| Open Burning Law in Lake County |
| September 27, 2006
Outside Burning
With the official start of the fall season it is important to inform residents of the Lake County Open Burning Ordinance. This ordinance pertains to unincorporated Lake County. Cities and towns may have their own ordinance so check with your local fire department.
Open burning is defined as “The burning of any materials or contaminants resulting from combustion that are emitted directly into the air, without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber.”
No open burning is allowed except what is covered under exemptions.
Exemptions – The following types of fires are permitted:
Recreational Burning or Ceremonial Fires – Fires for pep rallies, scouting activities, camping and cooking.
Farm Burning – Wood products derived from maintenance operations such as burning fence rows or fields or materials derived therefrom. Clearing operations are not exempt. Burning natural growth derived from a drainage ditch. Burning limbs and prunings only if diseased or infected so as to present a contamination problem.
All exemptions are subject to the following:
1. Wood products are natural growth material. No processed painted or treated wood shall be burned. Tree leaves are NOT wood products.
2. Fires shall be attended at all times.
3. If fires create an air pollution, nuisance problem, or a fire hazard, they shall be extinguished.
4. All burning shall occur during daylight hours.
5. Burning must be done during safe weather conditions, not during high winds or pollution alert days.
Penalty:
A. Any person violating this Ordinance shall be fined no less then $10.00 dollars and no more than $500.00 for each violation.
B. Anyone served with a citation for violating the provisions of this Ordinance may appear before the Clerk of the Lake County Superior Court, County Division, admit the violation and pay a civil penalty of $50.00. If a person does not appear within 14 days of the issuance of the citation it will be filed with the Lake County Superior Court, County Division, for processing in a court case.
Any other burning must apply for and receive a permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). They maintain an office in Merrillville.
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| In Case of Emergency (ICE) |
| We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, nows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign
The concept of 'ICE'is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by t he majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'
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| Unauthorized Solicitation |
| August 20, 2008
Sheriff Roy Dominguez is alerting the public to an unauthorized solicitation for donations in the name of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department does not solicit funds from for the operation of this agency
Neither the Fraternal Order of Police Chris Anton Lodge nor the Lake County Police Union is currently asking the public for donations. The solicitation company, L.A.W. Publications, has no affiliation or contract with this department to raise funds in our name.
Sheriff Dominguez asks that anyone solicited for any money should contact the identified fundraiser, The FOP or police union, to ensure that it is a valid project.
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| Craigslist Scam |
| Users of the popular Craigslist Classified Website need to be aware of an interstate fraud being perpetrated on this site.
This scam involves the sale of newer vehicles posted on the website at below half of their actual value. The vehicle is usually listed on the site for a brief period, twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes, and then removed so it can’t be traced by law enforcement. Interested parties who respond to the ad are later contacted by email.
The alleged seller says the low price is due to divorce of some type of financial hardship. The buyer is directed to send the payment to another state, promising to deliver the vehicle upon receipt of payment.
The seller claims to be affiliated with EBay however no such advertisements exist on the EBay site.
The most current ads have been for a 2006 PT Cruiser, a 2005 Subaru Legacy and a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado.
Buyers should avoid any purchase on Craigslist involving mail or electronic transfer.
There have been no reports of anyone in our jurisdiction who have been victimized at this time. If anyone has been victimized they are encouraged to call Detective Eddie Jenkins at the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, 755-3346.
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| Prescription Assistance Program |
| Sheriff Roy Dominguez has added a link for those needing help paying for Prescription medication. Go to the Links section on the WEB Site and click on Partnership for Prescription Assistance or call, Toll Free, 1-888-477-2669. |
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