Fort Wayne Update April 16th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Thursday, April 16
Hi – 75° Low – 55° | 🌧 Rain → ⛅ Partly Cloudy
Cloudy skies bring light morning rain with a chance of an isolated afternoon thunderstorm, as highs reach 75°F with a gentle WSW breeze. Conditions remain mild with moderate UV. The evening clears out, turning partly cloudy with a comfortable low around 55°F.

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Fort Wayne Police Create Dedicated Downtown Patrol District
• The Fort Wayne Police Department has launched a Downtown District with 30 officers assigned to patrol the city’s core.
• The unit will focus on visibility, crime prevention, traffic safety, and engagement with businesses and residents.
• City leaders say the new district aims to support downtown growth without reducing police coverage in other areas.
→ Read more from WANE

FW City Council Condemns Quarry In Letter To Commissioners
• Fort Wayne City Council sent a letter to Allen County Commissioners expressing opposition to a proposed southwest Allen County quarry.
• Council members said residents near the project have raised strong concerns about environmental and quality-of-life impacts.
• County officials responded that the public will be informed early and given opportunities to speak before zoning and planning hearings.
→ Read more from WANE

Zoning Board Denies Google’s Construction Offices In Allen County
• The Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3-1 to deny a proposal for temporary construction offices tied to a data center project.
• The plan involved rezoning nearly 39 acres for contractor offices, staging areas, fencing, and landscaping.
• County Commissioner Ron Turpin opposed the project, citing public complaints and concerns about its impact on the community.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Offering Free Star Wars Day Weddings On May 4
• The Fort Wayne City Clerk’s Office will offer free wedding ceremonies on Monday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Couples will be scheduled in 20-minute increments on a first come first served basis with a limit of the couple plus up to four guests.
• Members of a Star Wars costuming group will attend, and ceremonies will take place at Citizens Square in downtown Fort Wayne.
→ Read more from WFFT

Allen County Recycling Drop-Off Site Moved Due To Illegal Dumping
• Allen County officials have relocated a recycling drop-off site in northern Allen County because of ongoing illegal dumping.
• The new location is just north of 2260 Carroll Road and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Officials reminded residents to keep recyclables clean, dry, and loose, and to avoid using plastic bags.
→ Read more from WANE

Sweetwater Nonprofit Partnership Gifts Instruments To 34 Schools Nationwide
• Sweetwater and Music Will selected 34 public schools across 20 states and Washington, D.C. for instrument and music gear donations.
• Three Northeast Indiana schools are included in the National Instrument Fund recipients list.
• More than 300 schools applied, and the next application cycle will open in February 2027.
→ Read more from WANE

South Side High Students, Veteran Alumni Spearhead Veterans Plaza Project
• South Side High School students and veterans are raising $35,000 to build a Veterans Plaza memorial on campus.
• The project will include military branch seals, buddy benches, an American flag, and landscaping in an outdoor space near the Fine and Performing Arts area.
• Construction is set to begin next week and is expected to be completed by May 20.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Contracts Design Firm For Future Downtown Plan
• Fort Wayne City Council approved a $330,605 contract with Philadelphia-based Interface Studio to update the city’s downtown master plan.
• The current “Blueprint for the Future” plan dates back to 2003 and has helped guide more than $1 billion in downtown investment.
• City officials say the updated plan will take about a year to complete and will include opportunities for public input.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Fire Department Spends Nearly $3.5M On Overtime, Presentation Shows During Contract Dispute
• FWFD reported about $3.5 million in overtime costs last year, according to a presentation to Fort Wayne City Council.
• Officials said non-duty-related sick leave contributed heavily, accounting for more than $1.8 million of overtime costs.
• City leaders are reviewing staffing, contracts, and sick leave policies as budget pressures increase under new state tax changes.
→ Read more from WANE

Urban League Renovations Pave Way For Developmental Health Clinic
• The Fort Wayne Urban League is being renovated to house a new developmental health clinic for children and families.
• The clinic, operated by Alliance Health Centers, will provide services including autism evaluations, pediatric care, therapy, and mental health support.
• Officials say the clinic is expected to open early this summer and will serve the region’s underserved populations.
→ Read more from WANE

SWAT Swarms Complex On South Anthony Boulevard
• Fort Wayne Police and SWAT responded to an apartment area on South Anthony Boulevard Wednesday afternoon.
• Police blocked parts of Capitol Avenue and slowed traffic while serving a warrant around 2:15 p.m.
• Officers were seen clearing the scene around 4 p.m., with few details released about the situation.
→ Read more from WANE

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Why Many Americans Are Turning To AI For Health Advice
• About one quarter of U.S. adults used AI tools for health information in the past 30 days, often seeking quick answers.
• Many users turn to AI before or after doctor visits to understand symptoms, lab results, or decide if care is needed.
• Some rely on AI due to high costs, limited access, time constraints, or discomfort discussing issues with providers.

Why it matters here:
Growing reliance on AI for health advice shows how people are seeking faster and more accessible care options worldwide.

→ Get the full national breakdown from our team at The Nova

Not Talking Out of School: The Hector & Carol Garcia Retrospective
8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Building — Free

Workers Behind the Wheels Gallery
9:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum — $10 – $15

Bachelor of Science Interior Design & Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition
9:00 am – 9:00 pm @ ACPL: Downtown — Free

Sue Davis: Familiar Paths & New Directions
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

The Spellbound Spirit: Photographs by Kirsty Mitchell
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

Mezzotint & The Power of Darkness
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

Experiments in Form: Glass of Paper Works of Marvin Lipofsky
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

46th National Print Exhibition
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Nothing is Something
10:00 am – 8:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Echoes of the Earth: Works by Tom Sherbondy
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ Ruth Koomler Art Gallery — Free

Color Me Spring
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ Virginia Stoner Huguenard Art Gallery — Free

Country Heritage Open Mic w/Chris Hambrick
6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery — Free

Birdy Gosser
6:00 pm @ Chance Bar — Free

Carly Pearce (Country)
7:00 pm @ Honeywell Center — $26 – $85

Indy Annies (Country)
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Sweetwater Jazz Jam (Jazz)
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm @ Sweetwater Sound — Free

Dave Pagan’s Love Jams
8:00 pm @ Wrigley Field Bar & Grill — No cover

Mudland w/Mike Neglia & The Nobles, The High Freqs
8:00 pm @ Baker Street Centre — $10

Tronic Thursdays (Electronic)
10:00 pm @ O’Sullivan’s — No cover

Dustin Nickerson
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $30.29 – $41.29

Comedy Open Mic (18+)
7:30 pm @ Draft Taproom — Free

Jackrabbit Comedy w/Ken Carlson
9:30 pm @ Dicky's Wild Hare — Free

The Curious Appeal of the World’s Most Terrifying Murderers
7:00 pm @ Eagles Theatre — $28 – $48

The Imperative of Culture Renewal Rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition w/Mark Bauerlein
7:30 pm @ Saint Francis Achatz Hall of Science — Free

Chapman’s Brewing Company Bingo
6:00 pm @ Chapman’s Brewing at Electric Works — Free

Board Games & Brews
6:30 pm @ Union Street Market at Electric Works — Free

Latch String Karaoke
10:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — Free

Hawkins Karaoke Night w/DJ Jay Mars
10:00 pm @ Hawkins House of Fish — Free

Thu, Apr 16th🏒
Toledo Walleye @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EDT

Sun, Apr 19th🏒
Regular Season Finale | Kalamazoo Wings @ Fort Wayne Komets— 5:05 PM EDT

Thu, Apr 16th⚾
TinCaps @ Lake County— 6:35 PM EDT

Fri, Apr 17th⚾
TinCaps @ Lake County— 6:35 PM EDT

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— The Fort Wayne Update