School Superintendent Hospitalized After Being Attacked

Northwestern Indiana police say Hammond's school superintendent has been hospitalized after being badly beaten during a home invasion. Hammond police Lt. Richard Hoyda says School City of Hammond Superintendent Walter Watkins suffered extensive head injuries and a fractured jaw in the attack. School officials say the 67-year-old Watkins is being treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where his condition was not immediately available Wednesday. Hoyda tells The Times of Munster that Watkins' sister found her brother conscious but barely coherent Tuesday when she stopped by his house to bring him breakfast. At the time, Watkins' home was darkened by a widespread power outage following severe overnight storms. Hoyda says police don't have a motive in the attack, which occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning.