Renee Brown stood outside her house in Gary’s Aetna neighborhood Monday morning watching the demolition crew gathered on her street. It was a chilly, sunny morning, and Brown was in good spirits. This was the day she’d been waiting for since moving into her home nearly eight years ago. “I’m so happy they’re tearing down […]
Jenae Barnes
Jenae Barnes is Capital B Gary's health and environment reporter. You can reach Jenae at jenae.barnes@capitalbnews.org.
Posted inHealth
The First Case of Measles in Five Years Found in Lake County. Here’s Where You Can Get Vaccinated.
A case of measles, a highly contagious respiratory disease, was found in Lake County, according to Indiana Department of Health officials. This is the first case reported in Indiana since 2019. “Measles is easily spread and can be serious, especially for young children. About one in five unvaccinated people in the United States who get […]
Posted inPublic Services, Utilities
High Energy Bills, Gary? Here’s How You Can Save on Your NIPSCO Bill.
Clee Ross still remembers the price of his first car. “$3,382, for a brand-new, 1973 Oldsmobile ’88 Royale,” Ross said. “Midnight blue, trimmed in light-blue vinyl top.” But nowadays, the 73-year-old Gary resident said cars can cost what houses used to, and house payments can be as pricey as an energy bill, especially in the […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
Gary Residents Speak on IDEM’s Plans for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
Inside the corner of the community room of the Gary Public Library, dozens of Gary and Northwest Indiana residents gathered with state officials to discuss how to spend millions of dollars to tackle the region’s air pollution. “You’re a partner, and we’ve got to get this money,” said Bruce Curry, a Gary resident, who received […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
IDEM Hosts Gary Public Meeting for Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hosting additional public meetings in Gary, where residents can voice their opinions on how funds for a new climate pollution reduction grant should be spent. The Gary meeting will occur on Thursday, Feb. 1, in the Gary Public Library & Cultural Center community room. Scott Deloney, branch chief […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Facing the Freeze: How Gary and Its Residents Are Battling a Severe Cold Snap
Frank Kirk stepped out of Fresh County Market on Wednesday, his chin buried in his coat against the 19-degree cold. Kirk, his hands full of grocery bags, said he appreciated the brief reprieve from the recent arctic weather. “This is like summer vacation compared to what we just went through,” the 59-year-old said with a […]
Posted inHealth
Looking Ahead: Health and Wellness Goals for Gary’s New Year
As holiday feasts of black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, and Christmas turkey fade into the rearview, many people, like Charita Johnson, choose to use their New Year’s resolution to tackle their physical and mental well-being. Johnson, 38, works as a home-based casework supervisor and entrepreneur, and she is determined to take her health, specifically her […]
Posted inEnvironmental Justice
New EPA Plan Could Accelerate Lead Pipe Removal. Here’s What That Means For Gary.
From 24-packs of bottles of water in kitchen pantries to fridges and faucets adorned with filters, Black households hold a common unspoken rule: They don’t trust their water. “When you turn on your tap, you should trust what’s coming out of it,” said Chakena Perry, senior policy advocate for the Natural Resource Defense Council. The […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
From Gary to the White House: Hatcher Discusses Gun Violence Prevention Talks
State legislators from across the nation gathered at the White House last week for a landmark meeting on gun violence prevention, where the Biden-Harris administration announced the Safer States Initiatives, focused on highlighting actions that states can take to address the epidemic of gun violence. State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary) was one of only 100 […]
Posted inHealth
Understanding Seasonal Depression and Holiday Anxieties
Dr. Tanya Rogers serves as Edgewater Health’s chief integrated healthcare officer and previously spent five years as the director of family and youth at Edgewater in Gary. With over 20 years of experience in social work, Rogers recently hosted a talk on emotional intelligence and seasonal depression as part of the clinic’s “Mind, Body, and […]