Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Gary’s City Hall rain garden nearly stopped stormwater runoff

Be sure to catch The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet on the Gary Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Gary? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How Gary's City Hall rain garden nearly stopped stormwater runoff
  • Need storm help? See what Gary's new recovery center offers
  • Where Gary-area residents can still get help after the derecho

Also on today's calendar: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Do you know what the two sides of a circle are? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Peeks of sunshine, with a high of 70 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Friday: Clouds yielding to sun, temps: high: 66, low: 51.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 70 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Water in, no water out—How a rain garden reduced stormwater at City Hall in Gary, Indiana (usgs.gov) — A major green infrastructure upgrade at Gary City Hall has transformed its old parking lot into a rain garden that nearly eliminates stormwater runoff, helping protect local streets and Lake Michigan. Federal scientists tracked the project from 2016 to 2017 and found it significantly reduces flooding risks and pollution, offering a model for similar projects across Gary and Northwest Indiana.
   

2. Storm recovery center opens in Gary (abc7chicago.com) — Gary residents hit hard by August storms can now visit a new storm recovery "one-stop shop" at United Steelworkers Local 1014 on Texas Street for FEMA grants, SBA loans, insurance help, and mold cleanup guidance. The center is open through Friday and again Tuesday through Friday next week, aiming to streamline access to federal and state disaster assistance after prolonged power outages.
   

3. Northwest Indiana residents receive storm assistance at Gary 'one-stop shop' (chicagotribune.com) — Northwest Indiana residents, including many in Gary, can get wide-ranging storm assistance this week at a state-run "one-stop shop" at United Steelworkers Local 1014 on Texas Street and additional FEMA pop-ups on Lake Street and in St. John. Staff are helping with FEMA appeals, SBA disaster loans, temporary housing, mold cleanup, and other recovery costs after the Aug. 11 derecho.
   

4. Biden-era grant for solar panels might be restored (ipm.org) — Gary residents could see a major boost for local solar projects as a judge ordered restoration of a canceled $117 million grant that Indiana groups, including Gary, had planned to use for low-income solar and resilience hubs. Advocates say such projects could keep homes powered during long outages like Gary's recent two‑week blackout, but warn there may still be a lengthy legal fight ahead.
   

5. Chicagoland Man Convicted of Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor (justice.gov) — A 36‑year‑old man from Gary has been convicted in federal court on multiple counts of sex trafficking, forced labor, and firearm possession after a detailed trial in the Northern District of Indiana. Prosecutors described how he used violence, threats, and drugs to control several women, and investigators say the verdict reflects extensive work by federal and local law enforcement partners.
   

📸 Around Gary

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Free Logistics Training Offers Northwest Indiana Residents a Path to In-Demand Careers —Jennifer Jackson-Outlaw Read on Patch
  • The Last Summer Sunrise of 2026
    Fall hits later tonight, so all of you who watched the summer sun rise, get ready. Frankly, I was happy to have a day without rain for awhile and a… (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • Community Wellness Festival, Saturday, Oct 3, 12 - 6.
    Gateway Park, 399 Broadway, Gary. All Welcome! Join Gary Advocates for Responsible Development for a day to celebrate local wellness, sustainability… (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • Olive Garden posted a job opening for Dishwasher in Highland. Apply here.
  • Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Brews posted a job opening for Line Cook in Merrillville. 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: The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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