Latest news with #CapitalBGary
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why One Gary Barbershop Has Lasted for Generations
This month, in celebration of Black Business Month, Capital B Gary is publishing a series of stories highlighting businesses, business owners, and entrepreneurs in the city. At 12 years old, William 'Bill' Coker came home from the barber college with a haircut he hated. Disappointed, he grabbed the clippers his mother kept in the house and fixed it himself. What began as a personal fix quickly became more: first, he paid people to let him cut their hair, then, before long, kids were paying him for his services. Forty years later, Bill Coker is no longer the boy who once paid for practice cuts. At 52, he presides over one of Gary's most enduring barbershops. Running Billco Barber Shop for nearly three decades, Coker has upheld a tradition that stretches beyond just fades and crisp lineups. In Black communities, barbershops have long served as gathering spaces — places where people come not just to look good, but also to connect. That tradition continues at Billco's, making it both a business and a cultural anchor. 'I didn't know it was going to be my destiny,' Coker said. 'And now I'm actually walking in my destiny.' During his teenage years and into early adulthood, Coker spent as much time as possible perfecting his craft. After spending a year in college, he returned home and worked, while cutting hair as a side hustle. Eventually, he realized he didn't enjoy his job and decided to focus on cutting hair more. Taking a leap of faith, he offered $5 house calls, requiring a minimum of four people. There was just one problem: He wasn't licensed. Then, when a client walked him to barber college, the rest was history. He graduated in 1994 and began working at his mother's salon. 'I think I was chosen to do this; it just came out of my spirit,' Coker said. 'I've always had a passion for it, and I never not wanted to do this.' Coker worked with his mom for a while; together, they opened a shop called Top of the Hill. Yet, wanting to branch out, he set his sights on opening a shop of his own to grow as both a barber and an entrepreneur. He got his feet wet with his first shop, located on 38th Avenue and Broadway, but soon outgrew it. Needing more space, he opened the first big Billco's in the plaza on 11th Avenue and Broadway, with nine barbers. 'That was the best time of my life,' he said. When leasing no longer made sense, he searched for a building he could own. Driving down Broadway one day, he spotted a storefront that once housed a clothing shop called Just for Me. 'This used to be a clothing store called Just for Me,' he said, sitting inside Billco's current home on 24th and Broadway. 'I just thought that was too ironic because I was looking for a building called Just for Me,' he said jokingly. In 2005, he purchased the building. Two decades later, the building houses eight full-time barbers on one side and six suites for small entrepreneurs on the other. 'It's very rewarding to see just the city thrive, and you be a part of it,' he said. Barbershops have long been pillars of Black communities. And Coker wants his barbershop to be just that: a community. 'We've created a family-oriented, righteous atmosphere here,' he said, gesturing around the shop. 'We welcome so many walks of life. I only want to create a positive and pleasant environment.' While the Gary native no longer lives full time in the city, he still dedicates time to the shop and his craft. 'One of my goals as a barber was to work less and make more,' he said. 'When I moved to Houston, I wanted to do something different. I didn't want to be put in a barber box.' That change came when he attended a hair replacement class in Dallas. It opened a new niche, which quickly took off. Today, he visits Gary monthly while balancing his work in Houston, relying on his team to keep Billco's running. Deedra Jones, also known as Dee Dee, is the first face customers see when they walk into the shop. She has been a part of Billco's for almost a decade. Unlike her boss and friend, the 33-year veteran didn't have the immediate call to the craft. She enrolled in barber college in 1991. Her mother paid $1,800 for tuition, and Jones said she didn't want to waste the opportunity or her mother's money. She obtained her license, completed her required hours on Saturdays, and landed a job at a shop seeking a female barber. 'I've never wanted to quit; this has been my only job,' she said. Jones floated between shops in the region before joining Coker, whom she had known for years. 'This is home; I'm done,' she said, calling Billco's the last shop she'll work in. Carl Blakely, another longtime barber, said he returned to Billco's after running his own shop in Michigan City for a decade. 'It's deeper than just trying to get some money from you,' he said. 'I like creating something from nothing. You come in looking one way, and you leave transformed.' Similar to Coker, he started cutting hair as a preteen and has continued for 30 years. A 'student of the game,' as he states, he learned from watching his barber cut hair for hours before his appointment and practicing on friends and family. Through the faith of one family member, Blakely was encouraged to attend barber school before joining his cousin, Bishop, at Billco's years later. Having his cousin working at Billco's, he saw firsthand the community behind the shop and knew that he wanted to be a part of it — especially the jokes and environment they created. Jones and Blakely said Billco's is committed to service first. Customers who can't pay aren't turned away. 'We look out for them to make them feel good about themselves,' Jones said. 'We're not gonna take it as a loss, like we just lost haircut money.' Having built those relationships with clients, they know that they'll come back and take care of it. For Coker and his team, barbering has never been just about hair. It's about community. 'I believe the barbershop is one of the most important things in the [Black] community, next to a church,' Blakely said. The post Why One Gary Barbershop Has Lasted for Generations appeared first on Capital B Gary. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Jury Convicts Man of Kidnapping Father and Daughter Outside Michael Jackson's Childhood Home
A Gary man has been convicted on multiple felony charges in connection with a violent attack that took place last summer near one of the city's most visited landmarks. On Thursday, a Lake County jury found 69-year-old Oasia Barnes guilty on 17 felony counts, which include rape and sexual battery, according to court documents. Prosecutors said Barnes abducted a tourist — a father visiting from New York — and his 16-year-old daughter at gunpoint near Michael Jackson's childhood home on Aug. 9. While standing outside the home at 2300 Jackson St., the pair was approached by Barnes, who prosecutors said pressed a gun into the 16-year-old girl's stomach and demanded cash. The father handed over nearly $300, officials said, after which Barnes stated he wanted the father to drive him somewhere. Barnes then said he wanted to have sex with the girl, officials said, and threatened to shoot the teen if her father did not comply. Barnes forced both into their vehicle at gunpoint and ordered them to drive to an alley behind a vacant property. Once there, prosecutors said Barnes threatened the father and ordered him to stay inside the car while he took the girl into a wooded area nearby and assaulted her. Police located them later that day in the 2200 block of Washington Street — about a half-mile from where the ordeal began — after receiving surveillance data and tips from nearby residents. The teen stated she had been kidnapped, and Barnes was taken into custody. A black Taurus handgun was found on Barnes' person. The father and daughter later identified Barnes as the individual involved. The teen, now 17, told jurors during her testimony about her mind state during the ordeal. 'I was very scared. It was disgusting,' she said in court, the Post-Tribune reported. 'I'm telling [him] I can't do this,' she told Deputy Prosecutor Tara Villarreal. 'I have to go to school.' In addition to the initial charges, prosecutors last month added sentencing enhancements for use of a firearm and Barnes' record as a repeat sexual offender. The jury found him guilty on both enhancements. When news of the crime near Gary's largest tourist attraction broke, Mayor Eddie Melton said he was 'devastated' by the 'horrific' Staten, a neighbor who has lived on the block of the Jacksons' house for 30 years, told Capital B Gary after the kidnapping occurred that he was shocked by the alleged crime.'It's a crazy feeling because nothing like that has happened in this area,' he said, adding that despite the constant stream of visitors — people come from all over the world — he never expected anything like this on his block. Barnes could face up to 300 years in prison when he is sentenced on June 25. The post Jury Convicts Man of Kidnapping Father and Daughter Outside Michael Jackson's Childhood Home appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capital B Gary Wins Six Indiana Journalism Awards
Capital B Gary took home six awards at this year's Indiana Society of Professional Journalists competition, including three first-place honors for its political and feature reporting during its first full year of operation. The newsroom's government and politics reporter, Calvin Davis, won first place in two categories: coverage of government or politics, and election and campaign reporting. Judges recognized Davis' 'impressive entry' for his wide-ranging political coverage, including stories about how some Indiana counties are unable to elect judges, the potential impact of the governor's race on Gary's budget, and the city's redevelopment partnership with Notre Dame. Davis' submissions also included original data visualizations designed to make complex issues more accessible to readers. His award-winning election coverage included reporting on how Gary women viewed Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, a story exploring low voter turnout, and a visual breakdown of how each Lake County city and town voted in the presidential election. A judge praised the package for its 'great coverage of candidates, data, trends and ideas,' and called the piece on potential budget cuts 'really interesting in how it would hurt the city.' The newsroom's health and environment reporter, Jenae Barnes, received first place in feature writing for her story Planting Hope: Gary's Urban Gardens Foster Community and Healing, which explored how residents are transforming neglected green spaces into urban farms that promote food security, Black self-reliance and a deeper connection to nature. One judge called it a 'beautifully written feature' that 'blends humanity and history beautifully.' Barnes also earned second place in the race and diversity issues category for her story The USDA Is Finally Paying Back Black Farmers. Some Say It's Not Enough, which probed the federal government's plan to compensate Black farmers who faced decades of discrimination and why some say the response falls short. Business and economic development reporter Rayonna Burton-Jernigan, was awarded second place in feature writing for Shoe Repairman in Gary Restores Community, One Sole at a Time, which profiled a longtime shoemaker whose craft endures despite the challenges of working in a fading mall. Capital B Gary also won second place for best newsletter in the state. Our weekly newsletter gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the newsroom's reporting process, operations, and how staff members engage with residents across the city. The Indiana SPJ awards ceremony was held May 2, honoring the state's best journalism across print, digital, and broadcast outlets. The post Capital B Gary Wins Six Indiana Journalism Awards appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Need Help Paying Bills or Rent? The Calumet Township Trustee's Office Can Help.
The Calumet Township trustee's office provides essential services and resources that can make a real difference in residents' lives. Now, under the leadership of Tai Adkins, former Gary City Council president, the office is working to ensure the community is fully aware of the programs available. From emergency assistance to other critical forms of support, the trustee's office is committed to helping local families access the help they need. 'I've always been focused on getting results that improve people's lives,' Adkins told Capital B Gary after winning the January caucus to become trustee. 'I worked hard to help small businesses and local nonprofits grow and serve our community,' she said. 'These experiences have shaped the approach I'll bring to this new role, and I'm excited to keep building on this momentum.' Below, Capital B Gary has compiled a list of the services offered by the trustee's office and how to get the help you need. The township's main office, at 610 Connecticut St., is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applications are processed at the main office from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rental/Mortgage Assistance Rental or mortgage assistance is available for eligible applicants, with shelter space offered based on availability and qualification. All aid requires verification of eligibility. Utility Assistance Help with utility bills is available if the bill is in your name and you're living at the address listed. The specific paperwork needed to verify your information is listed below. Food Assistance If your household doesn't receive food stamps and you meet the guidelines, you may qualify for food vouchers. Emergency help with food stamps is sometimes available, too. Be ready to show proof of income, proof of residence, and keep in mind a few restrictions may apply. Transportation Assistance Transportation may be provided to eligible individuals who are stranded and seeking to return to their legal residence. Burial Assistance Assistance is available for families of deceased individuals who resided in Calumet Township and meet eligibility criteria. Summer Internship Program The summer program is available to high school students ages 16 or older and to college students pursuing an undergraduate degree. The program runs from June 9 to July 31. Applications are due Thursday, May 8. For more information, call the Calumet Township office at (219) 880-4007. Standards of eligibility for most forms of assistance are set by Indiana code and are as follows: Applicants seeking assistance must visit the Calumet Township office at 610 Connecticut St. and provide the required documentation (see below). Two forms of verification are required, such as a lease, Indiana's driver's license, Indiana state ID or NIPSCO bill. The following may also be required: Valid Indiana photo I.D. for all household members 18 years and older. Social Security card for all household members. Birth certificate for all minor children in the household. Income verification must be presented for all household members. If anyone in the household is employed, documentation must include W-2 forms and pay stubs from the past 30 days. If a household member receives unemployment benefits, child support, or a pension, applicants must provide documentation of the amount received and printouts showing payment history. Applicants must also provide proof of whether they receive the following benefits: TANF food stamps Medicaid Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSD) In addition: Applicants must provide proof of all pending applications, including Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, unemployment and child support. Applicants must provide current bills for the assistance being requested. This includes utility bills such as NIPSCO, water and sewage, as well as the cost of prescriptions or medical tests. Applicants requesting utility assistance are required to apply for Project Safe (Energy Assistance) and present verification an application was made. If you or any household member receives income, you must present receipts verifying how you spent at least 80% of your income during the past 30 days prior to your request for assistance. Additional documentation may be required after an application interview. Yes. An applicant for or recipient of township assistance who is not satisfied with the decision of the township trustee as administrator of township assistance, the applicant or recipient may appeal to the Board of Commissioners. The post Need Help Paying Bills or Rent? The Calumet Township Trustee's Office Can Help. appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Testing Season Is Near: Here's Where Gary Students Can Get Tutoring Support
Standardized testing season is approaching, and for many Gary students, the stakes are high. Students who don't pass Indiana's standardized exams face additional studying requirements or are required to take summer school, but for third-graders, the consequences are even more severe. Those who fail the state's reading assessment risk being held back and required to repeat third grade. Recent results from Indiana's third-grade reading assessment highlight racial disparities in test performance: 88.3% of white students and 86.3% of Asian students passed, compared with just 68.6% of Black and Hispanic students, according to Indiana Department of Education testing data. The push for tutoring comes as three standardized tests mandated by the department are on the horizon for students. The state uses IREAD-3 to determine whether third-graders meet its literacy benchmarks before advancing to fourth grade. ISPROUT is used to assess kindergarten readiness based on early learning development. ILEARN, taken by students in grades 3-8, is the department's tool for measuring proficiency in English, math, science, and social studies. To help students and parents prepare, Capital B Gary has compiled a list of tutoring resources across the city. IREAD-3: March 31 & May 30 ISPROUT: April 14 & May 9 ILEARN: April 14 & May 16 City Life Center 225 W. Fifth Ave., Gary(210) 880-4851*Includes after school homework assistance YWCA of Northwest Indiana 150 W. 15th Ave., Gary (219) 881-9922 *Includes homework assistance 1831 Virginia St., Gary (219) 883-2720 Concept Tutoring 435 W. 35th Ave., Gary(888) 988-8674 Sparky Brains Tutoring 6600 Broadway, Merrillville (219) 801-9656*Also has locations in Gary and Griffith Sylvan Learning1070 W. 84th Drive, Merrillville(219) 472-1345 Gary Literacy Coalition 650 Grant St., Suite 8, Gary(219) 885-2229*Does not provide tutoring but serves as a resource for parents, connecting them to tutoring, homework help, and educational programs across Northwest Indiana. The post Testing Season Is Near: Here's Where Gary Students Can Get Tutoring Support appeared first on Capital B Gary.
