Three people were robbed at gunpoint Monday while in a home on West Main Street.

One victim reported that a person with a gun entered the home and demanded that the three “get on the ground and empty out your pockets,” according to a Fort Wayne Police report. The suspect took cash and other items.

A man was held up Friday near Putnam and Meridian streets and robbed of his wallet. The man was reportedly canvassing the area for his job when he stopped to look at paperwork. It was then that what he assumed was a gun was shoved into his back. Money was demanded and the man was told to not turn around, according to a Fort Wayne Police report. The man said this was the 12th time he has been robbed and the third time this year alone, the report said.

An employee at the East State KFC was robbed at gunpoint Friday while working.

A man reportedly got in through a back door when the employee was throwing out a cigarette and demanded money. She handed him a blue bag with bank deposit money, and he left, according to a Fort Wayne Police report.

Parking in three downtown parking garages - Civic Center, Harrison Square and the City-County Building's Plaza Garage - will be free after 5 p.m. today so visitors can participate in the downtown Night of Lights festivities. Parking meters will be free Thursday and Friday.

A local food equipment service is facing a lawsuit in Allen Superior Court after a woman was burned by a steamer last year.

The lawsuit claims that Joy McKinney, who worked as a cook for Coventry Meadows Assisted Living, went to open the door of a steamer maintained by Professional Food Equipment Service in Fort Wayne and hot water “gushed” out, causing serious burns, according to court documents.

McKinney is seeking damages for her injuries and other related pain because of the incident. Her husband, Eric, is also suing in the same case for loss of “society, love and companionship” with his wife, and also seeks damages, according to court documents.

Allen County property owners have until the end of the month to sign up for a monthly tax payment plan.

According to County Treasurer Sue Orth, the first installment would be deducted from participants' bank accounts in December, with the 12th installment fulfilling their full annual tax obligation in November 2010.

Taxpayers who do not have a mortgage company escrow their payments may find the plan helpful for budgeting purposes or for catching up on overdue bills, she added.

To sign up, go to www.allencountytreasurer.us
and click on “monthly payment plan” or call the treasurer's office at 449-7693.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has debuted an effort to raise private money to help feed the needy.

The Indiana General Assembly in June dedicated $300,000 this year to Feeding Indiana's Hungry Inc. The organization, also known as FIsH, is the umbrella organization for 10 regional food banks.

Zoeller on Saturday announced he wants to raise private money to match the public support.

In the coming weeks, Zoeller plans to appeal to corporate leaders and business owners to include FIsH in their year-end charitable contributions. Zoeller also wants employees and others to donate.

FIsH plans to handle the accounting for the effort and will direct all donations to the food banks.

The fundraising effort is scheduled to end Dec. 31.