Ahead of Heavy Snow

Tuesday night many state roads in Indiana were difficult for drivers. INDOT reports as of 8:30 p.m. Central Time/9:30 p.m. Eastern time all of the 170+ plows in The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) LaPorte District are on the roads. Due to the heavy snow falling at a rate to 1-2 inches per hour, district-wide we are seeing slick, snow-covered roads. In addition blowing and drifting snow is adding to the difficult driving conditions on nearly all state roads.
To the west, INDOT snow plows are being aided by the Hoosier Helpers Roadside Assistance drivers who are working 12 hour shifts, allowing some additional Hoosier Helpers vehicles to join in plowing shoulders and ramps. Interstates I-94 and I-65 are slick and snow-covered in places.
Much of Porter, LaPorte, Starke, St. Joseph, Marshall, and Pulaski Counties are experiencing lots of blowing and drifting snow with slick spots developing. Two crews are working to clear the U.S. 20 Bypass through salting and plowing. At this time the northbound lanes of the U.S. 20 Bypass remain closed north of SR 23 due to a semi accident. (Bypass reopened at 10pm)
To the south, a semi accident has closed all northbound lanes of I-65 at the 205 mile marker in Jasper County. Traffic is being diverted at the scene and allowed back on I-65 beyond the crash. I-65 has received special attention from INDOT plows since the storm began, but it remains slick. Elsewhere in the southern part of the district, the Winamac, Rensselaer, Monticello, and Logansport areas are reporting excessive blowing and drifting snow. As with the rest of the district, nearly all state roads are snow-covered and slick.
INDOT says plow drivers are working to make state highways as safe as possible, but winter driving safety is a partnership where motorists play an equally important role. Drivers must slow down, brake early, and exercise safe winter driving skills while giving our plows plenty of room to work.
For updated INDOT road conditions online log on to www.trafficwise.in.go v or check out INDOT Northwest on our social media outlets: Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.
###...

Starke County Authorities Bust an Illegal Drug Lab in Knox

Authorities in Starke County say a man and woman from Knox were arrested Monday morning after a search of a residence in the 33-hundred block of South 200 East turned up drugs and an illegal drug lab, all within the reach of a three-year old child who was also found at the home. The Starke County Sheriff's Office reports deputies, along with officers from the Knox Police Department, and Indiana State Police, executed the search warrant at approximately 9am.
# # #...

Lowell Police Chief to Resign March 16th

The town of Lowell will need to find a new police chief, as Chief John Shelhart is stepping down later this month. The Times reports Chief Shelhart informed the Lowell Town Council and Police Commission members of his decision on Monday, due to personal reasons. Published reports say Shelhart began his 32 year career in law enforcement with the Merrillville Police Department, working his way up the ranks from patrolman to chief of police. The Times reports a replacement or acting chief has not yet been announced.
# # #...

Cause of Valpo Fire May Never Be Known

The cause of Monday's fire on Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso, at Michigan Avenue, remains unknown, and may never be known due to the need to get the building torn down, that according to an article in today's Times. Published reports say Michigan Street maybe closed for some time to allow for cleanup of the site.
# # #...

Authorities Need Help Identifying Cold Case Victims

Indiana State Police, in conjunction with the Jasper and Newton County Coroner's Offices, are seeking your help to identify three male homicide victims that were discovered in October of 1983, but may have gone missing as much as a year before their discovery. Authorities say the first and second victims were located in Newton County, one-half mile north of State Road 10, on the west side of U-S 41 in Lake Village. The third victim was located off County Road 100 West, one-quarter mile south of Bunkum Road, in Rensselaer.
Victim #1 (see attached photo) is a white male, between 17-23 years of age, around 5’02”–5’09” in height, and with light to normal muscularity for a young adult male. Victim #1 has two tattoos on his right forearm: one is described as a jail-type modified cross and the other as a modified rectangle. The victim was found wearing a pair of size 30x30 brown slacks, size 10½ brown ankle-high fleeced boots, Jockey brand underwear, along with one white tube sock with black/red stripes, and one white tube sock with red/blue stripes. He may be from the Southwestern to central part of Indiana, Eastern part of Illinois, or Kentucky.
Victim #2 (see attached photo) is a black male, between 15-18 years of age, around 5’8 to 6’2 (possibly 5’11) in height, and with normal muscularity for a teenage male. He was possibly last seen near Terre Haute, Indiana between State Road 63 and US 41, and was recovered at the same location as Victim #1. Victim #2 was wearing a white T-Shirt, Levi’s brand jeans, a stretch belt with the word Devil in red on the band and a gold buckle saying JEANS, pajama bottoms (27” inseam), size 34 boxer shorts, size 10 black fleece-lined suede Hush Puppy brand boots, a white tube sock with red/blue stripes and a white tube sock with blue/yellow stripes.
Victim #3 is a white male, between 20-22 years of age, around 5’06”-5’08” in height, with a slight build and reddish shoulder length hair. He was possibly last seen on US 41 near Vincennes, Indiana. Victim #3 was wearing Levi’s brand jeans, tennis, shoes and a gray hooded sweat shirt. He may have had a lighter with the name Arlene on it (see attached photo).
If anyone has information on the identity of these individuals, please contact the Indiana State Police at (800) 453-4756 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
# # #...

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

Share this post

More Articles...