Fort Wayne news

• 'Jeweled Mom,' 1982 Florida homicide victim, is identified

  11-02-2025 22:54 via wane.com
  
  LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (WFLA) — For more than four decades, a woman who was killed in Palm Beach County, Florida, remained known only as the "Jeweled Mom."But that changed on Monday after DNA testing revealed her identity. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Leona Jean Keller, according to Othram, Inc., a company specializing in forensic genetic genealogy.
  "This is the 36th case in Florida where officials have publicly identified a person using DNA
  technology developed by Othram,” sa
  
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• Suspect in 1986 LaGrange County rape case arrested in Michigan

  11-02-2025 22:36 via wane.com
  
  LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) -- On Monday, police arrested a 62-year-old man charged with crimes related to a 1986 rape case that happened in LaGrange County, according to Indiana State Police (ISP).Michigan State Police, at the request of ISP, arrested Ricky Devonne McLatcher of Quincy, Michigan, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times in October 1986.The incident happened Oct. 23, 1986, after a woman driving near Howe exited her vehicle to remove an object blocking the roa
  
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• Detroit police say 2 kids died in a cold car after months without a permanent home

  11-02-2025 21:40 via wane.com
  
  DETROIT (AP) — Two children who likely froze to death in a van outside a Detroit casino had been living in the vehicle with their family for a few months, moving around when possible, authorities said Tuesday.Their mother had contacted City Hall on Nov. 25, seeking help with housing, but “no resolution” was reached, Mayor Mike Duggan said, a day after the tragedy.“For whatever reason, this wasn't deemed an emergency that caused an outreach worker to visit the family. &hel
  
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• OhioHealth to expand pharmacy at Van Wert Hospital in $3.15M project

  11-02-2025 21:26 via wane.com
  
  VAN WERT, Ohio (WANE) -- The pharmacy at OhioHealth's Van Wert Hospital will be getting an upgrade through a $3.15 million expansion project that aims to "enhance patient care."The project will relocate and renovate the hospital's pharmacy. At 2,500 square feet, the new pharmacy will be nearly twice as big as the current one."This investment is the latest example of how we are committed to providing high-level care, close to home for our patients," said Paula Stabler, chief nursing officer at Va
  
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• Costco latest retailer to limit egg purchases: What are other stores doing?

  11-02-2025 21:21 via wane.com
  
  (NEXSTAR) — Eggs have been hard to come by for some consumers, with empty shelves spotted in some stores dating back to late last year. At the time, Trader Joe’s joked the egg shortage was prompted by chickens being on strike. Now, the retailer is working to restock its shelves by limiting how many cartons its customers can buy. “Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we are currently limiting egg purchases to one dozen per customer, per day, in all Trader Joe
  
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• Woman arrested for stealing Krispy Kreme truck, leading police on chase

  11-02-2025 21:04 via wane.com
  
  INDIANAPOLIS — A woman was arrested after allegedly driving through Indianapolis with a stolen Krispy Kreme truck where donuts were flying out the back during a chase on Tuesday.Amber Fitzpatrick, 32, was preliminarily charged with Auto Theft, a Level 6 Felony.The Poland woman was found on the near south side of Indianapolis at the 2000 block of Shelby St. on a report of a stolen vehicle in progress.According to police reports, Fitzpatrick was also in possession of drug paraphernalia after
  
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• Proposed state budget puts popular Allen County Public Library program at risk

  11-02-2025 20:15 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)— Leadership at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) expressed concern about this session's proposed State budget (HB1001) and how it will affect young readers in Allen County, specifically those enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL).DPIL is a program that provides free, age-appropriate books to children every month from birth to their fifth birthday. The program was just launched in Oct. 2024. In Feb., there were more than 6,000 children registered
  
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• Teen charged as adult in fatal shooting of girl at south Fort Wayne apartment complex

  11-02-2025 18:38 via wane.com
  
  This video shows initial coverage of the shooting when the victim was in critical condition.
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A 16-year-old was arrested early Tuesday morning in connection to a shooting that killed a girl Monday night at an apartment complex off Decatur Road.Jamir Benson, who is being charged as an adult, was found by the FWPD's Homicide Task Force shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday. He was taken to the Allen County Jail on charges of felony murder and robbery.The teenage victim, whose name
  
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• Teen arrested in connection to death of girl shot at south Fort Wayne apartment complex

  11-02-2025 18:38 via wane.com
  
  This video shows initial coverage of the shooting when the victim was in critical condition.
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A 16-year-old was arrested early Tuesday morning in connection to a shooting that killed a girl Monday night at an apartment complex off Decatur Road.The suspect was found by the FWPD's Homicide Task Force shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday. He was taken to the Allen County Jail on charges of felony murder and robbery.The teenage victim, whose name has not been released, was shot aro
  
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• FWPD arrests mother of Make-A-Wish kid on neglect charges

  11-02-2025 18:13 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A mother accused of fraud and neglecting her child -- claiming the girl had a terminal illness and allegedly taking advantage of programs like Make a Wish and GoFundMe -- was arrested last week, according to the Fort Wayne Police Department.Katherine Jackson, 41, was taken into custody on Feb. 6, according to FWPD. She faces preliminary charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in injury, a Level 5 felony; neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 felony; and fraud, a Le
  
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• Steuben County sex offender found dead

  11-02-2025 16:08 via wane.com
  
  STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A day after asking for the public's help, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office said a registered sex offender who was accused of avoiding the police has been found dead.Tuesday, the sheriff's office was looking for 34-year-old Mitchell Wayne Hephner. An arrest warrant had been issued on Feb. 5 and he faces two counts of failure to register as a sex or violent offender, a Level 5 felony.Hephner allegedly would not comply with the state's Sex and Violent Offender Regis
  
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• Police looking for fugitive sex offender wanted in Steuben County

  11-02-2025 16:08 via wane.com
  
  STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - The Steuben County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help to find a registered sex offender who is accused of avoiding police by fleeing to northwest Ohio or elsewhere in the region.The sheriff's office is looking for 34-year-old Mitchell Wayne Hephner, described by police as 6'1", 190 lbs, with long brown hair and brown eyes. He usually has a goatee or beard, police said, and Hephner has numerous tattoos, including on his face.An arrest warrant was issued
  
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• Police find fugitive sex offender wanted in Steuben County

  11-02-2025 16:08 via wane.com
  
  STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - A day after asking for the public's help, the Steuben County Sheriff's Office said a registered sex offender who was accused of avoiding the police has been found.Tuesday, the sheriff's office was looking for 34-year-old Mitchell Wayne Hephner. An arrest warrant had been issued on Feb. 5 and he faces two counts of failure to register as a sex or violent offender, a Level 5 felony.Hephner allegedly would not comply with the state's Sex and Violent Offender Registry r
  
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• GM: Jack Cooper Transport to stop services 'effective immediately'

  11-02-2025 16:03 via wane.com
  
  ROANOKE, Ind. (WANE) -- Jack Cooper Transport, a logistics company that helped ship vehicles from General Motors' Fort Wayne Assembly, have stopped services with GM, the automaker confirmed to WANE 15.The news comes alongside reports that Jack Cooper Transport will soon cease operations.In a statement provided to WANE 15 Tuesday, GM said Jack Cooper Transport breached its contract and informed GM it would stop services to the company "effective immediately."In light of this material breach
  
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• Company that hauled trucks built at Fort Wayne GM plant ceases operations according to published reports

  11-02-2025 16:03 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Multiple published reports indicate Jack Cooper Transport, which has a facility near the GM truck plant in Fort Wayne will soon cease operations after the automaker pulled its business last week.
  It's not known how many workers are employed at Jack Cooper Transport, located on Fogwell Parkway down the street from the GM plant.
  Up until last week, the company had transported pickups built at the plant to dealerships. The Detroit Free Press reported Saturday that contract n
  
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• 'Back to plastic': Trump signs order for plastic straws as he declares paper ones 'don’t work'

  11-02-2025 15:09 via wane.com
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he is banning federal use of paper straws, saying they “don’t work” and don't last very long. Instead he wants the government to exclusively move to plastic.“It’s a ridiculous situation. We’re going back to plastic straws,” Trump said as he signed an executive order to reverse federal purchasing policies that encourage paper straws and restrict plastic ones. The order directs federal agencies to
  
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• EU vows countermeasures to US tariffs; bourbon, jeans, peanut butter, motorcycles easy targets

  11-02-2025 13:35 via wane.com
  
  BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum “will not go unanswered,” European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday, adding that they will trigger tough countermeasures from the 27-nation bloc. It means iconic U.S. industries like bourbon, jeans and motorcycles should beware.“The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests,” von der Leyen said in a statement in reaction to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on steel and alumi
  
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• Roses are red, violets are blue, 940 million flowers are traveling (through Miami) to you

  11-02-2025 13:02 via wane.com
  
  MIAMI (AP) — If any husbands or boyfriends mess up Valentine's Day this week, it's not because of a shortage of flowers.In the run up to Feb. 14, agricultural specialists at Miami International Airport have processed about 940 million stems of cut flowers, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Around 90% of the fresh cut flowers being sold for Valentine's Day in the United States come through Miami, while the other 10% pass through Los Angeles.Roses, carnations, pompons, hydrang
  
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• Messy storm moving toward to the area

  11-02-2025 09:52 via wane.com
  
  A messy winter storm with ice, snow/sleet, and rain are all in the forecast over the next 36 hours. Ice and snow accumulation is likely making travel very treacherous.15 Fury Alert Days have been issued for Wednesday and Thursday.
  This morning will be quiet and cold with temperatures warming into the lower 30s by noon.High temperatures will be a little warmer than yesterdayIt will be a little warmer this afternoon even with the absence of sunshine highs will be in the middle 30s.
  Wednesday will
  
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• NACS officially partners with Fort Wayne Swim to help bring a new natatorium, referendum to follow

  11-02-2025 03:33 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - During Monday night's school board meeting, the Northwest Allen County Schools Board (NACS) approved the partnership with the Fort Wayne Swim & Wellness Alliance (FWSWA). This will help bring an Olympic-size swimming pool and a new natatorium to the district.
  "It's good to see us take another step to hopefully someday be able to bring that pool here to Northwest Allen County Schools," said NACS Superintendent, Wayne Barker.
  A new natatorium is a part of the district
  
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• Google officially updates name of 'Gulf of America'

  11-02-2025 02:28 via wane.com
  
  Related video: President Trump announces new tariffs(The Hill) – Google Maps users in the U.S. will now see “Gulf of America” displayed over the body of water that was once labeled, “Gulf of Mexico.”Users in Mexico will still see the name, “Gulf of Mexico,” and users elsewhere in the world will see both names, written as, “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”The change follows President Trump’s directive on Jan. 20, his first day in offic
  
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• Teen girl in critical condition following shooting at Black Pine Flats

  11-02-2025 02:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- A teen girl is in critical condition following a shooting at Black Pine Flats Monday night.
  Dispatch confirmed with WANE 15 that Fort Wayne Police Officers were investigating a shooting in the 1200 block of Fayette Drive called out just after 8 p.m. Fayette Drive is located within the Black Pine Flats apartment complex.Public Information Officer Nerzig at the scene told WANE 15 that a female teen, described by police as high school age, suffered from multiple gunshot w
  
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• Fort Wayne Police investigate shooting at Black Pine Flats

  11-02-2025 02:18 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- The Fort Wayne Police Department is investigating after a shooting was called out just after 8 p.m. Monday night.
  Dispatch confirmed with WANE 15 that Fort Wayne Police Officers were investigating a shooting in the 1200 block of Fayette Drive. Fayette Drive is located within the Black Pine Flats apartment complex.
  It is unclear how many could be injured or the extent of their injuries.
  WANE 15 will provide more information as it becomes available.
  
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• Three Rivers Festival canceled for 2025 as board approves motion to file for bankruptcy

  11-02-2025 01:20 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- The Three Rivers Festival Board has passed a motion Monday night to file for bankruptcy.With this motion, the festival for the 2025 season would be canceled.Jason Cowan, Board Member and Volunteer Representative with the Three Rivers Festival said this has been coming. He said that bankruptcy has been on the table for the past three months."I wasn't ready to see it end, I've been coming here since I was a little kid and volunteering for 10 years," Cowan said.The Three
  
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• Three Rivers Festival canceled for 2025 as board approve motion to file for bankruptcy

  11-02-2025 01:20 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- The Three Rivers Festival Board has passed a motion Monday night to file for bankruptcy.With this motion, the festival for the 2025 season would be canceled.Jason Cowan, Volunteer Representative with the Three Rivers Festival said this has been coming. He said that bankruptcy has been on the table for the past three months.
  "I wasn't ready to see it end, I've been coming here since I was a little kid and volunteering for 10 years," Cowan said.
  Cowan said that the growt
  
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• Three Rivers Festival Board passes motion to file for bankruptcy, canceling 2025 festival

  11-02-2025 01:20 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -- The Three Rivers Festival Board has passed a motion Monday night to file for bankruptcy.With this motion, the festival for the 2025 season would be canceled.WANE 15 will continue to provide updates as they are received.
  
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• 15 Fury Alert Days issued snow and ice

  11-02-2025 01:16 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) –A storm system will move in from the southern US and clash with cold air late Wednesday and Thursday, creating the potential for heavy snow and significant ice across the region.This storm has the potential to produce the highest snowfall we've seen this season and some areas could see ice accumulation as well. If the wintry mix, that includes the freezing rain/ice, pans out as the main precipitation type, our snow totals may end up much lower.Ice and snow will be
  
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• 15 Fury Alert Days issued for snow and ice

  11-02-2025 01:16 via wane.com
  
  FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) –Another messy storm will spread ice and snow across the area beginning Wednesday afternoon.
  This storm is capable of producing difficult driving conditions starting Wednesday afternoon and continuing into Thursday.Ice and snow will be possible beginning Wednesday evening15 Fury Alert Days are issued when the weather will have a major impact on our area causing issues that could be dangerous to spend time outdoors.
  It's important to remember that the more ice the ar
  
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• More snow and ice this week

  11-02-2025 01:13 via wane.com
  
  While our Monday weather has been pretty uneventful, we're gearing up for another winter blast in just a couple days. Both heavy snow and ice are possible from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. 15 Fury Alert Days have been issued for Wednesday and Thursday.
  Our evening temperatures started near freezing and end up as low as the mid-20s over the course of the night. Some of our weekend ice melted off today and wet pavement, if untreated, will refreeze. So, be careful for slick spots o
  
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