City budget cuts • (Another) county jail lawsuit • Halloween weekend highlights!
Hey Locals,
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!
We’re one week from Election Day, and early voters are already turning up at the polls in higher numbers than we saw at the last midterm in 2022 – a win considering Indiana's turnout ranked 50th out of 51 in the nation that year. But before we get to Election Day, we still have a City budget to pass. In this week’s Above the Fold, we recap the details of Fort Wayne’s 2027 budget, which has incurred quite a few cuts since Mayor Sharon Tucker originally proposed it.
In Briefs, we follow up on last week’s FWCS School Board race after a reader contacted us about a lawsuit naming one of the candidates. Plus, another lawsuit related to overcrowding at the Allen County Jail, and (on a lighter note) a Downtown restaurant opening a second location on the North side.
In our To Do List, we have a full schedule of local Halloween events, including the last YLNI outdoor market before it heads indoors for the winter. We’re going to start sharing some of our favorite events we’ve attended around town in our weekly intros, too!
Last week: I (Rachel) had the chance to attend Appeals on Wheels at Canterbury School. If you’re not familiar, this is the Indiana Court of Appeals’s Traveling Oral Argument program, where Appeals Court judges hear cases and meet with citizens in settings across the state. This was a great opportunity to learn about the legal system and see firsthand how drug-related cases are heard at the appellate level. For more information on the case, check out this report from The Probable Cause.
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.
Learn how to claim your offer here.
Now, let’s get started.
NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.
City Council votes on 2027 budget tonight:
What's getting cut? And what's not?
What's happening?
City Council is voting tonight to finalize the City’s 2027 budget, which includes about $11.6 million of potential cuts from the budget Mayor Sharon Tucker proposed in September. (Note: Tonight’s meeting does not include public comment.)
For a quick overview:
- Earlier this fall, Mayor Sharon Tucker presented her 2027 budget to Council, which included a $10M deficit. She and City Controller Pat Roller emphasized Fort Wayne’s “strong financial position” and called for “investments in neighborhood infrastructure, enhancements in city parks, and a continued commitment to ensuring Fort Wayne is the safest community possible.”
- Since then, Republicans on Council have expressed concerns that the Mayor’s budget would create financial strain by requiring use of the City’s cash reserves, which total more than $100M, The JG* reports. They have suggested cuts some officials say will “stunt economic development.”
- Also relevant: Gov. Mike Braun’s property tax legislation, Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1), has created significant financial uncertainty and budget shortfalls for cities across the state, including Fort Wayne. It also led to the creation of Mayor Tucker’s SB1 Fiscal Task Force.
So… what will be cut from the budget next year? And where will the City continue to invest, despite its financial constraints?
Stay tuned for Thursday’s newsletter – for paid subscribers only – where we’ll dive into these questions and more.
- Early voting in Allen County is seeing high turnout and expanding to multiple locations this week. Allen County Election Board Director Amy Scrogham tells WPTA 21 roughly 8,500 residents have voted early at the Rousseau Center, as of last Friday – double the number from 2022. Allen County now uses vote centers, rather than precinct-based polling, and six additional early voting locations opened this week (available here). This year’s ballot includes the Allen County Superior Court Judicial Race, public questions on judges, bail, and a potential casino, a heated FWCS Board of Trustees race, and more. For more information on candidates and to get personalized voting information, check out Vote411.org.
- Following last week’s coverage of the FWCS Board of Trustees race, we received a reader email about a recent lawsuit related to allegations of sexual assault at North Side High School earlier this year. Specifically, the lawsuit names FWCS Board of Trustees President Noah Smith (who is seeking re-election as an at-large member), as well as FWCS Superintendent Mark Daniels, former North Side Principal David West, and others as defendants. The lawsuit accuses these parties of “failing 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. FWCS does not comment on pending litigation, but sources tell us it’s “very common” for the School Board President to be named in a suit like this, regardless of their level of direct involvement in the case.
- The Allen County Sheriff’s Department is being sued for a 2024 alleged wrongful death related to overcrowding at the county jail. Inmate Jose Trejo Valazquez, 25, was being held at the jail pre-trial when he was found unresponsive. His widow, Gabriela Apodaca, alleges the jail’s overcrowded conditions contributed to his death, which was ruled fentanyl toxicity by the coroner, WANE reports. Police say Valazquez “was reportedly dealing with suspected withdrawal symptoms from narcotics use before he was incarcerated,” according to The JG.* Apodoca’s suit also alleges the sheriff deputies and correctional officers failed to provide “a safe and drug-free environment to Trejo and other inmates.”
- Copper Spoon is opening a second location on the North side of Fort Wayne in the Pine Valley Shopping Center. Owner Gary Skeel says he plans to emulate the Downtown favorite’s “warm, inviting, rich atmosphere” at the new spot, which will also be family-friendly and “a little bit more casual.” Copper Spoon still aims to emphasize “farm-to-table, locally sourced” food at the second location, which will be in the space formerly occupied by Hideout 125. The restaurant hopes to finish renovations in late 2026 or early 2027, WANE reports.
- Sen. Jim Banks (R) is hosting his Fifth Annual Northeast Indiana Defense Summit this week at the Pearl Event Center and the Grand Wayne Center Downtown. The two-day conference will also be livestreamed on YouTube and X and will include panel discussions and speeches featuring “senior Trump administration officials, military leaders, members of Congress, and defense industry executives.” WOWO says the discussions are “expected to focus on defense technology, military research and development, regional defense capabilities and the role private industry plays in meeting national security needs.” Northeast Indiana is home to a significant defense contracting industry, and in 2026, it ranked 11th in the nation for Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Competitiveness in a report by Global Location Strategies.
- The Fort Wayne Urban League releases its State of Black Fort Wayne report today, which will “provide a comprehensive look at the social and economic conditions impacting Black residents in Allen County.” The report focuses on economic opportunity, employment, education, housing, health, and other indicators, Fort Wayne Business Weekly says. The public can access the report during an event today at the Urban League’s offices or online. It is inspired by a similar national report created in 1976 under then-President and CEO of the National Urban League, Vernon E. Jordan Jr. – who was wounded by sniper fire in an assassination attempt while visiting Fort Wayne in May 1980. Fort Wayne Urban League President and CEO Aisha Arrington says the report is “about more than numbers — it is about understanding where we are, acknowledging how far we have come, and being honest about where we still have work to do.”
What else? A new development for New Haven and more. We share additional briefs for paid subscribers only!
Extra! Extra! A couple more briefs for paid members only:
- A Huntington University film, “SENIORS,” earned top honors at the recent Heartland International Film Festival. The film stars John Rhys-Davies and Paris Brosnan, following the story of a war veteran and rebellious high school senior who form an unlikely bond at a retirement home. Directed by Huntington University Professor Lance Clark and aided by a team of 40 production students, “SENIORS” is the third feature film created by Forester Film. It was filmed in Huntington and around Northeast Indiana. Earlier this year, it earned Grand Prize for Best Feature Film at the Indiewood Film Festival, and it is currently showing at select local theaters.
- A $56M mixed-use development in New Haven broke ground last week. The Lincoln, a roughly 30-acre project by Great Lakes Capital out of South Bend, will include one and two-bedroom apartments as well as a community clubhouse and outdoor amenities, with room for retail, dining, and other business opportunities. It plans to begin leasing in fall 2027. New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael tells WANE, “This development proactively meets the high demand for quality housing in our growth corridor while driving localized commercial opportunities that keep New Haven a vibrant place to live, work and play.”
- Members of the Protect Allen County Coalition met in Southeast Fort Wayne last Sunday to share concerns about the Google data center. The group gathered in the backyard of a home that borders the project, The JG* reports. The homeowner, whose house has been in his family since it was built in the 1950s, says data center construction has led to frequent disruptions, including “heavy truck traffic, mud covering nearby roads, and backup alarms that can be heard on Sundays.” Protect Allen County organized the event to allow area residents to gather and “discuss potential responses to the data center and other proposed infrastructure projects.” The group’s aims include advocacy for “clean air and water, affordable energy and greater transparency around development.”
- Ride: to the Fort Wayne Bike Party on Oct. 30, meeting at Lawton Park at 6:30 p.m., followed by an afterparty on The Landing. BYO bike, lights, and costume for maximum spooky vibes!
- View: a new exhibit at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Killing the Negative: A Conversation in Art & Verse, by artist Joel Daniel Phillips and lead poet, Quraysh Ali Lansana, opening Oct. 31.
- Dress up: in your Halloween costume for the last outdoor YLNI farmer’s market of the season on Oct. 31, offering trick or treating and tractor rides before the market moves indoors for winter on Nov. 7 at 3811 Illinois Rd.
- Party: at a Thriller-inspired celebration at The Fairfield on Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-midnight, in the Barrel Room for Couture Cakes 9th annual Halloween Party with Thriller-themed drinks, treats, and beats by DJ RELLO – zombies welcome.
- Shop: early for the holiday season at the Country Heritage Holiday Market on Nov. 1, 4-9 p.m., featuring more than 70 local vendors with hand-crafted goods, woodwork, home decor, and more.
- Learn: about Indiana Political Trailblazers during City Councilman Geoff Paddock’s lecture at The History Center on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. The event profiles 15 women in politics from both major parties who served in both Indiana and the U.S., with a book signing to follow.
What else? Find your enchanted aesthetic with more creative Halloween-themed activities. We share additional things To Do for paid subscribers only!
Extra! Extra! Even more things To Do for paid members only:
- Create: your own ghastly painting with a Halloween workshop for kids at the Fort Wayne School of Art on Oct. 31, 1-3 p.m. ($45)
- Cast a spell: at Harry’s Halloween on Oct. 31, 8 p.m. at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. The event includes music from the Phil and DJ JK Harper with Harry Potter-themed cocktails, like “Polyjuice Potion.” Costumes encouraged! (tickets start at $25)
- Check out: student-made robots at a Halloween-themed Monster Match at Wayne High School on Oct. 31, starting at 8:30 a.m.
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-Your Editor, Kara Hackett
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