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🌱 Patch AM: How Gary moms got their kids through two weeks without power

Spotted on the Gary calendar: 2026 NWI Homeless Veteran Stand Down

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Monday September 14th Patch AM
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Hey there, Gary! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Gary moms got their kids through two weeks without power
  • Inside the Gary storm shelter where kids are doing homework
  • Gary's Hard Rock backs major suicide prevention walk with $25,000 gift

Also on today's calendar: Roosevelt Millennial turn up and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the fish say when she hit a wall? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: Nice with periods of sun, with a high of 77 and low of 65 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 86, low: 68. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 76 and low of 69 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Gary moms recall challenges during power outage: 'I gotta get to my kids' (chicagotribune.com) — Gary mothers describe how August's long power outage upended childcare, work, and food security, forcing them to throw away hundreds of dollars in groceries and scramble for gas, hotels, and relief. Their stories highlight how children, especially those with special needs, struggled emotionally, and offer practical preparedness tips and calls for better local access to food and hygiene support next time.
   

2. Backpacks, Bedtimes and a New Routine: Back to School after the Storms (redcross.org) — A Gary Red Cross shelter is still home for local families whose houses were damaged in the August storms, and parents there are working hard to keep school routines intact for their kids. Volunteers have adjusted lights, activities, and transportation to support students, while the Red Cross shares how Gary residents can seek help if they're still struggling after the severe weather.
   

3. Hard Rock Indiana Donates $25k to Suicide Prevention Walk. (bonus.com) — Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, based in Gary, has donated $25,000 to support the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk happening Oct. 3 at Wicker Park in Highland. The gift, announced at a Thursday event in Gary, will help fund local education, advocacy, and support programs across Northwest Indiana for people affected by suicide and mental health struggles.
   

4. Business briefs: Aug. 11 storm relief efforts continue (chicagotribune.com) — Residents in Gary and across Northwest Indiana can still seek financial help for storm-related losses through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, and Porter County groups are receiving major new relief funds. INDOT is also holding a winter hiring event Oct. 6 at its Gary Subdistrict office, offering seasonal highway and snowplow jobs with competitive hourly pay.
   

5. Plopper, Loebbert set IU Northwest cross country records (nwitimes.com) — Indiana University Northwest runners set new cross country records, highlighting strong performances from the RedHawks women's and men's teams. The page also links to several Northwest Indiana headlines, including a Gary storm-relief payment program and a fatal crash on Cline Avenue in Gary, giving residents quick access to broader local news.
   

📸 Around Gary

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • A Couple Of Great Days
    Yesterday was a mighty fine beach day, complete with a pretty biplane (#5, 6). The sunset featured gold and orange hues (#4). This morning seemed… (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • Back From the North Woods
    Here are some views from Big Lake in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin. It is quite different from our big lake, the one called Michigan. Residents included… (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • Loves posted a job opening for Retail Customer Service Cashier in Gary. Apply here.
  • PENN Entertainment posted a job opening for Count Team Member - Part Time in East Chicago. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gary here.

Ok Gary! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Dam! (Thank you George G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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