Fort Wayne news

• Ohio fish company stole 100+ walleyes from charity

  06-07-2023 23:47 via wane.com
  
  COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — A Sandusky, Ohio-based fish company illegally took more than 100 walleyes and several other fish intended for donation to a Sandusky charity in 2021, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.The fish, including 112 walleye, one steelhead trout, one yellow perch and three whitefish, were harvested during Lake Erie walleye fishing tournaments, which regularly donate caught fish to charity "to support those in need," reads the release. Commercial fish proce
  
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• Richard Franke, Fort Wayne Komets co-owner, passes away

  06-07-2023 23:36 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Fort Wayne Komets co-owner Richard Franke passed away Tuesday, July 4, at age 79, the team announced Thursday.Richard served as minority owner of the Komets for 33 years alongside his four brothers, Bill, Steve, David, and Michael, and Scott Sproat.When the original Komets franchise moved to New York in 1990, Richard and his brothers worked to purchase a franchise from Flint, Michigan, and immediately move the team to Fort Wayne, keeping the historic hockey franchise i
  
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• Farmer on Fort Wayne's south side turns to the cow pea when drought threatened area

  06-07-2023 22:58 via wane.com
  
  So far the weather has been "perfect"FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- One local farmer heard the word “drought” and got creative.Ephraim Smiley, Jr., originally from Alabama who has been a farmer here for 25 years, does most of his farming on a 17-acre set aside on Tillman Road, owned by Fellowship Missionary Church.This year, he’s got broccoli, green beans, eggplant, cabbage, okra, tomatoes, tomatillo and loads of peppers growing, food that will be given away through his hunger reli
  
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• PLEA DEAL: Rape charge to be dropped against man accused of battering teen

  06-07-2023 22:53 via wane.com
  
  WARNING: This story contains graphic content not suitable for all readersFORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Allen Superior Court documents show a New Haven man charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in 2022 entered a plea deal Thursday that would dismiss a felony rape count levied against him.Justin Erdly pleaded guilty to sexual battery, a Level 6 felony, and criminal confinement with injury, a Level 5 felony.Between July 7 and 8 of 2022, the 32-year-old Erdly allegedly forced the teen- who was at a fri
  
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• 'Doing everything we can:' INDOT says construction near I-69, Goshen won't finish until November

  06-07-2023 22:38 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — In the last few weeks, several crashes have occurred on I-69 near Goshen Road as the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has a lane closed in the area for pavement restoration.The safety concern even caused Indiana State Police to say they would step up patrolling measures.And as much as drivers may want the orange barrels and closed lanes signs to go away, it may take until Thanksgiving.
  "That specific project looks to be wrapping up by November this yea
  
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• Court Docs: Ossian woman key figure in $3.5M wire fraud, money laundering scheme

  06-07-2023 22:26 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Over a span of nearly three years, Janis Sexton of Ossian, Indiana, started four different businesses and had been listed as either the manager or incorporator for each of them.However, the businesses were reportedly a front for an internet scheme involving wire fraud and money laundering that resulted in victims losing over $3.5 million, according to U.S. District Court documents.As a result, Sexton faces nine different counts in federal court related to money launder
  
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• Less humid air moves in, more rain coming

  06-07-2023 22:13 via wane.com
  
  A cold front is off to the east and cooler, less humid moves in to carry us through the end of the week.With the front out of our region, our remaining rain chances are low this evening. There still may be a lingering shower or two, but most spots will not see any rain.With the lower humidity this evening, conditions are much more comfortable than recent days. Conditions cool off nicely tonight with morning lows dropping to near 60°.We'll see more sunshine coming our way on Friday with humid
  
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• Man accused of beating mother to death pleads guilty, mentally ill: courts

  06-07-2023 21:50 via wane.com
  
  ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A man accused of beating his mother to death in 2017 pleaded guilty- but mentally ill- to a murder charge Thursday, according to Allen Superior Court documents.Chad Ingram was charged with murder in 2018 in connection to his mother's death two months prior. Now, he's slated to spend up to 55 years in prison.Police were called to a home on Sherbrook Drive in New Haven one afternoon in November 2017. There, officers found 61-year-old Heidi Colley lying on a bedroom
  
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• FEDS: Fort Wayne woman accused of stealing $166K in COVID-19 emergency rental funds

  06-07-2023 21:38 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The founder of a non-profit purporting to help with legal aid for those in need is now accused of bilking the government out of more than $166,000 in emergency rental funds given out during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  A federal grand jury indicted Dora T. Boyd on 18 counts of wire fraud in U.S. District Court late last month and authorities unsealed the case against her Wednesday.
  Boyd, according to court documents, owned and operated a small nonprofit in Allen County called
  
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• Man who disappeared as teen in 2015 was at home all along, police say

  06-07-2023 20:03 via wane.com
  
  HOUSTON (KIAH) — A man who was reported missing as a teen eight years ago was found alive but injured earlier this week, and police now say he had been at home all along.
  Rudy Farias IV was 17 years old when he vanished on March 6, 2015, while walking his two dogs near Tidwell Road in north Houston. The dogs were later found, but Rudy was not located.That is until Sunday, when Farias' family and the Texas Center of the Missing said that Rudy, now 25, had been found. He was taken to the hos
  
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• OceanGate suspends operations after deadly Titan submersible implosion

  06-07-2023 19:55 via wane.com
  
  (AP) – The company that owned a submersible that imploded on its way to explore the wreck of the Titanic, killing all five onboard, said Thursday it has suspended operations.Investigators believe the Titan imploded as it made its descent into deep North Atlantic waters on June 18. Among those killed was Stockton Rush, the submersible's pilot and chief executive officer of the company, OceanGate.Subway sign in Georgia references Titan implosion, sparks controversy: ‘Messed u
  
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• Another humid day with drier air coming

  06-07-2023 17:51 via wane.com
  
  A break is coming from the heat and humidity and temperatures in the 90s. Temperatures will be cooler today but humidity won't drop off significantly until late this afternoon.
  Scattered showers and storms will be possible until late this afternoon. After a front passes through during the late afternoon humidity levels will drop off and skies will become partly cloudy.Skies will remain partly cloudy with lower humidity levels and cooler temperatures with overnight lows in the lower 60s.We'll see
  
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• COURTS: Convicted child molester sentenced to 18 years

  06-07-2023 17:17 via wane.com
  
  WARNING: The following story contains graphic content not suitable for all readersFORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne man once accused of raping a teenager and threatening her with death if she ever told anyone was sentenced to 18 years in prison on two counts of child molesting Thursday.
  Aine Noh, 26, had previously pleaded guilty to two Level 3 felony counts of child molesting as part of a plea agreement that called for him to be sentenced to nine years in prison for both of those charges.
  
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• Paige's Crossing to host Concerts at the Crossing music series

  06-07-2023 16:44 via wane.com
  
  COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (WANE) — Paige's Crossing is a well-known golf and arcade center in Columbia City. Now every Thursday, you have the opportunity to listen to live local music while enjoying all the entertainment center has to offer.The Concerts at the Crossing series is coming to the golf course every Thursday night until early August. Each week, a different band will be performing, as well as a different theme and different food truck.They're also extending the fun with their spec
  
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• Crews work to put out flames at building in downtown Bluffton

  06-07-2023 16:35 via wane.com
  
  BLUFFTON, Ind. (WANE) - Fire crews were battling flames Thursday morning at a building in downtown Bluffton.A WANE 15 camera from the Bluffton Police Department shows heavy smoke coming from 123 S Marion St. Bluffton's fire chief told WANE 15 crews from more than five departments have been working to contain the fire since around 9:30 a.m.Everyone inside escaped unharmed, the fire chief said.The fire is still under investigation.
  
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• Building ablaze in downtown Bluffton

  06-07-2023 16:35 via wane.com
  
  BLUFFTON, Ind. (WANE) - Fire crews were battling flames Thursday morning at a building in downtown Bluffton.A WANE 15 camera from the Bluffton Police Department shows heavy smoke coming from 123 S Marion St.WANE 15 has a crew headed to the scene to learn more.
  
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• Powerball jackpot reaches $590M: What are your odds of winning?

  06-07-2023 16:32 via wane.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- Another near-record Powerball jackpot is growing after no ticket matched the numbers picked Wednesday night.
  Numbers drawn were 17, 24, 48, 62, 68, and Powerball 23, and the multiplier was 2X. Three tickets — one each in Florida, New York and Ohio — missed the jackpot after failing to match the red Powerball number. Still, each ticket was worth $1 million.
  Now, the estimated jackpot has reached $590 million, Powerball officials said Thursday. Because jackpots can grow be
  
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• Powerball jackpot nears record size: What are your odds of winning?

  06-07-2023 16:32 via wane.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) -- Another near-record Powerball jackpot is growing after no ticket matched the numbers picked Wednesday night.
  Numbers drawn were 17, 24, 48, 62, 68, and Powerball 23, and the multiplier was 2X. Three tickets — one each in Florida, New York and Ohio — missed the jackpot after failing to match the red Powerball number. Still, each ticket was worth $1 million.
  Now, the estimated jackpot has reached $590 million, Powerball officials said Thursday. Because jackpots can grow be
  
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• COURTS: Convicted killer gets maximum 215-year prison sentence

  06-07-2023 16:14 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne man convicted of three counts of murder in connection to a 2018 triple homicide received the maximum sentence allowed Thursday.
  An Allen Superior Court judge sentenced 30-year-old Jacquail Belcher to 215 years for the killings a jury found him guilty of in late May.Verdict: Accused triple homicide shooter found guilty on all countsJacquail Belcher
  Belcher had been accused of killing 28-year-old Breondon Pinkston, 26-year-old Dernail Ivory Brown and 25-year-
  
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• 'Tobacco Nation'; Indiana named in highest tobacco use states

  06-07-2023 15:39 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Indiana is a part of "Tobacco Nation" as its smoking prevalence is 50% higher, making people more likely to smoke according to Truth Initiative.
  According to Tobacco Free Allen County, the smoking rate of Allen County is around 20%, with Indiana coming in at 19.4%, while the United States average is 11%.An average smoker in "Tobacco Nation" goes through 53 packs in one year in comparison to the United States average of 29 packs, with a difference of 500 cigarettes per
  
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• 'Eagles' announce final tour with stop in Indianapolis

  06-07-2023 15:34 via wane.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) - Hoosiers, get ready for a long goodbye to the Eagles.The beloved rock band announced Thursday morning they are embarking on a tour one last time, after more than 50 years of performing together.The band is performing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the last time October 9. Presale tickets and VIP packages will be available starting July 12, and the general sale will start July 14 at 10 a.m.  So far, 13 dates have been announced. The tour is "in the planning stages",
  
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• Unofficial record high temperature hits Earth this week -- more than once

  06-07-2023 15:19 via wane.com
  
  Earth’s average temperature on Wednesday remained at an unofficial record high set the day before, the latest grim milestone in a week that has seen series of climate-change-driven extremes.The average global temperature was 17.18 Celsius (62.9 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world’s condition. That matched a record set Tuesday and came after a previous r
  
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• Grammy nominated gospel artist to perform at TRF Sunday

  06-07-2023 14:05 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The Three Rivers Festival Board announced Wednesday the headliner for Sunday's gospel concert.Chris Ford & Sounds of Redemption will open the Fort Wayne Newspaper's Festival stage at noon followed by nationally recognized artist VaShawn Mitchell. Ticket prices have been increased to $10 per person. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the performance. Receive a $2 discount on any festival concert purchase by wearing a 54th Three Rivers Festival Button.Hail
  
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• Earth's average temperature matches record high set a day earlier

  06-07-2023 12:42 via wane.com
  
  Earth’s average temperature on Wednesday remained at an unofficial record high set the day before, the latest grim milestone in a week that has seen series of climate-change-driven extremes.The average global temperature was 17.18 Celsius (62.9 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world’s condition. That matched a record set Tuesday, and came after a previous recor
  
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• Fire damages Fort Wayne neighborhood office building

  06-07-2023 11:45 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The office building for a Fort Wayne mobile home community is damaged after a fire early Thursday morning.Crews responded to the 6000 block of North Oak Blvd. shortly after 3 a.m. That's in the Village of North Oak, off W. Washington Center Rd.Firefighters found flames coming from the exterior of the building. Once that fire was out, they learned the fire had spread to the attic.It took about 20 minutes to get the fire under control. The building has moderate fire, smok
  
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• Another humid day with cooler air coming

  06-07-2023 09:50 via wane.com
  
  A break is coming from the heat and humidity and temperatures in the 90s. Temperatures will be cooler today but humidity won't drop off significantly until late this afternoon.
  Mostly cloudy through the morning with scattered showers and storms and temperatures in the upper 70s by noon.
  Scattered showers and storms will be possible until late this afternoon. After a front passes through during the late afternoon humidity levels will drop off and skies will become partly cloudy.Skies will remain
  
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• After storms exit, cooler weather comes

  06-07-2023 04:48 via wane.com
  
  As our next weather system moves through the region, scattered rain and t-storms are occurring. However, not all areas will experience this rain.Our early morning storms are scattered in nature and a storm or two could be on the stronger side with gusty winds and heavy rain. Morning lows will only drop as low as the upper 60s. Conditions stay humid, too. Those with A/C will likely choose to keep it running, rather than opening the windows.Temperatures drop into the upper 60s to lower 70s across
  
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• Cameraman at MLB game struck by wild throw, carted off on stretcher

  06-07-2023 03:45 via wane.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — A cameraman was injured Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium when he was hit in the head by a wild throw from Baltimore Orioles rookie shortstop Gunnar Henderson.Positioned right next to the New York Yankees' dugout on the first-base side, Pete Stendel of YES Network was struck by a hurried throw from Henderson, who fired high to first as he tried to complete a double play in the fifth inning. DoorDash drops driver who swore at customer in viral video: ‘We’ve remov
  
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• Justice Department releases slightly less redacted Trump warrant affidavit

  06-07-2023 03:39 via wane.com
  
  (The Hill) - The Justice Department (DOJ) on Wednesday released a slightly less redacted version of the affidavit that convinced a judge to approve a search warrant of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate last year.This follows a ruling from Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart earlier in the day that ordered that more information from the affidavit be made public, while denying a request from several news organizations to have the entire document unsealed.Reinhart said in his ruling that the DOJ agreed to have
  
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• Michigan toddler missing since Sunday found dead: police

  06-07-2023 02:40 via wane.com
  
  LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) - After days of searching near freeways and wooded areas around Lansing, Michigan, police say they have found the body of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith, who had been missing since Sunday.Cole-Smith was abducted Sunday night after her mother was stabbed and physically assaulted, police said earlier this week.
  A suspect, 26-year-old Rashad Maleek Trice of Detroit, was arraigned Wednesday on multiple charges, including assault with intent to murder and aggravated domestic viole
  
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• IRS issues 'last call' for taxpayers to claim $1.5B in 2019 refunds

  06-07-2023 02:13 via wane.com
  
  (The Hill) - The IRS has issued a “last call” for U.S. taxpayers to file for roughly $1.5 billion in unclaimed refunds from the 2019 tax year.The agency estimates that around 1.5 million people are eligible to claim a combined nearly $1.5 billion in outstanding refunds, with the average median refund estimated at $893.The deadline to submit a tax return for 2019 and claim the refunds is July 17. "Time is running out for people owed a tax refund in 2019,” IRS Commissioner D
  
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• Drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals, study finds

  06-07-2023 01:20 via wane.com
  
  TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday.The synthetic compounds known collectively as PFAS are contaminating drinking water to varying extents in large cities and small towns — and in private wells and public systems, the U.S. Geological Survey said.Researchers described the study as the first nationwid
  
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• After storm chances, cooler weather coming

  06-07-2023 01:02 via wane.com
  
  We have a warm, muggy evening out there. As an approaching weather system interacts with the hot and humid air that's in place, a few isolated thunderstorms are expected to pop up throughout the evening. However, not all areas will experience this rain.Temps fall into the 70s for most of the late night and early morning.Better chances for thunderstorms arrive overnight. They will be scattered in nature and a storm or two could be on the stronger side with gusty winds and heavy rain. Overnight lo
  
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