Fort Wayne Update January 16th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, January 16
Hi 32° Low 20° | 🌨️ Light Snow Showers
Cloudy skies will dominate Friday, with light snow showers possible at times and highs hovering near the freezing mark. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph may create a brisk feel, especially during the afternoon. Friday night stays mostly cloudy and cold, with temperatures dropping to around 20°F and steady southwest winds continuing overnight.

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Expanded Ooutdoor Drinking Area Begins in Downtown Fort Wayne
• The expanded Designated Outdoor Drinking Area connects the downtown DORA with the Electric Works DORA starting Thursday.
• The change allows legally purchased alcoholic beverages to be consumed outdoors within the combined district.
• DORA hours are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily, with updated signage and maps already in place.
• You can read more about the outdoor drinking areas here.
→ Read more from WPTA

Savor Fort Wayne Returns with Discounted Dining through January 25
• The annual event features value priced three course meals at 117 participating restaurants.
• Some restaurants are offering special deals such as two diners for $45.
• The promotion is designed to support local restaurants during a typically slow post-holiday period.
• For more information about Savor Fort Wayne and the participating restaurants, click here.
→ Read more from WPTA

Allen County Council to Host Public Meetings on Possible Casino
• County officials will hold a public meeting to discuss the potential of a casino in Allen County.
• The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at 6 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
• Officials say the meeting will be open to public feedback and questions.
→ Read more from WPTA

Fort Wayne Zoo Opens Applications for $3,000 Student Scholarship
• The Lawrence A. Ackerman Scholarship offers a one-time $3,000 award for college bound high school seniors pursuing animal related careers.
• Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, character, and commitment to animal stewardship.
• Seniors from 11 northeast Indiana counties can apply by the March 1, 2026, deadline.
• The application can be found at www.fwzoo.com/scholarship.
→ Read more from WPTA

Gigi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne Marks 10 Years of Service
• The nonprofit is celebrating a decade of providing free educational and therapeutic programs for people with Down syndrome.
• Gigi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne serves more than 350 families and operates with a small staff supported largely by volunteers.
• An open house anniversary celebration is scheduled for next Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to the public.
→ Read more from WPTA

Fort Wayne Protest Held Over Conflict in Venezuela
• Demonstrators gathered downtown as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on limiting presidential use of armed forces in Venezuela.
• Protesters said they oppose U.S. military involvement and questioned the administration’s foreign policy actions.
• Local voices included both critics of U.S. intervention and Venezuelan residents who expressed differing views on the situation.
→ Read more from WPTA

Fort Wayne Prosecutor Rules Police Justified in 2025 Fatal Shooting
• In September 2025, Fort Wayne officers shot and killed 33-year-old Jacob Lee Leckenby after he allegedly stabbed an officer during a domestic disturbance call.
• Investigations by the Fort Wayne Police Department and Indiana State Police were reviewed by the Allen County Prosecutor, who found the officers not liable.
• The prosecutor said officers reasonably used force to prevent further serious injury or death, and the stabbed officer has since been released from the hospital.
→ Read more from WANE

Komets Rally Late but Lose 3 to 2 Against Indy Fuel
• Fort Wayne erased a two-goal deficit with two third period goals before allowing a power play goal that decided the game.
• The Komets went scoreless on six power play chances while Indy scored the game winner on a 5 on 3 advantage.
• Fort Wayne is off Thursday and will host the Bloomington Bison for games on Friday and Saturday.
→ Read more from WANE

U.S. Pauses New Immigrant Visas for Citizens of 75 Countries
• The Trump administration will halt new immigrant visas from 75 countries over concerns about reliance on public assistance.
• Tourist visas are unaffected, and current immigrant visas remain valid, but green cards from these nations face a retroactive review.
• The policy begins Jan. 21 and is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration and enforce economic self-sufficiency.

Why it matters here:
Local communities with ties to affected countries could see family separation and reduced immigration, impacting schools, businesses, and social services.

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

Good Vibrations: The Prints of Victor Vasarley
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Paper Made II
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Mimesis: The Natural World of Glass
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Kablam!: The Impact of Cartoons and Comics on Art
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8–$10

Midwest Regional
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Storied: Narrative Art
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Postcard Exhibition & Sale
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Art from the Heart: Florals & Heart Motifs
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

Watercolors
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ The Orchard Gallery of Fine Art — Free

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

Twilight Dueling Pianos
12:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound — Free

Joe Justice
3:00 pm @ Astral at Auburn — Free

Michael Patterson
6:30 pm @ Club Soda — Free

Ethan Wm Bowers
6:30 pm @ Two-EE’s Winery — Free

The DeeBees
6:30 pm @ Club Paradise — No cover

Chris Worth
7:00 pm @ Barrel & Blaze — No cover

Back Porch
7:30 pm @ Howie’s on Hamilton — No cover

Decade Divide
8:00 pm @ Sylvan Cellars — $5

Joel Young Band
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Meka Schwartz
8:30 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — No cover

Mighty Vices w/Maren, No Better Today
9:00 pm @ The Brass Rail — $8

Grateful Groove
9:00 pm @ Wrigley Field Bar & Grill — No cover

Sumorz
9:30 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — $5

The Hubie Ashcraft Band
9:30 pm @ Knockin’ Boots Saloon — $5

Square Dance
8:00 pm @ Hoagland Hayloft — $15

Salsa y Sabor
7:00 pm–10:00 pm @ The Barrel Room at The Fairfield — $15

Adam Conover
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $24.99–$35.99

Headwaters Ice Rink
12:00 pm–9:00 pm @ Headwaters Park — $7

Deer Park Karaoke
9:00 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — Free

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

Fri, Jan 16 🏒
Bloomington vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

Sat, Jan 17 🏒
Bloomington vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM EST

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— The Fort Wayne Update