There's a signing ceremony this afternoon for Indiana's new school safety bill. Indiana Governor Mike Pence will put his signature to Senate Enrolled Act One, legislation providing ten-million dollars in matching grants to help school corporations hire security officers. [1 pm Eastern]
Controversy had surrounded the measure, then lawmakers removed a plan to require all public and charter schools to have at least one person armed with a gun, to protect against school shootings. If they didn't have an officer, for instance, a school employee would have been armed to serve as a 'school protection officer'. The revised bill instead creates a summer committee to examine the idea.
On Monday, Governor Pence signed a measure that strengthens penalties for B and C felonies, computer crimes, sex crimes and hazing... and another meant to provide a 'clean slate' on certain nonviolent offenses to give people with a criminal past a “second chance,” the Governor says, and a stronger chance of finding work.
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Read more: Governor to Sign School Safety Bill

2013 is a 'non-election' year for Indiana as far as public offices are concerned... but that doesn't mean Hoosiers won't be going to the ballot here in the Region and elsewhere in the state. Today (Tue May 07) a handful of Indiana school districts will hold referendums, and locally they include Munster, Metropolitan School District of Boone Township in Hebron, the Wheeler/Union Township Schools, and Knox Community Schools in Starke County. Region voters in the districts with referendums are being asked to say yes or no to a property tax increase to raise funds for the schools; the Knox ballot question specifically is construction referendum for the school district. You can hear interviews with superintendents from each of the school districts with referendums in Northwest Indiana here at our website at News Audio on Demand.  Polls are open from 6 am to 6 pm. 
May 7, 2013 Special Elections
- Barr-Reeve Community Schools (Daviess County)
- Hamilton Southeastern Schools (Hamilton County)
- Noblesville Schools (Hamilton County)
- City of Vincennes Parks & Recreation Department (Knox County)
- Munster School Referendum (Lake County)
- Metropolitan School District of Boone Township (Porter County)
- Union Township School Corporation (Porter County)
- Knox Community Schools (Starke County)
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Read more: Special Elections in the Region

The Lake County Council voted four-to-three Monday to approve a one-and-a-half percent local income tax. Now it goes before the Lake County Commissioners, who are expected to consider it at a special meeting this Friday [May 10th, at 8:30am.] If commissioners veto it, as two of the three have already said they plan on doing, the county council could override that, but it would take a super-majority, so at least five yes votes would be needed. Lake County is the only county in the state without a local income tax.
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Read more: Council Approves Lake Tax

Three teens were shot while in a vehicle in Gary Saturday, just before 8pm. Corp. Gabrielle King, of the Gary Police Department, says a 19 year old, and two 17 year old, were in a vehcile in the 19-hundred block of Clay Street when shots were fired at the vehicle, injuring all three teens and the driver. Corp. King says the 19 year old died as the result of his injuries, while the extent of the two 17 year olds who were injured is unknown at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gary Police Department.
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Read more: Teen Dies After Being Shot While In Vehicle in Gary Saturday

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
A train derailment in Gary this morning has forced 9^th Avenue, from Chase to Madison Streets to be closed at last check. Gary Police Public Information Office Corp. Gabrielle King says they were notified at approximately 9:45am, a couple of CSX freight train coal cars derailed and were upright off the tracks, just north of 11^th Avenue. Authorities report no injuries, or lost load, due to the derailment.
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Read more: Train Derailment in Gary Closes Parts of 9th Ave

Westbound I-94, just east of the Portage exit was closed for a short time after a horse fell out of a moving trailer onto the interstate. Indiana State Police Lowell post reports, just after 11:30 this morning, a 31 year old Texas man was pulling a horse trailer in the left lane, when the eight-year old horse kicked the rear door of the trailer open. No vehicle hit the horse, but the fall caused it to break one of his legs, and he had to be put down at the scene.
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Read more: Horse Put Down on WB I-94 After Falling Out of Trailer

Read more: Porter County Activities Guide Now Available for Free

Now through May 31st  the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and The Times Media Company are holding Summer Care and Share Food Drive. The purpose of the drive is to fill 1,000 “Share Boxes” for children in need. For many children the only meals they are sure to receive are the breakfast and lunch they receive through the National School Breakfast and Lunch programs. When summer rolls around these children don’t know where their next meal will come from. The Summer Care and Share Food Drive will help provide these children with nutritious food during the summer holiday.

Each “Share Box” will be filled with cereal, oatmeal, canned vegetables, canned fruits, pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, boxed dinners, beef stew and canned tuna. Food from this list can be donated at any Strack & Van Til Food Market, Town and County store, Ultra Foods store or The Times offices. Food can also be donated online through a virtual food drive by visiting:  http://www.timescareandshare.com    A copy of the “Share Box” shopping list with the quantities needed of each item is also available on that site.

“There are more than 46,000 children in Lake and Porter Counties that are on the free and reduced lunch program. Hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation, that’s why it’s so important for us to really amp up our efforts and make sure that these kids have something to eat when they are out of school,” said Food Bank Executive Director Arleen Peterson.

The Food Bank and their member agencies also participate in the Summer Food Services Program which also targets children in need over summer break. For more information about that program please contact the Food Bank at 219-980-1777. To request a “Share box” please call the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. The Food Bank will be taking registrations for the boxes Monday, May 13th through June 3rd.

(http://www.foodbanknwi.org )
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Read more: The Summer Care and Share Food Drive is Underway

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces overnight lane restrictions in both eastbound and westbound U.S. 30 between State Road 51 in Hobart and State Road 55 in Merrillville for road resurfacing work. Beginning this week, lane restrictions will be in place during overnight hours (between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.) and will continue through early August.
INDOT reminds drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone. For the latest road closures and news from INDOT, like us at www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and follow us at www.Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.
You can find traffic restriction information at www.trafficwise.IN.gov.  Contact the LaPorte District toll free at 1-855-GO-INDOT.
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Read more: Overnight Lane Restrictions on US 30 Near Merrillville

INDIANAPOLIS—May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday, May 6, has been designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
“Current estimates indicate that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime,” said State Health Commissioner William VanNess, M.D. “However, you can reduce your risk of skin cancer by taking a few steps to protect yourself from the sun. Seeking shade, especially during midday hours, wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of 15 or higher and protects against both UVA and UVB rays can help protect you and your loved ones.”
The two most common types, called basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more serious. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), melanoma, which accounts for five percent of skin cancer cases, causes the most skin cancer related deaths, killing one American every hour.
“Unlike many other common cancers, melanoma occurs in both younger and older people,” said Tom Rich, Director of Comprehensive Cancer Control for the Great Lakes Division of ACS. “Rates continue to increase with age and are highest among those in their 80s, but melanoma is not uncommon even among those younger than 30. In fact, it is one of the more common cancers in young adults, especially young women.”
Changes in the shape, size and color of moles may indicate skin cancer. To help with early detection for melanoma and other skin cancers, State health officials suggest the following ABCDE guidelines when looking at a mole to determine if you should be concerned.
A = Asymmetry: One half of the mole (or lesion) does not match the other half.
B = Border: Border irregularity; the edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
C = Color: The pigmentation is not uniform, with variable degrees of tan, brown or black.
D = Diameter: The diameter of a mole or skin lesion is greater than six millimeters (or the size of a pencil eraser). Any sudden increase in the size of an existing mole should be checked.                                                
E = Evolution: Existing moles changing shape, size or color.
“Skin cancer may appear differently than what is described in the ABCDE rule,” said Dr. VanNess. “If you notice any changes to existing moles or new growths on the skin, make an appointment with your health care provider for an exam.”
For more information about skin cancer in Indiana, visit the Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures 2012, a comprehensive report on the burden of cancer in Indiana at http://indianacancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ICC-Facts-and-Figures-2012-Melanoma_Skin-Cancer-pg-45-49.pdf.
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Those interested in impacting the burden of cancer in Indiana should consider participating in the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC). The ICC is a statewide network of partnerships whose mission is to reduce the cancer burden in Indiana through the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive plan that addresses cancer across the continuum from prevention through palliation. Participation in the ICC is open to all organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, data collection and advocacy regarding cancer-related issues. To become a member of the ICC and find additional information about cancer prevention and control in Indiana, please visit the ICC’s website at www.indianacancer.org.
To visit the Indiana State Department of Health’s website, go to www.StateHealth.in.gov....

Read more: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Melanoma Monday