This Week in Fort Wayne - and Some from Ossian

Fort Wayne had a wild report this week all the way from Ossian, Indiana. Remember, Lori Rogers? That gal who had the home where 67 dogs and a variety of other neglected animals was raided a little over a week or so ago? Well, she has been in court and she will get them back - on several strict conditions!

She has to clean up the place, for God's sake! She will also have to get her animal business up to speed - which means an inspector will come in and approve everything before the animals are returned. Then, there will be frequent visits by the animal shelter to insure that she is keeping the animals in good, healthy conditions. There you have it.!!

The smoking ban controversy is running wild in the city of Fort Wayne. This Sunday, Frank Gray of the Journal-Gazette ran a story about the people who run pubs in Fort Wayne and how these businesses are about to go the way of speakeasies and blacksmiths.

Actually, although, I am a "reformed" smoker myself, I find myself getting a little uneasy when the government starts to decide that they can regulate what I can do when I want to let my hair down in a bar. Not, that I have been in a bar, lately, either - but GOD!

One of the wives of a possible candidate for Mayor stood up at the last smoking ban meeting and stated that she is sick and tired of having to walk through smoke to get to the non-smoking area! My comment is "tough doorknockers, lady!"

I agree, obviously, that smoke is bad for us - and I don't want my kids or grandkids to smoke, and I wish I had never started, and I wish my father hadn't smoked and none of my sisters or brother - and I wish the Indians had never passed a peace pipe - but still, I do think adults have the right to do some things that they want to when they choose to go to a bar for a beer. Anyway, that's my rant on that issue.

Finally, Crime Stoppers asks for information about a robbery that took place at The Flower Gallery on December 23. Apparently two men entered the store, brought out a handgun and demanded cash from the employee. They then ran to Woodview Manor apartments on Timberhill Drive. There was a fire at a Stellhorn home on January 13, it was quickly brought under control and no one was home. And Aaron Michael Keith, 20 was driving his 1989 Dodge Dakota at 2:30am Saturday, when he failed to negotiate a sharp turn - the truck left the road and the vehicle went airborne, hit a tree and landed in the lake 100 ft from the shoreline -coming to rest in about six feet of water. The youth was not wearing a seat belt and alcohol was a factor in the crash.

That's the way it was, this week, in Fort Wayne, Indiana!