Rachel Von Art LLC
Rachel Von Art LLC
Rachel Von Art
An IUFW nursing student simulates taking vitals on an infant at Parkview.
An IUFW nursing student simulates taking vitals on an infant at Parkview. Selena Oxender/Story Photography by Selena
Rachel Von Art LLC
Never Creative LLC
Rachel Von Art LLC
Rachel Von Art LLC
Rachel Von Art LLC
Rachel Von Art LLC

Features

Feature Story From left: Residency Founder & Co-Director of Kinhouse Gallery & Residency Kaylan Buteyn works with Sarah Wolfe, artist in residence, along with Dana Caldera, Co-Director of Kinhouse Gallery. Arts and Culture

Kinhouse Art Gallery and Residency is bringing artists to Fort Wayne

Brittany LantzWednesday, June 11, 2025
“I don't think there are any artist residencies in Indiana, at least not ones that have a similar model. So it felt like there was potential for opening.”
Feature Story Women’s Fund screening of the documentary “I Am Evidence” at Cinema Center, followed by a panel discussion of the rape kit backlog. October 2024 at Cinema Center. Community Development

How grassroots activism and legislative efforts are taking aim at Indiana’s rape kit backlog

Katy AndersonTuesday, June 10, 2025
“The more we hear from the public, the clearer it becomes where the state’s priorities should be."
Feature Story Almost all of Citilink's bus service in Fort Wayne is operating on a 60-minute frequency. Transportation

Solving a shortfall: Citilink seeks long-term solutions for public transportation funding

Brittany LantzWednesday, June 4, 2025
“Despite the challenges, our team remains committed to our mission and the long-term vision for Citilink. Public transit is essential for Fort Wayne’s economic growth, elevating quality of life and opportunity for our neighbors who are non-driving. By focusing on solutions and partnerships, we’re working to ensure Citilink can continue to serve the community now and in the future.”
Feature Story Swizzle Market Arts and Culture

Swizzle Market offers alcohol-free drinks and artisan finds

Morgan BoeschTuesday, June 3, 2025
Swizzle opened in May 2024 to offer a social space without alcohol that would be welcoming to all.
Longform small-photo-1

New high school dental program quickly fills workforce gaps

Shandra MartinezThursday, May 29, 2025
Walker Career Center trains teens for dental careers, tackling workforce shortages and helping underserved students access well-paying, high-demand health care jobs.
Feature Story Aisha Diss, founder and executive director of project.ME Healthy Communities

Project.ME: The region's growing hub for recovery, harm reduction and community outreach

Alexandra LehmanWednesday, May 28, 2025
“I just had some people that naturally started reaching out to me because I was a very passionate advocate about self-guided recovery, but I was also ashamed, embarrassed, all of those things, so the way I combated all of those things was by being transparent about everything I was going through.”
Partner Content MyTeam Triumph runners start in their own heat at Wabash Run the River. Community Development

Wabash Run the River leads with inclusivity

Isabella AmbroseTuesday, May 27, 2025
“It’s so cool the way that Wabash County really supports all the athletes that come from across the country. The community is eager to volunteer and even more excited to make it possible for everyone to get out and explore the world, one race at a time.”
Partner Content St. Joseph Hospital, 1968 Healthy Communities

St. Katharina Kasper: How one woman’s dedication changed the framework of a city

Bailey GerberSaturday, May 24, 2025
“If you think about it, the Poor Handmaids were busting through glass ceilings before anyone had coined the term. Before women even had the right to vote, the Poor Handmaids were basically CEOs of orphanages, hospitals, and educational systems, and they were so humble the world never really recognized they did it.”
Feature Story Co-owner of Papi's Pizza Johnny Perez during the Creator Space 1 Year Bash at Papi's Pizza on The Landing in Fort Wayne, IN. Entrepreneurship

How Fort Wayne food entrepreneur Johnny Perez built and scaled a restaurant empire

Lauren CaggianoWednesday, May 7, 2025
“I do think that when you scale, you want to make sure that you don't lose some of that magic that you had when you first started."
Feature Story Students learn lifesaving techniques at a CPR class at Carroll High School. Healthy Communities

A ‘one-stop shop’ for comprehensive health educationHow the Allen County Department of Health is partnering with schools

Lauren CaggianoWednesday, May 7, 2025
“We seek to serve all students and better their health and well-being, one program and one event at a time.”
Feature Story Andrews at an Bring-it Push-it Own-it event. Volunteerism

Meet Bri Andrews: A local advocate focused on solutions

Fort Wayne FoodslutTuesday, May 6, 2025
“Now, I use my story to teach others how to reclaim their power, to advocate for policies that break cycles of harm, and to model a faith that meets people in their pain without judgment. This work isn’t charity – it's justice in action. It’s being the change that I want to see in this world."
Feature Story (From left) Councilwoman Rohli Booker, Mayor Sharon Tucker, Harvester Neighborhood Association President Margaret Machlan, and SE Area Partnership President Denita Washington pose at the bus shelter ribbon cutting ceremony. Neighborhoods

‘Strong neighborhoods build strong cities’: Fort Wayne's ground-up approach to community development

Lauren CaggianoTuesday, April 29, 2025
“We’re out in the neighborhoods as much as possible. Whether we’re at coffee shops, during neighborhood walks, or even standing at local markets, our goal is to build authentic relationships.”
Feature Story From left: Jennie Renner, Megan Burton, and Mia Morris work on mending projects. Sustainability

PHOTOS: Monday Mendings encourages sustainability

Rachel Von StroupMonday, April 28, 2025
“Mending doesn't always mean fixing a seam. It can mean adding a patch or button, adding decorative stitches to hide a stain, or simply modifying a garment– add, subtract, or tuck, in order to make it wearable again.”
Longform SMALLBrush-Mentone Healthy Communities

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

Shandra MartinezMonday, April 28, 2025
“We didn’t set out to build a national program. We just responded to a local need and applied what we knew best—how to create health education that people actually understand and use.”
Feature Story The Totchop's design is inspired by an ulu, a traditional, multipurpose knife created by Inuit peoples. Entrepreneurship

Meet the developer behind Totchop, a one-handed cutting device making meal prep easier

Brittany LantzWednesday, April 23, 2025
“Two months after we launched, we went viral on TikTok from a friend of a friend who made a post, and then we sold out in a day. It's kind of an entrepreneurial dream…that virality, that definitely opened eyes to what we were up to.”
Feature Story Volunteer stock Volunteerism

Making a difference locally: Three tips for volunteering

Brittany LantzTuesday, April 22, 2025
“I think that takes real ownership over the community, like you are invested in it– you believe in it.”
Partner Content Amy Trowbridge, who works for Ford Meter Box, helps cyclists at Dam to Dam registration. Volunteerism

Beyond the factory floor: Manufacturing companies making a difference in Wabash County

Dezaray ClawsonThursday, April 17, 2025
“You always hear about Paperworks and Ford Meter Box always stepping up and filling in the need. It goes back to the size of the community, where employers realize that they have a huge impact on the livelihood of our individual citizens and as a community as a whole.”
Feature Story From left: Hilary Hontz, Sarah Thompson, and Mandy Hall cut the ribbon during the grand opening of Good Bread for All. Entrepreneurship

Good Bread for All creates a welcoming space on Broadway with gluten-free and vegan pastries

Rachel Von StroupWednesday, April 9, 2025
“I believe that everyone, no matter who they are or what kind of dietary needs they have, deserves to have good food."
Longform Jessica Rickert

Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists

Shandra MartinezMonday, April 7, 2025
Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.
Partner Content With the help of Parkview Nurse and Indiana University Fort Wayne Instructor Roni Elliott, an IUFW student simulate taking vitals on an infant. Higher Education

Parkview partners with local universities to address shortage of registered nurses

Jillian ChristensenMonday, March 24, 2025
“The program supports the mutual goals to ensure our communities have the number and quality of nurses needed to care for the region."
Longform Victors for Veterans Healthy Communities

Doctors expand dental care access for veterans in need

Shandra MartinezMonday, March 17, 2025
Two Michigan veterans care advocates are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs.  
Partner Content The exterior of Charley Creek Inn Economic Development

The Charley Creek Inn: Where timeless elegance meets state-of-the-art comfort

Lauren CaggianoTuesday, March 11, 2025
“This isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s about giving people a reason to experience Wabash in new ways.”
Feature Story Vanessa Hayden's office Kids and Education

Safer, more whimsical spaces for children with autism: Q&A with Vanessa Hayden of Partly Whimsical

Sarah SpohnFriday, March 7, 2025
"My mission is to transform conventional spaces into autism-friendly environments that are thoughtfully tailored to support the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. It’s the creation of spaces that truly understand them. We envision a world where every child with autism thrives in an environment that celebrates individuality and fosters growth."
Partner Content Gail Altekruse, vice president of operations at Parkview Southwest Healthy Communities

A local leader reflects on her Parkview journey

Courtney LeachThursday, March 6, 2025
"One of the things that my parents imparted to me was a deep love for the community that I live in. I was always told that, whatever community you live in, or that you're a part of, you need to participate and raise the level of that community whenever you can. And that's kind of the way I feel here."
Longform Pontiac Streets, after elements of Complete Streets were implemented Transportation

The push for Complete Streets could make Fort Wayne safer and more accessible

Bailey GerberTuesday, February 25, 2025
“Our entire country’s infrastructure was built with cars in mind, and we kind of left behind the needs of other users. The Complete Streets initiative is an approach to planning that encourages city leaders to take a step back and evaluate every part of a street—sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks, bike lanes, and more.”
Feature Story The Landing 12 Community Development

IFF's community development in Fort WayneRevitalizing historic Landing project; investing in next generation with Bridge of Grace

Sarah SpohnTuesday, February 25, 2025
“One of the hardest things about stepping into any community is making sure we’re not forcing capital on them, but that they have projects that can absorb that capital. Fort Wayne has a rich philanthropic community, a very engaged city that understands that it won’t be just one avenue to success. Having a friendly city that is open to all types of different sourcing is really critical to the work.”
Feature Story Backroads Old Fashioned (left) and Cask & Coffee Martini (right) Entrepreneurship

Backroads Distilling Company: A farm-to-table distillery opens at Country Heritage Winery

Maygan LecoFriday, February 21, 2025
"Backroads Distilling Company embraces a true farm-to-bottle process, using the freshest ingredients sourced directly from the Lutter’s family farm. With over a century of farming legacy, we grow all the corn, wheat and rye distilled in our spirits."
Feature Story Margaret Wheeler (left) and Geena Howe (right) Volunteerism

Blog: Young leaders, big impact: Meet the students raising awareness and funds for cancer research

Margaret Wheeler and Geena HoweTuesday, February 18, 2025
"This year, we’ve committed ourselves to something different. We're dedicating ourselves to instilling positive change wherever we go, whether it's with a simple smile or through something more impactful, like our Student Visionaries of the Year campaign."
Longform small-clinic Healthy Communities

How an unused dental chair sparked an inclusive clinic at a Cleveland juvenile detention center

Shandra MartinezTuesday, February 18, 2025
MedWish Medworks turned an unused dental chair into inclusive dentistry for youth at Cuyahoga Juvenile Detention Center, providing critical care for long-neglected health needs.
Partner Content Students help design, plant and maintain 52 planter boxes along the streets of Wabash. Community Development

Planting seeds of success: How students are helping transform downtown Wabash

Lauren CaggianoThursday, February 13, 2025
“The opportunity is so endless with our collaboration with the community. They continue to amaze me every day with the opportunities they bring for our students."
Feature Story The Midway at the Three Rivers Festival in 2024. Arts and Culture

Can crowdfunding save the Three Rivers Festival?

Brittany LantzMonday, February 3, 2025
“Crowdfunding is not a sustainable funding model and we recognize that. But we do recognize that we have a lot of community members that want to be heard and they want to help and this is their opportunity to help. If we can raise enough funding to continue, then we will look at our other revenue streams.”
Partner Content Students in grades 4-8 received recognition for the scholarships they earned a previous semester in school as part of their participation in the Early Award Scholarship Program. Community Development

The Community Foundation’s impact on the Wabash community

Sarah SpohnThursday, January 30, 2025
“Whether it be those companies employing our people, or programs the Community Foundation offers, we’re showing we’ve created this, we want you, and we want to invest in you. We want to be known and are going to be known as the place that wants you here.”
Longform small-ohio Healthy Communities

Inclusive dentistry: Transforming access for patients with disabilities

Shandra MartinezThursday, January 23, 2025
Three Centers for Inclusive Dentistry in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio use specialized training, sensory-friendly tools, and tailored approaches to provide accessible dental care for all patients.
Feature Story A news clipping from the opening of the Fort Wayne Art Institute's Fine Arts Center. Arts and Culture

‘Enthusiastic energy’: How the Fort Wayne Art School underpinned Fort Wayne’s art and culture scene

Lauren CaggianoWednesday, January 22, 2025
“There are so many former students in our community who are teaching art or are retired educators. Many former students are producing art or supporting the arts and there are many who chose other paths but who value the training they received at the Fort Wayne Art School.”
Feature Story The Garden Arts and Culture

Q&A with the co-founder of The Garden: Night Markets, urban gardens & ‘Really Bad Art’

Brittany LantzWednesday, January 22, 2025
“Instead of being ultra serious about it, the goal is to have some levity with it saying, ‘Hey, you know what, I tried this thing. It looks terrible. Here's what I hate about it. Here's what I would do differently next time.' The irony is that often what the artist hates, a viewer loves.”
News "Unwelcomed: A Fair Housing History of Sales & Lending Discrimination" at ACPL. Neighborhoods

Allen County Public Library is hosting an interactive exhibit on housing discrimination

Brittany LantzTuesday, January 21, 2025
The traveling, interactive exhibit from the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana explores the historical and systemic barriers that have impacted and shaped today’s neighborhoods.
Feature Story Aimless Creators' Naylon Thompson, left, and Martin Vazquez Arts and Culture

Meet the Aimless Creators

Brittany LantzWednesday, January 15, 2025
“It kind of just organically became this thing where we bring in people and host local art shows."
News The city's project will address a railroad crossing on Airport Expressway. Community Development

Fort Wayne and Allen County both awarded federal grant for railroad crossing improvements

Brittany LantzTuesday, January 14, 2025
The City of Fort Wayne and Allen County were both awarded grants this week from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program.
News Kanpai Sushi, 4710 Coldwater Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Community Development

Kanpai Sushi brings all-you-can-eat sushi to Fort Wayne

Brittany LantzWednesday, January 8, 2025
“We’re thrilled to bring Kanpai Sushi to Fort Wayne and share our passion for Japanese cuisine with the local community. Our mission is to provide more than just a meal—we want every visit to be a memorable experience.”
Feature Story Indiana 211 connects residents to resources and social services. Technology and Innovation

What is Indiana 211?

Isabella AmbroseWednesday, December 18, 2024
“Navigating resources can be hard, and a lot of communities have great resources that people don't know about. 211 is an easy way for people to connect to community navigators who can help them along the way.”
Partner Content The Wabash County Fellowship Program aims to showcase the best assets of the area. Economic Development

‘A mindset shift’: How Wabash County prioritizes people in its plan for growth

Lauren CaggianoTuesday, December 17, 2024
“What the county has decided to do is we're going to swim upstream and focus on the things that bring people to a specific place. Because then that means downstream the employers will come and invest if we've done a really good job attracting and retaining top talent.”
Partner Content A Mother’s Hope provides pregnant homeless women safety, food, and shelter, as well as the opportunity to learn life skills and use resources to help improve their lives. Healthy Communities

Hope, housing and health: A Mother's Hope is transforming lives

Sarah SpohnTuesday, December 17, 2024
“It’s very intentionally set up like a home. It feels and looks like a home, it is not set up to look like a facility or institution. It is a maternity home, which is not just a shelter, it is truly a program."
Feature Story Science Central Executive Director Martin Fisher Kids and Education

Executive director of Science Central says farewell to Fort Wayne and the center he helped shape

Brittany LantzWednesday, December 11, 2024
"When it comes right down to it, if we can get visitors to come in here and learn a couple of facts and figures, that's great. If we can have visitors come in here and say, ‘I see the connection between that fact or figure from science and my life,' that's pretty powerful. But if we can get visitors to walk out of here, not just learning, but then saying, ‘Wow, science is fun!’ that's really powerful."
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