Barry Tyler Jr.

"We've gotten to the point in Hammond now where the amount of maintenance we're doing on our roads is abysmal," Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. told the city council Monday.

The city of Hammond has set a goal of zero traffic deaths, but it's still unclear exactly how the city will try to achieve it.

Hammond gas stations will be required to close between midnight and 5:00 a.m. or seek an exception from the city, starting November 1. The city council approved the gas station ordinance Monday by a vote of seven-to-two, following weeks of discussion.

Hammond pet shops may soon be prohibited from selling cats and dogs. An ordinance amending the city's pet sale rules was introduced during Monday's city council meeting.

School City of Hammond's first African-American teacher will be recognized this week.