Mary Brown worked for the Gary Sanitary District until last summer when a judge upheld a state law against double dipping.

In the next few years, Gary will be home to a new facility planning to turn trash into biofuel.

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and Gary Redevelopment Commission are seeking public comment through Jan. 4 on three environmental cleanup proposals for the dilapidated City Methodist Church.

The state of Indiana announced Wednesday that Alliance Steel plans to invest $19.7 million in Gary, about 25 miles from its plant in Bedford Park, Illinois.

The council approved the recycling facility two years ago, but the company later requested a permit to handle trash as well.

The USDA says Lake County has 24 food deserts and 14 of them are in Gary.

The proposal would have reduced the criminal penalty for marijuana possession by lowering the fine to $100 for people found in possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana. It also would have eliminated jail time.

The list didn't report whether any of the men, seven of whom are dead, ever faced criminal prosecution for their alleged abuse.

Company and government officials say the project will help preserve Gary Works' nearly 3,900 steelworker jobs and could help ensure the 112-year-old mill lasts another century.

City officials say its demolition program has torn down about 60 buildings so far this year, with plans to knock down nearly 20 more by year's end.