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

Tuesday, December 9
Hi 35° Low 31° | 🌨 Flurries Possible, Showers Late
Tuesday brings scattered snow flurries in the morning with clouds lingering through the day. Highs reach around 35°F with gusty SW winds making it feel colder. Tonight, occasional rain showers arrive under mostly cloudy skies with lows near 31°F and continued gusty winds.

In today’s edition:

🎄Traditions On The Tree Farm; St. Joe Christmas Tree Farm

☕Kanela Opens Another Coffee Shop In Fort Wayne

🏨Two Ft. Wayne Hotels Sold

🎨Watch Monks Create Art At The Allen County Public Library

🏢City to Hold Public Forum to Inform Community About Google Data Center

🧥Summit City Climbing Co. Launches Coat Drive Fundraiser

🎅Salvation Army: Cold & Snow Affecting Red Kettle Volunteer Numbers

🏠Fort Wayne Receives 4 Bids For New Homeless Services Center

🔪Fort Wayne Shaken by Piere's Entertainment Center Stabbing

Sports

🏒 Tufto’s Return Assists Komets In 4-1 Win Against Cyclones

Events and Live Music Schedule

📰News

🎄Picking out a Christmas tree at St. Joe Christmas Tree Farm is a cherished tradition for families in Fort Wayne. Visitors enjoy cutting down trees, smelling fresh scotch pines, and creating holiday memories together. The farm, run by Mike and Judy Reifenberg since 1999, emphasizes community, faith, and environmental care. Families can also take part in Trees for Troops and Wreaths Across America programs. The farm operates by appointment and closes about two weeks before Christmas. Read more from WANE 15 here.

Kanela Blended Drinks, Coffee and Bites opened its third Fort Wayne location at 9912 Illinois Road on the southwest side. The shop is hosting a grand opening Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with buy-one-get-one specials on food and smoothies. Regular hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Kanela’s first location is downtown at Harrison and Pearl streets, with another drive-thru in New Haven. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏨Alchemy Real Estate Advisors facilitated the sale of the Hampton Inn Ft. Wayne-Southwest and Residence Inn Southwest along West Jefferson Boulevard. The buyer, a prominent Midwest developer, will keep the hotel brands and complete major improvements to enhance guest experience and long-term growth. The location offers strong visibility and access to medical, corporate, and retail areas, appealing to business and leisure travelers. Read more from Hotel Business here.

🎨Monks from the Labrang Tashi Kyil Monastery in Tibet are creating a World Peace Sand Mandala at the Allen County Public Library’s downtown branch this week. Visitors can watch the intricate process, which symbolizes compassion, healing, and mindfulness, from Monday to Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Tuesday until 3 p.m.). The mandala will be dissolved in a closing ceremony Saturday at 10 a.m. The monks will also give a presentation Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Plymouth United Church of Christ. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏢Fort Wayne is hosting a public forum Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Grand Wayne Center to provide information on the Google data center at 6015 Adams Center Road. The event, organized by the City and Greater Fort Wayne Inc., will feature presentations from Google, Indiana Michigan Power, and City Utilities. Attendees can submit questions via phone or in writing. The forum is informational only and will follow safety and signage rules, with a sign language interpreter available. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🧥Summit City Climbing Co. is partnering with the Rescue Mission to help Fort Wayne residents this winter. On December 8, all proceeds from day passes purchased between 12 p.m. and 11 p.m. will be donated to the Rescue Mission. Additionally, a winter coat drive runs from December 8-19, collecting new or gently used coats in yellow bins at the climbing gym for distribution to those in need. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🎅The Salvation Army’s 2025 Red Kettle Campaign in Fort Wayne is facing volunteer and donation shortages due to cold weather and illnesses. Core officer Dena Smith said unmanned kettles reduce fundraising, which this year aims for $200,000 to support year-round programs. Volunteer shifts are two hours and can be done in groups, with music and holiday gear encouraged to make it fun. The campaign runs through Christmas Eve. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🏠The City of Fort Wayne received four proposals from nonprofits to operate its upcoming Homeless Services Center, aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness. The center will include a 24/7 low-barrier day shelter, a safe parking program, and multiple coordinated services like food, showers, laundry, phones, and housing navigation. The city will own the building and the selected nonprofit will manage daily operations and collaborate with community partners. Read more from WFFT here.

🔪Fort Wayne Police have arrested 27-year-old Immanuel Walker in connection with a stabbing at Piere's Entertainment Center that killed 28-year-old Jermichael James in late November. Walker was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop at 2600 Painted Desert Run. He faces Level 1 Felony murder and Level 5 Felony battery with a deadly weapon charges and is being held at the Allen County Jail pending further legal proceedings. 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 @ USF Rolland Art Center
    Free

  • Art of Hope
    9:00 am @ First Presbyterian Gallery
    Free

  • Art for the Holidays
    10:00 am @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art
    Free

  • Good Vibrations: The Prints of Victor Vasarley
    10:00 am @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    $8–$10

  • Paper Made II
    10:00 am @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    $8–$10

  • Mimesis: The Natural World of Glass
    10:00 am @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    $8–$10

  • It Was a Time to Sew: A Sampler of Quilts from the Collection
    10:00 am @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    $8–$10

  • Kablam!: The Impact of Cartoons and Comics on Art
    10:00 am @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
    $8–$10

🎶 Music

  • Joe Justice
    1:00 pm @ Golden Years Homestead
    Free

  • Acoustic Jam
    5:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound
    Free

  • Smooth Tuesdays (PrimeTime)
    6:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde
    no cover

  • Rick Elliott & Ron Orman
    7:00 pm @ Honeywell House
    Free

  • Latch String Open Mic w/ Chris Hambrick
    10:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill
    Free

🎄 Festival

  • Tashi Kyil Tibetan Monks
    9:00 am @ ACPL Downtown
    Free

  • Festival of Gingerbread
    9:00 am @ The History Center
    $5–$7

🌃 Sightseeing & Tours

  • Christmas at Camp
    6:30 pm @ Camp Chief Little Turtle
    Free

  • Christmas at the Castle
    12:00 pm @ USF Brookside
    $10

  • Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights
    5:30 pm @ Franke Park
    $20–$80

  • Fort Wayne Zoo’s Wild Lights
    5:30 pm @ Fort Wayne Zoo
    $10–$12

🎭 Theater

  • Make the Yuletide Gay
    7:00 pm @ Plymouth Congregational Church
    $12.50

🥾 Sports & Recreation

  • Headwaters Ice Rink
    4:00 pm @ Headwaters Park
    $7

🧩 Karaoke & Trivia

  • Bobby McGee’s Karaoke
    10:00 pm @ Bobby McGee's
    Free

🏀🏈Sports🏒

🏒 Fort Wayne bounced back from a loss at Toledo with a 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones. Odeen Tufto returned from injury and assisted on two goals, while Dustyn McFaul also rejoined the lineup. The Komets overcame an early goal by Cincinnati, with Austin Magera, Blake Murray, Harrison Rees, and Matt Brown scoring to secure the win. Fort Wayne remains first in the ECHL Central Division with 30 points. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🗓️ Komet’s Schedule

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

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