Fort Wayne Update May 1st

Good morning, Fort Wayne - Here’s your Update

— Jenny Sumangid & Jordan Bechtel
The Fort Wayne Update

Friday, May 1
Hi – 58° Low – 37° | ⛅ Partly Cloudy → ⛅ Partly Cloudy
A cool, breezy day with partly sunny skies and highs near 58°F under northwest winds. UV levels stay elevated despite the cooler air. The night remains chilly and partly cloudy, dropping to 37°F with steady NW winds and a crisp, quiet feel.

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Fort Wayne Leaders Debate Location Of New Homeless Services Center
• The proposed site for the facility is near The Rescue Mission at 333 E. Washington Blvd with a purchase agreement pending City Council approval.
• Councilman Russ Jehl raised concerns that placing the center downtown could negatively impact businesses and development after years of investment.
• Mayor Sharon Tucker and other leaders say the location improves access to services and reflects where many unhoused individuals are already located.
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Police Department Warns Residents Of Phone Scam
• Fort Wayne Police warned of a phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement to demand payment for fake warrants or citations
• Victims reported scammers escalating calls with a second fake officer and threatening arrest or GPS tracking if payment is not made
• Police said they never request payment by phone and advised residents to hang up and report suspicious calls to authorities
→ Read more from WANE

New Changes To Tax Abatement Program To Boost Revenue
• Fort Wayne City Council approved updates to the tax abatement system to increase city revenue while continuing to support business development
• Businesses receiving abatements will now pay 10 to 20 percent more in taxes sooner under the revised structure and face a higher application fee
• Officials said the changes also prioritize larger investments higher wages and hiring more Fort Wayne residents
→ Read more from WFFT

Motorcyclist Killed In Fiery Crash With Semi On Illinois Road
• A crash between a motorcycle and a semitrailer happened shortly before 3:30 p.m. near Ansley Drive in southwest Fort Wayne.
• Police said the semi likely pulled out in front of the motorcycle leading to a collision that caused a fire.
• The motorcyclist died at the hospital while the semi driver was uninjured and cooperating with investigators.
→ Read more from WANE

Free Dinosaur Exhibit Coming To Downtown Fort Wayne Library
• The Allen County Public Library is opening a “Dinosaurs Fossils Exposed” exhibit at its Main Branch from May 1 through July 31
• The exhibit is part of the library’s summer learning program and transforms the art gallery into a natural history style display
• Officials said the free exhibit allows families to see dinosaur fossils locally without traveling outside Allen County
→ Read more from WFFT

City Warns Of Neighborhood Code Compliance Impersonators
• Fort Wayne officials warned residents about a person posing as a Neighborhood Code Compliance officer and attempting to enter homes
• The city said real code officers do not conduct interior inspections without prior notice and proper identification
• Residents are advised to deny entry to anyone without official ID and report suspicious activity to police
→ Read more from WANE

Teen Shot Near Thompson And Scott Avenues In Fort Wayne
• A 16 year old boy was shot near Thompson Avenue and Scott Avenue and was taken to a hospital with non life threatening injuries
• Police said initial findings indicate the gunfire came from a vehicle that then fled the area
• Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering evidence as the investigation continues
→ Read more from WFFT

Fort Wayne Police Hunt Suspect In Shooting That Killed 1, Injured 4
• Police are searching for 21 year old David Hunter Jr after a weekend shooting near Abbott Street and Drexel Avenue
• An arrest warrant has been issued and authorities say he is the prime suspect in the incident
• One woman, identified as 20 year old Latisha Greene, died in the hospital while four other people were injured
→ Read more from WFFT

Zoo Chef Crafts Culinary Creations For Special Events
• Fort Wayne Zoo has hired Executive Chef Michael Rutherford to design specialty menus for events and donor experiences
• Rutherford, who previously worked in restaurant kitchens nationwide, debuted with a Valentine’s Day aquarium dinner featuring a themed multi course menu
• He is expanding event dining offerings including Glo Wild, which features themed food stations and options for different dietary needs
→ Read more from WANE

Looking Ahead To The 2026 Outdoor YLNI Farmers Market
• The YLNI Farmers Market is preparing to move outdoors on May 2 in downtown Fort Wayne on Barr and Berry Streets
• Organizers said the winter market at 3811 Illinois Road was a success with increased vendors and customer traffic
• This year’s outdoor season will feature expanded space for food trucks and vendors along with a new cooling tent for visitors
→ Read more from WANE

Get Hype For Middle Waves 2026
• A Middle Waves hype event will be held Thursday night at the Embassy Theatre featuring performances by Los Electro and The Indigo Society
• Tickets are 10 dollars for general admission and 5 dollars for students with doors opening at 7 p.m.
• The Middle Waves Festival returns June 6 at Headwaters Park with acts including Passion Pit Beach Bunny and others
→ Read more from WANE

Coroner Identifies Woman Hit By SUV On Rudisill Boulevard
• The Allen County Coroner identified the victim as 62 year old Amanda Dinette Green of Fort Wayne
• Police said she was struck by an SUV while crossing East Rudisill Boulevard shortly before 2 a.m. and later died at the hospital
• The driver fled the scene, and investigators are reviewing surveillance video while searching for leads
→ Read more from WANE

Troopers Raise Money For Summer Camp With Tenderloin Fundraiser
• Indiana State Police troopers are hosting a tenderloin fundraiser to support the Troopers Youth Services Summer Camp program
• The camp gives children an opportunity to learn about law enforcement through hands on experiences
• The fundraiser will be held Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at One10 West Main in Albion
→ Read more from WANE

Fort Wayne Councilman Raises Concerns Over Planned Downtown Homeless Center Location
• Councilman Russ Jehl questioned the proposed location of a new Homeless Services Center at 333 E. Washington Blvd. near the Rescue Mission in downtown Fort Wayne
• Jehl said the site could negatively affect downtown investment and business development and asked for alternative locations
• City officials are moving forward with the project, which still requires City Council approval for a land purchase agreement
→ Read more from WANE

Huntington University Joins Fort Wayne Education Coalition Expanding College Access
• Huntington University has joined the Higher Education Coalition working with Fort Wayne Community Schools to support high school students.
• The coalition offers guaranteed college admission for students with at least a 2.5 GPA along with waived dual credit tuition and early college access programs.
• The partnership now includes eight colleges and universities including Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana Tech, and Ivy Tech Community College.
→ Read more from WANE

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Supreme Court Ruling Weakens Voting Rights Act
• The 6 to 3 decision removes key protections that required districts to give minority voters a chance to elect preferred candidates.
• Republican lawmakers are pushing to redraw maps to create more winnable seats, though election timelines limit immediate changes.
• The ruling is expected to have a larger impact by 2028 as states gain more freedom to reshape districts.

Why it matters here:
This decision could significantly change how political districts are drawn, influencing election outcomes and representation over time.

→ 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

Color In Motion
10:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory — $5–$7

Julie Wall: Grounded In Light
10:00 am – 5:00 pm @ Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory — $5–$7

Mezzotint & The Power of Darkness
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

Color Me Spring
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ Virginia Stoner Huguenard Art Gallery — Free

Stacks
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm @ Ruth Koomler Art Gallery — Free

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

Ron Rumbaugh
3:00 pm @ Astral at Auburn — Free

Shackle Free Shacky w/Ronnie Stevens, JMB Music, Alex MacDonald
5:00 pm @ The 909 Gathering Place — Free

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

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

The Trainwreckers
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Downtown Columbia City — Free

Outta Space Music Festival (various artists)
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm @ Outta Space Music Festival — $10

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

Fort Wayne Philharmonic: Bach in the Barn
7:30 pm @ Joseph Decuis Farm — $85

The SteelDrivers w/Bobcat Opossum
7:30 pm @ Honeywell Center — $31–$71

PFW Chamber Treble Singers, Choral Union & University Singers
7:30 pm @ PFW Auer Performance Hall — $5–$8

Birdy Gosser
7:30 pm @ Nick’s Martini & Wine Bar — Free

Friday Night Vibes
8:00 pm @ The Club Room at The Clyde — Free

Ride the Wind (Poison tribute)
8:00 pm @ Century Music Hall — $17.85–$34

Buckethead
8:00 pm @ The Clyde Theatre — $46.75

Tearing Down The Masquerade
8:00 pm @ The Local Saloon — No cover

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

Sooflay w/The Problem With Kids Today, Sparkle Teeth
9:00 pm @ The Brass Rail — $7

Black Widow
9:00 pm @ Latch String Bar & Grill — $5

Columbia City Connect’s First Fridays: Touch-A-Truck & The Launchpad
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Downtown Columbia City — Free

AmplifyHer
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Weigand Yard at Electric Works — Free

Outta Space Music Festival
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm @ Outta Space Music Festival — $10

Choreographer’s Lab
6:00 pm @ Fort Wayne Dance Collective

Gypsy
8:00 pm @ Three Rivers Music Theatre — $20–$25

Chris Kattan
7:00 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $28–$36.50

Chris Kattan
9:45 pm @ Summit City Comedy Club — $28–$36.50

Pathway’s True Vine Garage Sale
8:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Pathway Community Church — Free

Sun, May 3rd🏒
Central Division Semifinals vs Indy Fuel: Game 5— 5:05 PM EDT

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— The Fort Wayne Update