Hey Locals,

You might have seen my (Kara’s) recent story about homelessness in The Journal Gazette’s Perspective Section on Sept. 26.* We started a new partnership with The JG, allowing them to republish some of our Above the Fold content – after it hits the inbox of our paid subscribers on Thursdays, of course. 

We’re excited about how this partnership might extend the reach of our newsletter, which we feel is still somewhat of a hidden gem in the Fort Wayne community. We also love supporting print journalism any way we can, and we encourage you to do the same. (Did you know print newspapers are statistically more effective at stopping government corruption than digital media?)

All of that to say: We’re taking this week off to rest and recalibrate, so we have a shorter-than-usual Tuesday email and no Thursday newsletter. We’ll have a new deal for you next week, too. 

In the meantime, today, we have a few briefs to start your week, including updates on a city-owned center for homeless individuals, a story about a local gas station owner detained by ICE making national headlines and a look at local school trends this fall.

In our To Do List, we share free ways to enjoy the outdoors, like a sunset hike through Eagle Marsh you won’t want to miss.

Now, let's get started!

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

• The City of Fort Wayne wants to create a comprehensive, low-barrier homeless services center, owned by the city and operated by a nonprofit partner. A news release last week says the city is looking for developers to identify and renovate an existing building to support the project. The cost and funding sources are undetermined, but the city will pursue federal housing dollars. Many of the current nonprofits serving Fort Wayne’s homeless population have barriers to entry, like religious and program requirements. In contrast, this would be a 24/7 shelter for men and women with food, showers, laundry, phone service, secure storage and safe parking for people living in vehicles. For more background on homelessness in Fort Wayne, read our recent reports here and here.
• A legal immigrant and Fort Wayne gas station owner is being illegally detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Newsweek and multiple local news stations. Paramjit Singh, 48, who owns 16 gas stations in Fort Wayne, was detained in Chicago on July 30 while returning from a trip to India. His attorney tells WPTA 21 Singh has lived in the U.S. legally with a green card since immigrating from India in 1994, but he was convicted of theft in 1999 for not paying to use a payphone, and this decades-old, "minor infraction" is allegedly the reason he was detained. Singh’s family says federal officials have moved him to multiple detention centers, prolonging his detention and delaying surgery he needs for a brain tumor. Singh has a wife and two minor children, and his company is currently building two distribution centers, including one in Fort Wayne.
• Allen County’s three commissioners passed legislation instituting “extreme setbacks” for solar projects* – defying recommendations from county council. On Friday, the commissioners instituted a mandatory 1,000 ft. setback for solar fields, compared to lesser (200-400 ft.) recommendations from county council. Renewable energy advocates say this will deter solar projects in Allen County, including one proposed for New Haven that's expected to generate about $34 million in tax revenue. The regulation is effective Nov. 7 and could contribute to higher energy costs for consumers.
• Southwest Allen County Schools is considering admitting more non-resident students to boost its enrollment (and state funding). Last week, The JG* outlined several factors driving SACS officials to this decision, including low birth rates and aging populations Southwest, as well as the Indiana legislature’s increased support for private school vouchers, luring students away from public education. Since 2021, SACS has lost more than 500 students. SACS officials say the change would not increase class sizes but help to fill gaps and maintain the district’s historically high funding levels. The school board is expected to vote Oct. 21, and the change would take effect next academic year.
• Purdue University Fort Wayne reported a 6% year-over-year decrease to a new low of 5,777 students, despite public college enrollment in Indiana rising about 2%. The number of in-state students at PFW also declined by about 3% among undergraduate and graduate students. Since 2020, PFW’s enrollment has dropped 15%, and the university declined to comment to The JG.* IU Fort Wayne reported its undergraduate enrollment increased 5.5% this semester for a total of 1,091 students, and Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne saw the largest gains statewide at 11.4%, to 6,259 students.
• A new study released during a public meeting last week shows the value of Fort Wayne’s local historic districts – not only in preserving architecture, but also in boosting the local economy. A local historic preservation and heritage tourism study shows increased property tax revenue generated by Fort Wayne’s local historic districts totaled nearly $750,000 last year. That’s enough to hire four new police officers, eight new city employees, and still have enough to subsidize the rents at $100/month for 50 low-income families all year. Since 2001, investments in local historic tax credit rehabilitation projects have totaled about $340 million and supported 258 jobs annually, the report said, noting that heritage tourism brought another $314 million to Fort Wayne last year, and spending led to paychecks of more than $124 million for Allen County residents.
• Indianapolis-based chain Yats Creole cuisine is closing its location at Jefferson Pointe on Oct. 19. It opened locally in April 2023 and says it will likely reopen at another location in Fort Wayne.
• About five miles west of Electric Works on Taylor Street, an old GE plant is being demolished for nearly $10M with no future plans for the site, WANE 15 reports. The building was originally a WWII production hub and later home to BAE Systems.

• Listen: to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Brass Quintet at Crescendo Coffee & More on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m.
• Shop: Downtown Fort Wayne for Ladies Night Out on Oct. 9, 5-8 p.m., featuring an evening of dining and entertainment with special deals at participating locations and an exclusive LNO shuttle. One stop on our list is the Visitors Center, which will have an Apple Cider Bar and local vendors.
• Celebrate: American farm history and culture at a two-day Salomon Farm Fall Harvest Festival, featuring wagon rides, animals, vendors, food trucks, blacksmith demos and more, on Oct. 10-11, starting at 10 a.m.
• Get tickets: to see late-'90s indie rock band Modest Mouse and Built to Spill at the Clyde Theatre on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. (Tickets start at $50.)
• Dress up: for the 2nd Annual Hogworks at Electric Works, a free event showcasing more than 60 vendors and Harry Potter-themed entertainment from 12 cities across Indiana.
• Learn: how to use a compass with River Rangers, and test your skills in a scavenger hunt through Promenade Park on Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ($5; recommended for ages 8-13)
• Browse: Summit City Vintage Fest 7 on The Landing on Oct. 12, noon-6 p.m., featuring more than 25 vintage clothing vendors, drinks for purchase and art vendors.
• Fall into fitness: with a free, full-body workout at The Fairfield on Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. with F45 Training, offering a high-energy, team-based workout to build strength, endurance, and mobility for all abilities. Then attend a No Shower Happy Hour at Pinhouse Social or Urban Golf. (Free registration required and BYO mat.)
• Dance: to free Zumba in the Park at Promenade Park on Oct. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m., with Vanessa Escobar of the Renaissance Pointe YMCA. (Free and open to all experience levels.)
• Make plans: to join a free two-mile sunset hike through Eagle Marsh on Oct. 15, 5:30-7 p.m., to enjoy the fall foliage. Our partners, AARP Indiana, are hosting the peaceful stroll as a way for locals to explore the outdoors and learn more about their local environment. (Free registration required.)

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett