HAMMOND

Thieves take cigarettes, cash from gas station

Thieves apparently hacked through the wall of a south side gas station on Tuesday to steal cash and cigarettes, police reports state.

The manager of Gas Mart in the 7200 block of Calumet Avenue told police a hole was gouged in the cinder block on the south side of the building, allowing access to the lock on an adjacent door.

A cash register was also broken into, the manager said, and $700 in cash and 125 cartons of Newport and Kool cigarettes -- worth $4,750 -- were missing.

The manager said a black claw hammer found inside the shop did not belong to anyone there, and police collected the tool as evidence.

HAMMOND

Lane restrictions on Ind. 312 lifted today

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the restrictions on Ind. 312, or Chicago Avenue, between U.S. 41, or Calumet Avenue, and Sheffield Avenue will be lifted today.

Currently, traffic on this section of Chicago Avenue is restricted to only westbound traffic. Beginning Monday through November, U.S. 41 will be restricted to one lane in each direction between Hoffman and Hudson streets.

The work is in relation to the $6.5 million Major Moves Preservation project on U.S. 41 between Hoffman and Huehn streets in Hammond. Construction began in April and is scheduled for completion by this fall.

EAST CHICAGO

Cops: Man helps start scooter, rides off with it

A south side resident told police that a man helping her to start her scooter rode off with the bike, police reports state.

The 37-year-old woman said she was leaving her home in the 4800 block of Indianapolis Boulevard on Monday afternoon, but couldn't get her black and gray 2006 Vento scooter running.

She said she asked a man she knows as "Moon" for help, and he got the scooter started, but rode it away northbound on Indianapolis Boulevard.

The resident told police on Tuesday that she hadn't seen the man or her scooter since, and estimated her loss at $2,000.

GARY

Air show dates this year are July 19, 20 over lake

The ninth annual Gary South Shore Air Show is July 19 and 20 over Lake Michigan.

The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau is working to secure new air show talent and expand the Friday evening show held at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. The air show will continue to offer free parking and free admission and will be presented by the visitors bureau, the Gary Jet Center and the city of Gary.

For more information, visit www.garyairshow.com.

DYER

Stormwater Board sets new meeting July 10

The Dyer Stormwater Board meeting for July has been scheduled for 7 p.m. July 10 in the main meeting room of Town Hall.

HIGHLAND

Redevelopment panel changes meeting date

The next study session and public meeting of the Highland Redevelopment Commission will be July 23.

The commission has canceled its July 9 meeting.

There is a study session at 6:30 p.m., followed by the public meeting at 7 p.m. and another study session after that. The meetings are at Town Hall, 3333 Ridge Road.