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🌱 Patch AM: How Merrillville’s mall became a lifeline during massive power outages.

Be sure to catch Craft & Farmer's Market on the Merrillville Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Merrillville! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Merrillville's mall became a lifeline during massive power outages.
  • Merrillville public media pro steps into a bigger Indianapolis role
  • See how Merrillville stacks up in the statewide preseason football poll.

Also on today's calendar: Craft & Farmer's Market and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Merrillville Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Merrillville Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 81 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Humid with a t-storm in spots, temps: high: 77, low: 61.
  • Thursday: Pleasant with periods of sun, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• How people in northwest Indiana are coping without power (wndu.com) — Merrillville's Southlake Mall has become a crucial cooling and charging hub for residents left without electricity after last week's severe storms. Locals from Merrillville, Gary and Hobart describe scrambling for generators, candles and air-conditioned spaces while NIPSCO works to restore power and clear storm damage across northwest Indiana.
   

• Comings and goings: NPR names Bryan Moffett SVP of transformation, WABE's Douglas Bell steps up to new VP position … (current.org) — A former digital marketing staffer for Lakeshore Public Media in Merrillville has taken a new graphic design role with WFYI Public Media in Indianapolis, highlighting local talent moving up in public media. The piece also rounds up leadership changes and departures at NPR and stations in Atlanta, Detroit, and other markets, reflecting broader shifts across the public broadcasting landscape.
   

• USA TODAY Network Indiana football statewide polls are out. Where's your school ranked? (indystar.com) — Merrillville's football program picked up votes in the preseason USA TODAY Network Indiana poll, signaling statewide respect even without a top ranking. The rundown highlights Brownsburg, New Palestine and other powerhouses while showing where Merrillville stacks up against big-school rivals heading into Week 1.
   

📸 Around Merrillville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Merrillville

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Instaed of throwing your food away, why not check if a neighbor with power/generator can use it, and/or maybe even store some of it for you in exchange.
    We REALLY need to pull together and share our resources with each other instead of wast it. (Nextdoor Turkey Creek)
  • Just got off the phone with NIPSCO and the woman told me 11,000 people in Merrillville have no power till Wednesday 5pm.
    She said that might change maybe her exact words. We have no money or ebt to buy food afterwards till next month (Nextdoor Lincoln Gardens)
  • Albanese Confectionery Group, Inc. posted a job opening for Sanitation Specialist - 2nd Shift in Merrillville. Apply here.
  • BJ's Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitorial in Merrillville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merrillville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hobart

  • IDEM to host virtual public hearing about Hobart wetlands project (chicagotribune.com)
  • Indiana Responds To Storms With Disaster Declaration, National Guard Mobilization (inkfreenews.com)

Crown Point

  • Louis R O'Drobinak (bgindependentmedia.org)
  • New Lenox Resident Leading Walk to Bring Awareness to Rare Disease (fwrnews.com)
  • Noah Poser's top 10 girls volleyball teams and 25 players to watch in Northwest Indiana for the 2026 season (chicagotribune.com)

Ok Merrillville! 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: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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