In today’s edition:

🐰 Bunny Tales returns to the Botanical Conservatory for Easter weekend

🏟️ ‘Useful life’ study explores future of Allen County War Memorial Coliseum

⚽ Construction begins for new Fort Wayne FC stadium

🍽️ Rescue Mission prepares 4,500+ Easter meals for the community

🍖 Nick’s Bar on State Boulevard reopens May 1 after a decade

🥛 2025 Indy 500 Milk Presenters Hail from Northeast Indiana

🚓 Two Women Busted for Prostitution at Fort Wayne Massage Parlors

Sports

🏒 Komets break attendance record for second straight year

📰News

🐰 Bunny Tales in the Garden returns April 18–19 at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory. Visitors can meet fuzzy animals, take themed photos, and explore live butterflies. Around 3,500 guests are expected. Event included with general admission. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏟️ ‘Useful life’ study explores future of Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
A 72-page study examined whether the Coliseum remains viable long-term, estimating $24M needed to maintain the arena and over $50M for total upkeep. Challenges include location walkability, limited concert capacity, and competition. Read more from WANE 15 here.

⚽ Construction is underway for Fort Wayne FC’s new stadium at Bass Road and I-69, which will be the largest outdoor stadium in northeast Indiana. The team joins USL League One when the venue opens in 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🍽️ The Rescue Mission will serve over 4,500 free Easter meals on Sunday, April 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at 404 E. Washington Blvd. Meals are available dine-in, carry-out, or drive-thru. Read more from InkFreeNews here.

🍖 Nick’s, formerly Nick’s Martini and Wine Bar, is reopening May 1 after sitting vacant for 10 years. The menu will echo The Village Tap, with a softer vibe and returning favorites like award-winning ribs. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🥛 Two northeast Indiana women, Abbie Herr and Ashley Stockwell, will serve as milk presenters at the 2025 Indianapolis 500. As part of a three-year program, Herr is the Veteran Milk Presenter, and Stockwell is the Rookie. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚓 Fort Wayne Police arrested two women for prostitution during undercover operations. Officers posed as clients and were offered sex acts in exchange for money. Both women now face charges. Read more from WANE 15 here.

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🏀🏈Sports🏒⚾

🏒 The Fort Wayne Komets averaged 8,185 fans per game this season, breaking last year’s record. Four games drew over 10,000 fans. Team leaders credit strong fan support ahead of Friday’s playoff opener against Iowa. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🗓️ Tincaps Schedule

All home games at Parkview Field vs Lake County Captains

• Wednesday, April 16 @ 6:35 PM – Paws & Claws Night

• Thursday, April 17 @ 7:05 PM – Thirsty Thursday™

• Friday, April 18 @ 7:05 PM

• Saturday, April 19 @ 1:05 PM – PBS KIDS Appearances

• Sunday, April 20 @ 1:05 PM – Postgame Autographs & Easter Sunday Brunch

  Komets vs. Iowa – Division Semifinal Game 1 – 7:30 pm @ Memorial Coliseum ($10–$32)

Today’s Weather Forecast.

Weather Forecast for Friday, April 18th:

It’ll be a warm and breezy day across the area, with partly cloudy skies and gusty winds. Temperatures will rise to the upper 70s, but be prepared for some scattered thunderstorms later tonight.

Daytime Details:

• High: 78°F

• Wind: SSW at 20 to 30 mph (Higher gusts possible)

• Humidity: 52%

• Sunrise: 6:56 AM

• Sunset: 8:23 PM

Nighttime Forecast:

Thunderstorms are likely to develop in the evening, becoming more widespread overnight. Some storms could be severe. Temperatures will drop to the upper 40s, so make sure to stay safe and keep an eye on the weather.

Nighttime Details:

• Low: 49°F

• Wind: SW at 10 to 20 mph

• Humidity: 76%

Friday, April 18

🎶 Live Music

• Jake Gamble (Acoustic) – 12:00 pm @ Sweetwater (Free)

• Ron Rumbaugh (Jazz) – 3:00 pm @ Astral at Auburn (Free)

• James Baker Trio (Jazz) – 5:00 pm @ Ruth’s Chris (No cover)

• Massasauga w/ Aperture (Metal) – 5:30 pm @ Piere’s ($15)

• Hubie Ashcraft (Acoustic) – 6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery (No cover)

• MaciAnn & Others (Rock) – 6:00 pm @ Stan’s Room at Piere’s ($15)

• Todd Harrold & Eric Clancy (Variety) – 6:30 pm @ Two-EE’s Winery (No cover)

• Shannon Persinger (Variety) – 6:30 pm @ Club Soda (Free)

• Jordan Bridges (Variety) – 6:30 pm @ Vinland Reserve (Free)

• Richard Goodall (Vocalist/National Show) – 7:30 pm @ Honeywell Center ($25)

🎨 Art

• PFW Interior Design Exhibition – 8:00 am–9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery (Free)

• PFW Fine Arts Thesis Seminar – 8:30 am–4:30 pm @ Blue Jacket Inc. (Free)

• Hubble and Webb Telescopes – 10:00 am–4:00 pm @ Science Central ($10–$12)

• Color in Motion (Butterflies) – 10:00 am–5:00 pm @ Botanical Conservatory ($5–$7)

• Grace Yencer: Gentle Turning – 10:00 am–5:00 pm @ Botanical Conservatory ($5–$7)

• National Print Exhibition – 10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Artlink (Free)

• Ceramics & Paintings – 10:00 am–6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery (Free)

• Ancient Methods, Modern Visions – 10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art ($8–$10)

• Expressionism and Spirituality – 10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art ($8–$10)

• JP Terlizzi: Creatures of Curiosity – 10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art ($8–$10)

• Truthful Illusions – 11:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art ($8–$10)

• Sacrifice: The Last Hours of Jesus – 12:00 pm–3:00 pm @ Lakeside Park (Free)

• Joy Groninger: Bound to be Free – 12:00 pm–5:00 pm @ Ruth Koomler Art Gallery (Free)

• Zac Benson: Delicate Moments in Time – 5:00 pm–8:00 pm @ Garrett Museum of Art (Free)

🎭 Theatre

• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – 7:30 pm @ USF North Campus ($18–$22)

🏒 Sports

• Komets vs. Iowa – Division Semifinal Game 1 – 7:30 pm @ Memorial Coliseum ($10–$32)

🐣 Special Events

• Paige’s Crossing Easter Egg Hunt – 6:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Paige’s Crossing (Free)

🐾 Zoo

• Glo Wild Lantern Festival – 6:30 pm–9:30 pm @ Fort Wayne Zoo ($20–$25)

😂 Comedy

• Pete Lee– 7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club ($20–$32)