[Rep. Tim Brown speaking on HB 1001/Photo provided]
The Indiana House passed a new two-year spending plan by a 68-28 vote Monday... a thirty-billion dollar blueprint Republicans say will grow the private sector, bridge the skills gap and strengthen education... however, it does not include the income-tax cut sought by Republican Governor Mike Pence... a proposal that Democrats have wanted to advance.
STATEHOUSE — Authored by the Chairman of Ways and Means, State Representative Tim Brown (...

Read more: House Okays Budget Without Income Tax Cut

Most counties in north central Indiana are under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service. Throughout the day, periods of snow fall and possible ice accumulation up to a quarter inch are being forecasted. This combination can cause visibility to be reduced and road conditions to change quickly. To help Hoosiers prepare for this winter storm the Indiana State Police offers the following tips.
Be prepared:
• Before traveling, check the forecast and let someone know your t...

Read more: Winter Driving Tips from Indiana State Police

Among the many expected or possible effects of the federal sequester on the Region... closure of the control tower at Gary/Chicago International Airport Friday... the same day the across-the-board budget cuts approved by Congress kick in. Today's Times says the airport would still be open to airplanes, but they would have to follow FAA guidelines for landing without a control tower.
http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/sequester-may-shut-gary-control-tower-airport-to-remain-open/article_81bf209...

Read more: Rept: Sequester Could Close Gary Control Tower

The Indiana House has passed a bill authored by Munster Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon she says will help local governments run more effectively and efficiently.
Candelaria-Reardon says the measure addresses issues brought forth the the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk Treasurers. House Bill 1145 passed through the House 68-26 and will now advance to the Senate for further consideration.
 “This proposal allows a political subdivision to transfer any unused, unencumbered funds from any fi...

Read more: Local Government Bill Clears the Indiana House

The Indiana Senate rejected a proposal Monday to expand health care coverage to low wage-earning Hoosier families from 2014 through 2016. Democrat Portage State Senator Karen Tallian of Portage says her amendment to Senate Bill 551 would have taken advantage of language in the federal health care law that fully funds the cost of expanding Medicaid for the first three years, making working families of four earning less than $33,000 eligible for care, and covering an estimated 400,000 more...

Read more: Indiana Senate Rejects Medicaid Expansion

Two big issues came before the Lake Ridge School Board last night, and nearly two-hundred people came out to the meeting as the board voted to close an elementary school... possibly Grissom or Hosford Park, according to the Times today. Board members also approved a motion to contract out janitorial and maintenance services starting in March... a couple months ago, the board voted not to contract out, but officials tell nwi-dot-com that the financial situation has become more bleak, and without...

Read more: Nearly 200 Attend Lake Ridge School Bd Mtg

Schererville Police report they are investigating an alleged fraud of a financial institutions in Lake County. Authorities report warrants have been issued for three individuals, Shaquille Jackson, Kourtney Smith, and Darnell Thompson, for their part in the alleged scam. According to the probable cause affidavit, the three are accused of opening accounts to be used for fraudulent activity.
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Read more: Three People Accused of Bank Fraud in Lake County

ABC News reports that while much of the country deals with increasing gas prices -- the U-S Energy Department says prices in Ohio have actually dropped 16 cents in the past week to 3.65 a gallon for regular unleaded. Drivers in Ohio are paying 14 cents less than they were a year ago. Compare that to California where drivers are now paying, on average, 4-21 a gallon and much more in LA and San Francisco.  As of today, Triple-A reported the current average for a gallon of regular unleaded in the...

Read more: Gas up 5 Cents from Last Week

A 26 year old Munster man has reportedly died as the result of a snowmobile crash in Wisconsin Sunday afternoon. The Times reports Justin Mulder allegedly failed to negotiate a corner while driving a snowmobile, left the roadway, and crashed into a wooded area. Published reports say alcohol and speed are believed to have played a factor in this crash, and an investigation continues....

Read more: Snowmobile Crash Claims Life of Munster Man

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
Today's Times reports the jury is expected to begin deliberation tomorrow in the murder trial of 20 year old Dustin McCowan, who is accused of killing his former girlfriend, 19 year old Amanda Bach. Published reports say both the Defense and Prosecution will each be granted two hours a piece for closing arguments, before the jury is sent off to come up with a verdict, which must be a unanimous decision of guilty or innocent. For continuing coverage of the trial,...

Read more: McCowan Case Expected To Go To Jury Tomorrow