Fort Wayne Update February 2nd

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Monday, February 2
Hi 27° Low 17° | ☁️ Chance of Flurries, Cloudy Tonight
Monday will be chilly with a high of 27°F under mostly cloudy skies and a few flurries possible. SW winds at 10–15 mph will add a bit of a bite, with humidity around 84%. Tonight, it stays cloudy with lows near 17°F and WSW winds at 5–10 mph. Expect occasional flurries and a full moon peeking through the clouds.

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Right to Life of Northeast Indiana’s ‘March for Life’
• Right to Life of Northeast Indiana held its annual March for Life at Parkview Field on Saturday.
• Participants gathered from across 21Country to take part in the downtown event.
• Organizers said the march continues despite Roe v. Wade being overturned because abortion access still exists in other forms.
→ Read more from WPTA

Indiana to Pay Employers for Worker Training Tied to Raises
• Employers can receive up to $5,000 to train a worker who then gets a 25% raise.
• The program targets training in technical credentials, reskilling, leadership development, and apprenticeships.
• Success will be measured by increases in employee paychecks, according to the state.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Businesses Closed in Solidarity With ‘ICE Out’ Day of Action
• Several Fort Wayne businesses closed Friday to support an anti ICE day of action tied to protests in Minneapolis.
• Owners cited solidarity with immigrant communities and concerns following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during encounters with federal immigration agents.
• Other businesses stayed open due to costs but voiced support online or pledged donations to local advocacy organizations.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Hosts Annual Gene Marcus Piano Competition
• Pianists aged 18 and under from within 100 miles of Fort Wayne are competing in the 15th annual event.
• The final round is February 8 at Rhinehart Recital Hall, running 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by a winners’ recital at 6:30 p.m.
• Performances can be viewed in person or livestreamed on the “Gene Marcus Piano” YouTube channel.
→ Read more from WANE

Special Olympics Polar Plunge Raises Funds in Fort Wayne
• Special Olympics Indiana held its annual Polar Plunge on Saturday at Metea County Park.
• Participants were required to raise at least $125 to take part in the fundraising event.
• Proceeds support free sports, health, education, and leadership programs for more than 20,000 people statewide.
→ Read more from WPTA

YWCA Northeast Indiana Awarded $10,000 donation
• Elan Credit Card donated $10,000 to the organization following a recommendation from MidWest America Federal Credit Union.
• YWCA Northeast Indiana was one of 25 nonprofits nationwide selected for the program this year.
• The donation will support individuals seeking safety, healing, and hope through the YWCA’s programs.
→ Read more from WPTA

City Of Fort Wayne Receives 10000 Grant For Economic Mobility Programs
• Fort Wayne was one of six U.S. cities selected to receive a DollarWise Economic Mobility Campaign grant at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting.
• The grant provides 10000 dollars to support local economic mobility initiatives.
• Funds will be used to support Fort Wayne Community Schools Career Academy programs including a regional SkillsUSA construction competition.
→ Read more from WPTA

Two Injured In Crash On I 69 Near Jefferson Boulevard Exit
• Police responded to a multi vehicle crash on southbound I 69 near mile marker 302 around 6 45 a.m.
• Two occupants were pinned inside a vehicle and were extricated by firefighters before being taken to a local hospital.
• One person was reported in life threatening condition while the other suffered non life threatening injuries.
→ Read more from WPTA

One Dead In Early Morning South Side House Fire
• Firefighters responded just after 3:20 a.m. to a house fire in the 4600 block of South Park Drive.
• Crews found the home engulfed in flames and brought the fire under control in less than 30 minutes using a defensive attack.
• One occupant was found dead after the fire was mostly extinguished and the incident remains under investigation.
→ Read more from WANE

Three Pets Found Dead After South Side House Fire
• Firefighters responded to a house fire in the 4500 block of Wilmette Street around 10:15 p.m. Saturday.
• Crews extinguished flames on the first floor of the two story home in about 15 minutes and found no people inside.
• One dog and two cats were found dead while two reptiles survived, and the fire is under investigation.
→ Read more from WPTA

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DOJ Releases Largest Collection of Jeffrey Epstein-Related Records
• The Department of Justice published three million pages, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos tied to Epstein’s crimes and network.
• Files detail Epstein’s prison records, death, and interactions with high-profile figures, but do not name new perpetrators of abuse.
• Victims’ advocates criticize the release for exposing survivor identities, calling the process “an absolute mess.”

Why it matters here:
The documents provide unprecedented transparency into Epstein’s activities and connections, but raise concerns about privacy, victim protection, and ongoing accountability.

→ 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–9:00 pm @ ACPL Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery — Free

Monday Blues Jam Sessions
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Baker Street Centre Open Mic
7:00 pm @ Baker Street Centre — Free

Latch String Karaoke
10:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — Free

Wed, Feb 4th 🏒
Wheeling Nailers vs Fort Wayne — 7:10 PM EST

Fri, Feb 6th 🏒
Iowa Heartlanders vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Sat, Feb 7th 🏒
Toledo Walleye vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Sun, Feb 8th 🏒
Bloomington Bison vs Fort Wayne — 2:05 PM EST

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— The Fort Wayne Update