4th of July Parade Information

Please click http://www.griffith.in.gov/portal/media-type/html/group/special-events-comm/page/default.psml/js_pane/P-13f19b7dd69-10620 to see the information on the 2013 Town of Griffith 4th of July Parade.

The Griffith Central Market Is Off And Running

Griffith Central Market is officially open! With a list of over 30 vendors (and growing), we are proud to bring to the town of Griffith, and surrounding communities, some of the best vendors that the area has to offer. We have local folks as well as sellers from Illinois and Michigan. The stage is set and the drinks are cold and the music fills the air! So come into the Market and enjoy the experience, and be sure to come back each Friday for more. Griffith Central Market will be open every Friday from 3pm until 8pm beginning May 3 and continuing through September (some Fridays are excluded due to other events, please watch the Town's web calendar). For complete details contact the Market Manager, Kathy Ruesken at 219.484.6697.

PERFORMING 6/714- Josh McCormack is a recording artist that is well known around the Chicago scene. He's a technically -skilled musician and vocalist. His songs and live performances feature strategic moments of unpredictability that encourage the audience to appreciate chaos along with beauty.

Governor Mike Pence Signs HB1585

On Friday May 10th, Governor Mike Pence signed HB1585 into law.

Action List: House Bill 1585

2013 First Regular Session

Authors:  Slager, Torr, Candelaria Reardon

Press Statement Regarding A Demand From An Attorney For The Former Griffith Police Chief

Please click HERE to read a statement from the Town of Griffith.

Lawn Maintenance

The mowing season is upon us and the Department of Public Woks would like to remind residents of Town Ordinance 26-53 which states that all homeowners must routinely maintain their lawns. Any violation of this ordinance may result in a monetary fine.

Lake County Library Information

Want to know more about what is going on at the Lake County libraries? If so, click HERE.

Culvers Donation

The Town of Griffith would like to thank Culvers for their generous donation to the Griffith Hometown Heroes Fund which will help with public safety in the town. THANK YOU!

Northwest Regional SWAT TEAM

The Northwest Regional SWAT Team (which the Town of Griffith Police Dept has members in) is asking for assistance in the purchase of new equipment to help protect and serve the residents of Lake County which total over 200,000 residents over 130 square miles. To get more information on how you can help make a tax-deductible donation, please click http://cms.ngsltd.com/opencms/opencms/griffith/police-dept/Northwest_Regional_SWAT_Team/nrst_donations.pdf to see their request letter. Thank you.

INDOT Program For Current Road Information

TrafficWise is the Indiana Department of Transportation's (INDOT) program to use Intelligent Transportation Systems, or ITS, to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety. INDOT's ITS initiative is TrafficWise. The INDOT TrafficWise traveler information service has been expanded to include updated reports for all State Roads, U.S. Highways and Interstates around the state. Motorists can “Know Before You Go” by clicking the link below or dialing 800-261-ROAD (7623) to plan their travels. Click on the MORE link to get up to date data on state roads.

Dog and Cat Food Coupons

DOG AND CAT FOOD COUPONS

Do you have any coupons relating to dog and cat food that you will not need?  If so please consider donating them to Griffith Animal Control.

To donate any coupons, please take them to the Griffith Police Dept, which is located at 115 N. Broad St between 9am and 4pm and give them to the person on duty at the window. 
They will ensure they get to the right people.

Thank you!!!!!

Griffith Park Reservations

Thinking about having a celebration or party in 2013 and want to have it in a park, if so please consider it having it at one of Griffith's Parks (Cheever, South Park, Central). Griffith residents can make reservations now through February 28th. After that date, reservations will be open to everyone. To make a reservation or if you have questions, please contact the Park Department at 219-922-3078.

Vendor Applications Being Accepted for the 2013 Griffith Street Festival

Applications are being accepted for food and craft vendors for Griffith's 5th annual Rock 'N Rail Street Festival.

The festival will take place in Downtown Griffith on Broad Street on Labor Day weekend Friday, Aug 30 through Sunday, Sept 1.  The festival features a wide variety of food, non-stop live music, a kids area and a giant beer garden.  There will be a car show at 5pm on Friday and a 5k run sponsored by Griffith YMCA on Saturday.

The hours are Friday 4pm to Midnight, Saturday 11am to Midnight and Sunday 1pm to Midnight. 

Those interested in becoming a food or craft vendor can email rocknrails@griffith.in.gov or download an application HERE. Applications are also available at Griffith Town Hall, 111 N Broad St.

Annual Fire Dept Dance - July 13th

Griffith, IN, May 13, 2013– The Griffith Fire Department is proud to announce we will be hosting our annual Firefighters Dance and Raffle Saturday July 13^th from 6:00 PM to Midnight at Griffith Fire Department Station 1 (130 N. Lafayette St.).  The Relics (http://www.therelicsband.com/) are back by popular demand again this year to entertain us with all the greatest tunes from the 60s and 70s.  It wouldn’t be a party without a fully stocked beer garden and a smokin hot grill; so firefighters will be serving up plenty of burgers, brats, dogs, and chicken, and pouring ice cold beer all night long.  The Griffith Fire Department Dance and Raffle is unique in that it is an all ages event that allows our guests to enjoy all of the entertainment whether in or out of the beer garden.  We’ve also kept our prices under control so the whole family can come out and enjoy the party.  Tickets are available at the door for $2.50 or you can contact Deputy Chief Hill at 219-545-2014 for tickets.  Each $2.50 ticket provides admission to the event as well as a chance to win one of three prizes in our cash raffle.  Winners need not be present.  All proceeds go directly to the Griffith Fire Department to be used as matching funds necessary for Federal, State, and local grants, to purchase non-budgeted firefighting equipment, and to maintain our fire prevention programs. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Deputy Chief Don Hill at 219.545.2014 or email at griffithfd@gmail.com

Don Hess Memorial Scholarship Benefit

A benefit to fund the Don Hess Memorial Scholarship will be held at the Gary Railcats game on Saturday, July 13, 2013, at 6:00 PM.

Growing up in Griffith, Don graduated from Griffith High School and served his community being a Little League Manager, Civil Defense (VEST) member, Youth Commission and Community Spirit member  before becoming an EMT with Fagen- Miller (now Prompt) Ambulance. Later, he earned a Paramedic license and became affiliated with St. Anthony Emergency Medical Services serving as Director for 14  years before his untimely passing at the age of 53,  in August, 2011, following a medical procedure.

His co-workers and family have chosen to honor his memory by providing a scholarship to one EMT and one Paramedic student enrolled in St. Anthony Academy yearly.

Special tickets must be purchased immediately by contacting Dale Holsti at 219-306-7361.

Statement From Grififth Police Chief Mance

Police Chief Asks Residents to Be Vigilante in Locking Unattended Vehicles and Reporting Suspicious People

Although some arrests have been made in the recent past, thefts from unlocked vehicles remain an issue that the Griffith Police Department is working hard to combat.  To assist the police department in this mission, we are asking that all citizens report any suspicious circumstances that they observe as these incidents are sporadic but often widespread.  In addition, we are asking that people keep any valuables stored in their vehicles free from sight and that a conscious effort be made in locking vehicles when left unattended.  

Chief Gregory S. Mance
Griffith Police Department
219.924.7503

Griffith And Highland Chambers of Commerce Golf Outing

On July 19th there will be a golf outing sponsored by the Highland and Griffith Chambers of Commerce at Wicker Park in Highland. It includes cookout lunch, dinner, golf, cart, door prizes, prizes at every hole. Open to the public, registration and lunch is at 11 a.m., with a noon shotgun start. The cost is $95 per person.

Contact Info: Mary Luptak or Shannon Peterson (219) 923-3666
info@highlandchamber.com
http://www.highlandchamber.com

Thank you.

Road Construction Information - Cline Ave.

The 400 block of North Cline Ave. will be closed to all vehicular traffic beginning Monday April 8, 2013 through June 30, 2013 for storm sewer installation. Truck detour route will be Wiggs Avenue to the West. Northbound truck traffic should utilize West Main St. to Wiggs, proceed North on Wiggs to 45th Ave., East on 45th Ave. to Cline. Southbound truck traffic should utilize West 45th to Wiggs, proceed South on Wiggs to Main St., East on Main St. to Cline Ave.

Questions can be directed to the Griffith Public Works at (219) 924-3838.

Thank you.

Imagine Griffith Project Needs Your Help

The Imagine Griffith committee was formed from the Ball State Charette workshop held in 2011. The goals of the committee are to take ideas from the Charette  and from anyone else anyone and bring them to life. We aim to work on one or two projects at a time so we can complete them. In 2012, we formed the Uptown Gardeners who plant and maintain the 32 flower pots and 5 garden beds along Broad Street downtown. We also had a downtown lighting event for the Holiday season. So far this year, new signs for our bike trail are being made and will be installed soon, an Open Air Market will start in May in Central Park and we are currently working on some street art for downtown and along the bike trail.

The Imagine Griffith committee meets the 4^th Thursday of the month  at 6:30pm in the Griffith Community Room ( room 107) in the Franklin Center. Everyone is welcome to attend. We always have a need for volunteers.

Valerie Wotkun
Imagine Griffith Chairman

Thinking of adopting a cat or dog?

Are you considering adopting a cat or a dog? If so, please consider an animal from the Griffith Animal Control Dept. To see a list of animals looking for a good home, please click HERE.

Thank you.

Thank You From The Griffith Fire Dept

Griffith, IN, May 31, 2013–   The Griffith Fire Department would like to thank all those that supported us during our boot drive for the Hoosier Burn Camp earlier this month.  The generosity of the Griffith residents and those simply passing through is nothing short of extraordinary.  The $5200 raised was combined with funds raised by other local fire departments and 1-800-Board Up to make a single $50,000 donation to the Hoosier Burn Camp.

On the morning of Wednesday May 29^th Fire Chief Schoon, Firefighter Joe Martin, and Firefighter Steve Stelk departed Crown Point, Indiana in a the long procession of fire department vehicles from all over Lake and Porter Counties each destined for the Hoosier Burn Camp.  All joined Jack Eskridge from 1-800-Board Up to present the cumulative donation during the Visitor’s Day ceremonies. 

This year the camp is hosting 70 survivors between the ages of 8 and 18.  The Hoosier Burn Camp provides its guests a traditional summer camp experience with activities that build self-esteem and foster friendships.  According to Executive Director Mark Koopman, the week at camp gives the kids a break from the stares and questions they get in their daily lives.  They come to an atmosphere where their scars are normal, where the other kids have had similar experiences, and for a week they can be just one of the kids.  The camp is supported entirely on donations allowing campers of all demographics and financial backgrounds to attend at no cost to their families.   

# # #

For more information regarding the Hoosier Burn Camp please visit their website at http://www.hoosierburncamp.org/.

Park Memorials Are Available

Central Park Memorial Brick walk bricks are for sale. Orders are being accepted till July 1st. The price of these keepsake bricks is $50.00 each. Forms are available at Town Hall. Trees, benches and decorative light poles may also be purchased. These have become very popular gifts for the hard-to-buy-for or as a lasting memorial for family and class reunions. Any further questions may be directed to the Park Department (922-3078).

Tips On How You Can Prevent Crime In Your Neighborhood

The Community Crime Watch Program would like to invite you to participate in its crime prevention program. There are meetings that take place in the basement of town hall (111 N. Broad St.) coming up on July 16th (10:30AM) and July 18th (6:30PM). The program is active and is expanding its presence. This forum provides an opportunity for citizens to present their concerns and problems regarding crime in our neighborhoods. Please click on the attached link that shows the ways you can help to prevent crime in your neighborhood and the town of Griffith. We look forward to seeing you there.

Info On How To Properly Dispose Of Household Electronics

The Town of Griffith would like to remind residents that household electronics need to be disposed of properly.

To get more information on this process from the Lake County Solid Waste Management District, please click HERE.

The website shows what items need special consideration and locations that will accept them.

Thank you.

West Nile Virus Bulletin

WEST NILE VIRUS PREVENTION BY ELIMINATING MOSQUITO BREEDING HABITAT

• Routinely empty water from outside containers such as flowerpots, pet bowls, swimming pool covers
• and unused wading pools, buckets, barrels, watering cans, plastic sheeting and other items that
• collect rainwater in which mosquitoes can lay their eggs.
• Place trash in proper outdoor receptacles with lids and dispose of on a regular basis.
• Check roof gutters to ensure they are draining properly.
• Properly dispose of discarded tires.
• Repair malfunctioning septic systems so that they do not openly discharge.

Operation Dry Water

The Indiana Dept of Natural Resources and the Indiana State Police are working in partnership to help eliminate drinking while boating. Please visit http://www.operationdrywater.org/ for more details and stay sober on the water!

811 Day - Call Before You Dig

Enbridge Energy would like to remind everyone to call 811 before you dig. SAFE DIGGING IS NO ACCIDENT, CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG