St. John News

We bury them in the recesses of our closets, pack them away in boxes marked "seasonal." We all have Christmas sweaters -- ugly Christmas sweaters.

The Indiana Department of Education is investigating the hiring of former Bremen Elementary-Middle School assistant principal Amy Weidner as principal at St.

New board member: Michael N. Pagano of Crown Point was elected to the board of governors of the Indiana State Bar Association at its annual meeting in Indianapolis.

ST. JOHN, Ind. -- Andrew Birlson celebrates Mass often, donning his priestly vestments, carrying his Bible and singing songs, occasionally swinging an incense burner to offer a blessing.

Concert of Polish carols: The Lira Ensemble of Chicago brings its concert of Polish carols -- and some American ones -- to St.

Fundraiser benefit for cancer fight: A fundraiser from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Lowell VFW Post, 17401 Morse St., will help Sara Milanowski's fight against breast cancer.

Holiday parade: The Hammond Holiday Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday from Gavit High School, 1670 175th St.

Grade/subject/school: Math and science teacher, Southport 6th Grade Academy. Number of years teaching: Four.

Thanksgiving dinner, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St., Merrillville, free, 769-2481 Thanksgiving dinner, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, First Church of God, 900 Ridgeway Ave., Munster, for those in need of food, family and friends, R.S.V.P. 836-1498 Thanksgiving dinner, noon to 3 ...

"Smoking a bowl" is a common phrase among hippie types. "Snorting a plate," is something new all-together. But one motorist who liked to snack while driving got into big trouble when his lunch turned out to be a pile of heroin .

A merica's struggling economy may not seem like the best backdrop for launching a scholarship campaign.

Veterans Day program, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jane Ball Elementary School gym, 13313 Parrish Ave.

Police processed battery charges Thursday in separate incidents at Lake Central schools.

Karen Miller gave birth to a baby boy about the same time she heard startling news about baby boys in general.

'SUMMurdER CAMP: M & M Productions' Center Stage Studio Theatre, 227 Center St., presents an alternative to the regular haunted houses.

Every person in south Lake County will be counted in the 2010 Census, if aggressive information efforts under way by local communities are successful.

Early settlers in Indiana got their news by visiting a local tavern. These weren't "bars," per se, but rather stagecoach inns.

Downtown hayride: The city's fifth annual Hayride Around the Square is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, starting in front of the Old Sheriff's House and Jail, 226 S. Main St.

Lake County will close a portion of 101st Avenue in St. John while the bridge crossing Bull Run ditch is replaced this fall.

FLU SHOTS: Healthchek will offer flu shots at the Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department, 5750 Tyler Place, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today.