Fifth Third Bank recently opened a new branch on Franklin Street by Ames Field in Michigan City, Mayor Ron Meer said.

Weeds grow through every crack in the pavement, and shrubs and wild grasses sprout from the untended flowerbeds. There’s the occasional piece of vandalism—two crude swastikas spray-painted on a concrete walkway, a giant penis daubed across a life-sized replica of the cover art from The Beatles’ Abbey Road—but mostly, the park is home to plants and animals. The fisherman is gone by the time I cross the bridge, but I catch sight of what he may have been after: an enormous grass carp, cruising lazily through the emerald-green water.

By 2015, the property was more or less in the same state as it was when I visited last November: entirely abandoned, save for a single security guard patrolling the grounds. While exploring the site with Burton and Bury that weekend, I met three local teenagers who were goofing around near the lagoon; they said police occasionally roll up and ticket intruders or move along homeless people sheltering in the remaining buildings, but mostly leave the park alone. Brendan and his biker friends told me they hung out in the parking lot most weekends, pulling donuts and practicing tricks; they said members of Christ United, a megachurch across the road, sometimes look on disapprovingly, but have never intervened.

The multifunction steering wheel and 7-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system (a 6.1-inch system is standard) proved easy to use, with dedicated dials for simple controls like adjusting the temperature or changing the stereo volume. Unfortunately, the system is still not compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — something we’re told will be corrected in the next model year.

Rosati’s recently opened a sit-down restaurant in Cedar Lake at 13125 Lake Shore Dr., right across from the lake. The sports pub offers dining in, take-out and delivery of pizzas, pastas, calzones, wings, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Pizza options include thin crust, deep dish and gluten free.

Fat Burrito serves a variety of Mexican fare but is especially known for its huge namesake Mission-style burritos made with a 16-inch tortilla, melted cheese and red or green sauce on the top. They are indeed fat and not for the faint of appetite.

The Pavement Hall of Fame welcomes Mounque “Monk” Barazone, president and owner of Geotextile Apparatus Co. (GAC), because of his career-long work improving the use, unloading and installation of geosynthetics including paving fabrics, grids, mats, and stabilization fabrics in the paving industry.

• Nora’s Mexican Food Restaurant, 4102 34th St.: observed multiple cases of possible cross-contamination. Corrected on site. Observed food handler certifications not available at the time of inspection. Note: this is a repeat violation. Re-inspection fee was issued. Observed soiled floor drain and vent hood. Observed damaged gaskets on region cooling units. Observed damaged and unsealed floor. Observed shoelaces used as handles on chip warmer. Observed no chemical test strips on site at the time of inspection. Corrected by next routine inspection. Note: owner refused to sign a re-inspection fee at the time of inspection.

The RS 5-exclusive ‘Sonoma Green’ paint seen on the coupe is also now available on the Sportback for the same extra $1950 any colour aside from Nardo grey will add to the sticker price.

Royale with Cheese is the name of a hip new burger restaurant at 827 Franklin St. in downtown Michigan City that references the classic movie on its Facebook page. It’s decorated with modern art, chalkboard menus, Edison lighting, exposed ducts and a deconstructed motorcycle that’s hung up on the wall. There’s a pop machine pouring Jones Soda, which is made in Seattle with pure cane sugar, the slogan "because big soda sucks," and features idiosyncratic flavors like Green Apple, Blue Bubble Gum, Fufu Berry, Strawberry Lime and Bacon.

The classes are taught by industry professionals for as little as $45 a month and can lead to opportunities for performances and agency representation. The school aspires to be the "Chicagoland area’s premier facility for performing arts training and entertainment industry services."

"Foremen that report to him have this job title in name only," the report stated. "… The public works director is overly focused with hands-on work and spends an insufficient amount of time on safety oversight, good communication and implementing safety programs."