🌱 Patch AM: How upcoming I-65 ramp closures will snarl Merrillville commutes

Hey there, Merrillville! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How upcoming I-65 ramp closures will snarl Merrillville commutes
• Merrillville Pirates soccer searching for answers after back-to-back routs
• How a Merrillville steakhouse is tied to a federal gambling case

Also on today's calendar: Hispanic Heritage Craft and Vendor Market at Southlake Mall and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: I'm a rock group with 4 members; one member was assassinated. What am I? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Sunny and warm, with a high of 84 and low of 64 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, warm and humid, temps: high: 83, low: 66.
• Sunday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• I-65 Lane and Ramp Closures Between U.S. 30 and U.S. 231 (xrock1039.com) — Expect major I-65 disruptions between Merrillville and Crown Point starting Monday, September 14, including a five-day closure of the ramp from westbound U.S. 30 to northbound I-65 and ongoing lane restrictions near 109th and 113th Avenues. INDOT urges Merrillville drivers to allow extra time, slow down, and follow work-zone directions carefully through late October.
   

• Soccer Recap: Kouts Blanks Merrillville (maxpreps.com) — Merrillville soccer fans saw a tough stretch as the Pirates fell 12-0 to Kouts, extending a losing streak that now spans 11 matches. The team quickly returned to the field but suffered another lopsided defeat to Chesterton, leaving them still searching for their first win of the season.
   

• Alleged betting ring leader's hearing delayed, while co-defendant gets looser release terms (chicagotribune.com) — A long-running federal gambling case has ties to Merrillville through Gino's Steakhouse, which prosecutors allege was one of two Northwest Indiana restaurants used for an illegal betting ring. At a recent Hammond hearing, the accused ringleader's bid for pretrial release was delayed a week, while a co-defendant's home detention rules were loosened but not fully lifted.
   

📸 Around Merrillville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Merrillville

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 12
• Dreams & Visions Gathering 2026 →
  100 W 79th Ave, Merrillville

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday September 12
• Princess Tea Party →
  Merrillville Florist and Tea Room, 7005 Madison Street, Merrillville
• Sewing Soiree →
  7805 West Taft Street, Merrillville
• Royal Lunch Adventure →
  Room Qui, 61 West 78th Avenue, Merrillville
Sunday September 13
• Chicago Bears Watch Party at Karma Cigar Bar →
  Karma Cigar Bar, 850 81st Avenue, Merrillville
Monday September 14
• Elementary Open House (rescheduled)
  Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary, IN 46407
  2:30 pm
Tuesday September 15
• 9/15 - Merrillville, IN - Autumn in Normandy →
  Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 2120 Southlake Mall, Merrillville
Wednesday September 16
• Viva Mexico! →
  La Loteria, 540 E 81st St., Merrillville
  6:00 pm
Saturday September 19
• Hispanic Heritage Craft and Vendor Market at Southlake Mall →
  2109 Southlake Mall, Merrillville
  10:00 am

📣 Merrillville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday September 11
• Free Patriot's Day Concert →
  Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St., Crown Point
  5:00 pm
Saturday September 12
• TalkativeChic Presents Chicagoland Stand-up Comedy Show →
  Art Theater, 230 Main Street, Hobart
• Run for the Dogs 5k - Crown Point →
  Crown Point IN
• Kayaking Workshop (ACA Level 2 Coastal) →
  Robinson Lake, Hobart, IN, 5250 Liverpool Road, Hobart

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

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Attention Neighbors:
  Lake county Food Bank will be coming to my church tomorrow, Thursday September 10, 2026 @1pm with a mini Truck to distribute food to at least 200… (Nextdoor Glen Park)

• DTLR, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager - Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN in Merrillville. Apply here.
• Easy Ice posted a job opening for Level I Commercial Refrigeration Technician HVAC-R in Merrillville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merrillville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hobart

• Hobart Man Charged After Alleged Resistance Leaves Portage Officer Injured (regionnewssource.org)

Crown Point

• Purdue Northwest faculty and staff get free admission to games (nwitimes.com)
• I-65 Lane and Ramp Closures Between U.S. 30 and U.S. 231 (indiana105.com)
• Travel advisors reflect on 9/11, and what came after (travelweekly.com)

Schererville

• Schererville IN Land & Lots For Sale (zillow.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: Mount Rushmore (Thank you J.J. W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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