
The latest news & upcoming events in Fort Wayne Indiana
- Jenny Sumangid, Jordan Bechtel
Shoutout to our Local Pro Partners who make this newsletter possible! Want to learn more? Just click a logo or tap a phone number to reach them. Stories with * are sponsored by local Fort Wayne businesses.
Interested in reaching our audience? You can sponsor our newsletter, reach us by email here
Good morning, Fort Wayne! Here is today’s update.

Today’s Weather
Tuesday, January 6
Hi 46° Low 32° | ☁️ Cloudy, Sprinkles Possible
Cloudy skies will dominate the day with a few sprinkles possible, especially at times, and highs reaching around 46°F. A steady south southwest breeze will keep it feeling cool but not overly cold. Tonight stays mostly cloudy and damp, with temperatures falling to near 32°F and a continued light breeze.
In today’s edition:
👨🏻⚖️ Adam Mildred Sworn In As U.S. Attorney For Northern Indiana
🏙️ The Landing Welcomes New Cafe, Housing Project Moves Forward In 2026
🏕️ Fort Wayne’s Unhoused Speak On Encampments
🏠 Fort Wayne Ranks 9th In U.S. For Historic Homes On The Market
⚖️ FW Family Pushes Law On Courtroom Presence For Victim Impact Statements
🚔 Man Sentenced To 55 Years After Gold Coin Theft And Shooting
🏀 Purdue Ranked Fifth Again In AP Poll
📰News
👨🏻⚖️ Fort Wayne native Adam L. Mildred has been sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana in a ceremony led by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady. Mildred was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 2025. A longtime prosecutor, he has handled more than 200 cases, including homicides and armed robberies, and previously served as Chief Deputy in the Noble County Prosecutor’s Office. Mildred said he looks forward to working with state, local, and federal partners to prosecute crimes such as cartel activity, terrorism, and child exploitation. Read more from WFFT here.
🏙️ Bittersweet, a new café and deli on The Landing, held a soft opening on New Year’s Eve at 118 W. Columbia St., filling the space previously occupied by Utopian Coffee + Kitchen. Operated by the team behind Penny Drip, Dana’s, Blue Bottle, and Night Train, the shop offers a menu inspired by classic New York City Jewish deli traditions and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Looking ahead, The Landing will also see construction of The Landing III, a $20 million mixed-use development with 40 housing units, including eight affordable units, plus two ground-floor commercial spaces, with a groundbreaking expected in February after funding delays pushed the project into 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🏕️ An encampment under the Veterans Memorial Bridge that spilled onto the Rivergreenway Trail was cleaned up in late December after the city followed its 72-hour notice protocol. Unhoused residents told WANE 15 that while encampments blocking public paths are not acceptable, encampments provide safety, protection, and shared security, especially for women, and fully prohibiting them could put people at risk. The discussion comes as city leaders consider changes to city code regarding encampments, while local nonprofit Forgotten Stones continues placing unhoused residents into housing, surpassing 130 people housed as of January 2026. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🏠 Fort Wayne ranks 9th among U.S. cities for the share of historic homes listed for sale, with 39.3% of its homes built before 1925, according to a ProGuard study analyzing Zillow listings. Baltimore, St. Louis, and Cleveland lead the list, while Indianapolis ranks 23rd with 17.6% of homes over 100 years old. Older homes offer unique charm but may require more maintenance, so buyers are advised to conduct property surveys. Read more from WFFT here.
⚖️ A Fort Wayne family is urging lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 9, which would require convicted felons to be present in the courtroom during victim impact statements unless a judge finds a safety risk or significant disruption. The call follows the Zent family murders, where the convicted killer was not present to hear statements from the victims’ relatives. Family members say the bill would give victims a greater sense of accountability and peace by ensuring defendants hear the impact of their crimes. Read more from 21Alive News here.
🚔 A 22-year-old man was sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to felony murder in connection with a July 2025 shooting during a gold coin theft. Chavez Gustin stole American Eagle gold coins and shot 67-year-old Roger Swedzinski at his home on Hathaway Road, later attempting to pawn the coins days after the shooting. As part of the plea deal, additional charges were dropped, sentencing was enhanced due to the use of a stolen gun, and Gustin was ordered to pay over $15,000 to individuals connected to the victim. Read more from WANE 15 here.
🏀 Purdue remained ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll as the first poll of 2026 was released. The top six teams stayed unchanged, with Arizona holding No. 1 by one point over Michigan, followed by Iowa State, UConn, Purdue, and Duke. Purdue continues to sit among the nation’s top teams as conference play moves forward. Read more from WANE 15 here.
Enjoying the newsletter? Forward it to a someone in the Fort! 👇
Events and Live Music Schedule
Events
🎨 Art
Art of Hope
9:00 am–5:00 pm @ First Presbyterian Gallery
FreeGood Vibrations: The Prints of Victor Vasarley
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
$8–$10Paper Made II
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
$8–$10Mimesis: The Natural World of Glass
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
$8–$10It Was a Time to Sew: A Sampler of Quilts from the Collection
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
$8–$10Kablam!: The Impact of Cartoons and Comics on Art
10:00 am–6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art
$8–$10
🎶 Music
Smooth Tuesdays: Carolyn & Dave Martin
6:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde
Free
🧘 Sports & Recreation
Yoga Fun
5:30 pm–6:30 pm @ Peace Lutheran Church
$10
🧵 Festivals & Gatherings
Appleseed Quilters Guild Meeting
6:30 pm @ Mizpah Shrine Center
Free
🗓️ Komet’s Schedule
Fri, Jan 9 🏒
Cincinnati vs Fort Wayne — 7:35 PM ESTSat, Jan 10 🏒
Toledo vs Fort Wayne — 7:15 PM EST
Know someone who likes local events? Keep them in the loop👇
Interested in reaching our audience? You can sponsor our newsletter, reach us by email here
How do you think we did on this weeks newsletter?
Thanks for reading The Fort Wayne Update! Together, we can make Fort Wayne an even better place to live!




