For James Hendricks, owner of Koney King and Cut Time Barbershop, two businesses in the Midtown area of Gary, Aug. 11 began like a typical business day. He opened both businesses and welcomed clients and customers. But within hours, the weather would take a turn and bring one of the worst days that Gary has […]
Community
Posted inCommunity, Events
Where to Find Free Food in Northwest Indiana This September
Following the Aug. 11 storm that caused widespread damage across Northwest Indiana, including Gary, local organizations and nonprofits are hosting dozens of free food distributions and relief events throughout September. Below is a list of food distributions, disaster relief, and hot meals scheduled throughout September: Thursday, Sept. 10 Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center1900 W. 41st Ave., […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Politics & Policy, Utilities
Gary Residents Survived a Historic Blackout by Turning to One Another
It was a regular Tuesday for Adriana Harris. She had just left breakfast and stopped at a gas station on the way home when the sky went white. “It started pouring down, raining like crazy,” she said. “Everything turned white. The rain was so hard you couldn’t even see the pumps.” She and her boyfriend […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy, Youth
Gary’s $50 Million YMCA Project Brings Long-Awaited Investment to the West Side
One of Gary’s most anticipated developments is weeks away from opening its doors. City and regional leaders gathered Wednesday to celebrate the completion of the new 91,000-square-foot YMCA on the city’s west side. The $50 million investment will bring fitness, child care, and youth programs to the Tolleston neighborhood. Located at 1771 Taney Place, on […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Public Services, Utilities
Churches, a Lawsuit and the Governor Are Pressuring NIPSCO After Gary’s Blackout
As power slowly returns to homes and businesses in Gary and across Northwest Indiana, Black faith leaders and elected officials alike are turning their focus to restoration, accountability, and solutions for future weather events. Fewer than 2,500 NIPSCO customers in Gary remained without power as of Tuesday morning, but that is more than 70% of […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather
I Grew Up in Gary. I’ve Never Seen a Power Outage Like This.
I’ve experienced dozens of power outages growing up in Gary. But usually an outage had boundaries. A neighborhood, a section of a city, or maybe part of a county. You could drive a few miles and eventually find light again. But last Tuesday, as my wife and I drove through Merrillville, Hobart, and Portage in […]
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety, Utilities
After 8 Days Without Power, Thousands in Gary Could Face Another Week in the Dark
Eight days after a historic storm knocked out power to most of Gary, a NIPSCO official announced that the utility is targeting 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, to fully restore power to the city. For some Gary residents, that could mean nearly two weeks without electricity. Melody Birmingham, executive vice president and utilities group president […]
Posted inCommunity
Need Help After the Storm? Resources Are Available for Northwest Indiana Residents.
Northwest Indiana residents still recovering from last week’s storm and widespread power outage can get free food, oxygen refills, cleanup assistance, and other support at locations across the region. As power restoration and cleanup efforts continue, city officials, churches, nonprofits, and businesses have mobilized to provide essential services. Free Hot Meals Tuesday, Aug. 18 Dean […]
Posted inCommunity, Education
Where Northwest Indiana Residents Can Find Free Food in August
As schools reopen and many families continue to navigate rising food costs, churches, schools and nonprofit organizations across Northwest Indiana will host dozens of free food distributions throughout August. The distributions come as changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, continue to affect households across Indiana. State and federal eligibility requirements have tightened […]
Posted inCommunity
Gary’s Pop-Up Roller Rink Revives a Black Tradition of Community Gathering
If you’ve driven down Broadway over the past few weeks, then you may have seen dozens gathered under the Jackson 5 mural overlooking Fifth Avenue. For several weeks this summer, the Gary Arts Council transformed the space beneath the mural into a community gathering place for an often-forgotten activity: roller skating. “Skating is something that […]
