Fort Wayne Update April 3rd

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, April 3
Hi – 64° Low – 49° | 🌦 Scattered Showers → 🌧 Showers
Morning brings scattered rain showers with highs near 64°F and a light S breeze. Clouds linger into the afternoon. The night stays overcast with occasional showers, dipping to 49°F under gentle SSE winds and a 40% chance of rain—perfect for cozy indoor plans.

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Officials Warn of Dangerous River Flooding in Allen County
• Emergency officials say rising river levels from recent storms are causing road closures and fast-moving water
• The Maumee River reached 17 feet (minor flood stage) and is expected to rise to 20 feet by Monday
• Debris buildup near Hosey Dam and swift currents pose serious risks, with officials urging residents to stay away from waterways
→ Read more from WANE

Rescue Mission Raises Funds for Easter Meals
• The Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne is collecting donations to provide warm meals for people in need on Easter Sunday
• The effort aims to support individuals who may otherwise spend the holiday alone
• Community members can contribute to help ensure everyone has a meal during the holiday
→ Read more from WPTA

Firearm Accidentally Discharges In Coffee Shop Bathroom
• A customer’s firearm went off in the bathroom of Fortezza after slipping from a sink
• No one was hit by the bullet, but the customer was injured by shattered porcelain
• The coffee shop said it is reviewing and strengthening safety protocols
→ Read more from WANE

Spring Allergies Trigger Sneezing and Congestion
• Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to harmless substances like pollen, pet dander, or food
• Symptoms are often worse during dry spring weather and include runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion
• Over-the-counter medications and minimizing pollen exposure by changing clothes, showering, and keeping windows closed can help manage symptoms
→ Read more from WANE

Fire Breaks Out at Pikes Pub in Southwest Allen County
• Flames were reported at the rear of Pikes Pub on Winchester Road, and the bar was evacuated without injuries
• Firefighters took about an hour to control the blaze, and the cause remains under investigation
• Pikes Pub was previously in the news for a 2025 alleged Outlaws motorcycle club attack, with defendants still in court
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne International Airport Sees Spring Break Travel Increase
• The airport expects higher passenger traffic and offers in-terminal activities like giveaways, popcorn, and games
• Travelers are advised to arrive 90 minutes early or 2 hours for Allegiant flights due to busy security lines
• FWA will add two United flights to Chicago O’Hare in April and start nonstop Allegiant flights to Las Vegas on May 21
→ Read more from WANE

Lutheran Health Network’s Peanut Butter Drive Breaks Record
• The 2026 “Jars of Love” campaign collected 11,972 jars, more than double last year’s total of 5,984
• Donations include peanut butter and other nut butters for six local food banks in Fort Wayne and surrounding counties
• Community Harvest Food Bank and other organizations will distribute the items to children, seniors, and families in need
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne FC Stadium Named Ruoff Mortgage Stadium
• Fort Wayne FC Park on Bass Road will now be called Ruoff Mortgage Stadium under a multi-year naming rights deal
• The privately funded stadium will seat over 9,200 and feature suites, a fan zone, locker rooms, and a 120’x35’ LED videoboard
• The venue will host soccer, other sports, concerts, trade shows, and weddings as a regional entertainment hub
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Fire Department Promotes Daniel Etzcorn to Assistant Chief
• Daniel Etzcorn, an 11-year FWFD veteran, is promoted from District Chief of EMS to Assistant Chief of EMS
• He previously served as a lieutenant, SCUBA team leader, and adjunct academy instructor for recruit training
• Etzcorn began his career in 2010 with New Haven Fire Department and also worked as a paramedic for TRAA EMS
→ Read more from WFFT

Manslaughter Plea for 2024 Fort Wayne Shooting
• Dwayne Sims, 64, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to voluntary manslaughter in a 2024 apartment complex shooting
• His original charges included murder, voluntary manslaughter, and a firearm sentence enhancement, which could be dropped under the plea deal
• If approved by a judge, Sims will serve at least 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 2026
→ Read more from WANE

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Republicans Unveil Plan To End DHS Shutdown
• Republican leaders in Congress announced a two-track plan to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and end the record-setting partial shutdown.
• The first step would fund most of DHS, while delaying funding for immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol.
• A second effort would later attempt to fund those agencies through party-line legislation.
• While President Trump supports the plan, it still faces uncertainty in Congress.

Why it matters here:
Ending the shutdown could restore stability to airport security, disaster response, and other federal services residents rely on.

→ 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

2026 Annual Juried Student Exhibition
8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery — Free

The Spellbound Spirit: Photographs by Kirsty Mitchell
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

A Life Reflected in Glass
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Mezzotint & The Power of Darkness
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Experiments in Form: Glass Works of Marvin Lipofsky
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

46th National Print Exhibition
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Nothing is Something
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

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

Mitchell Wiebell: Kleinfunde
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm @ Garrett Museum of Art — Free

Sun.Dyle w/Sunshine Production Factory, Man of the Flood, oxenfree
6:00 pm @ Ambrosia Orchard — $5

ta’korei
6:30 pm @ Club Soda — Free

Ethan William Bowers
7:00 pm @ Barrel & Blaze — Free

Quincy Sanders & Jim Steele
7:30 pm @ Nick's Martini & Wine Bar — Free

Gwar w/Soulfly, King Parrot
7:30 pm @ Piere’s Entertainment Center (Century Music Hall)

Summit City Brass
8:00 pm @ Mad Anthony Brewing Company — Free

Rekt – Friday Night Vibes
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Cicadas
8:30 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — Free

Los Electro
9:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — $5

Wayne “The Train” Hancock w/Denny & The Down and Outers
9:30 pm @ The Brass Rail — $12–$15

Clue: Live on Stage
8:00 pm @ Embassy Theatre

Retiree Rambles
10:00 am @ Lindenwood Nature Preserve — Free

Teachers Gone Bad
4:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $30.29

Kristin Key
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $28.29–$38.99

Fri, Apr 3rd🏒
Iowa Heartlanders @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EDT

Sat, Apr 4th🏒
Superhero Night | Iowa Heartlanders @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EDT

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— The Fort Wayne Update