Fort Wayne news

• Pokagon State Park gears up for 'Halloween Happenings' with pumpkin trail, trick-or-treating

  27-10-2023 22:22 via wane.com
  
  STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) -- From pumpkin trails to trick-or-treating and scavenger hunts, Pokagon State Park is gearing up for a multitude of events this weekend for its annual "Halloween Happenings" events.Tammy Sawvel, office manager at Pokagon State Park, said this year will be the first time "Halloween Happenings" will be back to normal since before the COVID-19 pandemic."It's really kind of nice because during COVID, [we] obviously we had to take away some of the features ... [but] we ha
  
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• 'Bald lies' and uncertain costs: AC Commissioners express anger after jail income tax vote

  27-10-2023 22:17 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Following the events that took place with county council Thursday morning, where they agreed on a .11 percent rate increase which was approved on a 4-3 vote, one Allen County Commissioners said "there were a lot of misstatements" and "bald lies"
  The "misstatements" and "bald lies" they say are in reference to how much a new jail would cost.During Thursday's vote, county council first voted against approving a tax rate increase of .12 percent before agreeing on a .11 per
  
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• PLEA DEAL: No prison time for ex Heritage coach accused of stealing team's money

  27-10-2023 21:27 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A former Heritage High School basketball coach accused of stealing roughly $5,500 of the team's money pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft Friday in exchange for a suspended prison sentence, according to Allen Superior Court documents.
  Adam C. Gray, 32, is accused of using roughly $1,500 of the team's funds to buy fast food, pay for haircuts, purchase at least one golf product and to lend money at a casino, court documents said.
  He gave another $4,000 to his mother
  
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• VIDEO: Corn mazes require heavy planning and A-MAIZE-ING creativity

  27-10-2023 21:24 via wane.com
  
  MODENA, Ny. (WANE) -- As the leaves change color and the temperatures start dropping, it’s time for another sign that fall has arrived - corn mazes!“Most people that come- can’t miss it. It’s like, you have to do the corn maze,” says Sarah Potenza, who works on Hurds Family Farm, a 7th-generation farm in Modena, New York.It may seem simple, but this classic fall family activity actually takes a lot of work to create. The farm has been creating two-acre corn maze puz
  
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• Verdict: Man found guilty in casino-linked homicide that claimed life of popular local barber

  27-10-2023 21:16 via wane.com
  
  **WARNING: This story contains graphic content not suitable for all readers.**FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) ---Friday, a 30-year-old local man accused of ambushing another man for some kind of never-explained beef, was found guilty of murder by a jury in Allen Superior Court.Demaury Haywood, 30, was charged with alleged co-accomplice Devonte Travier, with the death of Diasha Fitts, a local southeast side barber, who accompanied the targeted man, Brandon Golden, to Fraternal Order of Eagles charity cas
  
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• PHOTOS: Parkview's NICU babies ready for Halloween

  27-10-2023 20:41 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Nurses at Parkview North are finding creative ways to bring joy and a sense of normalcy- even if temporarily- to families with babies staying in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Newborns are dressed up and ready for Halloween in the NICU. Take a look at some adorable costumes on these even more adorable babies:Parkview NICU babies dress up in costume for Halloween (Parkview Health)Parkview NICU babies dress up in costume for Halloween (Parkview Health)Parkview NIC
  
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• Grant County driver dies after second crash in 2 hours

  27-10-2023 20:01 via wane.com
  
  GRANT COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A 61-year-old man involved in two crashes Thursday night in Grant County died after the second crash, according to a press release from the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
  The driver, identified as Kyle Todd Westafer, was involved in a "minor accident" around 7 p.m. near the intersection of State Road 18 and State Road 13, the release said. No other details from the first crash were provided.Around 9 p.m., officers responded to the second crash on 600 East near 300 Nor
  
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• Allen County attorneys chosen for defense in Delphi killings case

  27-10-2023 20:01 via wane.com
  
  ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - Two attorneys based in Allen County have been chosen to represent Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen.Public records show Allen's new court-appointed public defenders are attorneys Robert Scremin and William Lebrato- Allen County's chief public defender, per an order issued Friday. Judge in Delphi killings case to remain; motion to oust her to be stricken from the recordFran Gull, the Allen County judge appointed to oversee the double-murder case, announced during a h
  
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• Judge in Delphi killings case to remain; motion to oust her to be stricken from the record

  27-10-2023 19:15 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A motion by an attorney for Richard Allen asking that a special judge appointed to oversee the accused child-killer's case be removed will soon be stricken from the court's record, according to a new filing Friday.
  Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull - who is overseeing the Carroll County-based case which has garnered national attention - ordered the filings claiming she "ambushed" and "coerced" Allen's defense team to drop out last week be removed from the case docket
  
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• 41-year-old arrested on child solicitation charge

  27-10-2023 18:47 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Fort Wayne Police arrested a 41-year-old man Friday after a child told investigators the man solicited them.Police said in a release that during a recent investigation, a child under the age of 14 disclosed they had been solicited by Thomas Stratton. The man was then arrested around 11:30 a.m. in the 300 block of Dalgren Ave., off Clinton Street, and is being held in the Allen County Jail on one count of child solicitation, a Level 5 felony.The Dr. Bill Lewis Center For
  
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• Convicted felon arrested after 100 mph chase, foot pursuit south of downtown Fort Wayne

  27-10-2023 18:30 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A driver was arrested early Sunday morning after a high-speed pursuit with Fort Wayne Police that ended after he crashed and tried to take off on foot.Fort Wayne Police arrested 29-year-old Phillip Gonzalez on charges of resisting law enforcement and unlawfully possessing a handgun, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Allen Superior Court.An officer with FWPD's Gang & Violent Crimes unit said he was driving an unmarked vehicle on Clinton Street shortly
  
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• Alleged victim punches 80-year-old convicted sex offender in Las Vegas courtroom

  27-10-2023 16:56 via wane.com
  
  LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A now-adult alleged victim knocked out an 80-year-old convicted sex offender in a Nevada courtroom, according to witnesses.Richard Gross, 80, was in a Clark County district courtroom for his sentencing on Oct. 2. He was initially charged with 26 felony counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of a child. He pleaded guilty through an Alford plea to one felony count of attempted lewdness with a child under the age of 14. An Alford plea is when a defendant does not a
  
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• McDonald's getting rid of signature utensil as part of 'sustainable makeover'

  27-10-2023 16:42 via wane.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) – You can get burgers and fries at dozens of fast-food chains. But you can only get that silly little McFlurry spoon at McDonald’s.Until now, at least.McDonald’s has announced plans to do away with its signature McFlurry spoons — the ones with the hollowed-out handles — starting this month. The change is part of a push to reduce plastic waste at U.S. restaurants, McDonald’s said.“It’s hard to think of a utensil that’s been the focus
  
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• Tip leads to arrest of Warsaw man on child porn and drug charges

  27-10-2023 16:03 via wane.com
  
  WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) On Thursday, detectives with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested a Kosciusko County man on alleged charges of possession of child pornography.This investigation began when a tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip ultimately led to a search warrant being served at a home on West Old Road in Warsaw.While serving the warrant, troopers found suspected methamphetamine, THC oil,
  
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• The top 10 Halloween costumes for 2023, according to Google

  27-10-2023 16:02 via wane.com
  
  (KHON2/NEXSTAR) — If you don't already have it sorted, then you only a few days to get that Halloween costume. But how can you make sure you're not wearing what everyone else is at whichever festivity you end up at?Thankfully, Google has its handy Frightgeist Halloween costume tool, which uses Google Trends technology to formulate what will be the most popular Halloween costumes for 2023. Users can not only discover the top costumes across the nation but also in their area. These scary mov
  
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• Good luck to area marching bands competing in Indiana state finals

  27-10-2023 15:39 via wane.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE)Anyone who knows anything about high school marching bands understands the incredible amount of hard work and dedication involved in putting together a performance. Saturday seven bands from northeast Indiana will see if their passion pays off with a state title.The Indiana State School Music Association 2023 State Marching Band State Finals will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It's the 50th year for the state band competitions.
  As always, northeast Indi
  
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• Many Americans say their household expenses are outpacing earnings this year, AP-NORC poll shows

  27-10-2023 14:04 via wane.com
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — About 2 in 3 Americans say their household expenses have risen over the last year, but only about 1 in 4 say their income has increased in the same period, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.As household expenses outpace earnings, many are expressing concern about their financial futures. What’s more, for most Americans, household debt has either risen in the last year or has not gone away.Steve Shapiro, 61, who w
  
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• One critically hurt after shooting on Newport Avenue

  27-10-2023 05:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Fort Wayne police are investigating a shooting that happened on Newport Avenue around 10:50 p.m. Thursday.Dispatch confirmed police are investigating a shooting in the 3800 block of Newport Avenue. WANE 15 crews were able to see multiple officers as well as the Fort Wayne Fire Department and EMS.Police at the scene confirmed medics took a man to the hospital in critical condition. No additional information has been released.WANE 15 will provide more details as they bec
  
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• One critically hurt after shooting on Fort Wayne's north side

  27-10-2023 05:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Fort Wayne police are investigating a shooting that happened on Fort Wayne's near north side around 10:50 p.m. Thursday.Dispatch confirmed police responded to a shooting in the 3800 block of Newport Avenue. That's between Clinton and Parnell south of Coliseum Boulevard.WANE 15 crews saw multiple officers as well as the Fort Wayne Fire Department and EMS on the scene.
  Police confirmed medics took a man to the hospital in critical condition. No additional information has
  
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• FWPD asking for tips on shooting on Fort Wayne's north side

  27-10-2023 05:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Fort Wayne police are asking for the community's help to figure out what led to a shooting on the city's near north side Thursday.Dispatch confirmed police responded to a shooting in the 3800 block of Newport Avenue around 10:50 p.m. That's between Clinton and Parnell south of Coliseum Boulevard. WANE 15 crews saw multiple officers as well as the Fort Wayne Fire Department and EMS on the scene.
  Police confirmed medics took a man to the hospital in critical condition. I
  
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• Fort Wayne Police Department investigating shooting on Newport Avenue

  27-10-2023 05:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- Fort Wayne Police are investigating a shooting that happened on Newport Avenue around 10:50 p.m. Thursday.Dispatch confirmed that police are investigating a shooting that happened in the 3800 block of Newport Avenue Thursday evening. WANE 15 crews on scene were able to see multiple officers as well as Fort Wayne Fire Department and EMS.No conditions are confirmed at this time.
  WANE 15 will provide more details as they become available.
  
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• TRAA rolls out bonuses to help with employee retention

  27-10-2023 04:15 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Three Rivers Ambulance Authority has made large efforts recently to offer better benefits and wages to their employees but now officials are worried that they may not be able to keep up with the growing job market.Local county fire departments are hiring across the region and they're offering a bit more than what TRAA can keep up with.A little over a year ago, TRAA bumped their starting wages by 30% which equates to a $5 raise for paramedics and EMTs, bringin
  
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• City council holds special meeting for proposal to annex over 700 acres for data center campus

  27-10-2023 04:11 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne City Council held a special meeting Thursday regarding a proposal by the City of Fort Wayne to annex over 700 acres of land in New Haven.The land annexed in total would be 892 acres. According to city officials, about 170 acres of the land is already within city limits, which leaves over 700 acres of New Haven land that would need to be annexed.
  City officials said a Fortune 100 technology company is trying to develop a data center campus at the proposed
  
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• Murder Trial: 'He had money on his head' absent witness says in deposition read in court

  27-10-2023 02:00 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) --Sometimes it’s necessary to sit through several days of a trial before witnesses, evidence and testimony fit together and make sense.That’s been the case with the murder trial of 30-year-old DeMaury Haywood, accused of shooting to death an innocent and beloved local barber, Diasha “Twink” Fitts, in an ambush on Winchester at Lower Huntington roads on Feb. 19.Brandon Golden, driving the van, was apparently the target as the two friends drove away
  
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• 'Save the sycamore:' Warsaw homeowner fights to save 330-year-old tree

  27-10-2023 00:04 via wane.com
  
  WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) -- Although Indiana's state tree is the tulip tree, sycamore trees also have deep ties to the Hoosier State.Indiana State University's nickname takes direct inspiration from the tree, and Sycamore Row in Carroll County has been recognized by both the Indiana Historical Bureau and the former Indiana State Highway Commission in the past.Now, a homeowner in Warsaw is working to save a sycamore tree in her yard that is believed to be older than America.Gita Kamdar, who owns a hom
  
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