The Associated Press
VALPARAISO, Ind. — Northwest Indiana's Porter County is on track to set a new local record for suicides.
Coroner Bob Schulte said Thursday there had been five suicides in the previous five days, bringing the total this year to nine. Last year, there were 35. If the trend continues, Schulte says there would be more than that this year.
Last year's upswing was nearly double the 18 suicides the county has averaged a year since the mid-1990s.
Former Coroner Vicki Deppe says she doesn't believe the economy is driving the suicides. She says most involved relationship issues.
Schulte says anyone who feels suicidal should seek help.
