Joe Taylor slips on a set of dog tags as judge Douglas Thiele looks on during a ceremony at Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday. Taylor was the first in the county to graduate from the Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Court, a program designed to help veterans struggling with criminal difficulties. The course, which involved a social worker and court appearances, took 18 months to complete. At least 10 other veterans are at various stages in the program. The grant supporting Lake County’s VA Treatment Court has been extended until April 2018. – Bob Minenna
