Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Andrean reopened on time after Merrillville’s devastating summer storms

And on the Merrillville Patch calendar - Craft & Farmer's Market

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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Greetings Merrillville! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Andrean reopened on time after Merrillville's devastating summer storms
  • Still without power? See how Merrillville's community center is helping neighbors
  • Why Merrillville officials pressed pause on new data center projects

Also on today's calendar: Craft & Farmer's Market and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Thursday: Periods of sun; less humid, temps: high: 81, low: 58.
  • Friday: Humid with partial sunshine, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Andrean High School welcomes students back despite storm damage (wgntv.com) — Andrean High School in Merrillville has reopened on schedule for the 2026–27 school year, even after June's tornado caused major damage to its long-standing campus. As football practice resumes and students return, power outages from recent storms still keep many Northwest Indiana families in the dark, leaving several nearby districts unable to start classes yet.
   

• Northwest Indiana storm recovery continues with thousands still without power In Gary, Merrillville (abc7chicago.com) — Merrillville's Dean and Barbara White Community Center is stepping up with food giveaways and support as many Northwest Indiana residents, including nearby Gary, remain without power after last week's tornadoes. NIPSCO says some customers may see electricity restored soon, but others could be waiting up to another week, leaving families struggling to stay cool, fed, and safe.
   

• How Local Communities Are Challenging Data Centers (flaglerlive.com) — Merrillville leaders have hit pause on new data centers, imposing a one-year moratorium so they can study environmental and infrastructure impacts before allowing large projects. Their move is part of a growing national push by local governments to slow rapid data center expansion, weigh noise, water and power demands, and assert more control over how AI-related development fits into community life.
   

📸 Around Merrillville

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Merrillville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Thursday August 20
  • Secondary Open House
    Gary Community School Corp Gary, IN 46402
    3:30 pm
  • School Board Meeting
    Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch 1800 E 35th Ave, Gary, IN 46409, USA
    3:30 pm
    • Friday August 21
  • Ss. Constantine & Helen Cathedral's Annual Greek Fest →
    Ss. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, 8000 Madison St, Merrillville
    3:00 pm
    • Tuesday August 25
  • Tech Tuesday
    Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary, IN 46407
    10:00 am
    • Thursday August 27
  • Open House (For Parents)
    Crown Point High School CPHS
    6:00 pm
    • Saturday August 29
  • Jackson St Block Party
    Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary, IN 46407
    11:00 am
    • Tuesday September 1
  • Tech Tuesday
    Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary, IN 46407
    11:00 am

📣 Merrillville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

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

  • Going forward, I'll never take things for granted.
    This power outage was like a factory reset. I'm so grateful for lights and cool air (Nextdoor Cleveland St)
  • We talked to a nipsco driver this morning in our area which is over by Merrillville high school and he told my husband the whole block of 69th Ave in the back have down lines and trees running along by the high school they are starting there and
    going towards 73rd so should have power in the next few days he said more like Tuesday or Wednesday. They are currently at the church right around… (Nextdoor Broadway/Delaware)
  • Albanese Confectionery Group posted a job opening for Sanitation Specialist - 2nd Shift in Merrillville. Apply here.
  • Pinnacle Treatment Centers posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Merrillville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merrillville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hobart

  • Valparaiso Man Charged After Alleged Public Indecency Incident At Hobart Target (regionnewssource.org)
  • One week without power: Indiana communities struggle to recover (fox32chicago.com)
  • Indiana Responds To Storms With Disaster Declaration, National Guard Mobilization (inkfreenews.com)

Crown Point

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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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