Hey Locals,

“Bah humbug” was the prevailing message a crowd of concerned citizens delivered to City Council last week regarding three controversial issues heating up this cold December. We fill you in on what to know, offering a glimpse at ghosts of the city’s past, present and future, in Above the Fold.

In Briefs, we share a locally driven tiny home development seeking to improve housing access. Plus, what some City Council members are calling “political malpractice” on behalf of City Utilities regarding the Google data center.

In our To Do List, we dish on a new restaurant where you can mingle with another holiday villain, the Grinch, this weekend. Plus, a fun and free opportunity to break out your Ugly Sweater and spread some holiday cheer.

In December: We have a deal with Oyster Bar, celebrating its new menu and craft cocktail list this year. All paid subscribers to The Local get complimentary calamari with the purchase of any main dish during lunch hours. Details here.

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

Ghosts of Fort Wayne’s past, present and future.

Three key issues appearing before City Council.

What’s happening?

In recent weeks, three controversial issues have paid an untimely visit to City Council: cigar lounges, a casino, and the Google data center. 

Join us Thursday for a brief visit with the ghosts of Fort Wayne’s past, present and future as we unpack key considerations.

Plus: What the Flock? Another hot topic some citizens mentioned at Council was a concern about Flock license plate-reading cameras – public surveillance cameras commonly used by U.S. police departments that citizens tell us are “all over Fort Wayne.” The problem? YouTubers have documented some serious security vulnerabilities amateur hackers can use to access their data and feeds, meaning the cameras might cause security issues of their own…. More on this next week!

• A new tiny home development could be coming to Allen County. Last week, County Commissioners voted to rezone one acre of commercial property near Lower Huntington and Winchester Roads for a 60-unit development, with homes ranging from 250-700 sq. ft. and $50,000-$125,000. Developers hope to break ground by mid-summer. The project is led by Dwell Well Inc., a Fort Wayne area startup led by Ben Gilliom that makes furniture and cottages “crafted with sustainability in mind, using salvaged and quality materials,” and seeks to address “a growing need for affordable housing for young adults phasing out of foster care.” Gilliam is Project Manager and Director of Operations at City Church Fort Wayne, and he has a workshop and gallery in Fort Wayne where purchases support his Dwell Well Community concept for “quality, modern, single-family, small house developments that create opportunities for home ownership and intentional community in Northeast Indiana.”
• A longtime Southeast early learning center will close its doors Jan. 16, due to a pause in state childcare vouchers. Last week, Lutheran Social Services of Indiana (LSSI) announced its Children’s Village Early Learning Center on South Anthony is closing due to changes at the state level in late October. It’s one of more than 50 childcare facilities statewide forced to close since the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) decided against issuing any new childcare vouchers to families until “at least 2027” — a decision some say is worsening Indiana’s childcare crisis. The Village, which cares for children six years and under, has served more than 1,500 families since 2006 with a capacity for 116 children at a time. It tells WANE 15 98% of its children were receiving vouchers until this year, when its once-full enrollment fell by half. In related news, Gov. Mike Braun issued a new state policy Dec. 2, offering a childcare solution no one asked for: Allowing parents of newborns to bring babies into the workplace – with signatures from coworkers who agree to serve as “alternate care providers.” (You just can’t make this stuff up.)
• City Utilities sought permission from City Council last week for a slew of projects – at least one directly related to expanding Fort Wayne’s water infrastructure for the Google data center. Councilman Russ Jehl noted that the request came days before a city-sanctioned public forum with project representatives – a move he characterized as “political malpractice” and sought to table or kill. (Council ultimately voted to hold the vote until Jan. 13.) The project would repair an existing “deteriorating” water tunnel on Adams Center Road, totaling about $200K. City Utilities noted that under the current agreement with Google – which plans to expand part of the tunnel for its own use – the City would pay for 67% of the total cost with the tech giant footing the bill for the remaining third. 
• Small businesses are seeking support on social media amid a holiday season riddled with inflation and uncertainty. On Dec. 10, Fortlandia Brewing Company shared a post that garnered more than 140,000 views, warning customers: “If business does not pick up a GREAT DEAL right away, we will certainly be closing by the end of the Winter, possibly even sooner.” The owners noted that they had seen other friends in the local food and beverage industry “losing their dreams.” Over the weekend, Fortlandia posted an update thanking fans for an “absolute outpouring of love” that’s keeping them afloat. In recent weeks, several food and beverage businesses have permanently closed their doors, including longstanding Downtown establishments, like 816 Pint & Slice. (In more uplifting local food news: We sipped delicious cardamom lattes at a cozy pop-up on Wells Street last weekend for a new coffee and wine bar called Snail, coming to the former Brooklyn Pints location in West Central. We look forward to sharing more in 2026!)
• A new light sculpture is coming to the former 77 Steps Alleyway Downtown, on the south side of West Berry Street between Harrison and Calhoun. Last week, Fort Wayne’s Public Art Commission selected California artist James Lucey to create the work, titled Flow – an overhead kinetic light sculpture inspired by Fort Wayne’s rivers, seeking to “transform the corridor into a space of light, movement, and community.” The sculpture budget is $100,000, and its installation is set for early summer.
• In state news: Indiana’s senate delivered a surprising 31–19 blow to President Donald Trump’s unprecedented push for mid-decade redistricting ahead of the May 2026 primary, which would have fixed elections in favor of the Republican Party. This made Indiana Republicans among the few nationally who have “stood up to Trump” despite pressure and personal threats, The Atlantic reports.

Sing: along to your favorite holiday songs at the Allen County Public Library’s Jingle Mingle on Dec. 17, 1:30-2:45 p.m. Guitarist and vocalist Aaron Smith will lead audiences of all singing abilities in carols, followed by cookies and mingling in the lobby.

Listen: to Nic Roulette’s Rockabilly roundup at Mad Anthony Brewing Company on Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m., offering a special Christmas show and open rockabilly jam for local musicians.

Dress up: for Fleet Feet’s Ugly Sweater Run Downtown, a three-mile fun run to view the city’s holiday lights on Dec. 18, starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required, but admission is free if you bring three non-perishable food items to donate to Community Harvest Food Bank. The run is followed by an Ugly Sweater Contest with prizes at JK O'Donnell's Irish Pub where the first 350 participants receive a FREE commemorative glass.

Reminisce: with a screening of A Christmas Story with actor Peter Billingsley, followed by a Q&A at the Embassy Theatre on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.

Meet: the Grinch at the opening of a new restaurant in the former Pickles location at 5310 County Line Rd. West. The new Oak & Koe offers sandwiches, salads, soups and entrees like lettuce wraps, chicken sandwiches and shrimp tacos. Lunch with the Grinch is Dec. 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Try: local whiskey – the first made by Backroads Distilling Co.* out of LaOtto, entirely from grain grown on a family farm in DeKalb County. Backroads Distilling Co. operates as part of Country Heritage Winery. Bottles of its limited-release whiskey are priced at $49.95 while supplies last.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett