Quick heads up: We, The Local's Co-Founders, Kara and Mike, are taking a three-month parental leave from the newsletter to welcome Baby No. 2 into our family. Thankfully, we have a highly capable team who will be taking over while we're gone, including our regular contributors: Rachel Horton, Chrystel Lopez, and Jeff Blossom. Don't hesitate to email them with questions and story tips at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com. Now, back to this week’s news! 

Hey Locals,

We’re still thinking about last week’s election, which led to major gains for the Democratic Party at the local and state levels. In Above the Fold, we continue that analysis – with an update on what’s shaping up to be an interesting City Council race in 2027.

In Briefs, the Allen County Building Commissioner’s untimely resignation is creating a stir among county officials, and we got a behind-the-scenes tour of ARCH’s historic renovation project on South Calhoun Street set to provide low- to middle- range commercial space upon completion.

In our To Do List, we’re feeling festive with the start of Fort Wayne's annual Light Fest – and a way to see the lights by bicycle, as well.

Last week’s highlight: We had the chance to attend Quest Club, where Matt Kelly of One Lucky Guitar delivered an informative speech on “College Sports, Inc.” If you’re not familiar with Quest Club, it was established in 1911, and meets on Fridays, October-April. Each week, members present and discuss research papers on topics ranging from social to economic, scientific, cultural, political, and more. The array of subjects is pretty eclectic; this year, you’ll hear about everything from CIA missions to Mary Shelley and Frankenstein to the history of Fort Wayne during the Gilded Age. If you’re interested in learning more, check out their website, or email Executive Director Mark Rudolph.

New deal with FW Curling Club! In November, we’re also partnering with the Fort Wayne Curling Club to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a special deal: 50% off their Learn to Curl events. Details (and curling tips) in this week's Local Spotlight!

Now, let’s get started.

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

Let's talk about the election:

2026 results + 2027 projections.

What's happening?

Yesterday, community advocate Kody Tinnel announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party's nomination for City Council’s 5th District in 2027 – a seat that’s been held by fellow Democrat Councilman Geoff Paddock since Paddock was first elected in 2011. As to whether Paddock will run for re-election against Tinnel, he tells WPTA21: “There may be other opportunities for me in the future. And so we’re going to kind of stand aside and take a look at that.”

Did you know... next year, Fort Wayne's offices for Mayor, City Clerk, and City Council are all up for election?

We still have plenty to reflect on from last week’s election, too, like...

• Results of the Allen County Superior Court Judicial race, and what it says about how we select judges here.
• Infighting within the local Republican party, leading one disgruntled candidate to call for a party leadership change.
• New leadership at the Statehouse, and how that might affect the upcoming legislative session.
• And how Democrats managed to pull off a massive victory at both the local and state levels.

So... what are the implications of Indiana's “blue wave”? And what will happen next year, when so many City offices are up for election?

We’ll dive into this (and more) on Thursday – for paid subscribers only.

• The Allen County Building Commissioner’s untimely resignation is raising questions among county officials. Building Commissioner Joseph Hutter submitted his resignation at the end of October, having held the position since November 2022, WANE reports. You might remember: Hutter was involved in the Portland Loo debate earlier this year and filed a document with the state that stated the structure would, in his professional opinion, “put at risk everyone that steps one foot inside this facility” – an assessment the City disagreed with. At a press conference following his resignation, then-County Commissioner candidate Paul Moss, County Councilman Paul Lagemann (R-3), and State Representative Bob Morris (R-84) claimed Hutter was “forced to resign,” with Morris characterizing the move as “politically motivated,” according to WPTA21. “I think the timing on this was just terrible, as well as it not being handled appropriately,” Moss added. These claims have yet to be verified, as Hutter himself has remained silent, and Allen County does not comment on personnel matters. The JG* reports that the search for Hutter’s replacement is “ongoing.” We’re curious how this might play out, given the recent election of two new Democratic County Commissioners.
• The Schaab Riverfront project celebrated the opening of Mitchell’s Downtown last week. The 40,000-sq.-ft. former Schaab Metal Products building on North River has undergone significant renovations, totaling roughly $8M, with hopes to host five or six tenants eventually. In addition to Mitchell’s Downtown and Flashbacks Downtown, the property will include Jasper’s Table, a “full-service new American deli” run by Zebadiah Boetcker, owner of Pufferbelly Ice Cream, The JG* reports. The historic Craigville Depot that houses the ice cream shop has also recently migrated to a spot on N. Harrison St., on the north side of the Schaab building.
• We got a behind-the-scenes look at a stretch of historic buildings on South Calhoun Street that ARCH is renovating. You might remember: the Calhoun Project buildings, which the organization acquired via donation, were constructed in the 1880s and “are anticipated to provide low- to middle- cost commercial space upon project completion.” ARCH plans to draw on their rehabilitation experience with the 1000 Block of Broadway for this roughly $4M project, which will likely last “several years.” During our tour last week, we were delighted to find extensive murals along some of the walls*– relics from when the space hosted a speakeasy and jazz club in the mid-1900s.
• New Haven is signaling interest in joining Governor Mike Braun’s Advanced Nuclear Ready Community program, WANE reports. While no specific nuclear projects are in the works for New Haven, the city recently held an open house to engage with residents about the prospect of nuclear energy in the community. New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael praises the “safe record” of nuclear energy and says it’s “an economic driver for the community.” McMichael says New Haven is committed to transparency around nuclear power “before there is a project,” giving the community “opportunity to provide input.” Neither Fort Wayne nor Allen County is pursuing this program currently, according to recent reporting from WANE.
• Northrop students gathered to protest alleged threats of sexual assault against students, WPTA21 reports. Roughly 20 students convened outside of Northrop High School yesterday to raise awareness for what they say are ongoing threats that FWCS has not properly addressed. FWCS did not tell WPTA21 if the district would be looking into these specific claims, but said they take “all reports of inappropriate behavior, harassment, and threats seriously.” As we reported earlier this fall, FWCS has already been named in a sexual assault-related lawsuit, which claims the school district and others failed “to take steps” to prevent a female student from “suffering ‘severe and lasting injuries,’” and alleges the defendants knew her assailant had a “history of sexual misconduct, harassment and/or assault against other North Side students,” The JG* reports.

New deal with Fort Wayne Curling Club:

50% off their Learn to Curl sessions!

What's happening?

In November, The Local is partnering with the Fort Wayne Curling Club to bring all paid subscribers a special deal: 50% off their Learn to Curl sessions. The next one is Nov. 13, 7-9:30 p.m. (Fun fact: Our reporter Rachel attended a previous session and had a blast.)

So... what is curling anyway? Though the sport has been alive in Fort Wayne since the 1880s, the FW Curling Club got its start in 2010, when Craig Fischer, his wife Jerri Mead, Greg Eigner, and Dan McCoy sought to re-establish the sport in Fort Wayne after a nearly 100-year dormancy. 

A few quick things to know:

• FW Curling runs one of the largest adaptive curling programs in the U.S. Two of the co-founders, Fischer and Mead, were motivated to start the club because “we wanted to have a sport available that we could play together as a family with our 16-year-old son with Autism,” Fischer says. “Curling is one of the rare team sports where you can provide assistance to someone with adaptive needs when it is their turn but can also enjoy the game to the fullest when it is your own turn.” 
• They are a volunteer-run non-profit, meaning: “everyone contributes for the love of the game, so our members are passionate about the sport,” Fischer says. These members will guide you through Learn to Curl sessions, too, so you’re learning from the pros.
• Curling isn’t as hard as it may seem, and skates aren’t necessary – grippers are worn over (clean) sneakers, allowing you to walk comfortably across the ice. Learn to Curl sessions are perfect for beginners, and include all necessary equipment. You can also venture out into the “warm room” for a free coffee, or enjoy a drink from the bar while brushing up on your curling etiquette.

• Savor: something new during Restaurant Week at The Landing, now through Nov. 15th. More info available on their Instagram page!
• Read: at Slowburn Books, a new romance-themed bookstore originally based in Garrett, Ind., that's moving to Fort Wayne – and hosting their grand opening on Nov. 14, noon-7 p.m. at The Marketplace of Canterbury – with beverages from Lavender Lane Coffee, local author talks, and a $100 gift card raffle.
• Get Lit: at Fort Wayne Light Fest. One ticket gets you access to three local lights displays (and 15% off) at the Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights, the FW Zoo Wild Lights, and the Parkview Field Holiday Lights. ($39+)
• Ride: with Bike Party Fort Wayne from Lawton Park through Blue Jacket’s Fantasy of Lights at Franke Park on Nov 16. The ride starts at 6 p.m.
• Listen: to a live performance by local musician Chris Worth for Great Day Cafe at the ACPL's Main Library for Adults with memory impairments and their caregivers, in celebration of Veteran’s Day and National Family Caregiver’s Month on Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
• Relax: at this sound bath wellness experience presented by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic in partnership with Discover Yoga, on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Philharmonic Center 826 Ewing Street ($15)

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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