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DeMotte Bank Warns of Fraudulent Text Message Scam

A fraudulent text message scam is circulating in the region. DeMotte State Bank reports the text message asks that you call the listed phone number and enter your personal banking information, which again is a scam, because DeMotte State Bank reports they do not contact their customers in this manner. DeMotte State Bank implores you to not respond, but says if you already have responded, and entered your information, to please contact them immediately, at (219) 987-4141.
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Kellogg's Recall: Special K Red Berries

Kellogg’s has announced a voluntary recall of three sizes of Kellogg’s Special K Red Berries cereal boxes because there might be glass fragments inside. Consumers are asked to check any packages you have in your home, and if it matches the recall info, to contact the company for a replacement coupon. They say they may also make arrangements to retrieve the food for evaluation. Kellogg's says there have been no reports of any injuries associated with the product.
For more info: http://www.kellogg...

Hebron VFD Gets Grant for New Helmets

Indiana Congressman Pete Visclosky announced today the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department is getting nearly three dozen new helmets -- thanks to a nearly 87-hundred dollar federal grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters program. Department officials say the old helmets are compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards, but many were up to ten years old and in need of replacement.
Here's more info from Congressman Visclosky's office:
Visclosky...

Federal Grant for Shuttle to the Dunes

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is getting a 193-thousand dollar federal grant to start a new shuttle service to the park -- specifically to transport visitors traveling into the Region from Chicago and the suburbs via the South Shore Line. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced 12-and-a-half-million-dollars in grants for 29 projects in 20 states to improve access to America’s national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, help reduce traffic congestion and make it easier for m...

La Porte Co Taxpayers Could Get a 'Breather'

One less bill to answer... for one Region county this spring, if House Bill 1261 gets final approval. The Indiana House Monday said yes to a measure that would allow officials to request skipping the spring provisional property tax bill for La Porte County residents, who have been catching up years of delayed tax billings over a period of months. The Times reports that the proposal, to give taxpayers a breather, authored by La Porte State Representative Tom Dermody, would mean just one full...

Lawmakers Consider School Year Bill

Indiana lawmakers have a measure before them that would ensure kids don't go back to school before Labor Day... or get out of school later than June 10^th. Senate Bill 191 would take effect July first. It does, however, provide for year-round schools and exceptions under certain circumstances. Similar measures have been proposed and defeated over the past few years.
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Kouts Development Moving Forward

Proposed development of a vacant parcel of land in Kouts, at State Roads 8 and 49, is moving forward. A company plans to build a gas station and convenience store, and the owner has signed the necessary paperwork to get the work started for an agreement reached over a year ago, according to the Times today.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/kouts-loses-councilman-gains-building-inspector/article_50b554d1-4c25-5ee5-a1e8-a3fd3e4eddf9.html
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Approval for Schererville's Shops on Main

Construction on the eagerly-awaited Shops on Main in Schererville could begin this Spring. Schererville's Plan Commission has granted preliminary approval for the project at US 41 and Main Street, which is expected to include high-end retail and restaurants, though details on what shops might be moving in haven't been disclosed.
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Region Gas Prices Climbing

Gary GasBuddy this morning reports a gallon of regular unleaded has gone over the four-dollar mark in Merrillville... with many gas stations in Lake County just pennies below that. The average in the Gary metro area according to Triple-A's fuel gauge report is about 3-85... Triple-A reports Indiana and Illinois are among nine states with the highest prices in the country, California's another, where they're paying much more.
ABC's Alex Stone says in California prices have jumped from around 3.65...

Water Line Break Closes Boone Grove High School

Porter Township School officials this morning announced that Boone Grove High School is closed today due to a water line break in the hallway -- a break described to the Region News Team today as "substantial". Principal Garry DeRossett says Boone Grove High School is the only school in the Porter Township School District included in this closure today.
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Car Strikes House In Valparaiso

A car reportedly struck a house in Valparaiso Monday evening. Dispatch first called out the incident just after 6:30pm, on the 46-hundred block of Calumet Avenue. No further information is available at this time.
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Visitor Restrictions Lifted at Franciscan Alliance Hospitals

Temporary visitor restrictions at Fransican Alliance Northwest Indiana hospitals have lifted today. Fransican Alliance reports the measures imposed last month at their hospitals in Crown Ponit, Dyer, Hammond, and Munster, were due to extent of the influenza outbreak.
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Pence Signs FFA Week Proclamation

(Photo Courtesy of the ISDA)
This is national FFA week, and on Monday, Governor Mike Pence and Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann joined in the Indiana kick-off celebration for a brief meeting and photo opportunity with Indiana FFA Officers and members. Governor Pence also signed the 2013 F-F-A Week Proclamation for Indiana.
The Proclamation reads as follows:
Whereas, FFA and agricultural education provide a strong foundation for the youth of America and the future of the food, fiber and natural...

2012 1099 Forms from NRCS Payments to be Reissued

The 2012 IRS 1099 forms issued last month to farmers and ranchers, who receive NRCS financial assistance are incorrect and are scheduled to be reissued by the USDA March 8^th. Apparently the IRS forms may be in the wrong amount or no 1099 was issued when one should have been and NRCS financial experts are reportedly working with the USDA to help get forms out to the appropriate people as quickly as possible.
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Bill to Protect Farmers from Tax Increase Goes To Gov

A bill to prevent an estimated 57 million dollar property tax increase on Indiana farmers now heads to the Governor's desk, after unanimously passing the House of Representatives today. Senate Bill 319, the first bill to be passed by both the House and Senate, would delay, for an additional year, the implementation of new soil productivity factors by the Department of Local Government Finance, or DLGF. The bill would also require the DLGF, with the Purdue University College of Agriculture, to...

Saturday Registration for Valpo Parks Sports on 2/23

(Photo Courtesy of Valpo Parks)
Valpo Parks is offering a special Saturday registration opportunity to get your children signed up for spring sports before the upcoming deadlines. Youth Program Director Phil Blasko says their office doors will be open on February 23^rd, from 9am to noon, at 3210 North Campbell Street, in Valparaiso. The deadlines for each sport is as follows: Softball, ages 5-16, February 28^th; baseball, ages 9-15, March 1^st; and soccer, ages 4-12, March 8^th.
Blasko...

Wilson Removed from Calumet City Election Ballot

A Calumet City Mayoral candidate has been removed from April 9^th municipal election ballot. Today's Times reports the Electoral Board met today and voted to accept challenges made by Calumet City's Mayor, and mayoral candidate Victor Green, which argued Wilson made himself ineligible to run when he first filed nominating petitions to run as a Democrat in next weeks primary, and that Wilson had debts owed to the city, as well as not having enough valid signatures of his nominating petition due...

Authorities Shut Down East Chicago Bar

Indiana State Police Excise Police shut down an East Chicago bar over the weekend. The Times reports authorities entered Alexis Hall, located on the four-thousand block of Alder Street, around 9:30 Friday night, and allegedly found two 16 years along with another minor inside the establishment. Published reports say the bar was cited for numerous illegal activities and code violations, after receiving a compliant of illegal activities there.
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Crown Point Man's Death Ruled Accidental

The death of an 87 year old Crown Point man has been ruled “accidental” according to the Lake County Coroner's Office. Charles Green was pronounced dead at 2:40 Sunday afternoon, after suffering burns to his body and smoke inhalation. The Coroner's Office reports Green was burning debris in a field, just east of his home, in the 69-hundred block of East US 231, when the incident occurred.
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Portage Reports Reduction in Crime for 2012

Police in Portage say their city saw significant reductions in crime last year. They report the lowest number of thefts/stolen property incidents and vehicle thefts in more than fifteen years. They also say 2012 saw the lowest number of burglaries in Portage since 2001.
Police credit their department's efforts, and note their police reserve program assists with thousands of donated hours in daily operations. Also a second school resource officer has been added, and an officer has been assigned...

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