Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a new study could change where Gary buys groceries
And on the Gary Patch calendar - Aaron Lewis
Hey there, Gary! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a new study could change where Gary buys groceries
- How a Notre Dame partnership could reshape Gary’s neighborhoods for decades
- How Gary police tech helped track a hit-and-run suspect nearby
Also on today's calendar: Gary Truck Driving Recruiting Event at Schneider and 2 more events.
Find out what's happening in Garyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Garyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy with flurries, with a high of 33 and low of 7 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Saturday: Frigid with snow and flurries, temps: high: 13, low: -3.
- Sunday: Frigid with lots of sun, with a high of 13 and low of 4 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Gary, IUN collaborate on food security study that will shape city actions (chicagotribune.com) — Gary officials and Indiana University Northwest are teaming up on a detailed food security study that will guide where new grocery options and healthy food access are most needed across the city. Mayor Eddie Melton says the findings, expected in early 2026, will shape economic development, health-focused decisions, and talks with grocers after recent store closures highlighted gaps in fresh food availability. 
2. Gary, Indiana, Spotlighted in Notre Dame Campaign for Historic Urban Revival Effort (chicagocrusader.com) — Gary’s ambitious partnership with the University of Notre Dame is shaping a long-term blueprint to revitalize downtown Broadway and struggling neighborhoods, and it just received national attention during a Notre Dame football broadcast. City leaders describe an on-the-ground, community-driven planning effort that emphasizes resident input, zoning reform, historic preservation, and strategies to tackle blight while attracting future investment.
3. Portage police: Iowa man fled crash scene, tried to bite officer (chicagotribune.com) — Police in nearby Portage used a facial recognition system from Gary police to help identify an Iowa man accused of fleeing a crash that injured a woman. Officers later tracked him to a local bar, where he allegedly resisted, threatened officers, and tried to bite one before being taken for a court-ordered blood draw and then to jail.
4. Gary Police Sgt. Arrested on Multiple Charges (lakeshorepublicmedia.org) — A Gary police sergeant has been arrested on domestic violence and OWI charges and is now on unpaid leave, pending both a criminal case and internal investigation. Department leaders stress that the allegations are taken seriously and say they remain focused on accountability and public trust in Gary.
5. Indiana Senate committee advances redistricting legislation backed by Trump (newstribune.com) — Gary is specifically grouped with East Chicago and a large rural area in a controversial Indiana redistricting plan that just cleared a key Senate committee. The proposal, strongly backed by Donald Trump, could weaken Democratic representation statewide and reshape how Gary’s votes influence Congress, even as many Hoosier lawmakers express unease about mid-decade map changes.
📸 Around Gary
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 Gary
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Aaron Lewis
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W 29th Ave, Gary
7:00 pm
Friday December 12
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Gary Truck Driving Recruiting Event at Schneider
Schneider National Gary, IN , 7372 17th Ave , Gary
5:00 pm - THE DISCO CIRCUS at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary, IN!
Hard Rock Cafe , 5400 W 29th Ave , Gary
9:00 pm - The Disco Circus at Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe , 5400 W 29th Ave , Gary
9:00 pm - The Disco Circus
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana , 5400 W 29th Ave , Gary
9:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Friday December 26
📣 Gary 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
- Teen and Tween Speedcubing: Ages 8-17
Children's Program Room Hobart -
3:30 pm - New Volunteer Tour
Humane Society of Hobart Inc , 2054 IN-130 , Hobart
10:00 am - 4th Annual Pictures with Santa!
Glenn Barath - State Farm Insurance Agent , 5474 US-6 , Portage
10:00 am - Stand Up For 219 Comedy Show
Montego Bay Grille , 322 Main St , Hobart
3:00 pm - Kids Holiday Crafterevening
Children's Program Room Hobart -
5:00 pm - Exploring World Foods: Cornmeal Cookies - Ages 16 & Over
Programming Room Hobart -
6:00 pm - Storytime: Ages 4-5
Lake Station-New Chicago Branch of the Lake County Public Library , 2007 Central Ave , Lake Station
10:30 am
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
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
- 2 new babies in my family today ...
One was born very early this morning and one was born late tonight. Both my sisters could not have planned it better if they tried. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL… (Nextdoor W 11th Ave) - Humane Society of NWI News - Home For the Holidays.
Cats and Dogs come Home for the "Picture Your Pet" event with Santa. Rusty could not be happier with his new parents, and returning to the HS for a… (Nextdoor Miller Beach)
- Indiana Public Schools posted a job opening for High School Teacher in Gary. Apply here.
- Travel America / Petro - TA Operating, LLC posted a job opening for Porter - PT 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: I couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.