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Jerry Davich

Jerry Davich has written thousands of stories, columns, and articles about myriad issues, people, and situations - including the last days of a woman with …Read More

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Jerry Davich: Cattle farmer says he ‘never thought things would come to all this’

Bernard Seegers held up an old photo of himself in front of dozens of cattle on his once-spacious property. “This is who I am. This is what I’ve done. This is my life right here,” he told me in the basement of his rural Wheatfield home. The 75-year-old grandfather has thick calloused hands, a soft smile and a bulldog mentality when it comes to what he perceives as right versus wrong. “I never thought things would come to all this,” he said.

Jerry Davich: Brother, sister share fallout from fatal roadside bomb attack

U.S. Army Pvt. Douglas Rachowicz was behind the steering wheel of the military vehicle that drove over a massive roadside bomb earlier this month, killing four fellow soldiers. The 30-year-old Hammond father of two drove the third truck in a convoy travelling through southern Afghanistan …

Jerry Davich: Too many Hoosiers still clueless about right to work

Right to work. Those three words have created a firestorm of controversy across this region and the state. But during my recent informal poll of Northwest Indiana residents regarding this hot-button legislative bill, I routinely heard three other words that took me by surprise. “I …

Jerry Davich: Maybe it was the sangria talking but it’s still true

I returned confidently to the podium, adjusted the microphone and stared at dozens of faces I didn’t recognize. “I just want to say one more thing,” I told guests at Restaurante don Quijote in downtown Valparaiso on Thursday night. “I, uh, I, uh ...” Oh …

Jerry Davich: Cop car hijacker: ‘Under circumstances of great stress I have made poor decisions’

William Blankenship III frantically pondered what to do next as he sat handcuffed in the backseat of a Kouts police car. Unlike nearly every other handcuffed passenger in the back of a police car, he didn’t just sit tight and face the legal consequences awaiting …

Jerry Davich: Would you randomly drug-test your teenager?

Would you randomly drug test your teenager if you suspected any kind of substance abuse? I asked this question to many parents I know and, collectively, their answer was a resounding “YES.” I then asked if those parents would test their teen even if they …

JERRY DAVICH: Do you condemn or condone the Marines’ urinating incident?

I’ve never killed anyone. I’ve never been in military combat in a foreign land, or served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. And I’ve never been systematically instructed how to take someone else’s life or how to defend mine, all paid for and …

Jerry Davich: Readers respond to scam column

Natalie Howard wrote me a letter to express her appreciation for my recent column that warned readers about a scam involving a fictitious “Obama Fund.” “You did a good thing and I thank you,” the Hammond woman wrote. “But do you think that scam was …

Tuskegee Airman: ‘They don’t know the struggles we went through’

Quentin Smith sat up slightly in his living room easy chair for brief comedic effect. “The devil looked at me and said, ‘Let him par-boil a little while longer,’  ” Smith told me before smiling at his own quip. “I’m doing all right for an …

Davich: Who is really ‘worthy’ of help?

“Dear Jerry, why would you help a single mother of four who’s pregnant with her fifth child? She’s just a breeder who’s milking the system, I’ll bet. Why don’t you help someone who could really use the money?” This email reflected the response of a …

JERRY DAVICH: Burning bowl ceremony raises hope from the ashes of hurt

Charlene looked up to heaven, recalled her recent hell, and jotted down ungodly memories to burn forever from her mind. The middle-age Gary woman wrote on a yellow, legal-sized piece of paper about her haunting depression, lingering anger and ashes of regrets. She wanted them …

Jerry Davich: Help is available for vets with PTSD

David Cox answered my phone call in great spirits as he detailed his intentions for firsthand input into today’s column. The 61-year-old war veteran from Highland has served six tours of duty in the Iraq War as a critical care nurse for the Indiana Air …

Jerry Davich: Bullied teen with disability: ‘I wanted to end my life’

Matthew Boswell has been teased, bullied and tormented by fellow school students since at least third grade. That’s when he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, characterized by uncontrollable facial, verbal and physical tics. These involuntary tics can be rapid, repetitive and overly conspicuous, the last …

Jerry Davich: Christmas cash recipient thanks benefactor

Alisa Gonzales couldn’t contain her emotions, and why should she on Christmas Eve morning? The single mother of four, who’s pregnant with her fifth child, gasped when she opened the envelope and saw five $100 bills. “Oh, my,” she said through tears as her 10-year-old …

Jerry Davich: ‘Jersey Shore’ TV star out to ‘Snookify’ America

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi paused for just a second before answering my question. “Well, a lot of reality TV is scripted, but not us,” said Polizzi, one of the stars from the mega-popular cable TV show “Jersey Shore.” I asked her why so many Americans are …

Jerry Davich: New Year’s Day an ideal time to renew our vows

Willie West stood proudly in his dapper suit and teal tie while waiting near the church altar for his wife of 50 years. Shirley West sported a teal-colored dress, a bouquet of flowers and a gentle smile as she slowly walked to her husband. Together, …

Jerry Davich: Gary woman conned by ‘Obama fund’ grant scam

Devetta B. received a phone call earlier this month from a man named Robert Williams. At least that’s the name he gave the Gary woman. Williams informed Devetta that she was awarded a special “grant” for $4,500, sponsored by an “Obama fund.” There were no …

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