
The latest news & upcoming events in Fort Wayne Indiana
- Jenny Sumangid, Jordan Bechtel
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Good morning, Fort Wayne! Here is today’s update.

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Today’s Weather
Monday, December 15
Hi 22° Low 12° | ⛅ Partly Cloudy, Cold
Monday will be cold with partly to mostly cloudy skies throughout the day. Afternoon highs will only reach around 22°F, with a steady southwest breeze adding an extra chill. Monday night stays cold as well, with a few passing clouds and lows dropping to near 12°F.
In today’s edition:
🌾 Indiana Farmers Split On Federal Aid
💻 Google, Indiana Michigan Power, And City Of Fort Wayne Hold Public Forum
🍂 City Of Fort Wayne To Resume Leaf Collection
⚡ State Senator Andy Zay Steps Down For Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
🏆 Out Of A Jam Recognized and Searching For New Executive Director
🎯 Trick Shot Video Aims To Catch Eye Of Dude Perfect
⚖️ Judge Denies Motion To Name Victims In Luers Lawsuit
🚓 Speeding Driver In Custody After Chase Ends In Crash Off
Sports
🏒 Last Minute Goal Dooms Komets For Second Straight Night
Events and Live Music Schedule
📰News
🌾 Indiana farmers are reacting to a $12 billion federal aid package announced by the Trump administration, aimed at helping those affected by trade wars and high input costs. Farmers like Brian Warpup of Warpup Farms welcome the short-term relief, while Andy Wyss of Wyss Farm notes it won’t generate profit but will help them manage a difficult market. Both emphasize that long-term stability requires stronger trade relationships and increased domestic demand for corn and soybeans. Read more from WANE 15 here.
💻 A public forum discussed the newly operational Google data center in Fort Wayne. Google, Indiana Michigan Power, and City of Fort Wayne Utilities shared details on energy use, water replenishment, and community engagement. The data center is the first of three on Google’s campus, and emergency backup generators will only run for maintenance or outages. Officials assured residents that rates will not rise due to the data center and safeguards are in place if Google leaves. Google also plans investments in local schools, workforce programs, and community initiatives. Some citizens remain concerned about sustainability and transparency. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🍂 The City of Fort Wayne will resume leaf collection on Tuesday, Dec. 16, after pauses due to recent snowfall. The schedule is divided into four phases covering central, south, and north neighborhoods through Jan. 16. Residents should place leaves on the park strip by 7 a.m., avoid putting leaves in streets, storm drains, or trash carts, and not burn them. Bagged leaves require a separate pickup request via 311, with additional bagged leaf collection planned for March 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.
⚡ State Senator Andy Zay (R), representing District 17, is stepping down to join the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Zay brings experience from five years on the Senate utility committee, focusing on energy reliability, sustainability, and affordability. He joins two other new commissioners appointed by Governor Mike Braun, with all three set to begin work on January 12, 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🏆 Out Of A Jam, a Fort Wayne non-profit, received an award from the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation for its community contributions. The foundation will focus on food insecurity in Indiana in 2026, and Out of a Jam is one of three recognized statewide. The nonprofit is also searching for a new executive director as founders Bernie and Paula Kaufman approach retirement, aiming to fill the role by March 2026.They plan to have a new executive director by March 2026. If you are interested in applying for this position, click here. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🎯 A Fort Wayne native, Aaron Vance, created a trick shot video hoping to get noticed by entertainment group Dude Perfect ahead of their July 2026 visit. Vance, a recent Snider High School graduate and Indiana Wesleyan freshman, has followed the group since childhood and was inspired by their content and faith. Dude Perfect, known for over-the-top sports, comedy, and family-friendly shows, has 61 million YouTube subscribers and has collaborated with brands like Disney and Nike. Read more from WANE 15 here.
⚖️ A judge has denied Bishop Luers High School and the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend’s motion to reveal the identities of girls involved in a lawsuit. The case alleges male students superimposed the girls’ names and faces onto pornographic content and sold it, while school leaders did not intervene or report it. Lawyers for the girls cited potential emotional harm, supported by a psychologist’s testimony. The court deemed the motion “premature” but may reconsider if a future motion is filed. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🚓 A Fort Wayne driver is in custody after speeding through a school zone and refusing to stop for police, ending in a crash on St. Joe Center Road. The 34-year-old driver, Gregory Allen Masterson Jr., drove 56 mph in a 35 mph zone, hit another car with two occupants, and attempted to flee on foot. Police caught him shortly after, and no injuries were reported. Masterson faces multiple charges including fleeing law enforcement, resisting arrest, and leaving the scene of a crash. Read more from WANE 15 here.
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Events
🎨 Art
Saint Francis Creative Arts Alumni/Faculty Exhibition w/ Brooke Owens
9:00 am–5:00 pm @ USF Rolland Art Center
FreeArt of Hope
9:00 am–5:00 pm @ First Presbyterian Gallery
FreeArt for the Holidays
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art
Free
🎶 Music
Open Mic Night
6:30 pm @ Sweetwater Sound
FreeMonday Blues Jam Sessions
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde
FreeThe Fairfield Open Mic w/ Chris Hambrick
7:00 pm @ The Fairfield
Free
🎄 Festival
Festival of Gingerbread
9:00 am–5:00 pm @ The History Center
$5–$7
🌃 Sightseeing & Tours
Christmas at Camp
6:30 pm–9:30 pm @ Camp Chief Little Turtle
FreeBlue Jacket Fantasy of Lights
5:30 pm–9:00 pm @ Franke Park
$20–$80Fort Wayne Zoo’s Wild Lights
5:30 pm–10:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Zoo
$10–$12
🧑🎨 Classes & Workshops
Line Dance Lessons
6:30 pm @ Unify Ballroom Dancesport Center
$6
🎭 Theater
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
7:30 pm @ Embassy Theatre
$44.95–$86.30
🥾 Recreation
Headwaters Ice Rink
4:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Headwaters Park
$7
🧩 Karaoke & Trivia
Music Bingo
6:30 pm @ Lakelife Bar & Grill
FreeKARAOKE w/ "Big Country"
8:00 pm – 12:00 pm @ Four D's Bar & Grill
🏀🏈Sports🏒⚾
🏒 The Fort Wayne Komets lost 5-4 to the Kalamazoo Wings for the second night in a row, conceding a game-winning goal with 27 seconds left. Harrison Rees was serving a roughing penalty when Andre Ghantous scored. Fort Wayne rallied with power play goals from Matt Murphy, Odeen Tufto, and Austin Magera, but couldn’t complete the comeback. The Komets remain tied with Toledo for the Central Division lead, with Toledo holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. The teams meet again Sunday in Kalamazoo at 3 p.m. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🗓️ Komet’s Schedule
Wed, Dec 17 🏒
Bloomington vs Fort Wayne — 8:00 PM EST
Fri, Dec 19 🏒
Indy vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST
Sat, Dec 20 🏒
Cincinnati vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST
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