Hey Locals,

It’s been a particularly busy week, and not just because the holidays are here.

Last week, two big – and somewhat related stories – hit local headlines: 1) Fort Wayne’s City Clerk Lana Keesling announced she’s resigning in December, and 2) residents shared frustration with City Council for cutting $1M in funding to the Southeast Strategy. We explain what’s happening – and how these topics are tied together – in Above the Fold.

We also want to draw your attention to local food pantries this week as government funding to address food scarcity dries up and federal food assistance hangs in the balance. Thankfully, locals like yourselves are helping to meet people’s needs with everything from hot-and-ready meals to groceries and more. Details in briefs.

In our To Do List, we share ways to get your holiday shopping started – local style.

New deal: In November, we're partnering with Pikoso Burrito Co. at Union Street Market to bring all paid subscribers to The Local 20% off their dinner orders. Details in our Local Spotlight!

Now, let’s get started!

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

Why you might care about the City Clerk resigning.

And how it relates to funding for Southeast.

What’s happening?

• Last week: Allen County’s Democratic Party Chairman Chad Wierzbinski called for Fort Wayne’s City Clerk Lana Keesling to resign on the basis that she’s been working two (somewhat related) government jobs for about 10 months now, calling it a “conflict of interests.”
• How so? In February, Gov. Mike Braun endorsed Keesling as Indiana’s Republican Party Chair – a role she accepted without stepping down from her other job (as Fort Wayne City Clerk) as others have done. Instead, she’s been collecting a taxpayer-funded salary of about $98,665 locally, while also traveling to 92 counties across the state this year to advocate for Braun’s policies. And some of those policies are already directly impacting Fort Wayne.
• Case in point: Braun’s administration made big changes to the state’s property tax laws (in SB1), resulting in Fort Wayne City Council cutting about $8.6M from its budget for 2026. This has been highly criticized – even by Republicans on council – and it's resulted in a controversial loss of about $1M to the Southeast Strategy, which is already sparking citizen pushback.

So… Is there a conflict of interests here? What does the city clerk do? And why didn’t Keesling resign from her local job in February when she accepted state party leadership? 

We break it down in our paid newsletter on Thursday, including a preview for free members you won’t want to miss.

• Contrary to what we reported last week: The Oxford Streetscape in Southeast Fort Wayne might be affected by City Council’s 2026 budget cuts. As part of about $8.6M in budget cuts for next year (compared to a maximum of about $3M most years), council decided to cut $1M in funding for the ongoing revitalization of Fort Wayne’s Southeast side. This includes improvements to long-neglected streets and sidewalks in the Oxford area, among other things. While council indicated last week that funding for Oxford might be preserved, residents in the area expressed concerns about it in a recent story on WPTA 21. We asked the city for clarification on which projects will be affected by budget cuts, and the city says: “Community Development is still evaluating options to make up for the shortfall following the budget cuts.” More on neighborhood projects and the 2026 budget in coming weeks.
• South Wayne Elementary School announced yesterday that it will permanently close at the end of the school year due to state budget cuts, FWCS leadership says. A statement from the school on WANE 15 notes that the building is in disrepair, and says: "With impending reductions in funding, we have to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible." South Wayne is more than 100 years old, and the majority of its students will be relocated to Abbett and Fairfield elementary schools next year, where FWCS officials will have to change boundaries to avoid overcrowding.
• As funding for federal food assistance (SNAP benefits) hangs in the balance of the ongoing government shutdown this winter, several local businesses and organizations in Fort Wayne are stepping up to meet people’s needs. Forward Indiana runs more than 30 community food pantries in the Allen County area – all stocked by volunteers – where anyone can donate or take free food at any time. See a full list here. Local Instagrammer @fortwaynefoodslut, also published a list of pantries that serve everyone and don’t require an address or ID. Instagrammer @slinginshunshine is also coordinating free community meals in partnership with local restaurants. (Next up is Banh Mi on Nov. 20 and Rune on Nov. 24.) Plus, local businesses at the YLNI Farmers Market on Saturdays at Parkwest Shopping Center are teaming up to offer free bread to residents. Follow Impact Bread and Simple Nature Candles for details. Good Bread for All is also offering free meals to residents who order “the special.” See more local people and businesses stepping up to create food solutions in Fort Wayne? Hit reply to this email, and let us know. 
• Powers Hamburgers was vandalized last Friday night and is seeking support for its team. The restaurant was able to reopen Saturday at noon after the team cleaned and weatherized a damaged window. 
• State update: Indiana legislators are still meeting to discuss controversial mid-decade redistricting, but during the regular session as opposed to a special session. In late October, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced that state legislators would follow the Trump administration’s request to discuss mid-decade redistricting in a special session on Nov. 3, potentially costing Hoosier taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. (The Indiana Capital Chronicle reports that Indiana’s last special session in 2022 cost taxpayers about $240,000, for reference.) To prevent this spending, legislators have decided to discuss redistricting during their regular session in December instead.
• The Fort Wayne area might not be getting a controversial new casino after all. In recent months, some locals have speculated about the possibility, following New Haven nixing plans for a southeastern Indiana casino seeking to relocate there earlier this year. Last week, a 45-page study by a Pennsylvania gaming group revealed that Downtown Indianapolis would have about twice the market potential as a Northeast Indiana site (a proposed location near Auburn and I-69). Auburn Mayor Dave Clark told The JG the idea of a casino in Auburn is a surprise to him, since he hasn’t been approached by any casino operators exploring the idea – even though it’s listed as the study’s second-best site. 
• City and county leaders are hosting a public information meeting about upcoming changes to North Clinton Street on Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. at the North Pointe Clubhouse. (The meeting will also be livestreamed at www.cityoffortwayne.org/CityTV.) The project involves changes from Auburn to Mayhew roads, including the reconstruction and widening of North Clinton Street from two lanes to four lanes with a median or two-way left-turn lane and pedestrian facilities. “Drainage improvements would be included along with intersection improvements, including realignment of intersecting roadways to address line of sight,” A news release says. Visit the city’s Engage website for more information, and submit any comments by Dec. 12.
• U.S. Census Bureau data shows Allen County’s Latino population outpaced its Black population as the county’s largest minority for the first time in 2024. According to a recent report by The JG, Latinos now make up 9.5% of the local population compared to Black residents at nearly 9.2%. While some believe this is a one-year “glitch,” others point to a lack of opportunities for young Black residents in Fort Wayne, as well as the rise of organizations, like Latinos Count, supporting Latino community engagement.
• A new comedy club in Fort Wayne called Fort Wayne Improv is hosting its first show on New Year’s Eve. The family-friendly club was started by Michael Bradt, a 20-year veteran of Chicago’s improv scene who moved to Fort Wayne last year. Bradt renovated the former Big Tooth Furniture Shop at 1314 East State Blvd. where he has already started hosting improv classes. His NYE festivities include a party for children, starting at 11 a.m. on Dec. 31.

New deal: 20% off dinner at Pikoso Burrito Co.

Meet up with friends and family at Union Street Market this month!

What’s happening? 

November is a time for gathering with family and friends, and one place we love entertaining large groups is Union Street Market at Electric Works. There’s plenty of space, no reservations required and options for everyone to find something they enjoy.

This month, we’re partnering with Pikoso Burrito Co. to bring our paid subscribers to The Local an extra special discount: 20% off dinner orders, 4-9 p.m., now through Nov. 30. “We hope this collaboration helps drive meaningful traffic and adds value for your readers,” says owner Flora Barrón, who has previously partnered with us for a deal at her other business: Kanela Blended Drinks.

Did you know… Kanela’s Downtown location is celebrating its fifth anniversary next week? To celebrate: “From November 10-15, we’ll be offering special rewards exclusively for our (Kanela rewards) members, including a limited-edition teddy bear cup, cupcakes, and more surprises throughout the week,” Barrón says. “It’s our way of saying thank you for your continued support over the years.”

Pro tip: If you haven’t signed up for Kanela’s free rewards program yet, do yourself a favor and get in on the deals. We visit often for their delicious smoothies and acai bowls, and we frequently earn discounts on their products.

On the menu at Pikoso: We recommend trying their Pollo Al Pastor: Three tacos made with marinated chicken and topped with housemade pineapple salsa and cilantro. “Our Pollo al Pastor is one of my favorite dishes,” Barrón says. “We marinate the chicken for days and pair it with a made-from-scratch grilled pineapple salsa that’s fresh, sweet and spicy.”

Dine: at Restaurant Week on The Landing, now through Nov. 9, with participating eateries offering exclusive three-course menus at special prices. One stop on our list is Mercado, which is offering a deal on its popular Night Market Noodles.

Try: Urban Golf’s state-of-the-art golf simulators at The Fairfield at a free Open House on Nov. 5, 5-8 p.m. “If you’ve been on the fence about memberships, this is your chance to try it out, practice, and learn about everything Urban Golf offers – from lessons to exclusive member perks,” a post says. Deals include half-off wine bottles and whiskey pours.

Check out: local pottery for sale at the free 26th Annual Holiday Pottery Exhibition & Sale at North Pointe Woods, The event is hosted by “Just a Bunch of Potters”: Kimberly Rorick, Deb Walterhouse, Kristy Jo Beber, Joseph Pelka, Teagan Koble, Hope Wallace, Janelle Slone, Matthew Schroeder, Steve Smith, and John & Angie Platt.

Explore: the McNamara Florist Annual Holiday Open House Nov. 7-9, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. including free ornaments, calendars and light refreshments, while supplies last. 

Holiday Shop: at The Garden’s 2025 Holiday Market, featuring gifts, lights and delights made by Indiana artisans on Nov. 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The market takes place at two walkable locations on the North Anthony Corridor: The Garden (3308 N. Anthony Blvd.) and The Greenhaus (3504 N Anthony Blvd.)

Get active: at two free, all-levels fitness classes at Promenade Park this weekend: Yoga on the Riverfront (BYO mat) on Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. and Zumba in the Park on Nov. 10 at 10:30 a.m. 

Visit: the Fort Wayne Coffee Club, an organization founded by locals Ally and Cameron Youngblood to share positivity and caffeinated drinks. The club, which offers memberships for $5/month, has a new mobile cafe it uses to host events and rents to other locals. Learn more on Instagram.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett