Hey Locals,

We have the scoop on Mayor Sharon Tucker's first 100 days in office and what's next on her agenda.

We're also partnering with Brooklyn Pints Microcreamery to bring all paid subscribers to The Local one FREE scoop of their artisanal ice cream (in a bowl) this month. If you haven't checked out their space at the historic Sheridan Court Apartments yet, this is a great opportunity. Be sure to try some of their unique flavors, developed with a custom computer program they created. More on that in the Local Spotlight.

Want free stuff? We give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership. See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get that scoop of ice cream!

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

A quick look at Mayor Sharon Tucker's first 100 days in office.

We break down key insights and what's next.

What's happening?

Mayor Sharon Tucker sat down with WANE 15's Dirk Rowley to discuss her first 100 days in office. So far, Mayor Tucker's experience as mayor has been unique in many ways, from her mid-term election by a rare Democratic precinct caucus to the fact that she is Fort Wayne's first Black and (long-serving) female mayor.

She tells Rowley:

"We haven't had the traditional onboarding, as many campaigns have, where they have first 45 days to get acclimated to the work, set a team and make sure they're moving forward. We've had our 45 days and our 100 days combined, and when you talk about what we've done, we've had all the things – from police involved shootings to challenges with unhoused to EMS services."

Three quick points from their conversation:

• Most surprising for Mayor Tucker has been managing her new schedule. "I had to release control of my day-to-day life, and I did not realize the lack of input I would have on where I go, how long I get to stay, and how long people get to come and visit me," she says.
• She's been praised for her leadership and timely, fact-based decision-making on complicated matters. Within three days of the police-involved shooting of Linzell Parhm, Mayor Tucker made the call to release body camera footage – the fastest the city has ever released footage of a fatal shooting under investigation. Her leadership was praised by The JG* Editorial Board for not jumping to conclusions and bringing the community together under difficult, divisive circumstances. "A lot of people who know me know that I deal with facts," Tucker says. "I don't like assumptions. I share all the time that I don't have the luxury of speculating. As mayor, I felt it was my role to make sure we were not only being transparent with the community, but also fair to all officers and doing our due diligence to make sure we were investigating the case as quickly and swiftly as we could to make sure we kept peace in our community, as well."
• She's been challenged on some matters related to race, religion and politics. Following Tucker's election, two prominent FWPD officers of Color, who are also outspoken Republicans, were quietly reassigned: Former Deputy Chief of Police Mitch McKinney was demoted to sergeant rank in the Northwest quadrant, and Captain Sofia Rosales-Scatena was moved from Southeast quadrant captain and community relations to Northeast quadrant captain only (no longer in community relations). As a former Southeast City Council rep., Tucker says decisions were "not based on politics," but factors she cannot disclose due to HR legalities. Speaking of legal matters, she also recently paused Fort Wayne United's programs,* citing a lack of "proper liability coverage" for participants and the city in the Ten Point Coalition's neighborhood patrol, noting her background as a 32-year insurance agent. "It's an internal thing we need to fix and work on," she says, dismissing rumors that she paused the program for being "too religious."* Going forward, she has recommended Fort Wayne United might establish itself as a 501c3 nonprofit versus a mayoral initiative, as it began under Mayor Tom Henry.

What's next?

Two items on Mayor Tucker's agenda for the next 100 days are economic development projects, particularly on riverfront, and addressing the city and county's challenges with emergency services and Three Rivers Ambulance Authority (TRAA).

We explain more in our premium newsletter.

• The FWPD experienced two more officer-involved shootings last week – potentially linked to rising gun sales nationwide. Last week, the FWPD experienced its third officer-involved shooting in just more than one month – the most recent two happening within 36 hours of each other. In all three cases, civilian guns were involved, and one civilian last week was actively firing. In January, WANE 15 reported that shootings involving police have been on the rise in Fort Wayne in recent years with five officer-involved shootings in 2023, up from three in 2022, and two in 2021. The data is not unique to Fort Wayne, but speaks to a national trend. The Washington Post reports: "Since 2017, the number (of police-involved shootings) has increased every year, and is now up about 10 percent (in 2023) compared with just three years ago. But criminologists caution that more data is needed to understand what is driving the rise." Even so, "some experts point to a rise in gun purchases across the country as one factor," noting that "the majority of people police shot and killed were armed." Data shows "2023 was the fourth highest year on record for firearm sales since the FBI’s NICS system was first implemented, trailing behind only 2020, 2021 and 2022."
• Summit City Brewerks announced it's closing just shy of its 10-year anniversary. The local brewery announced its final day of service will be August 15 on Facebook with a "heavy, yet proud heart." The post did not elaborate on the reason for the closure, and we have reached out for comment, but not yet heard back. Shortly after making the announcement, the brewery opened a new online shop to sell print-on-demand merch. In February, we looked into possible reasons behind a spate of recent closings in the city's craft beverage scene, including fellow breweries: GnomeTown on the Landing and Trubble Brewing. Even before the pandemic, craft consumption has been down, and several local brewers have told WANE 15 they've struggled to revive consistent foot traffic.

Plus: Passenger rail updates, the status of a popular observation deck at the old Hanson limestone quarry and more! We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

Meet an artisanal ice cream shop using custom tech to create quality, interesting flavors.

Brooklyn Pints Microcreamery shares their story – and a FREE scoop deal for paid subscribers this month!

What’s happening?

This month, The Local is partnering with Brooklyn Pints Microcreamery to bring all paid subscribers one FREE scoop of ice cream (in a bowl) from their shop at the historic Sheridan Court Apartments in Downtown Fort Wayne. (Learn how to claim your offer here.) We sat down with Co-Owners and partners Brian Therkildsen and Trisha Tran to learn more about their culinary backgrounds, favorite flavors and tips for your next visit.

When you go:

• Taste-test their unique, tech-driven flavors. Brian and Trisha are pastry chefs who met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. (Trisha even worked in the pastry kitchen of the two Michelin-starred restaurant, the Modern, at the Museum of Modern Art.) Since returning to Fort Wayne (Brian's hometown) and opening Brooklyn Pints, they've used a computer program Brian built to help them experiment with artisanal ice cream, allowing them to maintain quality while working with unique flavors, ranging from Garlic (which could be used on steak) to Blueberry Corn and Honey Ginger. "Be opened-minded, and even if you don’t know what something is, just try it," Brian says. "We offer free samples."
• Bring your vegan and gluten-free friends. Brooklyn Pints usually keeps eight vegan flavors in stock, as well as their own handcrafted, vegan and gluten-free waffle cones. Trisha says: "I really wanted to make something for everyone, so that’s why we only make one variety (of cone)."
• Try Brian and Trisha's favorite flavors. "I love our Black Sesame ice cream," Brian says. "We don’t make it often because it’s difficult, but it’s really nutty and sweet. It’s actually black, and we don’t add any color to it." Trisha says: "I love our Dark Chocolate flavor. It’s so rich."

Learn more in our full Q&A.

• Get outside: for the 7th annual Bloom Fest Aug. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Riverside Gardens Park in Leo-Cedarville. The event includes 150 art and nature vendors, live local music, food trucks, children's activities, and more in a dog-friendly park with a splash pad.
• Learn: about the ecology of Fort Wayne's rivers during a River Ecology Trivia Tour on Sweet Breeze Canal Boat, Aug. 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ($35/person).
• Celebrate: Hispanic and Latin American culture at Fiesta Fort Wayne on Aug. 10, from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. at Headwaters Park Pavilions. The annual cultural extravaganza includes Folkloric Dancers, piñatas, live music, games, face painting and of course, food stalls offering authentic tacos, pupusas, arepas and more. (Admission is $9 before 5 p.m. and $10 after)

What else? Learn about more events in our premium newsletter.

Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett