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 […]
Gary
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 inPublic Services, Utilities
How 99 MPH Winds Left Gary in the Dark for Nearly Two Weeks
A 99 mph wind gust — comparable to a Category 2 hurricane — tore through Gary on Aug. 11, battering neighborhoods and knocking out power to nearly 38,300 utility customers in the city. Ten days later, about 20,000 NIPSCO customers remained without electricity Friday morning. That’s nearly half of the roughly 43,000 customers still without […]
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 inPublic Safety, Utilities
Gary Residents Turn to Each Other as Storm Recovery Stretches Into a Second Week
The trees lining West Seventh Avenue in front of the former Brunswick Elementary School had weathered decades of storms, their thick trunks and sprawling roots becoming fixtures of the neighborhood. Within minutes, those roots were lifted up by a force of wind stronger than the area had seen before. “Those trees have been there longer […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Utilities
Days After Historic Storm, Thousands in Gary Are Still in the Dark
Nearly a week after a historic storm ripped through Northwest Indiana with hurricane-force winds, more than 100,000 NIPSCO customers remained without power Monday morning as communities continued grappling with widespread damage and disruptions. As NIPSCO crews worked through the weekend to repair the battered electrical system after the Aug. 11 storm, federal assistance was also […]
Posted inPublic Safety, Utilities
Gary Declares Disaster Emergency After Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power
The city of Gary declared a local disaster emergency Wednesday after a powerful storm packing hurricane-force wind gusts tore through Northwest Indiana and parts of Illinois, causing widespread destruction, leaving thousands without electricity, and disrupting daily life across the region. Tuesday’s severe weather produced wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, heavy rain, and lightning. The storm […]
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 inPolitics & Policy, Redevelopment
Brothers’ Keeper Breaks Ground on New Gary Homeless Shelter
The sound of hammers and conversation filled the corner of Washington Street and 22nd Avenue on Friday as dozens of Gary residents gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of Brothers’ Keeper’s new homeless shelter. Isaac Mootye, Brothers’ Keeper executive director, greeted guests and officials with a smile on his face. Ahead stood the new construction site […]
