1,078 Bags of Help + Wrestling Returns + A Highland Bank Robbery

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On Nov. 8, 2008, the Centier Bank in Highland became the scene of a bank robbery that would eventually lead to federal convictions and prison sentences.

Gary resident Lamar D. Washington later pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing the Highland branch. In 2010, he was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team, or GRIT Task Force.

Another Gary resident, Lajaun T. Lee, was also convicted in connection with the Highland Centier robbery. He received 37 months in federal prison, two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $7,488 in restitution.

But the location has an even deeper connection to Highland history.

Centier traces its roots to Whiting in 1895, but when the family-owned bank began expanding beyond its hometown, Highland was first. The bank, then known as First Bank of Whiting, opened its first branch in Highland in 1963.

That made Highland the starting point for a branch network that would eventually spread across Northwest Indiana and beyond.

More than four decades later, the Nov. 8 robbery brought federal investigators to a bank with unusually deep roots in the community.

What began as a temporary effort to help neighbors struggling to afford food has grown into a grassroots network serving communities across north Lake County.

Our Neighbor’s Pantry recently marked its first anniversary after launching in October 2025. Organizers say the group formed in response to changes affecting SNAP benefits, expecting the need to be temporary.

Instead, neighbors kept showing up.

In its first year, the volunteer-led group distributed 1,078 bags of groceries while operating without a building, paid staff or traditional food pantry.

Volunteers use their own homes as mini-warehouses, collect and sort donations, host free neighborhood markets, stock Little Free Pantries and bring food directly into the communities they serve.

One of the group’s Highland projects is a Neighbor Care Closet at Warren Elementary, stocked with food and hygiene items that students can access when their families need extra support.

A second closet operates at Irving Elementary in Hammond.

Before fall break, volunteers filled the closets with breakfast foods, snacks, easy meal options and hygiene supplies. The timing is intentional because school breaks can be especially difficult for children who normally receive breakfast and lunch at school.

Organizers shared that one Warren-area family was recently able to receive food after experiencing a house fire, showing how the closet can also provide immediate help when an unexpected crisis hits.

Our Neighbor’s Pantry follows a barrier-free model. There is no ID requirement, registration or proof of income.

The group serves Highland, Griffith, Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Whiting and other nearby communities through pop-up markets, school closets and local Blessing Boxes.

Their final Neighbor Market of the 2026 season was held Oct. 11, but the work continues year-round through pantry restocking, school closets and direct community support.

Everything is powered by donations and volunteers.

Community members have purchased items from the group’s Amazon Wishlist, dropped donations on porches, assembled meal and birthday kits, grown extra produce to share, stocked Blessing Boxes and volunteered at grocery giveaways.

Local churches, civic groups, businesses and community organizations have also stepped in with donations, space and other support.

Current high-priority needs include

👉 Shop the Our Neighbor’s Pantry Amazon Wishlist

Donations can also be made through:

Zelle: 219-359-7082
Venmo: @LAUMEND

For cash or check donations, message Our Neighbor’s Pantry for details at [email protected]

After one year, what organizers once thought would be temporary has become something much bigger: neighbors feeding neighbors, one bag, one pantry and one family at a time.

Highland’s improved ISO fire protection rating moves from Class 4 to Class 3 on Jan. 1, and town officials say residents and businesses may want to let their insurance agents know.

Insurers use ISO ratings when evaluating a community’s fire protection, including the fire department, water supply, emergency communications and prevention efforts. Insurance broker Tom Brown told the Highland City Council at the Oct 26th meeting that businesses may see the biggest impact, while homeowners’ results will vary by insurer.

Because some insurance companies may take months to receive the updated rating, Brown recommends contacting your agent before your next renewal so the new Class 3 rating can be considered.

Yesterday I shared how Celebration Shoutouts work. Today, here’s how you earn them - and a few other rewards - just by sharing Highland Local Scoop with people you know.

Every subscriber gets a personal referral link. When someone subscribes through your link, the system automatically keeps track for you. There’s nothing to submit and nothing to tally yourself.

When you reach a milestone, you’ll automatically receive an email letting you know what you earned and how to redeem it.

And your referrals keep stacking up, even before I add new rewards. You don’t have to wait to start sharing - every referral you earn now will still count toward future milestones, so you’ll already be that much closer when new rewards are added.

And I’m hoping to add even more.

I’m also looking for businesses located in Highland or businesses that regularly serve Highland customers to sponsor a monthly referral reward.

All you have to do is provide the reward. I’ll handle the rest - adding it to the referral program, explaining it to readers, tracking when the milestone is reached and mentioning your business in Highland Local Scoop throughout the month your reward is featured.

If that sounds like a fit for your business, just hit reply and let me know.

So if you know someone who lives, eats, shops or plays in Highland, send them your referral link. You help grow the Scoop, and you may earn a few fun ways to celebrate people you care about along the way.

All the ways you can send events, shoutouts, local news and other community finds directly to Highland Local Scoop.

Highland girls wrestling is back on the mat this week, and the Trojans enter the 2026-27 season with some serious postseason experience returning.

Last season, Highland sent three wrestlers to the IHSAA State Finals. Kennedy S. finished 8th at 120 pounds, Melody V. qualified at 145, and Aleks B. captured the 155-pound state championship along with the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award.

Kennedy returns this season as a senior, while Melody is back for her junior year after qualifying for state in each of the past two seasons.

The Trojans open the season Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Lowell at 6 p.m. Their first home meet is Nov. 11 against Hobart, followed by the Highland Girls Tournament on Saturday, Nov. 14.

After finishing fourth at last year’s sectional and sending eight wrestlers on to regionals, Highland will be looking to build on that postseason run this winter.