By Andrew Steele 
Star Managing Editor

CROWN POINT - County officials made their contribution last week to a plan to clean up Cedar Creek in downtown Lowell. 
    The Lake County Drainage Board approved the expenditure of up to $45,000 on the project. The town of Lowell will be responsible for 40 percent, or up to $30,000, of the cost. 
    The Drainage Board is made up of the three County Commissioners. "When this goes through it's going to be really a beautiful downtown," Commissioner Gerry Scheub (D-Schererville) said. 
    Lowell Town Councilwoman Karen Brooker said that "Cedar Creek runs through our downtown area and at times the water is very stagnant." 
    It contributes to mosquito breeding and algae growth, she said. "It's really nasty." 
    The project will include construction of terraced stone embankments and planting of trees. It will require the lease of land from the American Legion. 
    Brooker said the legion has stated it would lease the land for $1 for 99 years. 
    Brooker said the project will be part of a general downtown renovation that will include sidewalks, lighting, and sewer and water lines. The town will receive a state grant of $400,000 to aid that project, she said. 
    County Surveyor George Van Til said work on the creek project could begin this winter, weather permitting.

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By Andrew Steele 
Star Managing Editor

CROWN POINT - County officials expressed satisfaction last week with the sale of bonds to finance the construction of a new juvenile justice center. 
    The $23 million in bonds were sold Nov. 14. The county will pay an average interest rate of 4.81 percent over 12 years. 
    The rate is about .66 percentage point higher than last year's rate on the jail expansion project, but is closer to the current market structure than the jail rate was, County Attorney John Dull told County Commissioners at their Nov. 15 meeting. 
    A private firm, Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., managed the sale. 
    In other business, the commissioners hired a tax consultant to review property assessments at Ispat Inland steel mill and BP Amoco. 
    Those industrial businesses, along with LTV Steel and U.S. Steel, have reduced their assessments of their property values this year. 
    Lake County is sharing the cost of the audits with northern Lake County cities. The county's share is $10,000. 
    The major industries assess their own properties because township assessors cannot do it. 
    Commissioners also opened bids for a variety of annual contracts, including uniforms, printing services, janitorial and building supplies, and food for the jail and juvenile center. The food contracts are awarded on a quarterly basis.

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