This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, December 14th, 2021.

Later in the program, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Jakob Breunig, a volunteer for the Bloomington Community Bike Project. More in today’s feature report. Also coming up in the next half hour, we turn to Jim Eagleman of the Brown County Hour for his essay entitled, “Farmers Almanac.”

Monroe County Commissioners

The Monroe County Commissioners voted to amend a zoning ordinance for future development at their December 8th meeting. The amendment only affects the development of land greater than five acres. Assistant Director of the Planning Department Jackie Nester Jelen presented the amendment.

Jelen explained the purpose of the amendment and how the sanctions benefit Monroe County residents.

Commissioner Lee Jones expressed her support for the ordinance.

Commission member Julie Thomas said that the amendment would help protect Monroe County Residents from things such as stormwater runoff while allowing community members to get projects approved in a timely manner.

The amendment passed unanimously. Thomas reminded county residents that applications for Monroe County boards and commissions are available. She encouraged individuals who are interested in making the community better to apply.

The next County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 15th.

Bloomington Board of Public Works 

The City of Bloomington Board of Public Works approved the installation of a fiber optic line on South Strong Drive at their meeting on December 7th.

Public Works Director Adam Wason presented the resolution.

Project Engineer Patrick Dierkes added that approval for the street closure and a noise permit were included in the resolution.

Board member Kyla Cox Deckard asked if they would be able to extend the noise permits if the installation was postponed for any reason.

Wason said they have the ability to work with the mayor’s office and corporation council if there are any emergency based extensions needed.

The board approved the fiber optic line and the noise permit unanimously. The next board of public works meeting will be held on December 21st.

Feature Reports:

Up next, we have an excerpt from the Brown County Hour - a program brought to you from the hills and hollers of Brown County. In this excerpt, we turn to Jim Eagleman for his essay called “Farmers Almanac.” The Brown County Hour airs on the first Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. and again on the following Wednesday at 6 p.m. on WFHB Community Radio.

Photo courtesy of Bloom Magazine.

In today’s feature report, WFHB News Director Kade Young speaks with Jakob Breunig, a volunteer for the Bloomington Community Bike Project. The B-Town Bike Project is a local bicycle co-op that recycles bikes back into the community. Breunig says that through his work with the bike project, he wants to emphasize climate sustainability by encouraging local residents to use a bicycle as an alternative to driving. We turn to Kade Young for more.

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 Kade Young.

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

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.

Ancors are Benedict Jones and Tod Wicks.