Wednesday, October 29
Hi – 54° Low – 37° | 🌧 Scattered Showers → 🌥 Clearing Late
Cloudy and cool with occasional light showers through the day. A brisk northeast wind adds to the chill, keeping highs in the low 50s. By night, scattered showers taper off and skies begin to clear, with lows dipping to the upper 30s.

🚌 Citilink Proposes Service Changes, Invites Public Feedback

☕ Café Flora Opens at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

🚧 City Council To Consider $815K Welcome Sign For I-69 & US 24 Interchange

💰 Fort Wayne Budget: More Than $17M Proposed In Cuts

🥕 Downtown Fort Wayne Free Family Food Distribution

🏫 FWCS Board Approves 2026 Budget And Teacher Salary Contract

🚔 Man Charged With Murder In Fort Wayne Teen’s Fatal iPhone Deal

🏒 Brown Piling Up Points Early In Komets Season

🚌 Citilink, Fort Wayne’s public transportation provider, proposed route updates to improve efficiency and meet rider needs. Two public meetings are planned: Monday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Pontiac Library Branch and Thursday, Nov. 6, 5–7 p.m. at the League for the Blind-Disabled. Operations Manager Matt Morley said the goal is to make service more efficient and responsive. Feedback is due by Nov. 7 at [email protected]. Read more from WANE 15 here.

☕ Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation will celebrate the grand opening of Café Flora at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory Gift Shop on Thursday, October 30, at 10 a.m. The ribbon-cutting will include Parks Director Steve McDaniel, Conservatory staff, and local officials. The City of Fort Wayne confirms accommodations will be available for individuals with disabilities. Read more from WFFT here.

🚧 The Fort Wayne City Council is reviewing a proposed $815,205 construction contract with Key Concrete, Inc. for a “Welcome to Fort Wayne” sign at the I-69 North and West Jefferson Boulevard exit. The project includes excavation, lighting, landscaping, and installation, with completion expected by June 30, 2026. Funding will come from the Local Income Tax—Economic Development fund, and the contract is pending council approval. Read more from WFFT here.

💰 Fort Wayne City Council proposed over $17 million in cuts to the city’s 2026 operating budget, a sharp increase from last year’s $4 million proposal. Most of the cuts come from Republican council members, while only one Democrat, Rohli Booker, proposed about $50,000 in reductions. The largest cut, backed by four councilmen, targets $51 million in city debt, citing financial strain caused by Senate Bill 1. Mayor Tucker and Councilwoman Michelle Chambers defended the current “lean” budget, emphasizing investments in infrastructure and growth as key to long-term stability. Final votes on the proposed cuts are expected Tuesday night. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🥕 Volunteers are invited to help distribute fresh produce and food to families at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, 518 E Dewald St, Fort Wayne. This outdoor activity, one of Community Harvest Food Bank’s busiest farm wagons, involves loading food into cars and requires attention to detail and safety. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. Participants earn three CHFB volunteer credit hours. Shifts run every Friday from October 31 through December 26, 2025, from 12:35 p.m. to 2:35 p.m. Read more from Volunteer Fort Wayne here.

🏫 The Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of Trustees approved its 2026 budget and a new teacher salary contract with the Fort Wayne Education Association. The agreement sets teacher pay between $50,000 and $83,547. Board President Maria Norman praised teachers for their impact on student success and extracurricular programs. Despite a $11 million loss from Senate Bill 1, FWCS leaders said they are optimistic about future financial stability. The next board meeting is set for November 10. Read more from WANE 15 here.

🚔 Malachi Byrd, 22, was charged with murder after allegedly shooting 17-year-old Nyree Jones during a phone sale gone wrong on Lafayette Street. Police said Jones was trying to sell an iPhone when the buyer stalled payment on CashApp and then shot him. Surveillance footage and witness accounts identified Byrd as the suspect. He was arrested Friday during a traffic stop and taken to the Allen County Jail. Read more from WANE 15 here.

Home insurance costs continue to climb, with premiums rising over 9% this year and more than 60% in the past five years. However, coverage hasn’t kept pace, leaving many homeowners paying significantly more for less protection. With affordability becoming a growing concern, it’s more important than ever to compare options—check out Money’s handy home insurance tool to find the best fit for you.

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🏒 Matt Brown, 26, is off to a hot start with the Fort Wayne Komets, leading the team with four points (two goals and two assists) just three games into the season. Brown scored twice in the Komets’ 6-5 win over Kalamazoo and previously played for the Reading Royals and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The Komets continue their season with a three-game series in Iowa starting Wednesday. Read more from WANE 15 here.