DYER

M'ville woman charged with fraudulent car buys

A Merrillville woman was charged with fraud, a Class D felony, after buying vehicles on an empty bank account, according to police.

A warrant is out for Tiffany Latrice Small, 29, 831 W. 52nd Drive, Dyer Detective Cmdr. Ken Croft said.

Small allegedly used checks from her empty bank account to buy a Ford Explorer July 23 from Hillside Motors, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway, Schererville, Croft said.

On Aug. 1, she went to Frankie's Auto Sales, 629 Joliet St., Dyer, and traded in the Explorer for an Oldsmobile Intrigue. To make up the difference between the two vehicles, she wrote a $4,500 check, from the same empty bank account, Croft said.

Police learned of the incident, and the vehicles were deemed "stolen," because they were purchased with bad checks, he said.

The customer who bought the Explorer returned it, once police explained the circumstances. And on Aug. 21, the Lake County Sheriff's Department seized the Intrigue from the apartment complex where Small lives, Croft said.

Small has been charged in connection with the Dyer fraud and could face charges through Schererville.

HAMMOND

Growing your business focus of Sept. 5 seminar

The next New Economy New Rules seminar will focus on the needs of entrepreneurs whose start-up companies have grown to where they need skills outside of the founder's skills.

The seminar will explore the transition to professional management such as human resources, legal representation, sales and marketing and other disciplines.

The monthly breakfast program is broadcast by live video feed from Indianapolis and hosted by the law firm of Barnes & Thornburg.

Held between 7 and 8:30 a.m., the next seminar will be presented Sept. 5 at Purdue Calumet Entrepreneurship Center, 1247 169th St.

Those interested in attending the free program are asked to register by calling (219) 750-1200 or by e-mail at gboyan@calumet.purdue.edu.

HAMMOND

City Council to launch 2009 budget proposal

Next year's budget will be introduced during what is expected to be a brief special meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday in council chambers at City Hall, 5925 Calumet Ave.

The office of Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. released a $112.7 million budget proposal last week. The proposal will undergo a round of budget hearings with city department heads but no dates have yet been determined.

The state has extended the deadline for submission of city budgets to Dec. 1.

EAST CHICAGO

Habitat offers pointers on becoming a homeowner

The Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity hosts a forum titled "You Could Become a Homeowner" Sept. 4 at the East Chicago Main Public Library, 2401 E. Columbus Drive.

It runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and covers such topics as how to buy a Habitat home for zero percent interest, how to build a home with volunteers, what Habitat does and how it works and the housing development beginning this fall in North Harbor.

There is no charge to attend. Refreshments will be served and a Spanish translator will be in attendance.

For more information, call (219) 923-7265, ext. 305.

HAMMOND

Curfews moved back one hour for older teens

An ordinance recently adopted by the City Council moves the curfew for teens 15 to 17 years of age from 1 a.m. to midnight on weekends and from 11 to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

While the ordinance itself is unclear, weekends should be defined as Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the 4th District Councilwoman Kim Poland, who sponsored the change.

The curfew for minors under the age of 15 is 10 p.m. throughout the week.

HAMMOND

Late registration accepted through Friday at PUC

While fall semester classes are under way this week, prospective students have one final opportunity to enroll during Late Registration, which continues through Friday.

Students new to Purdue Calumet or those returning after an absence of two or more years must arrange admission first and should report to the Enrollment Services Center in Lawshe Hall, Room 130. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today and Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

For more information call (219) 989-2213 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext.

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