Fort Wayne Update May 11th

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Monday, May 11
Hi – 60° Low – 39° | ☀️ Mostly Sunny → ⛅ Partly Cloudy
A cool and pleasant day with plenty of sunshine and a few afternoon clouds, reaching around 60°F under light NNW winds. Very high UV levels return despite the cooler air. The night turns crisp and partly cloudy, dropping to 39°F with a refreshing northerly breeze.

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FWPD Recruiting New Officers Ahead Of 71st Training Class
• Fort Wayne Police Department is recruiting applicants for its upcoming 71st Basic Recruit Class, which begins after applications close May 29.
• Candidates must pass physical fitness tests including running, push-ups, sit-ups, and a 300-meter sprint requirement.
• The training academy lasts 27 weeks and applicants can apply by texting “JoinFWPD” to 260-233-9850 or visiting the department’s website.
→ Read More From WANE

Downtown Fort Wayne Calls For Pause And Review On Proposed Homeless Center Site
• Downtown Fort Wayne says more evaluation is needed before approving a 24/7 homeless services center at 333 E. Washington Blvd.
• The organization warned the location could impact downtown investment and says it will continue discussions with stakeholders and city leaders.
• Mayor Sharon Tucker supports addressing homelessness but says officials are weighing concerns about neighborhood impacts and alternative sites.
→ Read More From WANE

SACS Education Foundation Launches ‘Start Smart Drive’ For Student Supplies
• Southwest Allen County Schools hosted a supply and hygiene donation drive Saturday at Homestead High School.
• The event ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and aimed to fill a school bus with items for students in grades Pre-K through 12.
• Organizers say this is the first district-wide drive and hope to make it an annual effort to support families. The foundation says it will continue to collect donations here.
→ Read More From WANE

Blessings In A Backpack And ACPL Partner To Provide Summer Meals For Kids
• Blessings in a Backpack and Allen County Public Library will distribute free food for children during summer break.
• The program runs Fridays from June 5 through July 31 at eight ACPL branch locations across Fort Wayne.
• Eligible children ages 18 and under can pick up nonperishable meal items at no cost.
→ Read More From WANE

University Of Saint Francis Announces Leadership Transition
• Dr. Lance Richey will step down as president of the University of Saint Francis on June 30 after three years in the role.
• Sister Maria Gemma Salyer will become president on July 1, returning the university to leadership by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.
• Richey will take a sabbatical before returning as a theology professor in fall 2027.
→ Read More From WANE

FWCS Opens Inclusive And Sensory-Friendly Playground At Bunche Montessori
• Fort Wayne Community Schools celebrated the opening of a new accessible playground designed for children with physical and mental disabilities.
• The Bunche-Towles PTA and community partners raised more than $113,000, exceeding the original $30,000 goal.
• The expanded funding allowed for additional play structures and future improvements at the site.
→ Read More From WANE

South Wayne Elementary To Close After 103 Years Of Service
• Fort Wayne Community Schools will close South Wayne Elementary on May 20 due to funding challenges after more than a century of operation.
• The school, established in 1923, has served generations of students and is holding a final community event called “One Last Flight.”
• Most students will be moved to Fairfield and Abbott schools, while part of the building will be renovated for administrative use.
→ Read More From WANE

FWPD Tests New Audio Detection Cameras As Part Of Surveillance Pilot Program
• Fort Wayne Police are launching a pilot program using Flock Safety Raven audio detection technology in select areas.
• The system can identify sounds like gunshots and send officers an approximate location to improve response times.
• Police say the tool does not record conversations and stores detected audio data for 21 days.
→ Read More From WANE

South Side Fort Wayne House Fire Ruled Accidental After Garage Blaze
• Fire crews responded Saturday morning to a house fire in the 300 block of Concord Lane near Fairfield Avenue.
• Flames spread from a garage to the first floor, but firefighters brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes.
• Officials say the fire started accidentally while someone was working on a vehicle, and the resident escaped safely.
→ Read More From WANE

Jamaican Restaurant Owner Arrested In Fort Wayne Fentanyl Investigation
• Emelio Thompson, owner of Pepper & Spice Jamaican Restaurant, was arrested during a police warrant service on Main Street.
• Court documents say a monthlong investigation included two controlled fentanyl purchases by a confidential informant.
• Thompson faces felony charges including dealing narcotics and money laundering, with potential prison time of up to 18 years if convicted.
→ Read More From WANE

5 Arrested After Robbery And Assault At Southwest Fort Wayne Gas Station
• Police say five people entered a Circle K on Engle Road and assaulted an employee during a robbery on Friday evening.
• The group allegedly damaged store equipment, stole merchandise, and caused about $15,000 in property damage.
• All five suspects were arrested after a traffic stop and are currently being held in the Allen County Jail.
→ Read More From WANE

*Team Country Homes Helps You Move From Searching to Owning
• D.R. Horton has been building homes for decades and has delivered over 1,000,000 homes across the country, offering consistent quality and modern floor plans.
• In Fort Wayne, buyers can explore 20+ communities featuring 2–5 bedroom homes between 1,200–2,600 sq. ft., including low-maintenance villas and spacious single-family homes.
• Financing options may include incentives like up to $4,000 off closing costs with DHI Mortgage, helping buyers reduce initial expenses and move forward sooner.
• Team Country Homes simplifies the process by helping you narrow choices, understand payments, and secure a home before it is gone.

→ Call Greg or Kody Barkley at 260-443-2221 to get matched with available homes that fit your timeline. Click here to learn more.

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Energy Secretary Says Trump Administration Open To Suspending Gas Tax As Prices Surge
• Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the administration is considering options including suspending the federal gas tax to reduce fuel costs.
• National gas prices have risen more than 50 percent since the start of the Iran war, reaching about $4.52 per gallon.
• Officials said they are focused on lowering prices but warned that short term fuel costs are difficult to predict.

Why it matters here:
Rising fuel prices directly affect transportation, food costs, and everyday expenses for households across the country.

→ 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 Summer Selections
8:00 am – 9:00 pm @ PFW Visual Arts Gallery — Free

Workers Behind the Wheels Gallery
9:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum — $10–$15

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

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

Angie Marquardt
11:30 am – 1:30 pm @ The Porch Off Calhoun — No cover

Monday Blues Jam Sessions
7:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Four-Week Watercolor Class
9:00 am – 11:00 am @ Fort Wayne School of Art — $200

EVO in Action
10:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Sweetwater Sound — $155.72

Zumba in the Park
10:30 am @ Promenade Park Pavilion — Free

Latch String Karaoke
10:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — Free

Tue, May 12th🏒
Fort Wayne Komets @ Toledo Walleye— 7:15 PM EDT

Thu, May 14th🏒
Central Division Finals vs Toledo Walleye: Game 3— 7:35 PM EDT

Fri, May 15th🏒
Fort Wayne Komets @ Toledo Walleye— 7:15 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