WFHB Local News WFHB Local News

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, June 6th, 2024.

Later in the program, the Bloomington City Council made changes to its policy on public comment – limiting the amount of time residents can speak at the public mic from 5-minutes to 3-minutes. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, the Ellettsville Town Council continued its discussion on forming a redevelopment commission.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Council





Photo by Benedict Jones.



The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, May 28th. During department updates, County Assessor Judy Sharp spoke to the council about her concerns with the proposed changes to the county clinic’s healthcare provider.



Sharp then went on to discuss how the facility takes care of the employees year-round, and that it’s incredibly important to the whole county to continue using the same healthcare. She shared information about a petition being signed to halt the change.



County Treasurer Cathy Smith also spoke about the trouble she sees with this change.



Monroe County District 3 Council Member Marty Hawk spoke about her thoughts on the petition.



Monroe County Attorney Molly Turner-King said that this issue is on the Commissioners's agenda to address any concerns.



Later in the meeting, Monroe County Highway Department Director Lisa Ridge requested approval for the de‐Appropriation of Account Lines Sample Road Phase 2, Hunters Creek Rd Phase 2 and 3, Bicentennial Pathway, and Liberty Drive to Karst Trail. This request was unanimously approved by all County Council Board Members.



The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 11th.



Ellettsville Town Council





Photo courtesy of Elletsville.



The Ellettsville Town Council met on May 28th.They continued their discussion surrounding the formation of a Redevelopment Commission and a TIF district.



Town Manager Mike Farmer introduced the discussion.



Town Attorney Darla Brown shared her answers to questions the council had asked during their discussion last week.



Council Member William Ellis shared concerns about the commission making frivolous purchases that the council would have to spend money to maintain after the 20 year TIF district expired.



Farmer said that might be true in a worst case scenario, however, he reminded Ellis that the TIF is meant to improve the town’s infrastructure and contribute to the town’s economic development. Farmer also suggested that the town council have members on the commission so they would have control over what is being done.



Ellis reiterated that he has seen other county’s left with projects that they could not sustain.



Council Member Scott Oldham asked Attorney Darla Brown if there was a way to ensure the committee had to get their approval for purchases. Brown responded that she was not sure, but thought it was a likely possibility.



Council Member Scott Oldham said he was in support of the Redevelopment Commission since the town council positions change every four years, and said that the commission could add continuity and ensure long term projects like Envision Ellettsville initiatives are followed through.



Brown suggested one way the council will have oversight on what the commission does, is to set up the expectations of the Redevelopment Commission. She shared that after the commission is established, they will draft up their plans for the commission, and the town council and Plan Commission will be involved in the process.



Farmer reminded the council that the reason they considered starting a Redevelopment Commission and a T-I-F district was to meet the city’s basic needs.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, June 5th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News continues its series of Indiana’s wetlands on Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, “Scammers Take A Toll” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, the latest episode of Deep Dive:





This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.









Up next, “Scammers Take A Toll” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Madison Stratton and Kade Young.

Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU - the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.

But first, your local headlines:

Monroe County Commissioners 





Photo by Benedict Jones.



On May 30th, members of city and county government met for a joint session to discuss the expansion of the Monroe Convention Center. Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson began the meeting saying she wanted to create an open and transparent space for county and city officials to work together and remove tensions within the project.



County Councilor Cheryl Munson walked through the history of the Convention Center and cautioned against an overly ambitious vision for the Convention Center.



Monroe County Commissioner Lee Jones said she took issue with a letter written by the city council addressed to the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board. The letter made a handful of recommendations to the C-I-B. Jones called the letter “high handed” and criticized the city council's conduct in sending the letter.



County Council Member Geoff McKim offered his perspective on the Convention Center expansion project.



City Council Member Isak Asare said elected officials should have a more measured approach surrounding the convention center conversation.



City Council President Isabel Piedmont-Smith provided some concluding remarks on the project as a whole, saying she appreciated hearing all the perspectives and defending the city council’s drafting of the letter written to the C-I-B.



Both city and county bodies of government are expected to deliberate on the Convention Center expansion in the coming weeks.



The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the 55 protesters who were arrested for “criminal trespass” at Dunn Meadow in late April.

Feature Report:





In today’s feature report, WFHB News Correspondent Annika Harshbarger continues Part II of her series, Banned from IU - the story of Cameron Gray who was arrested for protesting in Dunn Meadow and subsequently banned from campus. We turn to Annika Harshbarger for more.







Up next, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We turn now to that segment on the WFHB Local News.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Annika Harshbarger.

Lil Bub’s Lil Show is produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, June 3rd, 2024.

Later in the program, local journalist Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin provides an editorial on the procedures of the Bloomington City Council during their work session last Wednesday. More in today’s feature report.



That's Heather Stettler from the Bloomington Bicycle Club. The club was instrumental in getting drainage grates rotated on city streets so that bicycle tires wouldn't get caught in them. Hear about their new project later in the show on a new episode of Activate!

But first, your daily headlines:

Monroe County Prosecutor Drops Charges for Dunn Meadow Protesters





The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office decided not to file criminal charges against the 55 protesters who were arrested for “criminal trespass” at Dunn Meadow in late April.



According to a revised statement released on Friday, the prosecutor’s office said, “based upon the facts and circumstances surrounding these arrests, including, among other things, the constitutionally dubious process by which the University passed and enforced its new policy regarding structures in Dunn Meadow, the State is unlikely to be able to convict these individuals at trials on the merits. To attempt to do so would be a poor use of limited resources and wholly inconsistent with the sound exercise of prosecutorial discretion.”



The arrests were made in Dunn Meadow after the Indiana State Police and the IU Police Department were called in to enforce an overnight policy change by Indiana University making prior approval necessary to have tents on campus. Dunn Meadow had been designated as an area to hold public forums for expression on all subjects since 1969. The change in the decades-long policy led to police arresting 55 people, which included both students and faculty of the university.



In addition to the county prosecutor dropping charges for protestors, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against the university alleging the university violated the First Amendment rights of three plaintiffs facing a one-year ban from campus for their participation in political protests on the IU-Bloomington campus.



Organizers of the protest, the IU Divestment Coalition, wrote on their Instagram account, “while this decision marks a significant victory within our movement, our work is far from complete. The Israeli occupation continued to murder and violate innocent Palestinians every single day.”



Meanwhile, tents remain in Dunn Meadow as demonstrators continue their 40th day of the protest on the war on Gaza. The IU Divestment Coalition maintains that it will continue its occupation until demands are met, which include: the university terminating its partnership with Crane Naval Base and divesting from entities “implicated in genocide."

Monroe County Commissioners Discuss Health Clinic Vendor Switch





Photo by Benedict Jones.



At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on May 29th, H-R Administrator Elizabeth Sensenstein, also known as E, presented on the staff recommendation to change service providers for their clinic from Everside to Proactive M-D. Sensenstein said that they were recommended to shift to a nurse practitioner model.



Sensenstein shared that over the five years they have worked with Everside, there have been issues that have not gotten resolved.



County Attorney Jeff Cockerill informed the commissioners that they have until August 1st to make a decision.



During public comment on the Service Provider Agreement, county staff members asked the commissioners to forgo the change in providers,

This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, May 30th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on Industrial Labor Relations. Hurr explores the increasing trend of labor strikes happening all around the country. More coming up in today’s feature report. But first, your local headlines:

Richland Bean Blossom School Board





At the Richland Bean Blossom School Board meeting on May 20th, Assistant Superintendent Matt Irwin updated the board on the work they have been doing to look ahead at staff positions that are currently being paid with grant funding set to expire in the near future.



Irwin also walked the board through H-vac work that will be ongoing during the summer months.



Later in the meeting, the board discussed the approval of a joint resolution with the Town of Ellettsville, to donate and accept a tract of land. President of the Board, Dana Kerr, introduced the resolution.



Kerr elaborated on some of the details of the resolution.



Superintendent Dr. Jerry Sanders talked about how the resolution would benefit the school system.



Legal Counsel Christine Bartlett outlined the changes that were made in collaboration with Ellettsville Town Attorney Darla Brown.



The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution to donate the small tract of land to the Town of Ellettsville. The Town of Ellettsville will have to approve the revised resolution as well.



The Richland Bean Blossom School Board will meet again on June 17th.

Bloomington Utilities Service Board





Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.



At the Utility Service Board meeting on May 20th, Assistant City Attorney Chris Wheeler approached the board with new information regarding the sale of a property on the edge of Lake Lemon. Wheeler explained that he arranged for a second appraisal for the property as the board requested, and received similar results.



Board Member Jeff Enham asked if the second appraiser had used a different approach to come to their conclusion regarding the appraised value. Wheeler said the appraiser used the same approach, and that the other approaches were not applicable to the property.



Board Member Megan Parmenter said she was surprised the appraisal for the property was so low, but thanked Wheeler for double checking.



Wheeler recommended that the board table any decisions on the property to ensure the public has the opportunity to make public comments. Board Member Kirk White agreed.



The board will discuss the sale of the property at their next meeting on June 3rd.

Feature Report:





Now it’s time for your feature reports. Up next, WFHB Youth Radio Correspondent Jiin Hur reports on Industrial Labor Relations. Recent strikes such as the Starbucks workers’ strikes in New York and the IU graduate student workers’ strike are just some of an increasing trend of labor strikes happening all around the country.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Jiin Hur.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, May 29th, 2024.

Later in the program, WFHB News continues its coverage of the rollback of protections for Indiana wetlands on the latest episode of Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate. More in today’s feature report.



Also coming up in the next half hour, “Your Pal May Not Be Your Friend” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. More following today’s feature.

But first, your local headlines:

Bloomington Board of Public Works





At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on May 21st, the board approved a resolution to purchase a right of way for the High Street Intersection Modernizations and Multi-use Path Project.



Engineering Senior Project Engineer Neil Kopper presented on the right of way resolution.



Kopper explained the public right of way acquisition that will be necessary to complete the project.



Board Member James Roach asked how the project will affect the historic cemetery. Kopper responded.



Kopper said that there are some homeowners who feel like the right of way is taking up a large portion of their yard.



The board unanimously approved the request for the right of way purchase for the High Street Intersection Modernizations and Multi-use Path Project.



The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on June 4th.

Monroe County Community School Corporation





Photo courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student.



The Monroe County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees had a meeting on May 21st. M-C-C-S-C Foundation Executive Director Cyrilla Helm provided a quarterly report on the activities of the foundation.



During public comment, Monroe County Education Association President Paul Farmer announced that he’s stepping down from his role of the head of the county’s teachers’ union.



Next, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Certified Human Resources Dr. Erin Stalbaum gave a report on M-C-C-S-C personnel. Dr. Stalbaum announced faculty who recently retired from the school corporation.



The school board approved the personnel report by a unanimous vote. The M-C-C-S-C Board of Trustees will meet again on June 25th.

Feature Report:





This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We look into Indiana’s wetlands, and the wetlands we have right here in Monroe County. Our deep dive is prompted by the legislation Indiana has passed to decrease the protection of wetlands, and environmental concerns that have arisen as a result.



WFHB News: Wetlands Part II



Limestone Post's "What’s at Stake in the Debate Over Indiana’s Wetlands?" written and photographed by Anne Kibbler.







Up next, “Your Pal May Not Be Your Friend” on Better Beware - your weekly consumer-watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Kade Young and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by

Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.