Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How national disaster crews are helping Gary dig out after the storms

And on the Gary Patch calendar - Gary SouthShore RailCats vs. Sioux City Explorers

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Greetings Gary! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How national disaster crews are helping Gary dig out after the storms
  • How Gary families are coping weeks after deadly 100 mph winds
  • Gary‑raised AMA president returns home to headline major leadership luncheon

Also on today's calendar: Wiz Khalifa and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid; afternoon sprinkles, with a high of 81 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 83, low: 60.
  • Saturday: Periods of sunshine, with a high of 85 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Team Rubicon Expands Midwest and Hawaiʻi Disaster Relief Ops (teamrubiconusa.org) — Gary is getting a major boost in storm recovery help as Team Rubicon launches a multi‑week disaster relief operation here, bringing dozens of trained volunteers to assist residents. Crews will be mucking out flooded homes, tarping damaged roofs, and clearing downed trees and debris across the city through at least September 8, with special attention to vulnerable neighborhoods hit hardest by the long power outage.
   

2. What we're watching: Weekly disaster update, August 24, 2026 (disasterphilanthropy.org) — Seven people were killed and power is still out for many families in Gary nearly two weeks after an Aug. 6 derecho blasted the region with 100 mph winds. Streetlights, schools, and businesses remain disrupted, and residents needing refrigerated medicine are traveling to Illinois for ice. The broader report also tracks other global disasters and humanitarian crises.
   

3. Urban League of Northwest Indiana Announces Dr. Willie Underwood III as Keynote Speaker for 2026 Annual Leadership Awards Luncheon (greatnews.life) — A hometown success story with deep Gary roots will headline a major regional event this fall. AMA President Dr. Willie Underwood III, who was raised in Gary, returns as keynote speaker for the Urban League of Northwest Indiana's Leadership Awards Luncheon on November 19 at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, celebrating leaders who uplift communities across Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.
   

4. Indiana House Democrats ask Legislature to investigate NIPSCO (miamiherald.com) — Hundreds of Gary residents were still without power Wednesday, and local lawmakers from Gary are demanding a formal legislative investigation into NIPSCO's slow storm response. They want public hearings in affected Northwest Indiana communities and tougher utility regulation. Their push follows Gov. Mike Braun's separate call for a regulatory probe into NIPSCO's preparation and infrastructure spending.
   

5. What We Need to Know: HBCU News, Dolly Parton Passing & More (rickeysmileymorningshow.com) — Gary residents are highlighted for enduring two weeks without electricity after a powerful derecho, with churches and volunteers stepping up as emergency hubs for food, water, and generators. The briefing links Gary's experience with Memphis and broader racial equity concerns while utilities continue working on repairs and a related story tracks growing local outrage over the extended outage.
   

📸 Around Gary

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Gary

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • YAYAYAYAYAYAY.
    WE HAVE POWER. Thank you whoever made this possible. I just wanted to be in my own home. Again Electricians thank you so much (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • My power finally came back on this afternoon.
    At last. I hope this means we were the tail end and everyone has theirs back too! (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
  • Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler - Gary - PT in Gary. Apply here.
  • Pratt Industries posted a job opening for Baler Operator 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: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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