Survivors of the March 31 EF-1 tornado and severe storms have another resource to assist them through the recovery process.A Disaster Recovery Center has opened at 791 83rd Ave. in Merrillville. The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, as well as May 8 and 9. It’s also open from... Continue Reading →
Blog
Merrillville F.O.P. Lodge 168 Endorses Election Candidates
This week the Merrillville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 168 endorsed a slate of candidates for the Merrillville Town Council Primary election coming up on May 2, 2023. Candidates selected include: Richard Hardaway - Ward 2 Town Council Jeff Minchuk - Ward 3 Town Council Rick Bella - Ward 5 Town Council Shawn Pettit -... Continue Reading →
Merrillville Town Council Establishes Scholarship Program
The Town Council approved the Town of Merrillville Inclusion Scholarship Fund at the Town Council meeting held on April 12, 2023. The scholarship is being made possible using proceeds from the Inaugural Black History Celebration Dinner held this year in February. The sold-out event generated net profits of over $35,000 due to ticket sales and... Continue Reading →
Town Seeks Disaster Declaration Following EF-1 Tornado
The Town of Merrillville is collaborating with state and local officials in pursuit of a disaster declaration in connection with the tornado and severe storms that caused destruction in the community last week. Such a declaration could make the community eligible for support, which includes public assistance, individual assistance, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.Public... Continue Reading →
We were very fortunate tonight! Damage, but everyone is safe!
Downed trees, power outages, and damaged homes in Madison Meadows (76th Ave and Madison Street) from tonight's storms. An unconfirmed tornado but certainly confirmed extreme winds whipped through Merrillville around 8:45 p.m. The fast-moving storm took off roofs, damaged garages, knocked down fences, and damaged parked cars, but as of this writing, we have no... Continue Reading →
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – FOP Contract Signed
This week, I was honored to sign, along with Public Safety Committee Chairman, Jeff Minchuk signed the new contract with the Merrillville FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Lodge 168 providing them with a three-year raise and many new out-of-the-box thinking benefits. I wanted to list below the benefits that our officers will receive in the... Continue Reading →
Town Comprehensive Plan
The town is about to embark on a new comprehensive plan. The plan will be an important tool that provides guidance to leaders and decision-makers for our future growth and initiatives during the next 20 years. A comprehensive plan focuses on creating a shared vision of the future, finding solutions to current problems, and providing... Continue Reading →
Sedona Neighborhood Report by Councilman Rick Bella – March 2, 2023
Topic: Tree Clearing along Grant Street The owner is clearing out trees to market the land for sale. There is nothing currently planned for use of the land. I don’t like the mess that he is making and leaving around the property and so close to Grant Street. The town has talked to the owner... Continue Reading →
New Merrillville Building Could House 6 Football Fields
The Region's first 1 million-square-foot building is underway at the Silos at Sanders Farm. The building is so large that six football fields would fit inside. From a press release that the town released today: Precast wall panels are being erected for the speculative building that’s being developed by Crow Holdings. “We’ve never seen anything like... Continue Reading →