Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Gary’s Black churches became lifelines during the monthlong blackout

Make time for Urban Hang Suite Wednesdays with DJ Dark Nite on the Gary Patch calendar

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Hello Gary! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Gary's Black churches became lifelines during the monthlong blackout
  • How an out-of-state coffee shop is rallying help for Gary
  • How new regional training could change emergency response in Gary

Also on today's calendar: Friday and Saturday Cigar Lounge Sessions at Miller Beach Cigar Bar and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Very warm with periods of sun, with a high of 87 and low of 71 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Humid with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 81, low: 67.
  • Thursday: Sunshine, nice and less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Black churches help Gary weather a prolonged blackout (stlamerican.com) — After a devastating derecho left much of Gary without power for weeks, local Black churches became crucial relief hubs, distributing food, water, and supplies while neighbors cleared debris together. First Baptist Church of Gary and national faith partners stepped in as officials investigated the utility's preparedness, highlighting both the city's resilience and long-standing infrastructure challenges.
   

2. Louisville coffee shop collecting food for storm recovery in Gary, Indiana (spectrumnews1.com) — Residents in Gary still recovering from recent severe storms are getting extra help, as a Louisville coffee shop is collecting food and supplies specifically for families in your city. Working with grassroots organizers tied to Mutual Aid Disaster Relief and Movement Over Misery, the effort aims to keep resources flowing while northwest Indiana's cleanup and power restoration continue.
   

3. Northwest Indiana police better prepared for 'events once considered unlikely' (nwitimes.com) — Gary's police department is now part of Indiana's District 1 Response Task Force, giving local officers access to specialized equipment and coordinated training for major emergencies. Alongside neighboring departments like Valparaiso and Lake County, Gary police are emphasizing large-scale drills, intelligence sharing, and closer cooperation with state and federal agencies to better handle complex crises.
   

4. Keith Lee's 'God Is Amazing' Crash Testimony Sparks Debate (eurweb.com) — Keith Lee's emotional account of narrowly avoiding a deadly wrong-way crash near Dallas has sparked an online debate about faith, gratitude, and tragedy. For Gary residents, it's the same influencer who recently donated $15,000 to support locals during a prolonged power crisis, underscoring how his public faith and philanthropy intersect with real needs in your community.
   

📸 Around Gary

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Good Morning Everybody.
    Does anyone know a refrigerator repair person who is reliable and affordable? (Nextdoor Aetna/Lake St)
  • Hello neighbors!
    I am a dental hygiene student at Indiana University Northwest who is in need of 1 more child patient to graduate. I am willing to cover costs to give… (Nextdoor Broadway)
  • Progressive Retail Management posted a job opening for Romantix Retail Store Manager - Gary in Gary. Apply here.
  • Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler - Gary - FT in Gary. 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: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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