Latest news with #CapitalBGary
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.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Black Mamas Matter: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities in Gary
This series was produced as part of the Pulitzer Center's StoryReach U.S. Fellowship. 'What can we do to improve Black maternal health?'The question, from a single Gary mom, fell on the empathetic ears of nearly 20 other women at J's Breakfast Club in Gary. But the query, all too common, has reached far beyond the walls of the eatery in Northwest Indiana: It's been ringing in the minds of Black women for generations as they experience the highest maternal mortality rates not only in Indiana, but in the nation. Capital B Gary has sought to find some answers to these critical mothers in Gary have long faced challenges in maternal health care, from inadequate prenatal support to systemic disparities to environmental hazards that impact their well-being. Out of Indiana's 92 counties, Lake County, home to Gary, has the ninth-highest maternal mortality rate in the state, according to the Indiana Department of Health. At our first event, 'Black Moms and Mimosas: A Community Dialogue,' we heard directly from over 18 Black mothers who shared personal struggles and urgent questions about their care and what resources were available to them. They asked critical questions on how to navigate racism in the medical system, how to protect their mental health while raising children, and how health care providers can be held accountable for better treatment. Now, as part of our journey, Capital B Gary has worked to engage with experts, medical professionals, and advocates to help answer these pressing concerns. Coming off the heels of the newsroom's previous dialogue, residents are invited to come to our next community engagement event, 'Black Mamas Matter: A Panel Discussion,' to enjoy free food and drinks while we learn, share resources, and further the critical conversations needed to support Black moms in our community. Ahead of the next panel discussion, we're sharing key takeaways from our first event and previewing the solutions that will be explored in the upcoming discussion. At our first event, Black mothers raised powerful, deeply personal questions about their experiences and fears. These questions shaped the conversation and continue to guide the work toward solutions. After the discussion, mothers submitted additional questions through a survey. Here are some of the questions they asked — and the answers we uncovered through our reporting: Q: 'I would like more details on the cause of the maternal deaths in our area. Were there medical issues? Social issues? Were the deaths deemed preventable?' Indiana's Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) is a committee that reviews pregnancy-associated deaths (those occurring up to a year after pregnancy) and pregnancy-related deaths (those occurring during pregnancy) across the state. It identifies factors that contribute to these deaths, deems them preventable or non-preventable, and recommends actions to avoid future tragedies. According to a 2023 report from the MMRC, 77% of pregnancy-related deaths in Indiana were deemed preventable. Similarly, 71% of pregnancy-associated deaths were preventable in 2021. Substance abuse was one of the highest contributing factors to maternal mortality cases, while inadequate access to maternal health care and maternal mental health care were also significant factors. The state report also found that Black women have consistently died at higher rates than white women in both pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths, despite making up a smaller number of births. Pregnancy associated deaths occur up to a year after pregnancy, while pregnancy related deaths occur during state health data is collected at the county level, specific figures for Gary are not available. However, data from Lake County, where Gary is located, is included in the state's overall data. Q: 'What is the city of Gary doing to address these disparities?' Gary Health Commissioner Janet Seabrook, who also founded local clinic Community HealthNet, told Capital B Gary that solving Gary's multifaceted problem requires a holistic solution that considers multiple factors. 'I think that people know the reality that maternal mortality exists in higher numbers in African Americans and other minorities,' she said. 'The programs are there, we know that they're there, but there are so many other issues, those social determinants that are impacting those pregnant women,' she said. She also highlighted how financial strain, child care access, pre-existing medical conditions, and food and housing insecurity add to the burden on expecting mothers. Addressing these stressors, she said, is key to tackling Black maternal health disparities. Looking ahead, Seabrook said the city is eyeing more ways to support maternal health. In the meantime, the Gary Health Department provides some holistic solutions, including free pregnancy and STI (sexually transmitted infection) testing, and providing referrals to obstetricians at health clinics outside the Gary Health Department because the health department does not currently have an obstetrician-gynecologist. In addition, she pointed to educational and medical resources available through the Northwest Indiana Health Department Cooperative in Hammond, which offers prenatal care, postpartum depression treatment, and health education and nutrition classes. Q: 'How can I handle my mental health while being a mother and a wife?' Maternal mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 mothers in the U.S., impacting approximately 800,000 families each year, studies show. Black women are among the most under-treated groups, experiencing depression and anxiety at twice the rate of white women but receiving treatment half as often, according to a 2023 MMHLA report. Nearly 40% of Black mothers experience maternal mental health issues, the report found. These mental health conditions can stem from systemic and logistic barriers, including distrust of the health care system, over-policing by child protective services, lack of access to child care, getting time off work, and the cumulative 'weathering' effect of racism. Organizations like the Black Women's Health Imperative and Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) offer mental health resources to show how, when it comes to taking care of their mental health, mothers are far from alone. To help remove some of these barriers, experts recommend that they don't be afraid to seek help when needed, ditching the stigma behind the 'strong Black woman.' The post-event survey revealed a strong demand from community members for more solution-focused stories that connect them to resources and support groups like this one. Capital B Gary will continue to explore these questions, seek solutions, and embed them into the community. From the conversations, several key themes emerged: Porchea McGuire, a Gary farmer and food justice advocate, pointed to widespread soil contamination as a significant environmental hazard affecting children's health in many areas.'They will tear down factories, tear down all these other places and build homes right on top of them, without remediating the soil or actually doing soil testing. And then we got kids playing at these parks, digging in the dirt. These things are going into our lungs [and] in our homes.' She stressed the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of environmental hazards from demolitions, roadwork, and new developments in Gary, including soil testing for lead. Dr. Tiffany Jamison, who works with an agricultural program in Gary, echoed these concerns. 'When you're thinking about a place like Gary … we're seeing the effects of the environment and the negative effects it's having on children. I think it's a lot of factors that play into the social, economic, and environmental flow here.' Many mothers shared that they had to advocate for themselves and their children, educating themselves on birthing options while navigating the 'angry Black woman' stereotype with providers. Bianca Wilson, a practicing doula, emphasized that doulas provide a valuable alternative to hospital births and stressed the importance of educating clients about all their birthing options. 'I tell women to advocate, advocate. You don't have to ask permission to give birth. That's not their place to tell you whether or not you can have a birth doula. You are letting them know. You're not asking,' she said. One mother recalled her concern when her daughter's doctor recommended an unnecessary procedure that wasn't part of her plan. The experience led her to learn more about advocating with medical providers. 'When the doctor and the birthing plan bump heads, what is that?' she asked. 'Is that just due to disrespect, or is there a clinical reason? Would you be comfortable with the provider steering you away from your birthing plan? We want you to be able to have your voice heard but want to be safe about this.' Another mother spoke about the lack of postpartum mental health support. 'When the baby is born, a lot of people focus on the child,' she said. 'They don't really focus on the mother. And after my third child, I had postpartum depression, so then it was a struggle, but nobody even noticed that I was going through it … so a lot of times, the mom is ignored and left to deal with it on their own.' The Black Mamas Matter panel on March 8 will bring together medical professionals, community advocates, and mothers to discuss solutions and create accountability in Black maternal health. The discussion will give residents an opportunity to hear from dedicated professionals, followed by a Q&A from the audience. Similar to the newsroom's previous 'Black Moms and Mimosas' community dialogue, residents are invited to come enjoy free food and drinks while we learn, share resources, and further the critical conversations needed to support the Black moms in our community. This event will highlight actionable solutions for improving Black maternal health in Gary, with panelists including: Glynis Adams, assistant director of perinatal services at Methodist HospitalAdams has been a perinatal nurse for over 40 years. Her work has focused on health care disparities and decrease in infant mortality and maternal mortality in underserved areas. Dr. Maya Dominique, OB-GYNDominique is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. She spent four years at NorthShore Health Centers in Northwest Indiana, and she now serves areas across the state as an independent contractor OB/GYN. Dominique also organizes an annual women's health fair in Gary. Bianca Wilson, birthing doulaWilson, a Gary mother of five and grandmother of two, has been a certified birth doula since 2019. Through her business, Birthing with Bianca, she supports clients in having positive birth experiences and empowers them to navigate the birthing process. To date, she has assisted in more than 90 births. Join us for the next panel as we take the next step in community-oriented solutions in our city — and be part of the positive change we want to see. Interested participants can RSVP on Facebook or Eventbrite. The post Black Mamas Matter: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities in Gary appeared first on Capital B Gary.
