DYER

Police Department's promotions list expires

The Police Department's promotions list will expire on Christmas Day and the department will have to start from scratch this time.

Last summer the Metropolitan Police Commission renewed the list for 180 days, but cannot do so again. Six officers were in line for promotion this year.

The department was not able to promote any of them because there are no openings in the department. "there is nowhere to go," Police Chief Richard Quinn said.

DYER

Croft leads homicide task force probe unit

Dyer police Cmdr. Ken Croft is serving as a director of the Homicide Task Force's investigative unit, Police Chief Richard Quinn said at the December Metropolitan Police Commission meeting.

"It's a great compliment to Cmdr. Croft," said Quinn, who noted that members of the unit continue to work well together.

The Homicide Task Force was organized in May 2006 as a regional body to handle major crime investigations. Departments in Illinois and Northwest Indiana contribute manpower to its efforts.

Most recently it was called to the scene of a high-profile robbery and murder at a KFC restaurant in Merrillville, Quinn said. Croft's team was involved in the ensuing investigation and charges were filed within three days, Quinn said.

GRIFFITH

Garage catches fire, 2 vehicles burned

A Griffith garage caught fire Saturday when a man was working on his daughter's car.

The blaze consumed a 1991 Ford Escort and 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan, along with a new snowblower, bicycles, various power tools and other items, police said.

Officers and firefighters were called to the detached garage, 714 W. Ash St., about 4:15 p.m.and found it fully engulfed in flames, a police report said.

As the firefighters fought the blaze, the officers kept a crowd of onlookers from getting too close.

The homeowner said he had been going back and forth between his house and the garage, where he was working on his daughter's car. As he returned to the garage, he saw smoke billowing out of the garage doors, the report said.

HIGHLAND

More than $1,000 kicked in for ill teen

Residents of "Candy Cane Lane," otherwise known as East 99th Street, have collected more than $1,000 for an ill young man on the block.

Donations are collected in a coffee can set in the midst of a holiday display on the street. It will remain in place until New Year's Day for others who want to contribute to the cause of James Joshua "JJ" Golub.

The 15-year-old is suffering from osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Visitors to the holiday display have kicked in to help the family defray medical-related expenses for their son.

The coffee can is near an outdoor Christmas display located at 3107 E. 99th St.

Those wishing more information, or wanting to donate without using the bucket, can call (219) 924-6426.