Good morning, Fort Wayne.

At the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum, Concordia Lutheran High School paid tribute on Aug.

22 to two fallen alumni killed in Iraq and Afghanistan—Army 1st Lt. Neale M. Shank of 2007 and Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Pape of 2010—with granite benches funded by students, Team Pape and JROTC.

Local icon Stu Trainer, who ran the historic Waynedale Shell Gas Station on Bluffton Road for over four decades, passed away Aug.

27, leaving behind a legacy of neighborhood care.

Honor Flight Northeast Indiana will fly 87 veterans (from World War II through other conflicts) to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Sept.

2; the community is invited to a Welcome Home celebration at Fort Wayne International Airport at 8:30 p.m.

The Foster Grandparent Program pairs seniors with local schools to support children from infancy through elementary, offering tutoring and mentoring that boosts learning and wellbeing.

Volunteers like 87-year-old Cora King tutor at Harrison Hill Elementary three days a week (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.), strengthening vital intergenerational bonds.

Fort Wayne Trails will hold a ribbon-cutting tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the new Shoaff Road Trailhead Pavilion near 17522 Kell Road, Huntertown.

Donated by Butch Bauer and his son Eric Bauer, the pavilion offers benches, a wheelchair-accessible table and a bike repair station — boosting local trails.

Local leaders honored six family farms at the Indiana State Fair, including the Springer farm in Allen County which received both Centennial + Sesquicentennial Awards.

The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes farms owned by the same family for over 100 years and celebrates their impact on local agriculture.

Fort Wayne’s first donor-supported café, The Sparrow, will open its doors Tuesday, Sept.

1 inside Trinity English Lutheran Church at 450 West Washington Blvd. Mayor Sharon Tucker will cut the ribbon as the café offers soups, salads, sandwiches + desserts with a pay-what-you-can pricing model and volunteer shifts.

Mayor Sharon Tucker introduced 'Make It Downtown: A Plan for Fort Wayne’s Next Decade,' urging residents to complete an online survey and mark needed improvements.

The effort, led by Interface Studio, LLC and local partners, will shape downtown development through April 2027 – public events this week offer further opportunities for input.

Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation hosts free events this week including a bike ride at Buckner Park on Tuesday, Sept.

1, a trail run on Thursday, Sept. 3, and an outdoor movie at Promenade Park on Friday, Sept. 4 + more activities. Follow social media for weather updates.

The Old Fort Model A Club invites residents to see five classic Model A’s at The Waynedale News’ Car Show on Wednesday, Sept.

2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lower Huntington Road + club members will share stories and expert tips on preserving these vintage vehicles.

The History Center hosts Miami Indian Heritage Days on Saturday, Sept.

5 at the Chief Richardville House on Bluffton Road in Fort Wayne. The event features guided tours and a presentation on Miami quillwork by Claudia Hedeen, with admission at $9 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors.

Turnstone installed new solar panels on July 28, which are expected to generate about 650,000 kWh yearly and reduce nearly half its energy use.

The project, supported by Google + local partners, benefits from federal tax credits exceeding $400k.

Fort Wayne International Airport celebrated finishing Project Gateway with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that unveiled a modernized terminal with new gates, an expanded TSA checkpoint, and improved amenities — an upgrade that supports growing travel needs after years of growth.

Fort Wayne youth organizers plan an Overdose Awareness Day event Sunday, Aug.

30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Allen County Public Library Main Branch (900 Library Plaza). The event will honor those who died from an overdose, share recovery stories, and offer tips on prevention and support.

Monarch Festival

The Little River Wetlands Project announces its annual Monarch Festival to be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve barn, located at 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne. This family-friendly event celebrates the incredible lifecycle and transformation of monarch butterflies through a variety of engaging programs and activities.