LAKE COUNTY, IN – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth Riley Construction will resume bridge work on I-65 between State Road 2 and State Road 10 on or after Monday, March 17.

Overnight lane closures will be utilized during the hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for approximately ten days to set up the traffic configuration for phase three of this project. Overnight lane closures will begin on the northbound side first and then continue southbound.

The phase three traffic configuration will have northbound traffic shifted to the right. Southbound traffic will be split, with the left lane as a counterflow lane on the northbound side and the right lane shifted to the right outside shoulder. Bridge construction will take place in the southbound left shoulder and median during this phase. 

Three bridges are being replaced along this stretch of I-65, which began with the northbound bridges in 2024. The southbound bridges will be replaced this year, with the project ongoing through fall 2025.

INDOT encourages drivers to allow extra time when driving through this area and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists should slow down, exercise caution, and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

SOURCE: Indiana Department of Transportation

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LAKE COUNTY, IN – Indiana Department of Transportation contractor F.H. Paschen, S.N. Nielsen & Associates LLC will have lane closures on U.S. 6/State Road 51 at I-94 beginning on or after Monday, March 17.

Alternating lane closures will occur between Old Hobart Rd and 22nd Ave for approximately two weeks for traffic signal work. There will also be lane closures on the ramp from westbound I-94 and eastbound and westbound I-90 (Indiana Toll Road) to northbound State Road 51.

This is pre-work ahead of the U.S. 6/State Road 51 bridge replacement over I-94. This extensive bridge project will be ongoing through 2026.

SOURCE: Indiana Department of Transportation

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During the traffic stop, Trooper Council, along with Trooper James Williams, made several observations that led them to initiate an O.W.I. investigation.

During the investigation, a search of the subject resulted in additional suspected narcotics being located in his pockets.

A Glock model 23 .40 caliber handgun, that had been modified with a switch, was also located under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

The driver was subsequently transported to the Lake County Jail for a certified breath test but later transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital where a warrant was requested and granted by a Lake County judge for a blood draw. That warrant was executed at the hospital and the subject was then incarcerated at the Lake County Jail.

The driver, Lorenzo V. Watkins, 30, from Gary, IN, has been preliminarily charged with the following offenses:

• Possession of a Machine Gun- Level 5 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 5 Felony
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
• Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug- Level 6 Felony
• Neglect of a Dependent- Level 6 Felony
• O.W.I. Endangering a Person- Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule I, II, III, or IV- Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License- Class C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor

A report was also filed with the Department of Child Services as there was a juvenile in the vehicle. The child was turned over to a family member at the scene of the traffic stop.

All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

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Lake County, Ind. – On February 28th, a body was discovered along I-65 on the ramp from U.S. 231 in Crown Point, IN. Foul play was quickly suspected, and an investigation was initiated by the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post. As a result, two individuals who had been recently taken into custody by the F.B.I. and the King County Sheriff’s Office in Seattle, WA were quickly identified as the suspects in this homicide. Charges are pending here in Indiana.

The victim has been identified as Nelson Daniel Ramos-Rivas, a 23-year-old Venezuelan National. His last known residence was in Tillamook County, Oregon. The Lake County Coroner’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating anyone who may know relatives of this young man or can help us get in contact with anyone with connections to the decedent. Please contact the Lake County Coroner’s Office at 219-755-3265.

The Lake County Coroner will also issue a news release with additional information.

UPDATE: February 28, 2025 at 4:44 PM

Crown Point– Since the original news release was issued, there have been some developments in correlation to this investigation.

The Indiana State Police can assure the public that there is no ongoing threat.

This is an ongoing investigation, and additional information will be released if/when it is appropriate.

The original news release is below

Crown Point, Ind. – This morning at 9:20 a.m., a cleanup crew was working on I-65. As they were working along the ramp from U.S. 231 to southbound I-65, they located a body lying in the west ditch.

Troopers and Detectives from the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division Lowell Post responded to the scene.

Foul play was quickly suspected, and a homicide investigation has been initiated.

The deceased is a male, but his identity is being withheld pending positive identification and family notification. An autopsy will be conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

The Crown Point Police Department also assisted at the scene.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with any information may contact Detective Hamed at 219-690-0036.

The post ISP: Body Found on I-65 Near Crown Point appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

The two suspects have been identified as Cain M. Knaus, 26, from Walshville, IL, and Stephanie V. Raices, (also known as Victor M. Zarate) 34, from Chicago, Illinois, and Bronx, New York. Knaus had an active warrant for a parole violation through the Illinois Department of Corrections. Both subjects were transported to the Lake County Jail. 

The following charges were submitted to and approved by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office:

• Armed Robbery- Level 3 Felony
• Robbery- Level 5 Felony
• Auto Theft- Level 6 Felony
• Battery- Class B Misdemeanor
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash- Class B Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving- Class C Misdemeanor

The above charges are accusations of a crime. Additional investigation is being conducted to determine who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless convicted in court.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by the following agencies in this investigation: Merrillville Police and Fire Departments, Hobart Police, Lake County Dispatch, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division, and the Indiana State Police C.S.I.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

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