Fort Wayne Update March 6th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, March 6
Hi – 64° Low – 46° | 🌦 Showers → 🌧 Showers
Scattered showers continue through the day with a high near 64°F and SW winds at 10–20 mph, giving a breezy, damp feel with a 40% chance of rain. Tonight, expect a few showers early, turning into steady light rain overnight. Low around 46°F with SSW winds at 10–15 mph and 80% humidity—perfect weather for cozy indoor plans or a warm drink by the window under the waning gibbous moon.

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Pedestrian in Life-Threatening Condition After Being Struck Near ER
• A woman was hit by a vehicle Thursday while crossing State Boulevard at Leroy Avenue near Parkview Hospital Randallia.
• Her condition was initially reported as serious and later updated to life-threatening.
• Police say the driver is cooperating and the crash appears to be accidental.
→ Read more from WANE

Indiana Homelessness Bill Sparks Debate Over Shelter Shortage
• Senate Bill 285 would ban unauthorized public camping and add potential criminal penalties for violations.
• Advocates say Indiana lacks enough shelter beds and supportive housing for homeless individuals, including veterans.
• Fort Wayne officials note current shelters are at capacity and are planning a 24/7 low-barrier Homeless Services Center.
→ Read more from WANE

Community Group Urges Governor to Veto Homeless Camping Ban
• Hoosier Action says Senate Bill 285 would create barriers for homeless residents without providing new services or housing.
• The organization warns the bill would limit local control and enforce criminalization of public camping.
• Governor Mike Braun has until March 9 to decide whether to sign or veto the legislation.
• The organization says Hoosiers can help advocate for Braun to veto the legislation by using their voice here.
→ Read more from WPTA

New Thai Restaurant Opening in Fort Wayne
• Kim Thai Buffet will take over the former Casa Ristorante Italiano location on Parnell Avenue.
• The grand opening is scheduled for March 13.
• The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
→ Read more from WPTA

Parkview Randallia Expands Birthing Center, Adds Special Care Nursery
• Parkview Hospital Randallia will add 7,300 square feet to the Family Birthing Center with six new postpartum rooms for up to 100 more deliveries annually.
• A new 6,300-square-foot Special Care Nursery will feature 12 private rooms and 14 beds, including two for twins.
• The $10.8 million project will create over 75 new clinical positions and could upgrade the facility from a Level I to Level II Obstetrics Center.
→ Read more from WANE

‘Glo Wild’ at the Fort Wayne Zoo’s Lantern Festival
• The Fort Wayne Zoo has returned with its nighttime lantern festival, ‘Glo Wild’, featuring all-new lighting displays for the second year.
• The mile-long exhibit invites visitors to experience awe-inspiring lanterns and illuminated installations.
• The festival runs March 5 through May 31 on select evenings.
• Rick Schuiteman, Zoo Executive Director, said the event showcases the Zoo in “an entirely new light” and brings excitement to the community.
• Tickets are available online and at the zoo’s box office.
→ Read more from WANE

Bellmont Girls Basketball Celebrates State Title with Community
• Bellmont High School hosted a celebration honoring the girls’ basketball team after their historic 3A state championship win.
• The Braves defeated Roncalli 55-46 on Saturday, finishing the season 25-3 and claiming the school’s first girls’ basketball state title.
• Players and coaches reflected on the season, shared stories, and presented the new trophy during Wednesday’s community event.
• Head Coach Andy Heim highlighted the emotional moment as the girls realized their achievement, while most of the team will return for the 2026-2027 season.
→ Read more from WANE

Coroner Identifies Victim of Fort Wayne House Fire
• Timothy Webb, 65, died in a fire at his Fort Wayne home on Cambridge Boulevard.
• Firefighters removed Webb from the house, but he was pronounced dead at the scene from smoke inhalation and burns.
• The death was ruled accidental, and the fire remains under investigation.
→ Read more from WANE

Coroner Names Driver Killed in 3-Vehicle Crash West of Fort Wayne
• Matthew David Jones, 21, of Fort Wayne, died in a crash involving a pickup, car, and concrete pump truck.
• The collision occurred at West Washington Center and O’Day roads when a car crossed the intersection and was struck by the truck, which then hit Jones’ pickup.
• Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death was ruled an accident; the car’s occupants were hospitalized with serious injuries.
→ Read more from WANE

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Study Suggests GLP-1 Drugs May Help Reduce Addiction Risks
• A study of more than 600,000 Veterans Affairs patients with diabetes found those taking GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro were less likely to develop addictions to substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine and opioids.
• Among patients who already had substance use disorders, the medications were linked to lower risks of hospitalization, overdose, suicidal thoughts and death.
• Researchers say the observational study shows an association but does not prove the drugs directly prevent or treat addiction.

Why it matters here:
Researchers say the findings could eventually open new treatment options for substance use disorders, though clinical trials are still needed to confirm the results.

→ 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 – 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

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

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

Preston McCabe (Country)
7:00 am – 7:00 pm @ The Local Saloon — No cover

Vox Deco (A capella)
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm @ Davey’s Delicious Bagels — Free

Randy Spencer (Variety)
6:00 pm @ Mad Anthony Brewing Co. — No cover

Two Guys in Suits and Ties (Jazz)
6:00 pm @ Country Heritage Winery — Free

Joe Justice (Variety)
6:30 pm @ Two-EE’s Winery — Free

The Hubie Ashcraft Band (Country)
7:00 pm @ Sylvan Cellars — $10

Chris Worth (Variety)
7:00 pm @ American Legion Post 241 — No cover

Bandemonium w/ Mudland, Ohms, Tearing Down the Masquerade, oxenfree (Variety)
8:00 pm @ Baker Street Centre — $10

Under the Covers (Variety)
8:00 pm @ Mitchell’s — $5

The Trainhoppers (Americana)
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Cicadas (Indie Rock)
8:30 pm @ Deer Park Irish Pub — No cover

Sun.Dyle w/ Sprocket Music, Candid Antics (Fusion)
9:00 pm @ The Brass Rail — $9

Tone Junkies (Rock)
9:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — $5

Carlos Mencia
7:00 pm & 10:15 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $30.29 – $46.99

Eagles Post 3512 Karaoke
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm @ Eagles Post 3512 — Free

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

NTPA Championship Truck & Tractor Pull
7:00 pm @ Memorial Coliseum — $49.85

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— The Fort Wayne Update