The Times from Munster, Indiana • 51

Highland club to screen controversial Wal-Mart film, bi Ljy: 2005 MONDAY JANUARY 16, 2006 times.com Suburban Newspaper I of the Year CROWN POINT EDITION 5 i ik I PIEFHIE Fil RMf JUVU Spirited races for sheriff, county treasurer and judge are expected INSIDE A list of the offices that will be on the 2006 ballot and a partial list of incumbents. A4 Ed Charbonneau, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Local Government Academy, said final changes are being made to the Compact with Voters of Lake County. A4 bidding to be this year's Cinderella man if he knocks out current title-holder Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez in the May 2 Democratic primary. Dominguez claims Buncich can't hold his boxing shorts. Lake Superior Court Judge Jesse Councilman Ronald Tabaczynski, and County Commissioner Rudy Clay defends his 19-year-old championship against spirited challenger Calumet Township Board member Roosevelt Allen.

See ELECTION, A4 Villalpando will learn if he can take a punch in his first election as judge when he spars with two candidates with ties to political boxing promoter Robert Cantrell. Lake County Treasurer John Petalas will be featured in a rematch this spring with County BY BILL DOLAN bdolannwitimes.com 219.662.5328 CROWN POINT Lake County's 2006 fight card features some bruising matchups. Former Sheriff John Buncich is 4WM Sporting MLK message of open dialogue Group offers to moderate discussion of recent event iMiij.iii.ijLini!uu.utiirauiuiiinii-Juii in. iii a iii anpip inn immniu wmm mu iprau i. u.n&wmmmmmmimmmmmi "-11 1 Fv i' I IF YOU GO The following events will be at Valparaiso University today, 10 a.m.

Convocation with Carl Mack, executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers 1 to 4 p.m. Focus sessions on a variety of topics. 4 p.m. Martin tuther King Jr. birthday song celebration, Great Hall, Valparaiso University Union For more info, visit: www.valpo.edu BY JERRY DAVICH jdavichnwitimes.com 219.933.3376 Masked prejudice.

Subtle segregation. Alleged racism. Are these hooded phrases of 21st century intolerance a part of race relations in this region? Sure, lynchings are now knotted to history books. And "Whites only" water fountains have long dried up. Yet other more camouflaged -and not-so-camouflaged manifestations of racial tension still permeate our society, local experts say.

Today, as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day the civil rights icon would have turned 77 Sunday -the racial harmony King marched, pleaded and died for is still a dream. But we could still glimpse King's promised land by transforming one recent racially charged incident into a springboard See KING, A7 JON L. HENDRICKS THE TIMES Panthers defender Mike Minter jumps on his teammate, Ken Lucas, after Lucas intercepted a pass intended for the Bears wideout Justin Gage during the fourth quarter of Sunday's game at Soldier Field. The Bears lost to the Panthers, 29-21, and were eliminated from the playoffs.

Grossman, defense angry over poor play in loss Dead miners remembered at WVa. ceremony third straight playoff loss for the Bears, who haven't won a postseason game in more than 11 years. "I'm mad right now and I'm disappointed," said Urlacher, the Bears' top linebacker and the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. "It's going to sting for a while, probably till the Super Bowl's over, watching everybody else play. I felt like we had a chance to be there." With many of their top S3, 12 MINERS Thomas P.

Anderson Alva Martin Bennett Jim Bennett Jerry Groves George Hamner Jr. Terry Helms Jesse Jones David tewis Martin Toler Fred Ware Jr. Jack Weaver Marshall Winans 4ir Jf it's any consolation, Bears fans, quarterback Rex Grossman feels your pain. Brian Urlacher, too. "Obviously, we're extremely mad and hurt and (ticked) off," Grossman said after the Bears lost 29-21 to the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Grossman struggled in his first career playoff start, completing 17 of 41 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown with one interception. The Bears' vaunted defense, which allowed just 61 points at home in the regular season, the fewest since the NFL changed to a 16-game schedule, also had a day to forget. It never found an answer for speedy Panthers receiver Steve Smith, who caught 218 yards in passes and scored twice. All that added up to the BY VICKI SMITH Associated Press Writer BUCKHANNON, W.VA. The 12 miners who died together beneath the West Virginia hills were remembered Sunday as men who loved their families, God, NASCAR and a good laugh.

"I'm sure there was a prayer meeting goin' on in that ol' coal mine the other evening like we've never seen before," the Rev. Wease Day told more than 1,800 people gathered at the memorial service at the West Virginia Wesleyan College chapel. "I can hear Jim Bennett hollerin' 'Boys you need the Lord in your And I can hear (George) Junior Hamner say 'Does anybody See MINERS, A2 players still in their mid-20s including Grossman, Urlacher, running back Thomas Jones and The Bears were unable to slow receiver Steve Smith, who finished the day with 218 yards and two TDs. ASSOCIATED PRESS linebacker Lance Briggs the Bears might have a chance to get to the Super Bowl next year, too. "We are a young team, Urlacher said.

"If we get everybody healthy, we should be back." Mike Clark. The Times Bridge EZ ni MORE PLAYOFF COVERAGE IN SPORTS UOJJO UUU3U Classifieds E.F Comics D7 7 Crossword E2, E4 Horoscopes E2 Movies B3 Obituaries B6-B7 Panthers shred defenses for 434 yards as Smith, Delhomme lead the way Hamnik: Carolina 'passes' its test at Soldier Field Wild finish kills Super Bowl hopes for Colts 50 cents.