September 10, 2014 – Times Staff Purdue University Calumet made students feel welcome for the start of the 2014-15 academic year by hosting its sixth annual Student Convocation on campus. Some 2,500 students, faculty and staff members enjoyed food, music, summer weather and opportunities to interact on and around Founders Plaza in the center of campus. Representatives from each PUC …
Hammond bar demolished after suspected arson fires
[text-blocks id=”credit_times”] HAMMOND | City officials demolished a bar Wednesday that served as the scene of the city’s most recent homicide after two suspected arson fires there in less than 24 hours. Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Margraf said firefighters were called at 10 a.m. Tuesday to Estrella’s Bar, 4704 Hohman Ave. for a report of smoke coming from the building. …
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, …
City may create new water rate class for commercial properties
[text-blocks id=”credit_times”] An ordinance introduced Monday by the City Council would create a new class of water rate for commercial properties. Currently commercial properties pay $1.55 per thousand gallons, the same as homeowners. With the new class comes a new rate of $3.28. Currently there is a residential and industrial class only. Marty Wielgos, sanitary district manager, said it’s a …
Hammond plans major road project on Chicago Street
[text-blocks id=”credit_times”] The city is developing a federal aid project to reconstruct and widen Chicago Street (formerly known as Ind. 312) from South Brainard Avenue at the border with Illinois to the East Chicago border at White Oak Avenue. The 2.1 mile Chicago Street project is proposed to improve safety, reduce congestion and improve travel times. It includes street alignments …
Public Notice: CDBG and ESG funding
The City of Hammond, Department of Planning and Development is in the process of preparing its 2015-2016 budget for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), (HOME) Investment Partnership Program and Community Housing and Development Organization (CHDO). Applications will be available beginning September 2, 2014. Application must be completed and return to the Department of Planning and Development, …
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’s hydrant flushing starts Tuesday; it lasts weeks
August 31, 2014 – Times Staff Hammond begins a hydrant flushing program on Tuesday. It starts on the north side of the city and heads south over four to six weeks. The Hammond Water Works Department said some residents may experience water discoloration during the flushing. If that happens, run cold water for a few minutes and the problem should …
Northcote Avenue Bridge undergoing unique rehab
August 30, 2014 – Rob Earnshaw The Northcote Avenue Bridge over the Little Calumet River will begin a transformation Tuesday and, once complete, will be a structure so unique officials say there are only a few of its kind in the Midwest. The bridge is not being elevated or replaced, but rehabbed so it becomes an integral part of the …
Abandoned mallards nurtured and released by volunteer
August 29, 2014 – Times Staff Rescuing and nurturing abandoned or hurt animals is nothing new to Joe Michalik, a volunteer at the Indiana Welcome Center. Last week, Michalik and a group of visitors watched as four, 8-week-old mallards that Michalik and his son had rescued were released into Optimist Lake behind the center. “They belong in Mother Nature,” said …