Thursday, December 11
Hi 27° Low 15° | ❄ Scattered Snow Showers, Flurries Tonight
Thursday brings flurries and a few snow showers throughout the day with highs around 27°F. Breezy W winds will make it feel colder at times. Tonight, expect a few more snow showers with lows dropping to 15°F under mostly cloudy skies.

🏫 Children’s Village Early Learning Center To Close

💨 Fort Wayne Approves Cigar Lounges

👮 FWPD Unions Secure 3% Raise

🚌 New CitiLink Bus Shelter Boosts Accessibility

🦓 Fort Wayne Zoo’s African Veldt Barn Construction

🏥 University of Saint Francis Acquires Leffler Academy

🛠️ Fort Wayne Completes $41M Infrastructure Upgrades

⚖️ Fort Wayne Woman Faces Bestiality Charges

🏈 TOTW: Bishop Dwenger Saints Football

🏫 Lutheran Social Services of Indiana’s Children’s Village Early Learning Center in Fort Wayne will close on January 16, 2026. The closure follows the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration suspending vouchers for infants and newly qualified families, which reduced access for potential students. The center, open since 2006, has served over 1,500 families using a curriculum-based, intergenerational model including chapel, small-motor activities, sing-alongs, and shared exercise sessions. Capacity was 116 children, but enrollment dropped to 48% (56 children) after voucher changes. Brightpoint will assist families in transferring vouchers to other childcare programs. Read more from WANE 15 here.

💨 Fort Wayne City Council passed an ordinance allowing cigar lounges indoors with alcohol and food, following specific rules: owners must have a liquor permit, lounges are 21+, food/beverage sales must be under 60% of revenue, and at least 20% of income after one year must come from cigars and humidors. Smoking is limited to cigars, and signs must indicate cigarette smoking is prohibited. The ordinance passed 8-1, with councilman Marty Bender dissenting. Supporters cited adult choice and economic benefits; opponents raised public health concerns, including youth exposure. Read more from WANE 15 here.

👮 Fort Wayne police officers will receive a 3% raise in 2026, higher than the 1.5%–2% raises city employees received this year. The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, and FWPD created an internal plan increasing the time bank from 240 to 400 hours, saving $600,000 and avoiding extra city spending. The base salary for FWPD officers will reach $82,000, helping keep the department competitive amid Indiana State Police raises and Senate Bill One impacts. City Council approved the contracts with strong support; no votes opposed the agreements. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚌 A new CitiLink bus shelter outside The League in Fort Wayne improves accessibility for riders with disabilities. The shelter features wider space for mobility devices, visual markers for low-vision riders, leaning bars, and real-time passenger information both audibly and visually. A planned cane trail will help blind riders navigate from the shelter to the building. The shelter has been in place for six months, with positive rider feedback, providing a clear and consistent place to wait. CitiLink hopes this design will guide future universally accessible bus stops. Read more from WFFT here.

🦓 The Fort Wayne Zoo is building a new 17,000 sq. ft. African Veldt barn, nearly double the size of the current 9,000 sq. ft. structure from the 1970s. The barn will house birds and hoofstock, including vultures, storks, wildebeest, sitatunga, impalas, and zebras. Each species will have private access to outdoor yards, with a middle lane connecting the spaces. The design prioritizes animal health and safety and incorporates curator input. Construction began with prep in March 2025 and a groundbreaking in April, with completion expected in February 2026. The old barn may be repurposed or eventually replaced for future habitat expansion. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏥 The University of Saint Francis acquired Leffler Academy to expand affordable healthcare career education. Starting spring 2026, programs will be offered in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, and Lafayette. Students can earn certificates and degrees in fields like nursing, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, and medical assisting. Tuition ranges from $1,150–$2,950 per semester for certificates and $5,800–$8,750 per semester for 1–2 year programs. High school juniors and seniors can access dual-credit opportunities, and financial aid or employer tuition reimbursement may apply. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🛠️ Fort Wayne completed over $41 million in neighborhood infrastructure improvements during the 2025 construction season. Projects included road, sidewalk, trail, alley, bridge, and street lighting upgrades across all four quadrants of the city. Highlights include the Harvester Community Phase III street reconstruction, 28.5 miles of asphalt resurfacing, 21 concrete alley replacements, and multiple trail, bridge, and lighting projects. Mayor Sharon Tucker emphasized that these upgrades reflect a commitment to safe and connected neighborhoods. The city plans $37 million in infrastructure investment for 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.

⚖️ A Fort Wayne woman, 26-year-old Cassie L. Snay, is charged with two felony counts of bestiality. Investigators say videos recovered from a convicted sex offender’s phone show Snay engaging in sexual acts with a dog from January to October 2024. The incidents allegedly occurred at a Motel 6 and a residence in Fort Wayne. Snay reportedly admitted to the conduct and sending photos and videos to the man involved. Bestiality in Indiana is a Level 6 felony, carrying a potential 6 months to 2½ years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Read more from WFFT here.

Enjoying the newsletter? Forward it to a someone in the Fort! 👇

🏈 Bishop Dwenger football clinched their sixth state title, defeating Roncalli in the 4A championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Carter Zent sealed the victory with a last-second interception. The Saints finished the season 13-2, winning the SAC title and relying on strong defense, special teams, and a rushing attack led by AJ Shefferly and Gus Tippmann. Key postseason wins included victories over Leo, Columbia City, East Noble, Lebanon, and South Bend St. Joseph. Read more from WANE 15 here.

Fri, Dec 12 🏒
Kansas City vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Sat, Dec 13 🏒
Kalamazoo vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Sun, Dec 14 🏒
Kalamazoo vs Fort Wayne — 3:00 PM EST