I was made aware of the arrest of Mr. Jamal Jones yesterday, October 6th, and the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop. I watched a video of a portion of the traffic stop, the entire stop lasted 13 minutes. I have spoken to the Chief of Police about this traffic stop. Citizens, in a similar type of situation, should simply provide …
Mayor McDermott comments on proposed South Shore Rail expansion plan
It is widely known that Congressman Visclosky has made a $600 million expansion of the South Shore rail line to two towns south of Hammond his priority. As part of his mission, municipal governments across NWI, that are nowhere near the expansion or have more to lose than gain from this project, have been asked to “voluntarily” approve an inter-local …
Company takes over Hammond Recycling building
September 20, 2014 – Rob Earnshaw The vacant Hammond Recycling building has been purchased by a company with plans to turn it into a state-of-the-art recycling facility complete with new jobs. JJS Recycling Factory officials say they will develop a significant operation of recycling plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, and manufacture it for use in the textile …
Tracks, trains hot topics at Hammond Mayor’s Night Out
September 15, 2014 – Rob Earnshaw From a rail crossing falling into disrepair to the proposed South Shore Line extension, trains were on the mind of recent Mayor’s Night Out participants. The “horrible” condition of the railroad crossing on Indianapolis Boulevard next to Cargill Inc. was one of the issues concerning residents at the recent event at Wolf Lake Pavilion. …
Mayor McDermott Names Assistant Chief
Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. announces that a new Assistant Chief has been chosen for the City of Hammond Fire Department. Assistant Chief Karl Repay will succeed Assistant Chief Pat Moore, Jr. Moore a 23 year veteran of the Hammond Fire Department who recently announced his retirement. Assistant Chief Repay began his career with the Hammond Fire Department in December, …
Planning and development employees move to City Hall
September 01, 2014 – Rob Earnshaw The city’s planning and development department is moving to City Hall. Currently based at 649 and 651 Conkey St., the dozen or so employees will have new accommodations at City Hall by the end of the year in a plan Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said made sense. “We’re in the process right now of …
Hammond considers raising towing fee
July 28, 2014 8:39 pm – Rob Earnshaw The city may increase its towing fees. An ordinance was introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting that would raise the standard towing fee from $125 to $180. Hammond currently has four towing companies operating without a contract. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said those companies would continue to receive the $125 fee while …
New bike trail leg bridges Munster, Hammond
July 23, 2014 – Anna Ortiz A newly completed pedestrian and bike trail bridge symbolizes the benefits of cooperation between Hammond and Munster, officials of both municipalities said Wednesday. The new Monon Trail bridge, which spans the Little Calumet River, is between Manor Avenue in Munster and Lyman Avenue in Hammond. Hammond, Munster and Calumet River Basin Development Commission officials …
Hammond woman grateful for Hammond Parks Program
Evelyn Wilson says the Hammond Parks Summer Program has been extremely beneficial for her three special needs children. Wilson says the program provides breakfast, lunch and fun activities including games, arts and crafts, in a safe supervised environment. The children learn acceptance, Wilson says. “All ages, all colors, all abilities, all play together,” Wilson, who has been a program volunteer …
Hammond College Bound Scholarship Program benefits local families
Hammond’s College Bound Scholarship Program has saved city families hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition. Rob Jakubielski, who lives with his wife Monique and their three children in the Robertsdale section of Hammond, estimates that over the next eight to ten years the program will save his family $130,000. “That is a home in Hammond,” Jakubielski says. Jakubielski’s daughter …