Hey Locals,

It turns out, it’s difficult to find information about the candidates for several races in Allen County’s mid-term. Following last week’s report on the Allen County Superior Court judicial race, we received a reader email asking us to share information about the candidates running for the Fort Wayne Community Schools board. In this week’s Above the Fold, we’ll break down what to know – free to all subscribers as a way to increase public information about the candidates.

In Briefs, we share updates on the Parkview’s latest acquisition and City Council’s vote against proceeding with a data center task force and moratorium. Plus, new restaurants and holiday events around town.

In our To Do List, learn how you can get your first taste of the new Downtown eatery, Bridgeport, at a special Oktoberfest event, and more opportunities to wear your Halloween costume this weekend!

Don’t forget: In October, we’re also partnering with Summit City Vintage to bring all paid subscribers a special deal: 10% off any purchase. 

Now, let’s get started.

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

FWCS School Board Race: 

What to know about candidates + key issues.

What's happening?

Early voting for the November midterm has begun, and after our coverage of the Allen County Superior Court judicial race last week, a reader asked if we’d look into the Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) Board of School Trustees race.* They said they haven’t been able to find much information about the candidates.

For a quick overview:

• Voters within the FWCS district can cast a ballot for two at-large seats on the seven-person board. 
• The FWCS School Board race is non-partisan, which means candidates aren’t affiliated with a major party (so if you vote straight ticket, you’ll still need to select candidates).
• Five candidates are running for the two at-large seats, including: Matthew J. Crummey, Lee John Daly, Giovannaa Follo, Joe Jordan, and incumbent Noah Smith.
• Brandon Foster, who made headlines earlier this year after being fired by FWCS, has dropped out of the race, according to a recent post on Facebook. The former Irwin STEM Magnet School principal says he was fired because he “asked about raising the achievement of Black students across the district,” 21Alive reports.

So… what are the candidates saying? And what key issues might you consider when voting?

Stay tuned for Thursday’s newsletter – available to all subscribers – where we’ll break down an overview of the candidates, major issues, and highlights from a public forum earlier this month hosted by the Indiana Coalition for Public Education Northeast.

• City Council voted (5-3) against moving forward with a one-year data center moratorium and task force. Councilwoman Rohli Booker (D-6) proposed the ordinance several weeks ago, which would only affect Council’s own approvals regarding future data centers. Council has since amended the legislation and delayed its vote until last week. Those in opposition included: Councilmen Nathan Hartman (R-3), Marty Bender (R-At Large), Scott Myers (R-4), Paul Ensley (R-1), and Councilwoman Michelle Chambers (D-At Large). Several said the ordinance would duplicate responsibilities of the Fort Wayne Plan Commission and Department of Planning Services to review data center projects and zoning requirements. Councilman Russ Jehl (R-2), who proposed similar legislation, voted for Booker’s ordinance and made the case that “council needs to be vigilant in making sure the commission follows through with zoning decisions,” The JG* reports. Booker also said she “heard concerns that the legislation would inhibit economic development.”
• Parkview Health acquired a Tennessee-based healthcare solutions business that promises to help providers “speed up collections and improve yield.” Ovation Healthcare is a 50-year-old company that offers services to more than 500 healthcare organizations nationwide in leadership advisory, spend management, revenue cycle management, and technology. A statement from Parkview says the acquisition is part of its strategy to lower costs for employers and patients by reducing administrative expenses versus quality of care. Parkview says it will continue to operate Ovation “as a separate healthcare services organization with its own governing board” to help rural providers “remain independent, while continuing to drive down administrative costs for our local patients.”   
• Ruoff Mortgage Stadium – home of Fort Wayne Football Club – is bringing a new holiday light display and outdoor skating rink* to the Southwest side of town. The display, Holiday Promenade at the Pitch, opens the day after Thanksgiving-Jan. 1. It includes a synthetic ice rink with skate rentals, “a dazzling light show” to explore by foot with photo opps, and a kids’ interactive zone with a dance floor, fire pits for roasting s’mores, and hot chocolate. Admission is $14 per person, ages 2 and up, at www.ruoffstadium.com/events.
• Groups for and against a potential casino in Allen County are ramping up efforts to sway voters ahead of the November midterm. Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties will have questions on the ballot for voters to decide whether or not to allow casinos in their communities. A recent report by the Indiana Capital Chronicle details some pros and cons of the decision, as voiced by two major Allen County groups advocating for their stance. The pro-casino group, Advance Fort Wayne, has raised more than $516K this year – with $500K coming from Richard Byers, former president of Automotive Color & Supply Corp. Other supporters include Fort Wayne Community Schools’ Board of Trustees longest-serving member, Steve Corona, who tells the Chronicle he doesn’t like gambling, but believes the casino could bring much-needed revenue back to the FWCS district, which is “getting killed” by Gov. Mike Braun’s property tax reductions in Senate Enrolled Act 1. A grassroots group pushing a “No casiNO” campaign cited the addictive and predatory nature of casinos, as well as challenges to Fort Wayne’s family-friendly reputation.
• One of Downtown Fort Wayne’s oldest retailers, Stoner’s Funstore, says unexpected construction and street closures near its costume shop have made Halloween business “very difficult” this year, WANE 15 reports. In a post shared on Facebook, the business says two streets near its store were “suddenly shut down” by the City for “beautification” with no prior warning. The store also expressed disappointment about the City’s “apparent lack of consideration” as to how the road closures would affect the “family-owned, local business,” which does more than 60% of its annual sales in the weeks before Halloween. The City later released a statement saying they “regret the disruption” and would take steps to “make it easier for customers to reach local businesses.” 
• The family behind Banh Mi’s eateries in Fort Wayne has opened a new restaurant: Banh Mi Kitchen at 820 Goshen Ave. The latest venture offers a full menu of Vietnamese appetizers, sandwiches (vegetarian, chicken, pork and Korean BBQ), soups, and more, as well as bubble teas and Vietnamese coffee. Hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  
• Allen County Council last night unanimously passed (7-0) the nearly $49M needed to launch the new unified Allen County Fire & EMS District on Jan. 1, 2027. In recent weeks,* County Councilwoman Lindsey Hammond (R-At Large) had questioned the decision, noting that the state has not yet approved the county’s appeal for more tax revenue to cover the district’s increased budget, which could create a significant shortfall. 
• Dae Gee Korean BBQ, a Colorado-based chain, is closing its Fort Wayne restaurant after three years on October 25.

• Party: at the Fort Wayne Zoo’s Beastly Bash, a 21+ event, on Oct. 23, 7:30-10:30 p.m., with live music from Decade Divine and a costume contest with “fa-boo-lous” prizes. ($25)
• Watch: Morning Kickaround, a YouTube show for American soccer culture, on Oct. 24 at two Fort Wayne locations. Fan gatherings begin at Deer Park Irish Pub, noon-5 p.m., with 3 vs. 3 games and a soccer merch swap. Then catch the live show at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, 5:30-7 p.m., airing ahead of the Fort Wayne FC vs. AC Boise game.
• View: a double feature of “Hocus Pocus” and “Friday the 13th” at The Embassy Theatre for Spells & Slashers on Oct. 23 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., respectively. Stop by early for a costume contest and Halloween-themed activities in the lobby. ($10 for one movie, $15 for both)
• Wander: Fantastical Fort, an immersive, all-ages wizarding world event (formerly known as Hogworks) now at The Fairfield on Oct. 25, noon-5 p.m. Fantastical Fort supports Bountiful Bags (formerly Blessings in a Backpack) and features small business vendors, activities from local non-profits, and four floors of magical realms – plus tarot reading, wand-making, face painting, and more.
• Dine: at the new Bridgeport restaurant (in the former Pint & Slice) for a special Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 24. The event includes an outdoor, three-course dinner by Bridgeport Chef Marcus Daniel at 6 p.m.($65/Ticket), followed by a free, public Spooky After-Party in the alley at 8 p.m. with drinks by The Dash-In and a late-night snacks menu.
• Listen: to an album release show by local artist Caleb North at the Brass Rail on Oct. 24, with music starting at 9 p.m. ($7/ages 21+). The show also features acts by the Namby Pamby, Ellie Jackson, and Mol Sullivan.

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-Your Editor, Kara Hackett

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