Fort Wayne Update February 27th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, February 27
Hi – 44° Low – 31° | 🌤 Mostly Sunny → 🌙 Partly Cloudy
Enjoy a mostly sunny day with highs near 44°F and a few clouds drifting by. SW winds at 10–20 mph will keep the air fresh and brisk, perfect for outdoor walks or errands. Overnight, skies will be partly cloudy with lows around 31°F and SSW winds at 10–15 mph, creating a crisp, cozy evening for stargazing or a quiet night at home.

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Savvy Sliders and Fat Boy’s Pizza Open on Coldwater Road
• New co-branded restaurant opens at 7777 Coldwater Road, former BurgerFi location, marking the first Fort Wayne spot for both chains.
• Savvy Sliders offers sliders, chicken fingers, custard shakes, and vegetarian options.
• Fat Boy’s Pizza serves oversized slices and whole pizzas up to 30 inches, available for advance orders.
• Drive-thru available for customers on the go.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Police Deploy AI-Powered Flock Cameras for Public Safety
• FWPD has installed 36 Flock Safety license plate reader (LPR) cameras since 2024, using grant funding and software licensing.
• Cameras capture still images of vehicles and license plates, noting color and distinguishing features, with no live feed or facial recognition.
• Data is stored for 180 days and accessed only for active investigations; federal agencies like ICE have no access.
• Cameras have aided in 59 cases, including homicides and locating missing persons.
• City officials emphasize the technology is a tool for safety, not surveillance, with minimal privacy impact.
→ Read more from WANE

Redkey’s 1909 Clock Tower Mechanism Lowered for First Time in Over a Century
• For the first time since 1909, the historic Seth Thomas No. 15 clock has been fully removed from Redkey’s tower and placed on the fire department’s ground floor for public viewing.
• Local volunteers disassembled, cleaned, hand-painted, and reassembled the mechanism without taxpayer funds.
• The clock is fully mechanical, wound weekly, and will remain manually operated for future generations.
• Community donations funded the restoration; a March 7 chili supper fundraiser will help refurbish the four clock faces 45 feet above ground.
• Organizers aim to reinstall the clock and have it ringing by the Fourth of July for America’s 250th birthday.
→ Read more from WANE

African, African American Historical Society and Museum Preserves Fort Wayne’s Black History
• The museum operates inside one of Fort Wayne’s first Black-owned properties on Douglas Street, once owned by businessman and publisher William Warfield.
• Exhibits highlight both local and national Black history, including early Black communities, businesses, and churches in Fort Wayne.
• The volunteer-run museum is open by appointment for $5 per person and hosts monthly “Meet Me at the Museum” open houses.
• Organizers aim for the space to serve as both an educational resource and a community gathering place.
→ Read more from WANE

Northwest Allen County Schools Responds to Lawsuit Over Alleged Bus Abuse
• Northwest Allen County Schools (NACS) filed a formal response to a negligence lawsuit alleging a kindergarten student was sexually abused on a school bus in January 2025.
• The lawsuit claims the district failed to protect the student despite multiple incidents allegedly caught on bus camera video.
• NACS says video footage suggests possible incidents, but a backpack blocked the camera, preventing confirmation.
• District attorneys state the school investigated immediately, reviewed video, notified parents and DCS, and questioned both students involved.
• NACS denies failing to provide a safe environment and disputes the negligence claims.
→ Read more from WPTA

FWPD Sgt. Gregory Addison Builds Cultural Bridges from Fort Wayne to Morocco
• Sgt. Addison traveled to Morocco to learn about local cultures, sharing FWPD patches as conversation starters.
• The patches, shaped like Indiana, sparked curiosity and trust among locals, helping bridge cultural gaps.
• While abroad, he immersed himself in local life—cooking, dancing, staying in hostels, and observing community dynamics.
• Addison is incorporating the experience into his PhD dissertation on Global Leadership at Indiana Tech.
• He emphasizes that understanding diverse cultures strengthens community policing and problem-solving both abroad and in Fort Wayne.
→ Read more from WANE

Severe Weather Spotter Program Returns to In-Person Training
• The program, paused or virtual during COVID-19, is now back face-to-face in Fort Wayne.
• Sessions teach community members, first responders, law enforcement, and radio operators to safely observe and report severe weather.
• Training covers identifying dangerous clouds, storm development, and reporting methods to meteorologists.
• Spotter reports provide critical real-time data, helping forecasters issue or continue warnings for communities.
• Case studies highlight how timely reports improve storm assessment and public safety.
→ Read more from WFFT

Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show Returns for 53rd Annual Showcase
• The event runs February 26–March 1 at the Memorial Coliseum, featuring 650+ vendors with the latest home and garden products.
• Entertainment includes Twiggy the Water Skiing Squirrel, Bella Gantt, a contortionist and archer, and the Butterfly Kingdom Experience.
• Attendees should expect high traffic near the Coliseum and plan extra travel time.
• Tickets: $12 general admission, $8 seniors, free for kids 15 and under; parking $8 per vehicle.
• Hours: Thu–Fri 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
→ Read more from WANE

U.S. 30 Reopens After Multi-Vehicle Crash
• Eastbound and westbound lanes near West County Line Road are fully open following a crash Thursday morning.
• Several people were taken to the hospital; no fatalities reported.
• Preliminary investigation indicates an eastbound semi swerved, hitting a box truck and other vehicles before colliding with a westbound car.
• Traffic was temporarily rerouted, causing delays in both directions.
→ Read more from WANE

North River District Development Moves Forward in Fort Wayne
• Allen County Capital Improvement Board approves up to $1.5 million to support 29-acre North River District project north of downtown.
• Initial $182,500 will fund half of PB Development’s master planning services; remaining funds cover site costs including architecture and engineering.
• Plans include a fieldhouse, retail, hotel, housing, restaurants, public infrastructure, green spaces, and recreational facilities.
• Redevelopment Commission to vote on full agreement March 9; master plan will guide future development and funding.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Pedestrian Killed on South Anthony Blvd Identified
• Quincey Lamount Jones, 53, of Fort Wayne, died after being struck by a vehicle near South Anthony Boulevard and Colerick Street Tuesday night.
• Coroner ruled death accidental; cause listed as multiple blunt impact injuries.
• Jones is the third traffic fatality in Allen County so far this year.
• Incident under investigation by Fort Wayne Police, Allen County Prosecutor’s Office, and Coroner’s Office.
→ Read more from WFFT

Fort Wayne Chick-fil-A Manager Receives $25K Scholarship
• Precious Luna, manager at the Jefferson Pointe Chick-fil-A, was awarded $25,000 through Chick-fil-A’s Remarkable Futures scholarship program.
• Luna, a first-generation college student pursuing a psychology degree at Ivy Tech Community College, balances work and school.
• The scholarship will help ease financial burdens and allow her to focus on academics.
• Chick-fil-A CEO Andrew Cathy presented the award in person; Luna praised the company for supporting her growth.
→ Read more from WANE

*More home. More options. More savings.
Team Country makes buying a new home in Northeast Indiana simple
• D.R. Horton has been delivering quality new homes nationwide for more than 45 years.
• In the Fort Wayne area, buyers can explore 20+ communities with modern designs, flexible layouts, and multiple home types.
• Qualified buyers can review loan programs and potential savings, including up to $4,000 off closing costs with DHI Mortgage.
• Team Country works one-on-one with you to align floor plans, timelines, and financing.

→ 📞 Call Greg Barkley at 260-443-2221 or DM them on Facebook to get started!

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Instagram to Alert Parents if Teens Repeatedly Search Suicide-Related Terms
• Instagram will notify parents enrolled in its parental supervision program when teens repeatedly search terms linked to suicide or self-harm.
• Teens’ searches for such content are already blocked from showing results, with the platform directing them to helplines instead.
• Alerts can be sent via email, text, WhatsApp, or Instagram notifications, depending on parent contact info.
• Meta is also planning similar notifications regarding teens’ interactions with AI that involve self-harm or suicide topics.

Why it matters here:
The move is part of Meta’s broader efforts to give parents tools to intervene when teens may be at risk, while balancing concerns about over-notification and teen privacy.

→ Get the full national breakdown from our team at The Nova

Not Talking Out of School: The Hector & Carol Garcia Retrospective
8:00 am – 9:00 pm | PFW Visual Arts Building — Free

Portraits of Lives Affected by Incarceration
9:00 am – 6:00 pm | ACPL Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery — Free

Art From the Heart
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

Fiber Collage & Functional Works
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

Living in Theory
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Artlink — Free

Between Light & Shadow
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Artlink — Free

Sticking Together
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Artlink — Free

A Life Reflected in Glass
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

The Spellbound Spirit: Photographs by Kirsty Mitchell
10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

For the Love of Art
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Ruth Koomler Art Gallery — Free

Passage
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Garrett Museum of Art — Free

Michael Sorg Trio (Variety)
6:00 pm | Mad Anthony Brewing Co. — Free

Garry Jones (Acoustic)
6:00 pm | American Legion Post 240 — No cover

Tommy Miller (Variety)
6:00 pm | Country Heritage Winery — Free

Adam Vasquez (Country)
6:00 pm | 1897 BBQ — Free

Jake Carpenter (Variety)
7:00 pm | Sylvan Cellars — No cover

Tim Easton (Americana)
7:30 pm | Wunderkammer Company — $20

Priscilla Block w/ Mae Estes (Country)
8:00 pm | The Clyde Theatre — $36.25–$43.25

Bandemonium (Variety)
8:00 pm | Baker Street Centre — $10

Star69 (Rock)
8:00 pm | Mitchell’s — $5

Ty Causey (R&B/Soul)
8:00 pm | The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Meka Schwartz (Variety)
8:30 pm | Deer Park Irish Pub — No cover

The Knee-Hi’s (Garage Rock)
9:00 pm | The Brass Rail — $7

He Said, She Said (Variety)
9:00 pm | Latch String Bar & Grill — $5

Todd Harrold Band (Jazz)
10:00 pm | O’Sullivan’s — No cover

William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew: The March for the Vote
8:00 pm | PFW Williams Theatre — $6.50–$17.50

Turnstone Casino Night
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Turnstone Center — $75

Fort Wayne Home & Garden Show
11:00 am – 8:00 pm | Memorial Coliseum — $8–$12

American Artist Homeschool Group
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Fort Wayne School of Art — $25

Duncan Trussell
7:00 pm | Summit City Comedy Club — $30.29–$41.29

Tanael “TJ” Joachim
7:30 pm | Fort Wayne Comedy Club — $27.75–$44

Duncan Trussell
9:45 pm | Summit City Comedy Club — $30.29–$41.29

Birdie’s Rooftop Karaoke w/ DJ Trend
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Birdie’s Rooftop Bar — Free

Fri, Feb 27th 🏒
Komets Fight Cancer | Cincinnati Cyclones @ Fort Wayne— 7:35 PM EST

Sat, Feb 28th 🏒
Blackout Night | Wheeling Nailers @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EST

Sun, Mar 1st 🏒
Fort Wayne @ Wheeling Nailers — 4:10 PM EST

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Thanks for reading. Together, we’re making Fort Wayne an even better place to live.

— The Fort Wayne Update