On the "Come Up" with Karen                
2016 Reports on matters pertaining to Gary, Indiana and Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson's running of the "Steel City"

   Go To:  ARCHIVES PORTAL  for access to all past Gary news reports (2008 to current)
  Go To:  JACKO JABBER (Reports on matters relating to the demise of Michael Jackson)

Well, here we go with the 2016 report on the running of the City of the Century - Gary, IN - by its elected officials.  This is the fifth year without Rudy at the helm, as well as the fifth year KF-W has occupied the Gary Chief Executive office.  There can be little doubt but Karen Freeeman-Wilson does indeed still have her work cut out for her!

QUESTIONS FOR 2016 -
Will Gary set another record for murders (53 in 2015 by GDYNets count)?
Will Gary Int'l. ever become a viable airport?
How many of the 10,000 vacant/abandoned Gary homes will KF-W get tore down?
Will the now closed Lew Wallace H.S. still be standing at the end of 2016?

Remember, you may access the earlier reports from the links appearing above, or at the bottom of, this page.

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region shot up to 693,000T last week, a 3.2% increase compared to 671,000T the week before.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, dropped to 601,000T last week, down from 623,000T the previous week.

Nationally, steel output so far this year continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 260,000T.  In 2015, steel production in the United States declined by 10.5% from the year before to 78.9 million tons, according to the World Steel Association.

Overall U.S. steel output fell by 1.1% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.737 million tons, down from 1.757 million tons a week earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 45.7 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 72.4%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 46 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Partially Burned Body Found in Gary
#23 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Lauren Cross
[30 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — The body discovered Thursday afternoon in a grassy area of E 27th Av and Maryland St was partially burned, the Lake County coroner's office has confirmed.

The man is currently listed as a John Doe in a coroner's office news release.

Manner and cause of death is pending further investigation, according to the release.

Police responded to reports of a possible body just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Gary Police Department Lt. Dawn Westerfield said in an email.

[UPDATE:  The man has been identified as Isaiah Edwards, 19, of the 4800 block of Forest Ct in the city's Miller section.

Edwards’ attorney, John Cantrell, said Edwards didn’t show up for a court hearing Thursday morning.  Cantrell learned early Friday from Edwards’ father that Edwards had been killed, he said.  Edwards had been facing a battery charge in connection with a fight stemming from a family dispute.  He previously was convicted in two burglaries, served jail time, completed probation and was working and living on his own, Cantrell said.

"Nobody knows what this is about," Cantrell said.  "This has hit everybody like a ton of bricks.  This is pretty shocking."]

St. Mark's Demise Turns Page on Immigrant History
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by David Rutter
[20 Jun 2016]

 The lovely twin-tower brick fortress guarding the St. Mark Catholic church doorway in Gary's Glen Park neighborhood belies a crumbling underbelly.

 Dilapidation was a long-time coming and more than mortar and bricks withered.  History died a little every day, too.  Decades of harsh weather and untended degeneration have won.  Entropy, the basic winding down of the physical universe, triumphed.  So the Gary Catholic Diocese will walk away from the 95-year-old church and leave it to the tender mercies of some other tenant or the wrecking ball.

The last turn of the lock at the church's front door will reverberate with a melancholy clank.

Dioceses across the nation are following that path — balancing income, resources, costs, available souls to tend and the priests needed to make the machinery function.  It's a grim calculation.  But the pending death of St. Mark as a cultural center of Glen Park is more profound than most.  Sadder in some ways that other logistical decisions forced on the larger church.

The parish's age contributes to that feeling of forlorn finality.  But there has always been something uniquely vibrant about St. Mark.  In a city rippling with history, memories and cultural energy, the death of St. Mark marks a final off switch.  A history book is closing.  Even St. Mark's sturdy walls could not restore grand legacies.

For thousands of Gary immigrants, St. Mark was the portal from Croatia.  St. Mark and Glen Park were the physical manifestation of Old Country values and hopes.

St. Joseph The Worker parish served as the co-anchor of that realm.  St. Joseph remains on E 45th Av as it has since 1912, but its history will be dimmed, too.  When the two parishes merge, no parish in Indiana will offer a regularly scheduled Sunday Mass spoken in Croatian.

The final link to that Old World will disappear —

Perhaps great-grandchildren in Northwest Indiana still will find reasons to revere Croatian heritage, but Catholic parishes seldom will lift the soul of that celebration.

When Croatians — mostly young men wanting jobs and hope — stormed into Gary as World War I was fermenting, they came to escape the never-ending series of brutal military and economic oppressions.

The empires always struck back at Croatia —

That was Croatia for 1,000 years.  Just as emperors, war loads and religious tyrants tried to make Croatia a bauble on their belts, Croatians fought just as hard to be Croatians.  Over the centuries, a half-dozen empires — Serbs, the Austrian-Hungarian monarchs and then Yugoslavia — claimed them as property.  But Croatia always fought for its language, villages and folk culture Croatia would always be European and never Balkan.

But the Great Migration to America was not designed to shun the Old World, but to transport customs, Catholic faith and identity into the New World.  St. Mark and St. Joseph were not organized to hide immigrants, but to keep them connected to home soil and home values.  Wherever they were, Croats would be Croats.  Immigrant priests fought to rescue young bachelors far from home in a wild city of easy temptations.  Immigrants got their first taste of culture in church schools.

The Catholic Church and its Croatian parishes were umbilicals, and self-aware they were facing a war over many ideas — primarily Communism against the church.  Social and political organizations formed in Gary under church banners stood unassailable for 70 years.

How important were Croatians to Gary?  The city leaped from 334 citizens in 1906 to 16,802 in 1910, 55,378 in 1920, and 100,426 in 1930.  According to a 1908 "rough" census, Gary had 10,246 residents, and 950 were Croatians.  Just two years later, according to one report, "the largest group of foreign born (in Gary) was the Croatians, which numbered about four thousand."

They forged steel.  Some went home with their earnings and built families. Others stayed and tested the American promise.

When Croatia finally defeated Yugoslavian-backed Serbs for nationhood in 1992, what they called the "Homeland War" had cost 20,000 lives.

Now Croatia shares borders with Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary to the north and with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia) and Bosnia-Herzegovina to the east and south.

Those migrated thousands who stayed in the States — maybe a million Americans are their heirs — eventually melted into America.

Time eventually took the bricks of St. Mark, but not the dreams of immigrants who worshipped there.  Their souls still speak of new hope, if you wish to listen.  Bricks always decompose and flutter away as ash on the breeze.  It's entropy. But the dreams?  They live.

Local Steel Output Rises by 7,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[30 Jun 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 671,000T last week, as compared to 664,000T the week before.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, stayed steady at 623,000T last week.

Nationally, steel output so far this year continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 310,000T.  In 2015, steel production in the United States had declined by 10.5% to 78.9 million tons produced to date, according to the World Steel Association.

Overall U.S. steel output rose by 0.04% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.

Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.757 million tons, up from 1.75 million tons a week earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 44 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 72.4%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 44.3 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Gary Man Shot to Death ID'd
#22 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Lauren Cross
[28 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — The man found shot to death Tuesday afternoon in the 300 block of West Mount Street has been identified.

Clarence Thornton, 25, of Gary, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to a news release from the Lake County coroner's office.

At about 5:15 p.m., Gary police responded to the area after receiving reports of a gunshot wound victim.  Thornton was declared dead on scene.

Police said Tuesday night they are not releasing any other information at this time.

Laid-off Workers Recalled at East Chicago Tin
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[27 Jun 2016]
 

U.S. Steel temporarily idled East Chicago Tin last year, but most of the workers have been recalled.

The East Chicago Tin Mill is back to close to full employment after laying off 369 workers last year during one of the worst import crises the U.S. steel industry has ever faced.  Mark Tade, U.S. Steel employee relations director, said most of the laid-off workers have since been recalled as market conditions have steadily improved.

In January 2015, Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel announced it would lay off 1,300 employees companywide after imports snatched away market share and falling oil prices gutted its once-thriving tubular steel business.

U.S. Steel decided to temporarily idle East Chicago Tin, a finishing plant that makes tin-plated metal for canned foods such as soup, chili and vegetables.  U.S. Steel started idling the plant near East Chicago’s Marktown neighborhood, which it acquired from LTV in 2001, in mid-March of last year.  Hundreds of workers were laid off at the plant, which is part of U.S. Steel’s Gary Works operations, along with 25% of its salaried workforce.

U.S. Steel never completely closed the tin mill, where operations were drastically scaled back, but it is now mostly up and running again as the steel business gets stronger.  Steel prices reached a nadir of around $350 a ton last year, but have since climbed to about $650 a ton.  Imports are down by nearly a third as a result of new tariffs, so it’s regaining its market share.

Griffith Awaits Cal Twp Ruling
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Charles F. Haber
[26 Jun 2016]
 

GRIFFITH — Word could come any day from the Department of Local Government Finance on Griffith’s claim it can begin seceding from Calumet Township.

"We are still waiting for final certification from the DLGF," Council President Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, said.  He said the town’s legal representatives are working hard in Indianapolis to get the certification as soon as possible.

"We have worked for the last eight years trying to free Griffith from the extraordinary tax burden put on our citizens by Calumet Township," Ryfa said.  "Now that the numbers and the law are finally on our side, we will remain diligent to see this through and hope the DLGF responds promptly."

Ryfa said the council hopes for good news in time to pass out a petition to Griffith residents in Central Park during the town’s festivities on Saturday and July 3.

If the DLGF agrees that the township’s spending has exceeded 12 times the average of other Indiana townships, the petition can go forward, Ryfa said.  It will ask Griffith residents:  "Shall the territory of the town of Griffith be transferred from Calumet Township to an adjacent township?"

If the petition yields enough signatures, Griffith will ask the Lake County Elections Board to grant a referendum for the town’s residents to vote yes or no on whether to leave the township.

Local Steel Production Dips by 11,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[21 Jun 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region fell to 664,000T last week, as compared to 675,000T the week before, ending four straight weeks of increased production.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, rose to 623,000T last week, compared to 617,000T a week before.

Nationally, steel output so far this year continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 240,000T.  Overall U.S. steel output dipped by 0.6% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.75 million tons, down from 1.779 million tons a week earlier.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 74.8% last week, down from 76.1% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 74.4% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 42.3 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 72.4%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 42.5 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Gary Wheel Tax Revenue to Be Used for Roads, Sidewalks
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Ed Bierschenk
[20 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — City officials hope a plan may be in place within 30 days regarding street and sidewalk work that can be accomplished through revenue raised through a wheel tax approved by the city council Wednesday.

The wheel tax that will charge a maximum of $25 for cars and $40 for trucks, depending on type, is estimated to produce annual revenues of $1,270,755 at those rates, according to City Controller Celita Green.

In the past week, it was announced the state had extended its deadline for matching funds through its Community Crossings infrastructure program.  The new deadline is July 29.  About $150 million will be available this year and $100 million in future years to repair local roads and bridges under a 50-50 matching program with local communities and counties.

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said the city could also issue bonds based on the anticipated revenue.  She said while officials are considering that option, which would allow the city to take action sooner, no decision has been made yet.

Freeman-Wilson said streets in the city haven't been paved on a wholesale basis in for 10 to 15 years.  She said a lot of residents also contact the city through the 311 phone application to request sidewalk repairs.  She said the city has been planning in anticipation of the passage of the wheel tax for the last four months.

Gary Man Shot to Death Near Home
#21 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Elvia Malagon
[19 Jun 2016]

 GARY — A 22-year-old man had been released from Lake County Jail days before he was shot to death less than a mile from his home.

 Hudson Evans, of Gary, early Sunday was in the intersection of Fifth Av and Taft St in Gary when he was shot multiple times, according to a news release from the Lake County coroner's office.

He was pronounced dead at 4:26 a.m. Sunday at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary, the release stated.  His death was ruled a homicide.

According to court records, Evans was released last Wednesday from jail after posting a $3,500 bond.  He had pleaded not guilty to charges of battery and carrying a handgun without a license.  He was accused of hitting a teen with the butt of a handgun near Fifth Av and Grant St in Gary on Dec. 21, 2015, according to the affidavit.

The incident was alleged to have been part of a chain of events that ended in the homicide of Johnny Ware, court records state.  Another individual was charged in the homicide.

Sitting at her dining room table in her Gary home, Evans' grandmother, who did not want to be publicly identified, said he wasn't perfect and had problems like everyone else.  "But the things that were important, he was good about," she said.

The woman said she raised Evans as her own and described him as someone she could always depend on.  She recalled how he had a natural ability to pick up on things like riding a bike, learning how to swim and ice skating.

Evans had two toddler-aged children and had a third child on the way.  He worked at an area dollar store.

Toccara Evans said she'll miss talking and joking around with her brother.  She last spoke to him about two days ago when he called her while she was sleeping.  Toccara Evans told her brother she had just gotten off of work and asked him to call her back.

"If I had known it was the last time, I would have talked to him longer," Toccara Evans said.

Evans' grandmother raised her voice as she talked about her frustrations of living in Gary.  "You can't live in this town," she said.  "You can't be a good person in this town."

She called for people to turn to their religion, urging them to raise their children in the church.  She said it's important for the community to get involved in helping raise children, because a child could influence another child for better or worse.

She hopes the person responsible for her grandson's homicide is arrested.  "I want people to know that there's a God looking at them," she said.  "They can do every wrong, but there's a God looking at them."

Toccara Evans echoed her grandmother's sentiments.  "What goes on in the dark comes out in the light," she said.

Homicides Up in Lake County; Overall Crime Down
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Sarah Reese
[19 Jun 2016]
 

The Region has mourned for more than 30 people killed so far this year in shootings, stabbings and strangulation cases, including four double homicides.  An armed robbery in Schererville in January led to a police chase, crash and manhunt in and around the Highland Meijer store.

For many, it seems the violence in Northwest Indiana is on the rise.  Just over the state line, Chicago is grappling with a rising homicide rate.  However, data for this year provided by local authorities is mixed.

Police throughout Lake County have logged 30 homicides during the first five months of 2016, up from 26 during the same period a year ago.  In Porter County, there have been no homicides so far this year, compared with two last year.

Overall crime in 2015 — including violent and property crime — remained at or near the lowest levels since at least 1985, the earliest year data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report is available for many local communities.

Shootings proved to be a dark spot last year in East Chicago, Gary and Hammond:  That number increased in all three cities despite a declining total number of aggravated assaults in the latter two.  However, shootings in the three cities so far this year are down.

Gary Moves Privatization Deal with Mayor Daley Forward
Compiled from a nwiGazette Report Ken Davidson
[18 Jun 2016]

 The Gazette has exclusively obtained a copy of a proposal which would provide MaiaCo, LLC, a company associated with former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (Daley is an investor and active advisor to MaiaCo), the exclusive right to acquire and redevelop properties in the City for a period of at least 20 years.  Peter Ellis, an architect associated with the project, says the partnership will result in the tearing down of a large part of the city:

 "First of all, we are going to partner with the City over the entire City.  Our first task is not to build the City, it is to tear the City down." ("The leadership in Gary said "We can’t wait to tear the City down"- Peter Ellis, Architect in Rebuilding Gary, Indiana Youtube Video – which has since been removed.)

Ellis goes on to state that the plan is to provide a "green link" throughout the City.  The map for the Green Link plan provides green spaces where there currently exist homes and businesses, probably your home or business.  Other details regarding the plan are either vague or unavailable.  The agreement itself gives Maiaco complete discretion in determining what the "Designated Project Areas" will be.

If any properties are sold, MaiaCo would first recoup 100% of expenses and then keep 80% of the profit.  The City of Gary would be entitled to 20% of any net profit on property which it gave to MaiaCo.  The Miller neighborhood is specifically mentioned as a target for transit oriented development, including a parking garage.

More important, the language in the agreement makes clear that the Freeman-Wilson administration has been working on this plan for years.  Richard Daley was instrumental in getting Karen Freeman-Wilson elected in 2011, bundling cash for her campaign at events held in Chicago and introducing her to power players and large cash bundlers such as Elzie Higginbotton and NIPSCO’s Carrie Hightman.  Mayor Richard M. Daley has been active in Gary with the University of Chicago as well as through Tur Partners.

All of this is possible because of a little known law pushed through by Republican legislatures in the last session.  Senate Bill 310 gives municipalities broad authority to take private property for purposes of development-often times with little or no notice.  The bill was pushed through by local representative Hal Slager and Senator Rick Niemeyer.

Gary Mayor's Secretary Faces Felony Charge
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Elvia Malagon
[17 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — The criminal case of a city worker who was arrested earlier this month was transferred Friday to the county division of Lake Superior Court, according to court records.

Joi Whiteside, 32, of Gary, was arrested June 5 and originally faced two misdemeanor charges when the case was filed in Gary City Court.

Whiteside was additionally charged Friday with criminal recklessness, a Level 6 felony, according to court records.  She also faces charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person, a Class A misdemeanor, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated and refusing a chemical test, a Class C misdemeanor.  Lake Superior Judge Sheila Moss will preside over the case in the county division.

During her arrest, Whiteside told a police officer that she works for Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and indicated she would call the chief of police so the matter can be "dealt with come Monday," according to police reports.

Whiteside works as a secretary in the mayor's office. LaLosa Dent Burns, spokeswoman for Gary, said Friday that she couldn't comment on Whiteside's employment status because it's a personnel issue.

The Times has requested a copy of the city's personnel policy but has not received it as of Friday.

Information about Whiteside's next court hearing was not immediately available.

Gary’s Iconic St. Mark Closing Doors after 95 Years
Compiled From a Gary Crusader Staff Report
and a Post-Trib  Report by Carole Carlson
[16 Jun 2016]

 In less than two weeks, parishoners at St. Mark will attend the final mass at Gary’s oldest catholic church.  After 95 years, the church is closing its doors after years of mounting debt and rising maintenance costs.

 A church spokeswoman said the aging facility at 505 W. Ridge Road, needed costly repairs and Bishop Donald Hying told a church assembly last week that it would close.  According to the church’s Facebook page, St. Mark’s final mass will be June 26.

One church member is trying to launch a petition on Facebook to keep the facility open.

Most of St. Mark’s parishioners are Hispanic worshippers who normally hear Sunday Mass sermons in Spanish.

Diocese of Gary spokeswoman Debbie Bosak said the parish will merge with another Glen Park parish, St. Joseph the Worker, 330 E. 45th Ave.  She said St. Joseph's building is more structurally sound.  Hying also met with St. Joseph church members last week.

St. Joseph was established in 1912 by a tight-knit Croatian community.  It still holds a Sunday Mass in Croatian, but that will be discontinued when the merger is completed.  It moved to its Glen Park site in the mid-1950s..

"The intent is to merge the two congregations into one new parish that will be renamed at some point in the near future, but located at the St. Joseph site," Bosak said.

Bosak said the Rev. David Kime, pastor at St. Mark's and at St. Francis Xavier in Lake Station, will continue at the newly merged parish along with associate pastor, the Rev. Roque Meraz.  St. Joseph the Worker pastor, the Rev. Steve Loncar, has been assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Knox.
________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:  To this former St. Jo parishioner this has all the earmarks of a takeover, not a merger!  What of the Croat identity attached to St. Jo's will remain after the St. Mark hierarchy move in?

Local Steel Production Rises for Fourth Straight Week
Compiled from a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[14 Jun 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 675,000T last week, as compared to 673,000T the week before, marking the fourth straight week production has increased.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, rose to 617,000T last week, compared to 607,000T a week before.

But steel output continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 240,000T so far this year.

Overall U.S. steel output rose by 1.07% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.779 million tons, up from 1.76 million tons a week earlier.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 76.1% last week, up from 75.3% a week earlier. The capacity utilization rate had been 73.7% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 40.5 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 72.3%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 40.7 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Gary Man Stabbed to Death Sunday
#20 and Counting
Compiled From nwiTimes Staff Report
[13 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — A 64-year-old Gary man was stabbed to death Sunday morning.

The Lake County Coroner's office has ruled the death of Lawrence Z. McIntosh of the 1100 block of Morton St as a homicide.

The coroner's office was called to the 5800 block of Forest Ct here about 8:25 a.m. Sunday.

According to a press release McIntosh died as a result of stab wounds at the scene. He was pronounced dead at 9:05 a.m.

The Gary Police Department, Gary Fire/EMS, Lake County Metro Homicide Unit, Lake County CSI and coroner's office are involved in the investigation.

UPDATE - Man Found Stabbed to Death in Gary's Marquette Park
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Lori Caldwell
[13 Jun 2016]

 Lawrence McIntosh, 64, a Gary native who had recently returned to his hometown from Arizona, was found stabbed to death Sunday morning, on a grassy bank of the Marquette Park lagoon in Gary, police said.

 Just three days earlier, McIntosh's 89-year-old mother made a report to Gary police, saying she received an apparent threat from an unknown caller involving her son and a large amount of missing cash, Deputy Chief Derrick Cannon said Monday.  Her information wasn't clear, just that she "felt uncomfortable" after the call, which originated in Arizona, regarding her son and perhaps $20,000 that her the caller claimed was missing, Cannon said.

Investigators wouldn't say what McIntosh, whose home address is listed in the 1100 block of Morton St on the city's west side, might have been doing on the north side of Lakeshore Dunes apartments when he was apparently stabbed to death.  Police said McIntosh recently moved to Arizona.  Sources said it appeared his assailants tried to roll his body down the embankment into the lagoon.

Gary Mayor's Secretary Arrested for DUI
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Lauren Cross
[9 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — A secretary for the city’s mayor was arrested on an OWI charge Sunday, telling the arresting officer she "works for the mayor," and that she would call the chief of police for the incident to be "dealt with come Monday," according to police reports.

Joi L. Whiteside, 32, of Gary, was arrested about 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1800 block of Massachusetts St, according to a police report, after police spotted her trying to hit two men with her vehicle.

Police initially had responded to the area for reports of a group of people arguing in the street.  Two men Whiteside is accused of trying to hit with her car allegedly were involved in the disturbance.

Whiteside repeatedly yelled, "That’s my brother," out the car window while trying to hit the two men with her vehicle, according to police.

The arresting officer noticed a "strong odor of intoxicants" on Whiteside when she was asked to exit the vehicle.  She was arrested after refusing a portable breath test, according to the police report.  She later refused a breath test again while at the police station.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said his office has charged Whiteside with operating while intoxicated and operating while intoxicated and refusing a chemical test — both misdemeanors.  Felony charges cannot be brought in city court, he said, so his office is transferring the case to Lake County’s criminal division, where the felony charge of operating while intoxicated and endangering a person will be under review.

Great Lakes Steel Output Rises by 10,000T
Compiled from a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[7 Jun 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 673,000T last week, as compared to 663,000T the week before, marking the third straight week production has increased.

But steel output continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 275,000T so far this year.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, fell to 607,000T last week, compared to 649,000T a week before.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.76 million tons, down from 1.775 million tons a week earlier.

Overall U.S. steel output fell by 0.8% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 75.3% last week, down from 75.9% a week earlier.  Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 38.7 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 72.1%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 39 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Fight Over Card Game Led to Gary Man's Death
#19 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Sarah Reese
[7 Jun 2016]
 

GARY — A 39-year-old man died Saturday after a disagreement over a game of cards turned violent, police said.

James Boykin Jr., of Gary, was playing cards with friends in the 4500 block of Massachusetts St when he got into a fight with another man, police Lt. Nelson Otano said.

Boykin and the man wrestled, Boykin fell to the floor and the other man punched him in the face several times, police said.  The man then choked Boykin until he was unconscious.

The combatant then left the house and drove away, police said.

Boykin was taken at 9:52 p.m. Saturday to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, according to the Lake County coroner’s office.

U.S. 4th Internationally in Steel Output
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[6 Jun 2016]

 The United States remained fourth internationally in steel production after losing its third-place spot to India in 2014.

 America made 78.8 million tons of steel last year, a fraction of the 803.8 million tons the world-leading China produced last year, the World Steel Association noted in its 2016 edition of World Steel in Figures.

Japan was second internationally with 105.2 million tons produced in 2015, while India made 89.4 million tons.  Russia came in fifth with 70.9 million tons.

ArcelorMittal, which has extensive operations in Northwest Indiana, was by far the world’s leading steelmaker by volume after making 97.1 million tons last year.  The next largest steelmakers were China’s Hesteel Group, which produced 47.7 million tons, and Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp., which made 46.3 million tons.

Great Lakes Steel Output Increases by 7,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[1 June 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 656,000T last week, an increase of 1%.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, fell to 649,000T last week, compared to 652,000T a week before.

Steel output continues to trail the anemic 2015 pace by about 292,000T so far this year.  Overall U.S. steel output rose by 1.1% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.775 million tons, up from 1.756 million tons a week earlier.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 75.9% last week, up from 75.1% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 72.1% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 37 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 71.9%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 37.3 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Man Dies from Wounds in Gary Shooting
#18 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Lauren Leone-Cross
[29 May 2016]

GARY — A man found with a gunshot wound to the neck earlier this month in the city's Horace Mann neighborhood died last week at an Illinois hospital, officials said.

Warren Gates, 20, of Gary, was shot May 19 in the 2100 block of West Fifth Av, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Man Dead from His Wounds after Being Found Shot in Car
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Sarah Reese
[25 May 2016]
 

GARY — A man found slumped over the wheel of a vehicle Tuesday night died from his wounds, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.

Officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of Virginia St about 7 p.m. after a passer-by riding a bicycle noticed the man and called police said.  Police found the man in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to his leg.

It’s possible the shooting was accidental, she said.  It also was unclear how long the man was in the car before the passer-by saw him.

Gary Makes List of Top 100 Small Cities to Start a Business
A Team Gary Press Release
[24 May 2016]

 Gary, Indiana-The results of recent research through smallbusiness.com placed Gary, Indiana among the 100 best small cities in the U.S. to start a business.

 The study compared over 1200 small cities with a population size between 25,000 and 100,000 based on three (3) key factors:  Business Environment, Access to Resources and Business Costs.  Gary ranked #90 on the list.

While the research points out the many benefits smaller communities have to offer such as lower business start-up and overhead costs, the city of Gary’s additional assets:  its Midwest location, its accessibility to all modes of transportation including interstate, air, rail, water and its proximity to Chicago continues to show Gary is poised for economic development.

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson says, "Our work every day is in an effort to attract development to our community.  We have realized some successes and anticipate many more.  While we continue to experience some significant challenges, being placed among the top 100 small cities to start a business is a step in the right direction."

The study and ranking of the 100 cities can be found at http://smallbusiness.com/start/; posted May 3, 2016.

Great Lakes Steel Output Soars by 43,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[24 May 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 656,000T last week, a huge jump of 7%.

But local steel output continues to trail the 2015 pace by about 363,000T so far this year.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, rose to 652,000T last week, compared to 648,000T a week before.

Overall U.S. steel output rose by 1.6% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.756 million tons, up from 1.727 million tons a week earlier.  Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 75.1% last week, up from 73.9% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 72.1% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 35.2 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 71.8%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 35.6 million tons at the same time in 2015.

26-year-old Gary Man Dies After Being Shot in Back, Arm
#17 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Sarah Reese
[22 May 2016]
 

GARY — A 26-year-old man was killed in a shooting late Saturday near the former Horace Mann High School, officials said.

Billie Young, of Gary, was shot in the back and arm and died at the scene in the 500 block of Garfield St, near the residence of Mayor Freeman-Wilson.  The Lake County coroner's office ruled his death a homicide.

Officers responded to the area about 11 p.m. Saturday for a report of shots fired and found Young facedown and unresponsive on the field track, police said.  Coroner's investigators were called to the scene about 11:30 p.m., and Young was pronounced dead at 12:10 a.m. Sunday.

The homicide comes three days after a shooting just a few blocks away — in the 2100 block of W Fifth Av — in which a man was shot in the head.

Police said Sunday they didn't have information indicating a link between the two shootings, but the investigations are ongoing.

Gary Man Accused of Robbery Before Even Leaving Jail
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Bob Kasarda
[21 May 2016]

 CROWN POINT — Police say a 20-year-old Gary man leaving jail Thursday night did not even wait until he left the building before carrying out a crime that quickly landed him back behind bars.

 Matthew Owens was leaving the jail after being released around 6:30 p.m. when he noticed a woman attempting to insert two $20 bills into a machine to add to an account for a relative at the jail, said Mark Back, spokesman for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.  Owens grabbed the bills, which tore, and fled the building across the parking lot toward 93rd Av.

Two off-duty police officers who saw him running pursued him in their car after learning about the robbery, he said.  When officers caught up to Owens at a gas station at 93rd and Main St, he was attempting to purchase items with a portion of one of the $20 bills in his possession, Back said.

Owens was taken back to the jail and identified by both the purported victim and a witness, Back said.  He was also tied to the crime by the portions of the bills he and woman were still carrying.  "They fit together precisely," Back said.

Owens faces a robbery charge.
________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:  Stupid is as stupid does?

Gary Roosevelt to Have Heat This Winter
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Dan Carden
[20 May 2016]

INDIANAPOLIS — Students attending Gary’s Roosevelt College and Career Academy next winter likely will not shiver through their classes as they did last year when the building repeatedly was shut down for lack of heat.

On Friday, the state board overseeing the near-bankrupt Gary Community School Corp. authorized the district’s financial manager to spend up to $500,000 to replace Roosevelt’s boilers and associated heating equipment.

The money was reallocated by the General Assembly in March after Eddie Melton, a member of the State Board of Education from Merrillville, identified unused funds at the Indiana Department of Education, and state Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, convinced her legislative colleagues to spend the money at Roosevelt.

Repairs are expected to begin once the State Budget Committee gives final approval.  The goal is for classroom heat pipe repair and replacement to be near-complete before students return Aug. 16.

Experts said the Roosevelt heating system failed due to its age, neglected maintenance and actions taken for short-term cost savings that did long-term damage, such as failing to remove calcium from hot water circulated through the pipes used to heat classrooms.

Jack Martin, the district’s financial manager, painted a grim picture of the school corporation’s shaky finances and warned that Gary schools may be unable to meet payroll in July.  The district already paid its employees one day late earlier this month.  "I think it’s only going to get worse," Martin said.  "We’re going to send the money where it’s supposed to go and payroll will be paid to the extent that there’s appropriate funds there to pay it."

Martin is planning to eliminate at least 85 teachers and 195 total staffers, half through retirements, before classes begin in the fall to better match employee numbers with declining student enrollment.  He also would like to close four yet-to-be-named schools to reduce expenses and consolidate the expected 5,500 students — about half the attendance of a decade ago.

"Enrollment really is driving almost all of this," Martin said.  "There’s only so much you can cut.  If you cut so much that you don’t have enough qualified teachers to put in the classrooms, then you need to look at probably another option for educating kids."

Money Crunch Leads to Missed Gary Schools Payday
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Carole Carlson
[14 May 20116]
 

Gary Community School Corp. employees didn't receive their paychecks Friday because of a lack of funds to cover the payroll.

The district is mired in about a $75 million budget crisis because of a declining enrollment and overstaffing, according to Jack Martin, its state-appointed financial adviser.  He's seeking a loan for the district for capital project repairs from the Distressed Unit Appeals Board in a meeting scheduled for May 20 in Indianapolis.  The DUAB is overseeing the district's finances.

School Board President Antuwan Clemons, who heads the board's budget/finance committee, said the missed pay period was due to cash flow problems.  "We didn't want to bounce any checks," he said.  The checks should be distributed Monday, he said.

The delayed payday impacted all school district employees.  Employees typically receive their checks at their respective schools on Friday mornings, said Dunham.  The school district hasn't done direct deposit in about two years because of its tight financial constraints.

"We're trying to work with them as much as we can," said Dunham.

Employees were told in an April 29 letter the checks should arrive on Monday, May 16.  "The administration finds it necessary to change the paycheck distribution date to insure that funds are available to cover the pay period," the letter stated.  "The administration appreciates your understanding regarding this matter as the district is experiencing a cash flow and budget deficit issues."

The letter told employees the administration and Martin were working hard to avoid a reduction in force this year.  However, on Tuesday, the school board laid off 13 employees, including eight secretaries, three information technology department employees, a public relations administrator and a business department assistant.

Clemons said more layoffs are coming.  "We have to make sure we live within the means of our income," he said.  "Mr. Martin is making some serious recommendations."  By state law, the school board has from May 1 to July 1 to notify teachers of a reduction in force, said GlenEva Dunham, president of the Gary Teachers Union.

Since school began in August, 52 teachers have retired or left the district, Dunham said.  The district is planning a party for 104 districtwide retirees later this month at the Gary Area Career Center.

Dunham said the district has 25 long-term assignment substitute teachers.

State Rep. Charlie Brown, a Gary Democrat who's been critical of the makeup of the school board, said Friday he understands the concerns of employees. "That's just another blemish on what is happening in the Gary Community Schools. Hopefully, we can turn the whole thing around."

Budget Cuts Force Layoffs at Gary Schools
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Carole Carlson
[11 May 2016]
 

Without comment Tuesday, the Gary School Board laid off 13 employees, including information technology director Lloyd Keith and public relations director Charmella Greer.

Eight secretaries were laid off.  Two other information technology department workers lost their jobs along with an assistant in the business department.

The payroll cutbacks come as the Gary Community School Corp. tackles a $75 million budget deficit.  State-appointed financial adviser Jack Martin targeted staffing last month as the likely place to trim.  "There are huge challenges with the payroll," Martin said on April 25 during a committee meeting.  "We're going to have to shed some people fast."

The board also accepted the retirements of seven teachers and two school aides.

Meanwhile, the school district is examining ways to trim its transportation costs.  About 3,800 students ride a bus daily.  Its three-year $5 million contract with the Illinois Central Bus Co. expires next month.  The district is seeking quotes from other bus companies and Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt said the district is also exploring running its own transportation system.

Bus attendants Karen Johnson and Tamika Smith told the school board Tuesday they're concerned their jobs are going to be outsourced.  "We're are the first faces the kids see," said Johnson, a 15-year veteran.  "Do not abandon us.  We love the Gary schools.  We're there in storms and rain.  We jump on buses all over the city to make sure the kids get home."  Smith said she's on the road in a bus at 5:45 a.m. each day.  "We deal with parents in pajamas and rollers.  Some days it's bad ... we deal with it.  We haven't gotten a raise in over 10 years."

Board president Antuwan Clemons said his mother is also a bus attendant.  "I take your cry to the heart," he said. "The rumor is news to us."

Local Steel Output Climbs by 15,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[11 May 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 639,000T last week, a 2.4% increase.

Imports were down to only 25% of the market share last month.  Great Lakes production has risen in 12 of the 19 weeks so far this year, though it still trails the 2015 pace by about 400,000T.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, increased to 640,000T last week, compared to 625,000T a week before.

Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.748 million tons, up from 1.711 million tons a week earlier.  Overall U.S. steel output rose by 2.1% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 74.7% last week, up from 72.1% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 73.2% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 31.7 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 71.5%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 32.1 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Gary to Consider Wheel Tax
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Carole Carlson
[6 May 2016]
 

The city of Gary is joining the growing list of Northwest Indiana municipalities to review establishing a wheel tax.

Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said recently she plans to introduce the ordinance, possibly as soon as the next City Council meeting on May 17.  "Right now, we're doing our assessment," she said of state requirements needed to establish the $25 annual fee for passenger vehicles.  "We'll identify those roads that will be paved and ask the City Council to consider the wheel tax.

Portage became the first Northwest Indiana city to adopt a wheel tax on Wednesday.  It calls for a $25 annual fee for passenger cars, $40 for commercial vehicles and $12.50 for motorcycles.  The fee would be assessed at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles during registration.

City officials expect wheel tax collections to be matched by a new state competitive grant that could bring in $1.5 million for paving roads and other infrastructure improvements.  Another $65 million in matching funds will be available the second year and then $100 million in matching funds will be available every year after that, he said.

Municipalities don't have much time to pass their ordinances, however.  They must adopt the wheel tax by July 1 if they want to tap into those dollars that begin flowing Jan. 1.  The wheel tax also can be cumulative and enacted on both the municipal and county levels giving counties access to a substantial amount of new revenue.  So far, neither Lake nor Porter county is considering it.

The Crown Point City Council approved one reading of the wheel tax on Monday and it's expected to hold a public hearing next month.  Merrillville and Hobart are also considering the new tax.

Freeman-Wilson said Gary still has to learn how many vehicles are registered in the city to determine how much revenue can be collected.  "We're trying to get some detail as to what it would mean.  We know there will be people who won't be happy," she said.  "The thing I kind of hang my hat on is about 10 to 15 years ago, the excise tax went down significantly, now it's a lot more reasonable.  To the extent we can tax $25 for the benefit of having better roads, most people would be ready to pay it."
________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   One has to ask, is  da' Mayor smoking something?  Gary residents do not pay their real estate taxes.  Gary residents don't pay their  garbage collection fees.  What makes her think  they will pay this wheel tax?  I doubt that because the tax must be paid to be issued a license plate is going to be much of an incentive.  What one will see though is a whole lot more cars bearing IL plates!

Gary Officials Reject Immigrant Detention Center
Compiled From nwiTimes, nwiGazette and Post-Trib Reports
[5 May 2016]
 

GARY, Ind. (AP) — City leaders in Gary have voted against allowing an $80 million immigration detention center to be built in the northwestern Indiana city.

The vote was 9-0 Wednesday night to deny a request for variances on property that multinational prison operator GEO Group Inc. wanted to use for the 788-bed detention center near the Gary/Chicago International Airport.  Neither Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson nor representatives of the GEO Group spoke at the meeting regarding the proposal.

The Gary Common Council meeting was so packed tonight that the fire marshall had to limit attendees.  Fire Chief Paul Bradley, citing city fire codes, limited the number of people allowed inside.  That resulted in several dozen people being kept outside.  At least two people had to be removed from the meeting by security.

Great Lakes Steel Production Falls 18,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[4 May 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region dipped to 632,000T last week, a 2.8% decline.

Local steel output has been recovering this year.  Imports were down to only 24% of the market share last month, and Great Lakes production has risen in 11 of the 18 weeks so far this year, though it still trails the 2015 pace.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, increased to 625,000T last week, compared to 570,000T a week before.

Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.711 million tons, down from 1.684 million tons a week earlier.  Overall U.S. steel output rose by 1.5% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 73.2% last week, up from 72% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 69.8% at the same time a year earlier, and some industry analysts say it wouldn’t be healthy unless it were more than 90%.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 30 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 71.3%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 30.4 million tons at the same time in 2015.

[Petition for] Resignation of Bo Kemp as Exec Dir of Gary Economic Development Corp.

Started by Renee Hatcher and found online ==> Here

The sooner Bo Kemp leaves the city of Gary, the better off its residents will be.

Bo Kemp signed an MOU with GEO group back Sept. 2015.  His vision and track record continues to significantly harm the citizens and the future of the city.  I for one am prepared to call for his resignation.

He has drawn more than a $180,000/year salary from the city of Gary (Gary Sanitary District + Gary Economic Development Corp. + other consulting services rendered to Mayor Freeman-Wilson).

He doesn't live in the city and spends only a few days a week at work.

He has worked to privatize Gary's trash collection, causing a number of residents to lose once stable jobs.

He is largely responsible for privatizing the management of the Gary airport.

Under his and the mayor's leadership they doubled dealed the public purchase and renovation of the 504 Broadway building to a private developer and now are having city agencies pay $15/per sq foot to lease space there?!?

NO!  Bo Kemp needs to go!
________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   If every action undertaken by Bo is with the knowledge and approval of da' Mayor, should she not also join him in leaving?

Mayor Freeman-Wilson Consultant Entered Agreement for GEO Private Prison in 2015
Compiled From a nwiGazette Report by Ken Davidson
[28 Apr 2016]
 

A Memorandum of Understanding obtained exclusively by the Gazette shows that Karen Freeman-Wilson consultant Bo Kemp entered into an agreement to locate a private prison in Gary in 2015.

According to the one page agreement entered into between the Gary Economic Development Corporation and GEO Group, GEO Group would pay $390,000 per year to the Gary Economic Development Corporation in return for locating the controversial facility in Gary, Indiana.  The agreement is signed by Freeman-Wilson consultant Bo Kemp who is director of the Gary Economic Corporation and David Venturella, who is a vice-president of GEO Group.  The Gary Economic Development Corporation is a 501(c)(3) corporation with very little accountability to the taxpayers of Gary.

$290,000 of the fee paid to the Gary Economic Development Corporation would be a "public safety and service support impact fee."  It is unclear why that fee would not go to the City of Gary to pay for public safety?

The GEO Group has said the proposed 800 bed facility would bring 200 jobs to Gary.  Opponents cite problems with the private detention industry.  Additionally, the facility would be located near the Gary/Chicago International Airport and many questioned whether it would affect the ability to draw other business to the area.  The GEO Group has since been denied a special use permit by the Gary Board of Zoning Appeals.

The memorandum was signed before knowledge of the plan to bring the detention center to Gary became public but, presumably, is still valid.  It is inconceivable that Freeman-Wilson confidant Bo Kemp would have signed the agreement without the Mayor’s blessing.  Absent a subsequent written agreement, the legally binding Memorandum of Understanding would still remain valid today.

The public first learned of the detention center plan one day before the Mayor’s re-election, November 3, 2015.  At that time, the newly re-elected Mayor stated she supported the plan.  Facing strong public opposition, Mayor Freeman-Wilson cited religious convictions and reversed course saying she could no longer support the plan to bring the facility to Gary.  The plan was brought up again in April 2016 and the Mayor largely remained silent on the issue despite her stated religious convictions against it.  The City Council will hear the matter at its next regular meeting.

Workers Find Body Along Cline Av
#16 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Staff Report
and a Post-Trib Report by Christin Nance Lazerus
[28 Apr 2016]
 

UPDATE BY SARAH REESE - Police said Thursday a body found near a Cline Avenue ramp this week was identified as a Texas man who went missing Jan. 31 after his nephew was stabbed to death and another man's throat was slashed.

Carlos Verduzco, 41, of Laredo, Texas, died from multiple gunshot wounds in a homicide, according to the Lake County coroner's office.

Verduzco was identified through dental records, according to a coroner's release.

_______________________________________________________________

GARY — Officials said foul play was suspected Wednesday after workers placing road signs near Cline and Fifth avenues found a man’s partially decomposed body.

Police responded about 12:15 p.m. to the ramp from northbound Cline Av to eastbound U.S. 20 and located the body about 20 feet from the road at the bottom of an embankment near, officials said.  The 5th Av ramp was closed to traffic for about three hours as investigators scoured the scene.

Because of the embankment, passing motorists likely could not have seen the body, Gary police Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.  It appeared the body could have been there for quite some time, Lake County sheriff's department spokesman Mark Back said.

The man’s identity had not been determined as of Wednesday afternoon.  A Lake County coroner’s office release said the body was male, but listed no race and said the cause and manner of death were pending further investigation.

The body was found near two locations where, earlier this year, police found 26-year-old Fernando Verduzco, 26, of Chicago, stabbed to death inside a car and a 26-year-old Bridgeview, IL man whose throat had been slashed.  The Bridgeview man, who survived the brutal attack, was taken to a hospital after he was spotted trying to waive down cars near Cline and Chicago Ave.  Verduzco’s body was found in the backseat of a car at the Ivanhoe Nature Preserve in the 200 block of Hobart St, which is east of Cline Av and north of 5th Av.

Police said Fernando Verduzco’s uncle, Carlos Verduczo, 40, of Laredo, Texas, went missing after the three were involved in a transaction gone bad Jan. 31.  Police previously said they had no evidence to suggest the transaction was drug- or gambling-related.

Verduzco family members and police held a news conference in early February asking people to come forward with information about the man’s disappearance.

U.S. Steel Loses $340 Million in First Quarter
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[27 Apr 2016]

 U.S. Steel lost $340 million in the first quarter of 2016, after losing $1.5 billion in full-year 2015.

 The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, one of Northwest Indiana's largest employers, reported losing $2.32 per share during the first three months of the year.  The company lost $107 million in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, or EBITDA, after sales fell by 28% year-over-year.

"Our first quarter results reflect the challenging conditions as we started 2016, but were in line with our expectations," Chief Executive Officer Mario Longhi said.

U.S. Steel had lost $75 million during the first quarter of 2015, and $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of last year.

The steel company has laid off 770 workers as well as 25 percent of its salaried, nonunion workforce so far this year.  The first quarter loss included $25 million in supplemental unemployment and severance costs.

Analysts have questioned U.S. Steel's viability after six annual losses in seven years.  The company has $2.3 billion in total liquidity, including $705 million in cash.

Great Lakes Steel Production Dropped by 7,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[26 Apr 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region dipped to 632,000T last week, a 1% decline.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, dipped to 570,000T last week, compared to 571,000T a week before.

Overall U.S. steel output declined by 0.5% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.  Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.684 million tons, down from 1.693 million tons a week earlier.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 72% last week, down from 72.4% a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 69.8% at the same time a year earlier.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 28.2 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 70.6%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 28.8 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Chinese Steel Production Soars to Record High
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[25 Apr 2016]
 

China produced a record 70.7 million tons of steel in March, even as the Chinese government said it would stop subsidizing steel production.

To put that in perspective, Chinese steelmakers made 10 times more than steelmakers in the United States in March. The Chinese production for March alone was roughly 80% of the steel America produces in an average year.  Analysts said the record output was the result of rising steel prices, which rose 10% in China to $352 per ton and 15.3% on the export market to $370 per ton, according to SteelBenchmarker.

China churned out 2.9% more steel than it did in March 2015 and in fact made more than half the steel in the world last month.

2 Charged with Young Mother's Homicide
Compiled From a nwiTimes Staff Report
[24 Apr 2016]

 MERRILLVILLE — Two people have been charged in the slaying of Diamond Lewis.  The young Merrillville mother's burned body was found Thursday in the basement of an abandoned Gary home, police said.

 Kareem Jahbbar Williams, 22, of Gary, the father of Lewis' 2-month-old daughter, was charged with murder and fraud.  Williams’ girlfriend, Alexis Alexander, 24, also of Gary, was charged with fraud, Merrillville police Cmdr. Jeff Rice said.  Other charges may be forthcoming, he said.

Williams is accused of killing Lewis by strangulation.  He and Alexander later dumped her body in the abandoned home in the 1400 block of W 18th Av in Gary, according to Lake Criminal Court records.  Williams later returned to the abandoned home and used lighter fluid to burn Lewis' body, police said.

Williams and Alexander sold Lewis' 1999 Buick Century, which had been missing, to an auto dealer and using Lewis' FSSA-issued card to go shopping on April 15, 16 and 17, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Merrillville police interviewed both Williams and Alexander, who told police they last saw Lewis on April 12.  But detectives learned the couple sold Lewis' vehicle to the manager of Auto Surgeon in Gary.  The manager positively identified Williams from a six-person photo array.  Detectives also reviewed security video from Gary businesses where Williams and Alexander used Lewis' FSSA card April 15, 16 and 17, the affidavit said.

Alexander told investigators Williams arrived at their home in Diamond Lewis’ car and she went out to confront him.  When Alexander got in the car, she saw Lewis laying lifeless in the backseat.

Williams allegedly told Alexander he and Lewis fought over paternity of the baby, he strangled her to death and then asked another girlfriend to help him put Lewis’ body in the car. Alexander helped Williams dump Lewis’ body in the abandoned house near 18th Av and Lincoln St.  Alexander told investigators Williams later asked her for lighter fluid.  He left then for a few hours.  Upon his return he admitted to her that he had tried to burn Lewis’ body, the affidavit said.

Police are still trying to determine when and where Lewis actually was killed, Rice said.

Williams and Alexander remained in custody Sunday, he said.

Woman's Body Found in Abandoned Gary House
#15 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Sarah Reese
[21 Apr 2016]
 

UPDATE (22 Apr 2016):  Merrillville police said 23-year-old Lewis' death is being investigated as a homicide, and two people are in custody in connection with the death.  Police said indications are the death is the result of domestic violence. The coroner's autopsy completed Friday revealed Lewis died of asphyxiation by strangulation

Rice said one of the people who came to the Gary police was arrested, and that person led police to the second person.  Merrillville Detective Cmdr. Jeff Rice said both suspects were arrested Thursday.  Charges are pending.

Lewis and her 2-month-old daughter, Morgan Williams, were reported missing by Lewis’ father, who had not spoken to Lewis since April 11.  Merrillville police said the baby was found safe earlier this week in Gary.

GARY — A woman’s body was found in the basement of an abandoned house Thursday night after a person contacted Gary police with information about the location of a female, officials said.

The informant, described as a "verified source," first contacted Gary police about 4 p.m. about the female, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.

Police from Merrillville, Gary’s Violent Crimes Unit and the Lake County Metro Homicide Unit went to the abandoned home in the 1400 block of W 18th Av and located the body.  Lake County crime scene and coroner’s investigators were called to the scene.

The woman’s identity could not be established Thursday night, police said.  No information about the condition of the body would be released Thursday night, Westerfield said. 

Garbage lined the street in front of the house where the body was found, and much of the block was dark and wooded.  A Gary firetruck was parked in front of the house to provide electricity for the lights investigators were using inside the house.

Merrillville police have been searching for a missing mother, 23-year-old Diamond Lewis, since Saturday.  Lewis and her 2-month-old daughter, Morgan Williams, were reported missing by Lewis’ father, who had not spoken to Lewis since April 11.  Merrillville police said the baby was found safe earlier this week in Gary.

Great Lakes Steel Output Shoots Up by 15,000T
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[21 Apr 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region rose to 639,000T last week, after a sharp drop the previous week.

Great Lakes production has risen in 11 of the 16 weeks so far this year.  Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, rose to 571,000T last week, compared to 552,000T a week before.

Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.69 million tons, up from 1.65 million tons a week earlier.  Overall U.S. steel output rose by 2.4% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 72.4% last week, up from 70.8 a week earlier.  The capacity utilization rate had been 69.8% at the same time a year earlier.  Some industry analysts say it wouldn’t be healthy unless it were more than 90%.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 26.5 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 70.5%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 27.1 million tons at the same time in 2015.

'I was set up' in Detention Center Vote: Gary Councilman Herb Smith
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Gregory Tejeda and Carole Carlson
[20 Apr 2016]

The plan for a privately owned detention center in Gary may not get an up-or-down vote next month, after all.

On Wednesday, Councilman Herb Smith, D-at large, said he's considering withdrawing a motion he made at Tuesday's Common Council meeting for a May 4 vote, which may leave the GEO Group's plan for a controversial detention center up in the air.

A zoning variance for GEO's detention center, to be built on land adjacent to Gary/Chicago International Airport, was rejected by the Board of Zoning Appeals on April 12 and sent to the Common Council for consideration.  Two rezoning ordinances on two adjoining parcels were introduced at Tuesday's council meeting.  The council typically assigns such ordinances to its planning committee for review, but the motion to do so failed by one vote.  Surprised by the motion's failure, Smith cited council rules allowing him to call the issue up for a final vote because it would not otherwise get a committee hearing.

Smith said Wednesday he assumed GEO's rezoning request would go the planning committee.  "I felt like I was set up.  Councilman (LaVetta) Sparks-Wade instigated all this and she was the one who flipped and said it was a bad idea."

Sparks-Wade, D-6th, expressed dismay Wednesday that Smith is blaming her for his confusion on the issue.  "It is unfortunate that my colleague would say something like that," she said, adding that she has not said or done anything that should have given people an indication of her stance.  "I told him as recently as last week I did not know how I would vote.  I don't know if he has amnesia, but his accusation is ridiculous."

She also said she does not know how the issue will be resolved.  "This issue changes every day as people keep changing their minds," she said.  "This issue has divided our community.  I think people should let sleeping dogs lie."

At Tuesday's meeting in a packed council chambers, Council President Ron Brewer said the final vote — along with any debate on the issue — would have to take place at the next council meeting on May 4 at City Hall.  At that time, a simple majority vote of five votes will approve or deny the rezoning, officials said.

Gary Men Charged in Weekend Homicide
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Elvia Malagon
[20 Apr 2016]
 

GARY — Two Gary men were charged Wednesday in Lake County Criminal Court with shooting to death Derrick D. Walker, according to court records.

Cory J. Bland, 27, and Michael J. Hightower, 30, face charges of murder in perpetration of kidnapping, kidnapping, battery and carrying a handgun without a license.  Bland was additionally charged with reckless homicide.  The men were being held without bail in Lake County Jail, according to court records.

Gary police found Walker unresponsive last Friday in the 4300 block of W 23rd Av.  The Lake County coroner's office pronounced Walker, 26, of Gary, dead at 10:20 p.m. at the scene.  It was determined Walker died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Protesters, Supporters Come Out for GEO Hearing
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Ed Bierschenk
[20 Apr 2016]
 

GARY — Groups for and against a proposed immigrant detention center squared off prior to the Gary City Council meeting Tuesday.

Yells of "We got to fight!" and "No prison!" from opponents competed with yells of "Gary action now!" from supporters of the center.  The two groups were packed into the hall outside the council chamber.

The opponents may have the upper hand based on council action Tuesday.  The council ultimately declined to refer a variance request for land at the airport to be used for the detention center to committee for a second reading.  Instead, the request is expected to come back before the council on May 4 when it will reportedly need to have 6 of the 9 council members vote in favor of the variance if it is to be approved.

Opponents of the detention center charged supporters were being paid by The GEO Group.  "Those are folks being paid for by GEO," said the Rev. Cheryl Rivera, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations.  She contended one of the supporters admitted as much to her earlier.

Man Fatally Shot in Gary
#14 and Counting
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Christin Nance
[18 Apr 2016]
 

A 40-year-old Gary man was shot to death Saturday night in the Glen Park area of Gary.

Gary police found Jerome Long in the 3700 block of Monroe St around 9:30 p.m., shot multiple times.  He was taken to Methodist Hospital Northlake.  He died at 11:28 p.m., according to a news release from the Lake County Coroner's Office.

An autopsy confirmed Long, of the 800 block of Tennessee St, died of a gunshot wound.  His death was ruled a homicide.

Police said another man was shot in the leg and a private vehicle took him to the hospital.

Gary Police Investigating Shooting Death
#13 and Counting
Compiled From a nwiTimes Staff Report
[16 Apr 2016]
 

GARY — Gary police are investigating the shooting death of a man found Friday night in the 4300 block of W 23rd Av, police said.

At about 9:13 p.m., Gary police responded to a call for service.  Upon arrival, officers found a 26-year-old black man with an apparent gunshot wound.  The man died of his injury and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Lake County coroner's office, a news release said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Det. George Dickerson of the Lake County Metro Homicide Unit at (219) 755-3855.

No further information was available late Friday night, police said.

SBOE Extends Company's Roosevelt Contract for One Year
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Carmen McCollum
[15 Apr 2016]

INDIANAPOLIS — The State Board of Education unanimously voted to extend the contract with EdisonLearning to operate Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary for an additional year.

The contract extension allows EdisonLearning and the Gary Community School Corp. an opportunity to finalize its plans for the school's future and return for final approval next year.

Following the vote, SBOE member Eddie Melton said Roosevelt is a historic institution with a long tradition of producing outstanding students and distinguished alumni.  "This contract extension allows EdisonLearning and Gary schools to partner with community stakeholders to provide the best possible outcome for Roosevelt students."

Melton thanked EdisonLearning on the progress made at Roosevelt with math and English passing rates (having) improved.  Math ISTEP Plus scores increased 27% and English/Language Arts scores are up 11%.  This is a great opportunity to show collaboration and continue the work going on there," he said.

During the public hearing last month, EdisonLearning and the Gary schools announced a plan to partner in future years to operate the school, transitioning the school into a transformation zone/innovation network.

In a joint statement released by EdisonLearning leader Thom Jackson and Gary school Superintendent Cheryl Pruitt, they said Friday's action by the state board is a "strong expression" of support for the focused commitment and hard work that has resulted in positive improvements at Roosevelt, as well as for the collaborative initiative being developed to build a solid foundation for learning and achievement for all Gary students.  With the state board’s support and assistance, they said, the Gary Community School Corp. and EdisonLearning will continue the relationship established to advance a shared vision of academic excellence, compassion, focus and commitment to the young people they are fortunate to educate.

Detention Center on Council Agenda
Compiled From a Post-Trib Report by Christin Nance
[15 Apr 2016]

Despite the rejection from the Board of Zoning Appeals, the GEO Group's proposal to build a detention center adjacent to the Gary/Chicago International Airport is headed to the Gary Common Council.

On April 12, the BZA rejected a variance request for the project by a 3-1 vote.  The Common Council, however, can consider the variance without the BZA's blessing.

The $80 million center is proposed to sit on 24 acres just north of the airport.  David Venturella, GEO vice president, said the center itself would create about 200 jobs and the "hundreds" of construction jobs.

On Friday, the ordinance dealing with the proposal was added to the Common Council meeting's Tuesday agenda for a first and second reading.  Showing up on the council agenda, however, isn't a guarantee the variance will be approved quickly.

Council President Ron Brewer said the item will likely be sent to the council's Planning Committee once it comes before the council.  "These are normally the steps we take," Brewer said.  "We have to do our due diligence and determine whether it's a good fit for the city.  I would (consider) especially the tax dollars, the jobs aspect and even the construction, in terms of how many jobs would go to Gary residents?"

Members of the council's planning committee include Ragen Hatcher, Rebecca Wyatt, Linda Barnes Caldwell, LaVetta Sparks-Wade, and Carolyn D. Rogers.

Councilwoman Wyatt said she's heard a lot of the opposition at several meetings, but the testimony of one witness — Gary Airport Authority Board president Stephen Mays — was significant to her.  "I was most struck by Stephen Mays when he said that the project wouldn't work with the airport's development plan," Wyatt said.  "If it's not good for the airport — which is one of the stronger projects in city — then it doesn't make sense for the city.  I have reached out to a couple of people at the airport, but I haven't had time to talk to them yet.  I expect that once I'm clear on what airport wants then that will help me make my decision."

Wyatt also said that while she may not agree with private prisons as a business model, she has to look at what the project could do for Gary in terms of jobs and property taxes.

Hatcher didn't respond to a request for comment.

Councilman Herb Smith didn't think the BZA proceedings were productive, but said it's important to listen to both sides.  "We have to thoroughly vet this company," Smith said.  "We have to do our homework because some things that I heard in opposition got my attention.  We have to see if we can substantiate those things or put them aside."

China to End Subsidies on Steel Exports
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[14 Apr 2016]
 

The United States and China have reached an agreement where China will end the subsidies on steel exports, which have helped make them so cheap and contributed to an international glut of steel that led to more than 1,000 steelworker layoffs in Northwest Indiana last year.

China exported more than 112 million tons of steel last year, more than the United States can even produce.  Chinese companies were able to sell it at an estimated loss of $70 a ton because they received heavy government subsidies, such as having the Communist government pay their entire energy bills.

"Today we have signed an agreement with China to eliminate export subsidies that the United States challenged because they are prohibited under WTO rules," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said.

Great Lakes Steel Output Falls Sharply
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joseph S. Pete
[13 Apr 2016]
 

Raw steel production in the Great Lakes region plunged to 624,000T last week, marking a sharp 8.3% drop after reaching yearly highs for two straight weeks.

Local steel output has been recovering.  Imports were down to only 24% of the market share last month, and Great Lakes production has risen in 10 of the 15 weeks so far this year.

Production in the Southern District, which spans mini-mills across the South, rose to 552,000T last week, compared to 499,000T a week before.

Total U.S. raw steel production last week was about 1.65 million tons, up from 1.6 million tons a week earlier.  Overall U.S. steel output rose by 0.3% last week, according to an American Iron and Steel Institute estimate.

Nationally, domestic steel mills had a capacity utilization rate of 70.8% last week, up from 70.6 a week earlier. The capacity utilization rate had been 69.8% at the same time a year earlier.  Some industry analysts say it wouldn’t be healthy unless it were more than 90%.

Year-to-date steel output in the United States has been 24.8 million net tons, at a capacity utilization rate of 70.4%, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Output had been 25.5 million tons at the same time in 2015.

Gary Zoning Board Rejects GEO
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Ed Bierschenk
[12 Apr 2016]
 

GARY — The Gary Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday recommended against (3-1) granting a zoning variance for land near the Gary/Chicago International Airport for an immigrant detention center, but the project is not yet dead.

Representatives of The GEO Group next plan to argue their case for the facility before the Gary City Council, which will make a final determination on the variance.  Despite Tuesday's rejection by the zoning board and the heated opposition, David J. Venturella, senior vice president of business development for The GEO Group, said the company will continue to pursue the project and believes they can succeed in winning approval for it in Gary.  "I think if the people look at the merits of what we are proposing, they will say yes," said Venturella after the meeting.

Protesters are expected to pack that meeting as they did Tuesday's board meeting.

Gary Police Investigate 5 Shootings, Two Self-Inflicted
Compiled From a nwiGazette Report by Ken Davijdson
[11 Apr 2016]
 

Gary Police say that 5 shootings were reported over the weekend.  Investigation revealed that two of them were self-inflicted.

On 9 Apr 2016 Chanel Sherrod, age 17, of Gary had reported she was shot in the 500 block of Madison St and Roderick Chapman, age 20, of Merrillville reported he was shot in the area of 5th and Porter St.  Both individuals reported being shot byunknown person(s).  Through investigation it was determined that both individuals falsified their reports to avoid prosecution.  Both incidents are still under investigation and has not been determined whether charges will be filed at this time."

Three other shootings remain under investigation according to Lt. Pawlak.

"On 9 Apr 2016, at approximately 10 p.m. Gary Police Officers responded to a shooting call in the 1700 block of East 7th Av.  Upon arriving Officers’ found, Felicia Stidman, age 37, of Gary shot once in the torso.  Stidman advised Officers that she was exiting her residence with her boyfriend when they observed 2 males acting suspicious by a vacant garage.  They went back into the residence and waited several minutes.  Upon exiting they were shot at by these individuals.  Stidman was dragged back into the residence by her boyfriend who then notified Police.  Stidman was transported to Methodist Northlake Hospital for treatment.

On 9 Apr 2016 at approximately 11:40 a.m., Gary Police Officers responded to a shooting call at 800 Ohio St.  Upon the Officers’ arrival, they found Huston Bond, age 26, of Gary shot several times in the left side of his body and leg.  According to victim he was shot by a known person.  Gary Police do have a person of interest currently in custody for this incident.  The victim was transported to Methodist Hospital Northlake for treatment.

On 9 Apr 2016 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Gary Police Officers responded to Methodist Hospital Southlake in reference to a shooting victim.  At this location Officers’ spoke with Herbert Hightower, age 32, of Gary who was shot multiple times in the hand and hip as he was walking in the 2000 block of Massachusetts St in Gary.  A motorist stopped to render assistance to Hightower who was taken by the motorist to Methodist Hospital Southlake for treatment.

Opposition Says Gary Should Not Become 'Prison Town'
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Joyce Russell
and a Post-Trib Report by Carole Carlson and Christin Nance Lazerus
[9 Apr 2016]
 

GARY — Diana Twyman said her family has invested a lot in their belief her hometown is undergoing a resurrection.  Two years ago, with her son, they bought and reopened the Miller Bakery Cafe.

Now a Chicago resident, Twyman often has to prod her fellow Chicagoans to come and visit.  But, when they do they have "that Grand Canyon" moment.  When she told one friend about the possibility of an immigrant detention center locating in Gary, Twyman told the group the friend's reaction was if Gary became a prison town, that would cement in everyone's mind to stay away from Gary.

"The for-profit prison model has a long history of damaging communities," said Twyman, adding that GEO has a "long record of civil and human rights violations."  A Gary resident said allowing GEO to build the facility, not only diminishes the community, but will "exploit poor people and further solidify the negative perception of Gary."

The GEO Group's main selling point is the estimated 200 to 250 jobs, $80 million investment and the $1 million annual tax payment the facility can provide in the economically depressed community.  Because the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency already moves detainees from county jails throughout Illinois to the Gary airport, "it also makes sense to be able to consolidate and provide those services in one location and then easily transport people to the airport in a more secure manner."

Company representatives argue the center is not a prison, but rather a 788-bed processing center where people will only be held for short stays of perhaps 30 to 60 days.  Prison is not an appropriate term to use for the facility.  Venturella said the facility, while secure, would not have barbed wire.  "Detainees stay for only a short period of time while going through an immigration hearing.  They aren't housed in cells with bars, but rather in dormitory-style rooms that contain televisions and other amenities.  The center will have a fitness center, computers, game room with pool tables and open salad bars.
________________
[COMMENT -GDY]:   Evidently her "belief  in resurrection of her hometown" is not  enough to spur Ms. Twyman to give up her Chi-town digs and resume her residency in the  "Steel City"?

Is it pride or hubris which is casting a distained eye toward the proposed detention center?  Can Gary afford to reject a viable business entity in a location that was/is a Superfund site and where few city residents ever go?  

Gary Police Say Window at High School Shattered by Explosive Device
Compiled From an AP Report on The Daily Journal.NET
[8 Apr 2016]

GARY, Indiana — Gary police say a shattered window at a high school that school officials believe was caused by an explosive device is being investigated as an arson.

Lt. Dawn Westerfield says Wednesday night's damage to West Side Leadership Academy is a confirmed arson, but how the damage was inflicted is under investigation.  Westerfield said Friday that people were in the building at the time but none were injured.

Gary Community School Corp. spokeswoman Charmella Greer says it appears that a small explosive device exploded Wednesday night at the school.  It shattered a window in a special education classroom.  She says that classroom at the school with about 700 students is not currently usable because of the shattered window and other damage.

Gary Protesters Oppose Detention Center, Again
Compiled From a nwiTimes Report by Ed Bierschenk
[6 Apr 2016]

GARY — Chants of "No GEO" filled Gary City Hall as residents and representatives of various organizations joined together to protest plans for an immigrant detention center Tuesday night.