Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share WFHB Local News – August 7th, 2025
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
WFHB Local News – August 7th, 2025
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 7th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government from WFHB’s Youth Radio. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a rundown of all the latest government meetings in Bloomington and Monroe County. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on July 28th and heard public comment on the proposed septic hauler rate increase. Jeff Todd, the owner of Todd Septic, said that certain customers would be more affected by the increase because they have to pump their tanks more frequently than the recommended timeframe.
Todd said restaurants and other businesses regulated under the city’s fats, oils and grease programs would also be impacted by a large rate increase.
Board members thanked him for his comments, and said they would consider phasing the change in over a longer period to ease financial burdens.
The board moved on to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Bloomington Utilities and Sudbury Development Partners LLC. The agreement outlines how the developer will contribute to the cost of upgrading the sewer system for the increased use from the southside housing development.
The estimated cost to upgrade the sewer to accommodate the 132-acre development would be around $5 million. Board Member Jeff Ehman highlighted that the city is requiring the developer to pay a portion.
The board discussed how the cost of sewer infrastructure is normally passed down to the residents as higher home prices. Board Member Kirk White said utilities infrastructure costs are the perfect example of why it is so difficult to build new housing.
Next, the board approved a sewer main extension agreement for a development on South Rogers Street that lies outside of city limits. City Legal Representative Chris Wheeler said the property was one of the last granted services before the annexation policy shift.
Bloomington is in the midst of a legal battle over remonstrance waivers signed in exchange for sewer system hookups. Board members clarified that this agreement includes provisions that Bloomington Utilities will take ownership of the infrastructure if future properties connect to the new sewer line.
The board also discussed a project to replace the air conditioning at the Dilman wastewater treatment plant. The building has been using temporary air conditioner units due to the extreme heat.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Utilities Service Board will be held on August 11th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
The Ellettsville Town Council met on July 28th. The main topic of discussion was the proposal of
building a new fire station in Richland Township, replacing its current fire station at Curry Pike. Town Attorney Darla Brown detailed the proposal to the council.
Council Members William Ellis and Scott Oldham expressed concern regarding ownership of the station. They had questions surrounding what happens to the station if the township ceases to exist, considering the fact that they would be building the station on land they did not own.
Due to these concerns, both the construction of the fire station itself and a deal regarding the roofing of
the station were tabled for a later date until the Town of Ellettsville has assurances over the ownership of the station.
The Ellettsville Town Council will meet next on August 11th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on Tuesday, July 29th to discuss a lane closure request to occur on West 2nd Street. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh from the Engineering Department outlined the project. He said the first phase will occur during the evening of August 3rd and the 2nd phase will occur between August 4th and 15th. Baugh described detours which could be used during this time.
Baugh also confirmed that the businesses adjacent to the street have been notified of the closures, and have agreed to them. The board voted to approve the closure request.
Later in the meeting, Project Engineer Kendall Knoke from the engineering department addressed the board to gain approval for street utility staking, to occur as part of the same project on West 2nd Street. Knoke warned that once he gives approval for the staking to begin, work will start immediately.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard questioned if the board would continue to receive updates as the project moves along, to which Knoke confirmed that updates will continually be given. The Board voted to approve the request.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on Tuesday, August 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects Hoosiers. In this episode Dr. Heather Akou, talks to us about the Dunn Meadow protests and the vote of no confidence in IU’s president, Pamela Whitten. We turn now to Shefar Rafiul for more.
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the
reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its
watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its
watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
Up next – frequent rainfall beginning in April has left Lake Monroe flooded, at times reaching 15 feet above normal levels. While flood control is one of the primary purposes of the reservoir, water buildup still poses challenges to those who depend on the lake for their livelihood. WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with volunteers, DNR staff, and business owners to learn more about how they have adapted to the new conditions.
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 Harley Babbitt.
Government.exe was hosted and Produced by Shefar Rafiul for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
View all episodes
By WFHB Local News
4
88 ratings
This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, August 7th, 2025.
In today’s newscast, we have Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government from WFHB’s Youth Radio. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we have a rundown of all the latest government meetings in Bloomington and Monroe County. That’s coming up next in your daily headlines:
Bloomington Utilities Service Board
Photo courtesy of Schmidt Associates.
The Bloomington Utilities Service Board met on July 28th and heard public comment on the proposed septic hauler rate increase. Jeff Todd, the owner of Todd Septic, said that certain customers would be more affected by the increase because they have to pump their tanks more frequently than the recommended timeframe.
Todd said restaurants and other businesses regulated under the city’s fats, oils and grease programs would also be impacted by a large rate increase.
Board members thanked him for his comments, and said they would consider phasing the change in over a longer period to ease financial burdens.
The board moved on to approve a memorandum of understanding between the City of Bloomington Utilities and Sudbury Development Partners LLC. The agreement outlines how the developer will contribute to the cost of upgrading the sewer system for the increased use from the southside housing development.
The estimated cost to upgrade the sewer to accommodate the 132-acre development would be around $5 million. Board Member Jeff Ehman highlighted that the city is requiring the developer to pay a portion.
The board discussed how the cost of sewer infrastructure is normally passed down to the residents as higher home prices. Board Member Kirk White said utilities infrastructure costs are the perfect example of why it is so difficult to build new housing.
Next, the board approved a sewer main extension agreement for a development on South Rogers Street that lies outside of city limits. City Legal Representative Chris Wheeler said the property was one of the last granted services before the annexation policy shift.
Bloomington is in the midst of a legal battle over remonstrance waivers signed in exchange for sewer system hookups. Board members clarified that this agreement includes provisions that Bloomington Utilities will take ownership of the infrastructure if future properties connect to the new sewer line.
The board also discussed a project to replace the air conditioning at the Dilman wastewater treatment plant. The building has been using temporary air conditioner units due to the extreme heat.
The next meeting of the Bloomington Utilities Service Board will be held on August 11th.
Ellettsville Town Council
Photo courtesy of Ellettsville.
The Ellettsville Town Council met on July 28th. The main topic of discussion was the proposal of
building a new fire station in Richland Township, replacing its current fire station at Curry Pike. Town Attorney Darla Brown detailed the proposal to the council.
Council Members William Ellis and Scott Oldham expressed concern regarding ownership of the station. They had questions surrounding what happens to the station if the township ceases to exist, considering the fact that they would be building the station on land they did not own.
Due to these concerns, both the construction of the fire station itself and a deal regarding the roofing of
the station were tabled for a later date until the Town of Ellettsville has assurances over the ownership of the station.
The Ellettsville Town Council will meet next on August 11th.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
The Bloomington Board of Public Works met on Tuesday, July 29th to discuss a lane closure request to occur on West 2nd Street. Engineering Field Specialist Kyle Baugh from the Engineering Department outlined the project. He said the first phase will occur during the evening of August 3rd and the 2nd phase will occur between August 4th and 15th. Baugh described detours which could be used during this time.
Baugh also confirmed that the businesses adjacent to the street have been notified of the closures, and have agreed to them. The board voted to approve the closure request.
Later in the meeting, Project Engineer Kendall Knoke from the engineering department addressed the board to gain approval for street utility staking, to occur as part of the same project on West 2nd Street. Knoke warned that once he gives approval for the staking to begin, work will start immediately.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard questioned if the board would continue to receive updates as the project moves along, to which Knoke confirmed that updates will continually be given. The Board voted to approve the request.
The Bloomington Board of Public Works will meet again on Tuesday, August 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, we have Government.exe, a show that explains what’s happening in state government. Each episode focuses on a bill from the Indiana General Assembly. We interview experts in the fields these bills impact, asking for their insights on how the legislation could affect their work, what might have been the motivation behind this kind of legislation, and how it affects Hoosiers. In this episode Dr. Heather Akou, talks to us about the Dunn Meadow protests and the vote of no confidence in IU’s president, Pamela Whitten. We turn now to Shefar Rafiul for more.
The primary reason Salt Creek was dammed in the 1960s was to control floodwaters downstream. While the Monroe Lake Control Tower (above) regulates water flow from the
reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its
watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
reservoir through the dam, the rest of Lake Monroe has become a valuable resource for drinking water, recreation, industry, wild habitat, and other uses well beyond its
watershed. Photo by Anna Powell Denton.
Up next – frequent rainfall beginning in April has left Lake Monroe flooded, at times reaching 15 feet above normal levels. While flood control is one of the primary purposes of the reservoir, water buildup still poses challenges to those who depend on the lake for their livelihood. WFHB News Correspondent Harley Babbitt speaks with volunteers, DNR staff, and business owners to learn more about how they have adapted to the new conditions.
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 Harley Babbitt.
Government.exe was hosted and Produced by Shefar Rafiul for WFHB’s Youth Radio
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
More shows like WFHB Local News
View all
WFHB
0 Listeners