July 31, 2014 – Times Staff A Gary man was critically injured Wednesday night in a hit-and-run crash in Hammond, police said. Daniel Valdez, 54, of Gary, was taken by helicopter from the scene to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., after the crash about 11:10 p.m. on Michigan Street west of Cline Avenue, police said. Valdez was …
New Edition brings dance moves, pop hits to Hammond
July 31, 2014 – Eloise Marie Valadez There was a retro music celebration of sorts Sunday at The Venue at Hammond’s Horseshoe Casino. New Edition, one of the first of the popular ’80s “boy bands,” presented a 90-minute concert on its “All Six” tour. The sold-out show was jam-packed with “screaming” fans – the majority of whom are now grown …
Hammond’s Moores hoping to build a bridge of tradition
Steve Hanlon Prep Beat Hammond athletic director Larry Moore Sr. had a historic Hoosier Hysteria moment back in the summer of 1974. The standout basketball player made the Indiana All-Star team, but he didn’t get a lot of playing time. He sat on the end of the bench with a small-school kid named Larry Bird. With a few seconds left …
WHAM! ride rolls this weekend
July 30, 2014 – Times Staff The third annual WHAM! After Midnight Ride returns Saturday and Sunday. The ride begins at midnight Saturday at the Pavilion at Wolf Lake and traverses the communities, parks and new bike paths of Hammond, Highland, Munster and Whiting before ending back at the pavilion. Bicyclists can choose between a relaxing, 30-mile long route or …
Hammond punches trains’ ticket
July 29, 2014 – Rob Earnshaw When Johnny Cash sang about the trains that keep a rollin’, he mustn’t have been in Hammond. If you live in or drive through Hammond, chances are you’ve been stopped at a crossing by a train. And not just a moving train. A stopped train. Just sitting there causing you to be late for …
Hammond considers raising towing fee
July 28, 2014 8:39 pm – Rob Earnshaw The city may increase its towing fees. An ordinance was introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting that would raise the standard towing fee from $125 to $180. Hammond currently has four towing companies operating without a contract. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said those companies would continue to receive the $125 fee while …
Volunteering is a way of life for Hammond retiree
July 23, 2014 – Kimberly Cheek-Stanley On any given day, Anne Herbert is working behind the scenes to improve the lives of those in her community and across the country. The Hammond resident is the only American Red Cross disaster volunteer in the city and the first person contacted when a disaster or fire occurs in Hammond. “We take care …
New bike trail leg bridges Munster, Hammond
July 23, 2014 – Anna Ortiz A newly completed pedestrian and bike trail bridge symbolizes the benefits of cooperation between Hammond and Munster, officials of both municipalities said Wednesday. The new Monon Trail bridge, which spans the Little Calumet River, is between Manor Avenue in Munster and Lyman Avenue in Hammond. Hammond, Munster and Calumet River Basin Development Commission officials …
Revitalization, restaurants, shops and festivals attract new residents to Hammond
New Hammond residents Rick Soria and Scott Fech were drawn to the city because of its revitalization, restaurants, shops, festivals and proximity to Chicago. Fech is principal at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools in Hyde Park. “Hammond is a perfect location to commute to Hyde Park,” Soria says. Soria is Campus President at the Michigan City campus of Tech …
Hammond woman grateful for Hammond Parks Program
Evelyn Wilson says the Hammond Parks Summer Program has been extremely beneficial for her three special needs children. Wilson says the program provides breakfast, lunch and fun activities including games, arts and crafts, in a safe supervised environment. The children learn acceptance, Wilson says. “All ages, all colors, all abilities, all play together,” Wilson, who has been a program volunteer …