Fort Wayne Update March 27th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, March 27
Hi – 48° Low – 28° | ⛅ Partly Cloudy → ⛅ Partly Cloudy
Cloudy skies dominate early, then ease into the afternoon with highs near 48°F and brisk NW winds. The night stays chilly with a few passing clouds, dropping to 28°F under gusty WNW winds—perfect for bundling up and enjoying a crisp evening.

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More Remains Found In Spy Run Creek
• Investigators uncovered additional human remains Thursday in the area where a skull and other bones were previously found.
• The remains, called “Spy Run Creek Doe,” had been in the creek since late summer or early fall 2025.
• University of Indianapolis anthropology students assisted in the search alongside the coroner’s office.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Wants To Pay 50% Of Your Sidewalk Repairs
• Fort Wayne City Council approved the return of two long-running programs that help residents fix sidewalks at a lower cost.
• The Barrett Law 50/50 Cost Share Program allows homeowners to split repair costs with the city for sidewalks in the public right-of-way.
• The Trip Hazard Elimination Program reduces costs by grinding uneven sidewalks instead of replacing them, stretching city funds to cover more miles.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Provides Free Bike Racks for Businesses
• The city is offering bike racks to local businesses to encourage cycling.
• More than 400 racks have been installed since the program began in 2009.
• Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served while supplies last.
→ Read more from WPTA

Fort Wayne Offers Support for Your Small Business
• Fort Wayne’s SEED (Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District) helps small businesses grow with tax incentives, grants, and incubator space.
• Programs include BUILD (business plan and mentorship support), the Summit City Business Academy: Blueprint, and the Small-Scale Developer Program.
• SEED has invested over $110K in 27 small businesses in 2025 and supports 13 businesses in its incubator, plus 16 active small-scale projects.
• Entrepreneurs in the district can access coaching, networking, and educational programming tailored to childcare, hospitality, ideation, and business viability.
• If you want to get involved, Lewis says that SEED is looking to hear from entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. You can get connected by using the SEED page on the city website.
→ Read more from WANE

Desert House Reopens At Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
• The Desert House has been renovated to feature plants from deserts in North America, Africa, Argentina, and Australia.
• A custom rockwork installation was added to enhance growing conditions and teach visitors about desert ecosystems.
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Thursday, March 26, and the exhibit is included with general admission.
→ Read more from WANE

General Motors Plant Hits 11 Million Trucks Assembled
• Fort Wayne’s GM Assembly Plant celebrated its 11 millionth truck, a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country.
• Employee Ken Zawisa, who purchased the milestone truck, joined the celebration with plant staff.
• Indiana Governor Mike Braun praised the workers, calling the milestone a testament to decades of craftsmanship and Indiana’s role in America’s economy.
• The plant employs over 4,100 people and produces light-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Updates ‘All in Allen’ Plan Maps for Future Growth
• The City Council made the first amendments to the All in Allen Comprehensive Plan map since its 2023 launch.
• Updates focused on the future growth and development map and the generalized future land use map, guiding areas for development and land use character.
• The plan serves as a guiding framework for the next 10–20 years, helping planners, developers, and council members make informed decisions.
• Regular map updates are recommended every two years to reflect changes in development trends, but the plan’s overall goals remain unchanged.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Agent Highlights WNBA’s New CBA Impact
• The new agreement includes higher salaries, revenue sharing, roster changes, and improved travel and maternity policies.
• Local agent Chauntiel Smith-Jones says the deal helps players stay in the U.S. and aligns the league with other professional sports standards.
• She adds the CBA is a milestone for women’s sports and will influence future opportunities across leagues.
→ Read more from WANE

Purdue Fort Wayne Opens Metallography Lab For Workforce Training
• Purdue Fort Wayne unveiled a new Metallography and Failure Analysis Lab with advanced equipment for hands-on student training.
• The lab allows students to work on real-world materials testing projects and supports workforce development in engineering and manufacturing fields.
• Funded in part by a nearly $1 million donation, the facility will also serve local companies needing materials analysis and collaboration.
→ Read more from WFFT

Fort Wayne Businessman Donates $4 Million to Support Music Lessons
• Larry Lee donated $4 million to Pearl Arts to expand music education access.
• The funding will provide private lessons for up to 220 Fort Wayne Community Schools students each year.
• Lee will also contribute $100,000 annually to maintain scholarships for future students.
→ Read more from WANE

Beyond Pink: New ‘Breastie Boxes’ Support Men Battling Cancer
• Breastie Boxes introduced new care packages designed specifically for men diagnosed with breast cancer, expanding beyond their traditional pink boxes.
• The gray “Breastie Boxes” include comfort items and essentials tailored for male patients, helping them feel seen and supported during treatment.
• Organizers said the initiative highlights that breast cancer affects more than just women, with the first boxes already delivered to local patients in Fort Wayne.
→ Read more from WANE

*The Right Home Is Out There Right Now Do Not Miss It
• D.R. Horton has built over 1,000,000 homes, offering experience you can rely on.
• Fort Wayne features 20+ communities with options from villas to full-size family homes.
• Financing programs may include up to $4,000 toward closing costs with DHI Mortgage.
• Team Country helps you compare options and act before the best homes are taken.
→ 📞 Call Greg Barkley at 260-443-2221 or DM them on Facebook to start your home search today.

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USPS Seeks Temporary 8% Shipping Surcharge
• The U.S. Postal Service proposed an 8% temporary charge on services like Priority Mail to offset rising transportation costs.
• The increase would take effect April 26 and last through Jan. 17, 2027 if approved by regulators.
• The surcharge would apply to several package services but not First-Class stamps or other mail products.

Why it matters here:
Local small businesses and online sellers may face higher shipping costs when sending packages to customers.

→ 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

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

Experiments in Form: Glass of Paper Works of Marvin Lipofsky
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Museum of Art — $8 – $10

46th National Print Exhibition
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

Nothing is Something
10:00 am – 6:00 pm @ Artlink — Free

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

Levi Lamberjack
12:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound — Free

Joe Justice
2:00 pm @ Chateau Rehab and Healthcare — Free

The Hubie Ashcraft Band
6:00 pm @ Sylvan Cellars — $20

The Convalescence w/Hunt the Dinosaur, Mantra of Morta, Massasauga, Cocaine Cult
6:00 pm @ Stan's Room at Piere's — $28.03

Tommy Miller
6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery — No cover

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

The Fell
7:00 pm @ Sweetwater Performance Theatre — $28 – $105.25

Chris Worth
7:00 pm @ Club Paradise — No cover

Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival Opening Concert
7:30 pm @ PFW Auer Performance Hall — $5 – $8

Rolling Thunder Revisited (Bob Dylan Tribute)
7:30 pm @ USF North Campus Auditorium — Price not listed

Cicadas
7:30 pm @ Draft Taproom — Free

The Basement Band
7:30 pm @ Nick's Martini & Wine Bar — No cover

The Ultimate Doors (The Doors Tribute)
7:30 pm @ Eagles Theatre — $28 – $48

Sam Bush w/Debutants
7:30 pm @ Honeywell Center — $31 – $71

Ty Causey (Friday Night Vibes)
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

DJ Arora
8:00 pm @ Pinhouse Social at The Fairfield — Free

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

#IYKYK Band
9:30 pm @ K-ville Pub — No cover

Ellie Grayce Band
9:30 pm @ Knockin' Boots Saloon — $5

Todd Harrold Band
10:00 pm @ O'Sullivan's — No cover

Studio Series: Dancer’s Choice
7:30 pm @ Fort Wayne Ballet Studios — $20

Stoner’s Spring Fling Magic Show
8:00 pm @ The Local Archive at The Landing — $15 – $30

Fort Wayne Rod & Custom Show
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Memorial Coliseum — $15

Michael Blackson
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $44.99 – $60.99

Michael Blackson (Late Show)
9:45 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $44.99 – $60.99

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

Fri, Mar 27th 🏒
Neon Night | Bloomington Bison @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EDT

Sat, Mar 28th🏒
Princess Night + Report Card Night | Indy Fuel @ Fort Wayne Komets— 7:35 PM EDT

Sun, Mar 29th🏒
Fort Wayne Komets @ Indy Fuel— 4:00 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