The Indiana House has approved 'cash for gold' legislation authored by LaPorte State Representative Tom Dermody . House Bill 1188 requires precious metal dealers at these stores to follow rules meant to discourage the sale of stolen items, similar to how pawn shops are regulated.
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Read more: 'Cash for Gold' Bill Passes Indiana House

Chicago has been named the fourth most miserable city in the U.S. Number one was Detroit, followed by Flint, Michigan; and Rockford, Illinois with Modesto, California, rounding out the top five. To compile their annual list, Forbes analyzes 200 of the country's largest urban areas and ranks them on factors like crime rates, commute times, foreclosures, home prices, income and property taxes, and weather. They also tweaked their misery-measuring methodology this year, responding to feedback from...

Read more: Chicago Named Fourth Most Miserable City in US

Following two and a half weeks of testimony from the prosecutors side, the defense rested its case in the Dustin McCowan murder trial after two days. The Times reports the case won't go to jury until this Tuesday, following closing arguments, due to standard court calls Friday and Monday. 20-year-old McCowan is accused of fatally shooting his one-time girlfriend, 19-year-old Amanda Bach, in September of 2011.
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Read more: McCowan Trial Going to Jury Tuesday

The Lake County Coroner's Office, along with Gary Police, and Lake County Police C-S-I, are investigating the death of Gary man at last check. The Coroner's Office reports their investigative team was dispatched just before one this afternoon to the nine-hundred block of the Cline Avenue Service Road in Gary, were they found 61 year old Lonnie Watkins, who was pronounced dead about an hour later. Authorities report the location the incident took place, injury, and manner of death, are all...

Read more: Authorities Investigating Death of Gary Man

The Lake County Sheriff's Department is seeking your help in locating a 17 year old Gary man charged with murder in the killing of 32 year old Laroi Griffin, of Gary. Authorities announced today that just before 12:30am on February 9^th, De'Vonte Hodge and Griffin got into an argument and Hodge allegedly pulled out a semi-automatic handgun, which he reportedly used, firing a total of three-times, killing Griffin, whose body was found unresponsive by Gary Police, in the area of the11-hundred...

Read more: Authorities Seek Help Locating Murder Suspect

A winter storm is expected to impact the region tonight, making tomorrow's morning commute challenging, which is why INDOT says their trucks will be out in force to prevent ice and snow from accumulating. INDOT reports state highways and interstates have been pre-treated ahead of the impending storm, and that they will continue to monitor multiple developing forecasts, as well as road and bridge sensors, to deploy personnel, equipment, and materials. Motorists are advised to leave early...

Read more: INDOT Prepared for Tonight's Winter Storm

Indiana hunters have set a new deer harvest record. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife reports today that 136-thousand deer were harvested in 2012, a six-percent increase from 2011, and breaking the previous record of 134-thousand set in 2010. D-N-R officials point to new equipment regulations and extra hunting dates as attributing to the distinction. In Northwest Indiana, Starke County led the way with a total harvest of almost two-thousand, while Newton...

Read more: Hoosier Hunters Set Record Deer Harvest in 2012

Information regarding a potential drug deal in the area of U.S. 6 in Portage lead to the arrest of two Portage men. The Times reports two 35 year old Portage men were ultimately arrested and charged with dealing and possession of cocaine, after police individually stopped each vehicle leaving a local restaurant were the alleged drug deal occurred.
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Read more: 2 Portage Men Arrested Charged with Dealing Drugs

A Michigan City man was sentenced to five-years in prison today for a felony burglary conviction. The LaPorte County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reports Brad Kuta pleaded guilty to burglary for breaking and entering with intent to commit burglary, on or about June 28^th of 2011.
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Read more: Michigan City Man Gets 5 Years for Felony Burglary

(Photos Courtesy of Indiana State Police: Lowell District)
Crews were cleaning up trash spilled in a grassy area near Indianapolis Boulevard at last check after a semi hauling trash partially rolled over, closing the ramp for almost four-hours. Indiana State Police say a preliminary investigation revealed the semi was heading west on I-80 to the southbound Indianapolis Boulevard ramp, when the driver took the curve too fast, and struck a concrete retaining wall, partially rolling the semi onto...

Read more: Semi Hauling Trash Crashes, Indy Blvd Ramp Now Open