Wednesday, December 31
Hi 32° Low 19° | 🌨 PM Light Snow, Snow Showers at Night
Cloudy skies will bring a high of 32°F with W winds at 10 to 20 mph. Snow showers are expected in the evening, tapering off overnight. Tonight, intermittent snow showers continue with a low near 19°F and W winds at 10 to 15 mph, with less than an inch of accumulation possible.

🥂 New Year’s Eve Celebration At The Fairfield

💊 Fort Wayne Nonprofits Can Apply For Opioid Settlement Funds

🎉 Kids' New Year Fun: Library's 'Countdown To Noon' Tomorrow

🚧 Fort Wayne Neighborhoods To See Major Utility Upgrades In 2026

🎰 Fort Wayne Casino Report's Anonymous Authorship Raises AI Questions

🏛️ Report: Braun Holds Veto Power Over Allen County Tribal Casino

🚑 Emergency Dispatch Company To Cover Calls From Unincorporated Allen County

🏒 ECHL, Komets Players’ Union Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement

🥂 The Fairfield in Fort Wayne is hosting a private New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday, December 31. The event opens at 7:30 p.m. on the third-floor wedding and events space. Tickets cost $108.55 and include bottomless champagne, two bands, plenty of food, and more. The rest of the building will have all-ages activities like multisport simulators and duckpin bowling starting at 8 a.m. Read more from WPTA here.

💊 Fort Wayne will open a second round of grant applications on Friday, Jan. 2, for nonprofits addressing opioid and substance abuse issues. Applications are accepted through Jan. 30 via the city’s online portal, Euna Grants. Funding comes from opioid settlement payouts, not taxpayer dollars, and Fort Wayne will continue receiving payments through 2038. Awards are capped at $50,000 per application and up to $100,000 per organization annually, with exceptions for transformational projects. Results will be announced Feb. 28, 2026. Read more from WFFT here.

🎉 Families can celebrate New Year’s Eve early at Allen County Public Library’s "Countdown to Noon," designed for toddlers through sixth graders. The event features crafts, activities, and a community countdown to noon. Participating locations and times on Dec. 31 include Main Library Children’s Department (10 a.m.–noon), Tecumseh Branch (10 a.m.–noon), Grabill Branch (11 a.m.–noon), Hessen Cassel Branch (11 a.m.–noon), Little Turtle Branch (11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.), Woodburn Branch (11 a.m.–noon), and Shawnee Branch (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.). Events are free with pre-registration available online or at any library. Read more from WFFT here.

🚧 City Utilities is planning extensive water, sewer, and stormwater projects across Fort Wayne in 2026. Water main replacements will occur in Bloomingdale and Hamilton, with ongoing lead line work in Creighton-Home, Hoagland Masterson, Poplar, and Williams-Woodland Park. A new feeder main will support Lake Avenue. Sewer upgrades include lining nine miles of pipe and installing a force main along St. Joe Center Road. Stormwater improvements will target Bullerman Drain, Country Club Gardens, and Lincolndale. These projects build on 2025 milestones, including completing the Long-Term Control Plan, capturing 90% of combined sewage, and energy-saving initiatives with NIPSCO. Read more from WFFT here.

🎰 An anonymously authored 30-page report opposing a proposed Allen County casino is drawing attention for its conclusions and possible AI involvement. Titled “Economic Impact Analysis” and dated Dec. 24, 2025, the report calls for a binding referendum before any casino approval, estimating a net negative economic impact of $81 million per year. Analysts note the document’s polished structure, repeated metaphors, and organized sections as potential indicators of AI assistance, though PDF metadata lists “Anonymous Analyst” as the author and shows creation in Microsoft Word. Experts caution it’s difficult to confirm AI use without draft history. The report also stresses governance concerns over legislative approval without resident votes. Read more from WFFT here.

🏛️ A SaveFW report questions assumptions about a potential Allen County casino and notes strong federal barriers for newly acquired tribal land. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, which acquired 40+ acres on Fritz Road in 2024, has repeatedly denied plans for gaming, stating the land is a Cultural Resources Extension Office. The report explains historic tribes like the Miami Tribe must have both the U.S. Secretary of Interior and Indiana Governor Mike Braun approve gaming on newly acquired trust land, effectively giving the governor veto power. Newly recognized tribes, such as the Pokagon Band, have a 25-year window under federal law to pursue casinos. Even in states favorable to tribal gaming, approval can take nearly a decade. Mayor Sharon Tucker and the Indiana General Assembly remain involved in discussions. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚑 Heartland Ambulance Service will now handle Emergency Medical Dispatch calls for unincorporated Allen County, starting Monday. This follows Three Rivers Ambulance Authority’s decision to stop providing these services outside Fort Wayne city limits. Emergency Medical Dispatch involves asking detailed questions and giving instructions before EMS arrives. Fire chiefs say the change ensures continuity of care, meets national standards, and comes at no cost to taxpayers. Robert Boren emphasized residents will see “no interruptions and no changes” in service. Read more from WPTA here.

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🏒 The ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) have ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement running through the 2029-2030 season. The Komets will resume play Tuesday night, ahead of their New Year’s Eve game. The agreement increases player compensation, improves health and safety, and addresses player priorities while supporting league growth. Komets GM David Franke celebrated the agreement and encouraged fans to enjoy Komet hockey at the Coliseum. Read more from WPTA here.

Wed, Dec 31 🏒
Bloomington vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Fri, Jan 2 🏒
Kansas City vs Fort Wayne — 8:05 PM EST

Sat, Jan 3 🏒
Kansas City vs Fort Wayne — 7:05 PM EST