Hey Locals, 

We're out of town this week, so we have no Above the Fold on Thursday. But we do have an extended edition for you today, including a special feature on the inaugural Fort Cade event where you can play local and regionally made games for free.

In Briefs, we fill you in on the latest controversy regarding the Southwest quarry fight. Plus, Fort Wayne's new Music Office, ways you can share input on city projects and Pride Month events. We have a sweet new deal for you in June, too!

This month: We’re partnering with Club Soda to offer a special deal for all paid subscribers to The Local: Order two entrees, and get one free dessert to share. In our Local Spotlight, General Manager/Owner Noelle Robinson dishes on three new happenings at the iconic eatery — and why summer is the time to revisit!

Now, let’s get started.

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

• A letter sent to the Allen County Department of Planning Services is causing citizens to question the status of the county's thwarted Southwest quarry proposal. Last week, citizen members of the group No Quarry on Homestead posted screenshots of the letter on Facebook. It was sent by the attorney for the developer (US Aggregates) to the county's Planning Services Executive Director following the county's unanimous vote that blocked the 524-acre limestone quarry near Homestead and Yohne roads on May 26. The letter "appears to argue that US Aggregates does not concede that county approval was legally required for the project and reserves the company’s rights regarding future action," WANE 15 reports. Even so, members of No Quarry on Homestead say they're not concerned by the arguments. US Aggregates and their legal representation at Barrett McNagny have not yet commented on the company’s next steps.
• A new group De-Flock Fort Wayne is petitioning City Council to reject the FWPD's funding request for its AI-powered Flock Safety license plate recognition (LPR) cameras. So far, the group has more than 200 followers on Facebook, and leaders tell WANE 15 their concerns go beyond local law enforcement's use of the cameras, including how data is being collected, stored and accessed nationally by Flock and its partners. We previously reported on the subject here (as well as the FWPD's recent funding request). For context: The FWPD operates 36 Flock Safety cameras in Fort Wayne, but a national activist group, DeFlock, claims about 71 similar cameras total exist within/near city limits owned by various corporations, malls, housing/homeowner associations, small businesses, schools and organizations. City Council is set to vote on the FWPD's Flock funding on July 14.
• A new Fort Wayne office is tasked with making music a bigger part of local life – and it’s hiring an Executive Director. Last week, local leaders gathered to announce the new Fort Wayne Music Office, formed by the City of Fort Wayne in partnership with Visit Fort Wayne, Arts United, the Embassy Theatre, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Surack Enterprises and Sweetwater. The office seeks to advance Fort Wayne’s goal of becoming a national music destination by enhancing local infrastructure, promoting local talent, attracting visitor investment and cultivating Fort Wayne’s reputation as a music-friendly city. It resulted from a recent grant-funded study on the state of the city's music scene, which gave the city 17 “actionable recommendations” to implement within the next few years. Learn more about the office and job opening here.
• The City of Fort Wayne is seeking public input on its Southeast Shared Streets Planning Project. The project re-imagines about 8.9 miles of roadway, including S. Anthony Boulevard, W. Paulding Road, E. Paulding Road, Fairfield Avenue/Tillman Road, and E. Tillman Road. Its purpose is to better connect neighborhoods to businesses and schools “to serve people of all ages and abilities, whether they are walking, biking, taking transit, or driving,” the city’s website says. Share your input in a community survey here.
• The city's Department of Neighborhoods awarded 11 “Sparked at Inspire” micro-grants for up to $1,500 each to help neighborhood leaders implement projects. Awardees include the Packard Area Planning Alliance (PAPA) to plant 100 native trees and the Historic Oakdale neighborhood to plant native flowers for their street entrance gardens. Projects were developed following the City of Fort Wayne’s third annual Inspire Neighborhoods Conference in 2025. The next conference is scheduled for Sept. 11 at Electric Works.
• A new grant is helping Allen County update its St. Marys Watershed Management Plan and analyze water data “in a more holistic way.” Thanks to a roughly $160K grant from state and federal sources, the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District is conducting a multi-year, comprehensive water testing study (in addition to its routine water testing). It will also update its 2009 Watershed Management Plan. County officials tell The JG* the initiative is “about using hard data to guide smart long-term investments rather than an attempt to critique the management of the water.” The St. Marys Watershed is a regional drainage basin across Indiana and Ohio, and officials hope the study will increase awareness among residents about the current state of the water and continuing plans to improve its quality.

Three new things at Club Soda:

A patio, drink specials + more.

What’s happening?

Before Downtown was “the place to be,” Club Soda offered an iconic bar and restaurant that drew people to the city center for live music, craft cocktails, signature martinis, seafood, steaks and more. (Legend has it, actor Harrison Ford visited in the early 2000s and was so impressed that he vowed to return annually, giving rise to a signature cocktail on the menu: The Harrison Ford.) Now that construction is complete on the Headwaters Lofts apartments nearby, Club Soda is evolving with its surroundings and offering residents more ways than ever to enjoy the summer season. “Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, planning a night out, hosting a special event, or just coming to see what’s new, Club Soda is ready to welcome you back,” says General Manager/Owner Noelle Robinson.

Here are three new things at Club Soda this summer:

1. More parking. “The new Headwaters Lofts parking garage, located just steps from the restaurant, offers convenient and affordable parking at $1 per hour, with two hours validated for guests (enter from Clinton or Barr Street),” Robinson says. “It’s a simple, seamless way to start your Club Soda experience.”
2. A newly redesigned main floor outdoor patio. Robinson says the new patio offers a fresh, inviting space to enjoy the summer season, and for an extra elevated experience, visit the second-storey covered rooftop patio, open daily starting at 4 p.m. for evening cocktails, dinner and a view.
3. Live music on weekends and Weekday Hits drink specials. On Friday and Saturday nights, Club Soda hosts live music 6:30-10 p.m., and throughout the week, it runs all-day drink specials, including: Martini & Mocktail Monday, Tequila Tuesday (margaritas), Whiskey Wednesday (signature Club Soda Old Fashioned), and Wine-Down Thursday. (We recommend the new tropical Mahalo Cocktail!)

Plus: Free dessert for paid subscribers! In June, The Local is partnering with Club Soda to offer a special deal: Order two entrees, and get one free dessert to share.

• Try: The Coffee Club, now open at a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Huntington, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Tip: Bring your little ones to enjoy “Mima’s Tiny Town,” a children’s play area that offers drop-in play sessions at $5 per child, plus a free library and friendship bracelet-making station. 
• Play: locally made games at the new free, public event Fort Cade at the ACPL’s Main Branch on June 13, noon-5 p.m. We sat down with event organizer Kurt Roembke to learn more and get five quick tips here!
• Get outside: with Riverfront Social Sports Club, playing ultimate frisbee tonight at Headwaters Park at 6 to 8 p.m.
• Party: at the African-African American Historical Society Museum for its Soul Sunday Party on June 14, 2-6 p.m., featuring live music, vendor booths, food trucks, coffee carts and more.
• Celebrate: Pride Month and learn about Fort Wayne’s resilient LGBTQ+ community spaces, like After Dark nightclub, in a report by Input Fort Wayne. Plus, join After Dark for Thirsty Thursdays after TinCaps games for $1 cover with that day’s game ticket, plus Drag Bingo, 9-11 p.m.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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