GRIFFITH

Kindergarten sign-up planned for April 2, 3

Beiriger, Franklin, Ready and Wadsworth elementary schools begin kindergarten registrations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 2 and 3.

Kindergarten screening is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 3 and 4 at Franklin, Wadsworth and Ready schools.

Beiriger will screen students at Ready because of work being done at Beiriger.

Later dates include registrations from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 31 at Wadsworth for Beiriger, Franklin and Wadsworth schools.

Students must have a completed registration and screening by 4 p.m. Aug. 1 to be considered for full-day kindergarten.

Notification of half- and full-day kindergarten is Aug. 4.

For more information, call Assistant Superintendent Gary Sutton at (219) 924-4250 or e-mail gsutton@griffith.k12.in.us.

DYER

Changes in animal control policy OK'd

The Town Council on Monday approved changes to the animal control ordinance with virtually no input from the public.

When no residents spoke, the council unanimously passed the changes, some of which still refer to Bi-Town Animal Control even though Dyer no longer has an agreement with St. John.

After St. John went out on its own, Dyer forged an agreement with the Munster Humane Society, which houses animals for Dyer. Dyer's animal control officer enforces the ordinance.

Licensing fees for dogs and cats remain the same, but the cost for kennel licenses, breeder permits, pet shops, grooming shops and guard dog training centers went up.

The town also will charge more for housing stray dogs and cats until they are claimed by their owners. Owners will pay an impoundment charge of $50 for either animal in the first 24 hours. Afterward, an additional per-day charge will accrue.

Previous impoundment charges of only a few dollars a day were putting the town in the red because Dyer has to pay animal control Officer Linda Kulik her hourly rate to care for the animals and pay for food and shelter, Kulik said.

GRIFFITH

Beiriger bids booted; board rebids project

The School Board said bidders will have to try harder if they want a contract to renovate Beiriger Elementary School's heating and air-conditioning system.

"I'm asking that you reject all bids," Superintendent Peter Morikis asked the board, which voted unanimously to accept his recommendation.

Six bids that were opened March 11 were higher than expected and exceeded the project's budget, board members said. They ranged from $1.7 million to $2.1 million.

Morikis said the plans will be slightly revised in a way to encourage lower bids. He also stressed that no major downgrades will be made in the plans.

The project was rebid Friday, with the new proposals to be opened April 7. The winning bid is expected to be selected April 10.

Construction is expected to begin April 11 with a completion date of July 28.

Final punch list items will be completed by Aug. 8.

GARY

Health fair scheduled for Saturday afternoon

The Interfaith Clergy Council of Gary and vicinity will present A Healthy Start health fair from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Carter Memorial C.M.E. Church, 635 W. 49th Ave., Gary.

Admission is free.

HIGHLAND

Town band to play evening of March 30

The Highland Community Concert Band performs its spring concert at 7 p.m. March 30 at Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.

The theme is "Music of American Wars." It's designed to appeal to veterans and nonveterans alike.

The band will perform June 12 and July 17 at the gazebo in Main Square Park, Fifth Street and Ridge Road. The Highland Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the free concerts.

For more information, call (219) 838-0114.

HAMMOND

Indiana author to talk about, sign her book

An Indiana native and author will discuss and read from her latest book, which relates her search for love with the fondness she holds for the Indianapolis Colts football team, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond.

In her book "Comeback Season: How I learned to Play the Game of Love" college professor Cathy Day compares her experiences and strategies for finding love with the Colts' march to the 2007 Super Bowl championship.

The free event is in the YJean Chambers Hall on the third floor of the Student Union & Library.

A book signing is scheduled after the talk, which is sponsored by Purdue Calumet and the Northwest Indiana Writing Project.