Fort Wayne Update March 13th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, March 13
Hi – 53° Low – 41° | ⛅ Ch. Isolated Shower → 🌧 Showers
Partly cloudy skies will start the day with a high near 53°F, while SSW winds at 10–20 mph add a breezy feel to the afternoon. An isolated shower is possible, but much of the day should stay fairly dry. Tonight turns cloudier with a few showers developing and a low around 41°F. W winds at 10–15 mph continue overnight with about a 40% chance of rain, under the fading light of the waning crescent moon.

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Fort Wayne Secures Federal Funding for Police and Utility Projects
• Fort Wayne will receive federal funding to support projects led by the police department and City Utilities.
• The Fort Wayne Police Department will get $500,000 to purchase a Rapid DNA Analysis machine and supplies.
• City Utilities will receive $2 million to replace lead pipes, water mains, and storm sewers in the Memorial Park area.
→ Read more from WPTA

Neighbors, Developer Speak Out on Proposed 689 Home Project Near Airport
• Coverdale Development seeks to rezone about 170 acres for the proposed Communities of Calusa housing development.
• Residents raised concerns about safety near the airport, increased traffic, and environmental impacts from runoff.
• The developer says the project aligns with the county’s comprehensive growth plan and could take 8 to 10 years to complete.
→ Read more from WANE

Sweetwater Store Expands With New Home Audio Display Rooms
• Sweetwater added two new display rooms featuring more than 100 home audio components available for demonstration.
• The immersive room includes a Dolby Atmos JBL Synthesis system with nine ear level speakers, four subwoofers, and four overhead speakers.
• A grand reopening event with promotions across departments is scheduled for March 20 through March 22.
→ Read more from WANE

Vera Bradley Cancels Annual Outlet Sale As New CEO Takes Over
• Vera Bradley announced it will not hold its annual outlet sale this year, which usually attracts thousands of shoppers to Fort Wayne.
• The company also appointed Ian Bickley as chairman and CEO after he previously served as executive chairman.
• Company leaders say they are focusing on rebuilding the wholesale business and improving profitability through a broader turnaround strategy.
→ Read more from WANE

NIPSCO Workers Hold Solidarity Events During Contract Talks
• Dozens of NIPSCO employees represented by the United Steelworkers Union gathered outside the Hale Avenue facility in Fort Wayne.
• The demonstrations were held on workers’ personal time and did not involve a work stoppage.
• The union says it is seeking a fair and equitable contract while negotiations with the company continue.
→ Read more from WANE

Humane Fort Wayne Seeks Volunteers to Help Cats at PetSmart
• Humane Fort Wayne is looking for volunteers to assist with cats at PetSmart locations on Lima Road and Maysville Road.
• Volunteers will clean kennels and spend time playing and socializing with the cats.
• Participants must be at least 18 years old and commit to one assigned day each week.
• To learn more or to sign up, click here.
→ Read more from WPTA

Winter Tractor and Gas Engine Show Returns to Kruse Plaza
• The three-day event features classic tractors, a swap meet, toy show, and trading post.
• The show runs March 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and March 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tickets cost $7 per day or $10 for a weekend pass and are available at the door.
→ Read more from WANE

Annual Community Baby Shower Collecting Supplies in Fort Wayne
• A Baby’s Closet is hosting its annual community baby shower through March 27.
• The nonprofit encourages community members to host their own showers to collect baby supplies.
• Most needed items include diapers, clothing, baby gates, and other essentials.
→ Read more from WPTA

Police Say Threats to Fort Wayne Schools Not Credible
• Police investigated threatening phone calls made to Bishop Luers High School and Smith Academy for Excellence.
• Authorities say similar threatening voicemails have been reported at several area schools in recent days.
• Police determined the threats were not credible after their investigation.
→ Read more from WPTA

Driver Dies After Head On Crash on West Jefferson
• A head on collision involving two cars happened shortly before 8:30 a.m. on West Jefferson Boulevard between Main and Swinney Park.
• Police say a westbound driver crossed left of center and struck an oncoming vehicle.
• One woman died after being taken to the hospital while the other driver was rescued with minor injuries.
→ Read more from WANE

*Your Fort Wayne Home Won’t Wait—Why Should You?
• Team Country connects Northeast Indiana buyers with homes that fit their lifestyle
• 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 to see what’s available today. Click here to learn more.

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Pro-Iran Group Claims Cyberattack on Stryker Medical Company
• Stryker reported a global network disruption affecting its Microsoft environment but says there is no ransomware or malware.
• The hacking group Handala claims to have wiped 200,000 systems and extracted 50 terabytes of data in retaliation for events in Iran.
• Stryker says the incident is contained and continuity measures are in place to support customers and partners.

Why it matters here:
Hospitals and medical providers using Stryker products could face temporary service interruptions.

→ 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

2026 Annual Juried Student Exhibition
8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery — Free

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

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

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

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

Mezzotint & The Power of Darkness
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

Art Madness
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ Virginia Stoner Huguenard Art Gallery — Free

Mitchell Wiebell: Kleinfunde
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm @ Garrett Museum of Art — Free

Fort Wayne Philharmonic: West Central Winds (Chamber)
12:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound — Free

Joe Justice (Variety)
2:00 pm @ Evergreen Senior Living — Free

Shamrock Slaughter Festival (Metal)
5:00 pm @ Piere’s — $30

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

Hubie Ashcraft (Variety)
6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery — No cover

Alfie & Jack (Ukulele/Bass)
6:30 pm @ Draft Taproom — Free

The Rag Tag Bunch (Traditional Irish / Sea Shanties)
7:00 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — Free

The DeeBees (Oldies)
7:00 pm @ American Legion Post 241 — Free

Ross Kinsey (Acoustic)
7:00 pm @ Barrel & Blaze — No cover

David Vaides (Rock)
7:00 pm @ Nick’s Martini & Wine Bar — Free

Bandemonium w/ Sun.Dyle, Neighborhood Strays, Sahara, Mom Wagon (Variety)
8:00 pm @ Baker Street Centre — $10

Night to Remember (Variety)
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

The Last Chiefs w/ Mike Peters (Country)
8:00 pm @ Dicky’s Wild Hare — No cover

Decade Divide (Variety)
9:00 pm @ Mitchell’s — $5

Autopolitan w/ The Meat Flowers, Home Phone (Alternative)
9:30 pm @ The Brass Rail — $7

Footloose
7:30 pm @ Arts United Center — $25 – $40

Alpaca Owners Association National Halter Show
8:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Memorial Coliseum — Free

Clover Classic: Day 1
12:00 pm – 11:59 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — Free

Hoagland Hayloft Square Dance
8:00 pm – 11:00 pm @ Hoagland Hayloft — $15

Tincture of Trivia: Horror Movie Icons
6:00 pm @ Union Street Market — Free

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

Jason Salmon
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $28.29 – $38.99

Fri, Mar 13th 🏒
Fort Wayne @ Indy Fuel— 7:00 PM EDT

Sat, Mar 14th🏒
Fort Wayne @ Bloomington Bison— 7:00 PM EDT

Sun, Mar 15th🏒
Indy Fuel @ Fort Wayne— 5:05 PM EDT

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

— The Fort Wayne Update