Post-Tribune

Westville Correctional tests responses to disaster

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:07 -0500

WESTVILLE — The powerhouse at Westville Correctional Facility is a maze of open metal staircases, gigantic boilers and locked-off areas containing a backup generator for much of the prison and, perhaps more ominously, chlorine used to treat the prison’s water. So it was the perfect setting Tuesday morning for the facility’s annual disaster drill, meant to gauge both the response of prison staff, many of whom did not know they were walking into a practice exercise, and the area’s first responders. “It gives us a number of problems that have to be addressed that are unique to this particular area,” …

Charges likely Wednesday against man who attacked Merrillville cop

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:06 -0500

Police are trying to nail down details about a man who was shot by an off-duty Merrillville police officer after the two engaged in a physical altercation outside of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood Health Center on Monday afternoon. Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Bob Byrd said attempted murder of a law enforcement officer charges will be filed on Wednesday against the 43-year-old suspect with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. The man underwent surgery for the gunshot wound Monday night and was recovering Tuesday in the intensive care unit under police guard, Byrd said. Shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, the man …

No recount for Hebron school referendum

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:06 -0500

VALPARAISO — No signatures were filed by the deadline Tuesday to ask for a recount on the Metropolitan School District of Boone Township from the Porter County Election Board. The school’s resolution would have raised $530,000 for the general fund but failed to pass by four votes. To qualify, the school needed to collect 109 signatures, 10 percent of the total number of people who voted in the election. Republican voter registration director Sundae Schoon said no petition was filed. Superintendent George Letz declined to comment. …

Porter County to do human resources audit

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:06 -0500

VALPARAISO — The Porter County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to hire Organizational Development Solutions Inc. of Westville to do a human resources audit for $24,450. Commissioners President John Evans, R-North, said county officials have discussed for some time the need for a human resources person for its 600-some employees, though there is no money in the county council’s budget for the position. “We understand that,” Evans said, “but these duties fall on the commissioners and the county attorney.” The county has hired six people recently and each has needed job orientation, and information on insurance options and safety …

NIPSCO trimming, replacing trees to prevent serious storm outages

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:07 -0500

Severe storms can wreak havoc when they touch down, as was the case Monday in Moore, Okla., where an E-5 tornado destroyed much of the town and left dozens dead or injured in its wake. While the likelihood of a similarly devastating weather event here is minimal, storms of any size can be a danger and disrupt the lives of those affected, especially if there is a power outage. Steps are continually being taken by Merrillville-based power provider Northern Indiana Public Service Co. to minimize potential weather-related power outages and keep residents safe from the dangers of downed power lines. …

RDA in talks for big Porter County business deal

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:05:06 -0500

MERRILLVILLE — The Regional Development Authority will enter talks to lure an unnamed business to Porter County. If successful, RDA Executive Director Bill Hanna said the project has the potential to be larger — in terms of investment and number of jobs — than the Canadian National Kirk Yard project. The RDA board gave Hanna approval to use its $6 million deal closing fund as leverage in completing a deal alongside incentives offered by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Hanna said the business is currently talking with the IEDC, but he said it’s unclear when a deal might come to …