Monday, August 11
Hi – 89° Low – 70° | ⛅ Sun & Clouds, Few Pop-Up Showers | Wind SSW 5–10 mph
A warm day with sun, clouds, and a chance of quick afternoon showers. High near 89°F with a very high UV index so sunscreen is a must. Tonight stays partly cloudy and mild, around 70°F, with a light SSW breeze and some extra moonlight from a waning gibbous.

🍺 Classic Brew Hits Fort Wayne

🚧 Increased Crashes Amid I-69 Construction

🎖️ VetFest Honors Local Veterans

🌻 Documentary Captures World’s Tallest Sunflower

🏈 Tim Tebow to Speak at Rescue Mission Fundraiser

🔆 Allen County Passes Solar Zoning Ordinance Amendment

💛 8 Years of Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project

🚒 House Fire on Wells Street

🚔 Three Teens Charged in Armed Robbery

⚖️ Man Sues City of Fort Wayne & Police Over Mother’s Shooting

⚾ TinCaps Can’t Climb Out of Early Hole at South Bend

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🍺 Chapman’s Brewing Company and 96.3 XKE launched the ‘Classic Brew,’ a crisp, clean cream ale at 6% ABV. The beer, created by accident, is described as perfect for enjoying with music. It’s available at The Crane Bar at Union Street Market, Black Canyon Restaurant, and 816 Pint n Slice. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚧 One person is dead and six are injured after a crash on I-69, one of multiple crashes in the past three weeks. Fort Wayne police link the increase to summer construction, citing speed changes and ignored signage in work zones. INDOT urges drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and be patient as more construction is planned in the coming months. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🌻 ‘Clover,’ a sunflower grown by Alex Babich in Fort Wayne, has reached 30 feet, 7 inches surpassing the previous world record of 30 feet, 1 inch. Documentary filmmakers captured the moment, following Babich after his earlier attempt fell short. With support from the City of Fort Wayne, including a cherry picker to protect the plant, Babich now awaits official recognition from Guinness World Records. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏈 The Rescue Mission will host “A Night with Tim Tebow” on Sept. 23 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum to raise funds for its work in Fort Wayne. The NFL quarterback, ESPN analyst, and philanthropist will serve as keynote speaker. Tickets are $125 and available until Sept. 12, with sponsorships offering perks like meet-and-greets and autographed memorabilia. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🔆 The Allen County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve amendments to a solar zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas, increasing the setback for commercial solar panels from property lines to 1,000 feet. Supporters and opponents attended the packed meeting, with some residents pleased and others disappointed. EDP Renewables said the change would prevent large-scale solar projects in the county and recommended a smaller setback. The Plan Commission will review the ordinance before it returns to the Commissioners for final approval, set to take effect Nov. 7, 2025. Read more from WANE 15 here.

💛 Sammie Vance, a 16-year-old from Fort Wayne, is celebrating eight years of Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project, which turns recycled caps into benches promoting friendship and kindness. More than 650 benches now exist worldwide, including in nearly every Fort Wayne Community School and local parks. Sammie has also written a book, hosts a podcast, and will give a TED Talk in New York next month. To mark the anniversary, she’s holding a giveaway for anyone collecting 1,000 plastic caps by the end of September. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚒 A house fire broke out early Sunday morning on the 1600 block of Wells Street in Fort Wayne. Fire crews were dispatched at 7:18 a.m. and arrived within minutes to find smoke coming from the attic of a home under renovation. The blaze was brought under control by 7:40 a.m., with no injuries reported. The structure sustained heavy damage, and the cause remains under investigation. Responders included the Fort Wayne Fire Department, police, TRAA, utility crews, and neighborhood code enforcement. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚔 Three teenagers; 19-year-old Okyar Woe, 17-year-old Ka Pyai, and 16-year-old Dayda Woe have been charged as adults in an armed robbery where at least one pointed a gun at an 8-year-old. The January 30 home invasion involved stolen items, including a car later found in Ohio with the suspects inside. Surveillance footage, clothing matches, and phone data link them to the crime. So far, only Dayda Woe has been booked into Allen County Jail. Read more from WANE 15 here.

⚖️ Dana Hepworth-Wilson is suing the City of Fort Wayne and three police officers over the January shooting death of his 66-year-old mother, Patricia Hepworth. The lawsuit claims officers acted “recklessly” during a mental health crisis, using a flashbang before shooting her three times. It alleges they gave no verbal commands, failed to provide aid, and later joked about the incident. The city says the prosecutor found no wrongdoing by the officers. The case may be tried in U.S. District Court. Read more from WANE 15 here.

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⚾ The Fort Wayne TinCaps dropped another game in their late-season slump, falling 4-1 to the South Bend Cubs on Saturday. The loss means Fort Wayne has now dropped 8 of their last 11 games since July 29, sealing another series defeat. Starter Will Vermette (1-3, 8.24 ERA) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. The team’s lone run came in the 5th inning when Kasen Wells scored on a ground out by Ryan Jackson. The TinCaps managed only five hits and committed three errors. The series finale is set for Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Read more from WANE 15 here.

Tue, Aug 12
⚾ vs West Michigan— 6:35 PM EDT

Wed, Aug 13
⚾ vs West Michigan— 6:35 PM EDT

Thu, Aug 14
⚾ vs West Michigan— 7:05 PM EDT

Fri, Aug 15
⚾ vs West Michigan— 7:05 PM EDT

Sat, Aug 16
⚾ vs West Michigan— 6:35 PM EDT

Sun, Aug 17
⚾ vs West Michigan— 1:05 PM EDT

The Fort Wayne Update helps readers like you stay in the know quickly and clearly.

If you love what we do, becoming a Member is the best way to support it.

You will help us cover more of the city, and give back to the community.
Members also get exclusive perks along the way.