(Photo Courtesy of State Senator Jim Banks)
STATEHOUSE (May 2, 2013) — Gov. Mike Pence signed Senate Enrolled Act 177 into law today – a bill authored by State Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) to give returning veterans access to a more affordable college education.
The legislation grants in-state tuition eligibility to honorably discharged veterans and active National Guard members who enroll in one of Indiana’s state colleges within a year of settling in Indiana. Currently, veterans serving in a different state or country may not qualify for in-state tuition upon returning home, increasing their college costs by thousands of dollars.
To be eligible, veterans are required to enroll in a state college or university no later than 12 months after their discharge or separation from the armed forces. They will then have to take steps to establish Indiana residency within 12 months of enrollment.
“Indiana has always advocated for its veterans, and now, we have an opportunity to extend that advocacy to their college education,” Banks said. “As tuition costs skyrocket and more jobs require a four-year degree, this is the right time to enact legislation that helps our veterans access affordable tuition options. My hope is that with this advancement, more veterans will be encouraged to pursue higher education.”
Pence praised the efforts of Banks and others in passing this legislation.
“Veterans and their families make tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and protect our freedom,” Pence said. “It is essential that we support and encourage these brave men and women to pursue a higher education and earn a college degree.  I applaud the members of the General Assembly, and I am especially appreciative of the leadership of Sen. Jim Banks, one of the authors of the bill.”
The bill signing ceremony took place at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Members of veterans groups from the campus and community were in attendance.
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Read more: Veterans Tuition Bill Signed Into Law

All lanes reopened to traffic just before 5pm this evening, about four-hours after a semi overturned and lost its load on the ramp of Michigan Avenue forced the shut down of the southbound lanes of Cline Avenue.  Authorities were called out to the scene just before 1pm, and no injuries were reported.
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Read more: Overturned Semi Closes Sothbound Lanes of Cline Ave

Indiana Conservation Officers are reminding anglers to always be mindful of all fishing regulations, including size and bag limits, after a 55 year old Culver man was issued a summons on Tuesday, at Bass Lake, in Starke County, for possessing twice the daily limit of crappie. The Indiana DNR reports the Culver man was in possession of 45 crappie, 20 fish over the daily bag limit of 20. If convicted, the 55 year old faces additional fines of 690-dollars to replace the fish taken. To view Indiana's fishing regulations, visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2347.htm.
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Read more: Reminder to Anglers: Be Mindful of Fishing Regulations

It has been about a month or so since a program that calls senior's and homebound residents to check on their well-being was started by the Schererville Police Department. Chief David Dowling says the "Morning Call" initiative has been well received with about a dozen or so individuals having registered.  Chief Dowling says the program, which runs Monday through Friday, is a first of its kind in the region, and came about as a direct result due to the fact they are an accredited police department and this idea came from those meetings. To register just contact the Schererville Police Department and to hear more of our interview with Chief Dowling,visit http://indiana105.com/index.php/news/region-newsmakers.html.
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Read more: Morning Call Program Well Received in Schererville

(Photo Courtesy of the Times)
No one was injured, but a few roads near the Linde Gas Company in Hammond were blocked off for a time as a precaution after a fire Wednesday afternoon. Hammond Fire Chief Jeff Smith says they were called out around 2:30, and spent about three-hours at the scene. Chief Smith says there was a flame coming off an acetylene tank at the point where it gets filled, and that it was contained to that one tank, saying they only got involved after a garbage can in close proximity to the tank caught fire. Chief Smith says there was no damage to the building and at last check, no cause for what started the incident. An investigation is being conducted by the company.
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Read more: Linde Gas Company Investigating Cause of Fire

South Shore Clean Cities has announced a competitive grant award program aimed at improving air quality in Lake County through Diesel Emissions Reduction projects. A total of 450-thousand dollars will be available to support qualified projects submitted by Lake County municipalities, schools and not-for-profit hospitals. The program is the result of a cooperative agreement between the BP Whiting Refinery, the Sierra Club, Save the Dunes, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Hoosier Environmental Council, the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the Environmental Integrity Project and two private citizens. An informational meeting is scheduled later this month in Hammond.  Phase I will begin at 9 a.m., Thursday, May 23 with an informational pre-proposal meeting at the Indiana Welcome Center, 7770 Corinne Dr., Hammond, Ind., 46323.
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Read more: Competitive Grant Award Program to Improve Air Quality

Police in Gary are investigating a shooting just before 11-o'clock Wednesday night. Corporal Gabrielle King says a 62-year-old man was in the area of 5th and Colfax when he saw two men at a gas station that he believed had been watching him. The two subjects then later approached as the man was walking south on Colfax and when he got to about  the 700 block, the two subjects approached him, demanding his wallet.  Police say the victim gave them his wallet, then one of the subjects pulled out a gun, fired a shot, striking the man in the leg.  Police say they all left the area, but emergency personnel were able to locate the victim.
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Read more: Man Robbed, Shot Hits Leg

A spokesperson for Indiana Governor Mike Pence says an official state vehicle driving Governor Pence was involved in a traffic accident in Indianapolis as they were traveling to Fort Wayne today.  Word from the Governor's office is mo one was seriously injured, and once it was determined that no one involved required immediate medical attention, the Governor continued on to Fort Wayne to continue his schedule for the rest of the day.
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Read more: Gov Pence Uninjured in Traffic Accident

A casino not far over the Indiana/Illinois state line could be moving closer to reality.  The Illinois Senate approved a new gambling expansion package Wednesday that lawmakers hope will be more palatable to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. The plan allows for five new casinos…including one in the south suburbs and one in Chicago…and slot machines at racetracks and at O’Hare and Midway airports. it also has a provision important to Quinn -- a ban on campaign contributions from gaming interests.  The measure does not include online gambling. Also, it gives the state gaming board regulatory authority over the Chicago casino. It now moves to the Illinois House for a vote.
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Read more: Illinois Senate Approves Casinos

Construction is expected to begin next year on a new student services and activities complex at Purdue North Central in Westville. University officials say the new budget approved by the Indiana General Assembly includes a key provision that will allow for the issuance of 23-point-7 million dollars in bonds to help finance construction of the proposed 34-point-7-million-dollar facility. The remaining funding will be generated through student fees and gift donations to PNC. Along with meetings, conferences, and exhibits, P-N-C says commencement will also be held there. The May 2013 graduation ceremonies, for instance, will be at the Valparaiso University ARC.
"We are thrilled the general assembly has allowed us to move forward," said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. "This is a significant step for PNC as we continue our mission to serve the educational, athletic and social needs of the residents of Northwest Indiana.  This is a game changer which will enable us to continue to improve our retention and graduation rates."  Dworkin thanked the Indiana General Assembly for including the Student Services and Activities Complex in the state budget.  "Our local legislators extended their bipartisan support for the Student Services and Activities Complex and worked hard to ensure that their colleagues from across the state understood the importance of including it in the budget," said Dworkin.  "State Senators Karen Tallian, Jim Arnold and Ed Charbonneau and State Representatives Thomas Dermody, Scott Pelath and Ed Soliday were tremendous advocates and I thank them for their ongoing support of PNC."
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Read more: New PNC Complex 'Game Changer'