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 …
Volunteering is a way of life for Hammond retiree
July 23, 2014 – Kimberly Cheek-Stanley On any given day, Anne Herbert is working behind the scenes to improve the lives of those in her community and across the country. The Hammond resident is the only American Red Cross disaster volunteer in the city and the first person contacted when a disaster or fire occurs in Hammond. “We take care …
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 …
Festival of the Lakes opens in Hammond
July 16, 2014 – Anna Ortiz The temperatures didn’t reflect the Caribbean island music Wednesday as the Festival of the Lakes opened in Hammond. Cool breezes wafted through the crowd along with blues and reggae music as youngsters lined up for carnival rides along the Midway. The 11th annual Festival of the Lakes has more rides, more food and what …
Festival of the Lakes Schedule: Something for everyone
Music in the Air Hammond’s 11th Annual Festival of the Lakes is a five-day summer celebration that begins July 16 and concludes July 20. The festival focuses on entertainment, food, and activities. This year’s entertainment includes The Kinsey Report opening for Jimmy Cliff to kick off the week on Wednesday, July 16. Jimmy Sarr Band will open for Big & …
Revitalization, restaurants, shops and festivals attract new residents to Hammond
New Hammond residents Rick Soria and Scott Fech were drawn to the city because of its revitalization, restaurants, shops, festivals and proximity to Chicago. Fech is principal at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in Hyde Park. “Hammond is a perfect location to commute to Hyde Park,” Soria says. Soria is Campus President at the Michigan City campus of Tech …
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 …
Hammond Marina and Wolf Lake Pavilion offer summer fun for the entire family
Hammond Marina Coordinator Susan Tabers said there will be plenty of family fun at the marina this summer. Venetian Night August 9 is free to the public and there is no charge for parking, Tabers says. In addition to an amazing fireworks display at 9 p.m., Venetian Night festivities begin at 3 p.m. with children’s games on the beach and …
Hammond arts community thriving
Whether at Towle Theater or Paul Henry’s Art Gallery or through the efforts of Books, Brushes and Bands for Education theater and the arts are thriving in Hammond. Paul Henry’s Art Gallery has been at 416 Sibley in downtown Hammond since October of 2008. Owner David J. Mueller says the space was set up in the old hardware and paint …