5 min read

Jan. 21, 2025 | Pedestrian right of way follow up + New Haven's casino gamble

Jan. 21, 2025 | Pedestrian right of way follow up + New Haven's casino gamble

Hey Locals,

We also got a lot of reader feedback on last week's report about pedestrian right of ways. This week, we follow up with a clarification regarding crosswalks. We also discuss New Haven's controversial casino plans and the final leg of a county trail coming to fruition.

Plus, we have some indoor To Do List items for this cold week.

Don't forget: This month, all paid subscribers to The Local get one FREE climbing shoe rental with a climbing pass at Summit City Climbing Co. Did you know 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 deal!

Now, let's get started!

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


We got a lot of questions about pedestrian right of ways last week.

Here's an important clarification...

What's happening?

After our newsletter last week about pedestrian right of ways, we received several reader follow ups, including two about a tragic incident a few years ago where Lesia Patrick, 63, was hit and killed at a mid-block crosswalk on Carroll Road, while using the Pufferbelly Trail in Allen County.

One reader said:

"She was at one of those flashing crosswalks, oncoming traffic stopped for her, then someone got irritated and drove around the line of cars, hitting her as she crossed. At the time, there was a ton of finger-pointing. And one argument that was brought up was that the car that stopped for her, shouldn't have. The law is 'yield to pedestrians within a crosswalk,' and apparently, there's two interpretations of this. Does it mean when someone is standing at the crosswalk waiting to cross? Or does it mean when they are actively crossing? I feel that's where 99% of the confusion stems from, and I've heard so much discussion on it that I still don't know."

We followed up with city traffic engineer Philip LaBrash, and here's what he says:

"Yielding to pedestrians applies when a pedestrian is actively in the crosswalk, and this does not include a pedestrian standing on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street. When at an uncontrolled intersection, such as Creighton + Hoagland, or the trail example, pedestrians have to make a judgement to make a crossing movement only when there is a large enough gap in the vehicle traffic to safely cross. For an uncontrolled (no traffic light) intersection, vehicles should not be stopping in the street to allow pedestrians to cross, and as (this story) illustrated, it's a potentially very dangerous action to take. Vehicles also need to be aware of the presence of pedestrians as well as designated crosswalks areas and anticipate the possibility of a pedestrian making a crossing movement. The presence of lights with a sign, no matter the color (of light), does not change the meaning or function of the sign and is purely a tool to promote awareness. Trail crossings are no different than sidewalk crossings; all the same rules apply."

So... it seems like:

  • Pedestrians do get the right of way at controlled intersections (with traffic lights).
  • However, at uncontrolled (or mid-block) intersections (without traffic lights), vehicles (technically) get the right of way (even if there is a flashing light and signage at the crosswalk).
  • And then if a pedestrian gets confused and starts walking in the crosswalk at an uncontrolled intersection (as they may), vehicles should quickly yield and try not to hit them...?

Hmmm. It's starting to make sense why there might be a lot of traffic collisions...

LaBrash says this "yield to pedestrians" guidance is from the 2024 Indiana Drivers Manual, so it may vary state to state. Each state has its own regulations governing pedestrian right-of-ways, and some, like California, mandate stronger in favor of pedestrians crossing any marked or unmarked crosswalk.

Our question is: Why wouldn't Indiana simply ask drivers to stop at all crosswalks (pedestrians or not) just to be safe?


  • A massive casino development proposed for New Haven appears to be a bigger-than-expected gamble. Last week, The JG* reported that the company behind the project, Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts Inc., is in "significant debt" to the tune of about $480 million (long-term). It is reportedly "not forecast to become profitable over the next three years," and "has less than one year before the amount of cash on hand is fully depleted by its monthly operating shortfall." Full House has proposed a $500 million, 90,000-square-foot casino for Fort Wayne's neighboring city, including a five-story luxury hotel, a steakhouse, concert venue and more. The development must be approved by state legislators and has been hotly debated by residents. However, the project has been backed by New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael, who previously said he expects it to yield economic returns and philanthropy.*
  • The final leg of the Union Chapel Trail can be built, thanks to Northwest Allen County Schools board donating land along Union Chapel Road.* In 2022, the school board opted against selling the right of way to Allen County for trail use, in part, due to safety concerns on the trail (like pedestrian fatalities at street crossings). To address the issue, the nonprofit Fort Wayne Trails board agreed to give the school district $25,000 to build a sidewalk between the trail and Maple Creek Middle School, so students can access the trail while avoiding traffic. A timeline for the buildout is TBA, but once complete, Union Chapel Trail will connect about 2,875 households with 10,000 people to the trail system.

Plus: A Parkview Health network update, Famous Taco's second location and Vera Bradley's jobs outlook. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.


  • Try: a Hokkaido milk tea at Hoshi-Hoshi. It's a rich, creamy Japanese drink made with black tea, milk and sweetener. We ordered an avocado frappe and taro mash, and both were delicious! There are a ton of options.
  • Dress up: for a Pajama Party Improv Comedy Show at Cinema Center by Broken Pencil, Fort Wayne’s premiere improv comedy troupe, on Jan 25 from 8-9:30 p.m. The night out "celebrates everything that’s awesome about a night in," and everyone who wears PJ’s gets a free small popcorn. ($10)
  • Watch: an all-sing, all-dance musical theatre-style cabaret by Three Rivers Music Theatre and Dance Collective, celebrating the art of burlesque with some of the most captivating songs of the stage and screen. Performances are select hours Friday-Sunday. ($27)

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.


Support The Local!

Our independent news publication is run by just two locals, Kara and Mike. We are 99% funded by our paid members, and we'd like to keep it that way. If you've enjoyed reading our newsletter so far and have found value in the service we provide, we'd love to have you become a paid subscriber. Help us keep going by upgrading today, and receive our premium newsletter and perks!


Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett