The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Flash Flood Warning that now includes Lake County, Indiana, and southwestern Porter County.  A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is in progress, imminent, or highly likely. National Weather Service officials say a flash flood is a rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event, like intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam. Here is a link to watches and warnings from the National Weather Service::
http://forecast.weather.gov/hazards/lot
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Read more: Flash Flood Warning Includes Lake, Porter Co

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the March Against Hunger food drive competition generated $55,455 and 10,065 pounds of food for local food banks.
The fifth annual food drive competition was between 44 participating law groups from Indiana and Kentucky. To help coordinate the donations, Zoeller teamed up with the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) and the nonprofit group, Feeding Indiana's Hungry (FIsH), which is the umbrella organization for 11 regional food banks.
"All food drive participants deserve recognition for their efforts to serve their local communities by selflessly giving their time and money to a worthy cause," Zoeller said. "Too many Hoosiers, including children, face hunger on daily basis and it’s heart-warming to see the members of my profession step up in such a big way.”
Zoeller said this year’s monetary and food donations combined is the equivalent to 143 tons of food.
"As a fellow lawyer, I am particularly proud of the fact that lawyers from all corners of the state rose to the occasion to serve Hoosiers in need," said ISBA President Daniel B. Vinovich. “It’s opportunities like this annual food drive that allow us to serve beyond our clients."
Winners from all six divisions will receive a trophy known as the Attorney General’s Cup for collecting the most donations:
Extra Large Division – Barnes & Thornburg LLP (Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart) – 784 pounds of food and $16,190 in monetary donations
Large Division – Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP (Merrillville) – 1,675 pounds of food and $7,153 in monetary donations
Medium Division – Wilkinson Goeller Modesitt Wilkinson & Drummy LLP (Terre Haute) – $2,510 in monetary donations
Small Division – Tuesley Hall Konopa LLP (South Bend) – 29 pounds of food and $1,570 in monetary donations
Sole Proprietor – Steven Douglas Law Office (Elletsville) – $1,685 in monetary donations
Public/Non-Profit – Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office (Evansville) – 2,295 pounds of food and $5,000 in monetary donations.
“We are grateful for the participation and generosity of so many Hoosier lawyers, as well as for the leadership of our state's attorney general to raise awareness of hunger,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, FIsH Executive Director.  “One in six Hoosiers is at risk of hunger, and for Hoosier children just one in four. The pounds contributed through the food drive this year will provide the equivalent of nearly 240,000 meals to Hoosiers in need, with nearly 1 million pounds donated since the program was created in 2009.”
The 11 regional food banks that serve Indiana and are members of FIsH include: Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc., Food Finders Food Banks, Gleaners Food Bank, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Food Bank of Northern Indiana, Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank and Tri-State Food Bank Inc. Also, Freestore Foodbank of Cincinnati and Dare to Care Food Bank of Louisville also participated and serve some Indiana counties.
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Read more: March For Hunger Generates Equivalent of 143 Tons of Food

A 39 year old Crown Point man accused of multiple financial crimes, identity deception, and crimes against the elderly, was arrested Wednesday in Michigan City on 11 felonies charges. Indiana State Police say Marlon Leon Underwood was taken into custody without incident, and his arrest stems from an investigation that began back in July of 2012 after a complaint by the Indiana Department of Insurance on possible insurance fraud. Authorities say Underwood, who had his brokers license suspended in 2010, was a broker at the American Freedom Financial Insurance Office in Highland, and later worked out of his home, selling insurance primarily to the elderly. State Police say it is believed there may be more victims that have not yet come forward, so if you think you may have been a victim, please contact the Indiana State Police Lowell Post, at 219-696-6242, and ask for Detective Joe White.
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Read more: Crown Point Man Arrested on 11 Felonies

An oil sheen on Cady Marsh Ditch last week has been identified. The Times reports the a leaking storage tank was the culprit, and the suspected chemical is a lubricant used to keep concrete from sticking to wooden molds. Jacob Hassan, on-scene coordinator for the US Environmental Protection Agency, told us on Monday the source has been determined, but at the time had not been identified, as the investigation continued. Cleanup was anticipated to be completed by Wednesday. The waterway flows from Calumet Township to Munster, emptying into the Little Calumet River.
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Read more: Lubricant From Leaky Storage Tank Caused Sheen

By a vote of 61 to 57, the Illinois House on Wednesday approved the use of medical marijuana to patients with specific terminal illnesses or debilitating medical conditions. The legislation proposes a four-year pilot program that would require background checks for caregivers and patients, with a two-point-five ounce limit per patient per purchase. The measure now moves to the state Senate.
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Read more: Medical Marijuana Passes IL House, Moves to Senate

(Photo Courtesy of the City of Gary)
Earlier today, Vice President Joe Biden joined several U.S. mayors in a Google Hangout focused on gun violence. The participants included Gary, Ind. Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Oak Creek, Wis. Mayor Steve Scaffidi.
“I was honored to be selected to participate in this critical conversation,” said Freeman-Wilson. “Although the proposed measures did not pass today, I’d like to thank Sen. Donnelly for standing with the victims of gun violence in Indiana. Background checks are common sense. Vote people not partisanship.”
In the link below, Freeman-Wilson refers to a double funeral she recently attended as a result of gun violence and the importance of ensuring that guns don't land in the wrong hands.
http://youtu.be/viG3pjxEmxw
To watch the entire chat with Vice-President Biden, visit this link: &list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ">&list=UUYxRlFDqcWM4y7FfpiAN3KQ
 
Earlier this week, Freeman-Wilson traveled to D.C. representing Mayors Against Illegal Guns. She spoke with Indiana legislators and joined individuals from all over the U.S. on Capitol Hill in memory of Virginia Tech victims. Freeman-Wilson participated by reading several of the victims’ names, who were all victims of gun violence.
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Read more: Gary Mayor Joins VP Biden in Video Chat on Gun Control

Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement as the Senate considered a series of proposed amendments to legislation designed to strengthen the gun rights of law-abiding citizens and help keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists, felons, and the mentally ill.
“I am a strong supporter of the 2^nd Amendment and am proud to stand up for all law-abiding Hoosiers who exercise their right to keep and bear arms,” said Donnelly.  “Over the last 14 years, more than 3.5 million Hoosiers have purchased a firearm using the background check system.  Currently, however, too many individuals with criminal records or serious mental illnesses are getting guns by exploiting loopholes in the current system and, in the process, endangering the lives of others and the rights of law-abiding gun owners. 
“After all, history shows that Congress begins reexamining proposals that would infringe on citizens’ 2^nd Amendment rights, like the assault weapons ban, which I oppose, only when someone who shouldn’t have had guns in the first place uses them to commit mass murder.  By improving our system of background checks as Senators Manchin and Toomey proposed, we would increase the likelihood that terrorists, felons, and the seriously mentally ill won’t be able to jeopardize the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
This evening, Donnelly continued his longtime support for Hoosiers with licenses to carry to have those licenses recognized in every state in the union.  While in the House, Donnelly co-sponsored legislation that would have made state-issued concealed firearm carrying permits or licenses valid across state lines as long as they followed that state's laws on where concealed weapons can be carried.  In November 2011, a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives passed this legislation with Donnelly’s support.
Further, Donnelly supported reaffirming current law that no one can create a national gun registry and voted to add criminal penalties, up to 15 years in federal prison, to this law.
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Read more: Donnelly Statement on Gun Rights Legislation

Eastbound South Shore Train 11 is running 10-15 minutes late due to severe weather knocking out gates and signals.
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Read more: EB S Shore Train 11 Running 10-15 Minutes Late

GARY, Ind. — Today’s High School Challenge game between North Newton and South Newton has been postponed due to inclement weather. A make-up date has not yet been announced.
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Read more: HHC Game N Newton Vs. S Newton Postponed

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for northwestern Lake County until 8:30pm CST. Street flooding has been reported near Cline Avenue and Chicago Avenue in Gary, with some streets reported as impassable.
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Read more: Flash Flood Warning for NW Lake County Until 8:30pm CST