Elect Myesha Jones for Ross Township Trustee

08/14/2026

🚨⬇️TORNADO RECOVERY & COMMUNITY RESOURCE UPDATE ❤️🙏🏽

To our families and neighbors impacted by the recent tornado and power outages, I know many are still navigating damage, loss of power, spoiled food, transportation challenges, and other unexpected needs. I want to make sure helpful information continues reaching those who need it.

🍎 UPCOMING FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS

Thursday, August 13 — 1:00 PM
Ridge United Methodist Church
8607 Columbia Ave., Munster

Friday, August 14 — 10:00 AM
Our Lady of Grace Church
3025 Highway Ave., Highland

Saturday, August 15 — 9:00 AM
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville

Tuesday, August 18 — 10:00 AM
West Side Leadership Academy — Door P
900 Gerry St., Gary

Wednesday, August 19
12:00 PM — The Salvation Army Gary-Merrillville Corps
4800 Harrison St., Gary

3:00 PM — Living Hope Church
9000 W. Taft St., Merrillville

Thursday, August 20
8:00 AM — Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center
1900 W. 41st Ave., Gary

12:00 PM — The Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry
5829 W. 15th Ave., Gary

4:00 PM — Portage High School — Door G
6450 U.S. 6, Portage

Friday, August 21 — 4:00 PM
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville

Monday, August 24 — 11:00 AM
Iglesia Shalom
4334 Tod Ave., East Chicago

Tuesday, August 25 — 10:00 AM
Temple of Deliverance
4929 W. 15th Ave., Gary

Wednesday, August 26 — 10:00 AM
Boys & Girls Club
723 Long Run Road, South Haven

Thursday, August 27 — 12:00 PM
St. Teresa of Avila
1604 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso

Friday, August 28 — 12:00 PM
Anthem Church
6947 Homan Ave., Hammond

Saturday, August 29 — 9:00 AM
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
6490 Broadway, Merrillville

⚡ REPORTED OPEN WITH POWER

The following businesses were shared as locations currently reported to have power. Because conditions can change quickly, please call or check with the business before traveling.

🛍️ Groceries & Shopping:
Target • Meijer • Costco • Dollar Tree (57th & Broadway) • Walgreens (US 30 & Merrillville Rd.) • Strack’s (61st & Broadway) • Ruler Foods • Aldi • Southlake Mall • Menards • Lowe’s

⛽ Gas:
Speedway (US 30/93rd & Broadway) • Costco • Stations near 53rd & Broadway/Gary border • Toll Road Plaza in Portage • Family Express and Speedway near 61st Street roundabout

🍴 Restaurants/Food:
Costco • Meijer • Taco Pros • Jimmy John’s • Portillo’s • Popeyes • KFC (57th) • Peach Cobbler Factory • Burger King (61st) • El Dorado • Asparagus • El Chaparral • La Carreta (reported cash only) • Olive Garden • Chick-fil-A • Southlake Mall • White Castle • Papa John’s (reported carry-out only) • Potbelly • Grand Cafe • Dunkin’ • 7 Brew (US 30)

Additional food assistance has also been reported through Gary Community Schools and the YWCA. Please contact them directly for current distribution details.

Please share this information with your family, neighbors, seniors, and anyone you know who has been affected. Sometimes helping our community simply means making sure the right information reaches the right person at the right time.

We are continuing to pray for every family impacted and for the crews, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and neighbors working to help Northwest Indiana recover. We will get through this together. ❤️

Information and business availability are subject to change. Please verify before traveling.

Please Share🙏🏽

08/13/2026

Please consider donating to this family who lost their home and everything in the recent storm.

Please Share! 🙏🏽

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1QTEGXNzft/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Our Family’s Home Was Destroyed by a Falling Tree On the day of the… Genesis Lopez needs your support for Rebuilding Our Family Home After the Storm

08/12/2026

Tomorrow ⬇️

08/12/2026

Complimentary Meals Montego Bay Grille in Hobart for those affected by the storm!

08/12/2026

Power Outage Update!

POWER OUTAGE UPDATE — NIPSCO CALLS STORM LARGEST OUTAGE EVENT IN COMPANY HISTORY

NIPSCO says approximately 301,000 of its 500,000 electric customers were impacted by Tuesday’s destructive storms, making this the largest customer outage event in the utility’s history.

Severe thunderstorms brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, along with heavy rain and intense lightning, causing widespread damage across northern Indiana. Power lines and poles were damaged while countless trees and large limbs came down onto electrical infrastructure.

NIPSCO says restoration will be an extended, multi-day effort in some areas due to the magnitude of the damage.

Crews are currently assessing damage and restoring service where it can be done safely. Additional resources are being mobilized, and crews are expected to work around the clock.

⚠️ At this time, NIPSCO does not have restoration estimates available. More specific restoration timelines are expected once damage assessments are completed.

Residents should also be aware that reports of natural gas leaks related to the storm have been received. If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor, immediately leave the area and call 911 and NIPSCO from a safe location.

With another round of severe thunderstorms possible overnight, additional outages and damage remain a concern. Trees already weakened by this morning’s extreme winds could come down with considerably weaker gusts tonight.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay far away from downed power lines and give emergency responders and utility crews plenty of room to work.

REPORT AN OUTAGE:
• NIPSCO Mobile App
• Text OUT to 444111
• NIPSCO outage website
• Call 1-800-4-NIPSCO

NIPSCO says damage is widespread throughout its service territory, with significant impacts documented in communities including St. John, Valparaiso and Chesterton.

This will not be a quick restoration for everyone. Some communities should prepare for the possibility of being without power for multiple days as crews work through what NIPSCO is describing as a historic storm event.

08/12/2026

Please be advised!

08/12/2026

Good evening Family, Friends & Supporters!

Whew 😰 What a day!! I’ve been a little quiet today because I’ve been dealing with an emergency involving an immediate family member who was directly affected by the storm. My attention has been on making sure my family is safe while also staying mindful of so many families across our communities who are facing similar circumstances.

The impact of this storm is significant, with widespread power outages and damage throughout Northwest Indiana. Please prepare for the possibility that power may not be restored immediately, check on your neighbors especially our seniors and use extreme caution around downed power lines.

If you are in Ross Township and need assistance, please contact the Ross Township Trustee’s Office at 219-769-2111.

I’m praying for the safety, strength, and protection of every family affected. We will get through this together. 🙏🏽❤️🤍💙

Myesha Jones
Ross Township Trustee-Elect
Faith • Service • Integrity

08/11/2026

Please Be Advised! ⬇️

08/11/2026

The Fire Department is out conducting damage assessment following Tuesday’s intense storm. There are many downed trees and power lines blocking roads in Merrillville. Please avoid these areas. We have tree services out moving trees out of the roadway. You can report downed trees in roadways at merrillville.in.gov/service

Town Hall is closed and the Town Council meeting scheduled Tuesday has been cancelled due to power issues and storm damage at Town Hall. Notice will be provided when the meeting is rescheduled.

We will provide updates as more information becomes available.