The town of Merrillville is considering its options concerning off-road vehicles. Town Council President Carol Miano says they've gotten multiple complaints about people riding dirt bikes near railroad tracks on Taft Street. Safety and noise issues have been raised. Miano has proposed an ordinance prohibiting the use of off-road vehicles on public properties as well as residential and agricultural areas of town.
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Read more: Off-Road Vehicles a Concern in Merrillville

Visitation is Sunday with funeral services Monday for Armed Forces veteran, former judge, and former Mayor of Valparaiso, Bryce Billings. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas says he admired the former mayor for making a lot of tough decisions to grow the borders of Valparaiso in a uniform fashion. Billings was among those instrumental in developing cable television service in Valparaiso, when the industry locally was in its infancy, along with Radio One Communications founder Leonard Ellis. Billings was appointed to the bench of the Superior Court where he served from 1976 until his retirement in 1988. he was also instrumental in founding the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County in 1971.  Moeller Funeral Home says visitation for Bryce Billings will take place Sunday, from 1 to 4pm, at the funeral home, with a funeral service scheduled for Monday morning, at 10:30, at Heritage Lutheran Church in Valparaiso. Billings served as Mayor of Valparaiso from 1968 through 1972.  Billings passed away last Monday, May 6, at Porter Regional Hospital at the age of 88.
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Read more: Funeral Monday for Former Mayor Billings

No veto from the Lake County Commissioners, so Lake County becomes the 92^nd out of 92 counties in Indiana to have a local income tax, and it takes effect this October. Commissioner Gerry Scheub made multiple motions to veto ordinances for the tax, but each motion failed to get a second from either of the other two commissioners, Michael Repay and Roosevelt Allen, Jr..  There had been widely publicized speculation, based on earlier published comments by Repay that he could not support the tax, that the income tax would be vetoed by commissioners during the board's special meeting early Friday. Early in the week, the Lake County Council voted four-to-three to approve a one-and-a-half percent local income tax for county residents and out-of-staters who work in Lake County.
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Read more: Lake Tax Takes Effect in Fall

Authorities say a Crown Point man who was being sought in connection with an Illinois home invasion apparently fatally shot himself inside an East Chicago home Friday night.  Police say they had been searching for 27-year-old Anthony Espinoza in connection with a violent home invasion in Orland Park, Illinois, earlier in the day. The Lake County Coroners office reports his death was the result of an apparent suicide in the 400 block of Liberty Street in East Chicago and that he was pronounced dead at the scene. The FBI, Lake County Sheriffs Department and Crime Lab, and Orland Park Police Department are also investigating.
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Read more: Officials: Cr Pt Man Sought in Home Invasion Dead

Authorities say they do not know when two horses discovered Friday morning in Porter County's Union Township were killed, but they do know they died after being struck by a train. The Times reports the horses were hit by a train in the area of County Road 375 West and 400 North and Porter County Animal Control is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Porter County Sheriff's Office.
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Read more: Two Horses Hit by Train Found in Rural Union Twp

(Photo Courtesy of the Gary/Chicago International Aiport Authority)
GARY, IN, May 10, 2013– Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson joined the board of directors of The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority and other city and regional dignitaries today to dedicate the new $11.6 million Airport Road overpass in honor of World War II Tuskegee Airman Quentin P. Smith, long-time Gary leader, educator and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
The new Quentin P. Smith Tuskegee Airman Memorial Bridge marks a significant milestone in the airport’s $166 million expansion project scheduled to be completed this year and is emblematic of the commitment of city and regional leaders to develop the airport – Chicago’s real third airport – and the surrounding area for good-paying jobs and sustainable growth.
“In war and in peace, Quentin P. Smith was a hero; he bravely defended our nation, stood up against segregation, and throughout his stellar career he unselfishly served the community as a civic leader, educator and mentor,” said Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson. “For his significant contributions to our nation, our state and our city, we dedicate this new overpass in his name – Quentin P. Smith – and celebrate a major milestone in the expansion of the Gary/Chicago International Airport.”
Mayor Freeman-Wilson thanked leaders of the City of Gary, the Airport Authority, Lake County, Indiana and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) for their leadership in making the Quentin P. Smith Tuskegee Airman Memorial Bridge a reality.
The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority funded construction of the $11.6 million overpass.
“When I think of the Tuskegee airmen and a man like Quentin P. Smith, I can’t help but think of hard-fought progress and the need we all have to gain opportunities to prove ourselves,” said Bill Hanna, President and CEO of the RDA. “As inspiring as Mr. Smith’s life story is, his legacy sets the bar very high. It will be incumbent upon us to honor his memory by doing our part to develop Gary/Chicago International Airport to its fullest potential.”
A B-25 bombardier with the legendary black World War II Tuskegee Airman Army Air Corps, 1st Lieutenant Smith and 100 black officers were arrested at Freeman Field in Seymour, Indiana for defying orders not to enter the officer’s club. After his military career, Smith went on to become the first principal of West Side High School in Gary. Smith was born in Weldon, Texas on July 30, 1918 and died January 25, 2013 at the age of 94.
Throughout his distinguished career Smith also served on the boards of numerous colleges, military, religious, and civic organizations including service on the Gary Common Council, chairman of the board of trustees of Calumet College, and president of the board of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority.
“We honor Quentin Smith for his dedicated service to the Airport Authority and salute him for his unwavering commitment to education and service to others,” said Nathaniel T. Williams, president of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority Board.
In addition to the opening of the Airport Road overpass and the major runway expansion underway, the Airport Authority is currently conducting an exploration of a potential public-private partnership to invest in the airport to accelerate the competiveness of the airport, the City of Gary, and the region in the global economy.
“We are diligently examining the potential for a public-private partnership to infuse more economic development into the airport and the surrounding area to create quality jobs in Gary and throughout the region,” said Williams. “We are looking at the best ways to attract private sector investors and maintain local public control.”
The Gary/Chicago International Airport is less than 30 minutes from the heart of the tri-state region – the city of Chicago. The airport is directly connected to Chicago’s transportation network through rail freight, interstate and mass transit integration.
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Read more: Airport Road Overpass Named for Quentin P. Smith

Indiana Governor Mike Pence today signed into law legislation he says will give gaming businesses within Indiana the tools to compete with surrounding states. Senate Enrolled Act 528 allows existing casinos and racinos and related businesses to improve their market competitiveness, without expanding gaming in Indiana. The legislation also makes adjustments in the gaming tax structure and codifies the limited use of mobile gaming devices approved last year by the Horse Racing Commission.
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Read more: Governor Pence Signs Gaming Legislation

The Lake County Coroners office reports a Dyer man died from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident in the 19-hundred block of East 80^th Avenue in Hobart. Authorities say 32-year-old Jasmit Dang sustained blunt force trauma and was pronounced dead shortly after midnight this morning. According to published reports a 40 year old Valparaiso man was heading east on U-S 30, near the Westfield Southlake Mall, and contacted police after he thought he had hit something. Police arrived and found the body of the Dyer man, who had been staying at a nearby hotel, and reportedly been crossing the highway when the incident occurred. Police report the wet weather and dark condition played a factor in the incident, and the Valparaiso man will reportedly not be cited since he stopped and reported the incident.
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Read more: Man Killed While Crossing US 30 Near the Mall

The Tri-Creek School Corporation Board of School Trustees invites interested applicants to apply for a four-year appointment to fill a position which will be vacated at the end of June. Interested candidates may pick up the application packet at the Tri-Creek Administration Center, at 195 West Oakley Avenue, and must have it returned no later than 4pm, Monday, June 3^rd. The Board anticipates conducting interviews during the month of June, and appointing a new member at the Board of School Trustees meeting on June 27^th.  To be eligible for this seat, an applicant must (1) live in Eagle Creek Township and have been a resident in Eagle Creek Township for three years or more, (2) be a registered voter in the electoral district of legal residence, and (3) be 25 years of age.
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Read more: Tri-Creek School Corp Board Looking to Fill Vacancy

CROWN POINT – The Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet is set for May 23 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville, and finalists were recently announced for the annual event.
A 17-member steering committee chose a total of 90 finalists from 172 applications. Two women will be awarded in each of 11 industries, one for the Influential Woman Award and another for the Up and Coming Woman Award.
“We recognize women who are established in their industry, as well as rising stars who are newer to their respective fields but are making an impact,” Event Organizer Andrea Pearman said. “There is such a diverse group of deserving women in Northwest Indiana, and our committee works very hard to select the best and brightest.”
The categories for which women will be awarded include business, construction, economic development, education, finance, government, healthcare, law, media/marketing, nonprofit and service/tourism.
The committee will also choose a winner from 12 finalists vying for the Empowering Business of the Year Award. The honor is given to a company that demonstrates excellence in supporting the success of women.
During the past two years, Influential Women of Northwest Indiana has also donated more than $20,000 to area nonprofits. This year, four more organizations will receive funds during the awards banquet.
“The nonprofits that were selected have demonstrated a commitment to enriching Northwest Indiana,” Pearman said. “The funds from Influential Women of Northwest Indiana and its sponsors will go directly to a project that specifically benefits women and girls in the community.”
A full list of the women, organizations and nonprofits that will be honored at the Influential Women of Northwest Indiana Awards Banquet can be found at www.nwiwomen.com. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available and can be purchased at the Web site as well. Tickets to the event are $90 per person, or $800 for a table of ten.
For more information about the event, contact Andrea Pearman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 219-226-0300.
 
About Influential Women of Northwest Indiana
Influential Women of Northwest Indiana is an organization devoted to providing women with the resources, recognition and motivation necessary to be successful in the business world. Each year, Influential Women honors the area’s most successful women in eleven different industries, ranging from construction and healthcare to education and government.
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Read more: Finalists Announced for Influential Women of NW IN Awards